3.30pm
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A Bendigo school has announced it will be shutting down all activities except timetabled classes, as concern about the spread of novel coronavirus continues.
Catherine McAuley College has cancelled its opening evening, scheduled to be held tomorrow night, as well as all events before and after school hours.
These include all co-curricular activities and events, such as additional classes, excursions, rehearsals, guest speakers, camps, information sessions, and representative sport.
The school says parents have a critical role to play in managing the situation, and should keep children who are unwell, for any reason, at home.
Earlier
BENDIGO principals are bringing in a series of new preventative measures to manage the spread of COVID-19.
The federal government on Sunday chose not to shut down schools, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison saying it would be counter-intuitive to the efforts to contain the virus.
Bendigo Senior Secondary College principal Dale Pearce said he understood the challenges around mass school closures.
"We know that other countries have handled this differently," he said. "But the best we can do is follow the advice of the government.
"I think we know that as soon as students can't attend school, it creates a whole range of issues so I can see the logic in the decision. But we may reach a stage where schools need to close."
Read more on the coronavirus:
Mr Pearce sent a letter out to staff, students, and parents on Sunday evening in preparation of any closures.
He advised students that a number of Cultural Diversity Week events would be cancelled this week due to the fact they involved the distribution of food on a large scale.
A presentation on consent and the school's Anzac service was also cancelled, although the service could still be live streamed.
The school was also encouraging students and staff to keep essential school items at home, Mr Pearce said.
"We would hate for the school to be closed and find that students had the things they need in lockers or at school," he said.
Marist College Bendigo principal Darren McGregor said his school had also decided to introduce changes because of the coronavirus.
The school has cancelled all co-curricular activities, including inter-school sports and excursions. Parent Teacher interviews have also been cancelled.
"School in its basic form will take place," Mr McGregor said. "It's basically about minimising the movement of students and parents coming in and out of the school."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday encouraged schools to ensure students were separated by 1.5 metres at all times to limit the spread of the virus.
Mr Pearce said that wasn't possible.
"It's simply not practical," he said. "It would be difficult outside of classrooms and downright impossible inside classrooms. It simply can't happen."
But Mr McGregor said Marist College Bendigo would encourage social distancing.
"Even in a space with more than 1000 kids, it's just about keeping a respectful distance," he said.
Mr Pearce said the situation was constantly evolving, and students, parents, and teachers needed to be aware.
"The Department of Education and Training is providing excellent support," he said. "We're getting daily updates.
"Given how quickly the situation is evolving, we would expect to contact students and parents again very, very soon.
"We've asked them to maintain a close watch on our communication channels so they can stay informed."
Girton Grammar is also considering changes at the school in the face of potential closures.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.