Brisbane State High School parent tests positive

Brisbane State High School has been vandalised after a parent sent their child to school after receiving a false negative COVID-19 test.

A Brisbane State High School wall has been painted with graffiti reading “Shut school save lives’’ after revelations a parent sent their child to school after the parent was falsely cleared for COVID-19.

The parent had self-isolated with their child when they first tested positive, at an unknown time.

But after being given the all-clear the parent returned their child to school Monday to Friday last week.

Executive principal Wade Haynes yesterday morning emailed the school community to say the parent, who had informed the school throughout the process and did all the correct things, had now been told they have coronavirus.

But the Department of Education this morning assured the school community that no students or staff had so far tested positive.

Despite that someone painted the graffiti sometime overnight.

Graffiti smeared on the wall of Brisbane State High School

Numbers have been down this week, but that may have been partly because Year 11 students were sitting block exams and not required to attend.

“This individual and their family have acted quickly and followed Queensland Health advice to self-quarantine,’’ a DoE spokesman said.

“Parents and caregivers of students at the school have been informed by a letter sent home yesterday.

“This letter contains advice for parents that there is no need for other students or staff to be quarantined at this time, given they have not had close contact with the confirmed case.

“School cleaning staff are paying extra special attention to health and hygiene and continuing to follow the expert advice from Chief Health Officers.

“All students and community members have been reminded of the need for heightened attention to hygiene standards.

“The school has been taking all appropriate precautions regarding health and hygiene and will continue to take the advice of the Department of Education and Queensland Health in response to this public health issue.’’

BSHS chair of Council David Gillespie said his two daughters went to school yesterday and this morning as usual.

“Their friends are still going as well,’’ Mr Gillespie said.

“Wade (Haynes) and the school have been great throughout (the pandemic), updating us nearly every day.’’

Mr Haynes said he was “aware of a number of genuine concerns and rumours circulating social media around potential COVID-19 cases within our students and parent community’’.

“We have followed these up where possible but, to this point, there has been nothing verifiable to report,’’ he told parents.

“As promised, I will always make you aware of confirmed student cases of COVID-19 while maintaining proper protocols around privacy for individuals.

“We have no such cases. I have been made aware of a parent who has informed me they have confirmed case of COVID-19.

“After an initial negative test, this parent informs me that they have now tested positive.

“While the Year 8 student was self-isolated during each testing period, they attended school last week (from Monday to Friday) between the negative and positive tests.

“Naturally, this student is not attending school this week.

“I thought it prudent to advise our families this morning (Tuesday) so that you can factor this information into your decision making about what is best for your child.’’