Schools scramble as exams loom

Mahurangi schools were forced to scramble late last month to resume on-site learning with student exams set to take place in just weeks.

Schools were given half a week’s notice by the Ministry of Education that students in Years 11, 12 and 13 would be allowed to return to their classrooms.

Rodney College faced a major logistical challenge with half of its teaching staff, and a significant portion of students, still stuck across the regional boundary in Northland.

Principal Irene Symes says she was relieved when Health Minister Chris Hipkins signed an order allowing students and staff to cross the border. But the order was signed on a Saturday, leaving staff with just days to get a negative Covid-19 test.

Thanks to a priority booking code, provided by the Government, and teachers prompt efforts to get tested, all of Rodney College’s staff were at school by the following Wednesday.

Last month, the Ministry of Education announced an “unexpected event grading system”, which will grant students a grade based on either their internal assessment or NCEA exam, with the better of the two being awarded.

Students can also have their grade evaluated from course work during the year if they are unable to attend their exam due to Covid-19 disruption.

Ms Symes says the majority of Rodney College students are aiming to sit their internal exams. In the first week of school, around half of eligible students had returned with the remainder choosing to continue with online learning.

“Some students have gone off to work during lockdown but have done what they needed to with online distance learning,” she says.

Mahurangi College saw an on-site attendance of around 85 per cent when students returned to classrooms with the remainder continuing online school work.

Mahurangi principal Tony Giles is encouraging all students to sit their external exams “wherever possible”.

He understands that some university courses will still require that students have an external endorsement.

He says the alternative grading system is a good opportunity and students should make use of it. He says that it has been “great” to have students back and he has noticed they are generally more subdued and focused in class.

“I suspect that wearing masks and social distancing in classrooms has reduced distractions among students. Many are also not used to waking up at 7am any more,” he says.

Mahurangi College, Rodney College and Otamatea High School have had to turn their attention to ensuring their staff are vaccinated in line with the Government’s health order.

Last month, the Ministry of Education briefed schools that all staff must have had their first dose of the vaccine by Monday, November 15, and second does by January 1 next year.

After the November deadline, teachers that are not vaccinated may either be asked to work remotely or be put on leave without pay.

Ms Symes says she is aware it is a “divisive issue” and is simply working to provide teachers with the facts.

“People have different views, and we can only share the public health information with them, and they have their own choice to make,” she says.

Mr Giles says a small percentage of his staff is hesitant about being vaccinated, but the school will have to work through it, “like any workplace”.