Kia ora koutou,

Term Two, 2022 is upon us and we are looking forward to it.  We begin our term on Monday morning as a whole school in the Auditorium, something we have not done for a very long time.  It will be GREAT to be together again.  There will also be a Principal's assembly in the Auditorium on Friday afternoon at 2:20pm.  Family are welcome to come, please wear a mask inside the foyer and auditorium if you attend.

The Easter and ANZAC period were great times to reflect on the peace we have.  Peace first and foremost in our inner-most being through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Peace like no other, devoid of circumstance and not based on our performance, but His act of love.  
ANZAC then reminds us of the peace we have here in this beautiful region and the cost of this.  The ability to learn, grow and develop without the war and corruption some countries face.

                    'May our mountains ever be, freedom's ramparts on the sea'

Looking forward to a term of learning and growing in gratitude for what we have and what we have yet to attain.


COVID-19
Last term was an incredibly difficult one for many but we thank Jesus for His help through it.  The final five weeks of last term saw 1/3 of our students and close to a half of our staff suffer from COVID-19.  The peak of infections here at RVS was in Weeks 9 & 10, so we feel confident that we have seen the worst for now.  Thank you for your patience, communication and understanding through it.  There are a few changes now relating to COVID at RVS this term.

 - I have removed the COVID information page as most of it is no longer relevant apart from isolation times.  Your family must still isolate if someone contracts COVID in your household.  

 - As mentioned, school-related covid numbers are low compared to last term and our program will resume as close to normal as possible.  We will continue with our cleaning schedule and use sanitiser while the country is at Orange Level.

 - Masks are still recommended by the Ministry of Education.  We encourage their use in classrooms but they are no longer mandatory, apart from in the auditorium for assemblies.  Y5 and up (for those without an exemption) will still need to wear them in the auditorium as will parents who visit until further notice.

 - You are welcome in the classrooms in the mornings as we were used to before Red Level.  Please do not enter if you are unwell, and consider wearing a mask.  We do like parents visiting in the morning but please be gone from the classroom by the morning bell and if you are getting out of your car, do not park in a drop off zone. 

While on the car park, please do not let your children ride scooters or run in the pick up area after school.  We need your help to keep this area safe.

​Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences
We are looking forward to meeting and talking with you all over the next two weeks.  You can book these times online and the link was sent via the RVS News email.  Please book in.  These times where we meet are so important for our learning partnership.  

BoT Election
The Chairman of the Board Mr. Mike Ponder and I  wish to congratulate Mr Simon Green to the RVS BoT beginning this term.  Voter turnout for the election was good and all three members who stood received voter support.  We look forward to having Simon work with us as we continue to prayerfully consider the governance of RVS.

Staffing
I would like to welcome to the staff Susie Johnson as our new Office Manager starting mid Term 2.  As our school has grown, so have the demands on our administration and finance with 250% more to deal with than in 2017 to help paint the picture.  Maria will spend less time in the office and more time working with finance and supporting me. 
The short list for the role saw several top candidates.  Susie comes with huge skill and experience and we are excited to have her with us.  

Building work
As we continue to grow, more infrastructure is continually required.  The Ministry of Education does not fund capital works for state integrated schools like RVS.  The money for new buildings must come from the the proprietor, Elim.  The Blenheim Elim Church Trust borrow to build buildings for Richmond View School and charge attendance dues to cover these costs.  None of the attendance dues comes to the school.  
The quality of the buildings that Glenroy Housing are constructing are exceptional, and are VERY economic, both to build and to run thereafter.  I thank Phil Vile and his team for their amazing work.  Materials and timelines are particularly hard hit with COVID supply line issues so please continue to pray for our contractors and our proprietor as we continue building RVS.
At the moment we have our new Y0/1 classroom being built.  This will complete the buildings needed for our junior school.  A hallway has also been adda it the end of the A-block to connect the new class to the A-block toilets, also providing better fire egress and access to A-block without walking through a classroom.
We still plan to begin work on 'F' block, a 2.,5 classroom annex to the science lab before the end of the year.  This will be a Y11-13 space.  
I will hold an evening presentation at some point to update you all on next steps before too long.

