COVID-19 Vaccine strategy in New Zealand

 The Government’s goal is to give New Zealand and our Pacific neighbours' access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines as early as possible. This will help us to: control the virus in the long term, protect our communities, support our economic recovery, re-open our borders. This strategy outlines our approach. It makes sure the Government can: contribute to all aspects of global vaccine development, distribution and use, invest in research that supports global efforts, builds relationships and helps New Zealand get access to a vaccine, develop the ability to manufacture a vaccine, in case we need to make sure the way we regulate the vaccines, support research and enable manufacturing is fit for purpose use purchase agreements to secure supplies of vaccines. There’s never been this level of global collaboration amongst scientists and governments in vaccine development. Vaccine companies have been sharing their data all over the world, which has sped up the research process. It has also led to a number of innovations, such as the use of messenger RNA (mRNA) technology.

In New Zealand, applications for all new medicines (including vaccines) are assessed by the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority (Medsafe). So COVID-19 vaccines can be made available as early as possible, Medsafe is streamlining its processes and assessing these vaccine applications ahead of normal applications.

Medsafe will only approve a vaccine for use in New Zealand once they are confident it complies with international standards and local requirements for quality, safety and efficacy. There is no ‘emergency use authorisation’ in New Zealand. The first group to be vaccinated are border workers, people working in managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities, and their household contacts. This is because they are most at risk of getting COVID-19. Border and MIQ workers include cleaners, nurses who do MIQ health checks, security staff, customs and border officials, airline staff, hotel workers. Household contacts include anyone over 16 who lives full-time or part-time with a border or MIQ worker. We don’t have any evidence yet that the vaccine will stop the transmission of the virus. To reduce the risk of people with a connection to the border getting COVID-19, we are offering the vaccine to both border workers and their household contacts. 

Level 3 lockdown in Auckland- 3 days

Unfortunately, It was another level 3 lockdown in Auckland. And as per government instructions Auckland was closed for 3 days. At this stage, teachers will continue online classes via google hangouts, emails or google docs. We can understand sudden announcements of the lockdown by the Prime Minister shocked everyone but we have to face this situation and be strong. So that we can fight with COVID-19.

Children and young people look to adults for guidance on how to react to stressful events. If parents or teachers seem overly worried, children’s and young people’s anxiety may rise. Parents and teachers can reassure children and young people that everyone is working together, from the Prime Minister down, to help people throughout the country stay healthy and to limit the spread of this virus.

As a teacher thinks about how your reactions could impact the learners. Take a quick break if things feel overwhelming, or notice and try some slow breathing, or concentrate on the sounds outside, anything that you know helps. You can express your feelings but base your words on facts and truth, and model how you want children and young people around you to behave. 

Our school is helping children continue their learning, online classes, Mentoring sessions and delivery of food packages. This will support their wellbeing, connection with others and their learning. Contact students via emails, texts, or phone calls are very important to know about how they are going or how they take care of themselves and their loved ones.

Teacher Well-being during Lock down

   

         Teacher Wellbeing During COVID-19 Lockdown

Schooling during lockdown constitutes some unique challenges for teacher wellbeing. Teachers are now working in a way in which they have never had to before—at the same time, facing anxiety about the current situation and uncertainty about the future.

Teaching is inherently social and communication is fundamental to everyone working in schools. Stay in close touch and share your fears and concerns openly and honestly with friends, partners, colleagues and managers to get some perspective.

At the same time, think about others you might be able to help in some way – in your school community, at home or in your other networks. A phone call, text, Zoom get-together – whatever the medium, it can make a difference to how you and others feel.

If working and delivering lessons remotely, make sure you keep in close touch with your teams who can be a great source of support in themselves. If you have worries, problems or anxieties in or out of work that will not go away, then talking to someone outside your situation can make a huge difference and can help you to find a way through.

“SMART teachers (Self, Motivation, Activity, Relationships, and use of Time) appreciate the tight connections between physical and mental wellbeing and the benefits of being active in this regard. 

"Engage in professional learning and adaptively apply this learning in practice."

Earth Day (22 April)

                                  EARTH DAY

22 April is Earth Day. While the coronavirus (COVID-19) has been spreading around the world and dominating news headlines, thoughts and attention, the need to take climate action has remained as urgent as ever.




By the end of 2020, global CO2 emissions need to have dropped by 7.6 per cent and continue to fall by 7.6 per cent each year for us to have kept global heating under 1.5 degree, according to the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Emissions Gap Report 2019.

Earth day 2020 is not just the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, but also the anniversary of the signing of the Paris Agreement to take climate action.

Background on Earth Day
The first Earth Day took place in 1970. Outraged by oil spills, smog and polluted rivers, 20 million people took to the streets, protesting what they recognised as an environmental crisis. It was the planet’s largest civic event at the time and compelled governments to take concrete actions, including passing environmental laws and establishing environmental agencies. In addition to these practical outcomes, the event demonstrated just how much can be achieved when people come together and demand action.

Earth Day in 2020
Marking its half-century anniversary, and selecting climate action as its theme, Earth Day 2020 was already poised to be a historic event. An occasion planned to bring people physically together across a series of events, COVID-19 has now prompted a dramatic shift to completely digital and virtual platforms. Earth Day 2020 calls for 24 hours of actions, big and small, for people and the planet. On
this 50th anniversary, civil society organizers hope to fill the world’s digital landscape with global conversations, positive acts, performances, webinars and events supporting urgent action on climate
change.

Ways to Celebrate Earth Day at School

Earth Day has made positive impacts on the environment globally, but it can also play a significant role on local levels as well. Young children, in particular, may not realize that there are many ways they can participate in protecting the Earth and make it a safer place.

For example, water conservation, recycling and saving energy are all important parts of protecting the environment your kids or kids in your classroom could contribute to. From brushing your teeth with the water off to remembering to turn the lights off when not in the room, these small steps can make big impacts on the planet.

• Bulletin Boards: Teachers can build momentum for Earth Day by creating interactive 'No Waste' bulletin boards in the classroom. The idea is to create the bulletin board with recycled items and then encourage students to find ways to recycle at home and school. 

• Poster Projects: Students can also help encourage other students to recycle and be aware of ways to conserve and produce less waste by creating reminder posters and placing them in the classroom and school. 

Ways to Celebrate Earth Day at Home

Earth Day is something the entire family can celebrate together in a variety of ways at home and in the community.

Plant a tree:   This is a great way to teach your children about the importance of trees. For example, trees produce oxygen and that's something both humans and wildlife need to survive. Planting a tree together can help restore the balance of the ecosystem and create a lasting memory for you and your family.

Pick up trash: Take a trip to your local park and teach your children how to pick up trash. Keeping the park clean is great for the environment and it makes the park more enjoyable for kids to play in.

“A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.” —Franklin D. Roosevelt

"Develop an environment where the diversity and uniqueness of all learners are accepted and valued."