Dear KingsWay Community,

Three new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand were announced this weekend, taking the total confirmed cases to eight. We have been advised these cases are not connected with any schools or early learning services. These people are doing well, with two self-isolating at home/hotel and one being treated in hospital.

Please note that the wellbeing of our staff and students is of paramount importance to the leadership of KingsWay School. KingsWay does not currently have any reported or suspected cases of Covid-19. The leadership of KingsWay takes all its advice regarding Covid-19 from the Ministry of Health and Education. Every suspected case of parent or child going into voluntary isolation is carefully considered on its merits, and professional advice is sought. I request that everyone refrain from any form of scaremongering or rumourmongering during this difficult time. This includes sharing unsolicited internet posts pertaining to information about the disease. The leadership continues to commit to ensuring we are responsive to an everchanging Covid-19 landscape. The Executive Principal commits to continue to communicate new information when it arrives. It remains your prerogative to choose to self-isolate your child, but while KingsWay remains open for instruction the school will not be offering additional tuition online.

In the meantime, please note the following important updates which are subject to change if new information comes to light.

Summary of Important Updates and School Actions Pertaining to KingsWay

1. Parent-Teacher Conferences (PTCs) are postponed until further notice. Teachers will arrange for a telephone conference with parents as needed. The date for PTCs remains the same, but parents with children who require an interview will receive an email shortly to determine a convenient time to chat on that date.

2. Most trips that involve close contact with the broader community are postponed or cancelled. Please check the calendar on the KingsWay School website for updates before preparing for any trip. Each trip is risk assessed before proceeding. For example, a trip to Muriwai Beach with no anticipated contact with the public holds little to no risk and will go ahead.

3. The Year 13 Geography trip to Rotorua is cancelled. Teachers are modifying the context to ensure that learning is not compromised.

4. Sporting events may be cancelled and are assessed on a case by case basis. Cancellations can be viewed through the school calendar.

5. KingsWay staff are ensuring we are prepared in the event of a Ministry of Health announcement regarding school closures.

6. Overseas travel for 2020 is postponed or cancelled.

7. Please refrain from non-urgent overseas travel. If you do travel overseas, you are asked to inform the school nurse Anita Wicks at anita.wicks@kingsway.school.nz

While these bold measures will support the slowing of COVID-19 in New Zealand, it is unrealistic to expect they will prevent further cases. One of the things we are working on is what will be needed to ensure students are able to continue learning should KingsWay School be closed for a period due to COVID-19.

Please pray for our teachers and leadership during this difficult time. Any serious concerns or suggestions can be directed to me at principal@kingsway.school.nz

I have attached a summary of the recent Prime Minister’s announcement for those who have not read it yet.

Kind regards,

Graeme Budler
Executive Principal

Prime Minister’s Announcement

On 14 March the Prime Minister has announced new and strong protective measures to keep individuals, families and communities safe and healthy. The measures come into effect from 1am Monday 16 March 2020 and are as follows:

• Travel restrictions remain in place for people arriving from or who have been in mainland China and Iran over the prior 14 days (Category 1A)
• In addition, all travellers coming from all parts of the world, except parts of the Pacific, will be required to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival in New Zealand. This also includes Australia and residents and their families (Category 1B)
• All travellers coming from the following parts of the Pacific will be required to self-isolate if they show symptoms, within 14 days of arrival. This includes all Pacific Islands Forum members (except French Polynesia, category 1b), Associate Member Tokelau, and Observer Wallis and Futuna. (Category 2).

Those in New Zealand thinking about traveling overseas, should avoid all non-essential travel at this time.

For anyone who arrived into New Zealand prior to this time they will need to follow the previous restrictions. The self-isolation requirement would therefore only apply to those arriving on Sunday 15 March and earlier, if they had travelled in or transited through China and Iran or had travelled in the Republic of Korea or Italy.

This decision has obvious and immediate implications for any overseas trips you have planned for KingsWay and for staff who may have personal travel planned.

The new restrictions will be reviewed on Tuesday 31 March and then every 14 days after that date.

There are no restrictions on freight and goods, they will continue to come in.

Email iona.holsted@education.govt.nz

Contact us at bulletin@education.govt.nz