Kia ora koutou,
Re: Mairehau High School Principal's Update, Alert Level 2,
More students will be returning to school when the nation moves to Alert Level 2.
The Prime Minister's announcement was greeted with a sigh of relief and a sense of anticipation across the Education Sector. Teachers love nothing more than playing their role to connect with students face to face. There is a hive of activity underway to get Mairehau High School prepared for Alert Level 2. Students and teachers alike are looking forward to returning to school.
Health and Safety Planning:
The Senior Leadership Team is planning our Alert Level 2 "Return to School". Our Alert Level 2 Safety Plan will be posted on our school website and is currently in development.
The messaging is clear. When the Prime Minister announces a move to alert level 2, it will signal that schools are safe and open for everyone. The way forward will include focusing on welcoming our students, staff and families back to school. A moment we have all been longing for since we locked our doors in March.
Hygiene Practices:
We will, of course, continue with excellent hygiene practices, and encourage everyone to continue to respect public health advice, including that which is specific to schools. The link in the bulletin to the Public Health Requirements for Early Learning Services and Schools at Alert Level 2 is particularly useful in this regard. If you haven't already accessed it, I recommend that you do.
Physical distancing is an excellent precaution to prevent the spread of disease. We do, however, know it is challenging in schools, so good hygiene practices and regular cleaning are even more critical here. Staff and students should cough into their elbows, handwashing and drying and routine cleaning of commonly touched surfaces. While there is more freedom in Alert Level 2, with a one-metre social distancing requirement, we may need to restructure the size limit of our classes.
If you are sick, you will be sent home:
Under Alert Level 2, we advise any students and staff to stay at home if they are sick, and we will send anyone home immediately if they show any symptoms.
Safe practices:
Our school has safe and sensible practices to maintain the health and safety of everyone on the school site. As described by Dr Payinda in his NZ Herald article, "Covid's not measles or chickenpox, it doesn't hang in the air for hours waiting to infect passers-by. It travels on invisible drops of spit. You don't have to cross the street to avoid anyone. Just avoid getting in their 'moist breath' zone". We all just need to remember to have some breathing space at Alert Level 2!
It's essential, however, that not just at school but at home, safe hygiene habits are practised by everyone, as this is essential to minimise the risk that someone gets infected with Covid-19. For more information about the public health measures at Alert Level 2, you can visit the covid19.govt.nz website: https://covid19.govt.nz/
Re-connect
It will be a time to re-connect and regroup, in support of our wider communities, and especially our senior students. We will all be busy developing creative and responsive approaches to ensure students' wellbeing is at the forefront as we navigate appropriate learning and assessment support.
Mother's day
This Sunday is Mother's day, and I wish all the "Mum's of Aotearoa" the very best on your special day.
I trust that you and whānau are safe and well.
Enjoy your weekend.
Ngā mihi nui kia koutou
Harry Romana
Principal
No comments:
Post a Comment
To support my learning I ask you to comment as follows:
1. Something positive - Begin with a greeting. Talk about something you like about what I have shared.
2. Thoughtful - A comment that will mean something to me to let me know you read/watched or listened to what I had to say. - use any language.
3. Something helpful - Give me some ideas for next time or ask me a question.
Encourage me to make another post