The female principal of my Novus Ordo grade school did one of these "Communion services" when there was no priest. What a scandal for a lady to open up the tabernacle, which was placed behind the altar where it should be, and touch the sacred vessels! (Considering this was Novus Ordo, it was probably just unconsecrated bread and profane vessels anyways…)
Actually, your shock surprised me. In many of the parishes I had visited back when I was captive in the Novus Ordo, the tabernacle was routinely opened by laymen or laywomen to retrieve the ceremonial bread they kept there. This is especially true when the tabernacle is off to the side or kept in a broom closet or next to the exit though I've also seen it happen when the altar was behind the priest. At communion time, one of the eucharistic ministers would usually walk over to the tabernacle, open it, retrieve its contents, and go up to the Cranmer's Table (i.e., the altar) where, usually, the priest would combine the contents with the hosts he's blessed and divide them all in the bowls or plates used by the distributors.
In 2014, I would never have thought that this would surprise anyone. I'm sure you'll get used to it now that it's been introduced at your parish. Besides, it will help to give you (and the kids at the school) a proper understanding of what the Novus Ordo really thinks of the eucharist in their parishes.