26 October 2025

Kia ora

Measles at Wellington College

Someone with measles was at Wellington College on Monday 13, Tuesday 14 and
Wednesday 15 October. They also travelled on the Wellington College school bus
#736 on the mornings of Monday 13 October and Wednesday 15 October.

Measles is a highly infectious illness that spreads easily.

Public health is directly contacting students and staff who were at highest risk of being
infected with measles. These people are considered close contacts and may need to
stay home to stop measles spreading to others.

If you travelled on bus #736 to school on the mornings of Monday 13 October or
Wednesday 15 October, please phone Healthline on 0800-611-116 for advice.

Watch for symptoms

We would like everyone else in the school community to watch out for measles
symptoms.

Measles symptoms include:

•  fever (a temperature of at least 38 degrees C)
•  cough
•  runny nose
•  sore red eyes
•  rash.

The rash develops 3 to 5 days after the other symptoms. The rash appears as pink or red
spots or bumps. It starts on the face before moving down the rest of the body. The rash
may be more difficult to see on darker skin. The rash is not usually itchy. It can last for a
week or more.

If you or your rangatahi have symptoms now or in the future, stay home and ring for
health advice. Contact your usual healthcare or hauora provider or ring Healthline
for free anytime on 0800 611 111.

If you or your rangatahi need to visit a healthcare centre or clinic, ring first and tell them
there is a measles case in your school and you have measles symptoms, so you do not
risk passing on measles to others.

Checking if you are immunised

Now is a good time to check if you and your child are immune to measles:
https://info.health.nz/conditions-treatments/infectious-diseases/about-
measles/measles-immunity.

Getting immunised with two doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine
(after the age of 12 months) provides the best form of protection against measles. The
MMR vaccine is free in New Zealand for anyone under 18 years old, and for people who
are eligible for free healthcare. Extra MMR doses are safe for most people unless you
are pregnant or immuno-compromised. Discuss with your vaccinator or other trusted
health service.
If you are not sick or in quarantine, you can book a vaccination appointment with a
pharmacy, your doctor, nurse, or hauora provider. For a list of vaccination sites in your
local area visit: info.health.nz/bookavaccine.
Being fully immunised will protect you and your whānau from measles and help stop
any possible spread of this serious illness amongst the community.

Protecting the identity of the person with measles
If you know the identity of the person with measles, please do not share this as it is
personal health information.

Ngā mihi
Medical Officer of Health
National Public Health Service – Greater Wellington Region

26 October 2025

Kia ora

Measles at Wellington Girls’ College

Someone with measles was at Wellington Girls’ College on Monday 13 October
between 8:45am and midday.

Measles is a highly infectious illness that spreads easily.

Public health is directly contacting students and staff who were at highest risk of being
infected with measles. These people are considered close contacts and may need to
stay home to stop measles spreading to others.

Watch for symptoms

We would like everyone else in the school community to watch out for measles
symptoms.

Measles symptoms include:

•  fever (a temperature of at least 38 degrees C)
•  cough
•  runny nose
•  sore red eyes
•  rash.

The rash develops 3 to 5 days after the other symptoms. The rash appears as pink or red
spots or bumps. It starts on the face before moving down the rest of the body. The rash
may be more difficult to see on darker skin. The rash is not usually itchy. It can last for a
week or more.

If you or your rangatahi have symptoms now or in the future, stay home and ring for
health advice. Contact your usual healthcare or hauora provider or ring Healthline
for free anytime on 0800 611 116.

If you or your rangatahi need to visit a healthcare centre or clinic, ring first and tell them
there is a measles case in your school and you have measles symptoms, so you do not
risk passing on measles to others.

Checking if you are immunised

Now is a good time to check if you and your child are immune to measles:
https://info.health.nz/conditions-treatments/infectious-diseases/about-
measles/measles-immunity.

Getting immunised with two doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine
(after the age of 12 months) provides the best form of protection against measles. The
MMR vaccine is free in New Zealand for anyone under 18 years old, and for people who
are eligible for free healthcare. Extra MMR doses are safe for most people unless you
are pregnant or immuno-compromised. Discuss with your vaccinator or other trusted
health service.
If you are not sick or in quarantine, you can book a vaccination appointment with a
pharmacy, your doctor, nurse, or hauora provider. For a list of vaccination sites in your
local area visit: info.health.nz/bookavaccine.
Being fully immunised will protect you and your whānau from measles and help stop
any possible spread of this serious illness amongst the community.

