NEWCASTLE Grammar School is participating in a NSW Health Pathology feasibility study, which involves staff and students doing rapid antigen testing at home.
A NSW Health Pathology spokesperson said various industries, including education, were exploring how rapid antigen testing could be "most effectively incorporated into the COVID-19 pandemic response".
"The NSW Government is trialling rapid antigen home testing kits to reduce disruption at schools and halve the time close contacts need to isolate," the spokesperson said.
"All collection tests are TGA approved. A pilot program of the test kits begins in all public schools in Albury this week, while NSW Health Pathology is also conducting a feasibility study via staff and students (aged five to 17 years inclusive), at Newcastle Grammar School."
NGS director of strategy and performance Philip Fielden said the school was approached to participate in the study.
"We didn't have to think too long about it, we're well aware of the harmful impact of COVID on schools," Mr Fielden said.
"When we were asked to help it was a very easy decision for us and the fact it's also for the [benefit of the] whole of NSW, we quickly said yes, we saw the value in it straight away.
"The trial is about which method students would prefer to use and whether or not they think they could stick to the necessary regime of using rapid antigen tests, because you do it at home, unsupervised and without the medical professional standing over you.
"So which method do people prefer to use and would they in their own mind be happy to stick to that. So it's about the usage of it. Are people comfortable with it, will it go well and therefore can we sign off to use it to reduce disruptions."
The study requires participants to take a minimum of six at home tests over two weeks trialling three different types of kits: a nasal swab, a saliva swab and a wearable nasal swab. Two samples will be taken for each test.
One sample will undergo NSW Health Pathology laboratory testing. The other sample is to be put into a vial with a liquid solution to produce a result in 10 to 20 minutes.
Mr Fielden said 18 teachers started their tests this week.
He said the school had signed up a third of its target 200 students to start tests next week, beginning with primary - covering ages that can't be vaccinated - and to also grow to include the lower grades in high school.
"A lot of parents are sticking their hands up saying 'Yes we are happy to do it'," he said.
"In a COVID pandemic, we're not the scientists, we're not the experts, what can we do to help? We can get vaccinated, but this is something we can do to help the community as well."
He said participants complete an online survey and log their result after each test. He said the first survey asked if the kit instructions were clear and to tick a statement that best indicated how people found the test experience.
He said the school had not had any direct cases in its community, but all schools were seeing staff members having to take time off because their children's schools have had to close. "We're all in this together, the schools."
