Dear Parents / Caregivers

Thank you for your support of the “mufti” day ‘Children of Ukraine’ gold coin collection. The children had a great day in their ‘weekend wear’ and through your generosity, we raised nearly $600.00 for the ‘Children of Ukraine’. We pray for peace in Ukraine and that children of conflicts throughout the world will experience life in peace soon.

This week we have Christine Smith and Philip Mahoney visiting our school on Monday and Tuesday. They are the Catholic Character Reviewers for the Catholic Education Office of the Auckland Diocese. 

Every four years Catholic schools are reviewed by reviewers from the Catholic Education Offices across NZ. They are reviewing on behalf of their Bishops. Each school has an Integration Agreement with the State. The key focus of this agreement is that the school’s Catholic Character is maintained.

We welcome Christine and Philip, and look forward to sharing the way in which we celebrate and maintain the Catholic Character of St Joseph’s.

Meanwhile, the Year 5 and 6 students had a great EOTC week recently. Please enjoy viewing some of their photos below.

The following topics will be covered in this weeks Principal Message:

• Mask Wearing
• Year 5 EOTC Week
• Year 6 Camp
• Beat the Bugs
• Health Curriculum Review

Ka manaakitia e te Atua

Alister Bridgman

Tumuaki

Yesterday a letter was sent to the parents of all Year 5/6 students informing them that wearing a mask is compulsory this week for their children, when in their learning spaces. Over the past four days we have seen an increase in the number of COVID cases following camp.

What we know is …

• This increase in cases in the Year 5/6 team is related to camp. The first batch of students became unwell and tested positive the first evening back from camp.
• The students at camp were in mixed groups – ie cabin groupings and activity groupings were made up of students from different HGs.
• The students who have become unwell and tested positive over the weekend were at school on Friday in their Year 5/6 HGs.
• The MOH has not informed us that people can’t get COVID a second time.
• We do not have information as to what variant any of our students have had nor who is vaccinated or not vaccinated.
• The best way to prevent spread is wearing of masks.
• The mask wearing expectation will stay in place until we are confident that students are no longer getting COVID as a direct result of the cases linked back to camp.

We continue to strongly encourage students in the Kakapo team to wear masks when they are in their learning space. We would appreciate parents asking their children in Year 3/4 to wear their mask in their learning space.

Thank you for your support of the mask wearing procedures we have in place to care for all students and their families.

Stay Alert! COVID-19 Will Still Be With Us This Winter

COVID-19 will still be in the community this winter so stay alert – even if you’ve had it before.

Remember these five important tips from Auckland Regional Public Health Service:

1.   Be vaccinated. Vaccination is the best protection against getting very sick from COVID-19. Everyone aged 5 or over can get free COVID-19 vaccinations. It doesn’t matter what your visa or citizenship status is.
2.   Keep up healthy habits: Healthy habits can protect you from lots of winter illnesses – not just COVID-19. They include washing and drying your hands well and often, wearing a mask (especially inside), and coughing/sneezing into a tissue or your elbow – not your hands.
3.   Be alert for symptoms: If you or anyone in your household has any cold or flu-like symptoms, stay at home and free-call Healthline: 0800 358 5453. They will tell you what to do, including how to get a test. Healthline is available 24/7, with interpreters available.

In an emergency (for example if someone is having difficulty breathing), immediately dial 111 for an ambulance. COVID-related medical care is free.

4.   Stay home if you live with someone with COVID-19: Everyone living in a household with someone who has COVID-19 needs to isolate for seven days – not just the person with COVID.  Please do not send your child in if they live with someone who has COVID-19, even if they are well.
5.   Check: is your whānau up-to-date? Now’s a good time to check that your whānau is protected against other diseases like measles, mumps, rubella and pertussis (whooping cough). With New Zealand’s borders re-opening, there’s a greater risk of serious diseases like measles arriving here. Talk to your doctor, or check your own health records (such as your Plunket or Well Child/Tamariki Ora book) to see if everyone’s up-to-date with their immunisations.

For more COVID-19 information and advice

Call:

• Healthline: 0800 358 5453 (a free, 24/7 service with interpreters available)

Or visit:

•   Unite against COVID                                     covid19.govt.nz
•   Auckland Regional Public Health Service       www.arphs.health.nz
•   Ministry of Health                                         www.health.govt.nz/covid-19
•   Northern Region Health Coordination Centre nrhcc.health.nz

We are currently reviewing the Health curriculum and we’re interested in the views of our parent community. Please click on the link below to read an overview of our Health Programme. Then respond with a yes or no as to whether you are happy with the programme. You are also welcome to make a comment. Health Curriculum Review .