School Strike for Climate Change Rally – 27th September 2019

Tēnā Koutou,

You may be aware that at 1.00pm on Friday, 27 September 2019 a further School Strike 4 Climate NZ rally is to be held in Christchurch. 

I am sure that you have discussed this issue and the School Strike 4 Climate NZ rally with your daughters. We support students having a voice and understand the desire of many to positively influence their future environment. 

Senior students who are involved in the organisation of this strike have put a great degree of planning and work into this event. 

I have attached relevant information from the organisers regarding the rally. If your daughter does want to attend the rally, it is important to note a few key points. 

Given our duty of care, if your daughter is intending to attend, we need your prior approval indicating that you know they are attending, by emailing the school via attendance@cghs.school.nz or by letter dropped at the red desk. Because there is good notice of this event and we want our students to make a well-considered decision in discussion with you, these emails must be received by midday on Wednesday 25 September 2019. 

We will not be releasing any student via text or phone call with parents on Friday 27 September as this caused significant disruption to our office last time. Students will be issued with a green pass on Thursday to use to sign out of school on Friday with ease. Sign out is not to be before the end of Period 3, 12.20pm. 

By giving your approval this means that the school has no responsibility for your daughter once they leave the school grounds and that you are aware of their attendance at the Climate Strike. 

Any student who has permission to attend will be marked as explained but unjustified. These are Ministry of Education guidelines and going on the strike would be classified as unjustified. If there is no permission then they would be marked as truant. 

Please note that if an assessment has been scheduled for that time it will still be occurring and the school’s assessment procedures will apply. 

Whether your child chooses to wear uniform or not is a matter for you to discuss with them. 

Nāku iti noa, na 

Christine O’Neill
Principal
Christchurch Girls' High School - Te Kura o Hine Waiora