Keeping Trinity

College Safe

Sandy thrives in much-needed role

Every business has one at the moment, or desperately needs one - a selfless soul willing to do the repetitive things that help keep everyone around them safe.

In this era of Covid-19, that person at Trinity College is Sandy Leak.

Sandy has been a regular member of the maintenance team for 11 years and she normally works 20 hours per week in the garden and grounds, but in recent months has stepped up to full-time with cleaning and sanitising her priority.

Since the original school closures in March, on any given day you will find her working her way meticulously through the school sanitising the high touch areas, emptying bins and reloading sanitising stations, spray bottles and paper towel supplies.

And always with a smile, a song, a whistle or a friendly greeting for staff and students.

"I focus on the light switches, door handles and metal railings. The students clean their own desks after each lesson and every day we have to dispose appropriately of all the paper towel and goods used," Sandy said.

"It's not a hard job and the kids are great - they say hello here and outside of school.

"It has to be done and I'm seeing people all the time and having a laugh."

Sandy believes both students and staff appreciate what she is doing and it sends the message that the school is serious about keeping people safe and everyone has to do their bit.

During this extended closure Sandy will maintain her ritual, although there are less high traffic areas to worry about.

"There are some students that need to be here and some staff moving around so we are concentrating on those areas," she said.

The school had a student return a positive Covid-19 result three weeks ago and while strict practices were already in place, Sandy is a vital part of the ongoing response which has only been strengthened since that initial case, which remains the only one in the school community at the time of writing.

Sandy has a buggy and trailer she drives around school and you always know she's close by when you see it. "I keep it stocked up with supplies so I'm ready to go again the next morning," she said.

Over the next six weeks Sandy hopes Colac's positive cases come back down and everyone treats each other with respect.

"Things will improve. We just need to look out for each other and check in and see if people are OK. A lot of people are struggling," she said.

The school is very lucky to have Sandy, and she feels lucky to have the school after an enforced break from the workforce.

Sandy suffered a severe stroke in February 2016, was airlifted to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, spent a week in intensive care and finally came home after weeks in rehab.

She set her sights on returning to work as a major goal and with encouragement from husband Ray and their seven children, and help from physios and occupational therapists, she took steps in the right direction.

"I had a relapse after 12 months. Depression set in for a while when the goal I had seemed to be getting further away, but we started again and it took 2 1/2 years, but I got back to work," Sandy said.

"It started as two hours a day with the support of a carer and after a few weeks I was stronger in the body and mind and could work on my own."

Sandy couldn't do everything because of damage to her left side, but Principal Tim O'Farrell and Property Manager Chris Whitewood sourced a mower that she could operate with her right hand side to help her get back to work.

"The school was really good to me - they held the position open for me when they didn't have to - and helped me reach my major goal," Sandy said.

She enjoys the team she works in and says Chris, Brian and Greg keep an eye on her and regularly check in for a thumbs up.

"We all look out for one another.

"You couldn't wish for a better team and you would think this is a new school from when I started with the buildings and the grounds - it's a credit to everyone," Sandy said.

Her positive and friendly outlook is infectious and she hopes it rubs off on people.

"It doesn't cost you anything to have a laugh and a smile. We all have bad days, but when you have those days you need people around you," Sandy said.

And she doesn't take anything for granted.

"I can't do everything I used to do, but I've come a lot further than I thought I would when I first started back. It was quite daunting, but it's a place I really wanted to be."

Sandy had a scare two months ago when her left hand side weakened again with stroke-like symptoms, but it turned out to be her body's way of shutting down to fight off an eye infection.

She lives with weakness down that side and permanent pins and needles. Naturally, she has to pace herself and moving to full-time hours has been both rewarding and challenging.

"I have a routine worked out and if I stick to that I'm OK. I do get tired, but it's a good tired and this role is suiting me.

"I love this place and it doesn't feel like a job. When I came back I wanted to do a good job and I never wanted anyone to have to go over my work," Sandy said.

"I think this is my way of saying thank you."