Premier Daniel Andrews on Sunday confirmed all students in regional Victoria would return to on-site classes from October 12 - the second week of term four.

Remote learning would continue for all students in that first week, with VCE and VCAL students only allowed to attend school for essential assessments and the General Achievement Test.

A Department of Education and Training spokesperson said that would reduce any risk of a school closure during the first week of term four.

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But Bendigo Senior Secondary College principal Dale Pearce said while it was pleasing there was a return date for schools, the government had missed an opportunity for students.

"I understand there has been a priority in enabling the GAT to occur for all students in the state," Mr Pearce said. "I think that has driven the decision to not return prior to the GAT.

"What I'm a little disappointed with is that we can't bring students back to face-to-face classes immediately after the GAT. I'm not sure why we're waiting until the following Monday.

"In these circumstances, every day of face-to-face classes matter. I think by waiting to the Monday, we're forgetting about two days that would have been invaluable to both the teachers and the students."

Marist College Bendigo principal Darren McGregor agreed that regional classes should go back earlier.

"I would have loved to see the senior kids back at the start of next term," he said. "This is such a big year and they have given up so much.

"I understand there is the concern about keeping it consistent across the state. But I think regional kids are disadvantaged in a range of ways and it would have been great to see them receive that support."

Mr Pearce said he was also concerned about two public holidays scheduled for term four - the AFL Grand Final public holiday on October 23 and the Bendigo Cup public holiday on October 28.

"They are two further days that are lost," he said. "In effect, that means it is going to be a real scramble for teachers and students to recap what has been taught, teach new content, complete assessments, and prepare for exams.

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"There is a lot that needs to be done in little time. There's concern about the capacity of schools to be able to do that, hence the frustration of two lost days."

Mr Pearce said regardless of the concerns, senior students would be supported in the lead-up to exams.

"One thing that is clear here is that it's affecting everyone equally," he said. "The loss of time is affecting everyone.

"But every principal can see that some students are more heavily impacted by this than others. We are desperate to be able to get those students back to class. We're really looking forward to that."

Mr McGregor said Marist College would this week speak with students about support.

"We'll work with our kids and really step it out for them," he said. "It's still very doable.

"One of the things we've been saying is that while COVID-19 has interrupted their year, COVID-19 is not going to define them. They have control over their year. This is roadmap for us to the end of the year."

Kennington Primary School principal Travis Eddy said his school was excited there was a return date confirmed.

"It's great that we have a date to look forward to," he said. "Our families have been fantastic and super supportive.

"I think the transition to remote learning was credit to the work everyone did in the first instance, particularly teaching staff and families who work with us to make sure kids can continue to learn.

"People want to get back to normal but they also understand there's a lot unknown."