School is back in session for Victorian students, with many fast-developing a thick skin to lockdowns after a brief relapse to remote learning.
Secondary and primary pupils across the state returned to classrooms on Thursday after spending three days taking lessons from home during the COVID-19 "circuit breaker".
Preston High School principal Sean Butler isn't sure who's more excited by the return.
"It's probably an equal spread of happiness among students and parents, and teachers are very glad to have their kids back," he told AAP.
With two lockdowns already under their belt, most of the school's 470 grade seven, eight and nine students took the latest stoppage in their stride.
"In general, the kids felt really positive about this lockdown because they know that we've been here before and it's all manageable," Mr Butler said.
"They know the health response is important. They are secondary students, so they're not like the primary kids who are a bit more emotive."
The snap lockdown wasn't expected by the school, although Mr Butler said the reactivation of its online systems was seamless.
"It illustrated that schools are able to turn that switch on and manage the situation successfully," he said.
At the nearby Carlton Gardens Primary School, students couldn't wipe the smiles off their faces as they waved goodbye to their parents.
Assistant principal Andrew Bloomfield said the three-day absence had been a setback for its fresh batch of prep students
"Our preps have been in for a week, just starting to know the routines, just starting to get to know where to line up," he said.
"Then they go away for three days and it's almost like starting again."
Although online platforms served them well, Mr Bloomfield would like further clarity on the triggers for future lockdowns to give the school more time to prepare.
"The more notice there is, the better for us," he said.
"Rather than just finding out at 3pm on Friday that we have to do home learning, that's not ideal."
Australian Associated Press
