Bathurst schools are set for a rather unique return to proceedings over the next few weeks, with the state government now recommending staff and students undertake rapid antigen testing [RAT] twice a week to help identify and act on COVID cases.
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As a result, some 6 million RAT's have been distributed to schools across the state.
Kelso High Campus staff were quickly on the job Friday, delivering RAT's to staff and students [with parents in tow] from the front car park for the first two weeks of school, with more set to be delivered on Monday.
Deliveries commenced from 7.30am, and Kelso High principal Mick Sloan said the process was seamless.
"The setup of our car park made the process easy for staff and parents to pick up tests; they didn't even had to leave their vehicles," Mr Sloan said.
"Our school learning support officers [SLSO's] were on hand to deliver the tests, and now that students in support classes are entitled to one test per day, it gives parents greater peace of mind."
Mr Sloan said it's essential to get students back to school, with these new testing measures, while not mandatory, designed to success the need for home-schooling to control COVID.
"We want to avoid working from home arrangements if we can, and this is one measure that'll allow us to identify and isolate cases sooner," he said.
"At this stage, we have enough information to say there'll be enough tests to cover the first four weeks of school, and if this is what it takes to keep schools open, we'll abide by it."
Mr Sloan said students will be required to test at home, with the recommended days for use to be Monday mornings, and either Wednesday or Thursday morning.
"It's the only real change from the end of last year: students will still need to wear masks indoors and follow the appropriate COVID-safe protocol," he said.
"We've got plenty of surgical masks available for students in need, so they won't have to go out and buy their own supplies unless they wish to do so."
Students will start returning to school from Tuesday.
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