Karamu High School - COVID-19 Information

COVID-19 update - 13 September 2022

Tena koutou kotoa e te whānau

New long-term strategy for COVID-19

You’ll be aware that today New Zealand moves to a new, long-term approach to COVID-19. These changes have been made based on public health advice and reflect high levels of immunity and declining case numbers across New Zealand.

This new approach will only result in two changes to the way we operate:

1. Household contacts of a person with COVID-19 do not need to isolate, but instead are asked to complete a RAT test each day, for five days. Therefore, ākonga (students) who are household contacts, but test negative and do not have COVID-19 symptoms, should continue to attend school. It is the best place for them to be so they can be engaged in their learning, and connected with their teachers, classmates and friends.
   
   Information on how to get RAT kits can be found here: Request a RAT– Ministry of Health
   
   
2. Mask wearing is no longer strongly encouraged.

All the other recommended public health measures will stay in place as we know they reduce the spread of infectious illnesses, including COVID-19. These include ensuring our indoor spaces are well-ventilated, maintaining good hand hygiene, encouraging everyone to cough or sneeze into elbows and, most importantly, staying home and getting tested if individuals have COVID-19 symptoms.

Thank you for your ongoing support in protecting our community.

Noho ora mai

Mrs Dionne Thomas
Principal

COVID-19 update - 2 September 2022

Tēnā koutou kātoa, 

Thankyou for your continued support this term. The support we receive from you enables us as a school to focus on our mahi in a seamless and united manner, with ultimately the same focus – your children at the centre. 

From next week we will NOT be making mask wearing mandatory. However, we strongly encourage students and staff to continue to wear a mask indoors for their own personal protection against the range of viruses that are still present in our community. The office and mentor teachers have masks available for students. 

Attendance & Absences 

On Monday 22 August Associate Education Minister Jan Tinetti launched the national attendance campaign ‘Every School Day is a Big Day’ to encourage school attendance.   The campaign is a part of ‘kia kotahi te ū ki te ako – all in for learning’, which is an on-going nation-wide strategy with a focus on supporting ākonga to attend school regularly. The campaign is in recognition that regular attendance at school is important for our children’s learning, wellbeing and futures.   

As a school we have been working through a number of attendance initiatives this year, but need your support as whanau to ensure they regularly attend.
To make school a priority, there are things you can do at home, and things you can work alongside the school on:

• Talk about why it is important to go to school everyday; asking them what they want to do in the future and their education is the key to this. 
• Be positive about school 
• Set good habits about going to school from day one – in the week; in the month; in the term 
• Prepare your child the night before school with the right equipment
• Have a consistent morning routine, so they are not rushed or arrive late 
• Don’t let them have a day off unless it is for a genuine reason If they are nervous about school, talk about it and engage with us around the strategies we can use to assist
• Keep holidays out of term time  

Please continue to send an email or phone in (via the absence line on 06 8706143) if your child is sick, especially if they test positive for Covid or if your family are isolating. We send an app alert out for all unexplained absences each morning and do appreciate you getting back to us so we know your child is safe and when they will return. 

We continue to thankyou for your understanding and support every day. 

Me mahi tahi tātou mo te oranga o te katoa.
We must work together for the well being of all. 

Ngā mihi nui

Mrs Dionne Thomas
Principal

COVID-19 update - 19 August 2022

Tēnā koutou kātoa,

Thankyou for your continued backing these last few weeks in allowing us to roster home. While we appreciate it is not ideal, it has been a useful mechanism to manage the ongoing instances of COVID-19, influenza, and other viruses at school, among both staff (our own and relievers) and students. 

However, from next week we will NOT be continuing rostering home. We will however, keep monitoring this weekly and if necessary reintroduce if needed.

Reports will be sent home this week and these are an important tool in us communicating with you, but if you prefer to do so kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face) or over the phone, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your child’s year level dean. 

NB: Next Wednesday 24 August is a previously communicated regionally planned Teacher Only Day to continue in the national work supporting changes to NCEA.  For all teachers to engage in this important professional development day there will be no classes so we you to please make alternative arrangements for your child on this day.  No school will occur, online or in person.   

Masks
Mask use continues to be a valuable protection against virus spread and so we will continue this practice at school. We will also monitor this weekly.

Absences
Please continue to send an email or phone in (via the absence line on 06 8706143) if your child is sick, especially if they test positive for Covid or if your family are isolating. We send an app alert out for all unexplained absences each morning and do appreciate you getting back to us so we know your child is safe and when they will return.

We continue to thankyou for your understanding and support in enabling us to manage these challenging times in this manner. 

