Covid, Blacktown: Quakers Hill East Public School teacher juggles online teaching with home schooling

Teaching a class of Year 1 students over the internet is no mean feat, particularly when you are caring for your own children. Find out how a Quakers Hill East teacher is staying positive in lockdown.

A western Sydney mother and teacher is juggling the duties of looking after her own children as well as teaching a class of Year 1 students in a challenging first year on the job.

Sarah Roberts, 40, is currently in her first year teaching at Quakers Hill East Public School and says it has been anything but an easy start.

The Riverstone resident, who has two children aged seven and 11, told the Blacktown Advocate she feels her attention is “very divided” and she is “being pulled in very different directions all at once”.

“In some ways it is more straightforward and it is nice to be able to be with family but you are having to do three jobs at one – trying to look after your kids, help them with their own schoolwork and do your job looking after your 20 odd kids that you teach, it’s a lot to juggle,” she said.

With the lockdown being extended until the end of August, spirits have taken yet another hit and Mrs Roberts can see it starting to affect her children.

Quakers Hill East Public School. Picture: Ben Talintyre

“With lockdown being extended on top of the three we have already had, we are all getting over being at home and I can see the moods of my own children and those I teach are getting low,” the schoolteacher said.

“We need to focus on really taking care of each other and try our best to stay positive.

“My own children are starting to hit a wall. After almost five weeks at home they need their friends and some human interaction.”

With at least another four weeks of online learning, the end is a long way away for teachers and for those with young children, the lockdown is proving to be extra challenging.

UPDATE: July 29 5pm

Burger Room vows to keep fighting lockdown

In the midst of a pandemic is a time when most people are being extra safe and frugal with their money but Burger Room owner Mark Bishara wasn’t going to wait to start his dream of owning his own joint.

Mr Bishara opened up Burger Room on Flushcombe Rd, Blacktown, at the end of March when he saw a perfect place for lease.

The Burger Room opened on Flushcombe Rd just four months ago. Picture: Ben Talintyre

At the time he was working from home in software sales and was ready for his next challenge.

“I wanted to start a business and saw there was a gap in the burger market in Blacktown,” he said. “It was an idea of mine ever since my trip to New York.”

Burger Room, Blacktown. Picture: Ben Talintyre

Mr Bishara and a bunch of his friends travelled a few years back to New York and sought out a highly-touted burger joint in the heart of the city.

When he found out that those burgers were made from Australian beef patties he knew that he could emulate something similar back home in Australia.

He went from owning a burger truck with some friends to opening the Burger Room, which was surging in popularity until Blacktown went into a hard lockdown earlier this week.

NSW recorded 170 new Covid cases on Friday, at least 42 of which were in the community while infectious.

“At the time of the restrictions being introduced we were growing exponentially, I thought the worst was over. The optimist in me thought it was smooth sailing ahead,” Mr Bishara said.

“I understand why it (the lockdown) is happening. It sucks for us but it is more important that our loved ones stay safe. If this is what needs to happen for everyone to be okay and for all of us to be out and about in the future then so be it. While it is not ideal, I consider myself lucky that I can still operate.”

Since Burger Room is a new business, it is currently not entitled to any business grants from the government, meaning they are solely relying on walk-ins and deliveries.

Blacktown International Sportspark is a drive-through testing clinic Picture: Damian Shaw

Update – July 29 – 11am

Cases by area since the Delta variant broke out in Bondi in Sydney’s West and South-West.

Constitution Hill, Girraween, Greystanes, Pendle Hill (2145): 82 cases

Guildford, Yennora, Guildford West, Old Guildford (2161): 41 cases

Blacktown, Huntingwood, Arndell Park (2148): 37 cases

Auburn (2144): 31 cases

Merrylands, Merrylands West (2160): 30 cases

Kings Langley, Lalor Park, Seven Hills, Seven Hills West (2147): 20 cases

Toongabbie, Old Toongabbie (2146): 20 cases

Lidcombe, Berala, Rookwood (2141): 16 cases

Bidwill, Blackett, Dharruk (2770): 16 cases

Penrith, Emu Plains, Jamisontown, Emu Heights, Leonay (2750): nine cases

Parramatta, Harris Park (2150): nine cases

Camellia, Granville, Rosehill (2142): six cases

Riverstone, Marsden Park, Box Hill, Vineyard, Maraylya, Berkshire Park (2765): five cases

North Parramatta, North Rocks (2151): five cases

St Clair, Erskine Park (2759): four cases

Hassall Grove, Oakhurst, Plumpton (2761): four cases

Rooty Hill (2766): three cases

Doonside (2767): three cases

Regents Park, Birrong, Potts Hill (2143): two cases

Winmalee, Springwood (2777): two cases

Cambridge Park, Cambridge Gardens, Caddens (2747): one case

St Marys, Colyton, North St Marys, Ropes Crossing, Oxley Park (2760): one case

Baulkham Hills, Bella Vista, Norwest, Winston Hills (2153): nine cases

Windsor, South Windsor, Pitt Town, Bligh Park, McGraths Hill (2756): six cases

Castle Hill (2154): five cases

Kellyville, Rouse Hill, Bella Vista (2155): four cases

Dundas, Oatlands, Telopea, Dundas Valley (2117): four cases

Quakers Hill, Acacia Gardens (2763): three cases

Schofields (2762): two cases

Kenthurst, Glenhaven, Annangrove (2156): one case

UPDATE – July 27, 8am

Unit Complex in Devitt Street, Blacktown under strict two-week lockdown

Six new cases of COVID-19 has sent a Blacktown apartment complex into a strict two week lockdown.

Residents living in the building on Devitt St, Blacktown, were alerted to the positive cases around 1pm on Monday and were instructed to immediately self isolate. All residents in the complex have been deemed to be close contacts.

NSW Health nurses were deployed to the site immediately to test all residents. Police have set up outside the apartment block to ensure that no one leaves or enters the building for the next two weeks.

Cleaners kitted out in PPE on the scene. Picture: Ben Talintyre

Neighbours in the area were leaning out of their own apartments to see what was going on, stating they were “concerned” by the lack of information.

Western Sydney Local Health District are “working with residents and building management to assess the situation and, in collaboration with other agencies, are implementing measures to address infection control and the health and welfare of residents.”

Both NSW Police and private security are ensuring the safety of the facility with food and other services, including daily welfare checks, being provided to all residents during their 14-day quarantine period.