Protecting the identity of the person with measles
If you know the identity of the person with measles, please do not share this as it is
personal health information.

Ngā mihi
Medical Officer of Health
National Public Health Service – Greater Wellington Region

26/10/2025

Kia ora

Important Health Notice: Measles Case at Wellington Girls’ College
Instructions for Year 9 Students and associated teachers

A person in Year 9 who attended Wellington Girls’ College for half a day on Monday 13
October has been diagnosed with measles. They were infectious while at school on this
date.
Measles is a highly infectious illness that can make you very unwell if you are not
immune.

PLEASE STAY HOME

The National Public Health Service will be contacting all Year 9 students and
associated teachers who attended one or more of the following classes (listed below)
with specific public health advice as they are considered close contacts.

Year 9 classes - Monday 13 October:
•  PE -  8:45am – 9:45am
•  English – 9:50am – 10:50am
•  Home Room *(attended by PE/English)* – 10:50am – 11:10am
•  Art – 11:10am – 11:25am

We are advising all Year 9 students and associated staff who attended one, or more
of the classes above, to please stay home and wait for the public health team to
make contact with you.

Your immunisation history will be checked, and you will be advised when you are
able to return to school.

SYMPTOMS
Students or staff could be showing early signs of illness starting from Monday
20 October through to Monday 3 November.
Any student or staff member who has symptoms of measles (fever, cough,
sore red eyes or skin rash) should:
•  Stay home (or wherever you are currently located if travelling)
•  Phone Healthline on 0800-611-116
•  Tell Healthline you are unwell and that your school has a measles case.
•  Follow instructions given by Healthline.

Please get your immunisation records ready
Year 9 and associated teachers who identify themselves as having been in one or more
of the classes listed are asked to please try to locate your immunisation records or
evidence of measles infection before the public health team phone you.

Locations of Interest
You may notice Wellington Girls’ College is listed on Health New Zealand’s Locations of
Interest page.  A location of interest is a place a person with measles visited.

Protecting the identity of the person with measles
If you know the identity of the person with measles, please do not share this as it is
personal health information.

Ongoing support and Measles Information Sheet
The National Public Health Service will continue to support and advise affected families
throughout the quarantine period. Information about measles can be found on our
website here. An information sheet about measles is also attached.

Ngā mihi

Medical Officer of Health
National Public Health Service | Te Ikaroa – Central
Greater Wellington and Wairarapa

26/10/2025

Kia ora

Important Health Notice: Measles Case at Wellington College
Instructions for all Year 11 Students and Specific Year 11 Staff
A person in Year 11 who attended Wellington College on Monday 13, Tuesday 14 and
Wednesday 15 October has been diagnosed with measles. They were infectious while at
school on these dates.
The person also travelled by bus (Wellington College school bus #736) the mornings of
Monday 13 October and Wednesday 15 October during their infectious period.
Measles is a highly infectious illness that can make you very unwell if you are not
immune.

PLEASE STAY HOME
The National Public Health Service will be contacting all Year 11 students and specific
Year 11 staff who are considered to have had close contact with the case between 13 –
15 October and will provide specific advice.

We are advising all Year 11 students and specific Year 11 staff to please stay home
and wait for the public health team to make contact with you. Your immunisation
history will be checked, and you will be advised when you are able to return to
school

SYMPTOMS

Students or staff could be showing early signs of illness starting from Monday

20 October through to Wednesday 5 November.

Any student or staff member who has symptoms of measles (fever, cough,
sore red eyes or skin rash) should:

•  Stay home (or wherever you are currently located if travelling)

•  Phone Healthline on 0800-611-116

•  Tell Healthline you are unwell and that your school has a measles case.
•  Follow instructions given by Healthline.

Please get your immunisation records ready
All staff and families of students in Year 11 are asked to please try to locate your
immunisation records or evidence of measles infection before the public health team
phone you.

Locations of Interest
You may notice Wellington College is listed on Health New Zealand’s Locations of
Interest page. A location of interest is a place a person with measles visited.

