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COVID-19 Notice
COVID-19 is a contagious disease.
As of 1 PM on Friday, 20 March 2020, we have 2 known casse of COVID-19 in isolation in Canterbury, but we have no wider community transmission of the virus at this stage. We do need to remain vigilant.
Do NOT visit our campus if you have:
- Chills, shivering, and / or fever (temperature above 38C)
- Coughing and / or sore throat
- Difficulty breathing
- Suspect you have been in contact with Coronavirus
Contact Healthline (for free) on 0800 358 5453 or your doctor.
Letter from Our CEO, Noel Turner
Hello everybody,
I know there is some concern about the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation.
I want to assure you that we are taking your safety and your final educational outcome with regards to your course very seriously.
While there are strict rules around absenteeism, the rules can be adapted somewhat in the case of national emergencies. This was last tested by the Christchurch earthquakes when we had to close our school twice during a semester. We worked with students and other organisations and managed to work along with hardly a problem. The pass-rate was very good and no-one was disadvantaged by the situation. I was extremely proud of our team and our students and how they handled everything.
In this case, we are asking you to refrain from coming to the school if you have been exposed to, or have contracted COVID-19 (Coronavirus). This is likely to be offset against your sick leave entitlement. This is why we always emphasize that you need to keep as many days in your sick leave entitlement as possible available to you in case they are needed. That to me, makes perfect sense.
However, you must not come to school if you suspect that you have contracted the COVID-19 virus or if you have been in close contact with any other person who has the virus. If you do come to school when either of the above applies to you, it means that you might be responsible for spreading the disease through the school, forcing a closure and causing problems for everyone here. You don’t want to be that person.
We are working away to ensure that procedures are in place to cover closures or absences caused by COVID-19. In short, we will provide you with assignments with measurable outcomes which you will be able to do at home. Members of our team will be available for advice by email and phone. We will guide and assist you where needed. In the event we must close, the time you are away will not be counted as time-off and we will be providing course work and will assume that you are still studying and working under your own steam at home.
The final proof of the quality of the work you are doing will become dependent on the outcome of your qualifying examinations. Simply – if you have done the work, you should pass. If you have not, you may fail.
Other measures to keep everyone safe may be introduced at any time. It is a difficult time for us balancing the quality of the school environment and your enjoyment of the course against the requirements of our governing bodies and the New Zealand Government.
I am concerned I am hearing reports some students have said they will come into school no matter what, even if they are sick. Please do not! You will be risking the health of everyone here.
While at school, please wash your hands. Often. In addition, use the hand sanitisers in addition to (not in place of) hand washing. Take whatever precautions we ask you to take. We are receiving up-to-date advice from several Government Departments, so we are working with the latest knowledge and instructions laid down by them.
With all of us working together and looking out for each other, we should be able to continue on by simply taking extra care and precautions. That said, none of us know what the future holds, but we are all work with you, not against you.
And wash your hands. I can’t emphasise this enough!
Above all, look out for each other. We usually have students who have moved away from their normal environment to study with us. Don’t feel isolated. Don’t let anyone feel isolated Together we are strong so let’s not leave anyone behind.
I hope this clears up some of the worry you have regarding this. As usual, if you have any worries, please speak to any staff member you feel comfortable talking to for further information.
Above all, wash your hands! 😊
Yours Sincerely,
Noel Turner, PhD
Chief Executive Officer
Aesthetics House Limited trading as The National School of Aesthetics