A principal's backing his school's digital learning system while they remain closed at level three

Parents who can't work from home can send their children - up to Year 10 - to school from today.

But Whangarei's Otangarei School is staying closed as only three students were wanting to return, and not all staff had first aid certification.

Principal Myles Ferris says keeping the school closed wasn't a decision he made lightly - but students are responding well.

He says classes and the entire school have regular catch ups using Google, with students engaged and excited about learning.