COVID-19 FAQ

This information is to support our families with any Covid-19 queries, and what you need to do.

In advance we know that this will end up in disruptions to your lives and work, and thank you for your understanding and support.

Please note that we are not the “health experts”, but do know that the Ministry of Health may be delayed in providing advice/guidance to you.

Please also note that this information is subject to change, based on any updated guidelines from the Ministry of Education & Health.

Please refer to the additional tabs for infographic versions of this information.

Who do we advise if my child tests positive for Covid-19?

For NEW positive case please email or call school- office@lepperton.school.nz, principal@lepperton.school.nz or 06 7520707

What actions does the school take when there is a positive case?

We follow a response plan based on guidance from the Ministry of Education & Ministry of Health.


This involves:

  • Seeking confirmation of the positive case, and when the infectious period was

  • Please note that close contacts (from school cases) are still able to attend school, but please monitor your child closely for symptoms

  • We will advise others that are then 'casual contacts'. Casual contacts can continue to come to school, but please monitor your child for any symptoms.


My child is a Household Contact. What does this mean?

This means someone living in your child's household has tested positive for Covid-19.

Everyone living in the household will need to isolate for 7 days at home. They will also need a test on Day 3 and Day 7. Your child can return to school on Day 8, provided they are free of any symptoms.

If either of your child's tests come back positive, please let us know by contacting the school.

If your child is at school when they become a Household Contact, they will need to go home as quickly as possible. Please phone ahead to the office to arrange this (06 752 0707).


What are the major changes in phase 3?

In Phase 3, only household contacts of confirmed cases are required to self-isolate. The isolation period will be 7 days. All other contacts of COVID-positive people are not required to isolate, but they will need to monitor for symptoms.

My child is a Close Contact. What does this mean?

This means your child has had contact with a positive case. Close contacts no longer have to isolate, unless the positive case is a member of their household.

Please note that close contacts from school cases are still able to attend school but need to be monitored closely for symptoms. If any symptoms develop, please keep them home and get them tested.

My child is feeling unwell (e.g. cough, headache, sore throat etc) Can I still send them to school?

Because these are all symptoms of Covid, please do not send your child to school. While these may be the normal bugs/sniffles that occur, we encourage you to get your child tested.

Does my child have to have the PCR (nasal swab) or RAT test?

We fully appreciate that this is not an overly pleasant experience for the kids, but it is important to ensure you know if your child has COVID-19. Some of our positive cases have not shown any symptoms (asymptomatic), and therefore the PCR test is important for your family to know.

Rapid Antigen Tests (RATS) are now able to be used for testing. These can be sourced from testing stations and pharmacies. They can be collected before the required testing days and are able to be done at home on the appropriate days.

Is it safe to send my child to school?

We encourage you to send them to school as much as you can.


As you know, our students have missed a lot of teaching and learning over the past 2 years, and we really want to see them at school as much as possible.


Our school health and safety plan for Red does contain a large number of protections.

What are you doing to keep my child safe?

  • All staff, volunteers, contractors on site are vaccinated

  • We have state of the art ventilation

  • hygiene practices, washing hands, coughing and sneezing into elbows etc across the school

  • cleaning/sanitising practices across the school

  • Regularly breaks outside outside

  • socially distancing students when learning inside

  • Students can not enter other learning hubs during the day.


My child is anxious or scared. What advice do you have?

Our onsite team are working hard to make school fun, safe and a place of learning.


We encourage you to focus on the things that they can do to help; mask-wearing, washing hands, getting a test (if required).

This website has some useful tips - https://www.kidshealth.org.nz

My child needs to isolate at home. What support will school provide around teaching and learning?

Our support and response will also depend on whether teachers are also isolating at home. If our teachers are also isolating, they will be in touch to offer our remote learning support (virtual connections, activities etc)

If our teachers are still at school, they will look to connect with you, and we will also arrange for hard packs & some other learning ideas.


If you have any specific queries, please feel free to email Andrew- principal@lepperton.school.nz