Coronavirus in Ballarat: Excitement builds as students return to school after COVID-19 shutdown

Sofia had only been in the classroom for less than a term when coronavirus turned her prep year upside down - and after six weeks of home schooling she can't wait get to back to school with her teacher and friends.

Sofia, 5, will be one of thousands of Ballarat prep, grade one and two, and year 11 and 12 students, who get back to face-to-face learning in government and Catholic school classrooms from Tuesday.

"She's very excited to get back to school. Just in the last couple of weeks she's said she really misses school. She loved it to begin with, and to take her out of it after less than a term ... was a bit of a tease," said Sofia's mum Louise Rossi.

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While Sofia is excited, Ms Rossi has mixed feelings. "It's bittersweet; there's still so much out there and you hear stories of kids getting sick and it might not ever happen but it always lingers in my mind," she said.

With Sofia's younger siblings also demanding attention, Ms Rossi said it had been difficult doing homeschooling but rewarding to see her daughter's progress and be so involved in what she was learning.

Motorists have been urged to be cautious around school zones, with the phased return to classrooms from Tuesday morning and the increased road, foot and bike traffic at drop off and pick up times - particularly given the staggered start and finish times that some schools will use to ensure social distancing.

Speed zones will be in operation around schools.

Motorists are urged to be patient, stick to the school speed zone limits and take extra care when driving around schools and allow students to cross the road safely.

Some school speed zones are permanent, while others operate from 8am to 9.30am and from 2.30pm to 4pm on weekdays.

All school bus services are continuing to operate as normal to help students returning to classes to get to and from school. Regular public transport services are also operating as normal.

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