As we head into the Summer break, we are busy planning for 2022 and another adjustment in our Covid response plan. The Covid protection framework (CPF or “traffic lights”) takes effect for all NZ schools from 1 January 2022.

This has significant implications for us, and below is an initial summary. Please note that all of our planning is based on comprehensive guidelines from the Ministry of Health & Ministry of Education.

We will continue to work on our plans over the break as more information comes to hand, and are deeply committed to running the school safely & doing our very best to protect each other.

🚦 What do the current CPF settings (Red / Orange / Green) mean for schools? 

The good news is that from 2022, all students will be able to return to school full time irrespective of what colour of the framework we are in.

Under all settings, schools remain open with the usual health & safety measures in effect. These include: staying home if unwell, wearing masks (Red level for students year 4+), good ventilation, regular hand washing and physical distancing.

We will provide more updates before we restart, but at this stage it is likely that we will move back to a 2.30pm finish for all classes.

🚦 What if there are some cases at school?

One of the biggest changes under the CPF is that schools will now be needed to support with contact tracing and communications.

The school will receive guidance and resources on how to manage an infectious case. It is unlikely we would need to close the whole school, should there be a positive case, however it may be considered if there was a high volume of cases.

The school will liaise with a designated person from the Ministries of Health & Education to risk assess and identify close, casual plus and casual contacts. There are comprehensive guidelines that we need to follow, and we will endeavour to work through this efficiently and accurately before communicating with you.

• Close and casual plus contacts will receive specific information related to self- isolation and testing dates
• Casual contacts would only need to watch for symptoms and if unwell get tested and stay home 

🚦 Do people need to be vaccinated?

As of end of December the Flagstaff community has a 93%+ double vaccination rate out of the eligible population and is amongst the highest rates in Hamilton.

School and support people who have contact with students are all fully vaccinated as part of the mandate.

Vaccinations for children aged 5 to 11 years old is currently being considered by Medsafe & Cabinet. This will potentially be available in January 2022.

Children under 12 years old can only be vaccinated with the consent of their parent or caregiver.