Students in four states return to school as nation navigates coronavirus crisis

After experiencing two COVID-19 lockdowns last year, Catherine Tootell is heading back to the classroom for the 2021 school year.

The Melbourne teenager is set to enter year 12 at Heidelberg’s Our Lady of Mercy College.

She said dealing with uncertainty last year had helped her approach this year and she was feeling prepared.

In addition to doing her best and trying to attain a good ATAR score, as school captain she will be leading her cohort through whatever challenges may arise.

“I’m also worried about the workload and keeping that school-life balance, but there is also that aspect of coming out of remote learning, coming out of coronavirus, the possibility of that happening again — and the prospect of that is pretty…