Contents
Introduction p2
Vaccination p5
Health & Safety p5
Mask Indoors and Outdoors p6
Stay Home If Sick p7
Use Basic Hygiene p7
Cleaning and Disinfection p8
Improve Ventilation p8
Transportation p9
Physical Distancing & Grouping p9
E.O.T.C p10
Contact Tracing Plan p11
Infectious Case Response Plan p12
Resources p13
Introduction
To our Wainui School community,
At the beginning of 2021, we had a short Covid-19 related disruption to the school year. Upon reflection, the silver lining meant it afforded us the opportunity to stocktake our preparedness for Distance Learning and make appropriate plans for our community.
Parents/caregivers. You have played such an important role in supporting your children and our school during lockdowns – thank you so much for your efforts and please know we understand how truly challenging it has been. A colossal collective effort went in on many different levels. In partnership, we have achieved a lot. It has been tough but we should also remember to celebrate the fact children never stop learning – There have been many joyous moments to celebrate together.
Now, with the summer holidays over and with Omicron in some parts of the community we are preparing for another pivot. As guided by the Ministry of Health [MoH] and Ministry of Education [MoE], we will provide education under the RED setting of the new Covid Protection Framework [CPF]. Our staff is well prepared to deliver face-to-face learning or should the need arise, learning through Distance.
When we all return to school, Wainui School community will come together again, and by following the public health recommendations we’ll all do our very best to protect each other.
We are equipped with a greater knowledge of how to run the school safely and we are committed to doing our part to protect our most vulnerable. With this in mind, we would like to share this safety plan with you, as we follow public health recommendations. As the situation with Omicron evolves we will be adaptive and update this document. Keeping our children, families, and selves safe will require conscientious effort and this safety plan sets the expectations for how we will move forward together.
Vaccination
At this point, the best way to protect ourselves and each other from severe infection is to get vaccinated. Parents and caregivers now have the opportunity to protect their tamariki aged 5 – 11 against Covid-19 by being immunised with a paediatric formulation of the vaccine. We encourage students aged 5-12 and above to get vaccinated. All workers in school, paid and unpaid, have had two doses by 1 January 2022 and as mandated are receiving boosters.
Health and Safety Strategies
Wainui School follows the health guidelines [MoH] with clear procedures to enable us to operate safely and reduce the spread of Covid-19. These include staying home if unwell, wearing masks, good ventilation, regular hand washing, and physical distancing. We ask that any staff member, caregiver or child who feels even mildly unwell stay home. Anyone who becomes unwell during the day will be sent home. Please ensure the school has up-to-date emergency contact details.
Under the RED settings, no non-essential visitors are on site. We understand this may be anxiety-provoking for parents and caregivers, especially if you have young or new students at our school. Measures are being organised and created to address this. Specific information will be sent out soon detailing processes for how we might connect and support any concerns.
Schedule
Schools remain open at all levels of the CPF framework ‘traffic light’ system. In extreme situations we will have plans we would share accordingly should we have to deliver remote teaching. Under ‘Red’ school is open for face-to-face instruction. However, if you haven’t already and your child has high and complex health needs please contact Jason Irvine, [email protected] Special Education needs Coordinator, SENCO, or Gillian Bray, gbray@wainui.school.nz principal to discuss learning and support options.
Vaccination
School and support people who have contact with students are mandated by the MoH to be fully vaccinated by 2 January 2022 and to have their booster shots. Only a small number (less than 100 people in New Zealand) qualify for a vaccine exemption. Parents and caregivers are required to be vaccinated if they are undertaking work at our school, including voluntary work, garden to table, camp, etc and may have contact or be present at a time when children and students are also present.
Health & Safety
Over the past 6 months, scientists, public health officials, and school leaders have learned a lot about what risk mitigation strategies have been most effective in reducing the spread of Covid-19. We are guided by the MoH and MoE and acknowledge that as conditions change such as the Omicron variant being in N.Z so can the guidelines. The Wainui School Leadership Team will continue to update the community as we act in response.
Protecting Our Vulnerable Children with complex medical needs
RED Setting
Seek advice from health professionals and work with the school to develop a plan to support attendance on site should it be appropriate. Key Liaison staff: SENCO Jason Irvine, [email protected]
ORANGE Setting
Children are encouraged to take additional precautions when leaving home. Caregivers and children can work with the school to help develop a plan to support attendance at school.
GREEN Setting
As above.
Masks Indoors and Outdoors
In general, masks should be worn whenever you can. Masks, not face coverings are acceptable at the RED setting. With the Omicron variant, the government now recommends that masks be medical grade (e.g a Type IIR/level 2 mask or above). In some situations there are exemptions. Please inform Wainui school if you obtain an exemption.
RED Setting
- At school, all staff to wear a recommended medical-grade mask (see above) when indoors in close contact with others outdoors
- Mask wearing occurs indoors or when in close contact with others outdoors
- Year 4 students and up must wear a mask (unless a medical exemption is provided)..
