Winter Illnesses Leave Sacred Heart School With One Student

A primary school in Reefton, located on the West Coast of New Zealand, faced a significant decline in attendance due to winter illnesses, with only one student present on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. Sacred Heart School, which typically has 26 students and six staff members, has struggled with high levels of absenteeism. Principal Tony Webb noted that this situation is unprecedented in his six years at the school.

Webb described the impact of the illness as “brutal,” emphasizing that many students have suffered considerably. “Some kids have been hit really, really hard,” he stated. The situation did not improve on subsequent days, with only three students attending on Wednesday and five on Thursday.

The principal has been actively monitoring the health situation and has expressed concern for the well-being of both the students and staff. The community has rallied to support the affected families, with parents encouraged to prioritize their children’s health during this challenging period.

As winter illnesses continue to circulate, schools across the region are experiencing similar challenges, prompting discussions about how to manage attendance and ensure the safety of students and staff. Webb remains hopeful that attendance will improve as the season progresses and students recover.