Teachers received a nice surprise when Laguna Street Public School reopened today after being shut for 10 days due to coronavirus.
A banner on the fence of the Caringbah school was made up of drawings and messages from about 100 children thanking teachers for the work they had put in once again with online learning and support.
"Thank you all teachers - you are our superheroes," read one poster, drawn by Zac in 1U.
"Laguna Street teachers rock," wrote Emily, while Lillian in class 3/4J referred to the school's quiet, secluded setting with the words, "Hidden away from the world we can get through anything".
The school was closed after a teacher who had close contact with most pupils at the school tested positive to coronavirus on Saturday June 13.
A Health Department spokeswoman said on Thursday contact tracing through the school community had failed to identify the source of the infection.
There have been 362 locally acquired COVID-19 cases in NSW where the contact has not been identified.
P& C Association representative Linda Cook said the thank you banner evolved from a group of parents getting together to buy flowers and other gifts for the teachers.
"It has turned into something much bigger than envisaged, with every staff member at the school receiving a gift and leaving a surplus of money for the P&C.
"We are a pretty tight-knit community and I think parents were really feeling for the staff and wanted to show support and appreciation.
"Everyone was overwhelmed at how smoothly we transitioned back to online learning."
Parents interviewed at the school gates echoed the sentiments in the artwork.
"The teachers have been absolutely fantastic," said Patrice Hewitt. "The support the kids have received throughout this whole period has been outstanding".
Jenny Lefevre said the school had alerted parents to the coronavirus case immediately and kept them up to date throughout the shutdown.
Kirsty Brady said, "The school has been fantastic and so has NSW Health, who have contacted us every day to see if there is anything we need".
However, some parents said they believed NSW Health could have provided more information to parents without identifying the teacher who tested positive.
An Education Department spokeswoman said the school would continue operating under COVID-19 guidelines that included additional cleaning and hygiene supplies.