from the Principal re; our COVID response February 2022

Kia ora koutou,

COVID Preparations

While we hope that COVID does not strike us at Linton Camp School, we are preparing - just in case. Please take a few minutes to read over the information below.

A Word from the Director of Public Health

Our experience in New Zealand and overseas with COVID-19 shows that it does not affect children and teens in the same way it does adults. Children and teens don't become as unwell if they do get infected, and they don't tend to pass the virus on so much as adults when in a classroom setting.

Compared to other places, schools and early learning services are not environments where we have seen significant spread of COVID-19. Household members and work colleagues who are in close contact with people with COVID-19, are the most common sources of transmission.

Inevitably however, when there are cases in the community, they will also appear in schools and early learning services.

We are not Alone

If and when COVID arrives at our school we will be supported by the MiD Central DHB, along with the Ministries of Health and Education. We will follow their advice and direction.

Flexibility

Currently, there are a lot of unknowns. We don’t know when COVID will arrive, how fast or how far it will spread & who it will affect. Therefore, our plans are flexible and responsive.

When COVID Arrives

When COVID arrives those affected will either have COVID or be close contacts. Regardless of whether people are infected or a close contact they will need to isolate. We will be sending out letters that set out what you and your family need to do. The letters have been prepared by the Ministries of Health & Education.

A Possible Scenario

Imagine for a moment that someone connected to one of our classes gets COVID. All the students and staff in that class may need to go into isolation. If this happens and as soon as practical we will supply five days worth of school work for all isolating students. We will also notify every school family that there is a COVID case in our midst.

You can imagine that if a student (or their teacher) becomes infected that all of that class will most likely be considered close contacts and if the students in the affected class have interacted with other classes (including brothers and sisters) then it is possible that that class could be considered close contacts and may also require isolation.

Now this scenario is just my musing. How an infection impacts us and therefore how it is handled will depend upon unknowns - the who, when and where I mentioned before. My point is that if and when COVID arrives it will probably go through the school quickly. If you haven’t already, then perhaps you should start thinking about how you would manage being at home for a period of time, without being able to leave your property, while in isolation.

When students start returning to school we may have to combine classes or have teams working together. We just don’t know what this is going to look like. Hence, once again the need for flexibility, proactiveness and understanding.

Final Thoughts

I am sorry this may seem all a little vague. If I could be more precise I would be!

We want the best for your children and will work to provide education for them whatever COVID is doing in your family. However, while this is the aim, a lot will depend on teachers and their health at the time.

I am happy to chat with any of you who have questions, thoughts or ideas.

Regards

Geoff Franks

Principal

principal@lintoncamp.school.nz