#18 Covid-19 Notice
2 December 2021 - Protection Framework and Traffic Lights
Kia ora Parents, Whānau and Caregivers
New COVID-19 Protection (Traffic Light) Framework
You may have heard that everyone in Aotearoa will move to the new COVID-19 Traffic Light Framework on Friday 3 December. We will be moving to Orange. Elimination and the alert levels are working well. While controlled, Delta is in our communities and the strategy now focuses on minimising its impact. Moving forward this means that next year we won’t have to change the way we are currently operating classes and everyone can continue to attend school onsite.
The Ministry of Education has confirmed all the systems in place right now will remain as they are for the rest of the year so under the orange traffic light system we will continue to operate as we have for the last term and a half. For Paparangi that means:
- Staggered pick up times (2:45 for Y1 and siblings; 2:55 for Y2/3 and siblings; 3pm for Y4-6)
- Event protocols remain as they are (no large gatherings eg whole school assemblies)
- Parents and visitors wear masks on school grounds
- Adults sign and scan in
The good news is that next year, we can confirm that all schools will be open for learning from the start of the school year, regardless of what setting under the new Traffic Light Framework we will be in (Red/Orange/Green). This is good news and means we can plan for a better 2022 with greater certainty!
Health measures in place at school
For the remainder of this year and next year, health, safety and wellbeing will continue to be a priority for us and the same health measures you are very familiar with will remain in place:
- contact tracing systems in place (scan and sign in)
- visitors wear masks on school grounds
- vaccination requirements for workers and volunteers (paid and unpaid)
- if staff or students are sick, stay home and get tested
For all regions at Red, one change is that face coverings are to be worn when indoors for students and staff from Year 4 and up. So if we are at Red at any stage next year:
- face coverings will be required at school when indoors for students and staff in Rākau Nui
- we will ask that only essential visitors come onsite
With these measures in place, public health has confirmed the risk of infection remains low when at school, with households continuing to be where COVID-19 is spreading the most. If you’d like to learn more about the framework visit COVID-19 Protection Framework.
No changes for the remainder of 2021
It has been challenging to make end of year plans with so much still up in the air with regard to COVID levels and the introduction of the traffic light system. There have been many changes already to our usual end of the year so we are committed to keeping the last two weeks as settled and consistent as possible for our students and families. We will not be making any further changes from this point so all plans can be put in place with confidence.
We are not yet able to hold whole school assemblies or have parents and whanau attend the final syndicate assemblies due to the restrictions on large gatherings. Changes to our Year 6 Leavers Ceremony have been communicated directly with the Y6 families. We know this is disappointing for families who would have loved to attend our end of year events. It is disappointing to us also, but our prime focus is ensuring our students stay safe and enjoy their final events this year.
For the beginning of 2022 we will update our 'traffic light' information on the school website so that you are able to quickly access the information you need about 'what school will look like' no matter which 'traffic light' setting we are on for the students return to school next year.
Collecting Vaccine Information for Workers and Volunteers
As a result of the Public Health Order for Mandatory Vaccinations for Education, we are required to ask anyone working with students (paid and unpaid) to provide details and evidence of their vaccination status.
This does not apply for parents/caregivers when dropping off or picking up their child, attending meetings onsite when children other than their own are not present (for example three way conferences, meeting with the principal). If you have volunteer to help with an event we will need to collect the following information from you prior to the event:
- First name and last name (and Child's Name)
- Email Address
- Vaccination Status (You can get this from My Covid Record (found in the Covid Tracer App>Dashboard>More Info>My Covid Record)
- Or a copy of your exemption letter provided by an approved health professional with date of exemption
Please forward this information with a copy of your vaccination status to Kerry Young at kerry@paparangi.school.nz Kerry is responsible for keeping confidential records. Once again we thank you for your ongoing support with providing learning opportunities for our students in these changeable times.
In closing I thank staff and parents for your patience and support as together we have navigated another challenging year. I'm looking forward to a new year where we can plan for events with more certainty!
Ngā mihi nui, Tracey Arthurs, Principal/Tumuaki
Contact Us
Remember that parents can use the App to send a message about a student absence. It is our preferred method of contact for non-attendance and is quick and easy to do.
Email: office@paparangi.school.nz
Website: https://paparangi.school.nz
Location: 57-59 Beazley Avenue, Paparangi, Wellington 6037, New Zealand
Phone: +64 4-478 6617