There's no expectation the start of the school year will be a walk in the park

That's from an education union, as an epidemiologist calls for term one to be delayed until more kids are vaccinated against Covid.

Otago University's Amanda Kvalsvig says Omicron has triggered an unprecedented avalanche of child cases overseas.

New Zealand Educational Institute president Liam Rutherford says teachers fully expect to be dealing with twists and turns this year.

He says as they head back into the school year, they;ll roll their sleeves up and and play their part.

Vaccines for five to 11 year-olds become available on January 17.