COVID scares at two separate schools have caused chaos in the Simpson household, forcing dad Shaun and one of their three children to leave their Albion Park home.
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With many Illawarra parents rejoicing at the return of kids to school, Shaun and Tricia Simpson have been busy trying to navigate their "nightmare isolation scenario" which has divided the family thanks to COVID cases at Mt Terry Public School and Albion Park High School.
To ensure Mr Simpson can continue working to support the family, he and his daughter Emerson moved out of the family home and are living with his parents.
His wife Tricia has been left to look after their two other daughters, Ebony and Ella, who has autism and requires "substantial support".
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The children have been stuck at home doing remote learning because their respective schools have had to close for a period of time due to COVID cases.
The youngest, Ella, returned for a couple of days but has had to isolate twice since.
The first time was because she was a casual contact during a case which forced the autism unit at Mount Terry Public School to close for a short time last week.
After doing the test and isolating for a few days, the nine-year-old was informed she was in fact a close contact.
Ella had to be tested again and although she doesn't have COVID, has to isolate for 14 days.
Mrs Simpson's two other daughters, Year 8 student Emerson, and Ebony, who has just started Year 12, were also told to stay home after COVID-19 investigations took place at Albion Park High School late last week.
Mr Simpson and Emerson have moved out of the family home to allow him to still be able to go to work.
"It's been a nightmare. We had no choice, Shaun had to move out so he can still work and support the family," Mrs Simpson said.
"It's been very hard trying to keep up with my two jobs from home while also looking after the kids and helping them with their school work.
"With Shaun away, all the care falls on me. It is really hard at the moment."
All things going well, the three kids can return to the classroom next Monday.
Mrs Simpson is looking forward to some normality and the return home of her husband and daughter.
But she has trepidations about her kids returning to school, especially with Ella.
"I'm happy for the older girls to return but I have some trepidation with Ella going back to the autism unit.
"Some of the kids have problems with their immune system and things like that. It is quite scary for me knowing Ella is going to go back eventually."
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Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
