With the notification last night that we will be moving to Alert Level 2 from midday today the school has reviewed and implemented our Health and Safety Plan for safe opening under AL2. We have been advised for a long time that this was likely and although as a country we have managed to keep the virus at a distance, the reality was that it is impossible to 100% protect against something we can not see.
We have maintained many of the practices implemented under the previous AL2, so we only need to increase vigilance around personal hygiene, hand sanitizer, hand washing and staying home if unwell.
There will be some adaptation to classroom programmes and we will be reviewing Outdoor Education activities on a case by case basis. We will tentatively put a hold on larger gatherings at the school, especially those involving invited guests, parents and members of the public.
Y1-7 Assembly - Friday the 7th of August - Cancelled
Course Selection Evening - Monday the 17th of August - Postponed. Course selection information will be distributed to students and teachers will work with students in assisting them in making informed decisions. If you wish to discuss something specific with a subject teacher please make contact and discuss directly. All email addresses are available via the school website. We will look to reschedule at the earliest possible opportunity.
7 Aside Tournament - Tuesday the 25th of August - we will not make any decision around this event until later next week.
We have decided that the food warmer for Year 1-7 students will continue to be available, but we will implement more stringent protocols around the collection and distribution of food.
The advice from the Ministry of Education is as follows…
All children and young people can continue to attend school for learning at Alert Level 2. Public health advice is that schools are safe to open onsite at Alert Level 2 to all learners. People do not need to return to bubbles at Alert Level 2 and can meet with friends and family. But people need to play it safe and continue to take sensible health and safety precautions. The only exceptions are children or young people who are sick and have any COVID-19 symptoms, are in isolation, or are awaiting the result of a test.
Playground, sports equipment use and sports, remain available at Alert Level 2. School transport services remain at normal schedules. The ongoing safety of drivers and students and the ability to contact trace will be a priority at Alert Level 2.
Two key public health principles support our education approach to Alert Level 2. These are to minimise the risk that someone gets infected in the first place, and to ensure we can identify and contact anyone who has been in close contact, if someone in an education institution is infected.
Strong public health control measures will be in place in all education institutions, including learners and staff staying home if they are sick, contact tracing, and safe hygiene requirements. If a school or early learning service has a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19, they may be advised by health to close for 72 hours to allow contact tracing, and then potentially for a further 14 days.
Alert Level 2 is all about being safe and sensible and this is the approach that goes through our guidance to schools and services. So physical distancing will remain important in schools where possible.
If you have any questions please feel free to get in touch.
Ngā mihi nui,
Stephen Beck Principal - Tumuaki Hurunui College sb@hurunuicollege.school.nz
Please ensure you stay connected with the multiple forms of school communication.
School website - access to the longterm school calendar and general information about the school.
Skool Loop App - pushes out school notices and newsletter, school calendar and can be used for notifying absences - critical mode of communication - download Skool Loop from the app store/google play and select Hurunui College