God bless and see you soon,

​Dave Pauling
Principal

Kia ora Camp Parents

I am watching the situation regarding next week's camps closely, but wanted to hear your thoughts.  At the moment, COVID numbers are increasing, particularly in Auckland and other main centres.  There are good plans in place for students going on camps but some families still may feel nervous about the situation. 
We still feel cautiously confident about going and will only call off a camp if we feel there is localised school or campsite related risk.  RVS COVID information can be found HERE.

Below are two quick questions to help me get a better picture of how you are feeling as a community.  Please only fill this out if you are a Y5-10 or Y12 parent/caregiver.  If your child is going on more than one camp, please fill it out more than once.

Thanks for filling in the survey.

​Dave Pauling & Team

Kia ora RVS Community.

We are well underway here at RVS preparing for the new school year.  We are planning for another period of possible disruption and want to do the best we possibly can to see students safe, and learning no matter what comes.  I am most excited by the keenness in the RVS staff to do what it takes to see learning needs met in these uncertain times.

I am excited and VERY grateful to those who contributed to what is now a near finished court!  The RVS CREW and all those who contributed have made the dream a reality and it will be ready for students on day one.  Quality basketball/netball poles have been ordered and will be installed soon.  Mr Newton is seen here breaking it in...

We have also sealed the area by the chess board.  Looks GREAT!

Music Academy
Due to several factors, the RVS Music Academy will no longer be happening.  We apologise for any inconvenience.  I wish to thank Stephanie Ham particularly and all of those who have helped with this over the years.  I hope that we will be able to see a return of the Academy when the time is right.  

Covid-19 update
You will have heard in the media of the move to the red light setting and how this may relate to the school environment.  We wish to keep our staff and students safe even though we are aware that adding masks to school life will create some initial difficulties. 

​Information continues to come in and I will need to update you again as I receive more.  If you have questions or have significant concerns, please get in touch.  Rest assured, we will be doing all we can to mitigate illness in our school in order to function the best we can, for as long as we can knowing how important this is to livelihoods and our children's education.  

I request that you only enter school buildings if you need to and if you do, you scan in and wear a suitable mask.  It is also very important that:
 - If your child is sick they are kept home
 - If your child or anyone in your family tests positive for Covid, I am made aware as 
​    soon as possible
​
We will be continuing to sanatise and clean as suggested by the Ministry of Health in classes.  Drinking fountains are out of action so please ensure your child has a named drink bottle. 

We are asking for vaccine information via the office only to help us with our use of venues such as the Lines Stadium to help us plan.  At no point will students be excluded from education due to vaccine status.  We are pleased to see that camp venues are considered an extension of the school when used exclusively, meaning we continue to plan for camps to go ahead at this stage.  We will keep you updated.

God bless,  & don't panic, He has us in his hand.

​
D Pauling
Principal

The information below is directly from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education:
--------------------------------------

​Advice about face coverings in educational settings.

Masks can reduce the risk of infected people spreading COVID-19.
At the Red setting masks – rather than any other face coverings – must be worn when indoors from February 4, 2022, by students in years 4-13, and teachers. 
This includes any staff member working to provide, or support education in year 4 and above.
The mask must be attached to the head by loops around the ears or head to cover the nose and mouth properly.  
Teachers are required to wear a medical-grade masks such as the widely available blue disposable masks that many New Zealanders are already wearing.
Students year 4 and above are required to wear a mask including a well-fitting reusable fabric mask (3 layers are recommended) or a medical grade disposable mask.
There are a number of exemptions to wearing a mask including if you have to communicate with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing, or the person has a physical or mental health illness or condition or disability that makes wearing a face covering unsuitable.
Masks are not required to be worn in schools by staff or students, for years 1 – 3.
For children under six, public health recommend that the focus should be on getting children to cough and sneeze into their elbow, and wash and dry hands / hand hygiene.
Further information on requirements and exemptions: Unite Against COVID-19(external link)

