Mid Canterbury school closed after stomach bug outbreak
Lauriston School, about 20 kilometres inland from Rakaia, is closed on Friday after a stomach virus outbreak affected more than half of the school’s 99-student roll.
Principal Colin Brodie expressed his concerns to the Ministry of Health about 9am on Thursday when 55 students did not turn up for school, and by 11am he was told it was in the school’s best interest to close the whole school for the rest of the week.
The school was subject to a “deep clean” on Thursday and another was being done on Friday, in the hopes of opening for usual business on Monday.
“If it is norovirus, that can stay on surfaces and is highly contagious, so we’re taking every step we can to mitigate risk,” Brodie said.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.6% Yes
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14% No
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1.4% Other - I'll share below
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What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.