Ngā manaakitanga

Mrs Dionne Thomas
Principal

COVID-19 update - 15 August 2022

Tēnā koutou e te whanau,

Term 3 has started well, however unfortunately, we are still experiencing ongoing instances of COVID- 19, influenza, and other viruses at school, among both staff and students. This is impacting our ability to offer consistent face to face learning. The ongoing challenge of acquiring relievers is also an issue.

For this reason we will be continuing rostering home. We will keep monitoring this weekly and remove when practical.  However, this week will see one change on Thursday 18th August. 

• Monday: Year 13 stay home 
• Tuesday: Year 10 
• Wednesday: Year 12 
• Thursday: ALL ATTEND FOR SCHOOL PHOTOS
• Friday: Year 9 

Mask use is also still a valuable protection against virus spread and so we will continue this practice at school. 

We continue to thankyou for your understanding and support in enabling us to manage these challenging times in this manner. 

By ensuring your child is engaged in the online learning set by their teacher, they will not fall behind. If they merely do not do the learning, take up additional hours of part-time work or arrange to meet with friends they will be at risk of not meeting the necessary learning and achievement milestones in the future and therefore will either:

• Not be able to leave for traditional study leave in November; or
• Be required to return after their external examinations.

It is therefore very important you encourage, urge and support your child to complete the learning that is set for them on their rostered day home. If they fail to engage or complete this learning they are not making every effort to be responsible for their own progress towards NCEA achievements. 

Junior students that do not engage with their learning may be well be starting to create gaps that will have consequences in the future regarding course selections and assessment opportunities. We are starting to work through course selection for 2023 now and teachers are using evidence from 2022 to help students with their decision making. 

Should you have any concerns around your child’s learning please do not hesitate to contact your child’s year level dean. 

Absences

Please continue to send an email or phone in (via the absence line on 06 8706143) if your child is sick, especially if they test positive for Covid or if your family are isolating.

Ventilation and COVID-19

The Ministry of Health have repeatedly shared that fresh or filtered air can reduce the risk of catching or spreading COVID-19. Opening windows helps protect you, your whānau and others.

COVID-19 spreads when an infected person breathes, speaks, coughs or sneezes, they may spread particles containing the virus. Because COVID-19 is mostly spreads by aerosols — small virus particles that can stay in the air for minutes to hours, good ventilation helps remove virus particles in the air. The Ministry of Health have shared ideas around Ventilation at home and when out and about…… 

Ventilation when you have COVID-19

If you have COVID-19 you must self-isolate for 7 days. You must stay home and avoid contact with people in your household. Keep the air in your room fresh. If you can, open windows on different sides of the room to help airflow.

To stop virus particles spreading, reduce airflow from your room to other parts of your home:

• Block gaps under your door with a towel or draught stopper.
• Before opening the door into shared spaces, open your window for at least 5 minutes to freshen the air. Close the window before you open the door.
• In a shared bathroom, switch on the extractor fan or open a window.
• Close the toilet lid before you flush.

How to improve ventilation at home

We encourage you to let in fresh air every day, including after someone visits your home. If you can, partly open a window about 5cm for most of the day. Or open windows for at least 15 minutes as often as possible, whenever it is practical to do so.

Try 1 or more of these ways to remove stale air:

• Open windows or doors on opposite sides of a room to help airflow.
• Open doors between rooms to ventilate hallways and spaces without windows.
• In kitchens and bathrooms, switch on the extractor fan or open a window.
• Open higher windows wider than lower windows. This helps reduce draughts.
• If your windows do not open, check if your ventilation system filters (cleans) the air.

Steamed-up windows can be a sign of low ventilation.

In cold or wet weather try one or more of these ways to refresh air without letting rooms get chilly or damp:

• Partly open a window for most of the day, for example a 5cm opening.
• Fully open a window or door for 3 to 5 minutes every hour.
• Open a window whenever you leave the room, closing the door behind you.

You do not have to leave windows or doors open all the time.

In homes with heat pumps or ventilation systems

Heat pumps, air conditioners and ceiling fans do not refresh the air. Instead, they move around air already in a room. You will need to open doors or windows to remove stale air and let in fresh air. 

If you have a home ventilation system, check if it recycles air or filters air:

• If it recycles air, you need to open windows or doors to move stale air out and let in fresh air.
• If it filters or cleans air, this helps remove stale air and reduce the risk of virus particles spreading.

In rental properties

Landlords must provide good ventilation. If you live in or own a rental property, check ventilation rules on the Tenancy Services website.

