Students across Greater Bendigo enjoy successful first week back at school

Despite questions around the school start day and some not able to receive all the promised RAT kits, others say it has been a successful beginning to the year.

Kennington Primary School principal Travis Eddy said he was pleased with how the week had gone.

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"From our point of view it's been really smooth," he said.

"Our preps started on Thursday and they've come in with no worries, but obviously the transition has been slightly different to what we've always done.

"Usually we involve our parents a lot more with them starting school, but unfortunately COVID has made that difficult."

Mr Eddy said the COVIDsafe protocols were working well for the school so far.

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"We were thankful to receive all our allocated RAT kits in multiple shipments throughout the school holidays," he said.

"We recommend staff and students test twice a week, it's not mandatory, but the response we've got from families as been pretty positive towards it.

"There is an expectation that we will get cases at some stage, we're aware and prepared for that, but if we make sure no one comes to school if they have symptoms or without a negative RAT, we will be fine."

Mr Eddy said it was great to see students back in the classrooms rather than through a screen.

"If you think about it, we have grade two students who have never had a normal year at school," he said.

"So to be able to have students back on campus rather than at home doing remote learning from day one is just amazing."

Students at St Joseph's Primary School in Quarry Hill said they have enjoyed their first week back at school.

For prep students Olivia Donegan and Henry Dee, their first taste of school life was filled with fun.

"I really enjoyed getting a buddy to help me around school," Henry said.

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"It's been good to make new friends and play in the playground," Olivia said.

Grade 6 student Mackenzie Davis said she was looking forward to leading her house as sports captain this year.

"It's good to be able to have a bit of responsibility as a leader," she said.

"We're there to help run sports days and bring new ideas to what we can do throughout the year.

Dustin Ketterer, grade 6, said he was excited to see the school's construction completed later on in the year.

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"We will have new spaces at school and I can't wait to see them finished," he said.

"There will be more shade around to play under and a nice new deck too."

Grade 3/4 class student Lyla Evans said she was thankful to be back at school seeing her friends.

"I didn't mind learning from home, but I'm glad we can come back to school now.

Henry Cooney, also in the grade 3/4 classroom, said he didn't mind the COVIDsafe measures.

"We have to do tests each week, but it's okay to do," he said.

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