Covid-19 Victoria: Fresh concerns year 12s won’t make final exams

The state opposition has raised fresh concerns about Victoria’s push to vaccinate all VCE students before their final exams, saying it is having devastating consequences for senior students.

VCE students in the state have had a disruptive 18 months, spending time away from their teachers, school mates and valuable social and educational experiences.

And with now only five weeks left before final exams, fresh concerns have been raised for their welfare.

“Year 12 kids who are trying to come to the end of a really tough year, a really tough two years, and yet there‘s no plan to get them back into the classroom,” state Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien said.

“We know the damage that‘s being done to young people in particular by being kicked out of school. There’s academic damage, but more importantly than that there’s emotional damage, we know there’s mental health consequences.

“All these young people need, all they want, all they‘re entitled to, is a plan to get schools reopened.”

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews last week said the government would prioritise senior students having at least one Covid vaccine dose before the exams, but no plan had yet been outlined.

There is now a push for after-hours vaccination sites and more availability at GPs for students.

Melbourne year 12 student Simon on Tuesday told reporters that ongoing lockdowns and time away from school had caused significant mental health problems for senior students.

He said many students had hoped this year would be different to 2020, but there was a sense of isolation among the year 12 cohort.

“We can‘t see our friends, and it’s really tough for those who have to stay at home, especially some who live further than five kilometres away from their friends,” he said.

“There’s a lack of clarity around if schools will go back and that’s a significant issue for us because we need to be back in school to do important assessments like SATs and the GAT.

“It adds to the stress that year 12s are feeling as we want to be able to properly prepare and study for those important assessments.”

Simon said many of his fellow students were keen to get back to school as soon as possible and would be open to adapting to any Covid-safe environment.

He said it had been difficult for some to book in vaccination appointments.

“It feels like we‘re just in limbo and we would just like clarity to know when we can go back to school,” he said.

“Obviously, it‘s really important to be able to study and prepare for important things, but it’s hard to do that when it feels like schools are just indefinitely closed.”

The state opposition is now pushing for preferential access for VCE students and teachers’ access to immunisation.

“All they want from their premier is a plan to get back into the classroom,” Mr O’Brien said.

“It is not much to ask, in fact, it is what they deserve.”