'Widespread issue': Schools report dozens of students off sick

The spike in winter illness is being felt in classrooms across the Bay of Plenty, with schools reporting some of their highest absence numbers of the year. 

Principals say influenza and other respiratory bugs are driving much of the increase, with some schools recording sickness levels well above last winter. 

Absence figures provided to the Bay of Plenty Times show dozens of students absent each day across Tauranga and the Western Bay. 

Te Puke Primary School posted on social media on Monday that more than 20% of its pupils were absent, with most away because of illness. 

“Colds, flu, sore throats, fevers and coughing have all been reported across the kura,” it said. 

The post reminded parents and caregivers to keep unwell children at home to help limit the spread of illness. 

Deputy principal Krystal Cooper told the Bay of Plenty Times that 71 pupils were absent from a roll of 313 on Monday. 

Sixty-nine were away on Tuesday and about 90% of absences were due to illness. 

“This is definitely higher than what we experienced at the same time last year, up by about 20 students.” 

The illnesses most commonly reported by parents and caregivers included fevers, flu, coughs, sore throats and colds. 

“Our teaching staff are keeping a close eye on the tamariki and are actively sending children home if they show any signs of illness.” 

On Thursday, the school reported in another social media post that absences had increased, with 82 off sick. 

Cooper said illness and increased absences were “clearly a widespread issue” affecting the region. 

“We know of another primary school in Pāpāmoa with high numbers of students away with the flu. 

“Our main message to our whānau is to please keep unwell children at home.” 

Pāpāmoa Primary School also reported high levels of illness, posting on social media on Monday that 62 children, about 10% of the school roll, were absent because of sickness. 

It said it had confirmed cases of influenza A and influenza B among pupils and warned that the illnesses appeared to be “very contagious”. 

Parents were urged to keep unwell children at home and notify the school if their child was absent. 

Pāpāmoa Primary School was approached for comment but declined. 

Western Bay of Plenty Principals Association president and Omokoroa No 1 School principal Craig Pentecost said widespread sickness had a “massive impact”. 

Omokoroa No 1 School had 115 pupils tudents away sick yesterday. 

“We need those children to be as healthy as possible and, if they’re at school unwell, there’s a lot of kids coming in with the flu, they’re going down really fast.” 

He said this was being seen “right across the Bay” with “lots of different bugs” going around. 

Craig Pentecost, principal of Ōmokoroa No 1 School, and president of the Western Bay of Plenty Principals Association. Photo / Alex Cairns 

“It’s been tough to manage, but it is what it is. We support parents and appreciate when they are looking after children, having to keep them at home because they’re unwell.” 

An email sent to Aquinas College parents on Wednesday also alerted them to rising student illnesses. 

The email said “large numbers” had been away sick this week and confirmed one Year 12 student had contracted whooping cough. 

In a statement to the Bay of Plenty Times, principal Matt Dalton said the school had an increase each winter in student absenteeism because of seasonal illness. 

This included respiratory viruses, flu, stomach bugs and Covid-19. 

“This week, we recorded our highest number of illness-related absences so far,” Dalton said. 

The school had 115 students absent on one day this week, equivalent to about 12% of its roll. 

“To help prevent the spread of winter illnesses, we encourage parents and caregivers to keep children at home until they are well enough to return to school.” 

Aquinas College had 115 students absent on one day this week, equivalent to about 12% of its roll. Photo / George Novak 

Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora medical officer of health Dr Phil Shoemack said more people become unwell with respiratory illnesses during winter. 

“People can help themselves and others by getting prepared, getting vaccinated to avoid illnesses like influenza, whooping cough and Covid-19, preparing their homes and having a plan if they do become unwell.” 

He said it was important for children to attend school if they were “well enough”, and that it was appropriate to send a child to school if the following applied: 

• They have not had a fever for 24 hours 
• They have not used medicine to reduce their fever for 24 hours, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen 
• They have only mild symptoms such as a mild cough, headache, or runny or blocked nose 
• They appear well: they are happy, eating and drinking normally, and can easily focus on learning. 

“Even when children are healthy enough to attend school, it is possible they could have an infectious illness, which they could pass on to others.” 

Parents and caregivers can call Healthline on 0800 611 116, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for free health advice, treatment and information about what to do next. 

Kaitlyn Morrell is a journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.