As we approach the inevitability of Omicron circulating in our community, I want to take you through potential scenarios during the Phase 1 stage of the red setting under the government's Covid Protection Framework. These scenarios are to assist you in your planning, and outline how the government requirements may overlay with school operations.

Scenario One: Student is identified as a positive case of COVID-19 

We will receive notification of the positive case at which time the student will be required to self-isolate for at least 14 days, and not return until they have been symptom free for 72 hours. If the student is well enough to learn from home, they will be supported to do so.

Close contacts - Our staff will work with the Ministry of Health to identify all close contacts of the student, who will be notified and required to self-isolate for 10 days (Phase 1), or seven days (Phases 2 and 3). These contacts are required to get tested on day 5 and day 8 of self-isolation. It is important to note that there is also a category ‘secondary contact’ who is defined as living in the same house as a close contact; these secondary contacts are required to stay at home until the close contact has returned a negative day 5 test.

Scenario Two: Teaching Staff require self isolation

Should a teaching staff member be required to self isolate because they are a positive case or close contact, they will be enabled to teach classes remotely to students on campus who will be supervised by another staff member. Should the staff member be unwell and unable to teach, a relief teacher will be provided as per usual protocol for staff who are sick.

Scenario Three: High staff case numbers or close contacts

Should we have a high number of staff self-isolating, either particular departments or the whole school may move to an online learning model. We are well prepared and have fine-tuned models for online learning, based on our experience during the lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, and staff are well prepared for this potential scenario. 

Other information

Our priority is to keep our students, staff and families safe, whilst remaining open for campus based learning. Key to this is the cooperation of all within our community to:

• Stay away from school and get tested as soon as any Covid-19 symptoms show
• Wear face masks (correctly) when indoors and when in close contact with others
• Maintain hygiene standards, and distance appropriately
• Use the NZ Covid Tracing App and signing in using QR codes.
• Avoid coming onto campus during school hours (for Parents and Caregivers)
• Support day students to bring their own snacks and lunches and avoid using the canteen. This is very important in managing contact tracing. 

It is highly likely the government will provide new information, systems and guidance as we move closer to Phase 2 and 3 of the Omicron outbreak. We will continue to update you as to what this means for our school, students, staff and families.