Covid-19 virus

Good morning parents and caregivers

We have sent a lot of Ministry advice via our school App and now I am sending you some information from the school

1. The school will continue to be open for classes and assessments unless we receive advice from the government
2. There is no immediate indication that NZ schools will be closing at present
3. If our school closes, our hostel will also send its boarders home
4. As long as students and staff are feeling well, they should come to school
5. If your sons are unwell please keep them at home and advise us as per normal procedure
6. Whether you choose for your son to remain at home as a preventative measure without symptoms is your prerogative
7. If your son has a medical issue – especially a respiratory one – you may wish to take a conservative stance and keep him at home.  If you decide to do this, please let the school know why
8. As a significant adult in their lives, please reassure your sons.  Do this also in regard to safe practices and the monitoring that health services are doing in order to decide whether schools should remain open
9. Remind yourself and your sons to do these things here and at home:
   1. Wash and dry your hands well
   2. Use soap and dry hands well
   3. Do not share food or drinks
   4. Sneeze into the elbow
   5. Keep physical contact with other people to a minimum
   6. Do not make jokes about others who might be carrying the virus.  That is not something you can determine and could be very hurtful and cause rumour and panic
   7. Other advice has been sent to you by App
10. We are keeping a steady supply of soap in toilets and disinfecting drinking fountains several times a day
11. If the school does have to close, students are not permitted to come to school.  Instead, work will be sent to them through their Google Classroom account
12. The Gala and the senior Colours ceremony have been postponed.  Many national events have also been cancelled or postponed.  We shall not be having whole school assemblies, nor the upcoming parent interviews.  Overnight events are also banned.  Any scheduled school excursions will communicate their plans directly to you.
13. The secondary students’ cross country here on Wednesday is still going ahead
14. Pray that we may all have the thoughtfulness to consider the safety of others

Wishing you good health in these trying times

Martin Chamberlain - Principal

Article added: Tuesday 17 March 2020