Protecting the identity of the person with measles

If you know the identity of the person with measles, please do not share this as it is
personal health information.

Ongoing support and Measles Information Sheet

The National Public Health Service will continue to support and advise affected families
throughout the quarantine period.
Information about measles can be found on our website here. An information sheet
about measles is also attached.

Ngā mihi

Medical Officer of Health
National Public Health Service | Te Ikaroa – Central
Greater Wellington and Wairarapa

26/10/2025

Kia ora

Important Health Notice: Measles Case at Wellington College
Instructions for all Year 11 Students and Staff
A person in Year 11 who attended Wellington College on Monday 13, Tuesday 14 and
Wednesday 15 October has been diagnosed with measles. They were infectious while at
school on these dates.
The person also travelled by bus (Wellington College school bus #736) the morning of
Tuesday 14 October during their infectious period.
Measles is a highly infectious illness that can make you very unwell if you are not
immune.

PLEASE STAY HOME
The National Public Health Service will be contacting all Year 11 students and staff
who are considered to have had close contact with the case between 13 – 15 October
and will provide specific advice.

We are advising all Year 11 students and staff to please stay home and wait for the
public health team to make contact with you. Your immunisation history will be
checked, and you will be advised when you are able to return to school

SYMPTOMS
Students or staff could be showing early signs of illness starting from Monday
20 October through to Wednesday 5 November.
Any student or staff member who has symptoms of measles (fever, cough,
sore red eyes or skin rash) should:
•  Stay home (or wherever you are currently located if travelling)
•  Phone Healthline on 0800-611-116
•  Tell Healthline you are unwell and that your school has a measles case.
•  Follow instructions given by Healthline.

.

Please get your immunisation records ready
All staff and families of students in Year 11 are asked to please try to locate your
immunisation records or evidence of measles infection before the public health team
phone you.

Locations of Interest
You may notice Wellington College is listed on Health New Zealand’s Locations of
Interest page. A location of interest is a place a person with measles visited.

Protecting the identity of the person with measles
If you know the identity of the person with measles, please do not share this as it is
personal health information.

Ongoing support and Measles Information Sheet

The National Public Health Service will continue to support and advise affected families
throughout the quarantine period.
Information about measles can be found on our website here. An information sheet
about measles is also attached.

Ngā mihi
Dr Annette Nesdale
Medical Officer of Health
National Public Health Service | Te Ikaroa – Central
Greater Wellington and Wairarapa

26 October 2025

Kia ora

Measles at Wellington College

Someone with measles was at Wellington College on Monday 13, Tuesday 15 and
Wednesday 15 October. They also travelled on the Wellington College school bus
#736 on Tuesday 14 October.

Measles is a highly infectious illness that spreads easily.

Public health is directly contacting students and staff who were at highest risk of being
infected with measles. These people are considered close contacts and may need to
stay home to stop measles spreading to others.

Watch for symptoms

We would like everyone else in the school community to watch out for measles
symptoms.

Measles symptoms include:

•  fever (a temperature of at least 38 degrees C)
•  cough
•  runny nose
•  sore red eyes
•  rash.

The rash develops 3 to 5 days after the other symptoms. The rash appears as pink or red
spots or bumps. It starts on the face before moving down the rest of the body. The rash
may be more difficult to see on darker skin. The rash is not usually itchy. It can last for a
week or more.

If you or your rangatahi have symptoms now or in the future, stay home and ring for
health advice. Contact your usual healthcare or hauora provider or ring Healthline
for free anytime on 0800-611-116.

If you or your rangatahi need to visit a healthcare centre or clinic, ring first and tell them
there is a measles case in your school and you have measles symptoms, so you do not
risk passing on measles to others.

26 October 2025

Kia ora

Measles at Wellington Girls’ College

Someone with measles was at Wellington Girls’ College on Monday 13 October
between 8:45am and midday.

Measles is a highly infectious illness that spreads easily.

Public health is directly contacting students and staff who were at highest risk of being
infected with measles. These people are considered close contacts and may need to
stay home to stop measles spreading to others.

Watch for symptoms

We would like everyone else in the school community to watch out for measles
symptoms.

