Students in kindergarten, Year 1 and the crucial Year 12 will be the first to return to the classroom today (Monday, October 18) with all other years to return on October 25.

The day could not have come soon enough for teachers and students right across the Bathurst region after months of remote learning with schools open only to the children of essential workers.

Denison College Kelso High Campus principal Mick Sloan was among those looking forward to seeing students back at school.

Mr Sloan said the school had implemented some changes to limit the number of students in contact with each other, but the biggest change would be the wearing of masks.

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But even with school looking a little different for students for the foreseeable future, staff will be doing their best to make the transition back to learning a smooth one.

"We're really looking forward to seeing all our students back," Mr Sloan said.

Bathurst High Campus principal Ken Barwick is also looking forward to students returning.

He said the school's primary focus was on Year 12 students as they prepare for their delayed Higher School Certificate exams, scheduled to start on November 9.

"We're already running HSC masterclasses and HSC study bubbles for Year 12 to re-engage them," he said.

Protocols have been implemented to limit the contact Year 12 students have with the rest of the school leading up to HSC and a variety of back-up plans are in place in case a student tests positive to COVID.

Mr Barwick said returning to classes would be beneficial for students' wellbeing.

"We're really excited that students will be back in classes and engaging in not only learning but socialising with students because I think the lockdown has impacted on a lot of kids in a negative way," he said.

Meanwhile, primary schools are also preparing to welcome back their first students on Monday and Holy Family Primary School principal Kevin Arrow said although some changes would be implemented, the main goal was to continue their core business of teaching and learning.

Masks won't be mandatory for younger children but they will be encouraged to wear one. Hygiene protocols have been heightened and no community-type events including assemblies will be held until rules ease further.

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