Victorian Grade 6 students are in their final year of primary school.  COVID-19 and the restrictions experienced in Victoria this year has left their final year decimated. 
The proposed return to school outlined for Term 4 allows for Prep-Grade 2 to return onsite first. These students, whilst also needing to be back at school, also do have many years ahead to continue to experience all that primary school has to offer. 
Unfortunately Grade 6 students will never have an opportunity to make up for the lost time experienced this year. Whilst high schools will be cognisant of assisting these students to transition into secondary school, they cannot make up for the social and emotional impact these Grade 6 students now face. They are missing out on their final year of school camps, playing in the school yard, having meaningful time as the ‘big kids’ of the school, missing being ‘buddies’ to the preps, having meaningful primary school graduations, end of year celebrations and spending those final weeks with their friendship groups, many of whom go on to other high schools.
We implore our Education Minister to allow Grade 6 students to return to school at the same time as the proposed Prep-Grade 2 years, to finish their primary school experience.