FAMILIES at Hamilton South Public School have been asked to collect their children after a member of the school community tested positive for COVID-19.
Principal Mark Warren wrote to families on Tuesday to advise the school would be "non-operational effective immediately" to allow time for contact tracing and cleaning.
"Parents and carers are requested to come and collect their children as soon as possible," Mr Warren wrote.
"All students will be supervised until they are able to be collected.
"All staff and students are asked to self-isolate until you receive further advice.
"During this time, learning from home resources will be available from the learning from home hub."
Mr Warren said NSW Heath had requested anyone who has been unwell or developed any symptoms such as a fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, loss of smell/taste, muscle/joint pains, diarrhoea, nausea/vomiting or extreme tiredness to be tested at one of the COVID-19 testing clinics."
Mr Warren said staff and student safety and wellbeing was "of paramount importance to us at all times" and the school would work closely with NSW Health "to ensure that all necessary health advice is adhered to".
"While we recognise this will be disruptive and inconvenient for families, it is important that we follow NSW Health advice and take all necessary precautions to minimise the risk of further transmission to support our community," he said.
NSW Teachers Federation regional organiser Jack Galvin Waight said the high case numbers and school closures in the Hunter were "concerning".
"We understand that the process of closing schools to clean and contact trace is an important health and safety measure," he said.
"Concerns remain in relation to the safe operations of schools and this includes mask wearing and ventilation.
"Our principals and teachers in the Hunter continue to rise to every challenge under incredibly difficult circumstances."
Independent Education Union NSW/ACT Newcastle organiser Therese Fitzgibbon said on Monday she expected to see more closures now all grades have returned.
"I think it's likely we will see an increase in school closures and given students, particularly primary students, will not be vaccinated, they're still at risk, so I think it's imperative where schools do identify cases that they have to close for the protection of both students and staff," she said.
"Schools are prepared and are aware it's a likelihood."