Measles symptoms include:

•  fever (a temperature of at least 38 degrees C)
•  cough
•  runny nose
•  sore red eyes
•  rash.

The rash develops 3 to 5 days after the other symptoms. The rash appears as pink or red
spots or bumps. It starts on the face before moving down the rest of the body. The rash
may be more difficult to see on darker skin. The rash is not usually itchy. It can last for a
week or more.

If you or your rangatahi have symptoms now or in the future, stay home and ring for
health advice. Contact your usual healthcare or hauora provider or ring Healthline
for free anytime on 0800 611 111.

If you or your rangatahi need to visit a healthcare centre or clinic, ring first and tell them
there is a measles case in your school and you have measles symptoms, so you do not
risk passing on measles to others.

27/10/2025

Kia ora

Important Health Notice: Measles Case at Wellington College

Instructions for all Year 9 Students and associated teachers who attended a shared
assembly on Wednesday 15 October
A person in Year 11 who attended Wellington College on Monday 13, Tuesday 14 and
Wednesday 15 October has been diagnosed with measles. They were infectious while at
school on these dates.
The person also travelled by bus (Wellington College school bus #736) the mornings of
Monday 13 October and Wednesday 15 October during their infectious period.
Public Health has since been advised the person also attended a shared Year 9 and
Year 11 assembly on Wednesday 15 October at 10:30am. The assembly lasted 30
minutes.
Measles is a highly infectious illness that can make you very unwell if you are not
immune.

PLEASE STAY HOME
Year 9 students and associated teachers who attended the assembly are considered
close contacts with the case.
We are advising all Year 9 students and associated teachers who attended the
assembly to please stay home and wait for National Public Health Service to make
contact with you.

Your immunisation history will be checked, and you will be advised when you are able to
return to school

Please get your immunisation records ready
All staff and families of students in Year 9 (and Year 11) are being asked to locate their
immunisation records or evidence of measles infection before the public health team
phone.

SYMPTOMS

Students or staff could be showing early signs of illness starting from Monday

20 October through to Wednesday 5 November.

Any student or staff member who has symptoms of measles (fever, cough,
sore red eyes or skin rash) should:

•  Stay home (or wherever you are currently located if travelling)

•  Phone Healthline on 0800-611-116

•  Tell Healthline you are unwell and that your school has a measles case.
•  Follow instructions given by Healthline.

Locations of Interest
You may notice Wellington College is listed on Health New Zealand’s Locations of
Interest page.  A location of interest is a place a person with measles visited.

Protecting the identity of the person with measles
If you know the identity of the person with measles, please do not share this as it is
personal health information.

Ongoing support and Measles Information Sheet
The National Public Health Service will continue to support and advise affected families
throughout the quarantine period.
Information about measles can be found on our website here. An information sheet
about measles is also attached.

Ngā mihi

Medical Officer of Health
National Public Health Service | Te Ikaroa – Central
Greater Wellington and Wairarapa

28/10/2025

Kia ora

Important Health Notice
New Measles Case at Wellington Girls’ College

A Year 13 student who attended Wellington Girls’ College on Friday 24 October has
been diagnosed with measles and was infectious while at school.
This case is a known close contact of a previously reported case.

Measles is highly contagious and can cause serious illness in people who are not
immune.
Instructions for Year 13 Students and Associated Staff
If you attended the Year 13 final assembly on Friday 24 October between 11:00am and
12:30pm, please note the following:
•  Public Health will contact you to provide further advice via text message, e-mail
or phone call in the next two days.  You may need to go into quarantine from
Friday 31 October if you are not immune.
•  Measles takes several days to develop after contact with a confirmed case.
•  You can continue to go about your usual routines before Friday 31 October. This
is because it's the earliest date when anyone who is not immune could start
being infectious if they were exposed at assembly (Friday 24 October).
At any time, if you develop symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, sore red eyes,
or a rash, stay home and follow advice in the box below.
SYMPTOMS
Any student or staff member who has symptoms of measles (fever, cough,
sore red eyes or skin rash) should:
•  Stay home (or wherever you are currently located if travelling)
•  Phone Healthline on 0800-611-116
•  Tell Healthline you are unwell and that your school has a measles case.
•  Follow instructions given by Healthline.

