Kia ora RVS Whanau,

It was great to hear yesterday's announcement regarding all but Auckland returning to Level 1 from last night (Monday 21st @ 11:59pm).

Here is what Level 1 at RVS will look like:
 - The QR codes will remain and we encourage you to continue to use them in case of another case in our community.
 We will continue to:
       - wash surfaces twice daily
       - encourage good hand washing 
       - request that all sick students stay at home
       - provide sanitiser in classrooms for those who wish to use it

There are no longer restrictions on gatherings so assemblies will return to normal next Term.  More information regarding Level 1 can be found here: Level1NZ

Thank you for your ongoing support of the protocols during the different Covid-19 levels.  

God bless,

​
Dave Pauling
Principal

Kia ora RVS,

First day of spring 2020!  It has been lovely feeling the warmth in the sun over the last couple of day, let alone the warmth of The Son...  God is always at work in us and I am humbled as I see His handiwork in our students on a daily basis.  It has been a difficult winter but He has remained faithful and I am very grateful for that.

As you are aware, we are still in Alert Level 2.  Please continue to scan the QR codes set up at the entrance of the school if you come onsite.  Please also keep ill students at home.  

The Middle School Production Esther is showing next week.  This may well still be Level 2 meaning we are limited to 100 non school staff or students.  See the Ministry of Education's directive below:

School plays
Again, the rules for gatherings apply to plays and performances at Alert Level 2. If you keep the cast and backstage crew separate from the audience for the duration of the event, you can have up to 100 people in your audience (10 in Auckland). In other words on stage and back stage is one defined space, and the seating out front is another defined space. MOE

This means we now require you to book your tickets through the school office by calling, emailing office@rvs.school.nz or by popping in.  Spaces are available for all 4 sessions but please book.  This way we can monitor numbers in order to comply with the regulations.  Spaces will fill quickly.  We will also endeavour to film the show for those who are unable to make it.

Buildings
We look forward to the imminent start of building on the North-East corner of the property.  The area will be fenced off for safety and access for builders will be the same as last time, near the driveway entrance.  Many safety measures will be in place to keep students safe during construction.  More information on the exciting new building will follow soon.  Doug Clark can be seen below installing power, comms and water to the new site.  Doug volunteers a huge amount of time and how much we appreciate his contribution can not be understated.

Ngā mihi


Dave Pauling
​Principal

Kia ora RVS Community,

Thank you for your quick response to the survey I put out last week.  There have been over 90 responses and some excellent feedback.  I have looked closely at the responses and with the BOT, have made some decisions.

Firstly, I have below the results from the survey to give you an idea of the general thinking around camps:

Given the response, both Y5/6 and Y9/10 camps will go ahead this year.  There will be no Y7/8 camp this year.

While we can no longer charge camp fees as a compulsory payment, we can request that you strongly consider contributing as much towards the full amount as possible.  This will allow overnight camps to continue.  We also understand the full amount will not be possible for some.  We do have some funds from the Government Donations Scheme set aside to ensure all students are able to take part and these we will readily use.

The full amount for BOTH camps is now $240.  This is partly subsidised by the donations scheme.  For those who have already paid the full amount, THANK YOU, the difference will remain as a credit on your account.

I am working with staff on a clear, concise camp plan that will be ready as soon as possible (likely this term) to enable budgeting and clarity going forward.  Judging by your responses and staff feeling, camps in the future will likely:

 - Follow a two year cycle, one over-nighter followed by a less expensive, possibly local experience the following year at no/low cost to parents

 - Still be arranged in Y5/6,   7/8,   9/10,   11/12,   13  cohorts.

 - Y6,  Y10, and Y13 will have graduation experiences as they graduate to the next area of the school.  The school will look to subsidise these.  

As mentioned, a proper plan will follow along with information regarding Y6 and Y10 Graduation plans later in T4.

Thank you again for your valuable & timely feedback.