- Years 1-3 students masks are encouraged
- Eating outdoors is encouraged when practical.
- We will have a supply of masks available should anyone forget/need one
- Public and school transport require face coverings to be worn. This will be extended to Years 4 and up from February the 3rd, 2022.
ORANGE Setting
- Masks are encouraged indoors at school
- Masks are required on school transport for those aged 12 and up. This may be extended to Years 4 and up. To be advised.
GREEN Setting
- Masks are encouraged but not required.
Stay Home If You Are Sick
Play it safe. Stay home if you’re feeling unwell even if it is mild. Don’t come to school and keep unwell children home from school or early childhood education.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, get a test and remain at home until a negative result is received and they are symptom-free for 24 hours.
- Staff will observe children on arrival, checking for symptoms. Those who present as unwell will be taken by a teacher to an outdoor area close to their classroom. Teachers will notify the school office and /or principal. The office will contact the parents/ caregivers to pick up the child. ( usual prof these
- If a student becomes unwell at school, they will be taken by their teacher to an outdoor area. The teacher will notify the office staff to come and pick the child up and discuss where that place will be and notify the parents/ caregivers.
- If a teacher becomes unwell at school they will self isolate until we can arrange safe transport for them home if needed.
- If a child or staff member has been unwell, stay home and get tested. We require them to stay home for at least 24 hours after their symptoms have gone, then they can return to school.
If a staff member is unwell, follow the advice of your GP or Healthline and notify [email protected] of the result of a Covid-19 assessment/test.
See below for the Covid-19 exposure-response plan
Use Basic Hygiene
Wash Hands
Washing hands has been a good strategy in maintaining a healthy
environment.
To promote good practice we will teach good handwashing technique:
- Wash your hands with soap and water often (for at least 20 seconds) and dry thoroughly. Use an alcohol-based sanitiser and rub hands together if soap and water are unavailable.
– Encourage hand washing before and after eating, and after going to the bathroom – Encourage hand washing before and after outdoor play
– Each LC will have hand washing supplies, and hand sanitising stations will be available throughout the school
- Coughing or sneezing into your elbow or covering your mouth and nose with tissues. Put them in a bin immediately.
- Avoid touching your face, including your eyes, nose, or mouth if your hands are not clean. Surfaces may have infectious droplets.
Cleaning and Disinfection
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 has a fragile outer membrane so it only survives on surfaces for a limited amount of time, and it is easy to kill through effective cleaning and disinfection using regular cleaning and disinfecting products.
Daily routine cleaning is managed by Clean As A Whistle to keep the Learning spaces clean and healthy however in Learning spaces additional cleaning will take place throughout the day in particular for surfaces touched more during the day and managed by staff.
- Clean surfaces regularly. Including items frequently touched like door handles, phones & devices. Learning spaces will have access to detergents and disinfectants.
- Surfaces are kept clean and children will be taught to understand and follow good basic hygiene practices. Posters will be displayed throughout the school.
- Should there be a high-risk situation (suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19) we would follow MoH guidelines and wait as long as possible before engaging our professional cleaners to conduct a thorough clean and disinfection process of all concerned surfaces. We are no longer required to do a whole school deep clean given what is now known about the virus.
Improve Ventilation
Our school learning spaces all have air conditioning units throughout. They are all regularly maintained and monitored by our Caretaker. Please note air conditioners do not recirculate the air, this will be managed by ensuring all classes have fresh air flowing through using the doors and windows.
The MoE is distributing CO2 monitors to all state schools from the start of term as part of a classroom self-assessment process from which we will take action.
During elevated times of Covid transmission, we are aware that being outdoors is better. We are recommending that teachers plan to use school outdoor spaces and our local environment. We will continue to evaluate risk around the community and balance this in our decision-making.
Additional measures we might take to increase the circulation of airflow:
- In all buildings – open windows to increase fresh airflow
- Prop doors open to promote cross air breeze
Transportation
Our school community travels to school by private vehicle or bus with one or two families able to walk/ cycle.
Public and School Transportation
- Mask wearing on school transport will align with public transport requirements
- Under red alert levels, masks are to be worn on school transport for all students from year 4 and upwards.
Physical Distancing & Groupings
The virus that causes COVID-19 is mostly spread in particles that escape from an infected person’s mouth or nose when they breathe, speak, cough, sneeze or sing.
The risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 increases the closer you are to a person and the longer you are close to that person. The risk is highest in crowded and poorly ventilated indoor spaces, and is lower outside, where there are fewer people, and when you are further away from others. To avoid infection, follow physical social distancing guidelines – by keeping your distance when outside your home.
RED Setting
- Students will be grouped in their classes and will mix within their teams. This will ensure we can keep to the 100 grouping number. There is no requirement to socially distance as there has been in their class groups.
