Measles update from Public Health

St Hilda’s has been advised that since 22^nd August, five people have been confirmed with measles in the Southern region and the disease is now likely to be spreading in the wider community.

The number of cases may seem relatively small in comparison with the population, but one person with measles can infect many others.

PHS advises that immunisation is the best protection against measles.

Immunisation is safe, effective and free.

Measles is serious and highly infectious viral disease that causes fever, cough, sore red eyes and a rash. It can make people very sick. People with measles can be infectious even before they start feeling unwell. While almost all people will make a complete recovery, it can lead to hospitalisation and in rare cases, death.

Parents/guardians need to find out whether their children are protected against measles.

Regarding your child’s immunisation status:

• If your child has not received their measles immunisation (MMR vaccine) as per the Immunisation Schedule (1^st MMR at 15 months and 2^nd MMR at four years), call your GP as soon as possible. Arrange a time to immunise your child as it is never too late.
• Infants and children who are not travelling to Auckland or overseas to a country with a measles outbreak are recommended to get their MMR vaccinations as per the Immunisation Schedule at 15 months and 4 years.
• Infants aged 6 to 11 months who are travelling to Auckland or overseas to a country with a measles outbreak, can have their first MMR vaccination (MMR0) after consulting with their GP, however they will still need to have the MMR vaccinations at 15 months and four years as per the Immunisation Schedule.
• Infants aged 12 to 14 months who are travelling to Auckland or overseas to a country with a measles outbreak, should receive all four 15 month vaccinations (MMR, varicella, Hib and PCV10) at least two weeks before travelling to allow immunity against measles to develop.
• If your child has received only one measles immunisation (i.e. one MMR vaccination), call your GP as soon as possible to see if you need to arrange a time to immunise your child with their second MMR. Two measles immunisations provide better protection than one.
• If your child has received two measles immunisations, or they have definitely had doctor-diagnosed measles infection in the past, they are considered protected. Over 99% of people who are fully immunised are protected from measles.
• If you are not sure of your child’s immunisation records, look in your child’s plunket book or check with your GP.
• If your child is not immune or you choose not to immunise your child, they are not protected from measles. If they come into contact with someone with measles, they will likely have to be excluded from school or ECEC for up to 14 days.

 Signs of measles

It usually takes 10 to 14 days for someone who has caught measles to start showing symptoms.

If your child develops a high fever, runny nose, cough, sore red eyes, or a rash see a doctor (call ahead to alert your doctor about the possibility of measles before visiting and take this letter along).

If your child has a weakened immune system (e.g. if they have an inherited immune problem or are receiving chemotherapy for cancer), please contact your doctor to discuss further.

If this occurs: Call your GP or Healthline (0800 611 116) as soon as possible for advice. Your GP will advise the safest time for your child to return to school. If your GP suspects measles, they will arrange for testing and Public Health South will be in contact to offer support and any follow up regarding contact tracing.

For more information about measles, contact Healthline on 0800 611 116 or visit https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/conditions-and-treatments/diseases-and-illnesses/measles

Measles Information for parents and students

What are the symptoms? The signs of measles are a cough, high fever, runny nose and sore red eyes. A few days later, a rash begins on the head and spreads across the body.

How do I know if I’m immune to measles? To know that you are 99% immune to measles one or more of the following should apply to you:

1. You have had two measles vaccines (MMR). You need to check your vaccination records in your Well Child (Plunket book) or your family doctor may have records. Please show your principal your vaccination record.
2. OR you have been diagnosed with measles in the past, or have a blood test proving measles immunity
3. OR you were born before 1969 as you are likely to have had measles as a child.

You are almost certainly protected from measles if one of the above applies and will not need to be isolated if you come into contact with someone with measles.

I’ve only had one MMR – do I have to get another vaccination? To ensure you are 99% protected against measles, it is important to have a second MMR as this vaccine also protects against mumps and rubella. Whilst one MMR does offer 95% of people immunity, it still provides gaps in our community coverage against measles, which puts vulnerable people like new born babies and people with compromised immune systems (e.g. having cancer treatment) at high risk.

Why do I (or my child) have to stay at home in isolation? If you are developing measles, staying home stops it spreading to others and making them unwell.

What does isolation mean?  It means staying home away from others. Do not go to work, school, group or social activities, sports, or public places like movie theatres, shopping malls, supermarkets and other food markets. Do not use public transport or visit friends or family. Avoid being in the same room as people who are not immune to measles.

