COVID Update – The Move to Red

Jan 23, 2022

The start of the school year is fast approaching. With New Zealand being moved into the RED protection level and with Omicron cases in our local community it’s timely to share a brief update.

Kia ora koutou,

The COVID Protection Framework (CPF)

In 2022, schools are guided by the government’s Covid Protection Framework (CPF), otherwise known as the traffic light system. With community transmission of COVID’s Omicron variant now circulating all of New Zealand has been moved into the RED COVID protection level

Key Points:

  • Schools will remain open under the Red traffic light setting. 
  • Face coverings are required to be worn indoors by all staff and students.
  • The Red setting places greater restrictions on the events that can occur at school. This means that there are likely to be a number of changes to our start of year processes.
  • A more comprehensive update will be shared once we receive further information from the Ministry of Education. 
  • Senior Student Course Confirmation days scheduled for Thursday 27 and Friday 28 January will still occur. 

Face Coverings

One of the biggest changes for schools under the Red setting is that face coverings are required to be worn indoors for all staff and students. Students will need to provide their own face covering, however we will have a limited number of face coverings available for the first few days of term for students who are caught short and wish to access them. If your teen has an exemption from wearing a face covering they will need to ensure they have this evidence on them at all times.

Public Health advice is that an appropriate face covering will fit snugly and seal well around facial contours. This can include single use disposable masks (medical masks) and reusable fabric masks with three layers.

Parents and members of the community are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings while on campus. 

Event Restrictions

The Red setting places greater restrictions on the events that can occur at school. This means that there are likely to be a number of changes to our start of year processes.

There will be other changes that will impact the experience students have at school, particularly in relation to extra-curricular events, sports and arts activities.

The Ministry of Education have promised to provide further guidance for schools this week and we will share an update when we know more. A comprehensive update will be shared once we have worked through the changes we are required to make.

In the meantime, the following resources may be a helpful guide about what the new COVID protection levels will mean for education:

Senior Student Course Confirmation Days – Thursday 27 & Friday 28 January

The Senior Student Course Confirmation Days will continue to be held in the Library from 9.30 am – 3.00 pm on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 January.

Please follow the instructions previously emailed and only come into school on these days if you have a subject clash or require a course change.

Ensure that you are wearing a face covering and that you scan in on arrival. 

We look forward to welcoming everyone back to school for the 2022 year. School will look a little different while we’re operating in the Red setting, however we’ll do our very best to support students as we adapt to this new protection framework. 

Ngā mihi,

Scott Haines

Principal

By Scott Haines