Masks

Mask wearing is a new behaviour for our younger students who are now required to wear them. The strategies that our teachers and kaiako currently use to teach, practice and encourage a new behaviour will apply to mask-wearing. This includes modelling, practicing and providing frequent positive feedback when children are doing the right thing. We will be designing ways children can get outside to have breaks so it does not become too onerous for them will also help.

Here is information and a video that may help explain to young children how to safely put a mask on and remove it.

Masks are not required for students Years 1 - 3. Teachers and staff for classes Year 1 – 3 do not have to wear masks but of course, can do so if they wish.

There are a number of exemptions to wearing a mask including if you have to communicate with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing, or the person has a physical or mental health illness or condition or disability that makes wearing a mask unsuitable.

Currently, public transport and school transport requires face masks to be worn for those aged 12 and above at Red, however, there has now been an agreement to extend this to Year 4 and above so that the requirements are consistent. 

The wearing of masks is one of the strongest forms of defence from Omicron, and masks (not face coverings) will be required at Red for children and staff in Years 4 to 13 when indoors.

I would like to share a comment I heard yesterday: ‘schools teach children how to do many things, and wearing masks is just one of those, we’ll handle it really well’. 

Please ensure your child/ren's masks are named just like any other part of their uniform.

Thanks for helping all of us keep everyone in our community safe.

The KSS Team