Villanova College cancels carnival fundraiser as overseas school trips canned

A well-known Brisbane boys’s school has cancelled a major fundraiser planned for later this month amid escalating coronavirus fears.

Queensland students and teachers who were set to travel overseas for school trips have been grounded because of coronavirus.

Education Minister Grace Grace this afternoon announced all official state school trips had been halted, except for any scheduled to New Zealand, until further notice.

“The decision was made with the health, safety and wellbeing of students and staff in mind,” she said.

“Schools should manage the impact of this directive locally and communicate this decision to parents and caregivers as a matter of priority.”

Ms Grace and decision to close a school or early childhood centre would not be taken lightly and would be based on advice from the Chief Health Officer.

Greek, Italian and Indian cultures will collide at the Villanova International Carnival on March 5. year 5 student Josh Moffett and School Vice Captain Dante Schick. Picture: Renae Droop

This comes as Brisbane Catholic boys’ school Villanova College has cancelled its major fundraiser amid escalating coronavirus fears.

The Villanova Carnival, billed as a night of international food and fun on the school’s Coorparoo grounds, was due to be held on Saturday, March 21.

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Food from Asia, Greece, France and America was to be on offer along with three licensed bars, live entertainment, plus rides and footy throw competitions.

Today the school issued a statement saying: “The College regrets to advise that with the uncertainty around coronavirus, and after reviewing the health and financial risks associated with a large public event, the Villanova Carnival scheduled for March 21 has been postponed to a date later in the year.”

It comes just days after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said state school classrooms were ready to go digital should schools be closed due to the potentially deadly virus.

Public schools have also been told to cancel or postpone any overseas excursions until further notice.

At the prestigious Brisbane Grammar School, people have been ordered not to visit any school site if they have left, or transited through, mainland China within the last 14 days, Iran on or after March 1, the Republic of Korea on or after March 5.