Student Sickness

We are writing to share an update regarding student absences and our attendance procedures during this time of high sickness in our community.

Temporary Hold on Automated Absence Emails

Given the current high levels of illness, we are temporarily pausing the automated notification emails that parents usually receive after a student misses 5 and 10 days of school. While we introduced these notifications based on Ministry of Education advice, we believe pausing them is the right decision under current circumstances to support our families. Additionally, we do not expect parents to provide medical certificates for student absences after three days.

This decision follows insights from the recent documentary on Emergency Departments featured on Paddy Gower Has Issues. Our goal is to avoid placing unnecessary demand on local medical clinics, contributing to the overcrowding of Emergency Departments, or adding further strain to the St John Ambulance system.

The pressure on our emergency healthcare services is significant. As highlighted in recent news coverage—including "Hato Hone St John declares major incident after record calls" and "St John records busiest day on record"—our frontline health services are operating under unprecedented demand. We want to do our part as a school community to ensure medical resources remain available for those in critical need.

We will continue to monitor and be in touch with families about whom we have concerns about attendance.

Thank you for your ongoing support, care, and cooperation as we navigate this period together. Please keep your children home if they are unwell, and focus on their recovery.

Kā mihi nui

Simon Clarke

Principal

Tahuna Normal Intermediate School