Public schools in Western Australia have returned amid fierce debate over whether classes should run during the coronavirus pandemic.
Premier Mark McGowan said an education department survey of WA public schools indicated an average attendance rate of 60 per cent on the first day back.
But Carine Senior High School in Perth, which has 2,048 students, saw a much higher turnout.
On Wednesday, the school recorded over 81 per cent attendance, including 87 per cent of Year 11 and 12 students.
On Thursday, 84 per cent of students attended, with just under 90 per cent of Year 11 and 12s.
“Turnout has been really quite good. I’m very pleased with the turnout,” principal Damian Shuttleworth told SBS News.
Mr Shuttleworth said the school has implemented all the Department of Health’s recommendations about keeping the grounds clean, including having hand sanitisers in every classroom and additional cleaners throughout the school day.
Carine Senior High School students walk in the front gates Source: SBS News
The school also “put out a lot of communication” to parents and staff to keep them informed about what was happening, he said.
“The feeling from staff is that we’ve had great communication. They’re ready to be here. They’re very happy to be here and they’re committed to getting students to learn again.”
One of the most contentious questions during Australia’s fight against coronavirus has been whether it is safe to send children back to school.
Chief medical officer Brendan Murphy has repeatedly advocated for a careful reopening of schools, saying he has seen no evidence nationally or internationally of large school-based outbreaks of COVID-19.
Last week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison .
Mr Shuttleworth said while children have not been asked to follow the 1.5-metre rule, it has been applied to adults and staff offices.
“We’ve been asked to really limit and ask parents not come into school grounds and limit the number of adults that come in,” he said.
“We’ve also been very clearly asked to say ‘do not send your child to school if they are sick’. A similar [communication] went out to staff.”
Mr Shuttleworth said he expects even more students will turn up for classes next week.
Carine Senior High School students Source: SBS News
“The fact we’ve had an increase from 81 per cent to just under 84 per cent in two days, I believe we’ll see even more students back from next week.”
Principal stood down after sending letter
Not every school in the state has had such an amicable start to the term.
A Halls Head school principal has been stood down after she wrote to parents asking them to keep their children home if possible.
Halls Head College principal Bronwyn White sent the letter last week, calling for only the children of essential workers or those unable to stay at home to attend school for the first week of term two, which started on Wednesday.
She cited concerns about cleaning supplies and the ability to apply physical distancing requirements, reportedly saying only Year 11 and 12 students should return for weeks two and three.
The initial letter was against Department of Education advice although parents have the option of keeping their children home for the first three weeks of the term.
The department confirmed Alen Kursar was the school's acting principal, but director-general Lisa Rodgers said it would be inappropriate to comment on any matter relating to an individual's employment.
Western Australian Secondary School Executives Association president Armando Giglia told ABC radio the department was going through the usual processes.
"Bureaucracy is bureaucracy," Mr Giglia said on Thursday. "She had the best interests of the students at heart - nobody denies that."
Mr McGowan said he wouldn't second-guess the department's decision-making.
An online petition calling on Mr McGowan to intervene and have Ms White reinstated has been signed by thousands of people.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
Testing for coronavirus is now widely available across Australia. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
The federal government's coronavirus tracing app COVIDSafe is available for download from your phone's app store.
SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus.
Additional reporting by Evan Young, AAP.
