Coronavirus: St Christopher’s Catholic Primary school closed due to coronavirus
Extensive cleaning measures are being carried out at a school in Sydney’s southwest after an independent contractor tested positive for coronavirus on Saturday. It’s still not known when the school will reopen.
The Express
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A primary school in Panania has shut its doors for 24 hours after a contractor at the school tested positive for coronavirus over the weekend.
An independent contractor addressed 40 staff members from four schools during a professional development seminar at St Christopher’s Catholic Primary School at Panania on Thursday between 3.30pm and 5pm.
The school has moved to assure parents the contractor did not come into any contact with the school’s 605 students.
Other schools represented at the session were Immaculate Heart of Mary Primary, Sefton, Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School, Carnes Hill, and Mary Immaculate Catholic Primary, Bossley Park.
None of these schools have been closed.
Executive director of Sydney Catholic Schools Tony Farley said St Christopher’s Catholic Primary School at Panania had been closed today after one of the two independent contractors who visited the school last Thursday tested positive to coronavirus on Saturday.
Mr Farley said the instructors were speaking to teachers from four schools but none of the 605 students at St Christopher’s had come into contact with the instructors.
“On Saturday we were told one of the two instructors had tested positive for the coronavirus and yesterday our leadership team decided to close the school for a day and clean up the school and library where the professional development occurred,” Mr Farley said.
Mr Farley said the state and federal governments should make a decision on whether schools should be closed sooner rather than later.
“The situation is changing rapidly and ... Catholic schools are ready to teach students online now.
“At this stage the health authorities and government have told us our schools are safe.
“But it a very challenging time for the health authorities and government ... we will evaluate later in the afternoon.
“But one thing about the coronavirus, it is bringing out the best in people.’
St Christopher’s Catholic Primary School’s Jamie Wahab, who has been in charge here for five years, said they have been preparing themselves for some time in relation to how to react to any coronavirus decision.
“This is something we knew was going to happen and we have been ready for a while,” Mr Wahab told The Express.
“Our parents have been very supportive as always and know that we always operate to make sure all students are safe.
“We have recorded hardly any calls from the parents and parents know it’s the right decision to make.
“We don’t know when the school will reopen and will have dicussions with NSW health and Sydney Catholic Schools and will inform our community as soon as possible.”
Mr Farley said the Catholic Education system is well equipped to handle online teaching, saying the students and parents can be assured of their highly professional staff.