Auckland parents and children are resigned to at least two more weeks of remote learning in level 4 with the likelihood of more at alert level 3.
Teenagers spoken to by RNZ said they were worried how the time out of the classroom would affect their preparation for NCEA exams in November and December.
Auckland woman Pollyanna Paese said she understood the need to continue alert level 4 to protect people from COVID-19, but with three children at home aged 5, 10 and 13, it would be a challenge.
"It was something we anticipated happening but it still just hits you when the actual announcement comes," she said.
"It's going to be a challenge for another two weeks, especially for the kids, they're just dying to go back to school, I don't think we're cutting it as their teachers at home."
Paese said the family got a lot of support from relatives, and the school community and teachers were also helpful.
Ōtāhuhu College student Luiz Seetai said two more weeks of alert level 4 would be a real test of his motivation.
"Learning-wise, I won't be getting as much done," he said.
"At first it was great having that holiday but now that's been extended for another two weeks that's just my own independence, like I have to push myself to do what I can. So hopefully setting little goals to doing my own work but I'm not too happy about that extra two weeks."
Fellow Ōtāhuhu student Mercy Timu Moe said she was trying to keep herself and her two younger siblings on track with their learning.
She said two weeks of level 4 would be okay, but she was worried how all the time out of the classroom would affect her NCEA performance.
"I'm very worried about exams. I'm not entirely confident just because this time is so critical for exam prep. But it's hard to really and effectively prep whilst being stuck inside house. Getting help from teachers and even from friends is a bit harder," she said.
Meanwhile, Northland got the good news it would go to level 3 just before midnight on Thursday depending on the outcome of wastewater testing and the continued absence of cases.
The principal of Whangārei Intermediate, Hayley Read, said she was expecting the level change announcement and she was already preparing to welcome the children of essential workers in bubble classes next week.
"I'll meet with the bubble school teachers on Monday to talk about how we do bubble school and then we'll go and set up our spaces, do all the two-metre distances, measure those out for the students. Then we'll start on Tuesday," she said.
Teenagers spoken to by RNZ said they were worried how the time out of the classroom would affect their preparation for NCEA exams in November and December.
Auckland woman Pollyanna Paese said she understood the need to continue alert level 4 to protect people from COVID-19, but with three children at home aged 5, 10 and 13, it would be a challenge.
"It was something we anticipated happening but it still just hits you when the actual announcement comes," she said.
"It's going to be a challenge for another two weeks, especially for the kids, they're just dying to go back to school, I don't think we're cutting it as their teachers at home."
Paese said the family got a lot of support from relatives, and the school community and teachers were also helpful.
Ōtāhuhu College student Luiz Seetai said two more weeks of alert level 4 would be a real test of his motivation.
"Learning-wise, I won't be getting as much done," he said.
"At first it was great having that holiday but now that's been extended for another two weeks that's just my own independence, like I have to push myself to do what I can. So hopefully setting little goals to doing my own work but I'm not too happy about that extra two weeks."
Fellow Ōtāhuhu student Mercy Timu Moe said she was trying to keep herself and her two younger siblings on track with their learning.
She said two weeks of level 4 would be okay, but she was worried how all the time out of the classroom would affect her NCEA performance.
"I'm very worried about exams. I'm not entirely confident just because this time is so critical for exam prep. But it's hard to really and effectively prep whilst being stuck inside the house. Getting help from teachers and even from friends is a bit harder," she said.
Meanwhile, Northland got the good news it would go to level 3 just before midnight on Thursday depending on the outcome of wastewater testing and the continued absence of cases.
The principal of Whangārei Intermediate, Hayley Read, said she was expecting the level change announcement and she was already preparing to welcome the children of essential workers in bubble classes next week.
"I'll meet with the bubble school teachers on Monday to talk about how we do bubble school and then we'll go and set up our spaces, do all the two-metre distances, measure those out for the students. Then we'll start on Tuesday," she said.
RNZ