FAQsCan children, young people or teachers wear masks at schools or early learning services if they wish to?
Yes. Any children, young people or teachers who wish to wear masks wrapped around the nose and mouth at schools or early learning services may do so if they want to. They are entitled to make this decision and should be supported to do so.
At Red, masks must be worn by ākonga receiving education in Years 4 and above and any staff member working to provide, or support the provision of, that education.
Masks are not required to be worn in schools by staff or students, for years 1 – 3.

Do all children and young people have to wear masks at schools or early learning services?
No. It is not mandatory for children and young people who are in early learning services or in school for years 1 – 3, to wear masks at any framework setting.
At Red, face coverings must be worn by ākonga receiving education in Years 4 and above and any staff member working to provide, or support the provision of, that education.
In all settings, other public health control measures should be in place, including children and staff staying home if they are sick, contact tracing records, and hygiene requirements.
Public health recommends that the focus for children under six is on getting children to cough and sneeze into their elbow, and wash and dry hands / hand hygiene.

Do all teachers have to wear masks at early learning services and schools?
No. It is not mandatory for teachers to wear masks who are in early learning services or in school for years 1 – 3, to wear masks at any alert level.
At Red, masks must be worn by ākonga receiving education in Years 4 and above and any staff member working to provide, or support the provision of, that education.
In all settings of the framework, other public health measures should be in place, including children and staff staying home if they are sick, contact tracing records, and hygiene requirements.

Do all children and young people need to wear masks on school transport, or transport provided by early learning services?
No. Currently it is not mandatory for children under year 4 to wear masks on school transport or early learning service transport. This includes buses or vans chartered or used by schools or early learning services to carry children, students and staff.
Children and young people in year 4 and above are required to wear masks on school and public transport.

Do all children and young people need to wear masks on public transport?
Children and young people in year 4 and above now also need to wear masks on public transport, as well as school transport.
​
Who is exempted from wearing masks on public transport?
Children in years 1-3 are not required to wear masks on public transport.
There are a number of other exemptions from having to wear a face covering on public transport. including for people with a physical or mental health illness or condition or disability that makes wearing a face covering unsuitable.

Kia ora Koutou RVS Community

We look forward to seeing you all back shortly!  I pray you have managed some memorable family time and are enjoying the kiwi summer.  2022 remains uncertain in regard to COVID related implications but we will keep you informed regarding offsite activities, such as camps, and any changes to onsite requirements as they become known.  As I write this, the guidelines remain the same as they did in the orange level at the end of last year. See HERE for more details.  Hebrews 6 speaks of Jesus being the hope that anchors our soul & brings security.  As Christian parents and staff in a Christian school, we can carry and exemplify that hope to our children  through Jesus in these uncertain times.  

I wanted to mention a couple of things as 2022 gets underway.  Firstly, I am excited to welcome the following staff to our team:

Mr Peter Olliver (Classics, Social Sciences, Christian Studies)

Mrs Jenny Olliver (English)

Mr Ryan Peters (Maths, Business Studies, Accounting)

Mrs Colleen Petaera (Y7&8)

Mrs Janet Guard (Music & English)

Mrs Cheryl West (Careers and Learning Pathways)

Amazing people to add to our already amazing, committed team.  I thank our Heavenly Father for bringing us the people He knows we need.  

Buildings
​There are four projects currently on the go here at RVS.
1 - The construction of the New Entrant (Kea & Koru) class, due to be finished by T2)

That's right, the Middle/Snr hard court has reached the threshold to go ahead.  The contractor has been advised and work will start as soon as they are ready.  This is great news!

