Tough COVID laws rule out holiday travel for John Paul College boarders
Concerns are growing at John Paul College that interstate and international boarders will not be able to return home during the September holidays.
Logan
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Concerns are growing at a prestigious southside college that interstate and international boarders will not be able to return to their home towns during the September holidays.
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Most of John Paul College’s 48 boarders had sporting commitments over the two-week break, which runs from Friday, September 18 with classes resuming on October 6.
Those travelling back to school from New South Wales or internationally would have to quarantine for the entire two weeks under strict Queensland’s COVID rules.
It was likely the majority would remain at the school's Fenton Village boarding accommodation at Daisy Hill with most opting not to leave Queensland.
Principal Karen Spiller said there were concerns about the pending holidays.
“We are concerned for the wellbeing of our interstate and international boarders as it appears they will be unable to return home for the September holidays,” she said.
“We are doing all we can to support them and their families in these challenging times.
“We will continue to follow directives as issued by Queensland Health.”
Boarders at the college come from a diverse range of backgrounds and nationalities, with many unable to travel overseas to other countries due to foreign quarantining restrictions.
The college has put in place a range of programs to ensure boarders were safe and healthy during the COVID pandemic.
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In April, the school set up Boarding Outreach, a forum to ensure boarders received academic and pastoral support when school classes were conducted online earlier this year.
The boarding facility opened at the college in 2015 and was the first college in the state to open a “village-style” environment.
It prides itself on being far removed from traditional dormitories, boarding halls and houses, with the village nestled into native bushland next to the college’s main campus.
Boarders are housed in villa accommodation with eight students in twin-share rooms with ensuites.
Fenton Village has its own vegetable gardens and citrus plantation, wireless networks, purpose-built contemporary buildings and recreation and dining halls.
Boarders are cared for by a team of several residential, academic, catering, medical and support staff, many of whom live on campus.
Over the holiday period, students staying on campus are able to get involved in co-curricular activities including sporting and performing arts programs.