Thank you to the COVID-19 school testing team

Posted on 19th March 2021

Staff go above and beyond to support whole school through the testing process

Today is the final day of in school asymptomatic Covid-19 testing at Norwich High School for Girls. A massive thank you to our amazing testing team of staff who have gone above and beyond this term to help keep our community safe and students in school.

The test centre first opened in the sports hall on Tuesday 5th January and has been available to both Senior and Prep staff and children of critical workers throughout the recent national lockdown, and to all Senior students since their phased return on Monday 8th March.

Since January, over 2,660 tests have been carried out in the Senior School and during the last two weeks over 400 students have been tested three times with support from the team.

The testing has worked efficiently and smoothly from day one thanks to the care, warmth, expertise and attention to detail of the dedicated team, who have also been keeping up their other responsibilities in school too.

Well done to all the students for taking it in their stride and having such a mature and respectful approach in the test centre. Home testing kits have now been issued to all Senior School students and staff to continue testing from next week and beyond. A reminder to please report test results both negative and positive here.

Helen continued: “From day one, when we asked for volunteers, I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of staff willing to be involved and support the national effort in the fight against COVID -19.

“The past months have truly been a team effort with input from the site team and cleaning, support and teaching staff. The team comradery is just one example which embodies life here at Norwich High and makes the school the wonderful success it is.”

Head Alison Sefton added: “Returning to school this term has been daunting for staff and students and regular testing has provided reassurance for all involved. The testing team have personified the Norwich High community spirit and I am hugely grateful to each of them for the smooth running of the centre.”

Our test centre has reassured staff, students and parents by keeping everyone safe. It’s great to have everyone back!

The testing team

  • Paula Edwards – School Nurse
  • Helen Dolding – Deputy Head (Pastoral)
  • Makhan Singh – Director of Finance and Operations
  • Jondi Osborne – Site Manager
  • Lizzie Arthur – School Counsellor
  • Megan Wilson – Sports Assistant
  • Tyrone Hood – DT Technician
  • Andy Jones – Physics Technician
  • Emily Wood – Events and Communications Officer
  • Rebekah Hughes – Data and Examinations Manager
  • Donna Magee – Senior Administrator
  • Ismael Ortiz Lara – MFL Language Assistant
  • Danae Bigot – MFL Language Assistant
  • Madeleine Staub – MFL Language Assistant
  • Joanne Logan – Lettings and Transport Administrator
  • Anne Farthing – Physics Teacher
  • Sally Nencini – Art Technician

A special thank you, also, to the cleaning and site teams for all their support.