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Virulent bug fells kids and staff
Kiri Gillespie | Wednesday, August 8, 2012 7:52
Absentee rates at some Bay schools are soaring as a nasty bug takes its toll on staff and students.
The Papamoa area appears to be hardest hit, with one school reporting an absentee rate of 27 per cent while, in Tauranga, Otumoetai College may have to apply for additional funding to cover relief teaching costs after 11 staff were off sick on Monday.
Schools hit by the flu-like illness say symptoms include stomach aches, headaches, drowsiness and coughing.
Tahatai Coast School Jenny Griggs said the number of of pupils off sick had spiked during the past week.
The school has a roll of 649 children with an average absentee rate of about 7 per cent, but last week that soared to 27 per cent.
"It has been pretty horrible since we came back from school holidays.
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Kiri Gillespie | Wednesday, August 8, 2012 7:52
Absentee rates at some Bay schools are soaring as a nasty bug takes its toll on staff and students.
The Papamoa area appears to be hardest hit, with one school reporting an absentee rate of 27 per cent while, in Tauranga, Otumoetai College may have to apply for additional funding to cover relief teaching costs after 11 staff were off sick on Monday.
Schools hit by the flu-like illness say symptoms include stomach aches, headaches, drowsiness and coughing.
Tahatai Coast School Jenny Griggs said the number of of pupils off sick had spiked during the past week.
The school has a roll of 649 children with an average absentee rate of about 7 per cent, but last week that soared to 27 per cent.
"It has been pretty horrible since we came back from school holidays.
More...
