Significant details following the Prime Minister's COVID-19 announcement on Monday 21 September.
Dear KingsWay School Community,
Thank you once again for your support through another COVID disrupted term. I know that staff and students are looking forward to a break, albeit a study break for our Senior School students.
As announced by the Prime Minister on Monday 21 September, the Auckland region has moved to Alert Level 2 from 11.59 pm Wednesday 23 September and the rest of New Zealand has moved to Alert Level 1. Important details following this announcement are listed below.
I know that at times like this our default is to get into stress mode, but may I encourage you to use this time to press into God’s truth found in scripture, even when you don’t feel like doing it.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”.
Phil 4: 6-7
God bless,
Graeme Budler
Executive Principal
Significant Messages from the Prime Minister's COVID-19 Announcement:
The Prime Minister has advised the outcome of the review of alert level settings made by Cabinet on 21 September 2020.
From 11.59 pm Wednesday 23 September, Auckland moved to a full Alert Level 2 setting (no additional restrictions). This level will be in place for 14 days (1 transmission cycle). The remainder of New Zealand has moved to Alert Level 1 from 11.59 pm, 21 September.
Cabinet will meet again on Monday 5 October to review alert level settings. If New Zealand remains on track (continuing as we are now), the intention is for Auckland to also move to Alert Level 1 on Wednesday 7 October.
For those in Auckland
- The fundamental change will be limits on social gatherings will increase from 10 to 100.
- Face coverings remain required to be worn on public transport (but not for children under 12, and does not apply to school transport).
- Face coverings will be required to be worn on any planes going to, from or through Auckland.
- Aucklanders are asked to take their alert level settings with them when they travel outside the region, including large scale gatherings.
For everyone
- Please continue to stay home if you are sick and get tested if recommended to do so.
- Maintain good hygiene practices.
- Scan into places through the NZ COVID Tracer app or keep a good record of where you have been, to support speedy contact tracing.
Full details can be found on the COVID19.govt.nz website.
Testing remains a crucial component in preventing an outbreak.
If a child or staff member is sick, they should stay home. If they have cold or flu symptoms they should call their doctor or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice about getting tested. If recommended to get tested, they should do so. Gatherings continue to be higher risk activities for transmission of COVID-19.
For Alert Level 2 they are:
- Event facilities can have up to 100 people within any defined space. They also need to assess how many people can safely be inside the premises and still maintain 1 metre physical distancing. This could mean the facility needs to have fewer than 100 people in a defined space.
- People attending must keep 1 metre physical distance from people they don't know, where possible - if they can't, they should consider wearing a face covering.
There are specific definitions for what is considered a defined space:
- An indoor space or outdoor space is a single space if there are walls (whether permanent or temporary) that substantially divide that space from other spaces.
- An outdoor space is also a single space if there is at least 2 metres between all people in that space and any other people (outside that space).
The COVID19.govt.nz website has key information on the different requirements for gatherings and events at the different alert levels. If you are hiring a venue for your event or activity, please work closely with the venue to clarify requirements for their facilities.
Exams at Alert Levels 1, 2 and 3
NCEA exams are able to proceed at Alert Levels 1, 2 and 3.
In the unlikely case that a region or regions were placed under Alert Level 4, exams will not be able to go ahead in those regions as schools are not open onsite at that level.
At all alert levels:
- If a school is at the centre of or implicated in an outbreak or cluster and/or has been closed by the Medical Officer of Health, exams will not be able to take place until public health authorities give approval.
- Anyone who is unwell must stay away.
- Those students identified as close contacts of a confirmed case cannot attend their exam(s).
- Because physical distancing will be in place for all exams, there are no restrictions on the number of students attending an examination in a single venue (such as the school hall).
- Face coverings are not required in any exam setting, however, individuals who choose to wear a face covering should be supported to do so.
- Use rooms where you can ensure good ventilation.