COVID-19 Update
Update for parents / caregivers
17 April 2020
Dear Parents/Caregivers and Students
I am very mindful at this time of not wanting to overload you with unnecessary information.
However, there are a few important things that I think you do need to be aware of so you can start planning for the weeks ahead.
I have listed these important points below:
Nuts & Bolts
Review of remote teaching:
• At this stage, teachers have now delivered remote lessons for 5 days: two last term and three this week. So, we are now able to collect some good data and see some patterns emerging.
• Overall, we are pleased with the way remote teaching/learning is progressing. Attendance rates are very high, students are engaging with and respecting the on-line format and teachers and students are becoming more fluent with the on-line tools.
• There have been a few minor issues for some students regarding management/access to technology and connectivity, but we are working to resolve these issues and are in touch with those students. However, if you are experiencing any issues that we are not are of or require further support, please contact Mr Pribis m.pribis@roncall.school.nz.
Looking ahead:
• Yesterday the Prime Minister announced some details about what work, and life will look like as we move through different alert levels. Currently, we remain at Level 4.
• Under Alert Level 3, schools will be open for students up to and including year 10. However, attendance will be optional depending on family circumstances. The Prime Minister has made it clear that students and teachers who are able to, should remain home for safety reasons.
• Busses may not be in operation, so this could impact on students who travel into Timaru.
• On Monday April 20, the government will announce the date that NZ will shift to level 3. But schools will not be reopening immediately as we will need time to prepare the site and coordinate logistics and supervision.
• If schools are to open on 29 April, as foreshadowed by the Minister of Education last week, the College will develop a comprehensive plan which I will send at a later date, once all the details are officially announced.
• Prior to the opening of the College we will personally phone each family of junior students to find out your circumstances and intentions so we can plan accordingly.
• Senior students will continue with remote learning (however, we will look at ways of providing further opportunities for support and guidance).
I understand that many of you may have questions about how Level 3 might work and how it may impact on your family and on the education of students.
The reality is that schools will need time to work through this and we will need to get further clarification on some aspects from the Ministry of Education.
Be assured however, that as soon as we have a comprehensive, workable plan, the details will be communicated to you as soon as possible.
I appreciate the on-going support that we continue to receive from the Roncalli Community and our Board of Trustees. I believe that the College is well placed to manage this crisis and will be able to adapt and respond to the challenges ahead.
Finally, the well-being of our community remains our top priority and we welcome your feedback and will try our best to respond to requests for support.
Kia Kaha
8 April 2020
Dear Parents/Caregivers and Students
I hope that you are all well and managing these challenging times the best that you can. I imagine that for some, the isolation and concentrated family time has been pleasant. While for others, it has been quite difficult, stressful and unsettling for a number of reasons. The reality is, we all must contend with different circumstances and challenges, and we need to support one another in this time of crisis.
Therefore, I am sending this letter earlier than normal so that families have the time to adequately plan and prepare for the start of term 2, which begins (remotely) on Wednesday, 15 April at 10am. I am aware that in many households there are several family members (or bubble members) working from home which adds complications in terms of access to technology, internet use, workspace and family routines. This applies to our staff as well.
Please be assured that our first priority is to support all our families, and we will do all we can to ensure your well-being as well as students continuity of learning. To help us get a clear picture of your particular circumstances, you will have received a survey via email and will also be receiving a personal, confidential phone call from a staff member prior to the start of the term. We will use all this information to develop a plan, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, for those families needing support or additional resources.
What you need to know for the start of term 2 - The nuts & bolts
1. Classes will begin on 15 April at 10 am with a ‘Zoom’ meeting with your period 1 teacher. Students can log into their Edge portal to find their remote learning schedule.
2. The new, condensed schedule will look like this: Period ON-LINE TIME
Period-5 from 10.00am - 12.30pm
Students are encouraged to take a break, have lunch, remove themselves from the screen, go outside.
Self Study
1:30 pm onwards - This time is for students to complete tasks given in the morning sessions and study time. Tasks will be assigned by teachers and given through google classroom. Students can email teachers with questions and/or save them for the online session the next day.
Extra Help
1:30-2:30 pm - Teachers will be available for email consultation if students have questions.
3. Zoom classes are compulsory for students to attend during their timetabled class even if the teacher runs a short Zoom to take attendance and set work. This is our virtual face-to-face way of monitoring students. Attendance will be recorded by the teacher.
If a student does not have internet or the bandwidth to accommodate the Zoom meetings it is understandable that they cannot join in and this will not disadvantage them. We are currently working with the Ministry of Education to get materials to those students in hard copy form.
