Dear Parents and Caregivers

Kia ora ki te whānau o te Cathedral Grammar School.

As our region, and indeed all of New Zealand, experiences a rise in COVID-19 cases, thank you once again for your ongoing collaboration with us as we navigate through these times. We appreciate this is an unsettling and ever evolving situation for us all, and we are grateful for the kind, caring and collective approach we are all adopting.

COVID-19 Update

Included in the email today from Diana Wylie (providing you with the link for this edition of Grammar Notes) was the latest communication from me regarding COVID-19. Please ensure you read this as it outlines the systems and procedures we will adopt should we be notified of a COVID-19 case or cases within our community. 

It is intended to provide you with assurance and clarity, along with actions required by you. Information I have received indicates the peak of this current 'rise' is approximately 6 weeks away. We are planned and ready.

Cranmer Square Protesters

Thank you also, for your understanding with this situation. It remains an amicable co-existence with teaching and learning continuing as planned for your children. 

I have had no direct reports of any verified issues involving students, staff and whānau, except for one gesture towards a staff member last Monday.

There have been some comments from students alleging certain behaviours and actions from the protesters. These have all been investigated and found to be untrue. They can be best described as 'playground stories' that have been added to as they move from student to student. We have discussed with students the importance of dealing with fact, not spreading information they are not involved with and informing a staff member immediately should they witness anything.

I reiterate, teaching and learning is continuing as planned and I have no current concerns regarding safety. 

I am in regular contact with the Christchurch City Council and NZ Police, along with communication with local residents. The support we have received has been very good. Our preference is that the location of the protest be elsewhere as this would enable us to use Cranmer Square as a part of our programmes. It also supports the wishes of our neighbours and local residents. We are doing what we can to support this becoming a reality, whilst ensuring the amicable nature of the current relationship between us and the protesters remains in place.

Thank you for your support as we balance this challenge.

Meet The Teacher

Thank you for your attendance at our online 'Meet The Teacher' sessions. It was disappointing to have to cancel the face to face meetings and social connection time, as we all value that as an important feature of the start of our year. 

I know we found the online version still to be a valuable exercise, and I hope you did too. Please send any feedback to me so we can ensure we meet your needs should we be required to do something similar again.

Follow Us On Social Media

Do you follow us on Facebook and Instagram? If not, please do! We use this as a regular form of communication to advertise events and share and celebrate learning, achievements and day to day happenings across the Pre-School and School. We have increased our following substantially over the past three years and are very keen to continue this. This is a great way to keep abreast of what is happening - especially in areas of the school you are not closely linked with. 

Wheels Day

A reminder that each Friday is Wheels Day. From 1-1:30pm. I supervise students in Chester St West on their bikes, scooters, roller skates, roller blades, skateboards etc. Helmets are required.

Car Parking

Can you please ensure you do not double park anywhere around our school. Our road patrol students are giving their time to provide a safe way for your children to cross the road, and this is made very difficult when cars double park and prohibit them from seeing if there is oncoming traffic. Please use our drop off zone by the Girls' School, the 3 minute parks in Chester St West or the P120 parks on Chester Sq, Kilmore St and Park Tce. 

School and Sun Hats

A reminder also that all students are to arrive and leave school with their formal school uniform hat on. Teachers at the end of the day, while dismissing their students, will check they have their hats on. This is a part of our school and our identity. Can you please ensure your child comes to school with their hat on, and we will do our bit at the end of the day.

Please also note that if your child is not wearing a sun hat at break times, they will be asked to sit in the shade. Sun hats can be purchased from the uniform shop - perhaps more than one is a good option.

For me, one of the measures of our culture is the experience new families have when they begin their time in our school community. Thank you to all who have welcomed, supported and guided our new families over the past few weeks. The feedback we have received signals this has had a significant impact and made a real difference. 

One of our four pillars is 'everyone matters'. Thank you for making this a reality.

Have a wonderful fortnight.

Ngā mihi,

Scott