Kia ora e te whānau 

Once again, I'd like to express my gratitude for the seamless transition to online learning this week. Everyone has experienced significant disruption since the start of 2022, and disruption will continue over the next few weeks as the Omicron outbreak reaches its peak.

On Monday 7 March, we will return to onsite school. For those who are isolating, we will continue to conduct online lessons in the Google classroom.

This email is intended to inform you about what the Traffic Light Framework in Phase 3 means for schools and how we intend to address any difficulties that may arise until the variant peaks.

Key reminders regarding COVID-19 Omicron

• It is only confirmed cases and their household contacts who need to self-isolate.

• Everyone else, including those who may have had close contact with the case but aren’t in the household, must continue to monitor very closely for any symptoms of COVID-19.

• Rapid antigen tests (RATs) are now being used to diagnose COVID-19 as well as PCR tests. This means that you will get an almost immediate test result back if a RAT is used.

• If anyone in your family is confirmed as having COVID-19, you will be asked to notify your close contacts yourself. Please get in touch with us as soon as you can if your child has tested positive for COVID-19.

• Transmission of COVID-19 is still most likely to happen in your home – so please keep doing all those good things to keep your whānau safe. Wash your hands, get lots of fresh air, cover any coughs and sneezes, clean surfaces regularly, and seek advice if anyone is not feeling well. There is information online to help your family prepare to be isolated if you need to.

• It is essential that students wear their masks correctly and that if they are unwell they stay home. If students come to school with COVID symptoms, we will be contacting families and sending them to go home to recover.

Managing the anticipated peak in cases

We recognise that with the Phase 3 response to Omicron it is likely that we will see more cases in our school. We are committed to caring for the safety and wellbeing of our staff and student body within the limitations we have to work.

For the rest of the term while the virus peaks to be prepared for the possibility of a number of staff and students being away, starting on Tuesday 8 March we are going to have students having Ako@Home learning, for one day per week. 

These dates will be reviewed as we progress. 

You can read our guidelines for Ako@Home at this link.

Our plan is based on having a sustainable, practicable and proactive response.

It is sustainable because it will clarify for teachers and students what they can expect from each other. It also gives a clear framework for how teachers need to plan and deliver lessons. 

It is practicable because it means that we can offer flexibility in the case of staff shortages. By taking this approach, we hope to be able to keep the school running smoothly. 

We will begin this on Tuesday 8 March and we will keep you informed as to any changes to this plan or developments. 

Our plan will be discussed with students on Monday in all subject classes and in the Google Classroom.

Starting on Tuesday 8th March we are going to roster year levels will pivot to Ako@Home for one day per week until the end of term:

• Year 9 -   Mondays (starting Monday 14 March)

• Year 10 - Tuesdays (starting Tuesday 8 March)

• Year 11 - Wednesdays (starting Wednesday 9 March)

• Year 12 - Thursdays (starting Thursday 10 March)

• Year 13 - Fridays (starting Friday 4 March)

We will continue to offer supervised study for students who are rostered to learn at home but are unable to stay home. They can come to the Library to check in at 9am and we will have an allocated room for them to be in.

Finally, we know how hard the impacts of the Wellington Protest and COVID-19 have been for many families. If you know of a family in your community who is struggling, please encourage them to reach out for support for example to access food, medicine, or access financial support: Help is available.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact Jenny Caldwell (DP of Learning and Teaching) (jenny.caldwell@stmw.school.nz) in the first instance.

Be Mercy

Your Principal

Andrew Murray

Article added: Friday 04 March 2022