Following the mandating of vaccinations in the Education Sector, I had hoped to be able to update you further about whether parents can enter learning spaces and buildings but new guidelines from Ministry of Health and Education asks that "adults conducting student pick-ups and drop-offs: this should occur in an outdoor environment where face coverings must be worn, and physical distancing measures retained" - this is different to Term 3. So please wear a mask for drop offs and pick ups and avoid entering the learning spaces from Monday until we have further confirmation from MOE and MOH.

So while we wait for the Ministry of Health to publish its public health orders and the Ministry of Education response we have had to do some re thinking of events planned for Term 4. And believe me I know the only thing worse than  uncertainty right now is disappointment.

So to keep you in the loop this is our current thinking (which of course could all change)...

TRIPS - including Arthurs Pass, Sailing, Teddy Bears Picnics

• We are thinking trips MAY NOT GO AHEAD - we are waiting for info re parent helpers needing to be vaccinated. And we need to know about people running events - like museum staff. And need to be minimising any risk of exposure to public

SPORTS EVENTS - including in school and cross school events

• Again it's a parent helper issue and whether spectators are allowed so MAY NOT GO AHEAD

ASSEMBLIES

• Only team assemblies will be held in the hall, no full assemblies, no parents can attend. We will be working through how we could potentially live stream/record these events  considering privacy implications

SHREK - this is the confirmed arrangement

• We are sadly going ahead with closed performances - no adults in the audience - with 2 matinees on Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th November during school hours. These performances will be professionally recorded with multiple cameras for distribution to families (we shall be seeking permission for your child to be recorded and the footage distributed to school families - also following copyright agreements with MTI). Any parents assisting with costumes and make up will be considered volunteers and therefore required to fill in our vaccination register.

KAPAHAKA

• Tūhono - alternative option has been made for Sunday 21st Nov at Horncastle. Students in Te Tipuranga can expect more details later this week

• Maunga Teitei - with Kahukura school at West Spreydon - HIGHLY UNLIKELY

END OF YEAR EVENTS

• All Prize givings - we aim to hold outdoors if we can have parents on site for that amount of time (following gathering restrictions) or held in school hours and live streamed /recorded

• Addington's Got Talent - only held outdoors as above,  if not a concert by kids for kids.

• Leavers Dinner - only outdoors if allowed

OTHER 'EVENTS' THAT INVOLVE PARENTS

• Parent Meetings - we ask that these are held via the phone or zoom until we hear about protocols

• Parents  are not to go into classes for pick ups until we have any further info from MOE.

• New Entrant Visits - we are waiting for further MOE and MOH information

• Intermediate Transition Visits - wait for Intermediates protocols

• And if you need to do face to face transactions in the office please wear your face covering. We would prefer if you text, telephoned or emailed.

Thank you for your co operation as we continue to navigate such uncertain times.

I also wanted to let you know I have collected vaccination status as per the government mandate of all staff (as defined in the mandate).

We will be doing everything we can to make sure Term 4 is as awesome as it always is. As you can see the many great minds in our team are already mulling over awesome alternatives to make sure 2021 isn't only remembered for Covid-19.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me principal@addington.school.nz and I will do my best to answer given the information I have available to share.

Your kindness counts, 

Donna Buchanan