March 20, 2020
Good afternoon,
We are currently in unprecedented times as together we try to slow the spread and minimise the impact of COVID-19 on our community.
The measures put in place by the Government – and by many of our workplaces – are having a significant impact on our community and the way in which we live. There is also significant speculation and rumour about what measures will be implemented next, which we know has the potential to create uncertainty and fear.
As a Board, we are committed to being open and transparent. Alister, and our Senior Leadership team, are doing an exceptional job of ensuring that they are providing regular updates to our community as new information comes to hand. As we know more – so will you.
Currently, the advice from the Ministry of Health (as of March 20) is that there are 39 diagnosed cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand. 28 of these cases have been linked to overseas travel and the MOH is currently investigating whether all of the new cases announced today (11 new cases) are also linked to overseas travel.
The Ministry of Education’s (MOE) current advice is that schools are to remain open at this point. Neither the Board or Principal has the power to decide a school will close – this decision sits with the Medical Officers of Health.
A summary of the guidance that the Ministry of Education has provided today in relation to the protocols in place for schools dealing with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 is as follows:
Risk Level 1
Situation/trigger – When a student or staff member has no symptons but has close contact with a confirmed case (eg. within their household) and there is no community transmission
Response – The Ministry will implement a track and trace programme as a precaution
Risk Level 2
Situation/trigger – When a student or staff member has symptons and close contact with a confirmed case or tests positive, but there is no community transmission
Response – The Ministry will advise to close the school temporarily (for at least 72-hours) to enable contact tracing and tracking
Risk Level 3a
Situation / trigger – When there is a small number of unrelated local cases in the community (but not in the school) in one geographical area and possible (but not confirmed) community transmission
Response – The Ministry will advise to increase physical distancing and encourage those who are vulnerable to stay at home
Risk Level 3b
Situation/trigger – When there are cases from multiple families in the same school and possible (but bot confirmed) community transmissions
Response – The Ministry will order a 14 day closure of the school
Risk Level 4
Situation/trigger – When there is confirmed community transmission in a contained geographical area
Response – The Ministry will order that all schools in a geographical area will be closed for at least 14 days
Risk Level 5
Situation/trigger – Community transmission on a national level
Response – The ministry will order all schools to be closed for an initial 14 day period, with continued review every 14 days wuntil Public Health advises to reopen
Currently, our school has not yet even reached ‘Level one.’ If there is a confirmed case in our school, or in our school community we will be immediately advised of this and the Ministries will work with our school and local health authorities to implement a plan, based on the above protocols.
In response to these protocols, our senior team is developing a comprehensive contingency plan. This plan is designed first and foremost to ensure we have measures in place to try and keep our children safe and secondly, to support our children in their learning (whether this takes place at home or at school).
All our team are doing a phenomenal job at implementing the safety, hygiene and physical distance measures suggested by the MOH and MOE, of reassuring our children when they have concerns and of maintaining our regular teaching programme. We would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to all of our teachers and support staff for their efforts.
We would also like to thank those families who have returned from overseas for taking the appropriate measures in accordance with the MOH guidelines.
We would ask that everyone continues to be vigilant about keeping their children at home if they are unwell and that you follow the Governments rules regarding self-isolation and physical distancing. If you are unsure of these rules, please visit www.covid-19.govt.nz, which is an excellent resource.
If you have any concerns regarding yours or your family’s health, please contact Healthline or your GP. Healthline’s number is: 0800 358 5453.
We are blessed to have a strong community here at St. Joseph’s and we ask that everyone continues to look out for each other. As mentioned above, we will continue to provide updates as and when further information comes to hand. In the interim, if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Alister at any time.
St. Joseph’s Catholic School Takapuna Board