Normality has arrived in parts of Wagga as schools begin navigating the eventual full-time return of students to their classrooms.
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In accordance with NSW Health advice, the state government had previously issued schools with the directive to attempt a soft re-launch of the term in week 3, which began on May 11.
Across the city's public, private, independent and Catholic schools, there was a decisive increase in student attendance to mark week 3.
A spokesperson for the Catholic Education Diocese of Wagga Wagga (CEDWW) confirmed that it had seen a sharp increase.
With a student population of 8500 students across its 31 schools in the region, the CEDWW saw 3486 attending on-site in week 3. That was up from 1439 the previous week.
Following the implementation of strict health and cleaning provisos, the Wagga Christian College brought back all of its year groups in week 3. It saw up to 520 of its 620 students return on Monday.
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Public school attendance numbers have not been made available, but the NSW Department of Education revealed on Monday it saw a 21 per cent jump in numbers from the previous Friday.
On average 37 per cent of students attended school this week, breaking down to 39 per cent of primary and 26 per cent of high schoolers.
The Riverina Anglican College (TRAC) welcomed back its year 11 and 12 students full-time from last week before opening the school gates on Monday for students in the lower grades.
Years 7 and 8 at the school are scheduled to attend school Monday and Thursday while years 9 and 10 alternate on Tuesday and Thursday. Online learning has continued on non-contact days.
Yet, over the course of the week, between 91-95 per cent of the 730 students at the school were attending.
A representative of the school confirmed to The Daily Advertiser that it would disclose next week, a full decision on when students could expect a full return to classrooms.
Meanwhile, at the Lutheran School, principal Peter Weier said it had communicated to parents the expectation that all year levels will be able to return to their classrooms beginning May 18.
During week 3, the school saw between 220 and 240 - or roughly two-thirds of its population - attending.
"We decided that if we were to continue with phasing the students in, we'd pretty well have most back by next week anyway," Mr Weier said.
"The parents, the teachers are all keen to have their classes back full-time now."
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The soft return in week 3 provided the school with the opportunity to trial and implement new systems, including a non-contact drop-off routine for parents.
"In the past, parents have been able to walk with their children to the classrooms but for the foreseeable future, only staff and students will be allowed beyond the carpark," Mr Weier said.
"We do have that flexibility for kindies who may be struggling a little bit to let go after the disruption. Parents can do a hand-over with teachers."
With the school's 360 students from kindergarten to year 6 expected back on Monday, Mr Weier said the new systems will undergo "the real test".
"We'll be monitoring how it unfolds over the next few weeks, and hopefully by the end of term it will be almost back to normal," he said.
"I'm pretty sure parents cheered when we put out our newsletter this week saying all students could return next week.
"As long as we don't get complacent [about the virus], we'll get through it."