one period a week. Year 9 and 10 mass singing sessions are allocated one period a week and Year 9–12 weekly sport sessions are allocated two consecutive periods a week. Each subject will typically have one, or two consecutive periods within a day; although three and even four non-consecutive periods is not unheard of. Not all subjects are given every day, some given as little time as two periods a fortnight (e.g. Health and Personal Development) during years 9 and 10. Most formal VCE classes are not held during Wednesdays periods 6 and 7, allowing time for students' personal study and school-assessed coursework examinations to be held. School commences at 8:45 am every day, with the first classes starting by 9:00 am. After periods 1 to 3, there is a 26-minute recess before periods 4 to 5. A 45-minute lunch occurs before periods 6 to 7, and all formal classes end at 3:25 pm. Some students may start earlier or finish school later due to co-curricular activities (rowing notorious for early starts, and debating for evening out of school debates), or detention (typically mandating 8:00 am arrival). As of 2011, a largely student-fought initiative led to Year 12 students not being required at school for any free periods they may have at the start or end of the day. As of 2015, Year 12 students are not required during free periods at the start of the day and may leave instead of attending free periods at the end of the day. The enforcement of attendance at form assembly has been a point of contention among senior students in recent years. Students may leave the school if they have no more formal class scheduled for the rest of the day. Following a 2016 review of the school's curriculum, a 2-minute transition has been implemented between periods to allow teachers and students to move to their next classes. This has extended the school day from 8:50 - 3:20 to 8:45 - 3:25. During the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, most of Term 2 was conducted with remote learning, with students expected to check in weekly and attend all online classes. By early June, physical schooling resumed, however without assembly, weekly sports, and various co-curricular activities. From August through to October, remote learning was conducted due to the second wave in Victoria. Grounds, buildings, and facilities Melbourne High School has one campus, in South