Students across the city return to face-to-face learning

Year 12 students at Denison College returned this week, with all other year groups returning one-day a week.

Michael Sloan, Principal of Denison College said teachers at both campuses were looking forward to seeing the students again.

He said with Year 12 students now back full time, the college is working to have Year 11 students back in face-to-face lessons as soon as possible.

Mr Sloan it had been an enormous logistical exercise planning the return of face-to-face learning, but said the college was fortunate to have an amazing senior leadership team including Ken Barwick, principal of Bathurst High and Stephanie Scott, principal of Kelso High.

"It was great to have different perspectives when making decisions of this magnitude," he said.

He said it was a strength of Denison College to have such experienced and professional educators work together and provide the best outcome for all students, adding all staff had done "exceptional work" in the online space, and maintained connection with students.

He credited the staff at both Bathurst High and Kelso High for their hard work and adaptability in switching to online learning when the COVID-19 crisis hit back in March, saying "everyone did an outstanding job."

But, he said everyone was looking forward to returning to educating students in a classroom environment, with teachers and peers.

"We are really excited to see the students, we love our kids, that's why we do what we do," he said.

Other schools across the city have also returned to face to face lessons.

Lindsay Luck, head of St Stanislaus' College, said the school's Year 12 cohort returned to face-to-face classes last Monday and were joined by Year 11 and Year 7 this week.

Scots All Saints College returned to face-to-face learning from April 28 with students choosing to stay at home undertaking the same programs, fully supported with remote learning resources.

Head of college John Weeks said the college aimed to transition all students across the College back to school by May 11.

Catholic schools across the Diocese of Bathurst are planning for a gradual return to school, taking into account the needs of its school community its students.

Year 12 students returned to school for face-to-face classes last week at MacKillop College, with Year 11 students attending two days this week. All year groups from Year 7 -10 will attend at least one day this week.