- Large groups of students will not be brought together indoors
- Pickups and drops will occur as always ensuring we minimize the intermingling of the team groups.
DROP OFFs: please continue the practice of drop and go as much as you can. The principal / DP and a second staff member will be at drop off every morning to support.
PICK up:
Years 5-8 will be from the lower field “ little BUSh road “ car park
Years,1.2, 3.4. will be at the main roundabout pick-up area.
Please, be patient around this time it does take a little longer
- Whenever possible groups will not intermingle. Protocols will be in place for staggered finish times alongside differing break times.
New Entrants will be leaving at 2:30 pm from the main drop off area.
ORANGE Setting
- Staff can work across more than one group
- Staff such as music teachers and relief teachers can work across more than one school
E.O.T.C
With careful planning, education outside the classroom can go ahead in the RED setting. Curriculum-related services will be able to be provided under a number of conditions:
- Staff delivering the service are vaccinated
- The activity is in a defined space
Further guidance is being developed.
Contact Tracing Plan
Record your movements. If cases of COVID-19 are confirmed, we need to stop the spread. Keeping a record of your movements helps the Ministry of Health to do contact tracing quickly and efficiently. Contact tracing and case management will continue to be very important with contacts being identified, self-isolating, and getting tested.
The NZ COVID Tracer is a Ministry of Health app that supports fast and efficient contact tracing by creating a digital diary of the places you visit. HPP has our QR codes displayed prominently on our main entrances/exits and all staff and essential people on-site need to sign in.
In addition to scanning into the school:
- All staff or support staff members on-site need to sign in at the main reception desk.
- Staff are required to keep an accurate attendance register of students in attendance at school • Staff when personal contact details change ensure the administration is updated
- Parents and caregivers when your contact details change, please email [email protected] or phone 09 420 5127 to update your details
Where hand hygiene, physical distancing, student and staff vaccination and good ventilation has been in place the risk of COVID-19 transmission in school settings is considered low. We will focus on our protocols and maintain vigilance as part of keeping everyone safe. From international evidence, we know the greatest risk is adult-adult, and adult-child transmission but this is significantly reduced in settings where vaccination is high and our other safety measures are in place.
Infectious Case Response Plan
The school will receive guidance and resources on how to manage an infectious case. It is unlikely we would need to close the whole school, should there be a positive case, however, it may be considered if there was a high volume of cases.
The school will liaise with a designated person from the MoE and/or the MoH to risk assess and identify close, casual plus, and casual contacts. Emails & letters will be sent to those contacts by the Senior Leadership Team. Additionally, NITC will call those contacts directly with further advice.
The timeliness of our ability to work through the steps below will be determined by a conscientious effort to follow protocol. Contact details, especially emails and phone numbers, need to be up to date within our school system.
Contact Tracing Process
| Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 |
| A covid case is identified in school either from
– Our MoE Point of Contact – The individual or their family – A GP or other Health Professional |
The school will liaise with our MoE liaison
person |
A risk
assessment will take place and we will identify close, casual plus and casual contacts |
The contacts lists will be
shared by the school with the official MoH investigations/ contact tracing departments |
Emails will be sent from the school to close, casual plus and casual contacts | Contacts will
get called directly by the MoH investigation/ contacts department |
Specific information will be shared in the emails to all our community however in summary [MoE & MoH]:
- Close and casual plus contacts will receive specific information related to self-isolation and testing dates
- Casual contacts would only need to watch for symptoms and if unwell get tested and stay home
High-Risk Situation
Cleaning Thorough clean and disinfection process will take place managed by Clean As A Whistle. See more information above.
Resources
Ministry of Health Latest Updates and Advice on Covid-19 https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/
Ministry of Health Vaccinations https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines/
Ministry of Health Vaccination data by Suburb https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-levels-and-updates/covid-19-data-and-statistics/covid-19-vaccination-rates-around-new-zealand/
Ministry of Health Alert Levels https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-health-advice-public/health-and-disability-servicesdifferent-alert-levels/
Ministry of Health Mental Health and Wellbeing https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases–and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-health-advice-public/covid-19-mentalhealth-and-wellbeing-resources/
Ministry of Health Covid-19 Advice for Higher Risk People https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-information-specific-audiences/covid-19-advice-higher-risk-people/
Ministry of Health Advice for Parents https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and–conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-information-specific-audiences/covid-19-information-parents/
Ministry of Health Data and Statistics https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and–conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-data-and-statistics/
Kids Health Supporting Children https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/resources-help-explain-covid-19-children/
Ministry of Education Supporting Children During Lockdown https://parents.education.govt.nz/essential-information/covid-19-information-for-parents-and-whanau/lockdown-tips-with-drhinemoa-elder-and-nathan-wallis/
Ministry of Education Information for Parents https://parents.education.govt.nz/essentialinformation/covid-19-information-for-parents-and-whanau/
