An independent school in regional South Australia is pleading for more relief staff amid a nationwide teacher shortage and as flu season hits.
Rivergum Christian College is a foundation to year 12 school in South Australia's Riverland region.
It put the call out for staff on social media on Friday after experiencing a shortage in temporary relief teacher (TRT) staff.
"Relief teachers have picked up positions in other schools and so we are a bit light on," principal Jessica Richards told ABC Riverland.
Ms Richards said the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, which was scrapped across the state at the end of March, had also created more demand for relief staff.
"Even as the mandate has changed in South Australia, it really hasn't made a huge impact for us in a positive way because people have already taken other places in other schools or decided they don't want to be in education anymore," she said.
Special measures to address shortages
Association of Independent Schools SA chief executive Carolyn Grantskalns said regional schools had been particularly affected by teacher shortages and reduced relief staff availability.
She said COVID-19 was still contributing to staff absences, but flu and other winter illnesses had also become more of an issue in recent weeks.
Ms Grantskalns said a series of measures had been implemented to try and ensure schools are adequately staffed.
"Some schools are finding it quite difficult and they've done a range of things including bringing back retired teachers," she said.
"The teacher registration board is very aware of the shortages and have put in place some special measures to try and assist.
"[That also includes] anyone who has been registered can re-register and it's relatively straightforward and they're hoping that will assist."
