MAC IMPORTANT NOTICES
Read here for all MAC important notices.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
Please read the below information from the Ministry of Health regarding the Coronavirus. We ask everyone to remain vigilant with washing their hands and using the soap and sanitisers provided around the college.
You may have seen that the World Health Organisation has now declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic. As noted by the Minister of Health, this doesn’t change what New Zealand is doing to respond to coronavirus.
The Ministry of Health has been working through its pandemic plan since January. You will also know the Government has already implemented a range of measures to minimise the impacts to New Zealand. This includes border restrictions, a requirement to self-isolate on arrival in New Zealand from China, Iran, Italy and the Republic of Korea and immediate and detailed contact tracing of any confirmed cases. It is important to note those four countries account for more than 90% of cases globally and China and the Republic of Korea have significantly declining numbers of new cases.
We have 5 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand and it is pleasing to know they are all doing well and are at home. Their children, four students at Auckland schools, continue to be well and show no symptoms. While we expect that more cases will arise, the Ministry of Health says that with continued vigilance the chance of widespread community outbreak is expected to remain low in New Zealand. We all have a role to play in this.
For our school, our pandemic plan is also ready to be implemented if needed. In the mean time we will continue to focus on good hygiene practices. Hand washing and good cough etiquette are very important tools in preventing the spread of illness including colds, flu and COVID-19.
With that, there is a good video clip from Nanogirl that will help your children to better understand the virus - YouTube clip - Nanogirl
You may have also seen the Prime Minister sat down with Dr Michelle Dickinson (aka Nanogirl) and the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor, Juliet Gerrard, to talk about coronavirus:
One other action we can all take is to be vigilant about our own health and the health of our children. I will be encouraging my staff to stay away from school if they are showing signs of illness such as coughs and colds. I ask that you please do the same with your children. Colds and flus are common in schools and by staying away, seeking medical attention and practicing good hygiene, we can all keep any spread of illness to a minimum.
If families are travelling or returning from overseas holidays you MUST contact office before returning to school. Thank you.
YEAR SEVEN VISION SCREENING (and year 8 absentees)
The Vision Hearing Technicians from Population Health, Southern District Health will be visiting your school to screen all year seven students for distance vision as well as year 8 students that were absent the previous year.
Distance Vision (Amblyopia & Hyperopia)
This determines how well your child is able to see at a distance. It involves reading an eye chart.
(Not required if child wears glasses/ or is currently under care for their vision)
If you do not wish your child to be screened please fill out an opt-out slip, which are available at the school office before our visit.
YEAR 8 HPV VACCINATIONS
The first round of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination will take place on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 March. Please ensure that your child has a good breakfast beforehand. Any concerns, please speak to the Public Health South nurse, Pip McLean, 027 2839395.
HEALTH AND SAFETY - BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL
May I please remind students and parents of the need to be aware of keeping everyone safe around the campus, especially before and after school.
To this end, we are asking parents to please not drop your child(ren) off inside the college campus. We want to reduce the number of cars on campus to allow pedestrians to have the right of way. Students, please do not ride your bikes inside the campus, dismount as you enter and walk your bikes when inside the college. Also please be aware that you should not be riding on the footpath. We have noticed too many cyclists riding down the hill on Plantation Road causing a number of ‘near misses’ with cars turning into the campus.
Finally, I want everyone crossing Plantation Road to use the crossing where we will have a staff member on duty. We can make the crossing much safer for all parties if we have one crossing area only.
Thank you all for your consideration. Together we can make our campus and adjacent streets safer for everyone.