To provide a safe learning environment for students, minimise opportunities for transmission and enable the most effective contact tracing and containment measures in the event of a COVID-19 case, schools will be required to adopt a cohort model.

The principles of student cohorting are to:

• minimise unnecessary physical interaction between students on school group

• ensure that students learn and play only with those in their cohort, wherever possible

• minimise opportunities for transmission and enhance contact tracing

• minimise the potential for widespread infection across the school and wider school community