RVS COVID-19 Information Page
Last Updated - 4/5/2022
New info in Green text
It is very important in the first instance that if your child is unwell, they do not attend school. If your child is symptomatic, please have them tested and inform the school.
There is now a general downward trend regarding COVID in students and staff at RVS. Over one third of RVS staff and students have now had, and recovered from COVID over the last three weeks. The last two weeks have been particularly difficult as 16 staff members have been affected. I am proud of the way the staff have handled the difficulties, many of whom are still feeling fatigued.
As I write this, most students are at school and well, as are most of the staff. I am advised that the peak for Marlborough may well be mid April so we will continue to be vigilant.
Thank you to the Y11 & 12 students and families who had to work from home last week due to staff shortages.
Thank you, RVS Community for working with us through a difficult time. While there will be more cases related to our school, I am quietly confident we are through the worst part of the peak here at RVS, particularly in the Jnr school. We look forward to parent/teacher/student conferences next term and the two weeks we have now before Easter to continue teaching and learning, particularly around ANZAC and Easter themes.
We have had several syndicate assemblies in the Auditorium now and it is GREAT to back in that space. We will resume Friday assemblies next term as well as other inside meetings.
Please keep us informed, as you have been regarding illness and absence.
For now, God bless.
Dave Pauling
Principal
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This page will continually be updated so please keep an eye on it. Much of this information is given to us by the Ministry of Education with a small amount of contextualising by us for the RVS context.
The most up-to-date information relating to the pandemic can be found on the government website HERE.
There is now a general downward trend regarding COVID in students and staff at RVS. Over one third of RVS staff and students have now had, and recovered from COVID over the last three weeks. The last two weeks have been particularly difficult as 16 staff members have been affected. I am proud of the way the staff have handled the difficulties, many of whom are still feeling fatigued.
As I write this, most students are at school and well, as are most of the staff. I am advised that the peak for Marlborough may well be mid April so we will continue to be vigilant.
Thank you to the Y11 & 12 students and families who had to work from home last week due to staff shortages.
Thank you, RVS Community for working with us through a difficult time. While there will be more cases related to our school, I am quietly confident we are through the worst part of the peak here at RVS, particularly in the Jnr school. We look forward to parent/teacher/student conferences next term and the two weeks we have now before Easter to continue teaching and learning, particularly around ANZAC and Easter themes.
We have had several syndicate assemblies in the Auditorium now and it is GREAT to back in that space. We will resume Friday assemblies next term as well as other inside meetings.
Please keep us informed, as you have been regarding illness and absence.
For now, God bless.
Dave Pauling
Principal
----------------------------------------------
This page will continually be updated so please keep an eye on it. Much of this information is given to us by the Ministry of Education with a small amount of contextualising by us for the RVS context.
The most up-to-date information relating to the pandemic can be found on the government website HERE.
If There is a Case of COVID
It is very important in the first instance that if your child is unwell, they do not attend school.
If you child becomes unwell at school, you will be called and the student will wait in the foyer for to be picked up. We have spoken about, and will be very careful with how we deal with possible cases, mask wearing. It is very important to us that no one is ostracised or feels shamed in any way. Please join us in being careful how we share information about others during this time.
In the case of an infection at RVS, we have been asked to get in touch with our regional contact person to let them know that we have a confirmed case. At this stage in the public health response, students who have Covid, are awaiting a test, are symptomatic,
We will only close the school in extreme circumstances and this will only occur in consultation with Health authorities or in discussion with the Director of Education.
If you are notified as a family that someone has COVID, please contact the office at office@rvs.school.nz
If you child becomes unwell at school, you will be called and the student will wait in the foyer for to be picked up. We have spoken about, and will be very careful with how we deal with possible cases, mask wearing. It is very important to us that no one is ostracised or feels shamed in any way. Please join us in being careful how we share information about others during this time.
In the case of an infection at RVS, we have been asked to get in touch with our regional contact person to let them know that we have a confirmed case. At this stage in the public health response, students who have Covid, are awaiting a test, are symptomatic,
We will only close the school in extreme circumstances and this will only occur in consultation with Health authorities or in discussion with the Director of Education.
If you are notified as a family that someone has COVID, please contact the office at office@rvs.school.nz
Below is the health notice regarding student or staff cases that are confirmed at RVS
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Kia ora RVS Community
The health and wellbeing of our children, staff and community is a top priority.
