Today in QLD we saw another restrictions update that once again ignored schools entirely. Currently there is no clear directive from the Dept of Education nor the Chief Health Officer nor the Premier or Education Minister regarding the re-opening of schools to parents and the community. 

This has far reaching consequences that stretch beyond just parents missing out on events. Students are being pushed mentally to cope with these long standing restrictions and have been forced to miss so many things or not have their support network at events that were able to run, schools have lost their volunteer workforce which sees teachers less supported and left with an even higher workload. All of these things add to the pressure the staff and students are already under and why? There is no sane reason the school gates can't be opened. I can travel and sit with tens of thousands of strangers in a stadium or hundreds of people at a wedding but I can't walk through the gates of my child's school. My kids are already mingling with the kids of the other people at the gate and since lockdown I have had closer contact with adults at school than I ever did when we were allowed inside the school. There is no rhyme or reason as to why parents are being locked out of schools so stop ignoring the issue and address it once and for all. I will not stand by and watch my 5 year old walk himself into school for the first time next year. We deserve to walk our children into their school and we deserve representation from our Government. We have already missed so much this year, don't make us start 2021 the way we are ending 2020.

I implore the powers that be to immediately release a clear directive on this issue so that schools can create covid safe plans just like any other business or event that happens in the state. Open the school gates, let parents back in because your schools and our kids are depending on it.

#opentheschoolgates