An update from our Principal Scott Haines.

Kia ora koutou,

A big thanks to our parent community for all your messages of support as we have worked through our first cases of COVID-19 in the school community.

Since receiving the news of our first confirmed case of COVID-19 on Thursday last week, our number of COVID positive cases now sits at 20. In addition, a number of students and staff are isolating as household contacts.  

I am very proud of the calm and responsible way in which our students are engaging with the practices that we have put in place to minimise the spread of COVID-19. These mitigations appear to be serving us very well. 

Ventilation and School Uniform

Well ventilated classrooms are an important tool in preventing the spread of COVID-19. As we head into Autumn and the days become cooler students are encouraged to bring additional layers of appropriate school uniform to wear in the classroom.  If your teen doesn't yet have their winter uniform sorted now is the time to get this underway. Check out our school uniform page on the Waimea College website for more information. 

Part of our planning to help keep us all safe on campus included a recent visit from Dr Guy Coulson, an Air Quality Scientist from NIWA. Dr Coulson shared a short Facebook video that NIWA have made to demonstrate the benefits of face masks and ventilation.

If your Teen or a member of your household tests positive for COVID-19

Please continue to inform us immediately if your student tests positive for COVID-19. Contact can be made via email to inspire@waimea.school.nz or by phoning 544 6099.

Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 or lives with a positive case must self-isolate from others for 10 days to help stop the spread of the virus.

Start counting your 10 days from day 0. Day 0 is the day that your symptoms started or the day that you were tested if you do not have any symptoms. See HERE for more information.

Review the Ministry of Health’s advice for people with COVID-19. 

School Continuity Plan

Over the coming days and weeks there may be times when teachers are working from home but students are in school, or when some students are working online from home while others are in class.

Our School Continuity Plan will guide our likely response if the COVID-19 outbreak impacts on our ability to maintain our usual timetable. 

Other Updates

Please check out the other articles in this update for news about:

• Changes to requirements for school activities,
• Frequently Asked Questions about Phase 3 - previously published but updated,
• Online Distance Learning,
  
• Meet and Greet Webinars for Year 9 & 10 Parents and Caregivers. 
  
• Upcoming Roadworks on Salisbury Road.

Stay safe,

Scott Haines

Principal