Under the Red Traffic Light structure, staff and students are required to wear a mask in class. This is alongside the other protections in place, such as the hygiene rules well established now, spacing and the changes to assembly structures. All of our staff are also fully vaccinated.

I quote from the latest Ministry of Education Bulletin (27 January 2022) regarding Face Masks:

'There is strong evidence that the correct use of masks decreases the risk of Omicron transmission, and that some types of masks are more effective than others in decreasing risk.

The Government has therefore strengthened the requirements and recommendations for use of masks.

Children, young people and visitors
Whenever masks are required to be worn (for example, by Year 4-13 students when indoors at school, at supermarkets, retails stores, cafes, public transport, school transport) they must be the type that attaches to the head either through an ear loop or a head loop.

Bandanas, scarves or t-shirts pulled up over the mouth and nose are no longer acceptable to be used in the settings which require masks to be worn.'

The cloth style masks, such as the ones sold by the school, are acceptable to be worn, so are ones that you have at home. We reserve the right to not allow a student to wear a mask where it is offensive or does not meet our school values. For instance any mask designed to be in a 'Halloween style', drug, alcohol or other anti-social organisation are not acceptable. In those cases a temporary (1 day mask) will be issued and the student will be required to source a more suitable one to return to class the next day. 

In regards to enforcement, again I quote from the same Ministry of Education Bulletin:

'You will also have some children and young people simply not wanting to follow the rules (which are a legal requirement).

If the person has an exemption card or a letter from their medical practitioner or health provider, or you have agreed that mask wearing is not practicable, they can be supported to not wear a mask.

For any child or young person who is failing to comply with the legal requirement, and who is not exempted, you will be able to apply or agree your own school policies to manage this behaviour, in the same way you might enforce sun hat and sunblock rules, uniform rules, etc.'

Keeping everyone, students and staff safe is a primary concern for us. We thank you in advance for your support.