Te Akau ki Pāpāmoa School is reporting a successful distribution of iPads for most whanau/families to allow the school to continue to operate through its ‘Tuhono' Distance Learning Programme.

The school has had a number of Covid cases in recent weeks and on November 30, principal Bruce Jepsen announced all students and staff, including support staff, needed to get tested immediately and self-isolate at home.

In a post on Facebook at the time, Bruce thanked everyone for remaining responsive to communications, staying calm and following Ministry of Health Guidelines.

Overnight, he posted an update about the school's current situation.

'The school is not closed but under the circumstances will continue to operate from distance.

'Today [Monday] we were successful in the iPapa distribution for most whanau to allow the school to continue to operate through its ‘Tuhono' Distance Learning Programme.

'Our ‘Apple Distinguished School' capabilities are nationally & world renowned and we are very fortunate to have such digitally skilled teachers & the technology resources to operate in this way.

'For those people who were unable to collect iPapa today, a plan will be shared via seesaw.”

In the post on the school's Facebook page, Bruce says the Medical Officer of Health supports the decision for Te Akau ki Pāpāmoa to continue with online learning for the remainder of the school year.

'We are pleased that most of the school community have done the right thing and have been tested and isolated.

'This response has helped to keep the number of Covid-19 cases in our community to a minimum. However, around 10 per cent of close contacts at the school have not yet been tested, so there is still a risk of undiscovered Covid-19.

'Every child and staff member from the school is a close contact and must have a negative test result before they can be released from their self-isolation. We encourage those who have not yet been tested to go out and get a test.

'For those families who find the nasopharyngeal swab (deep nasal swab) a barrier, there is another option, (an oropharyngeal swab) which is a swab of the tonsils, the mouth and the front of each nostril.

'There are Education and Health Act legislations to adhere to in this circumstance.

'I appreciate that this is affecting people in different ways and that many sacrifices are being made so that the entire community remains safe.

'In this instance, Education, Health and Community are on the same team and a team approach is what is required.

'Be kind to one another.”