Sunshine Coast Grammar, Immanuel Lutheran College, Matthew Flinders Anglican College students and staff undergo surveillance testing for Covid-19 in wake of Brisbane cluster

Students and staff at least three elite schools on the Sunshine Coast will undergo precautionary surveillance testing for Covid-19, Queensland Health has confirmed.

Sunshine Coast Grammar, Matthew Flinders Anglican College and Immanuel Lutheran College have been confirmed as three of several schools where precautionary surveillance testing for Covid-19 will be undertaken in wake of the growing Brisbane cluster.

The health department said no known cases were linked to the schools but the tests were in a bid to rule out any possible link to a delta cluster in Brisbane.

The department failed to say how or when the tests would be rolled out.

An email sent to parents by principal Maria Woods stated Sunshine Coast Grammar School students and staff would undergo precautionary surveillance Covid-19 testing as soon as possible.

“We will not be providing further details of the schools at this time, to ensure each school has ample opportunity to discuss the matter with teachers, students and parents impacted in the first instance,” Queensland Health said in a statement.

In an email to parents, Sunshine Coast Grammar School principal Maria Woods confirmed the students and staff would undergo testing as soon as possible.

“We have received this afternoon a directive from the Sunshine Coast Public Health Unit that all staff both at Grammar and at Grammar Early Learning Centre and all students from Prep to Year 12 are required to undergo a Covid PCR swab test as early as possible,” Ms Woods said.

Cars line up for Covid-19 testing at Immanuel Lutheran College at Buderim. Picture: Lachie Millard

“The Public Health Unit has confirmed that at the time of communicating this advice to the school, we do not have a confirmed case at our school.

“As a result of this advice, Sunshine Coast Grammar School, Grammar Early Learning Centre and Outside School Hours Care will be closed on Tuesday 3 August 2021 so that all staff and families are able to comply.”

A similar email was also sent to parents at Immanuel Lutheran College.

Matthew Flinders Anglican College principal Stuart Meade praised the students and staff for their support and patience while being tested at the pop-up Covid-19 clinic.

Mr Meade did not respond to questions asked by the Daily but took to the school’s social media to update parents.

Queensland Health’s public health unit confirmed students and staff at the college would be tested.

Parents have been divided about the move on social media with some saying they were outraged.

However, Mountain Creek resident Paul Marko whose daughter Sophia goes to Sunshine Coast Grammar was quick to obey the orders and waiting in line at Lifepointe Baptist Church on Wises Road on Tuesday morning to be tested.

“The girls got an email last night from Sunshine Coast Grammar saying all students and teachers must be tested before they’re allowed back to school,” he said.

“I should’ve been working today, I’m an essential worker.

“I’m here to get these two done but I may as well get myself done too.”

It comes as Queensland recorded 16 new locally acquired cases of Covid-19, which are all linked to the Delta cluster which sent the state’s southeast into a strict eight-day lockdown.

Brisbane’s Indooroopilly State High School, Ironside State School, Brisbane Grammar School, Brisbane Girls Grammar School, St Peters Lutheran College and St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School have all been caught up in the latest outbreak.