Update: Covid 19 Alert Level 2

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement, we are relieved to learn of the conditions under which schools in Taupo will stay open with increased health measures in place. Firstly, we are extremely mindful that this is not “business as usual”; staff and students are not returning from the weekend to the same sporting, cultural, or academic norms that we have enjoyed since July 2020. 

Tomorrow our senior management team will meet to rearrange college activities to minimise large gatherings and raise health precautions. Following our learnings from 2020, we are well-positioned to provide teaching and learning in a safe and clean environment, whilst minimising risk to our staff and students. 

We all have a role to play, please encourage your children to:

o   Physical distance where possible

o   Follow cough and sneeze etiquette 

o   Frequently sanitise and wash hands

o   Stay at home if they have Covid symptoms and seek medical advice

  College Photo’s (Tuesday 2 March) will be postponed until further notice 

        --Whanau Day will be postponed, and normal lessons will run on Wednesday 3 March

        --We will endeavour to facilitate Whanau day as soon as Alert levels decrease

        --Do not cancel your booking

        --A new Whanau Day date will be advertised when Alert levels decrease

        --You will have an opportunity to amend meeting times if required

        --Assemblies will not occur until further notice

∙       PE and sports activities will occur subject to handwashing before and after, cleaning of equipment between activities, and contact tracing of all groups.

Important considerations 

∙       School transport services will be running as normal. Additional hygiene measures can be taken to minimise the risk of transmission. Students can wear face masks, but this is not a requirement and we encourage frequent hand sanitising on entry and exit of classrooms.

∙       The canteen will operate during Level 2. This will be cashless where possible. Physical distancing will be monitored whilst students queue for the canteen. 

∙       Visitors: we would ask that where possible you communicate via email or phone; essential visitation should be through the front office only. The visitor’s register must be signed or QR codes used.

To summarise, the college will remain open under Alert Level 2, however, large gatherings and college events will be postponed (Photo day and Whanau day). Our high traffic areas will be regularly cleaned, and high touch surfaces will be disinfected. For further information, please see our website or visit the  Ministry of Health website, which continues to be the best source of information on Covid-19 for New Zealand.

Kindness, awareness, vigilance, and good hygiene practices continue to be our best protection.

Kind regards 

Peter Moyle