Pymble Ladies’ College in isolation after 2 students test positive to Covid

Two students from an elite girls school on the north shore have tested positive to Covid. One had attended an overnight ‘outdoor education’ program last week.

Students and staff at an elite independent girls school on the north shore were sent into isolation this week after two students tested positive following an overnight “outdoor education” program.

Year 9 students at Pymble Ladies’ College were this week participating in the program at Vision Valley, a 75ha recreation campus owned by the school, when parents were told on Thursday to urgently pick up their daughters.

Two students at Pymble Ladies’ College have tested positive to Covid.

While NSW Health advice says overnight outdoor education should not go ahead at present, PLC did not believe its program counted as a camp because the school owns the recreational grounds.

The program consisted of “five days of outdoor education; a three-day signature learning experience and two days of rest and recreation, with limited access to technology and screens (after four months of online learning)” according to the school’s Facebook page.

On Thursday night girls were picked up from the camp, and by Friday parents were told two members of the school community had tested positive.

NSW Health confirmed that the two students were from the same household, and one was at the Vision Valley campus.

All senior students and staff at the senior school were sent home to isolate while the junior school and HSC exams stayed operational.

In a letter to parents on Friday, the principal said all students must isolate until advised by NSW Health if they were casual or close contacts.

A statement from Pymble Ladies College said the school hoped to return on Monday.

“On Friday, Pymble Ladies’ College was advised of two confirmed cases of Covid-19 across our two campuses. Consequently, the Secondary School at Pymble and Vision Valley campus at Arcadia closed temporarily on Friday for cleaning and contact tracing,” the statement said.

“The Preparatory and Junior Schools at the Pymble campus remained operational on Friday.

“Secondary School students learned via Pymble Online on Friday.

“We expect face-to-face learning to resume on campus on Monday for all year groups.

“The safety and wellbeing of our staff and students is always paramount. The College will continue to follow the Covid-safe procedures and protocols mandated by the Public Health Order.

“We are working closely with AIS NSW (Association of Independent Schools of NSW) and NSW Health and continue to keep our community accurately informed.”

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