Yesterday afternoon, the Prime Minister announced that New Zealand will move into Alert Level 2 from 11.59pm on Wednesday 13 May. That means from Thursday Alert Level 2 criteria apply.

Schools will have until Monday 18 May to get ready for receiving all returning tamariki back on site.

I'm sure you will join me in celebrating the return to some normality as of this week for some and next Monday 18th May for others. The staff are definitely keen to be back supporting our tamariki in their learning and will be working hard on Thursday and Friday to prepare. 

Here are the main points for kura:

• We are expecting all staff and ākonga back in Level Two.

• The only exception to this is those who are sick, if you are sick - please stay home!

• There will not be strict physical distancing, rather it is encouraged to distance where possible and we will focus on good hygiene practices, regular cleaning, and giving everyone “breathing space”.

• PPE is not required for staff or ākonga on site.

Physical Distancing – Physical distancing is a good precaution to prevent the spread of disease. In an Alert level 2 school environment, this means tamariki and staff maintaining a physical distance so that they are not breathing on or touching each other, coupled with good hygiene practices (coughing into your elbow, handwashing and drying) and regular cleaning of commonly touched surfaces. There are situations where physical distancing is not possible, such as some sporting activities. In these situations extra emphasis on handwashing and drying (or cleansing with hand sanitiser) before and after activities and regular cleaning of equipment is very important.

Mass gatherings – educational facilities are not considered mass gatherings because they are managed environments. This means there are no restrictions on numbers of people indoors or outside at schools and early learning services other than what other public health or health and safety measures require.

Sports and playgrounds – school playgrounds, sports equipment use and activities can resume. Contact sports can resume. There are no restrictions on groups of children mixing with others on site. Kaimahi are not restricted to one group.

We will have hand sanitiser in every room, contact tracing registers for all visitors, soap and hand towels in bathrooms and our cleaners will be vigilant in their requirements also. 

Kaimahi, parents and children may well be anxious about returning and that is something we will manage kindly. Wellbeing is our first priority in planning for everyone's return and we are looking at how we do this. 

Organisation for the first day back on Monday 18th May will be release this Friday the 15th of May. Until then, please take care and enjoy the next few days of being with your bubble. 

Mel :)