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ACT public schools return for winter term ACT public school students went back this week – but for how long? Last term’s restrictions will continue for the next fortnight and are expected to be lifted as schools return to normal. But the ACT Education Directorate predicts that some schools could return to remote learning as COVID cases increase during winter. Last week, the Directorate advised that COVID-19 restrictions in ACT public schools will remain as they were in Term One for at least the first two weeks of Term Two. This means that public school staff and secondary students will continue to wear masks; Check in CBR app will continue to be required for visitors; and household close contacts will not be able to attend public school sites, even if they are asymptomatic. Rapid antigen tests will be available for students on request during Term Two, as they were in the final weeks of last term. During this fortnight, a Directorate spokesperson said, public schools will consult staff and review COVID safety plans for the rest of the term. “We are hoping to move towards settings
that allow more interaction between families and their schools, as well as an increased range of activities for students,” the spokesperson said. Public schools will communicate directly with staff, parents, and carers as COVID safety measures are adjusted. “If we can reduce or change our COVID management plans from what’s been in place in the first term of this year, we will,” said Yvette Berry, ACT Minister for Education and Youth Affairs. “For the next two weeks, if we can change it to be earlier than that, then we will.” But the ACT Government will consult school staff and teachers first. After a “particularly challenging” Term One, the government believes teachers should rest, rather than worry about procedures. The Australian Education Union – ACT branch considers the continuation of COVID safety measures for schools “entirely appropriate” for the start of this term. “It allows for proper work health and safety consultation and planning to be conducted,” said president Angela Burroughs. However, the Education Directorate also expects more schools will temporarily move
to remote learning, “where a circuit breaker is needed to overcome a significant short-term teacher shortage”. Teacher numbers are limited, primarily because staff are isolating with COVID-19 or as household contacts, and further COVID-19 spikes are expected to impact the workforce come winter. The Directorate would access relief staff, collapse classes, or move temporarily to remote learning if necessary. Schools will monitor staff and student attendance daily, and make workforce decisions in the best interests of staff and students, the spokesperson continued. Ms Berry reassured the public: “We shouldn’t be worried about going to remote education. “As frustrating as that is, we’re prepared; we have great systems in place within our public schools. We have fantastic online internet resources; we have Chrome books; we have Wi-Fi available for families who need it; and our teachers are well prepared and trained to do this.” - Nick Fuller
Historic croquet club receives government funding for extensions The heritage-listed Canberra Croquet Club, perhaps the oldest sporting club in the ACT, has received a $410,000 Sport and Recreation Grant from the ACT Government to extend its clubhouse, including building a women’s toilet – which the former women’s only club lacks. The Croquet Club was founded in 1928, at the Hyatt Hotel, and the clubhouse was opened in 1933. The original members were women, and it remained a women’s only club until 1976. Club president Greg Diprose said the grant would help enormously. “[The clubhouse] attracts a lot of people from all over Canberra wanting to come and have parties and hire facilities, and it would be really nice to have a decent toilet to offer our visitors!” The new building will also have disabled access. “That’s very important,” Mr Diprose said. “You can play croquet in a wheelchair or on a walker, and we have a few [members with disabilities].” The bigger clubhouse will make a 6
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tremendous difference when interstate visitors arrive, bringing their croquet gear with them, Mr Diprose continued. “We need storage space; when people come to hire these facilities, we have to drag out things from sheds all over the place in order to accommodate everyone.” The announcement was timed as part of the ACT’s Heritage Festival, noted Yvette Berry, ACT Minister for Sport and Recreation. “The planned improvements will allow the club to continue to support participation in the historic sport, and hopefully host state and national activities in the future,” Ms Berry said. Work will begin at once, and the extension should be finished later this year. Three different mallet sports are played at the Canberra Croquet Club: association croquet, golf croquet, and gateball (a Japanese version of croquet). “The object of the game is simply to hit a ball through a hoop – but there’s a lot more to it than that!” Mr Diprose said. “I’ve been playing
ACT Minister for Sport and Recreation, Yvette Berry (centre), with Canberra Croquet Club vice-president Peter Dale (left) and president Greg Diprose. Photo: Nick Fuller
for 40 years, and I’m still learning – but it has a broad appeal. “It’s a sport that can be played by everybody, men and women equally.” - Nick Fuller
