EXCITED central Victorian students have returned to their classrooms for the 2021 school year.
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St Joseph's Primary School in Quarry Hill had 240 students back at school on Thursday, including 35 new preps.
New principal Peter Teggelove said staff and students were relieved to be on site rather than working from home.
"There's really just an excited buzz about the place," Mr Teggelove said. "Going around to the classes this morning and asking students what they missed the most, they all said their friends.
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"Staff are excited to see the kids again and also very excited to see the parents. From what I gathered, there wasn't a lot of contact last year besides the phone or webex."
Mr Teggelove has moved into the role of principal after 11 years at St Joseph's Primary School in Rochester.
He said the Quarry Hill school had implemented a range of health and safety measures for the 2021 school year, including QR codes at the front office and extra cleaning.
Mr Teggelove said while there would always be some uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic, students and parents should feel some level of confidence.
"If we ever went back to remote learning again, I think most people would just accept it," he said. "I personally don't think it will happen.
"But I think all schools, especially St Joseph's in Quarry Hill, are well-equipped to deal with it if it happens.
"I think we should just stay positive. We're living in a world that changes from day-to-day at the moment. Anything could happen, but I think we just go into school every day and do our job.
"We're all about keeping our kids feeling safe, valued, and respected. I think if we can do that, then that's all that matters."
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