Covid-19 Information
Please find below a copy of the information that has been sent out to parents, caregivers and whānau regarding the Covid-19 situation. This will be updated when new information is sent out.
25 February 2022
Kia ora koutou
Further to my email yesterday, there are some key messages to give you as whānau as we have moved into Phase 3 of the outbreak. In particular we need to let you know that in this phase there will continue to be positive cases in our community. We will not be contact tracing for these any longer and the responsibility lies with the person to alert any close contacts.
I do need to let you know that we have been advised that there are two students from another school who have tested positive for Covid this week who were on school buses unmasked. One travelled on the No 5 Wakefield bus on Monday 21 February on the morning ride and the other on the No 1 bus from Mapua, also on Monday 21 February, in both the morning and afternoon. If your child travelled on these buses on Monday, then you need to monitor them for symptoms and keep them home if they show any symptoms.
At school, we wish to emphasise the continued need for correct mask wearing at school and on the buses as a strong protection from exposure to the virus. Social interactions outside of school have been the source of a number of our positive cases.
Key messages
Keep your child at home if they are unwell for any reason. They need to stay at home until they have no symptoms. Contact the Student Office.
If your child tests positive, please inform us by emailing me at cathy.ewing@ncg.school.nz.
If a member of a household tests positive, all household members will be close contacts. Please keep your child at home and inform us by emailing me at cathy.ewing@ncg.school.nz.
For a positive case and any household close contacts, the following needs to occur:
The isolation period is 10 days isolation in the household. If a further person becomes positive then the 10 day clock goes back to 0.
Have a test on Day 3 and a test on Day 10
Return to school after Day 10, provided the test is negative and the person is symptom free.
We know that this is a really difficult time, with a lot of uncertainty. Please contact our Guidance team, our Deans or Senior Leadership if you need support for your child.
Kia kaha
Cathy Ewing
24 February 2022
Kia ora koutou
Earlier today we had 6 positive cases in our school community identified. As is required under Level 2 of the RED setting, we moved to identify close contacts. These students and their whānau have been informed today.
The Move to Phase 3
This afternoon, the COVID-19 Response Minister announced that New Zealand will be moving out of Phase 2 and into Phase 3 of the Red Setting at 11.59pm tonight, Thursday 24 February.
At Phase 3, close contacts no longer need to isolate — unless they have symptoms.
“From midnight tonight close contacts will no longer be required to self-isolate and only confirmed cases and household contacts of a confirmed case will be required to do so.”
However, because of the infectiousness within the group of close contacts identified today and also the potential impact on our hostel, we ask the close contacts identified today to remain at home tomorrow, and then return to school on Monday, if they are symptom free.
There has been no change to the isolation requirements for our hostel and therefore any hostel student isolating must complete their isolation period.
What This Means
Apart from the close contacts identified today, when Phase 3 starts tomorrow, Friday 25 February, all students can attend school as long as they do not show any COVID symptoms. Any students who have had a COVID test and are awaiting a result should remain at home until they have received a negative result.
If you live with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, you are considered a household contact and will need to isolate for 10 days. You must get a test on Day 3 and Day 10 of your isolation. If you develop symptoms you should get a test sooner. If you are a household contact and you test positive, you will need to isolate for 10 days.
Please continue to inform us immediately if your student tests positive for COVID-19. Contact can be made via email to cathy.ewing@ncg.school.nz or by phoning my EA, Annabelle Easton on 03 545 9602.
What you need to do
· You and your whānau should watch for symptoms
· If any develop, get tested immediately
· Then, stay at home until you receive the result
· If your whānau hasn’t been vaccinated, please do so as soon as possible. You can book on-line at bookmyvaccine.nz or by calling 0800 28 29 26. It’s free.
What we’re doing
· Nelson College for Girls will stay open
· We have appropriate public health measures and cleaning procedures in place
Symptoms of COVID-19
· 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
Less common symptoms include diarrhoea, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, malaise, chest pain, abdominal pain, joint pain, or confusion/irritability.
For more information, go to https://covid19.govt.nz/health-and-wellbeing/about-covid-19/covid-19-symptoms/
Please contact me at cathy.ewing@ncg.school.nz if you have any questions or need to report a positive case.
Kia kaha
Cathy Ewing
Principal
18th February 2022
Kia ora koutou
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 our community. The student was at Nelson College for Girls this week on Monday 14th and Tuesday 15th February 2022.
Through using the Ministry of Education template, a small number of close contacts have been identified. These students have been individually contacted. All other students are able to continue to attend school as per usual.
What you need to do
• You and your whānau should watch for symptoms
• If any develop, get tested immediately
• Then, stay at home until you receive the result
• If your whānau hasn’t been vaccinated, please do so as soon as possible. You can book on-line at bookmyvaccine.nz or by calling 0800 28 29 26. It’s free.
What we’re doing
• Nelson College for Girls will stay open
• We have appropriate public health measures and cleaning procedures in place
Symptoms of COVID-19
• 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
Less common symptoms include diarrhoea, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, malaise, chest pain, abdominal pain, joint pain, or confusion/irritability.
For more information, go to https://covid19.govt.nz/health-and-wellbeing/about-covid-19/covid-19-symptoms/
Please contact me at cathy.ewing@ncg.school.nz if you have any questions.
Noho ora mai
Cathy Ewing
Principal
Friday 18 February
Kia ora koutou
Process for communicating student absences relating to Covid
Please can you follow the process outlined below when notifying school of any covid-related absences:-
1. If you are reporting a student who is isolating:-
Please call 548 3104 then press 1. Please provide:-
· Student name
· Arahi Class
· Reason for isolating e.g identified as a close contact
2. If you are reporting a student who has had a positive Covid test result:-
Please email our Principal, Cathy at cathy.ewing@ncg.school.nz - Please provide:-
· Evidence of the positive test result (i.e screenshot of the text message).
· Contact phone number(s)
Cathy, or a member of the Senior Leadership team will then contact you.
Thanks so much - stay safe 🙂