ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC
SCHOOL
TAKAPUNA

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Ministry of Health – Guidance Following Increased National Risk of Measles

Health New Zealand is alerting schools to an escalating risk of measles as it responds to a measles outbreak following confirmation of 13 new cases of measles since 20 October.

This escalating risk is a concern, especially for education settings where measles can spread rapidly. In New Zealand, our measles immunisation rates are too low to prevent outbreaks from happening when measles is circulating in our communities. Our low immunisation rates contribute to this lack of community protection.

Measles is highly contagious and serious – about one in three people may need hospital care. It spreads when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes.

Information to share with parents, caregivers and your communities

Measles is circulating and is very contagious. There is now measles in Northland, Auckland, Manawatu, Nelson and Wellington, and we expect further cases across New Zealand.
Watch out for symptoms – fever, cough, runny nose, sore eyes, and a blotchy rash:

Measles – Health New Zealand

Anyone with measles symptoms must stay at home and should seek urgent advice by ringing their doctor or Healthline on 0800 611 116.
Anyone who is closely exposed to a measles case must stay at home. Heath New Zealand will provide individuals with advice on a case-by-case basis (including when they can leave quarantine at home).
Health New Zealand is actively working with the schools that currently have measles cases.
People are considered immune to measles after having two doses of a measles vaccine from 12 months or older, or if you have had measles before. For more information on measles immunity visit:

Measles immunity – Health New Zealand

Encourage families and whānau to check their own and their child/childrens’ immunisation status through My Health Record:

My Health Record – Health New Zealand

Anyone born between 1969 and 2004 may have only received one vaccine dose and might not be fully protected. It’s safe to get extra doses. A free vaccine can be booked online or via the Vaccination Helpline on 0800 28 29 26.

Book my vaccine – Health New Zealand

The Principal’s Message will cover the following topics:

PTA Fundraiser
Last PTA Meeting of 2025
Friends of the PTA Whatsapp Group
Upcoming Christmas Happenings
Parish News
Community Notices

PTA FUNDRAISER

This Christmas, for the month of November, you can tick off your Christmas shopping list AND support our school at www.lovefromseventeen.nz – home to beautiful personalised keepsakes, Christmas decorations and much more.

Use the code STJOSEPHS at checkout to receive 5% off, and 15% of your purchase will be donated to St Joseph’s!

The code is valid November 1st -29th, 2025.

Please note, any orders placed through Love from Seventeen, will be delivered directly to you and will not come via the school. Calendar art is coming soon and your child will receive order information about this in the near future.

Thank you for shopping small and giving back to our school community.