Neighbouring schools remain open after positive college case

Parents at a college on Brisbane's northside have been warned to be alert to symptoms of coronavirus in their children after a sporting match against an Ipswich school where a student tested positive for COVID-19. It comes amid revelations students from five other schools also attended the campus for an orientation day. 

St Mary’s College and St Mary’s Primary School will remain open after St Edmund’s College closed on Tuesday due to a positive COVID-19 case. The three schools are located in the same precinct.

Parents at a Catholic school in Brisbane's north were last night warned to be alert to their children's health after revelations the students had played sport against St Edmund's College in Ipswich, where a student has tested positive for COVID-19.

In a statement to St Patrick's College Shorncliffe parents were told that the positive result was taken from an opposing player, and that at that stage there were no known cases in the College.

"St Patrick's College is to continue as normal. We would ask you to keep up to date with notifications through REALM for further notices," the statement said. 

"We will follow any directions and advice of public health authorities in these circumstances and I thank you for your support to date as we navigate this situation." 

The statement said the College wanted to make the information available to parents so they could be alert to their child's health.

It has now been revealed that St Edmund's on Friday hosted students from multiple schools at their annual Orientation Day. 

Dozens of grade six boys from at least five different schools in and around the Ipswich area attended Friday afternoon's gathering at the school.

The Courier-Mail understands the event was also attended by students from the College, who were assisting with activities for the afternoon.

It's currently unknown if the infectious grade 11 student was present at the Orientation Day.

St Edmund's College, which will be closed until Monday,  is located within just a few hundred metres of two other schools, who today remain open despite the proximity of the three schools.

The Courier-Mail has contacted Queensland Health for comment.

The Ipswich schools which neighbour the college where a student tested positive for COVID-19 will remain open, despite the proximity and strong links between the three Catholic schools.

St Edmund’s College confirmed a Year 11 student tested positive to the virus, forcing the school to close on Tuesday afternoon for at least 48 hours while cleaning and contact tracing is undertaken.

There are about 1050 boys enrolled at the Catholic secondary school.

St Edmund’s Principal Ray Celegato said the number of teachers and students potentially exposed   to the student was low but he did not confirm how many were being told to isolate, saying that Queensland Health was still contacting the school’s families and staff. 

Mr Celegato did not say when the student was last at school but that the school was informed yesterday of the positive test, and he believes the student was tested yesterday. 

He said the school would stay shut until Monday to allow for thorough deep-cleaning. 

“We are concerned about our young man but we certainly know he is being looked after and we wish him and his family the best,” Mr Celegato said. 

St Mary’s College is located in the same precinct as St Eddie’s and St. Mary’s Primary School in Woodend.

In a letter to parents and carers, St Mary’s principal Judith Finan confirmed the school would remain open.

It is understood St Mary’s Primary School will stay open as well.

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“I have been in contact with West Moreton Public Health and sought their advice and Brisbane Catholic Education Office and sought their advice,” Mrs Finan wrote.

“Based on this advice St Mary’s College will remain open.

“Due to our proximity to the St Edmund’s College and the strong connections between the three schools in this precinct, it is very important that we remain vigilant.”

An Ipswich restaurant has also closed until further notice as the owners’ son attends St Eddie’s.

Chinese eatery Ange’s Kitchen in Sadliers Crossing will remain closed until staff and family return negative test results.

“This is a courtesy message to inform you that we are closing Ange’s Kitchen immediately until further notice,” owner Angelina Chen said in a statement.

“Because our son is in the same school and grade as this student, we feel it only necessary to do this to protect you, our staff, and family.

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“As we work diligently with Queensland Health professionals to learn more about this infection and how it impacts everyone, our staff have been advised to get tested, and until all our staff and family results come back negative, we will remain closed.

“We are doing all this as a precaution to you and your families.

“We will keep you informed on Facebook as to when we will reopen.

“Sorry for any inconvenience caused by this.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the student and his family of the school. Thanks to the school for their swift response to this event.”

Read more stories by Lachlan McIvor here.

Originally published as Neighbouring schools remain open after positive college case