Coronavirus, COVID-19: Parents allowed at school end-of-year celebrations

NSW Education Secretary Mark Scott has outlined a number of additional activities that can now take place on school grounds in line with current NSW Health advice.

"Parents and carers will be able to attend end of year presentation days as we head towards a COVID-safe summer," Mr Scott said.

"P&C meetings at schools can resume from November 12, and students can attend excursions to the ACT from today."

Mr Scott congratulated schools and their communities for their ongoing efforts but said it was now more important than ever that students, staff, and people entering school grounds must remain vigilant and practise good hand hygiene.

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"Carefully allowing additional activities to take place at schools will give our school communities a welcome return to some normality in what has been a long and challenging year for our students, educators, parents and carers," Mr Scott said.

"Schools across the state have shown outstanding resilience and flexibility in adapting to the many changes that have taken place this year and they should be applauded for the critical part they have played in the response to the pandemic.

"While parents and carers will be able to attend important end of year events in person, including graduations, they will still need to continue to maintain 1.5 metres of physical distance from one another and follow all onsite health measures.

"With visitors allowed into schools for some end of year events, it is vitally important that we remain focused and do not become complacent when NSW is doing so well.

"Schools must continue to follow NSW Health advice which includes maintaining regular hand washing and sanitising, staying home if you have COVID-19 symptoms and get tested immediately."

Mr Scott said end-of-year events, school formals and graduations could be held from November 12 provided schools follow department guidelines and NSW Health requirements.

"In the final weeks of the 2020 school year, it is extremely important that we continue the outstanding efforts of schools and the community to stay COVID safe so that we can all enjoy a well-deserved break and COVID-safe summer," he said.

Up-to-date information is available at https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families.