March 26, 2020
Education Queensland announced on Thursday that the Term 1 break will begin next Monday (March 30) for all State School students.
Five student-free days have been declared for March 30-April 3.
However, schools will continue to provide a program of care and supervision for children during these five days.
Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) services will also be available.
Community kindergartens will also be student-free next week but long day care centres will stay open.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said while the advice from the Chief Health Officers was that schools could remain open, they needed to start preparing for a potential closure in the coming weeks.
“This will not be a normal school break,” the Premier said.
“It is vital that parents take responsibility for their children during this time.
“Every Queenslander needs to do their part to limit the spread of coronavirus.”
The Premier said school would still be open for the children of frontline workers, ie. workers who are required in their workplace.
“This is an unprecedented time in our history,” the Premier said.
“We will be asking frontline workers to go above and beyond their normal work situations to help us get through this.
“That’s not only frontline health professionals and police but people who undertake important work in our supply chain like stacking shelves in supermarkets.
“School will still be open for the children of these workers.”
Education Minister Grace Grace said teachers, teacher aides and staff would use the reduced attendance at schools to prepare for a potential move to students learning from home.
“We are planning for every eventuality when it comes to this global pandemic,” Ms Grace said.
“Currently we have two weeks’ worth of learning available to students to use at home and that will be constantly updated for as long as necessary.
“These student-free days will allow our hard-working teachers and teacher aides to prepare for that.
“Those staff members who have genuine health concerns will continue to have flexible working arrangements, such as working from home.”
Schools will reopen to students and staff on Monday, April 20, unless health authorities advise otherwise.
- For students at home, teaching and learning resources are available through the department’s learning@home website
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