Please follow the most current advice provided
Different groups within the College have received tailored advice from Public Health
based on exposure risk.  If you are a Year 13 student or staff member who attended the
assembly, please follow the advice above.

Immunity Status
We are working with your school and the Aotearoa Immunisation Register to confirm
your immunity status.
•  If you are immune, you will receive a text message or e-mail from public health
in the coming days confirming this.
•  If your immunity cannot be confirmed, Public Health will call you within the
next two days with specific instructions.

How do you have my contact details?
To support contact tracing, the school has provided Public Health with contact details
from enrolment records. Parents and caregivers will be contacted using the phone
numbers listed on those records.

Protecting the identity of the person with measles
If you know the identity of the individuals with measles, please do not share this as it is
personal health information.

Ongoing support and Measles Information Sheet
The National Public Health Service will continue to support and advise affected
families. Information about measles can be found on our website here.
Remember, it’s still very important to monitor for any symptoms. If you feel unwell at
any point, please stay home and follow the instructions in the symptoms box. This
helps protect your whānau, friends, and school community from further spread.

Ngā mihi

Medical Officer of Health
National Public Health Service | Te Ikaroa – Central
Greater Wellington and Wairarapa

Dear Parents,
This evening, the School has been informed that a person with measles was at the School
while infectious on Friday, 24 October.  Students in Forms 3 and 4 may have been in contact
with this person.  The School has been conferring with the National Public Health Service
(Public Health) to develop a plan to reduce the likelihood of measles spreading.
What this means for Form 3 and 4 students is that the school will be closed for them
tomorrow, Friday, 31 October 2025, while we undertake contact tracing with Public Health.
Scheduled examinations for students in Forms 5–7 will proceed as scheduled.
Public Health will be checking the New Zealand vaccination records of Form 3 and 4
students, which are held both nationally and at the school. They will be identifying any
students who do not have records of two doses of MMR vaccination after the age of 12
months.
Public Health will contact parents of Form 3 and 4 students who have no vaccination
records, to check if they have overseas or NZ records or immunity from previous measles
infection. This will occur in the next day or so. Please keep your son at home until you
receive a message from the school or Public Health.  Most students will be able to return to
school on Monday, 3 November.
In summary
1.  Form 3 and 4 students do not attend school tomorrow. Students should use the day
for effective study and apply some of the study techniques we have been discussing
over the last week.
Form 3 and 4 students can attend school on Monday if they have proof of
immunity and have been told by Public Health

2.  Immunity is having
•  two MMR (measles, mumps or rubella) or measles vaccinations after 12
months of age
•  or a previous confirmed measles infection.

3.  If you have overseas medical records that prove your son has immunity, please find
them to show to Public Health when they call.

4.  If your son has had NO MMR vaccinations or only one, they will need to stay in
quarantine from tomorrow through next week. Public Health will be in contact over
the next few days to discuss the quarantine period and provide guidance on what to
do if symptoms of measles develop.
5.  The school is working with Public Health to prevent further spread of this serious and
contagious virus in the school community. Everyone at School should be aware of the
symptoms of measles, even if immune, and watch for them over the next fortnight.
The symptoms are

•  A temperature of at least 38 degrees
•  Runny nose
•  Cough
•  Sore, red eyes
•  And a rash that starts on the face or behind the ears and moves down to the
body.  The rash usually appears a few days after other symptoms.
6.  If your son or anyone in your family develops any of these symptoms, please stay
home and ring your doctor or Healthline on 0800 611 116. Do not visit a GP or after
hours clinic without telling them first that your student is a close contact. If you think
you know the identity of the person with measles, please do not share this personal
health information.
More information on measles is on Info.health.nz/measles. There is also information
on how to check measles immunity.
7.  Form 5
Pre-Q examinations will proceed as scheduled tomorrow.
8.  Form 6 & 7
Cambridge examinations will proceed as scheduled tomorrow.
Students preparing for NCEA examinations should continue with their study
programme, in readiness for NZQA examinations starting next week. These will
proceed as scheduled.
Thank you for your cooperation and support as we put steps in place to maintain a safe
environment for all members of the Grammar community.

Tim O’Connor
Headmaster

Document Outline