​Prime Minister Scott Morrison says medical advice has confirmed that social distancing rules do not apply to school classrooms.

Read the full article here: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/scott-morrison-says-social-distancing-rules-do-not-apply-to-school-classrooms

The Higher School Certificate (HSC) exams are going ahead in 2020. 
NESA will release the HSC written exam timetable by 15 May (Week 3, Term 2). 
Students will receive their HSC results in mid-December.

For the full media release: https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/about/news/media-releases/media-release-detail/hsc-exams-go-ahead-in-2020

From the Australian Financial Review 24/04/2020

The NSW Parents' Council said it would be better if everyone made a plan and stuck to it. President Rose Cantali said no kind of staggered return would work. 

"If some kids are going to school and others aren't, the ones that are going will ask why is it safe if not everyone is at school. Parents are not going to back a staggered return to school. They'll be worried about the consequences," said Dr Cantali.

Students will return to school one day a week from May 11 and teachers will be given priority access to coronavirus testing, as confirmed by Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

The goal will be to have all children back at school full time by term 3.

NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said schools should aim to have about a quarter of students on campus each day from May 11, "but how they break that group up will be a matter for them".

"We are asking [schools] to certainly consider family groupings, keeping siblings together, so that that will make it a lot easier for parents as we transition back to normal schooling," Ms Mitchell said.

​"We'll also be asking parents to stagger drop-off and pick-up times, and recess and lunch breaks within our schools. We think that these are important measures in line with health advice that will ensure that everybody feels safe in their school environment.”

NSW Premier indicates NSW students could return to school from Week 3 of Term 2 (May 11th 2020).

“The first two weeks of Term 2, we envisage the term will be exactly the same as the end of Term 1 was like," Ms Berejiklian said in this mornings's briefing.

"However, from week three of Term 2 there will be more face to face contact for students and we're currently going through the process of speaking to stakeholders, to principals and teachers to look at the various options and what will work for NSW."

"I completely support the notion that we should have more kids back at school but in a reasonable way, in an appropriate way, which means that there is adequate social distancing for the adults in particular."

The return to classroom teaching will be accompanied by new social distancing measures to protect teachers and students.

This follows the Prime Minister’s video to parents on Wednesday to send their children to school, if they were able to.

For all media releases from the NSW Premier: ​https://www.nsw.gov.au/premier-of-nsw/media-releases-from-premier

The Australian National University (ANU) will admit domestic undergraduate students for 2021 on the basis of their Year 11 results, giving thousands of school-leavers greater certainty in uncertain times.

Students are able to apply to ANU undergraduate programs based on their Year 11 results from now until 25 May, with offers made in August.

​The change to admissions is in response to the major disruption to Year 12 students' studies caused by COVID-19, and means students won't need to rely on their 2020 results to qualify to study at ANU next year. The University is encouraging students to apply during their April school holidays.

Read the full announcement here: ​https://www.anu.edu.au/news/all-news/anu-to-make-2021-offers-based-on-year-11-results

Find out how to apply here: ​https://www.anu.edu.au/news/all-news/information-for-prospective-students

Federal Education Minister confirms that all Year 12 students will graduate with an ATAR IN 2020 despite coronavirus disruptions. All education ministers met today through Education Council and agreed that Year 12 students will get a leaving certificate for 2020. There will be no Year 13. There will be no mass repeating of Year 12.

Read the media release here: ​https://ministers.dese.gov.au/tehan/message-year-12-students

If you’re an NDIS participant, from Monday 6 April 2020, you can now purchase grocery items to be delivered to your home from major supermarkets.

To access priority home delivery services please visit https://www.ndis.gov.au/coronavirus/priority-home-delivery-services

Federal & State Education Ministers will meet on Tuesday to discuss options for HSC 2020.

For up to date advice about the 2020 HSC visit the NESA COVID-19 advice page: https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/about/news/novel-coronavirus
​
NESA have established a COVID-19 support team. You can contact them directly :
Email: covid19support@nesa.nsw.edu.au
Call: 1300 138 323

A welcome relief for working parents with young families. Free childcare will be available to all Australian families from next week, subject to availability, but Education Minister Dan Tehan said preference would be given to children of essential workers, disadvantaged children and previously enrolled children.

For more information:

• Sydney Morning Herald article: www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/free-childcare-for-all-but-morrison-vows-to-go-back-to-old-ways-20200402-p54gfc.html
• Prime Minister's Media Release: www.pm.gov.au/media/early-childhood-education-and-care-relief-package
• Department of Education, Skills and Employment website:  Information for early childhood education and care providers and services.