Kia ora tatou. This message comes to you at a very strange time for all of us.

The early end to the term because of Covid-19, has rather caught us on the hop with our usual practice of sending out the end of term Tatler. We may well have some gaps in this issue, as our ability to gather in all the stories we wanted to, and to get photographs of students has been compromised. However, we would rather take the opportunity to send what we currently have, than delay, as there is uncertainty about when we will be able to gather all our school community together once more. 

Once more we find ourselves adjusting to circumstances that we could never have contemplated. When I addressed students and staff at the beginning of the year, and invited them to look forward to a wonderful first full year on our new campus, there was nothing in my mind that could ever have suggested that we would be closing the school, embarking on a programme of online learning and requiring us all to stay in our homes for a period of time because of a global pandemic. 

As I reflect on what this region has had to deal with over recent years, I remember the lessons we learned in the 2010/2011 earthquake years. Then, as now, when faced with a similar but different crisis, our response has to be focused on doing what is needed and what is possible, adapting to the changed circumstance and looking after each other. 

Many felt considerable relief at our Prime Minister’s announcement that we were moving as a nation into Alert Level 4, which of course meant closing the school and staying at home. I acknowledge the growing concern that whānau and staff were feeling about school still operating while the threat of catching the virus was increasing. 

While we moved quickly through the Alert levels to full closure, fortunately the preparatory work that we had undertaken has stood us in good stead to do what was required to see that students and staff were appropriately looked after. We have worked to get learning to all students, with provision of devices for those who didn’t have one, and delivery of written packs of work for those without internet. Teachers have responded amazingly, getting lessons online and connecting with teaching and whānau classes. 

Our online learning enables not just provision of work, but the ability to connect one on one or with groups or classes, and enables dialogue so topics can be explored and feedback given. It has been encouraging to hear of how well girls connected with learning from home over the final four days of term. I reiterate that if any student has difficulty in accessing her learning she needs to email her class teacher to let her know, as we want all students able to embark on their term 2 learning programmes when that starts up once more on 15 April. Of course the holidays provide a wonderful opportunity for any student who has work still to complete, to do so. 

I am also aware that the pandemic has been responsible for some decisions that students will find disappointing, as do we. Our joint production with SBHS has been cancelled this year. We simply cannot guarantee rehearsal times and an appropriate build up to the performance time. Our Year 13 Formal has had to be postponed from its original 9 May date, but we hope to be able to schedule a Formal for the end of the year. Sports events for which students have trained have been cancelled as has the start of the winter sports season, and we do not know how that season will play out. In addition, our enthusiastic student leaders have a range of activities and events planned, some of which will not now be able to be scheduled; field trips too have been cancelled. All of these, and other cancellations will cause deep disappointment to the students concerned, and I want to commend them for their maturity in understanding that these decisions were absolutely necessary to ensure the health of the wider community. 

I am aware that families will have different home circumstances, and some may be finding the enforced lockdown challenging. I direct you to the websites that have been advertising their availability for support. If you have concerns regarding your daughter’s wellbeing or learning, the first point of contact is your daughter's pouako or their kaitiaki. You can also contact the Head of Pastoral Care Nardine Schroder directly. You'll find their contact details on our wellbeing page further in this Tatler. 

I send my very best wishes to all students and whānau at this time. My very strong wish is that this virus does not impact on any of you and that you all stay safe and healthy at home. 

We will be in touch at the start of the new term. In the meantime, please contact me if I can be of help. 

Ngā mihi 

Sue Hume 

Principal