Bowral teacher Michelle Hayes dies from Covid

A Bowral school teacher has died of Covid, with her devastated husband — who is still in isolation with their children — saying “the best part of me is gone”.

A beloved teacher is being remembered as “beautiful” and a “wonderful educator” after dying just days after a positive Covid test.

Michelle Hayes, 46, died on Wednesday morning after testing positive to Covid on Monday.

Ms Hayes taught at Bowral Public School along with her husband Ben after moving to the Southern Highlands from Norfolk Island, where she was a beloved teacher among her students.

In a tribute to his wife, a devastated Mr Hayes said he was heartbroken.

“The best part of me is gone … and now I have to be the Dad and the Mum – and I will NEVER come close to being anywhere near as fabulous as she was,” he said on Facebook.

Ben and Michelle Hayes on their wedding day.

Michelle Hayes died days after testing positive to Covid.

Mr Hayes and the couple’s son and daughter were still in isolation when she died, and he urged mourners to stay away from the house.

“Nobody can currently come to the house because were still in iso – please don’t – we’re even keeping my Mum away … I would seriously break if anyone else got this,” Mr Hayes said.

“Please don’t call yet. I can’t cry anymore. I’ve never known such limitless sorrow.”

Mr Hayes and his children are due out of isolation on Monday. The family only moved to the Southern Highlands in January. Ms Hayes had taught at Norfolk Island Central School for 12 years.

Bowral Public School principal Chris Beard thanked “the whole school community for your support and kind words” as the school dealt with the tragedy.

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