Editor’s Note: Learners come first as Omicron fears grow

Learners come fi rst as Omicron fears grow

As we go to print, news across the sector is Omicron-heavy: vaccine rates for primary age children are low, and health experts have started warning parents that even a mild COVID infection can have long-lasting eff ects.

In children, for instance, infection has been shown to increase the risk of type 1 diabetes and multi-inflammatory syndrome and research is still in its very early days. There is still so much we don’t know about long-COVID.

This issue, our special report from Sheetal Singh focuses on situating the Australian school sector as we head into Term 1 and classrooms try to reopen amid the chaos of conflicting government guidelines (page 6). Sheetal also spent some time with Firbank Grammar Principal Jenny Williams ahead of this issue, to find out more about her rapid response to pandemic protocols in the lead up to Term 1 (page 14). Firbank was the first school in the country to mandate Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) and was one of the first to set up onsite vaccination hubs for students and sta .

Knowing we would head to print as Omicron cases were climbing, we focused our attention on COVIDrelated solutions schools were likely to research and require. For instance, with governments rapidly changing the rules around contact tracing and vaccine passports, we sought some suggestions on digital visitor management software (page 20). On page 36, we spoke to air ventilation specialists about problems schools continue to have with poor indoor air quality – a concern that has intensified throughout the pandemic. Also, in our health and safety section, we encourage schools to consider the need for an AED and outline relevant guidelines from St John Ambulance (page 40).

In other news, we have a bumper feature on STEAM classrooms beginning on page 28, where we find out what is required to build a STEAM classroom. We also showcase the emerging on-campus trend that is healthy vending machines on page 46, and consider essential purchasing must-haves for school kitchens (page 44). Check out the innovation happening in school design on page 22, where flexible furniture is hotter than ever, and flick to page 18 where learning spaces are tackling acoustic health with style. We also check in with assistive technology providers on page 16 for tips on how best to support students with dyslexia, and on page 26, educational theatre moves centerstage.

Rosie Clarke,

Editor, SchoolNews editor@school-news.com.au

High performing school tells all

Don’t miss Principal Speaks this issue (page 10), where Auburn North Public School Principal Mark Harris talks us through his school’s groundbreaking ‘distributed leadership’ model and other interrelated programs and strategies that caused it to be selected as one of NSW’s prized Ambassador Schools.

Got plans for your school in 2022? Write in and let us know so we can feature you!

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