Kia ora, Parents & Caregivers

I hope this message finds you in good health as our wider community deals with the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases. The College is experiencing a spike in Omicron cases so we would like to provide an update on how we will be managing this along with our plans for the last three weeks of term. At this time our thoughts are also with our families in the Gisborne area, as they cope with severe weather and flooding that resulted in the Gisborne District Council declaring a state of emergency.

Covid-19 Cases at the College

There are currently 72 students away from school after testing positive for COVID-19. In total, 114 students have tested positive since the beginning of the term, with 42 now recovered and returned to school following isolation. These numbers mirror what we are seeing in other secondary schools and in particular those with boarding houses.

This week we have 9 teaching and 3 administration staff isolating due to being either household contacts or testing positive with COVID-19. Two members of our boarding staff are currently isolating, and their duties and responsibilities are being managed by other boarding staff and Senior Leadership. Mrs Kennedy and her team are doing a superb job in the Medical Centre, providing short term care for symptomatic students, and communicating with caregivers and staff.

Whilst fluctuating numbers of students at school is something we can manage relatively easily with the mix of face to face and remote learning, increased numbers of staff absences present more of a challenge. This week’s spike in positive cases has meant we are stretched with staffing, but an excellent relief team along with a dedicated staff who are covering extra classes is seeing us through what we hope is the peak period of Omicron.

Daily Schedule until end of Term 1

To support our staff members with the increased workload they are experiencing, we will be changing our daily timings to match our regular Tuesday/Thursday schedule. The removal of our afternoon tutor groups, chapels, assemblies and year level meetings along with an earlier finish time of 3.00pm every day will provide staff with a little more time to support isolating students’ online work, along with their regular teaching and co-curricular responsibilities.

We appreciate your understanding of this pragmatic change under the current circumstances and trust you can rearrange your own family schedules to support the College. We will review this change prior to the beginning of Term 2, based on the number of Omicron cases we are dealing with at the College. We are in contact with our internal and external transport providers so that they are aware of these changes.

Government’s Announcement Wednesday 23 March

Yesterday’s press conference from the Prime Minister did not include any changes that impact significantly on the daily lives of our students. We remain at the Red setting of the Covid Protection Framework and this means that mask wearing and physical distancing are still required indoors. The impending removal of vaccine passes will eliminate previous barriers to co-curricular involvement for students and spectators. Isolation rules for Covid-19 cases and household contacts remain in place.

Communications with Students and Caregivers

We have been doing our very best to make swift contact with students and caregivers whenever students become close contacts of positive cases. This has mainly been related to hostel shared accommodation and the College dining room. Contact has been made via phone for roommates and via email for other contacts.

Given the increased spread of cases in our own community and the fact that many caregivers and students have received multiple notifications about being a close contact, we feel it is appropriate to scale back our levels of communication. Going forward, only those living closely to positive cases in the hostel will receive email communication. Phone calls will still be made to caregivers of positive cases for the time being, to check in and make sure isolation rules are clear. All other students should continue to follow safe health practices and monitor for symptoms.

If your son is sick and/or are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19, please keep him at home. Continue to send all emails and queries about COVID-19 matters to covidresponse@lindisfarne.school.nz. This includes emails to the College about when your son is isolating as a positive case, a household contact or when you are keeping him at home as a precautionary measure.

Isolating Students’ engagement with schoolwork

If your son is isolating as a positive case or close contact, please ensure that he checks the Schoology online platform for work that has been uploaded by his teachers. If your son is well enough to complete his Schoology activities, these must be done each day so that he does not fall behind in his work. Please contact your son’s teachers or year level dean with any queries about the online work.

I trust this message provides you with a helpful update as we work through this current phase of the Omicron outbreak in our community. Please do not hesitate to contact the College if you have any questions or concerns.

Ngā mihi

Stuart Hakeney
RECTOR

Article added: Friday 25 March 2022