After navigating the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic and making the most of remote learning, hundreds of Greater Shepparton students are heading back to the classroom today.
It’s an understatement to say Grahamvale Primary School students Madeline, Sophie and Bailey Pritchard were excited to be starting the new year in the company of their friends and teachers.
Their dad Giles Pritchard said the hardest part of remote learning was his three children not being able to have the same level of interaction with their classmates.
“It was the hardest for Madeline because she was in Prep last year. She was just getting into the swing of things when it all changed,” he said.
“They all love school, so it was difficult for them to be away from the classroom for so long.
“But the school were very supportive and got everything sorted to ensure it was as easy as possible for parents and children.”
The children's mum Kylie said the second lockdown was much easier to deal with because everyone already knew the remote learning drill.
“We just picked up where we left off after the first one. The kids had a routine in place and we just stuck to it,” she said.
“They still missed school, but everyone knew what to expect and what they had to do to get through it.
“It’s good to have them starting the new year back at school. They’re super-excited and can’t wait to get into it.”
Grahamvale Primary School principal Simone Higgins said the school was ready for whatever 2021 had in store.
“We’re excited to have the school year started. We hope to not have so many bumps this time, but we are prepared for whatever comes our way,” she said.
“We will continue with our high standard of hygiene practices and continue to have learning at the forefront of what we do, wherever students are learning from.”
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