COVID

Reducing the Risk of Covid-19

There are many actions the school has put in place to reduce the risk and impact of a positive case of Covid-19 on our students and staff. It can be conceptualised as multiple layers of preventative measures as shown in the cheese model below.

These actions include:

  • Good hygiene practices – regular hand washing and/or sanitising; correct cough and sneeze etiquette.

  • Keeping learning spaces well ventilated with good airflow

  • Regular physical activity breaks outdoors and learning outdoors where possible.

  • Grouping children and restricting play for each group to specific outdoor spaces.

  • Maintaining physical distancing where possible indoors and between groups.

  • Disinfecting high touch surfaces regularly.

  • Normalising mask wearing for students in Year 4 and above.

  • Ensuring students go home if they are unwell.

Staff are vaccinated as per the Health Order mandates and wear masks when working with students in Year 4 and above and when around other adults which reduces their risk of becoming infected with the virus or becoming seriously ill.

The number of Omicron cases across the country are now surging therefore the chances of many staff and students being affected is increasing.

 The school will stay open. This is because it is good for a child’s wellbeing and learning to be at school with their friends and school staff, and we have very good systems in place to keep everyone as safe as possible. We have appropriate public health measures and cleaning procedures in place. Learning will continue being provided in the best way we are able. We will utilise all tools and resources available to make this happen including teaching online, using a reliever teacher if one is available, or by rearranging teaching staff where we can.

Learning at home

  • If your child is unwell, rest and get well.

  • If your child is well, access the learning from the website or use the learning provided in the hard pack of materials your child received earlier this year in preparation for learning at home.

  • Either your child’s guardian teacher or a teacher in your child’s community will keep in touch to give further guidance about the learning.

If you get a positive RAT or PCR result Positive case of Omicron

  • isolate at home for 7 days.

  • all household members must isolate at home for 7 days.

  • household contacts must get a test on Day 3 and Day 7. They can return to school or work once the 7 days have passed and the test results are negative.

 Confidentiality

The status of positive cases, whether they are teachers or students will remain confidential, however, we will communicate at least on a weekly basis when we do have current positive cases amongst our school population.

 What you need to do

  • Monitor your child and family members for wellness. If they are unwell, stay home.

  • If they display symptoms of Covid-19, get a test. RAT tests are now being used so you can get an almost immediate result.

  • If anyone in your family is confirmed as having COVID-19, you will be asked to notify your close contacts yourself. Please get in touch with us as soon as you can if your child has tested positive for COVID-19.

 Symptoms of COVID-19

  • A new or worsening cough

  • Sneezing and runny nose

  • A fever

  • Temporary loss of smell or altered sense of taste

  • Sore throat

  • Shortness of breath

Less common symptoms include diarrhoea, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, malaise, chest pain, abdominal pain, joint pain, or confusion/irritability.
Please be aware that primary school-aged children are presenting with tummy bug symptoms which later result in a a positive test for COVID-19.
For more information, go to https://covid19.govt.nz/health-and-wellbeing/about-covid-19/covid-19-symptoms/

If you have any concerns about sending your child to school, please do get in touch. We are here to help

Where you can get support

If you need support during self-isolation, call the COVID Welfare Phone Line on 0800 512 337.

The Ministry of Education has stated that public health measures in place in schools and kura mean that it may no longer be necessary for a school or kura to immediately close when a case has been identified as infectious while in attendance.

Please continue sending your child to school unless notified by the school, under the guidance of the Ministries of Education and Health, to keep them at home.

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