Private school to close down as hundreds hit by gastro virus

A PRESTIGIOUS Gold Coast boarding school will halt classes to sanitise it before it’s used for the Commonwealth Games.

A VIRUS outbreak which has felled hundreds of students and teachers will force the Gold Coast’s most expensive school to shut it doors.

Independent day and boarding school The Southport School will end its first term three days early later this month in a bid to sanitise it completely ahead of it being used by athletes involved in the Commonwealth Games as a training and residential venue.

The prestigious boys’ school will close from March 26 in a bid to eradicate a norovirus which has plagued it, affecting more than 400 students and teachers.

Norovirus is an airborne strain of virus that can cause gastroenteritis and can also be spread through shared foods and liquids.

The school has struggled to contain the virus outbreak for the past month.

Lockdown: The Southport School will end term one three days early to be sanitised ahead of the Commonwealth Games. Picture: Gold Coast Bulletin

Queensland Health has ordered classes from March 26-28, the last three days of term, to be cancelled so an antivirus clean can sanitise the school before athletes arrive.

“While illness numbers are decreasing and are now quite low, Queensland Health continues to be concerned that our norovirus event is lingering on too long, which is not good for our boys, families and staff,” TSS principal Greg Wain said in a statement.

“They are also concerned that we are a key Commonwealth Games residential and sports training venue which needs to be virus-free.”

About 6600 athletes and team staff from 70 competing nations will descend on Queensland from later this month.

Officials have cause to be wary of the virus after an outbreak at the recent Winter Olympic Games impacted two Swiss skiers among more than 200 other security staff and Games personnel.

The school will make up the lost class time later this year on dates that were originally set aside as student-free days.

“This has been a difficult decision but one which will ensure the school is completely clear for the Commonwealth Games, and that TSS commences term two virus-free,” Mr Wain said.

Professor Paul Van Buynder of the Gold Coast Public Health Unit confirmed in a statement that the school would close to allow for “a thorough and complete antiviral clean”.

Originally published as Private school to close down as hundreds hit by gastro virus