Kia ora Te Whānau,

This week has seen a spike in our COVID numbers, especially in our Junior classes. Along with other winter ailments and people being kaitiaki of others, we had nearly a third of the school away today and also on Tuesday. It makes us return to our guidelines and ask that families strongly consider sending their tamariki, especially Y4 and above, with masks until this surge ends. This is especially important as we head into the holidays with so many of our community having made plans to reconnect with family or simply recharge after another COVID term.

Given this increase in numbers, we have decided the Parent Teacher Meetings scheduled for next Tuesday 5 July and Wednesday 6 July will now be conducted online for all. The bookings that you have already created will remain. We will be in contact with you about how this will be organised soon. Being kaitiaki of each other has been our CAS way through COVID and we thank you for your support as we do a quick COVID pivot to continue to ensure the safety of our community.

COVID also impacts our ability to secure relief teachers to cover classes. I’d like to thank our incredible staff for the mahi tahi they have shown, especially this week. At times this has meant that their release time has been redistributed and caught up at another time, them covering other people’s roles or them having additional children in their classes. I know you will agree with me that they are a cracking team!

Finally, I’d like to thank you all for your support of me in the Acting Principal role over the last term. In particular I need to mention David Miller, our incredible BOT Chair who I have appreciated working alongside. I have really enjoyed the learning that has come from this opportunity. We look forward to Kate returning to us next week. 

Ngā mihi nui

Jo Staite

Acting Principal