Premier Gladys Berejiklian said faster than expected vaccination rates means students will be able to return to the classroom sooner.
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Schools will begin their staggered return to face-to-face learning with NSW Health approved COVID-safe settings on Monday, October 18 - one week earlier than initially planned.
Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 12 students will start on October 18, Year 2, 6 and 11 student from October 25 and Year 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10 from November 1. The final date for staff to receive two doses of the COVID vaccine remains November 8, unless staff have a medical exemption.
"We have been clear that a return to school should begin once the state passed 70 per cent fully vaccinated, and thanks to the incredible efforts from the people of NSW, we will reach that milestone sooner than expected," Ms Berejiklian said.
"Managing a return in a school system the size of NSW's is not a small task. Keeping the staged approach, but moving it all one week earlier, allows schools to shift their plans forward and still provides time for staff and eligible students to get vaccinated."
Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Sarah Mitchell said schools will begin communicating their COVID-safe plans to families from next week. Families who cannot keep their children at home for any reason can continue to send their children to school.
"It's fantastic that we will meet vaccination targets in NSW earlier than originally anticipated. This has allowed us to shift the plan forward for all schools across impacted areas," Ms Mitchell said.
"Bringing the return forward allows schools to keep their plans for a staggered return, and provides time for staff to get their second dose. From October 18, all staff that need to be on site must be fully vaccinated.
"I know there remain some concerns in the community around a return to school, but students, staff and parents should feel confident that this approach allows enough time to make schools as COVID safe as possible."
The public health advice for parents to keep their children home from early childhood education and care services where possible will also be lifted from October 18.