Ventilation on public transport

Virus particles can build up quickly in crowded places such as buses or trains. It helps to sit or stand close to the door as airflow will be better. Open a window on the bus or train if you can. Taxis and ride-share services often ask passengers to open windows.

You must wear a face mask when travelling on public transport and in taxis and ride-share vehicles.

Free medical masks   You can get free medical face masks by: 

• picking them up from testing centres and collection points alongside your free rapid antigen tests (RATs)
• visiting a participating pharmacy
• talking to a participating GP or alternative community healthcare provider.

 To order RATs online visit the Ministry of Health website.

We have masks available at the office for students that need them.

Enrolments for 2023

If you have a younger child, family member or friend considering Karamu High for 2023 (at any year level) you must ensure they are aware of the following:

Enrolments for 2023 close at 4pm Friday 19 August.

This is for in zone and out of zone enrolments. (Our zone is clearly explained on our website). This enrolment date is also for siblings, children, cousins etc of current and former pupils. ALL enrolments need to be in by this date. 

We do not generally take out of zone enrolments during the year, so now is the time to enrol. 

We had a tremendous number come and enjoy our Open Night and so want to ensure people do not miss the opportunity of enrolment. 

Ngā mihi nui

Mrs Dionne Thomas
Principal

COVID-19 update - 21 July 2022

Kia Ora, 

As the school holidays draw to an end, I hope you have had a restful holiday period together and are excited about the opportunities ahead in Term 3.

Term 3 is full of exciting learning, performing arts and winter sport, however, as it is a busy one I would like to remind you of a few procedural practices for the smooth running of the school and the safety of your children.

Rostering Home & Masks
There has still been considerable sickness reported in the community and by our staff over the holiday break. We therefore will need to continue with rostering home and online learning. However, it is imperative that students complete the online learning that is assigned to them. We will keep monitoring this weekly and remove when practical. 

• Monday: Year 13 stay home
• Tuesday: Year 10
• Wednesday: Year 12
• Thursday: Year 11
• Friday: Year 9

Mask use is also still a valuable protection against virus spread and so we will continue this practice at school.

Reinfection Advice
The Ministry of Health has updated its advice on getting infected again with COVID-19 within 90 days of a previous COVID-19 infection, and in light of increasing evidence it appears reinfections can occur earlier than 90 days. The latest evidence shows that getting COVID-19 again within a short period of time can happen – but it’s unclear how common it is. Reinfection is also more likely as new variants spread among the community. You are more likely to become reinfected as your immune response from the vaccine or your previous COVID-19 infection decreases over time. Advice is: 

• If it is 28 days or fewer since the last infection, there’s no need to test. 
• Within 28 days, symptoms are most likely due to lasting effects of the initial infection or a different new respiratory infection. A new COVID-19 infection is difficult to diagnose within 28 days because symptoms, viral levels and test positivity may fluctuate during this time. 
• COVID-19-like symptoms may well be caused by other infections like the common cold, flu or a chest infection. 
• If a person develops new COVID-19 symptoms, and it’s 29 days or more since their previous infection, it’s possible that it’s a reinfection with COVID-19 and you should take a rapid antigen test.  If that test is positive, you will need to isolate for a second time for seven days.

As a school we ask whanau to please follow these new guidelines around isolation to minimize the spread of Covid 19 in our school community. 

Sickness
If your child is sick they should stay home, and for vomiting/diarrhoea type bugs the recommended period is 48hours past the last event.

If your child becomes sick while at school we ask students come to the office to be assessed by the Office Staff (trained first aiders) who will then contact caregivers or the emergency contact, rather than students directly contacting home via text message. The office staff can ensure students are supported, treated and cared for until you arrive. 

Attendance Line
If your child is going to be absent for any reason (sick, bereavement, injury etc) please ring and leave a message with the reason on our attendance line – 06 8706143. If your child has contracted Covid, or is isolating, please continue to advise us.

Hair and Uniform
We know you will have checked hair and uniform this week to ensure it meets our school expectations. Hair is to be of a natural colour and long hair tied back. If students are needing loan uniform items please ensure they come to the Office between 8 and 8.30am on Monday morning.

Important dates in the next couple of weeks:
Teacher Only Days
On Friday 5 August and Wednesday 24 August there will two teachers only days, for staff to complete professional development around Te Reo Māori and digital technologies, as well as continue in the national work to support changes to NCEA. No school will occur on these days, online or in person. Please make alternative arrangements as all teaching and support staff are involved in these exciting opportunities.

