Nelson Weekly
Affordable Excellence 69 Haven Road, Nelson 7010 24 Hour Service - 7 Days
03 539 0066
Locally Owned and Operated
www.simplicity.co.nz
Wednesday 12 June 2019
Victory’s check mate
Pages 18-19
Page 9
Dan seeks downhill glory
Page 28
Flu runs rampant through schools Kate Russell
Flu season is hitting Nelson schools “hard and early” with one local principal saying it’s the worst he’s seen in his 12 years in charge. Hampden Street School had 97
students away with flu symptoms on Tuesday, May 28 and have reported similar numbers throughout that same week. “We had 80 students away on the Monday and 90 away on the Thursday as well, out of a roll of 472 children,” says principal Don
McLean. “We also had eight teachers sick, with one being hospitalised. It’s the hardest we’ve been hit in the 12 years I’ve been here. We’ve never had anything like it before.” Nelson Central School principal Pip Wells has also reported a
high number of absentees due to influenza as well as chickenpox. “Last week we had about 40 students away each day,” she told Nelson Weekly. Tahunanui School also recorded 41 students away on Monday and Birchwood School have had up
to 40 students absent in one day with flu symptoms. According to Nelson Hospital ED presentations and admissions for May, children were the most frequent for flu-like illnesses,
SEE PAGE 2
Triumph for Marist in final The scoreboard at Trafalgar Park on Saturday read 29-all at full-time as Waimea Old Boys slotted a penalty to take the Tasman Trophy final into extra time. But it wasn’t enough to stop Marist. Full story on page 27. Photo: Shuttersport/Evan Barnes.
Additional copies $1
100% LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED
www.nelsonweekly.co.nz