God Bless,



Dave Pauling
Principal

Good morning RVS Community,

We are at Level 2 again as a community and will be so until at least Friday midnight.  This means that as a school we will:

• teach:
  • Coughing into elbow
  • Hand washing
• disinfect tables and handles twice daily
• continue with sanatiser stations inside classrooms
• display Level 2 Guidelines around the school
• practice 1m distancing where possible
• hold no meetings over 100 people for now
• encourage you to keep students home who are sick (normal practice)

Unfortunately our Junior Disco will have to be postponed to a later date as this will break the 100 people rule for Level 2.  The NCEA Evening tomorrow night TBC.

There will also be contact tracing app QR codes placed around the school.  You must use them  or sign in at the office if you enter the school grounds beginning at mid day today.  This includes before and after school. Please refrain from entering the classrooms during Level 2 and practice social distancing during pick up and drop off in the car park.

We will endeavour to continue with teaching and learning as normal as possible, within Level 2 rules for the sake of normality.  This to offset as much of the impact of the media and talk that can spread unwarranted fear in our young people.

I will continue to keep you updated with developments via this blog but for more information, please see here: covid19.govt.nz

You can download the NZ Covid Tracer App at www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-resources-and-tools/nz-covid-tracer-app

Please feel free to ask if you have any questions.
​
Ngā mihi nui



Dave Pauling
Principal

Kia Ora RVS Community,

As always, there is a lot happening at RVS at the moment.  We have many 'irons in the fire' as we grow and establish as an Area School (Y0-13), never a simple journey.  Some of the big changes include school layout with staffing/year levels, uniform, EOTC (camps), buildings, and much more.  Add COVID-19 to this and uncertainty and concern can arise.  We are all working hard as a community and I am very impressed with the progress I see.  

The BOT, including myself wish to hear your thoughts to help make decisions that serve us all well.  Please take time to fill in the survey below knowing that it will be carefully considered.  I will feedback to you as soon as we have collated and considered the feedback you give.

The questions relate to camps, an important part of the NZ Curriculum. We are aware that this has been a difficult year, and still is for some.  We are developing a camp plan that we will make available as soon as possible.  This will allow you to see and plan for upcoming events. We have two upcoming camps, Y5/6 and Y9/10 and we would like some feedback please to help us plan for 2020 and the future.

The Donations Scheme (see here) that RVS has signed up for means we no longer ask for a $100 Special Character Donation or other donations.  Nor do we charge for events like Fundamental Skills, Technology, day trips or Swimming etc.   We can also only ask for overnight camp fees as a contribution/donation.  We have money set aside to help people who can not/choose not to pay the full or entire amount, but not enough to sustain camps in the future if people choose not to contribute.  Please get in touch with me if you have questions around this. 

God bless & thank you.


​
Dave Pauling
Principal  

Kia Ora RVS Community,

Good news today from the Prime Minister, we are moving to level 1 as of midnight tonight (already there by the time most of you read this).  This has positive implications for us all, a return to 'almost' normal.  I have outlined some key points for RVS at Level One below:

 - You are now welcomed back into the classroom before school if you wish. Between 8:30 and 8:50 for Jnr school and 8:30 & 8:40 for Middle School.

 - You will no longer need to sign in, although the RVS app will still be operational for those who would prefer that to keeping note personally when you enter the classroom.  (See the Prime Minister's address for more regarding keeping a journal of your visits during Level 1)

 - The pickup time at the end of the day for Rooms 1 & 2 will return to 3pm as it was before beginning tomorrow (Tuesday).

​ - We will continue to clean surfaces with disinfectant regularly, encourage good hand hygiene and provide sanitiser in the classrooms.

More information will follow regarding events such as Cross Country and assemblies as we work through the advisory from the Ministry of Education when it arrives.

As we return to a semblance of normal, I wish to thank you for the grace and community spirit shown through the lockdown period.  You are a magnificent community.  I also wish to acknowledge the staff of RVS, they have managed incredibly well.

God Bless,

​

Dave Pauling
Principal

Kia ora RVS Community

​Thank you again for your quick response to the survey, we are looking forward to seeing most students back on Monday.  Please make sure you are aware that parents/caregivers are not permitted in classrooms, more info below.

