Kia ora koutou
Welcome to what feels like the start of winter today.
We are heading into the end of the term which means it is time for IEMs. If you haven’t already, please go to https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code/tb88k to book an IEM. For new families here is a link to guide that will help you make the booking School Interviews – whānau booking guide
Years 7 – 3: We will publish the Term Two course descriptors in the last week of term.
NCEA Support
We have a great section on our website called Leading My Learning. There are a range of resources to support SDL and your child’s learning. Within this section you will find information about the different requirements for the NCEA qualifications. If you are unsure about how your child gains their NCEA qualification then please contact the school, or go to this link NCEA at Ao Tawhiti
COVID Update
The Government has updated the framework of guidelines under the Traffic Light settings. Here is a link to the updated guidelines Updated guidelines for schools in the traffic light settings
Please note that the vaccination section will be updated at midnight on April 4th to reflect the removal of the vaccine mandate for staff and parent volunteers.
Case Numbers
Since I last updated you on Sunday 27 March we have had 14 students test positive.
We also had 3 staff members test positive, one Learning Advisor and two part time support staff.
| Year Level | Number of Cases |
| 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 0 |
| 3 | 0 |
| 4 | 0 |
| 5 | 1 |
| 6 | 0 |
| 7 | 4 |
| 8 | 0 |
| 9 | 2 |
| 10 | 4 |
| 11 | 2 |
| 12 | 0 |
| 13 | 0 |
Attendance
At Ao Tawhiti our on-site attendance over the last week increased from 64% to 72%, as students return from isolation and being unwell.
Our staff are also returning back to school and it is great to see people back on site. We will still be working with relievers next week, but your children should start to see the numbers of relievers decreasing.
Changing Symptoms
We have noticed a change in symptoms for younger children. This change in symptoms has also been reported by a number of primary schools. Children aren’t always presenting with cold symptoms, instead a high temperature, sore stomach, vomiting and headache seem to be common symptoms for younger children.
The updated guidelines around isolation are below.
Positive covid case – isolate for seven days from the onset of symptoms or positive test. Don’t come back to school until symptom free for 24 hours after the seven days.
No need to isolate again for 90 days after Covid infection – even if someone in the household gets covid.
Household contact – isolate for seven days from the onset of household contact’s symptoms or positive test. RAT test on day 3 and day 7. If tests are negative and the household contact is symptom free then they can return to school on day 8.
If as a household contact, the person has finished their period of seven days isolation they don’t need to return to isolation if a new case is identified in the household.
However – this only applies for ten days following the end of isolation. If there is a new confirmed case in a household ten days after leaving isolation – then that person must start a new period of seven days isolation.
Flow Charts to explain isolation rules
Here is the link for the learning from home packs Learning from home packs
We also have hard packs from the Ministry of Education and they are being stored at reception for parents to pick up. Thank you to Jean Serjeant for donating all these resources to the school.
RAT Tests
We have RAT tests available in the school. These tests are for staff and students who become symptomatic. If your child becomes symptomatic during the school day we will ring home and ask you to collect your child. We will give you RAT tests to take home with you. We will not be administering RAT tests at school. We also continue to have bulk quantities of masks, including the smaller masks for younger children.
Remember we now have a dedicated email address for any Covid related questions. Covid@aotawhiti.school.nz
Be in touch with me, or your Home Base Learning Advisor if you have any questions or need extra support.
Take care
Ngā mihi nui
Anita