Vaughan Couillault

School leaders are delighted the government will be supplying masks and rapid antigen tests, now the country is in Phase Three of the Omicron outbreak.

There are nearly 700,000 rapid tests available… Audio

High Schools around New Zealand are preparing for more interupted learning in 2022 as Omicron cases climb. Yesterday the Ministry of Heath reported 2846 Positive Covid-19 cases, a record high. It's… Audio

Teachers who haven't had their first Covid-19 vaccination are now suspended from school.

While most secondary schools can make-do for now with students on study leave, educators say the real test… Audio

As a deadline looms for teachers to be vaccinated to be allowed in school, some principals are being presented with questionable exemption certificates, causing much confusion. Audio

Principals estimate several thousand teachers are resisting the government's directive to get vaccinated before 15 November.

Some are presenting bogus exemption certificates and the Education… Audio

With just one week of holidays left, the Secondary Principals' Association wants a plan on how Auckland schools are expected to open safely.

President Vaughan Couillault says a public health order… Audio

There are early signs the pandemic has had a bigger impact on NCEA results this year than last year.

School holidays begin at the end of today and Qualifications Authority figures show teenagers are… Audio

Some teachers will be back in the classroom with Auckland's move to alert level 3, but the bulk of teaching in the city remains virtual.

This has students, teachers, and school administrators worried… Audio

The government will consider bringing school holidays forward in Auckland in response to the city's drawn-out lockdown - but can expect resistance from teachers and principals.

Education Minister… Audio

The Government is strongly recommending mask-wearing when students go back to school on Thursday, but it's not compulsory.

Secondary Principals' Association president Vaughan Couillault is relieved… Audio

Auckland principals are unsure how much the lockdown will set back children's learning.

Based on last year's experience, they will need to run catch-up lessons for those who need them most, once… Audio

The recent decision to delay NCEA and Scholarship exams by a fortnight has given high school students extra time to study.

But one principal says their anxiety levels are still going through the roof… Audio

Around 150 thousand NCEA and scholarship students will sit their external exams two weeks later due to the Covid lockdown. The Qualifications Authority notified schools yesterday of the changes. The… Audio

A crucial question is whether border relaxation will happen before the Government has vaccinated children under sixteen. The risk of the Delta also means schools face immediate shutdowns, if the… Audio

2020's lockdowns damaged children's achievement in writing, but had little effect on reading and maths.

An Education Ministry report says by the end of last year, writing scores for children in years… Audio

Widespread sexual harrassment, and 20 instances of rape, have been uncovered in a survey of students at Christchurch Girls' High School.

The principal believes the survey only shows a fraction of the… Audio

Some Auckland secondary schools are reporting unusual and unpredictable behaviour from students and they believe the Covid-19 pandemic is to blame.

They say their counselling services are stretched… Audio

Papatoetoe High School Principal Vaughan Couillault told Checkpoint it is a tough week for everyone around the school community, but they are there to offer support. 

He said he has a skeleton crew… Video, Audio

The principal of Papatoetoe High School, Vaughan Couillault says he was initially crestfallen when he found about the three new cases of Covid-19 linked to his school.

But he says his team just… Audio

Three people have now tested positive for Covid-19 since Auckland dropped down the alert levels to level one. Last night, the Ministry of Health announced two siblings of the Papatoetoe High School… Audio