South Coogee Public School: Businesses rally behind Covid isolation families

Multiple cases at an eastern suburbs school plunged hundreds of families into isolation. Now neighbours and local businesses have rallied to lend a hand.

School holidays stuck at home is most parents’ nightmare.

That is the situation for hundreds of families whose children attend South Coogee Public School in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, where four positive cases of Covid-19 were discovered among students.

Local businesses have now come on board to help families plunged into 14 days of isolation – for the duration of the school holidays – after all students at the school were declared close contacts by NSW Health.

South Coogee Public School on Monday. Picture: James Gourley

“Family members also need to isolate for the same period unless those impacted can self isolate from others in the home,” mum Jenny Connell said.

Mrs Connell, who has two children at the school, said her entire family was self isolating and both her and her husband were working from home and having groceries delivered.

“Given greater Sydney is in lockdown the main differences will be not being able to go out for some exercise (or) being able to go get necessities.”

However, she said friends and local businesses had put their hand up to help out which was amazing.

“We’ve had friends offer to help and also kind gestures from the broader community with Ian from Hill’s Butchery bringing us some meat and Clovelly Bakery offering to deliver fresh bread to the school community.”

Ian Ovenstone from Hill’s Butchery in Maroubra is trying to help families. Picture: Dan Himbrechts

She said her children were “a bit disappointed” but they understood what was going on.

“They understand and are a bit disappointed but given the broader lockdown they don’t feel they’re missing out on much more than anyone else.

“They will miss getting outside for a bike ride or walking and seeing friends at a park – socially distanced of course – the most.”

She said the school community was banding together to help one other.

“We’re all supporting each other sharing activity ideas to keep the kids entertained and ways of interacting with each other like class Zoom calls and video challenges.”

A sign outside South Coogee Public School. Picture: John Grainger

Hill’s Butchery in Maroubra owner Ian Ovenstone said they were offering free delivery on orders to any families from South Coogee Public School.

“We are just trying to help and deliver to people that are under strain.”

He said he had three children attend the school in the past and his wife, Lynda, previously helped operate the school canteen and they just wanted to help.

Lady Providore, which delivers fresh fruit and vegetable boxes, has also come on board and is offering 10 per cent off for all South Coogee Public School families and also delivering to people’s doors.

Owner Poppy Elfes said her husband and three of their kids went to the school in the past and it was a fantastic school community.

Poppy Elfes has supported the school through her business.

“We loved it. The school community really bands together,” she said.

“We thought that we would do our bit to help them out.”

She added their deliveries were completely Covid safe with drivers wearing masks and safety equipment and leaving the boxes at the door.

Parents were notified on Friday of the first two cases at the school then again on Sunday of an additional two Covid cases.

More than 500 students are now in self isolation and the school is closed for the holidays.

If your business would like to help the school community please email the P&C at [e-mail].