Students will return to the classroom a week ahead of schedule, with October 18 now locked in to begin the staggered return.

NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell told Jim Wilson an even earlier return date, synchronised with the October 11 reopening, was considered by the government but ultimately rejected to allow more time to get staff vaccinated.

“While we might be at 70 per cent in the community, I need 100 per cent of every staff member on a school site to be vaccinated.”

She returned fire at unions’ concerns about the vaccine timeline, arguing teachers were given at least eight weeks’ notice of the mandate.

“I just completely reject any premise that there is not time for a teacher to be fully vaccinated.

“There’s no excuse, we’ve been upfront about it.”

Press PLAY below to hear how students will get back to school

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