Shalom College confirms Covid cases, high absentee rate

There are fresh concerns about a potential new cluster at a Bundaberg school, with 25 students sent home and the rugby league team pulled from a major competition.

There are concerns about a potential Covid cluster at a Bundaberg school after a number of students were sent home sick.

Shalom College recorded a high absentee rate among the Year 12 cohort, with about 25 students also sent home throughout the day.

Principal Dan McMahon confirmed some of those students tested positive to Covid.

“We had a higher than average absentee rate among our Year 12 students,” Mr McMahon said.

“We have been notified that a couple of those have now tested positive for Covid.”

The cases have also impacted the school’s representative team who were due to compete in the Dolphin’s Cup Schoolboys Competition on Wednesday.

According to event organisers, the school was forced to abandon their right to play due to Covid concerns.

Mr McMahon told the NewsMail while some students have tested positive to the illness, he was still unsure whether the flu or another illness could be to blame for the majority of absentees in the cohort.

As a precaution, the college has offered year 11 and 12 students the opportunity to participate in online classes for the remainder of the week.

“Parents have been advised that all other students, who are symptom free, are to attend class as normal,” Mr McMahon said.

“Given how important senior studies are at this point in the year, the College felt that this course of action may help prevent any additional infections.

“Fortunately, teachers and students are ready and able to switch to effective learning online structures and processes.

“We expect that we will be fully back to face-to-face teaching on Monday of next week.

“We will continue to monitor students’ health and well being on campus and make any other decisions as necessary.”