We’re sending this letter as there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in Room______________
What you need to do
- Continue to attend school if you have no symptoms
- You and your whānau should continue to watch for symptoms
- If any develop, get tested immediately
- Then, stay at home until you receive the result - inform the school.
- If anyone in your immediate family tests positive for COVID-19, your family must isolate for 10 days Inform the school.
What we’re doing
- Richmond View School will stay open
- We have appropriate public health measures and cleaning procedures in place
- Mask wearing
- Distancing
- Ventilation of classes
- A new or worsening cough
- Sneezing and runny nose
- A fever
- Temporary loss of smell or altered sense of taste
- Sore throat
- Shortness of breath
For more information, go to https://covid19.govt.nz/health-and-wellbeing/about-covid-19/covid-19-symptoms
COVID-19 Vaccination
There has been concern that students will be COVID vaccinated here onsite without parent consent after a few incidents of this around the country. I can assure you that this will not happen under my watch here at RVS. I wish our school to remain a place parents feel safe sending their students to. RVS has always seen parents as the first carers and educators of their children and thus it is important to us that parents make these pertinent decisions. Please get in touch if you have questions regarding this.
Testing
If you or your child shows symptoms of COVID, please get a test, particularly if they have been at school. (Click HERE for more regarding symptoms)
Our goal as a school through a significant outbreak is to:
(If none or few staff are isolating or ill)
- Remain open, teaching and learning onsite
(Some to a third of staff isolating or ill)
- Remain open, some teaching and learning onsite but with some online learning
- Remain open, with a collapsed timetable with students learning online facilitated by staff
(A third or more of staff isolating or ill)
- Remain open with online learning if at all possible
- Remain open for some students and not for others (possible rolling timetable)
- The school is closed and online learning of some capacity happens from home (Worst case scenario and will only happen if the Ministry of health or Education advise this).
The staff, as they were last year, are ready to move to a different mode of learning at any point and our digital platforms help us with this. I commend the staff on their commitment to student learning and to being ready for what could be a tricky little while ahead.
Our goal as a school through a significant outbreak is to:
(If none or few staff are isolating or ill)
- Remain open, teaching and learning onsite
(Some to a third of staff isolating or ill)
- Remain open, some teaching and learning onsite but with some online learning
- Remain open, with a collapsed timetable with students learning online facilitated by staff
(A third or more of staff isolating or ill)
- Remain open with online learning if at all possible
- Remain open for some students and not for others (possible rolling timetable)
- The school is closed and online learning of some capacity happens from home (Worst case scenario and will only happen if the Ministry of health or Education advise this).
The staff, as they were last year, are ready to move to a different mode of learning at any point and our digital platforms help us with this. I commend the staff on their commitment to student learning and to being ready for what could be a tricky little while ahead.
Masks
At the Red setting plain masks – rather than any other face coverings – must be worn when indoors from February 4, 2022, by students in years 5-13, and teachers. (RVS Y5 and above rather than Y4 due to composite Y3/4 classes)
This includes any staff member working to provide, or support education in year 5 and above.
The (plain coloured (any colour) or medical) 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 5 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 – 4 at RVS.
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: HERE
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 5 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 – 4 at RVS.
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 – 4, to wear masks at any alert level.
At Red, masks must be worn by ākonga receiving education in Years 5 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.
This includes any staff member working to provide, or support education in year 5 and above.
The (plain coloured (any colour) or medical) 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 5 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 – 4 at RVS.
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: HERE
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 5 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 – 4 at RVS.
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 – 4, to wear masks at any alert level.
At Red, masks must be worn by ākonga receiving education in Years 5 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.
Parent/Caregiver Contact on Site
I request that you only enter school buildings if you are wearing a mask unless you have an exemption.
Safety Measures Taken Onsite
Below is a list of the precautions we are taking to mitigate any spread of COVID at RVS.
1 - Mask wearing by both staff and students Y5 and above indoors
2 - Surface cleaning at least twice daily
3 - Sanitiser stations in every classroom and office area
4 - Students seated at tables, distanced from other tables as per a class plan to minimise prolonged contact with all students in the class. If there is a case, there will be less likelihood of a whole class needing to isolate.
5 - Our classes will be well ventilated
1 - Mask wearing by both staff and students Y5 and above indoors
2 - Surface cleaning at least twice daily
3 - Sanitiser stations in every classroom and office area
4 - Students seated at tables, distanced from other tables as per a class plan to minimise prolonged contact with all students in the class. If there is a case, there will be less likelihood of a whole class needing to isolate.
5 - Our classes will be well ventilated