‍COVID-19 Update

Thank you for keeping your students home if they are not well. Please be assured that we are following all guidelines issued to us from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health regarding correct procedures and processes. Please continue to focus on prevention of spread, including:

- Washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds and drying thoroughly

- Covering coughs and sneezes with clean tissues or with an elbow

- Putting used tissues in the bin.

Our Librarian, Rosalie, also wanted me to point out the following to you. The protective measures that we have taken in the school library are:

- When books are returned they will be quarantined for 5 days before being processed.

- Book covers are cleaned with antiseptic wipes as part of the “return”process

- All surfaces in the library are being cleaned regularly.

We are also trying to promote the use of our eLibrary and the EPIC databases.

I have cancelled school assemblies for the next two weeks.  And we are discouraging unnecessary physical contact (e.g. hugs, handshakes and hongi).

I am aware that some parents have concerns about their children attending school at the moment, some of which may be due to what is being seen in the media about what is happening in other countries.  At the moment school is safe.  Please keep sending your well students to school so as they can continue their learning.

We are monitoring students who have been travelling overseas.  Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, has today announced the following:

“If you arrived before those border restrictions, seeing out the balance of your 14 days of self-isolation is the sensible, safest and best thing you can do for the community around you”.

I will update you should anything change.

Janette Melrose

Tumuaki, Wainuiomata High School

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