Vaccinations again this week; A very different senior prizegiving this year Thurs 18 Nov; Two Teacher Only Days 25-26 Nov.

Tēnā koutou, Talofa lava, Kia orana, Malo e lelei, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Bula vinaka, Namaste, Malo ni, Halo ola keta, Mauri, Fakatalofa atu.

Covid Vaccination Dates and Times at LCŌ

This Wednesday-Thursday 10-11 November we are again hosting community vaccination clinics for anyone in our community who wish to take this opportunity to be vaccinated.

1. Wednesday 10 November 1pm - 3pm or onwards depending on demand
2. Thursday 11 November 1.25pm - 3.30pm or onwards depending on demand
   

Both these start times are at the start of lunchtime and continue to the end of the school day so whānau can use the service at school pick-up time.

There will be vaccinators on site for any student 12+ years old, whānau, friends and staff who wish to receive the vaccine or to drop in and ask any questions.

Further information about the community-based vaccination programme, repeating last week's information is at the end of this newsletter.

Last week we had over 60 students, whānau and staff receive either their first or second vaccine. We are very pleased about this.

Senior prizegiving

Our senior prizegiving is Thursday 18 November, 3.30 - 5pm in the Big Gym. However with the Covid health regulations only prize winners, Yr 13, staff and the BOT chair are able to attend.

With no whānau able to be present the event will be filmed by Mr Ben Russell and his team and following the event will be shared with whānau and others via a link.

Two Staff Only Days

School will be closed for student learning on two days:

• Thursday 25 November
• Friday 26 November

Thursday 25 November is the nationally-mandated staff only day for staff training for the forthcoming NCEA changes.

Friday 26 November is our LCŌ staff only day. We will be working through Te Aratai College material amongst other matters.

Repeating vaccination information from last week: Community-based vaccination programme Student-School-Whānau Collaboration

Schools are part of their community so school-whānau partnerships are very important. It is the school's preference and that of the Ministries of Health and Education that young people aged 12-15 years discuss the vaccination with whānau or a trusted support person first.

Equally, anyone aged 12 years and over is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. As with other vaccination programmes, and under New Zealand law, children and young people under the age of 16 years may give or withhold consent to healthcare treatment, so long as they are competent to do so.

What this means is that a health professional would discuss the vaccination prior to giving the vaccine and would answer any questions from the young person. If the young person has a good understanding, they can say yes or no to getting the vaccine themselves.

To summarise, consent is preferred but is not required if pre-screening sees the student as competent to give informed consent.

Further information

1. For more information on the consent process please see the Ministry of Health’s policy statement on informed consent for young people aged 12-15.
2. The dedicated COVID-19 Healthline is: 0800 358 5453
3. For any other health concerns, call the general Healthline number on 0800 611 116. You can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Ngā mihi nui – best wishes

Richard Edmundson
Tumuaki-Principal

Vaccinate for our future. Protect yourself, your whānau, and your whakapapa.