#15 Covid-19 Notice
22/7/2022 - Starting Term 3 in the 'Orange' Setting
Kia ora Parents, Whānau and Caregivers
Masking up for the start of Term 3
In previous years schools have found there is an increase in winter illnesses at the start of Term 3 as students bring back infections after travelling and socialising during the holidays. This year cases of COVID-19 are also increasing in most parts of the country, and as we saw at the end of term two we are already seeing high numbers of other winter illnesses in our own school community.
For the start of Term 3, 2022, the Ministries of Education and Health strongly recommend that for the first four weeks all schools require mask wearing in all indoor settings (where it will not have a significant impact on teaching and learning – see below) for students in Years 4 and above. Therefore we ask that all Y4-6 students and staff have masks ready to wear for the start of next week.
This recommendation does not include any situation where mask wearing might not be practicable, such as while eating and drinking, playing certain musical instruments, indoor sport, where it will have a significant impact on teaching and learning (for example, students with specific learning needs), certain activities such as singing and PE. In these situations, particular attention will be paid to ensuring there is good ventilation during the activity, and physical distancing where practicable.
Wearing masks can reduce new cases of the virus by as much as 50%. It works alongside other measures including vaccination, good ventilation, staying home when sick, and hand washing and other hygiene measures, to protect our students and staff. Click here for more information to Keep up healthy habits – Unite Against COVID-19 and mask wearing.
We know that some of our tamariki are exempt from wearing a mask. If they have an exemption card or a letter from their health provider, we will support them to not wear a mask. Click here for more information about how to Apply for a face mask exemption pass – Unite Against COVID-19.
We appreciate the way that families notify the school as cases have arisen and ask that you continue to keep in contact with the office if your child tests positive or becomes a HouseHold Contact. We will continue to have our RED Health and Safety Plan on standby to allow us to move swiftly if our student:staff ratios change due to Covid19. Therefore we all still need to be prepared for quick changes between settings if our situation changes and there is a higher risk of Covid-19 spreading within our school.
In additional to mask-wearing we will continue to keep all the other health measures in place at school that we know slow the spread of COVID-19. These include
ensuring our indoor spaces are ventilated
maintaining good hand hygiene and cough and sneeze etiquette
appropriate physical distancing whenever we can
and most importantly, students and staff staying home when they are sick.
Parents, please make sure that Y4-6 tamariki come to school ready to wear masks. We ask that students bring masks from home but if some students cannot bring a mask there will be a limited supply of masks to give out.
25% of staff have tested positive during the term break or become household contacts.
If your child has become a household contact or has tested positive during the holidays, please email office@paparangi.school.nz or use the school app so that we can update our records and confirm your child's return to school date.
As always please make sure your contact details are up to date, so we can get in touch quickly with you if needed. Details can be updated by emailing office@paparangi.school.nz.
Thank you for your ongoing support to protect our school community.
Noho ora mai
Tracey Arthurs
Paparangi
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