Trinity Anglican College is working around the clock to ensure 20 students who travel daily to the school from outside the Albury-Wodonga border closure bubble can return to class next week.
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Term three resumes for Trinity on Tuesday, but under the present permit arrangements students residing outside the 50km radius of the twin cities cannot attend the school.
Trinity principal Justin Beckett confirmed the school was in talks with the NSW government about seeking the required exemption for his students including some who were in year 11 and 12 to travel from Beechworth, Yackandandah, Bright, Tawonga, Mount Beauty and Yarrawonga.
"We're 100 per cent committed to working with the government and we are optimistic that if we work together we are going to find a solution," he said.
"I don't think anyone would want border students to be excluded from being able to access school.
"We know year 11 and 12 students aren't being excluded from schools anywhere else in the country.
"Nobody would want to see border students disadvantaged and we certainly hope we can find a resolution by Tuesday."
The Border Mail understands The Scots School is also dealing with the border closure issue, but with a higher number of students than Trinity.
Scots was approached for comment.
IN OTHER NEWS
Melbourne-based year 11 and 12 students are still able to attend school for face-to-face learning even though the entire city is under lockdown due to coronavirus cases at record levels nationally.
Member for Albury Justin Clancy confirmed he had been in talks with relevant ministers including health minister Sarah Mitchell and departmental staff about the issue facing Trinity and Scots students.
"Of those students who live outside the 50km zone, HSC students are a particular concern for us," he said.
"The minister is working on this as we speak, but what they are able to achieve is through the prism of what health advice there is.
"I certainly understand the anxieties as we get to the point of school returning.
"But given how serious the situation is unfolding in Victoria, education will be making decisions against the backdrop of what advice the chief health officer is allowing in that regard.
"Minister Mitchell has advised me this is still unfolding."
Member for Benambra Bill Tilley said the worsening situation in Melbourne was a huge concern to the NSW government.
"With the numbers in Melbourne it is almost impossible to argue against NSW's concerns over COVID-19 in our state, whether you live in Melbourne or just have a postcode starting with the number three," he said..
"I don't want to downplay the challenge for final year school students and teachers.
"It's going to be tough."
Victorian-based students who live inside the 50km zone and attend Albury schools need a permit to travel across the border.
The return to school in NSW next week is also expected to create major traffic dramas at the two Albury checkpoints.
"It is certainly evident we will have an increase in traffic come Monday," Murray River Police District commander Superintendent Paul Smith said.
"It's something we will have to deal with and even more reason to avoid the peak times because your delay might be longer."
