Covid 19 coronavirus Delta variant: Some Rotorua schools pause online learning over lockdown

Some Bay of Plenty schools are ditching learning from home this week, with principals urging students and whānau to put their health and wellbeing at the forefront.

School leaders say if the lockdown is extended their "biggest challenge" will be supporting students without devices at home.

New Zealand has been forced to enter level 4 lockdown for three days, however, Auckland and Coromandel will be in lockdown for seven days.

A Covid-19 update from the Ministry of Education sent to all schools on Tuesday said there was "no exemption process" to allow for devices or hard-pack resources to be collected or distributed.

"We will continue to review this and if this changes we will let you know," it said.

Schools were encouraged to keep in contact with their regional ministry office for any information or support.

Westbrook School principal Colin Watkins. Photo / NZME

Westbrook School principal Colin Watkins said no online work would be assigned to students over the three days because they couldn't deliver devices to students in need and also to give staff a break.

"I have just said don't sweat it. Use these three days to have some fun as a family - play board games, do some baking," he said.

Plans were in place to launch into online learning next week if the lockdown was extended.

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"It's all there ready to go. I just didn't want to put teachers and families under unnecessary pressure for this week."

Watkins said many of his staff were working "ridiculous hours" in lockdown last year - with some working from 6am until 10pm.

"It was a significant commitment on behalf of the teachers. I don't want a repeat of that."

Rotorua Girls' High School principal Sarah Davis. Photo / NZME

Rotorua Girls' High School Sarah Davis said the school had "activated" its wellness centre for particularly vulnerable students throughout lockdown. Staff would be contacting these struggling students directly.

"We are aware that there are many in our community that are very vulnerable in these situations."

Davis said work had been put in place for students, however, teachers understood some students would not be able to carry out learning for various reasons.

"We can't guarantee students have the ability to get stuck in and do a whole lot of work. The message out to staff this morning was to set some work, and don't have expectations," she said.

Rotorua Intermediate Garry de Thierry said many students had taken their devices home and would be able to carry on learning at home.

Some students didn't have access to devices and they shouldn't be "stressed or anxious" about missing out on learning, he said.

"Some students don't have the devices, and because of the short turnaround, we have just encouraged parents to have the kids engaged and reading. Family first is really important at this time."

De Thierry said the school's learning support co-ordinator would be contacting vulnerable students over the coming days.

"We have a number that has just moved into the area and are living in emergency housing - we had some arrive last week, we haven't even connected with their parents yet. That is the reality of it," he said.

Rotorua Principals' Association president Gary Veysi believed schools in the community were prepared to transition into learning from home.

"Schools can operate in different ways so how they do this will be decided by their policy and procedures."

He saw the lockdown as an opportunity for teachers and students to "rejuvenate, catch up on work and complete tasks started at school".

Veysi, who is the principal at Mamaku School, said he was concerned about the level of support in place for schools in the outer areas of Rotorua.

"The schools in our area are spread. Part of my RPA chairperson's role will be to make contact to see how they are going in their communities," he said.

John Paul College principal Patrick Walsh. Photo / NZME

John Paul College principal Patrick Walsh said the level 4 lockdown was "unpleasant but understandable". He believed it was a necessary move to avoid a situation similar to New South Wales.

"Given what has happened in Australia where my principal colleagues tell their students have missed months of schooling and are suffering very high levels of anxiety and stress."

School staff had planned for a lockdown and were "ready to go" when it came to student learning and support.

"Emails have gone out to parents already and teachers will be in contact with their students today on the work they will need to complete over the next three days," he said.

"Our IT systems are now set up for distance learning including students and staff very familiar with zoom."

Walsh was confident the learning of students would not be adversely impacted over the coming days.

Mount Maunganui College principal Alastair Sinton said he was "disappointed" by the news, because it meant putting sporting and cultural events on hold.

A distance learning plan was already "shifting into gear" and would be ready to implement if lockdown was extended, he said.

He said the "biggest challenge" beyond this week would be supporting students who did not have the appropriate devices at home.

Toi Ohomai had ceased all teaching delivery - including online - for the remainder of the week.

Toi Ohomai executive director student and staff experience Patrick Brus said this was in line with government advice. All campuses and delivery sites had closed.

"We have ceased delivery of online classes to ensure our staff and students can focus on the health and wellbeing of their whānau due to the short notice of this lockdown. Staff that can safely work from home will do so," he said.