BENDIGO students have been reminded there is plenty of help available if they are struggling to transition back to face-to-face classes.
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Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews last week announced students in prep, grade one and two, along with year 11 and 12 students, would return to classes on May 26.
Remaining students in other year levels would go back to school on June 9.
Bendigo Senior Secondary College assistant principal Kylie Hand said students had successfully transitioned to remote learning throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mrs Hand said she was confident students would be able to make the move back to face-to-face classes.
"While some students have found the transition to remote learning challenging, overall we have been quite amazed with the level of resilience that our students have shown," Mrs Hand said.
"They have been able to adapt to the change in their learning and lifestyle quite quickly. The vast majority have shown enormous resilience and adapted really well.
"It will take time to adjust, but I have no doubt they will adjust really well to coming back. The level of excitement is really healthy."
Mrs Hand said BSSC had ensured all students were supported closely during remote learning.
"For the students who were already accessing mental health services through a private practice or through the school, all of that support has continued when they have been working remotely," Mrs Hand said.
"The school has adopted the same telehealth model that the health department has endorsed.
"All of those consultations are done remotely through video conference, so they can still interact with the students and see their faces.
"It's a wonderful second-best approach. It's been a really good option."
Mrs Hand said mental and physical health were closely linked so it was important students embraced good habits ahead of schools returning.
"One piece of advice is that if they have let their routines slip - particularly with sleep - now is the time to get that back," Mrs Hand said.
"Another thing is organising materials so they can be mobile again. They have been able to be in the one spot for weeks now so they need to be able to move between school and home again.
"There is the commute as well. A lot of our students have to travel quite a distance. They will have to be at class at 9am and they can't just get out of bed at 8.59am."
Mrs Hand said schools would be there to support students. She advised anyone who was worried to speak directly to their school or contact Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.
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