Year Five opportunity class placements delayed

Year Five opportunity class placements have been delayed due to coronavirus restrictions at Umina Public School, although kindergarten enrolments for 2021 will continue on line.

The placement process for opportunity class entry in 2021, including the Opportunity Class Placement Test, has been delayed until July, said school principal Ms Lyn Davis.

"As a result, applications did not open in April as previously advised.

"This delay is in response to the social distancing measures that are currently in place to help slow the spread of Covid-19 throughout the community.

"As part of the application process, eligible students are required to sit a test in a supervised environment.

"Social distancing guidelines currently in place make it difficult to implement a large-scale assessment at this time."

The new date for the placement test is Wednesday, July 21.

Ms Davis said enrolment for kindergarten in 2021 had opened.

"Our school is piloting an online enrolment application procedure in response to requests from parents to streamline this process," she said.

"The Department of Education, having established the program in Western Sydney, was looking to expand to other areas.

"Our school was more than happy to be part of the pilot and our administrative staff have been trained in the use of the software."

Parents have been asked to use the online application procedure on the school website.

Ms Davis said she was happy to see the return of students full-time and looked forward to the resumption of normal procedures.

"It was wonderful to see the children back at school," she said.

"They looked so happy as they entered the school gates and were soon back into the routine of school.

"I suspect that they came home yesterday rather tired but pleased to have seen their friends and teachers.

"This week will be a week of re-adjustment to school life for everyone."

SOURCE:

Newsletters, 19 and 26 May 2020,

Lyn Davis, Umina Beach Public School