Thank you first to our Heavenly Father for His provision, to all those who contributed to the project, huge appreciation. Also to the CREW for their contribution and to our proprietor, Elim Blenheim for their hard work and large contribution.  

The large hard court will be situated in the area to the south of the science lab and to the east of C block.

2022 will also see the construction of a beautiful new Y0-1 double classroom (beginning soon) and 'F block', an amazing new space for our Y11-13 students.

We are blessed,

Dave Pauling
​Principal

The Y10 Graduation Dinner has been brought forward to this week due to the implications relating to the Traffic Light restrictions.  Please see Mrs. Pigou's email for more.

May you and your families be blessed with the constant awareness of His goodness toward you in this time.  Christmas is a precious time as we remember the stunning lengths taken to connect us back to our loving Heavenly Father through Jesus.

God bless,

Dave Pauling
Principal

From the Secretary of Education:

​The Prime Minister has confirmed all of New Zealand will move onto the COVID-19 Protection Framework (CPF) at 11.59pm on Thursday 2 December.
The very good news for all schools is that there will be very little to no change needed for the remainder of 2021, regardless of which part of the country you’re in. (Level 2 rules will still apply at RVS)
Schools will retain their existing COVID-19 settings until the end of the 2021 calendar year, but guidance will recommend that schools outside of Auckland align their practices with the COVID-19 Protection Framework settings, which will come into effect for all schools from 1 January 2022.

New COVID-19 Protection (Traffic Light) Framework

Elimination and the alert levels have worked well, with New Zealand having the lowest numbers of cases and hospitalisations in the OECD. While controlled, Delta is in our communities and the strategy now focuses on minimising its impact.
 
With 85% of eligible New Zealanders now fully vaccinated, and by mid-December it is expected to be approximately 90%, this allows a careful reopening while continuing to protect New Zealanders.
 
This means that we don’t have to change the way we are operating classes this year and everyone can continue to attend school onsite.
 
For next year, we can confirm that everyone will be back onsite for learning from the start of the school year, regardless of what setting under the new Traffic Light Framework we will be in (Red/Orange/Green). This is good news and means we can plan for a great 2022.
 
Health measures in place at school
 
This year and next, health, safety and wellbeing will continue to be a priority for us and the same public health measures you are very familiar with will remain in place:

• good hygiene and cleaning
• contact tracing systems in place
• vaccination requirements for workers (paid and unpaid)
• if you are sick, you must stay home and get tested
• good ventilation.

 
And if we are at Red at any stage next year:

• face coverings will be required at school when indoors for students and staff in years 4 – 13
• we will ask that only essential visitors come onsite.

 
With all these measures in place, public health has confirmed the risk of infection remains low when at school, with households continuing to be where COVID-19 is spreading the most. As noted by Dr Caroline McElnay, Director of Public Health:
 
Our experience in New Zealand and overseas with COVID-19 shows that it does not affect children and teens in the same way it does adults. Children and teens don't become as unwell if they do get infected, and they don't tend to pass the virus on so much as adults when in a classroom setting.
 
Compared to other places, schools and early learning services are not environments where we have seen significant spread of COVID-19. Household members and work colleagues who are in close contact with people with COVID-19, are the most common sources of transmission.
 
However, if we do have someone confirmed with COVID-19 in our school, we have a plan in place to manage this and will contact you as soon as possible.
 
If you’d like to learn more about the framework visit COVID-19 Protection Framework.
 
Secretary for Education
Iona Holsted
​

Kia ora RVS Community,

As you will be aware, we are working through the vaccine mandate outcomes here at RVS.  Privacy rulings limit what I can say but I do wish to update you as the mandate comes into effect tomorrow.  

Many  of our staff have received the vaccine while a small percentage have chosen not to.  I know this is the case in many other schools across the country.  The situation is difficult and we have continued to do our best to support all people in our community while keeping the school in good stead.  We are a united bunch, even if we don't agree on every detail.
 
