Students and staff at Liverpool West Public School have returned to their classrooms today.
This follows extensive work undertaken over the past few weeks to remove contaminated mulch at the school and fully remediate the site.
All areas of concern based on the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) investigation have been remediated with all mulch now removed.
The independent hygienist has given full clearance for the return to school today, including allowing the main classrooms and teaching areas to resume usual operations.
Reinstatement of landscaping materials will continue in the coming weeks and will not impact school operations.
“We are pleased to be able to confirm a return to face-to-face learning at Liverpool West Public School from Monday,’’ said education minister Prue Car.
“We cannot thank the incredible school staff and teams across the department enough. They have worked around the clock to get us to this point, where we can safely return our students and teachers to their classrooms.
“We would also like to thank all students at both Liverpool West and Gulygangarri, their families and carers, for their support and understanding.
“Safety has always been our top priority. The decision to temporarily close the school site was not taken lightly, and we appreciate the community’s patience while we managed the situation as safely and as quickly as possible.”
The Member for Liverpool, Charishma Kaliyanda, thanked Gulyangarri Public School for helping out during the closure of Liverpool West Public School.
“We are privileged in Sydney’s south west to have a strong public education community, and we’re so grateful to Gulyangarri Public School for their warm hospitality in giving students from Liverpool West a safe and welcoming place to learn during this time,’’ Ms Kaliyanda said.
“This has been an uncertain time for many in the Liverpool West Public School community, and I am thankful to the department for responding in a way that puts the health and safety of our kids first, while minimising disruptions to learning.
“Families at Liverpool West Public School have been waiting for their kids to be able to return to campus and I know this news will come as a relief to many of them.”
TOP: File photo taken before the asbestos issue arose.
