As you will be aware the  COVID-19 Public Health Response Order came into effect at 11.59pm on Monday 25 October.

This has considerable implications for us at Upper Moutere, as at all schools.

The advice that we have received from the Ministry of Education is that everyone who works or volunteers for our school who may have contact with children or students, or will be present at a time when children and students are also present must have had a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by 15 November and be fully vaccinated by 1 January 2022.

This also applies to:

* principals

* teachers

* relief teachers and casual staff

* administration staff

* caretakers and cleaners

* contractors and other tradespeople (if on site when children are around)

* service managers

* caregivers and other staff

 

The vaccination requirements apply wherever in person schooling occurs, such as on the school site, but also at school camps, swimming pools, museums, or where other education outside the classroom (EOTC) programmes take place.

This means that we are only allowed to allow people to help at school events with children if they have had at least their first dose by 16 November, and are fully vaccinated by 1 January 2022.

If you wish to be involved as a helper in any events after 16 November we will need to see evidence of your vaccination/s before that date. When school starts next year, we will need evidence of full vaccination by 1 January 2022 for any school helpers (or evidence of exemption).

Please note the requirements do not apply to people who are just visiting the school, such as for a Parent-Teacher meeting, Learning Celebrations, or a parent, whānau and community evening.

We realise that there will be plenty of questions. Please come and see us, it could be that we will not have answers right away.

All schools are in the same situation and  are working through various situations and scenarios. We will keep you up to date if requirements change.

Lastly we now ask that all adults entering our school site please wear a mask.

Thank you. We appreciate your support; these are very difficult times.

 

Kia kaha.

Ngā mihi,

Grant