Kia Ora all

I hope you are all safe and well in your bubble. A huge thank you for all the work that has gone into the first 10 days or so of lock down at Level 4. I can assure you the challenges we face are being faced by all schools across the country.

As yet we don’t know when Alert Levels may change, but are I am conscious that we need time to prepare for any changes in advance.  Already NCEA exams have been shifted to 2 weeks later and discussions are underway around the recognition credits that were awarded last year. Many sports events have been canned and we will have to look at our own list of school events to see whether they can proceed or not. 

Tuesday afternoon should sign post the next steps, to either stay at Level 4 or move down a level. There may also be changes to how schools are expected to operate under different Alert Level settings until after Cabinet meet and agree those settings. There are currently discussion’s around what a school might look like at Leve 3 and Level 2, that could be a little different to previous lockdowns. If that does occur, I’ll notify you as soon as possible.

I understand staff and students may feel uncomfortable or anxious about returning to the classroom given the nature of the Delta variant. It’s important to remember that throughout this pandemic the Government has taken a health-led, precautionary approach, so that if we move down Alert Levels it will only be if it is safe to do so and the settings will support good health and safe practice.

For information of current settings at Alert Level 3: You can find the current guidance here.

Also remember, any staff member must stay at home if (this applies to any level): 

• they are sick or generally unwell
• they need to self-isolate, as per Ministry of Health guidelines
• they are caring for dependents who need to self-isolate, as per Ministry of Health guidelines

I know there will also potentially be a lot of discussion around staff or students without vaccinations. There will be quite a few in our school community who are not vaccinated as yet, the system is currently working through to ensure everyone has a chance to be vaccinated. The discussion about people choosing not to be vaccinated is something the entire country is going to have to grapple with, there is no law saying you have to do so. 

From the Ministry of Education: Teachers and principals’ personal views on vaccinations
School leaders and teachers have a strong influence on learners and their understanding of the world because of the trusted position they hold.
As members of the public service, it is not appropriate for teachers, school leaders or board members to use their position to promote their personal views. Information provided by or approved by the Director General of Health is available for distribution.
While most teachers and school leaders understand and uphold this trusted position, we’ve heard that personal comments about COVID-19 vaccination are being posted on a small number of teachers’ social media.
Principals and teachers have the same right to make a choice about their COVID-19 vaccination as everybody else and vaccines will not be given to anyone without their consent. But although a discussion about different perspectives on vaccination may be valid in some contexts, an attempt to influence a learner’s decision about vaccination is likely to breach various aspects of the Code of Professional Responsibility.

Make sure you clock off early today and relax and enjoy the weekend! 

Ngā mihi nui
Dr Brian Evans
ONZM
BA, Dip Tch, MEd, PhD
Principal