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http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/2532829/School-absence-rates-rocket
School absence rates rocket
By KATHERINE NEWTON - The Dominion Post
Absence rates at Wellington schools have rocketed as parents keep children home as a precaution against swine flu.
New Zealand's swine flu tally rose to 386 yesterday, though health officials say the real number is likely to be in the thousands, as regional authorities have stopped routine testing.
Staff at Bishop Viard College in Porirua said 45 per cent of the school's 525 pupils had been absent each day this week, while five Hutt Valley schools reported absence rates of 25 to 30 per cent.
However, Wellington City schools seemed unscathed, with principals reporting rates similar to or only slightly higher than normal.
At Hutt Valley High School, 500 of the school's 1700 pupils had been absent each day this week about 30 per cent.
Principal Ross Sinclair said only two pupils had tested positive for swine flu before Regional Public Health stopped testing everyone with influenza symptoms, but there was "no doubt" that more pupils had the virus.
However, most of the absent pupils probably had colds or seasonal flu and were being kept home by parents as a precaution, Mr Sinclair said.
"I think it's a combination of regular flu as well as swine flu ... and parents and caregivers taking preventative measures, which is a good thing I suppose."
Many teachers were also away sick, leaving some schools scrambling to find enough relievers.
Wainuiomata High School had more than a quarter of its roll, plus 11 staff, absent yesterday.
"We're fortunate in that half of our year 10s are away on a work week, otherwise we would be running out of relievers and would be severely struggling [to stay open]," principal Rob Mill said.
"Next week it might be even more challenging."
Principals' Federation president Ernie Buutveld said it was possible some schools would have to close due to staffing shortages as the virus spread.
It was possible some pupils were taking advantage of swine flu precautions to have a few days off, but there was no way of proving that unless schools demanded medical certificates from all absent pupils.
"Given the stress on the medical services at this stage that's probably not a reasonable step."
Schools were unsure how many parents had taken time off work to stay home with sick children.
Northern Employers and Manufacturers Association spokesman David Lowe said businesses had not noticed higher numbers of employees staying home to look after children than usual.
Meanwhile, a 30-year-old morbidly obese woman last night remained in critical condition with swine flu in Wellington Hospital's intensive care unit.
Absence rates at Wellington region schools this week:
Bishop Viard College 45 per cent
Hutt Valley High School 30 per cent
Upper Hutt College 30 per cent
St Bernard's College 28 per cent
Wainuiomata High School 26 per cent
Naenae College 26 per cent
Samuel Marsden Collegiate School (Whitby) 23 per cent
School absence rates rocket
By KATHERINE NEWTON - The Dominion Post
Absence rates at Wellington schools have rocketed as parents keep children home as a precaution against swine flu.
New Zealand's swine flu tally rose to 386 yesterday, though health officials say the real number is likely to be in the thousands, as regional authorities have stopped routine testing.
Staff at Bishop Viard College in Porirua said 45 per cent of the school's 525 pupils had been absent each day this week, while five Hutt Valley schools reported absence rates of 25 to 30 per cent.
However, Wellington City schools seemed unscathed, with principals reporting rates similar to or only slightly higher than normal.
At Hutt Valley High School, 500 of the school's 1700 pupils had been absent each day this week about 30 per cent.
Principal Ross Sinclair said only two pupils had tested positive for swine flu before Regional Public Health stopped testing everyone with influenza symptoms, but there was "no doubt" that more pupils had the virus.
However, most of the absent pupils probably had colds or seasonal flu and were being kept home by parents as a precaution, Mr Sinclair said.
"I think it's a combination of regular flu as well as swine flu ... and parents and caregivers taking preventative measures, which is a good thing I suppose."
Many teachers were also away sick, leaving some schools scrambling to find enough relievers.
Wainuiomata High School had more than a quarter of its roll, plus 11 staff, absent yesterday.
"We're fortunate in that half of our year 10s are away on a work week, otherwise we would be running out of relievers and would be severely struggling [to stay open]," principal Rob Mill said.
"Next week it might be even more challenging."
Principals' Federation president Ernie Buutveld said it was possible some schools would have to close due to staffing shortages as the virus spread.
It was possible some pupils were taking advantage of swine flu precautions to have a few days off, but there was no way of proving that unless schools demanded medical certificates from all absent pupils.
"Given the stress on the medical services at this stage that's probably not a reasonable step."
Schools were unsure how many parents had taken time off work to stay home with sick children.
Northern Employers and Manufacturers Association spokesman David Lowe said businesses had not noticed higher numbers of employees staying home to look after children than usual.
Meanwhile, a 30-year-old morbidly obese woman last night remained in critical condition with swine flu in Wellington Hospital's intensive care unit.
Absence rates at Wellington region schools this week:
Bishop Viard College 45 per cent
Hutt Valley High School 30 per cent
Upper Hutt College 30 per cent
St Bernard's College 28 per cent
Wainuiomata High School 26 per cent
Naenae College 26 per cent
Samuel Marsden Collegiate School (Whitby) 23 per cent