The Premier's announcement of his government's much-debated COVID-SMART Plan to start the 2022 School Year is intended to give parents and teachers clarity about what practical measures will be in place to keep everyone safe but the NSW Teachers Federation says that staff are "bracing themselves" for a disruptive start. 

Depending where in the state you are and whether your school has pupil-free staff development days planned before students arrive, students and staff are due to return to school either Friday 28 January to Tuesday 5 February (Eastern Division) or, Friday 4 to Tuesday 8 February (Western Division). 

As part of the new measures, every student and teacher in NSW schools will be eligible to receive rapid antigen testing kits (RATs) before returning to school, and will continue to take tests twice each week for the first four weeks of term, where surveillance testing will allow them to continue in the school environment. 

NSW Teachers Federation president Angelo Gavrielatos said that with Omicron seemingly everywhere, the highest precautions should be taken into the commencing term. 

“That is why we have, and will continue to insist, that the implementation of risk mitigations strategies, such as rapid antigen tests, masks, improved ventilation and cohoring, is as robust as it can be,” Mr Gavrielatos said. 

So far, the government's plan to return to classroom lines up with these requests, with staff and secondary students required to wear masks, limitations on visitors and excursions, and the maximisation of natural and mechanical ventilation including air purifiers to help keep the environment safe. 

“We will be closely monitoring the effectiveness of the risk mitigation strategies with a view to seeking urgent adjustments, should they be necessary, to ensure the greatest amount of protection can be offered to our students and staff.” 

Premier Dominic Perrottet said supporting students to return safely to the classroom is vital after two years of disruption to their education. 

“What is most important about this approach is that it allows students to enjoy all aspects of their schooling in a safe and sensible way,” Mr Perrottet said.

“The government is distributing more than 12 million RATs to over 3150 government, non-government schools and early childhood centres to assist with surveillance testing of staff and students,” Mr Perrottet said. 

Families will be notified by their schools on how and when to collect the RAT kits for their children. 

Within the Western NSW Local Health District, there were 207 new RAT cases and 470 positive PCR tests recorded up to 8pm last night. 

Of those cases, seven were in the Bogan Shire, 24 were in Bourke, 24 in Brewarrina, 18 in Cobar, six in Coonamble, six in Gilgandra, five in the Lachlan Shire, 14 in Narromine, 21 in Walgett, three in Warren, and five in the Warrumbungle Shire.