I am writing this from home as for the last couple of days I have had a dry cough and sore throat.   I was told that all communities are increasing their testing, and even though I had no other symptoms they were keen to test me as part of the increased community testing.  All for the good I say, given what is happening outside of New Zealand.  

As part of this community protection I urge you to keep your children and yourself home if unwell, even if it is nothing more than a sore throat and cough.  Please keep up with the handwashing and coughing protocols as during COVID and help out as much as you can with the COVID tracing.

 Below is an extract from the MoE Bulletin sent out to schools this morning:

'Notifying close contacts of a confirmed case will help minimise further spread should there be a case in your community. Please support contact tracing efforts by displaying QR code posters for the NZ Covid Tracer App at your entrance points and reception area.  The App continues to increase in functionality and remains an important tool to support contact tracing should a case in the community arise.'     

Please use the QR codes or sign in at reception, even if you are just dropping off or picking up your child.
 

As I have mentioned previously we have received $15,000 from the Central Lakes Trust to assist the school with post-COVID work with students.  We decided to put this towards our end of year camps across all age levels and this allowed us to reduce all camp costs by 25%.  

If there are challenges that would make payment of camps difficult please don't hesitate to come in and see me, ring or email (wendyb@wanaka.school.nz) or go and see Lucy in the office.

Below are the approximate cost of camps with the 25% subsidy.  We may be able to lower these as we consider costs of food.  You may be asked to donate some food items in our endeavour to reduce the total cost, especially the year 5 and 6 camps.  We will email you once costs are confirmed.
 

Further information will be sent out shortly and we will be asking for expressions of interest from those parents interested in helping out at camp.  Jennie Croxford is our camp liaison person so please feel free to email her with any questions.