16 August 2023

Term 3 Reset and Covid Update

Kia ora whānau

Thank you for your continued support of our students and staff as we reset our expectations around phone use, uniform, and bathrooms.

We reviewed this reset as a staff earlier in the week and have made a few changes to both streamline our processes and provide clarity for everyone.

In addition to previous communication about our expectations and the process, I want to clarify the following:

Phone use
Can only be used at interval and lunch.
Earbuds will be treated in the same way as phones.

• 1st time: confiscation by teacher for the lesson – on teacher's desk, can be retrieved at end of lesson
• 2nd time: confiscation by teacher, phone given to Deans, student can collect at end of day. Home contact. Daily drop-off of phone to Deans for following week.
• 3rd time: student and parent meeting with Principal.

Uniform
All non-uniform items will be confiscated and returned to the students via the Deans' office every Friday lunchtime.
Students can wear 2 pairs of sleepers and/or small studs in their earlobes.
No visible nose piercings, no plasters, students can wear a clear nose stud.

This reset has had positive impacts on our learning environment already and by working together we can continue these improvements.

COVID
The Government has announced the removal of the mandatory COVID isolation rule, which took effect on 15 August 2023.
https://covid19.govt.nz/news-and-data/latest-news/all-covid-19-requirements-removed/

Public Health officials have advised risk from COVID-19 is now considered low compared to other stages of the pandemic and it is safe to remove the final requirements.  

Our message to staff, students and the wider community will be to take all the personal precautions necessary to keep themselves healthy and safe.

As with any other illness it is recommended that students and staff stay at home if they are feeling unwell.

Ngā mahi nui
Maria Potter
Principal

26 July 2023

An email was sent to the school community on Monday 24 July regarding Term 3 Reset.

Information on 8 August Year 9 and 10 Kōrero ā Whānau meetings and all students working from home that day will be included with Friday's weekly reports.

13 September 2022

New long-term strategy for COVID-19

Kia ora whānau

You’ll be aware that New Zealand will move to a new, long-term approach to COVID-19. These changes have been made based on public health advice and reflect high levels of immunity and declining case numbers across New Zealand.

This new approach will only result in minor changes to the way we operate.

The very positive news is that household contacts of a person with COVID-19 do not need to isolate, but instead are asked to complete a RAT test each day, for five days. Therefore, ākonga who are household contacts but test negative and do not have COVID-19 symptoms, should continue to attend. It is the best place for them to be so they can be engaged in their learning, and connected with their teachers, classmates and friends.

Information on how to get RAT kits can be found here: https://requestrats.covid19.health.nz/

Mask wearing is no longer required.

All the other recommended public health measures will stay in place as we know they reduce the spread of infectious illnesses including COVID-19. These include ensuring our indoor spaces are well-ventilated, maintaining good hand hygiene, encouraging everyone to cough or sneeze into elbows and, most importantly, staying home and getting tested if they have COVID-19 symptoms.

Thank you for your ongoing support in protecting our community.

Ngā mihi nui
Maria Potter
Principal