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Student and staff absenteeism due to Covid-19 prompted the closure of Ōrewa College last week.
Principal Greg Pierce said absenteeism had been steadily increasing over the previous two weeks with between 10 to 15 percent of both staff and students away.
“The decision to close the school for five days was viewed as a circuit breaker and to support student and staff wellbeing as cases in the Auckland community peaked,” Pierce said.
“It was also well timed to provide an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of our online systems and processes.
“The reasons for the closure were discussed with the Board of Trustees who supported the decision.”
Pierce said communication to parents was ongoing and at least 48 hours notice was given. Overall, feedback from parents had been supportive.
“Only five days means that 95 percent of staff and students can return on Monday March 21.
“We’re expecting everyone to be full of energy and motivation to finish the four weeks remaining of Term 1, with business as usual on site. At the same time, Auckland numbers have peaked and are reducing, which means less levels of anxiety in the community and at the college.”
Pierce said a small number of students who could not isolate at home, mainly the children of critical workers, were supervised on site.
Scheduled college sport fixtures continued to be played during the on-site learning closure.
