It is easy to fall in to old habits and not follow Alert Level 2 guidelines. Please read the following reminders and help us keep your children safe.

Our most important message is to remember to follow contact tracing protocols if you have to come on to the school grounds. Use the QR code or complete the sign in register.

Here's 8 things you need to know about Alert Level 2 at Konini School (This is an amended message from the Ministry of Education):

1. Schools are not classified as gatherings and a range of events and activities can go ahead.

For most day to day activities at schools, the rules for gatherings do not apply. Under the COVID-19 Public Health Response Order, schools are exempted from physical distancing requirements when people are there to receive, provide, or support education services.

However as soon as an event or activity brings people onsite who are not there for education purposes, including students, parents and caregivers, then the rules for gatherings do apply. This would include performances such as school plays, cultural events and sporting activities.

At Konini, this means that;

• We wont be holding whole school assemblies during Alert Level 2.
• We wont be holding community events where whānau gather - such as the cross country, sports events, school celebrations etc.
• We can hold parent/teacher conferences if we all observe contact tracing protocols, physical distancing and good hygiene practices.

2. School is open to everyone, and all children must attend.

At Alert Level 2 the disease is contained but there is still risk of community transmission. It is safe for children and staff to attend school.

3. Learning will be onsite with distance learning offered in some circumstances.

Distance learning can be provided for those required to self-isolate, those individuals who health authorities have asked to stay away while waiting for a test result, or those choosing to remain at home because they are vulnerable to illness.

4. Schools will close for cleaning and contact tracing if there is a confirmed case who was infectious when at school.

If this was to happen at Konini, our local Director of Education and local health authorities will work closely with the school and the community. We will be required to carefully follow the protocols that they put in place.

5. Face coverings are not required at school or on any school transport.

If we go on school trips and use a hired bus, pupils and staff are not required to wear masks. Anyone who chooses to wear a face covering in any setting will be supported to do so. 

6. Sick people must stay at home.

Please seek medical advice if you, or your child, have COVID-like symptoms and get tested if advised to do so. If you, or your child, displays relevant symptoms of COVID-19, tests positive for COVID-19, or has been in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19, you must self-isolate.

7. Please follow our contact tracing system.

Use the QR code posters located at all our entrances to scan in. Otherwise, you have to complete the sign in register. If you need to come into the school during the day, you must report to the office.

8. Fundamental public health measures continue to apply at every alert level:

• Physical distancing (not touching and not breathing on each other at Alert Level 2)
• Hand hygiene
• Cough and sneeze etiquette
• Regularly cleaning and disinfecting high touch surfaces.