Covid 19 Level 2 Information
Kia ora everyone
As you are probably all aware that there have been community COVID cases in Auckland and the Auckland region is going back into Alert Level 3.
The rest of NZ (including us) is going back into Alert Level 2 from mid-night 14/2/21 for 72 hours (3 days).
What does this mean for Richmond School?
1. Schools are open to everyone, and all children must attend.
At Alert Level 2 the disease is contained but there is still risk of community transmission. It is safe for children and staff to attend school and for school hostels to be operating as there will be appropriate measures in place, including for children and staff vulnerable to severe illness.
2. Learning will be onsite with distance learning offered in some circumstances.
Distance learning should be provided for those required to self-isolate, those individuals who health authorities have asked to stay away while waiting for a test result, or those choosing to remain at home because they are vulnerable to illness.
3. Schools are not classified as gatherings and a range of events and activities can go ahead.
For most day to day activities at schools, the rules for gatherings do not apply (100 maximum and one metre social distancing). Schools are exempted from physical distancing requirements when people are there to receive, provide, or support education services. However as soon as your event or activity brings people onsite who are not there for education purposes, including students, parents and caregivers, then the rules for gatherings do apply. This would include performances such as school plays, cultural events and sporting activities.
4. Schools will close for cleaning and contact tracing if there is a confirmed case who was infectious when at school.
Your Director of Education will work closely with you and health authorities should this occur. Please contact your Ministry regional office if you hear of a confirmed case in your school community but haven’t been advised about it by health officials.
5. Face coverings are not required at school or on any school transport.
Anyone who chooses to wear a face covering in any setting should be supported to do so.
6. Sick people must stay at home.
They should seek medical advice if they have COVID-like symptoms and get tested if advised to do so. If that person displays relevant symptoms of COVID-19, tests positive for COVID-19, or has been in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19, they must self-isolate.
7. You must have a contact tracing system in place.
This includes displaying QR code posters at your entrances, your timetable, attendance register and visitor register.
8. Fundamental public health measures continue to apply at every alert level: Physical distancing (not touching and not breathing on each other at Alert Level 2)
Hand hygiene
Cough and sneeze etiquette
Regularly cleaning and disinfecting high touch surfaces.
9. Think and plan carefully before you go ahead with any activity that brings a large number of students together and/or spectators are involved.
Some events may need to be cancelled or postponed when we are at Alert Level 2. Inter-regional travel is possible but only where you are confident the appropriate measures will be in place at the host venue, including requirements for gatherings.
So for the next 3 days (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday) we would like parents stay out of the school grounds and drop off and pick up their children at the gates like they did so last time:
– Junior pupils (Rooms 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19 and 20) the gate by the Junior hardcourt. Teachers of the children will greet the children there.
– Middles (Rooms 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11) the gate by the Room 11 toilets.
– Seniors (Rooms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) the entrance off Church Street by Room 3.
If parents need to come into the school for whatever reason they must sign the visitors register/QR code sign-in at the office. They must not enter via the school gates.
The Year 1 and 2 trip to Nayland pool tomorrow has been postponed.
The seniors will have their swimming sports on Wednesday but all the children have their sports at school. The children who were going to compete at the Aquatic Centre will now remain at school and compete in our school pool. Unfortunately, parents will not be able to attend.
Community groups who usually use our hall will not be allowed to use it.
We do not want people (including our families) using the school ground before or after school.
Fingers crossed we will be back to Level 1 after Wednesday.
Regards
Tim