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Original poster

1 teacher, 2 supply teachers and 15 kids off with Covid in one class

51 replies

AlJalilia · 13/03/2022 20:00

My DD is one of only 7 children currently in her class. They are dropping like flies. The teacher caught it, then the supply teacher, then the second supply teacher... the school are doing all they can to reduce the spread (including mandating masks) but it’s not working.

Previously we only had 2 cases in the entire school. What’s going on?

OP posts:
EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall · 14/03/2022 03:51

We had the same back in January, no cases in about a month.

Lindy2 · 14/03/2022 04:11

Covid swept through our Primary school in January and February. At one point 30% of staff and children were off with it at the same time.

They're all back from having Covid now so chicken pox and norovirus are having a go instead.

DockOTheBay · 14/03/2022 05:20

@Scottishgirl85

You say 'dropping like flies'. Are they actually ill or just off due to isolation guidance?
I was wondering this too. I would bet the vast majority are the latter
Waxonwaxoff0 · 14/03/2022 06:10

@MyBookShelf

"DS's teacher hasn't ever been off with Covid." Don't count your chickens *@Waxonwaxoff0* Wink - that was me until a few weeks ago, and many teachers at my school, then it hit us!
Oh yeah, I'm assuming she'll get it at some point, everyone will! DS and I had it byt in the summer holidays so he didn't miss any school.
DinkyDaisy · 14/03/2022 06:33

Going through our school and impacting adult support.
Dreading today and hope I am able to support in a way I feel appropriate. Unfortunately, think the untenable position I was put in last week will continue this week and my stress levels are through the roof.

Original poster
AlJalilia · 14/03/2022 06:42

We’re in Australia, so close contacts no longer have to stay home. All 15 kids plus the 3 teachers had tested positive. DD said there were only 4 kids in today, so it’s possible it’s increased to 19/23 kids and 3/3 teachers.

OP posts:
Fizzbo · 14/03/2022 06:54

Keep calm and don’t panic. They’ll get it, recover and go back to school. End of conversation.

SavoyCabbage · 14/03/2022 06:58

I am a supply teacher and some schools are really struggling. The one I was in last week had no KS1 teachers in its two form entry classes and only one TA. And no planning or anything.

I've also been in a class where they had been with a dinner lady on her own for three days just to stay open. She nearly burst into tears when she saw me.

Mistressiggi · 14/03/2022 07:04

We are getting closer to exams making it really hard if teachers are for, and hard for students who are missing important pre-exam learning. Cases are rising where I am.

Guineapigssweak · 14/03/2022 07:05

Not a problem. Kids get it over and done with then back to normal. They will probably only be I'll for two days like most adults.

Tillyscoutsmum · 14/03/2022 07:10

It hit the staff in our school hard at the end of Jan. Less so the children. At one point, in my phase of 90 children, the other two teachers and 2 TAs were off at the same time. We couldn't get supply and the rest of the school were down to about 50% staff. I had 3 days teaching 84 children on my own in the school hall Shock

RichardsGear · 14/03/2022 07:17

I've also been in a class where they had been with a dinner lady on her own for three days just to stay open.
That's completely unfair on that poor member of staff.

Original poster
AlJalilia · 14/03/2022 07:22

@Guineapigssweak how can you say it’s not a problem? Of course it’s a problem! My DS is in the middle of exams which he will not be able to do if he catches Covid. If I catch it I will not be able to work and, as I am on a casual contract, will not get paid so won’t be able to pay my rent. I am already one week behind with my rent so if I fall another week behind, our landlord will be able to evict us.

IT IS A FUCKING PROBLEM.

OP posts:
cantkeepawayforever · 14/03/2022 07:23

@Guineapigssweak

Not a problem. Kids get it over and done with then back to normal. They will probably only be I'll for two days like most adults.
Interestingly, in the cases my class have had since half term (1 in 4 of the class and counting), all but 1 of the children have been really quite poorly - no vaccinations as primary and most gave not had their jabs yet. Usual pattern seems to be ill for 5-6 days, just about ok on day 10, peaky for a bit thereafter - very similar for adults and children. Very few ‘early release’, often still pretty poorly at the 5 day mark.
Lazypuppy · 14/03/2022 07:31

Kids get illnesses all the time.its a contagious illness, they'll get it, feel ill for a few days then feel better. In UK we are supposed to treat it as any other illness,if you feel ill stay home from school/worl, if you don't carry on as normal.

Your lastvpost applies to any illness,ot juat covid surely, any one can get ill at any time

thaegumathteth · 14/03/2022 08:03

@Lazypuppy

Kids get illnesses all the time.its a contagious illness, they'll get it, feel ill for a few days then feel better. In UK we are supposed to treat it as any other illness,if you feel ill stay home from school/worl, if you don't carry on as normal.

Your lastvpost applies to any illness,ot juat covid surely, any one can get ill at any time

@Lazypuppy that's not true of the UK
Lazypuppy · 14/03/2022 08:26

@thaegumathteth typo, not UK, but in England there is no legal obligation to isolate or test anymore. I presume that was what you were trying to point out

thaegumathteth · 14/03/2022 09:08

Well yes there's the difference between home nations but also I think guidance is still to isolate .

BogRollBOGOF · 14/03/2022 14:24

It's the isoloation policy that's the problem.
DS2 lost 4 days in school last week... so ill that we did a nice country 4 mile walk.

The quicker it goes through the school, the shorter the period of disruption. I'd rather have 2-3 rough weeks than dragging it out for half a term with "measures" of limited efficacy and far more drawbacks as everyone gets it one or two at a time from each other and external sources.

Lilaclavenders · 14/03/2022 14:52

They are dropping like flies.

Are they ill and requiring hospitalisation?

Or are they well enough to continue learning?

Tynetime · 14/03/2022 17:25

twitter.com/danielgoyal/status/1503038852344303624?t=nCuJ9haIU5H8ZUGMnKa-8g&s=19
The attached is the clivkbsut headline but the article behind a paywall doesn't entirely conclude that.

1 teacher, 2 supply teachers and 15 kids off with Covid in one class
Tynetime · 14/03/2022 17:26

Sorry suspect the link won't work.

DinkyDaisy · 14/03/2022 17:47

Lack of staff impacts children with support needs, which impacts on the rest of the class and so on and so forth.
Some schools should probably close if very short-staffed but likely won't.
There comes a point where things don't feel safe or appropriate.

OutlookStalking · 14/03/2022 18:45

Ah the key point here is "Australia" - I think there will be large areas of Australia where it will be sweeping through for the first time won't there?

It's to be expected unfortunately.

Mistressiggi · 14/03/2022 20:11

[quote Lazypuppy]@thaegumathteth typo, not UK, but in England there is no legal obligation to isolate or test anymore. I presume that was what you were trying to point out[/quote]
I don't believe you are supposed to go to school in England if you are positive for Covid, are you?
Shock

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