A RIVERLAND parent has continued to home school her children this term amid the COVID-19 pandemic, despite being told schools are safe to attend.
South Australia’s chief public health officer Nicola Spurrier wrote to parents and school staff last week encouraging them to send their children to school or preschool this term.
The letter stated that with low levels of COVID-19 in South Australia, along with the wider public health strategies in South Australia, schools should open – noting the importance of schools as a central part of a child’s life.
Waikerie’s Natalie Smith, whose children attend St Joseph’s School Barmera and Glossop High School, said her children have been learning at home since early last month.
“I’ve kept the children home for their own and my family’s wellbeing,” she said.
“At first I caught a lot of backlash and it was difficult, but now it’s become a norm in my household and we have a daily routine.”
Mrs Smith said her children have adapted well to their new lifestyle.
“We treat every day as if it was a school day,” she said.
“Our children wake up early, eat breakfast, get changed and prepare for their day.
“Without fail, every day at 2.30pm my 14-year-old daughter, Chelsea, gets a call from her school mentor, who asks her how she’s going, about her mental health and if she needs any help.
“The kids work hard, have breaks and they’ve been learning other stuff they wouldn’t learn at school.
“My 11-year-old, Thomas, helps me with the cooking and he uses his math skills to measure ingredients.
“He’s also helped with looking after our veggie patch during his breaks.”
Mrs Smith said the children like having their own space.
“My husband purchased a new desk for Thomas to work on and he loves it,” she said.
“Chelsea also has her own space set up where she has room for all her books and electronics.”
Mrs Smith said her children dressed in school uniform on Monday to have them feel like they’re at school.
“It’s a bit hard after just having holidays because it now seems like an extended break,” she said.
“It’s easy to get distracted at home but if the kids are dressed up, they know they have to work and show respect for their learning.”
Mrs Smith said her family have only left the house to purchase essential items or exercise.
“Thomas loves to ride his bike and Chelsea loves going for walks and we can’t deprive them of that,” she said.
“I have been the only one in the family to go out in public and buy essential items, so not too many of us have interacted with
other people.”
Mrs Smith said both schools have respected her decision to keep her children home.
“Both St Joseph’s School Barmera and Glossop High have been communicating with my children and helping them when needed,” she said.
“I understand it’s hard for teachers to have students working from home and it puts a lot of pressure on them but they’ve done a great job at making my children still feel like they’re part of the school community.”
Mrs Smith said her children will return to school once government restrictions have been lifted.
“For now, we still need to keep social distancing, crowds are limited to 10 people and hand sanitiser is everywhere we go,” she said.
“When restrictions are lifted, then I will feel safe sending my children to school.
“We live quite far from the schools my children attend and the bus picks them up each morning and afternoon.
“I feel a bit conscious putting my children on a public bus – especially after the bus driver at Glossop High School tested positive for COVID-19.
“When the time is right, they will return and I will be driving them.”