Mask Wearing Term 3

22 July 2022

Kia ora koutou katoa

The Ministry of Education has asked all schools to reintroduce mask wearing for the first month of Term 3. Fiordland College will support this decision and is asking that all students wear a mask when indoors at school. We will use the same processes as we did in Term 1, with students able to take their masks off when eating or drinking, when outside, or when engaged in an activity that is not conducive to mask wearing (PE and music for example).

The Ministry of Education has asked schools to implement mask wearing as cases of COVID-19 are increasing in most parts of the country, and New Zealand is also seeing high numbers of other winter illnesses. Wearing masks can reduce new cases of the virus by as much as 53%. It works alongside other measures including vaccination, good ventilation, staying home when sick, and hand washing and other hygiene measures, to protect our students and staff.

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.

To support us please make sure that your child comes to school ready to wear a mask. Masks will also be made available for students at the office.

Thank you for your support in protecting our school community.

Relevant info from the Ministry of Health

Noho ora mai

Steven Mustor

Tumuaki | Principal

s.mustor@fiordland.school.nz