COVID-19 Vaccination Order
At Pāpāmoa College, we are committed to ensuring that all of our people remain safe from COVID-19, and that we operate in accordance with the regulations and guidance provided by the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education.
Below is some important information regarding measures being taken to protect our school community.
COVID-19 Vaccination Order
On 25 October 2021, the COVID-19 Vaccination Order came into effect.
This order requires that anyone who works in a school and who will have contact with children or will be present at a time when children and students are also present, must have had their first COVID-19 vaccination on or before 15 November 2021, and be fully vaccinated on or before 1 January 2022
This includes teachers, principals, relief teachers, casual staff, administration staff, caretakers, cleaners, contractors and other tradespeople, service managers, caregivers and other staff. It also includes unpaid workers, such as volunteers, coaches, managers and any members of the community who are regularly on-site during a time when children and students may be present.
This means that all staff and personnel who enter the campus and work directly with students or might come into contact with students must be vaccinated as per the COVID-19 Vaccination Order.
This will include any personnel who visit campus regularly or on a one-off basis. Any personnel who will work directly with students or come into contact with students and are off campus while on school business and/or any learning activity, must also comply with the COVID-19 Vaccination Order.
This does not include Parents, Caregivers and Whanau of students.
It is a requirement that the school maintain a vaccination register for all staff. The school will also keep a register of other personnel that will enter the campus and work directly with students or might come into contact with students.
Parents/ Caregivers and Whanau visiting campus
Parents/ Caregivers and Whanau do not have to be vaccinated if they wish to visit the campus for the purposes of an appointment.
The normal school sign-in process at Reception will continue for all visitors. It is also important for visitors to follow any current health restrictions and regulations that are in place at the time.
Unfortunately, Parents/ Caregivers and Whanau visiting the school, will not be able to move throughout the campus freely during the day when students are present.
Because we have some very vulnerable students on campus, there may be some additional health and safety measures we will introduce - especially with the location of meetings and how visitors move through the campus.
Coaches, Managers, in-class supporters, trip helpers, transporters, etc
All such personnel will be required to be vaccinated or have been issued with a relevant exemption before they enter the campus and work directly with students or come into contact with students. This will also apply when working directly with students or coming into contact with students off-campus, when on school business and/or any learning activity.
Vaccination details will be required to be recorded on the school Vaccination Register.
If this applies to you, your school contact staff member will be in communication with you and provide you with details on what will be required. For example: If you are a Coach or Manager of a school sports team, the Director of Sport will contact you. Feel free to contact them directly should you have any questions.
Normal school on Tuesday 16 November
With the Covid 19 Vaccination mandate coming into effect on Monday 15 November there may be some Pāpāmoa College staff that will not meet the requirements and therefore may not be able to work on campus.
We have been working with and supporting those staff members that may be affected by this situation. The vaccination mandate requires staff to be vaccinated in order to work on the school campus but the decision to be vaccinated is an individual one. We acknowledge that for some Pāpāmoa College staff and members of the Pāpāmoa community, this situation is difficult and upsetting.
We can assure you that school for students from Tuesday 16 November onwards will be as per normal. If there are going to be changes to what would normally occur we will keep you well informed.
Please feel free to contact the school should you have any questions regarding any of the above information.