What if I or my child feel worse or have symptoms, and need to go to a doctor again? If you need to see a doctor, phone the medical centre or after-hours clinic before going there and tell them you (or your child) may have measles. When you arrive, you must be isolated and not sit in the waiting room.

My child hasn’t been in the same classroom as a measles case. Are they still at risk? If your child has been in the same class, room or space as the person with measles while they were infectious, then your child will have been exposed. If your child is not in the same class, even though they may have been in the same classroom afterwards or in the same hall or playground, the risk is much lower. The school is not asking you to keep your child at home, but do watch for symptoms, particularly if they are not vaccinated. We also ask you to check that they are vaccinated.

I don’t have any proof that I have been vaccinated– what do I do? If you have been exposed to measles but are younger than 50 years, and if your doctor cannot confirm you have been vaccinated or had measles, you will need to stay home for the isolation period. Please get vaccinated when you are out of isolation.

If my child has been exposed to measles, do I have to tell others? You do not need to tell anyone else that your child may be developing measles and is in isolation, unless your child is confirmed as having the virus. Only then will you need to inform the school, and then any family and social contacts.

I’m pregnant or have a weak immune system – am I at risk? Pregnant women who haven’t been vaccinated, and anyone with a weakened immune system, are at greater risk of measles complications. They or their caregiver should ask their doctor or lead maternity carer for advice.

Recently we were asked the question about where to find good quality information to begin the discussion between you as parents and your daughters about pornography.

Achievements

Tournament of Minds
Last Saturday the St Hilda’s Tournament of Minds team competed against a number of Dunedin and Christchurch teams in the Tournament of Minds competition.  St Hilda’s competed strongly and came away with a win in the secondary section.

The team of 7 was made up of Ameliè Warlow, Sophia Le, Eliabel Legrand, Imogen Irvine, Anna Fulton, Charlotte Cardno and Holly Hessen.  

The team had to compete in two sections.  The first section was the Long Term Challenge and the second section was the Spontaneous Challenge.  The Long Term Challenge is where the team has six weeks to solve an open-ended and demanding challenge.  They have to be creative and take risks and experiment with different ideas and solutions. They also have to demonstrate strong teamwork skills to work together to solve the Challenge.  This solution is then performed on competition day.

The team has to also compete a Spontaneous Challenge.  This involves being given a situation and having six minutes to work together to come up with creative responses.  The judges look for how well the teamwork together as a team, the thinking skills and processes used, and the creativity of ideas.

For the Long Term Challenge, the team had to rewrite the Wizard of Oz as if it was set in the South Island.  They had to consider things such as where the Yellow Brick Road would start and end and who their characters would be.  They had to choose hurdles for their characters and how they would overcome them. They also had to choose an overarching concept such as resilience and determination.  As well as writing their own script the team had to include at least two creative backdrops showing the story, design and make detailed costumes and props and compose at least two original songs that were relevant to the story.  

A massive undertaking and a well-deserved result for this team of students.

Winners for the Arts division of T.O.M 2019 – From the back left, Amélie Warlow (Y9), Imogen Irvine (Y9), Charlotte Cardno (Y7) Sophia Le (Y9), Eliabel Legrand (Y9), Anna Fulton (Y8) & Holly Hesson (Y8)

St Hilda’s Careers Evening

It was fantastic to see so many attend the careers’ evening. The guest speaker – Annabel Blaikie – gave us an interesting overview of what employers are looking for. The panels gave a range of perspectives and insights into the different vocational areas. Many thanks to the panelists for generously giving of their time and sharing their career journeys.

A Blue at St Hilda’s Collegiate School is awarded in recognition of students who have shown excellence and/or outstanding achievement in the cultural, sporting, academic or service arena’s at St Hilda’s Collegiate School.

The Blues evening will be held on Friday 18 October 2019. Awards presentation commences at 7:00pm.

The application forms for students to apply for Cultural, Service, Academic and Sport Blues are now available. Forms can be accessed via the student homepage: Blues Application Forms or via the Parent Portal : Blues Application Forms and Criteria.  Applications must be made by the student using their St Hilda’s email.

Applications close at 5.00pm on Friday 13 September. Some dance genres have competitions and examinations later so we ask that students put in an initial application before the deadline, noting that results are pending. The site will reopen on 20 September until 23 September for updates to these applications.

Successful applicants will receive notification at the end of September.

Activities this week –

Last Wednesday afternoon, Sings Hilda invited choirs attending the Big Sing Finale to an afternoon tea and concert held here at St Hilda’s Chapel. Euphony from Kristin School, and Saints Alive from St Cuthbert’s College gave performances of some of their repertoire alongside a performance from Sings Hilda.