4. NCEA update - The school is currently following MOE and NZQA guidelines regarding NCEA during this time. Staff and students will be notified as information is received. I urge senior students not to panic or stress as every student in the country is in the same boat. Rather, use your time wisely and efficiently to manage what is within your control.
5. Well-being information - At present, we are fortunate to have two professional counsellors working remotely with our students.
These counsellors can be contacted directly on the email addresses below:
Katrina Stanley, Clinical Psychologist - katsugrue@hotmail.com
Christine MacFarlane, NZAC Counsellor - chris@mindfulme.nz
Our Director of Well-being, Ellen Walsh (e.walsh@roncalli.school.nz), is also available for advice and can recommend other community support agencies.
Unfortunately, I do not know for sure how long remote learning will continue or what the definitive plan is for NCEA, this is still being worked out at Government level. Nor, do I know when school trips and sporting/cultural activities will resume. However, I can assure you that I will communicate this information to you just as soon as I receive official confirmation.
While the current Covid-19 crisis presents challenges for all of us, I am hopeful that it will encourage us to re-think our traditional delivery model of education and look to a more personalised and flexible approach. I am amazed at how well our staff and students have responded and adapted so far, and I am hopeful that these innovations will continue. To some extent, there is no going back. We must hold on to what is useful in education but also be prepared to adapt to meet the needs of our current students and our community.
I wish you all a happy Easter holiday and I look forward to the start of term 2.
Kia Kaha
23 March
Dear Parents/Caregivers
By now you will all have heard the stark news announced by the Prime Minister that the Covid-19 alert status has been lifted from level two to level three and will lift to level four in 48 hours.
This means that:
People will be required to stay at home
Schools will close
Businesses (except for essential services) will close
Supplies will be rationed, and facilities will be requisitioned
Health care services will be prioritised
What does this mean for Roncalli College?
Although we will technically be open tomorrow, I advise students to remain at home possible, to begin isolation. Those requiring equipment and/or supplies should come to school to get them asap. If a student is dependent on a bus to get to school to collect equipment, we will be able to supervise them on Tuesday only.
Staff will be at school Tuesday and Wednesday to organise themselves to begin teaching remotely. We have been preparing for this scenario and I am confident we are well positioned to do this.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the school will be officially closed as per order of the government. That means no staff or students will be permitted on-site.
We have designated staff who will be contacting all families personally to assess how things are going and what additional support may be needed. I am aware that school is only one small piece of a much larger puzzle for families and we need to be flexible and compassionate.
We will be sending information/videos about how you can support students with remote learning. We will also provide students with updates about NCEA as they emerge.
Holidays will be brought forward but still need to clarify details with MOE.
I appreciate that this will be a hugely stressful time for all in our community as we are called upon to make some significant sacrifices. Please contact the school office if you have any further queries or need some additional support or guidance. Our over-riding focus at this time is to ensure the well-being of all in our community.
Chris Comeau
Principal
20 March 2020
Dear Parents and Caregivers
One of our strengths at Roncalli College is our ability to come together, ironically in this time of uncertainty, we are being asked to stay apart when we want to draw on this strength. Roncalli will be operating business as usual to the best of our ability while following the guidelines set forth by the Ministries of Health and Education.
We have found that there is a lot of misinformation being spread on social media platforms. Parents are urged to visit https://covid19.govt.nz/ for up to date reliable information.
Students have been asking “What will happen if school closes?”. Our response is although the buildings may close, we will not stop teaching and learning. While we don’t know if schools will be closed, we feel it is prudent to have a plan in place. Staff have been developing methods to continue teaching and learning from a distance in the event that school does close.
Some aspects of the plan important to you as a parent include:
- In the case of a school closure, classes will continue for students at their normally scheduled time.
- Students will be expected to be available online during their class times if possible, in your household. Roll will be taken.
- Roncalli C.A.R.E.S values will continue to be part of what we do and who we are.
- Check-ins with House Groups will continue. We will continue to take care of each other.
What can you do to prepare or if school does move to the home?
- Have a space in your home where your student can do schoolwork. This preferably would be in a public space of the home and not in students’ bedrooms.
- Keep a normal school schedule for your student. Most kids thrive in environments with routines and consistent expectations.
Students will not attend school on Monday 23 March and Junior Conferencing will now take the form of comments in Attitude Towards Learning Reports which will be available online through the Edge Portal (Parents can access the Parent Portal through the College Website, to access the portal, log in using your account eg gmail or yahoo using the credentials you currently use. If you need assistance, please contact Sandy in the office s.richards@roncalli.school.nz).
Staff will have a short online class on Monday with their students at a time designated in their classroom. Please assist us by ensuring your student is available to be online at the teacher appointed time on Monday.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact Mr Pribis m.pribis@roncalli.school.nz).