Open Night - 6.30pm 8 August
Now is the time to share with all your family and friends that they should get along to see us in action, and then enrolments for in and out of zone enrolments for 2023 must be in by 4pm 19 August. This includes for current and former siblings.

We look forward to seeing all students back for mentor time, 8.35am Monday 25 July. 

Ngā mihi nui

Mrs Dionne Thomas
Principal

COVID-19 update - 30 June 2022

Kia Ora, 

Unfortunately, every day this week, like many schools and businesses in Hawkes Bay, Karamu has been hit with a dramatic increase in instances of COVID- 19, influenza, and other viruses at school, among both staff and students. Today we topped over 20% absence of both. 

For this reason we will have to reintroduce rostering home, for the remainder of the term. Starting with Year 9 tomorrow 1 July. 

We apologize for the start - stop use of this mechanism but last week’s data was significantly different from this week. It is just unsustainable with up to 12 staff absences a day and only being able to get 4 or 5 relievers. 

We thankyou for your understanding and support in enabling us to manage staff and student absence using this mechanism. Please also trust us that we have tried to be as creative and flexible as possible before resorting to rostering home.  

Please also support our students using the hybrid model of learning by ensuring your child is engaged in the online learning set by their teacher. They are not to take up additional hours of part-time work or arrange to meet with friends.

A reminder senior students that do not meet the necessary learning and achievement milestones in the future will also either: 

• Not be able to leave for traditional study leave in November; or
• Be required to return after their external examinations.

It is therefore VERY important you encourage, urge and support your child to complete the learning that is set for them on their rostered day home. If they fail to engage or complete this learning they are not making every effort to be responsible for their own progress.  

Junior students that do not engage with their learning may be well be starting to create gaps that will have consequences in the future regarding course selections and assessment opportunities. 

Please continue to send an email or phone in (via the absence line on 06 8706143) if your child is sick, especially if they test positive for Covid or if your family are isolating. 

Thankyou once again for your understanding as we work our way through these challenging times.  

Should you have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact your child’s year level dean,  

Ngā mihi nui

Mrs Dionne Thomas
Principal

COVID-19 update - 23 June 2022

Kia Ora,

This week we have celebrated and acknowledged a very special time of the year – Matariki. Matariki is the name for the cluster of stars that rises in midwinter and heralds the start of the new year and for the first time it will also officially be celebrated as a public holiday.

An opportunity for all New Zealanders to come together and reflect of the year that has passed, celebrate the present and plan for the future.

As a school we have enjoyed a number of exciting activities and I hope you enjoy the long weekend with whanau and friends.

Rostering Home

Using the data from school we have made the decision we will not be continuing the rostering home for these last two weeks of the term. The absences at school, among both staff and students have declined. Therefore Year 13 return to school on Monday 27 June etc.

However, using the data from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health it does look like in Term 3 we may need to return to using this mechanism (we would advise if this were necessary). We have investigated other mechanisms other schools are using, but believe rostering home is the best mechanism for our kura.

However, teachers are sharing poor online engagement by some students. We therefore need to look ahead at how we are going to combat this if rostering home is used again.

Senior students that do not meet the necessary learning and achievement milestones in the future will either:

- Not be able to leave for traditional study leave in November; or
- Be required to return after their external examinations.

It is therefore VERY important you encourage, urge and support your child to complete the learning that is set for them on their rostered day home. If they fail to engage or complete this learning they are not making every effort to work with their teacher, be responsible for their own progress and this is disappointing for teachers that are committed.

Junior students that do not engage with their learning may be well be starting to create gaps that will have consequences in the future regarding course selections and assessment opportunities.

Absence Notifications

Please continue to send an email or phone in (via the absence line on 06 8706143) if your child is sick, especially if they test positive for Covid or if your family are isolating. If you forget and get an App Alert – you can reply to the text, or email or phone in.

Mask Use

We will also be continuing to have compulsory mask wearing. Only 20% of our staff and 35% of our student body have had Covid so we want to continue to provide a safe and healthy working environment, taking all reasonable steps to do so and masking-wearing is still seen as best. Please make every effort to ensure your child comes to school with a mask, but spares are available from your child’s mentor teacher and the office.

Should you have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact your child’s year level dean,

Mānawa maiea te Mātahi o te tau — Celebrate the rising of the new year
Mānawa maiea te ariki o te rangi — Celebrate the rising of the lord of the heavens
Mānawa maiea te putanga o Matariki — Celebrate the rising of Matariki

Ngā mihi nui

Mrs Dionne Thomas
Principal

Visit our COVID-19 archive for previous updates