'Terrific outcome': Bans on formals and graduations to be lifted after HSC
Bans on formals and graduations with parents are expected to be lifted once HSC exams are finished, but dancing and group singing will be off limits and schools will be asked to find alternatives to certificates and congratulatory hugs.
After raising concerns about year 12 students missing the key milestones of their final year at school in a meeting with NSW's Chief Medical Officer Kerry Chant, independent school heads were asked to draw up a COVID-safe plan for farewell events.
“About three days later we were notified that it was fine, and that [NSW] Health would be putting one out, probably similar,” said Geoff Newcombe, chief executive of the Association of Independent Schools of NSW. “I think it’s a terrific outcome.
School captains have come together to campaign for COVID-safe graduations and formalsCredit:Wolter Peeters
“On the formals, Dr Chant expressed real sympathy for kids and parents, but the focus was keeping in particular the year 12s safe and making sure we could run HSC exams without interruption.”
The exams finish on November 11.
Emily Cox, who organised school captains to campaign for COVID-safe formals and graduations, said she was thrilled by the news. "I think it's absolutely amazing," she said.
“As soon as I heard, I thought, 'oh gosh, it could happen'. It's bought a lot of hope that there's a light at the end of the tunnel.”
Under the plan, attendees - which could include parents as well as students and teachers - would have to adhere to the 4-square metre rule, but there would be no cap on total numbers.
“High risk” activities such as choirs and dancing would be off the agenda, and attendees must be seated. Schools would register as COVID-safe businesses, and ensure that there was “minimal mingling” between groups.
Schools would have to consider alternatives to handing out certificates, and ensure any presentation was handled safely.
Guests would be told to stay away if they were ill or coming from an area with high transmission, and reminded of the need to keep their distance.
“While it is a very natural instinct to hug each other when happy, this is where COVID-19 can spread easily,” the draft proposal said.
“Consider alternative ways people could offer congratulations that don’t involve close contact, and strategies to avoid spontaneous grouping for photographs.”