Kia ora e te whānau,
Masking up for the start of Term 3
For the start of Term 3, 2022, the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health recommend that all schools amend their mask policy for the first four weeks of term to require mask wearing in all indoor settings for students in Years 4 and above. Campbells Bay School will (as we always have) be following Ministry of Health recommendations, such as this.
In previous years we have found there is an increase in winter illnesses in schools at the start of Term 3 as students bring back infections after travelling and socialising during the holidays. This year cases of COVID-19 are increasing in most parts of the country, and we are also seeing high numbers of other winter illnesses.
This recommendation does not include any situation where mask wearing might not be practicable, such as while eating and drinking, playing certain musical instruments, indoor sport, where it will have a significant impact on teaching and learning (for example, students with particular learning needs), certain activities such as singing or drama performance on stage, and PE. In these situations, particular attention will be paid to ensuring there is good ventilation during the activity, and physical distancing where practicable.
We know that that some of our students are exempt from wearing a mask. If they have an exemption card or a letter from their health provider, or we have already agreed that mask wearing is not practicable for them, we will support them to not wear a mask as we have done previously.
We appreciate your support to make sure that students from Years 4 – 6 come to school ready with their masks from Monday 25 July.
Noho ora mai
Rachael Taylor
Principal