We are working on readying the school for Monday.  This includes setting up systems and procedures for keeping us all safe in Level 2,  such as:
 - Sanitiser stations in classrooms
 - Washing of surfaces and handles at least twice daily
 - Robust hand washing routines for all
 - Parents will still not be allowed in classrooms or to congregate onsite
 - Some distancing measures, particularly inside
 - Playground measures
 - Drinking fountains are out of bounds, students will need to bring a named drink bottle
 - No school lunches available to purchase until further notice 
 - Students will not be allowed to enter school before 8:30am
 - Pickup for Junior School will be staggered:
          Rm 1 & 2 - 2:50pm
          Rm 3 & 4 , Lib A & Lib B 3:00pm
          Middle School 3:10pm

We are also aware that both students and parents may be feeling anxious about returning after such a long time. We will be working carefully to make our students feel safe and at ease as soon as they arrive.

Much of the information we are aligning with can be found on the Ministry of Education website HERE. Please talk with your children about the importance of distancing (as per the website) and hand washing before Monday.

Contact Tracing for All
Unfortunately, under Level 2, parents and caregivers are not to enter the classrooms, or the hallway in A block.  Schools, via rolls and classrooms are well set up for contact tracing, which is a requirement under Level 2.  Parents & visitors also need to register if they come onsite which is a significant undertaking.  We have three options for any non-student who steps onto the property.

1 - Remain in your car at drop off in the morning & in the afternoon, only leave your car to pick up you child from the grassed area. (Easiest and preferred option)

​2 - Use the RVS APP to scan a QR code that will be available at one of the 3 entries to the school.  You will need to have the app already downloaded and set up on your phone.  You will need to sign in and then out again. (There is an instruction page below this blog)

3 - If option 1 and 2 are not viable, sign in and out at the RVS office.  

PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THE RVS SITE UNLESS YOU HAVE DONE EITHER OPTION ONE OR TWO.  PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THE CLASSROOMS OR THE A BLOCK HALLWAY.  Sorry for the inconvenience.

This will be difficult for us, because we love having you all in our classrooms and for some of you, as you like bringing your children into the classroom in the morning.  We pray it is not for too long and that we will be back to normal soon.  Please make contact if you have questions.

God bless and I look forward to seeing you all soon.


​Dave Pauling
Principal

Kia Ora RVS Whanau,

Level 2 is nearly here!  You will have heard, I expect of the PM's announcement yesterday that schools are to re-open on Monday the 18th of May at the normal times.  We are excited to welcome the students back and look forward to resuming.  

Level 2
While we will open and operate under Level 2, there will still be some restrictions and significant health and safety requirements for all of us as laid out by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education.  This will involve actions such as:
 - Sanitiser stations in classrooms
 - Washing of surfaces and handles at least twice daily
 - Robust hand washing routines for all
 - Parents will still not be allowed in classrooms or to congregate onsite
 - Some distancing measures, particularly inside
 - Other TBC measures to keep everyone safe
I will communicate again near the end of the week with more information once I have been briefed by the government and other stakeholders.

Online learning this week
The staff of RVS will be meeting here at school all day on Thursday and Friday to plan for next week and to ready the school.  Online learning will continue as usual until the end of the week with the exception that teachers will be unavailable on Thursday and Friday.  The tasks on those days may look different for some students with this in mind.

Uniform
Even with the tireless efforts of those working on uniform procurement, COVID-19 has wreaked havoc with manufacture and delivery.  We have some items of uniform onsite but not enough to open the RVS Uniform shop yet.  Please continue to wear uniform that still fits or follow the guidelines found HERE.

Please complete the below survey for your family as best as you can with the information you have regarding Level 2.  While we expect most students to return, people with the following conditions, or who are in close contact to those with these conditions, should consider remaining at home:

• a compromised immune system
• liver disease
• cancer
• kidney disease
• heart disease
• diabetes mellitus

We will continue to provide learning support for those who remain at home.  Due to teachers returning to full-time classroom work, it will look considerably different to Level 3 distance learning.

Please fill in the form below as soon as you are able.
Thank you & God bless,


​
Dave Pauling
Principal
​