Eight schools in New South Wales, including Matraville Soldiers’ Settlement Public School, may shift to new school hours as part of a trial that will scrap the traditional 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. school day.
The shifted school hours, which will begin by Term 3 (18 July 2022), are expected to run for 20 weeks in partnership with local businesses, sporting clubs, and community organisations that will be offering high-quality after-school activities for the children.
The initiative will also allow busy parents to manage their time, especially with congested pick-ups and drop-offs that eat up their hours for work and other important obligations mid-morning or mid-afternoon.
Matraville dad David Chalmers welcomed the change. He has two kids attending Matraville Soldiers’ Settlement Public who are eager to try out new activities after their classes as they wait for their parents to be done with work.
Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said that schools joining the pilot are not expected to change their teaching hours but they now have the option to tap other sectors to expand and implement activities that will support the needs of the kids “whilst their parents manage commitments.”
“The reality is that the traditional school day, like the 9 to 5 workday, is a 20th-century concept which may not be the best model for 21st-century families, schools and the community,” Ms Mitchell said.
“This research pilot will give us a better understanding of what schools are already doing, and how we can expand on or implement effective practices at similar schools.”
“We want to offer greater support and comfort to parents, knowing that their kids are safe and happy taking part in a homework club in the school library, a dance class in the school hall or soccer practice on the school oval,” Premier Dominic Perrottet said.
The schools participating in this pilot research are:
- Cawdor Public School
- Hanwood Public School
- Hastings Secondary College
- Kentlyn Public School
- Matraville Soldier’s Settlement Public School
- Orange High School
- Spring Hill Public School
- Tacking Point Public School