All choirs joined together for a massed item, a choral arrangement of Ka Waiata ki a Maria.

This was a wonderful chance to meet and mingle with other choirs and to support each other’s performances. Best of luck to Euphony and Saints Alive for the Big Sing Finale performances.

 

Achievements

Bandquest
Last Friday St Hilda’s was represented by 2 bands at the Bandquest competition held at the Taieri College Performing Arts Centre. The Bandquest competition provides a platform for Year 7 and 8 students to perform music in a supportive and encouraging competition format.

We had 11 students enter across Year 7 and 8 in 2 bands called Blue Flame and Sparrows. Blue Flame consists of Chelsea Sinclair (voice), Tia Mawhinney (voice), Sofia Johnston (guitar), Lashaan Ashton (keyboard), Chloe Woodhouse (bass), and Ella Hucklebridge (drums). They performed “Jolene” by Dolly Parton, and “Nothing Breaks Like a Heart” by Miley Cyrus.

Sparrows consists of Emily Wright (voice), Amelia Leaper (voice), Kyla Ashton (guitar), Katie Moore (keyboard), and Izzy Taylor (drums). They performed “Without You” by Marcus & Martinus, and “It’s Time” by Imagine Dragons.

Sparrows

Blue Flame

Congratulations to Sofia Johnston who won the “Killer Guitarist” award for displaying the best guitar skills amongst all 15 bands.

Both bands performed at a high level and have been going from strength to strength in their confidence on stage. They should be very proud of themselves and it is clear, that these students have a lot of potential for the coming years.

St Hilda’s Careers Evening

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday night for our Careers Evening. It will be a great opportunity to explore a number of different career pathways. 6:30pm start in the Chapel.

Careers Evening on Tuesday 27 August will start at 6:30 pm in the Chapel

• Friday 23rd August – Bandquest. Taieri College Performing Arts Centre. 6:30pm. $10 (kids under 6 free). Good luck to our two bands who are competing.

Staff Only Day

Teacher only day – Monday 2nd September

As a staff we have been looking how we plan our programmes to best meet the needs of all students.  Departments will be focussing on specific strategies for this on Monday 2nd September.

St Hilda’s Blues

BOT Student Representative

This is a chance to make a difference by standing to be the student representative on the Board of Trustees. Meg Anderson, our current student representative, outlined the role for students at assembly  – nominations close on Friday 13 September.

Guidance

Tuesday evening was a very informative and valuable insight into the methodology of Restorative Practice. Thank you to all the parents and caregivers who attended this seminar.

Updated Reporting Timeline

We have adjusted the reporting timeline to accommodate the changes made to the junior reports at the end of Term 2. Year 7 – 10 students will receive an interim report in Week 8 and this will be followed by Junior Learning Conversations which will be held in Week 10. We are aware that it is not always possible for parents to attend these due to travelling distance and the timing of Learning Conversations so we are investigating the possible use of technology to assist with this.

Benchmark Examinations

Benchmark Examinations will be held in Week 8 / 9 – 12th September – 18th September. These will be held under NZQA conditions. Further details about these will be emailed home.

Assessment Guidelines

Plagiarism is the act of representing the work — words, thoughts, ideas, research, art — of other people as your own. ANY time you incorporate information into your project, assessment or research report that is NOT your own idea, thoughts, or research, you need to indicate, with in-text citations and a formal bibliography, where you found that information.

There are only a few instances in which you probably do not need to cite your sources.  You do not need to cite your sources if you are writing your own words, ideas, or original research.  You also do not need to cite information that is considered common knowledge, such as:

·       facts that are found in many sources (example: Marie Antoinette was guillotined in  1793.)
·       things that are easily observed (example: Many people talk on cell phones while driving.)
·       common sayings (example: Every man has his price.)

If you ever have ANY questions, be on the safe side and ask your teacher.

Canteen

Activities this week –

Achievements

Zara Geddes finished 1st in her U14 girls’ section at the recent Duathlon event.

Hockey
What an amazing night of finals hockey on Monday.  All our teams finished strongly and we had a large number of supporters down there cheering us on.

Congratulations to our First X1 who took out the final vs Columba. Full-time score saw a 2 all draw, so the game went to a shoot out.  We came out on top 4-3!

St Hilda’s Year 10 also took the win in their section vs Columba 3rd X1 2-0.

All our other teams also did well taking out 2nd/3rd  & 4th place overall.