Geraldton primary school students mask-up as expanded mandate comes into effect

The move to introduce mask mandates in WA primary schools has been labelled controversial by some but many Geraldton families have welcomed the decision. Aligning with WA’s border opening this week, children as young as Year 3 were made to don masks as part of their school uniform on Thursday in an effort to prevent classes from having to quarantine. The move has been criticised in other parts of WA, but Geraldton schools have seen a generally positive response from parents and students. Geraldton Christian College principal Gavin Hirschhausen said while the directive would be challenging for children, the school was taking a pragmatic approach. “It’s challenging because little people find it hard not to pick their nose, rub their face or adjust a mask on their face which brings a new challenge for teachers to manage the mandates while teaching,” he said. “This situation has brought a highlight on teaching not just being about strict curriculum, but situational learning because schools, especially primary schools, are bigger than just English and maths. “We’re teaching these kids resilience, hygiene, treating others with kindness when they have medical exemptions.” For those families who were concerned about changing COVID mandates and guidelines, Mr Hirschhausen said his door was always open. “We have been working in partnership with our parents since the announcement helping them get exemption notes from GPs where needed and because we’re a small regional community we don’t need to enforce the mandate militantly, we can work with students and families where we can,” he said. Many parents have welcomed the mask rule for children especially after several positive cases were reported in Geraldton schools this week. Local mother Lisa Younger has been home with her 10-year-old daughter since a Year 2 student from her Mount Tarcoola Primary School returned a positive test earlier this week. Ms Younger said her daughter — who has just received her booster COVID jab — had a history of severe asthma, with her two-year-old son also suffering from respiratory distress. “I’ve decided to keep her home to keep her safe and my son safe,” she said. The family will wait to see if the virus continues to spread throughout the school before returning to campus, with Ms Younger saying she was pleased most students would be protected by masks. “My daughter is at that age where she thinks its all a bit of fun anyway and she wants to be like the adults and wear a mask,” she said. “The plan is to wait and see how this week plays and either organise home schooling or send her back.” Waggrakine Primary School mother Cara Morris has been happy and confident to continue to send her children Scott and Levi to school with their masks. “I’m happy, I think the kids might struggle not to take it off constantly but the virus is here now so we just have to do our part to keep life as normal as possible,” she said. “The school has been great communicating what’s going on and if classes quarantine then that’s what happens, if that’s what will keep the community safe.” The expanded mask-wearing requirement comes as NSW scrapped mask wearing in schools on Monday. Victoria dropped mask wearing in most indoor settings on Friday but has kept the rule in place for students in Years 3 to 6 — but only while attending school.