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Smiles as kids return to school

Caitlyn WattsPilbara News
Chase,9, and Mia Frances,7.
Camera IconChase,9, and Mia Frances,7. Credit: Picture: Caitlyn Watts

Schools across the Pilbara were back in action this week with their grounds flooded with smiling students returning for the start of Term 2.

Karratha Senior High School saw attendance figures soar above the State average of 58.5 per cent last Wednesday, with 70 per cent of students stepping back into the classrooms of Karratha’s only public high school for the first day back.

St Luke’s College principal Alanna Otway said more than 90 per cent of students from Year 7 to 10 engaged in their remote delivery program from either on campus or at home, with about 50 per cent of students on campus.

“This is a program that the staff have worked very hard to deliver for our students, and it provides all students with the best possible opportunities to continue with their learning no matter what their parents have decided regarding their physical attendance,” she said. Ms Otway said Year 11 and 12 students had all classes delivered face to face, with an attendance rate of 96 per cent.

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There was also a strong turnout at primary schools across the region, including Baynton West Primary School which reported on social media 90 per cent of students were attending class.

Principal Lisa Ledger said it was a fantastic first day back.

“We had a very good turnout,” she said. “The children were smiling, the teachers were smiling and the parents were smiling. It was wonderful to have a little bit of normality return.”

St Paul’s Primary School principal Gina Burns said more than 97 per cent of students engaged in their remote delivery program, with about 60 per cent of students attending school.

Premiere Mark McGowan said he expected more and more children to be going to school and praised the ones which had already seen high attendance rates.

“Clearly school going back today is a little bit traumatic and different to normal, and we know that schools won’t look exactly as they did last term or last year because the circumstances are very different,” he said.

“I just urge everyone, make sure that when you’re dropping the kids off you exercise proper distancing, listen to the advice and don’t congregate around the gates of the school.”

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