James Sheahan Catholic High School's year eight students, along with some staff, are now in isolation as a result of the NSW Government's stay-at-home orders following an excursion to the Blue Mountains last week.
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Aside from a few students who did not attend, the entire year eight group and accompanying staff travelled to Camp Yarramundi near Springwood last Tuesday, June 22, returning to Orange the following afternoon.
At the time, no stay-at-home orders had been issued in NSW.
An initial order was imposed on four specific areas of Sydney on the Thursday before being extended to the entire Greater Sydney area including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour on Saturday.
I know this may lead to some worry, frustration, concern and disappointment within our school community and we are very sorry for this.
- James Sheahan principal Peter Meers
In announcing the restrictions, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the order would be imposed retroactively, with anyone who had visited those areas from June 21 onward required to self-isolate for 14 days as a result.
James Sheahan principal Peter Meers circulated an email to parents and caregivers on Sunday with the update, which will force students into isolation while the school is closed for holidays for the next two weeks.
"I know this may lead to some worry, frustration, concern and disappointment within our school community and we are very sorry for this."
The potential for infection was low, Mr Meers said, however he said the school would support the government's stance and encouraged the community to remain vigilant amid the ongoing pandemic.
"The likelihood of an infection having occurred on the excursion is obviously very low, however the government needs to act strongly in the face of COVID infection spread over the last 24 to 48 hours, particularly in Sydney," he said.
"Please actively stay in touch with NSW Health information and, as previously, if your children display any cold or flu-like symptoms please have them tested as per ongoing government and school advice."
The Central Western Daily was unable to contact James Sheahan Catholic High School on Monday morning.
Western NSW Local Health District said there had been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Orange or the region when contacted, at about 10am on Monday.
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Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
