COVID-19 Update

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:
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​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.