SCHOOL communities are rallying behind their students who are unable to return to their interstate homes due to COVID-19 induced border restrictions.
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Local families within the school community are rushing to offer accommodation to boarding students unable to return home.
The Express understands schools such as New England Girls School (NEGS), Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School and The Armidale School (TAS) are working to help find solutions for their students.
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TAS director of boarding David Drain said he had been in communication with families from Queensland and the Northern Territory for weeks to find a solution.
"While the Queensland Government has made allowances for NSW students boarding in Queensland to return home for holidays, it seems that it hasn't factored in those going the other way," Mr Drain told the Leader.
"Some of our families have also been working with Queensland Health directly on the matter and it would be good to think that this will be resolved in the coming week.
"Nevertheless we are working on various options including students homestaying with relatives or friends in NSW, if required."
The Queensland Government's loosening of restrictions for boarders in its state came after several families launched the no borders for boarders campaign last month.
NEGS Year 12 student and Northern Territory native Gabby Cadzow said the situation was devastating.
"I'm actually quite sad about it because it looks like my parents won't even be able to come to my formal later in the year," Ms Cadzow said.
"I'm hoping the Queensland border lets up a little bit, because that would mean I could get home, virtually scot-free.
"Otherwise, it will be a really long time until I can see them."
One of many boarders studying at NEGS, the 17-year-old said all of the interstate students had banded together.
"We're all just trying to be each other's support network," she said.
"I'm popping in with the host family of one of the girls, who is good friends with my sister, during the holidays.
"I'm holding onto the hope of change in the border restrictions with all I've got, it would just mean so much to see my family."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