16 March 2020
Dear Parents / Caregivers
The Government announced yesterday that New Zealand is stepping up its pandemic response plan. This means that as a result of increased Covid-19 cases overseas, New Zealand's borders have been tightened in an attempt to stop the virus spreading here. Those entering the country must self-isolate for 14 days.
Roncalli College, along with all other schools, is taking direction from the Ministry of Health, the District Health Board and the Ministry of Education. We have been advised that at this stage there is no reason for alarm and that schools will continue to remain open for instruction. However, we must be vigilant to mitigate risks to ensure the well-being of all those in our school community. As a result, we are currently reviewing school trips where students may come into contact with large groups or with overseas tourists. The Roncalli College Senior Management Team has put together a comprehensive pandemic plan to ensure that systems are in place to cope with the potential challenges ahead, including plans for on-line learning programmes.
What can you do? The most important thing you can do as parents and caregivers is reinforce healthy messages:
- Teach your student the importance of hand washing and drying - especially before meals and after toileting. We recommend your student have a personal hygiene kit at school (with hand sanitiser, personal wipes and tissues). While we have a limited supply available to students, it is best practice for them to have their own.
- Teach your student to use a disposable tissue when coughing or sneezing.
- We ask that all students exhibiting flu-like symptoms be kept home until cleared by a doctor or nurse to return. The symptoms of influenza are included with this letter but are only intended as a rough guide.
- Please make sure that if your contact details have changed that you have notified the College office.
The Board of Trustees and Management Team are working closely with staff to ensure that all students are in a safe and healthy environment.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the College office. Thank you.
Below is some information from the Ministry of Health
Check the Ministry of Health for the latest information.
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a type of coronavirus. There are simple steps you can take to protect you and your family/whānau.
Symptoms
The symptoms of COVID-19 are:
- a cough
- a high temperature (at least 38°C)
- shortness of breath.
These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have COVID-19. The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.
Shortness of breath is a sign of possible pneumonia and requires immediate medical attention.
We don’t yet know how long symptoms take to show after a person has been infected, but current World Health Organization assessments suggest that it is 2–10 days.
If you have these symptoms and have recently been to a country or area of concern, or have been in close contact with someone confirmed with COVID-19, please telephone Healthline (for free) on 0800 358 5453 or your doctor immediately.
How it spreads
COVID-19, like the flu, can be spread from person to person. When a person who has COVID-19 coughs, sneezes or talks, they may spread droplets containing the virus a short distance, which quickly settle on surrounding surfaces.
You may get infected by the virus if you touch those surfaces or objects and then touch your mouth, nose or eyes.
That’s why it’s really important to use good hygiene, regularly wash and thoroughly dry your hands, and use good cough etiquette.
Prevention – how to protect yourself and others
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow or by covering your mouth and nose with tissues.
- Put used tissues in the bin or a bag immediately.
- Wash your hands with soap and water often (for at least 20 seconds).
- Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
- Avoid personal contact, such as kissing, sharing cups or food with sick people.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs.
- Stay home if you feel unwell.
- Call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 if you have any symptoms and have been to any countries or territories of concern or have been in close contact with someone confirmed with COVID-19.
What to do if you may have been exposed
People returning from any country except those listed in Category 2, or who may have been exposed to COVID-19, are self-isolating to keep their communities safe.
- If you returned from any country in the last 14 days, then you should self-isolate for 14 days from the date of departure.
- If you have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 you should self-isolate for 14 days from the date of close contact.
We know from other outbreaks that self-isolation is effective, and most people are good at keeping themselves – and others – safe and well. To find out more, see our Self-isolation resource.
More information for contacts of cases in New Zealand is available at Contact tracing for COVID-19.
Dedicated Healthline 0800 number for COVID-19 health advice and information
The number is 0800 358 5453 (or for international SIMs +64 9 358 5453).
It is free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
People calling that line will be able to talk with a member of the National Telehealth Service. They have access to interpreters.
You should call that dedicated number:
- to register if you have self-isolated yourself
- for any coronavirus health advice and information and any questions you have about coronavirus, self-isolation etc.
Healthline’s main number is still the one to call for non-coronavirus health concerns – 0800 611 116.
Whichever number you call, you will get professional health advice and information.
Treatment
Currently, there is no specific treatment for coronavirus, but medical care can treat most of the symptoms.
Immunisation
As this is a new virus, there is currently no vaccine available. Researchers are in the early stages of developing one.
Travelling to affected countries
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing the latest advice for travellers on the Safe Travel website.
More information
For more information see:
Our social media:
- Facebook page: @minhealthnz
- Twitter channel @minhealthnz
We will be using these channels to alert people to key updates and messaging specifically about COVID-19.