Principal's Message...
We are excited to have the team back at OIS on THURSDAY. Teachers will be spending Wednesday preparing for Thursday. If your child is currently attending school in a Level 3 bubble then they will continue to come tomorrow, Wednesday, as normal, although they will all be in the Library from 9 am - 2.30 pm. Everyone else, as advised by the Ministry will start back at school on Thursday.
Parents and visitors must sign into the office and wear a face covering. Parents must only come into the office if it is necessary. We also do not want students here after school in the playground.
If you normally pick up your child at New World, please ensure you are on time as we do not want students going into New World or congregating in groups at New World.
As we move into Level 2 there is a lot of information to be shared with you and your children so that you are all aware of what is required of you and the safety procedures in place to ensure that none of us at school are putting others at risk.
We are taking a very measured approach as we move into Level 2. There are some things we are allowed to do now, that I will be holding off on. This will be reviewed in 2 weeks time.
With 351 people returning to OIS on Thursday my priority is to establish routines and habits around hygiene and movement.
Everyone who is returning to school needs to comply with safety requirements set for OIS and behave in socially responsible ways. This will mean complying with our hygiene systems, spacing and treating each other in respectful ways, acknowledging that many of us feel quite differently about returning to school.
It is imperative that if your child is unwell they remain at home. Please contact the office (03) 4370822 or text cell: 0223275057 as usual if your child is absent. Please be assured that school will be a safe place for your child.
Staff are looking forward to reconnecting with everyone; classroom teachers will be contacting their parents/caregivers directly. If you have any questions or we can help in any way please contact me, principal@oamaruint.school.nz or your child's teacher.
Arrival and Departure Times: students must arrive between 8.30 - 8.55 am. Safety procedures require no hugging of friends - you must remain outside the warm breath zone. Children need to go straight to class to sanitise or wash hands.
Finish times will be staggered at the end of the school day;
2.50pm finish - Rooms 3, 5, 9, 12, 13, 19
3.00pm finish - Rooms 4, 6, 10, 11, 14, 17
Uniform: We will not be changing into PE gear during the next 2 days, students can come to school in the correct OIS school PE uniform and remain in it all day or students can wear either their winter or summer uniform.
No Sharing: As always there is to be no sharing of food or drinks. Add to that no sharing of devices and pencil cases.
Children need to have their own water bottle which they can fill from the fountains. We do not want children drinking directly from water fountains.
The canteen WILL NOT be operating this week.
Illness: As always, we ask you to keep your child at home if they are unwell or to collect them from school if they become unwell. We do not have facilities or personnel to look after sick children for the day, nor is it our role. Thank you for your support in this matter.
Masks are not mandatory, if your child would like to wear one then they can. Face coverings are not mandated for use when in schools. However, the Director-General of Health strongly encourages staff and students aged 12 and above to wear face coverings in secondary school settings to align with the requirements when out and about and indoor public places.
Bus Students Bus services return to normal operations under Alert Level 2. This includes all Ministry funded services. Face coverings: Face coverings are not required on school transport. This includes charter buses hired by the school to transport students and staff. Anyone who chooses to wear a face-covering in any setting should be supported to do so. Face coverings are not required on school transport because schools are required to know who is being transported and have good systems in place to identify potential close contacts. All schools must maintain up-to-date bus lists for school transport services to enable contact tracing to take place if required. Providing face masks/coverings is the responsibility of individuals and caregivers. Although any student who is unwell should not travel on a school bus, please do not leave any student behind. Transport that student to school, and then if it is believed necessary advise the school staff of your concern.