It’s still go for schools at red light
Principals: Certainty for students after hard times during lockdowns
Some local high school principals are starting the new year feeling positive as schools remain open no matter the traffic light setting. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the move to the red traffic light setting on January 23 and she expects the country to stay at red for “some weeks”.
At red, face masks must be worn including inside classrooms and gatherings must number no more than 100.
Paeroa College principal Amy Hacker is happy with the traffic light system as it provides more certainty.
“I'm really positive about the traffic light system because schools, along with most other services, will remain open on-site at all colour settings, subject to health and safety considerations.
“This is great news for young people who are more likely to suffer wellbeing effects from isolation and who shrive on routine. There is considerable pandemic fatigue.”
Amy also appreciates the opportunity to be able to plan ahead with more certainty.
Paeroa College will go ahead with sensible practices including cleaning, ventilation and avoiding large gatherings, she says.
“We will not be holding assemblies or po¯ whiri under red. It is also likely that the school ball will be delayed.”
Mask-wearing is compulsory and Amy says this is a sensible precaution.
“It is an additional expense for families and I hope the Ministry of Education provides additional resourcing and/or masks for schools so that the expense is not left with vulnerable families or underresourced schools.”
She expects some families to have a certain level of anxiety around the return to school. Deans can work with families to provide support and ensure
This is great news for young people who are more likely to suffer wellbeing effects from isolation and who shrive on routine. There is considerable pandemic fatigue.
Amy Hacker
all students can continue with their learning, she says.
“Student and wha¯nau anxiety and hesitancy (is my biggest concern). It is essential that students continue to engage in education.”
With move to red, Hauraki Plains College principal Ngaire Harris says “we tend to figure out what is expected of schools and endeavour to make it work as best we can in our situation.”
The lockdowns were a struggle for a number of students to stay motivated, she says.
“From this point of view, it is good that schools are open at all levels. Last year was very difficult with dealing with the lockdowns in upper Hauraki, Auckland and Waikato as this impacted on a significant number of our students.”
The restriction on gatherings will impact a large number of students, such as inter-school sporting activities, so they are looking at options for these students.
Ngaire's biggest concern is dealing
with uncertainty and endeavouring to keep things as stable and normal as they can. She says it will be natural for parents to be anxious about the spread of the Omicron variant.
“It is important that we respect diverse perspectives while keeping our eye on what we are essentially
here for, that is, student learning.”
Thames High School principal Michael Hart is happy there's more clarity for their school with the move to red.
‘‘It is great that there is clarity about what the requirements are to have some semblance of normal, as engagement
with school is essential to individual and collective wellbeing.''
He is happy that it is clear that masks are mandatory, ‘‘rather than what we had last year was ‘encouraged' as this reduces the grey area''.
Michael is supportive of the red setting precautions that may slow the advance of Covid-19 in the community.
‘‘The longer we can keep it away the better.''
His biggest concern is that a wave of infection will affect the ‘‘most vulnerable, cause concern and disproportionately affect our whanau. Therefore we need to take every precaution we can, while getting on with education.''
Note: Area high schools were approached for comment but did not make Hauraki Coromandel Post publication deadline.