We all want our children to have the best possible education and school experience. However, in the current climate, it's important to remember that the safety and health of our children, teachers, and wider community is of paramount importance. With the ongoing pandemic and other illnesses circulating, it's crucial that sick children are kept at home.

Sending your child to school when they are sick not only puts them at risk of getting sicker, but also puts others at risk of catching the illness. While it may seem important to send them to school to avoid missing out on valuable classroom time, doing so when a child is unwell can actually do more harm than good. Not only do sick children struggle to learn and participate, but they can also spread the illness to their classmates and teachers.

Rāroa follows Ministry guidelines requiring students to stay home if they are sick, especially if they have symptoms such as a fever, cough, or runny nose. These guidelines are in place to protect everyone's health and safety.

Of course, we understand that keeping your child at home when they are sick can be challenging. It can mean rearranging your schedule, finding childcare, or missing work. However, it's crucial that we prioritise health and safety of our community, students and staff.

If your child is feeling unwell, keep them at home (and seek medical advice if necessary). Encourage them to rest and stay hydrated. Make sure they understand that staying home when sick is not only important for their own health but also for the health of others.

As a community, we all have a responsibility to do our part to keep our kura and community safe and healthy. Thank you for your ongoing understanding and support on these matters.