This isn't the first time my generation has been ordered by the New Zealand Government to "stay home and avoid unnecessary travel" as it happened during the spring term in 1947 when polio hit our country.

We received our lessons in the mail; I remember the large envelopes made of dark blue card.

We observed the summer holidays but anyone under the official school leaving age of 15 was not supposed to travel out of the 'home district'.

When February came round some schools could still not re-open because if there was a case of polio within 15 miles that kept the regulations in force.

I believe the Government eventually backed down due to frustrated parents making their feelings known! So we students did not get back to class for five months.

Joy Marks, Greerton