To the few staff not returning tomorrow, we pray for His provision for you and His blessing.  You are still a part of our community, albeit from a distance.  To those continuing on tomorrow, we pray also for continued blessing too.  

Regarding parents onsite and vaccination status.  Parents are still able to drop their children off at school regardless of status but should only stay for the 5-10 min standard turn-around time, should remember distancing rules, and should not enter the classroom.   We will update this as soon as any rulings change.

I encourage you to continue to keep in touch with your student's teachers however you can.  The isolation that COVID times can sometimes cause needn't be our story.  Even with the loss of some of our much loved traditional ways of connecting due to Level 2, we can utilise other means. 

I thank you for your ongoing support and let's keep going, our young people are worth it!

​God bless,

Dave Pauling
​Principal

We will be starting back next year on Thursday the 3rd of February.  Other 2022 Term dates can be found here - Term Dates 2022

So there is still much happening at RVS, even though it may sometimes feel like things have slowed or succumbed to the events around us.  We talk often as staff about the importance of each day, hour even minute when working with young people and schools are a place with so much life in them.  Stay in touch and God bless,

Dave Pauling
​Principal

Tēnā koutou katoa and welcome back to T4 RVS community.

​We are nearing the end of Week One, Term Four 2021 and surrounded by the continued uncertainty around Covid levels, mandates and other such concerns.  I am so very grateful for a sovereign Lord who is surprised by nothing, who is always good and who is faithful.

Please continue to observe Level 2 protocol here at RVS including distancing and continuing to drop students outside classrooms.  It is disappointing that the casual Talent Quest we are having tomorrow can't be attended by parents due to recommendations from the Ministry related to Covid, our school community gatherings are something I really miss.

End of Year Dates
The last day for Y0 to 10 students this year is Wednesday the 15th of December at 12:45pm.  If we are in level 1, or see a rule change on gatherings we will have a split prize-giving onsite.  If we are in Level 2, 3 or 4, we will not be holding a live prize-giving and I will keep you informed of what we will do instead. 
Due to our growing size, we will be splitting prize giving into a Junior (Y0-6) and a Middle & Senior prize-giving on two consecutive evenings.

Y0-6 Certificate and prize-giving (now combined) will be held on Monday 13th of December at 5:30pm
Y7-11  Prize giving will be held on Tuesday the 14th of December at 6:30pm (Y11 to attend)

We are awaiting other schools and the Community of Learning to confirm the first day for 2022.

Staffing
Logan Brown from Rm 6 will be moving to the middle school in Week 3 this term to teach Mathematics and Science.  His place will be taken by Cindy Russell, a wonderful, experienced teacher who moved to Blenheim recently from further south.  We are also advertising for several positions at the moment and I encourage you to pray for great teachers who love Jesus to join RVS.

Grounds
It was with huge excitement that the first Y0-2 students climbed the steps of the new playground on Monday.  I wish to thank our amazing RVS Support Crew for the amazing effort in making this happen.  Also to those who helped along the way, and there were many.  Congratulations!

Student Elections
We are looking forward to having one of our students join us on the BOT late this year.  As an area school, we have a position available for a student representative and voting closes on the 27th of October.  Only some students are eligible to stand for election and to vote. You can read about it here.

Special Character Review
We will be reviewing our Special Character delivery this term with the help of Mr Mark Larson.  Mark will be visiting us from Christchurch and is very experienced in Christian education and we are privileged to have him. He will work with proprietors, staff, the BOT and there is also be an opportunity for you to input too, via this survey.

We continue to move forward in the amazing grace and protection of our saviour.  It is never lost on me the immense privilege and responsibility that is raising young people to not just know but to love Christ.  Every day with our children is an important day for them.  Together is best by far, keep in touch with your teachers and reach out if you need it.  

God bless you all and I will be in touch again soon with an update about buildings amongst other things.


​Dave Pauling
Principal