A warm welcome back to Term 2 and the orange setting in the COVID Protection Framework. I hope all students enjoyed the holidays and have returned refreshed for a busy Term 2 with more items able to be back on the school calendar.

Masks

As indicated at the end of term 1, school is running as per usual five days a week with no rostering off or online learning, except for those isolating at home either with covid or as household contacts. We continue to have a steady number of 40 to 50 per day so covid is still actively present in our community as it is in the wider community. Masks, while no longer mandatory, are still strongly encouraged in the school setting for the protection of all. We are asking for your support to expect our students to wear masks in class for each other and particularly for staff, some of whom have a range of underlying health conditions or who have vulnerable family members. Very few students are doing this currently.

COVID protocols

The same public health precautions for covid apply in schools and hostels as across all workplaces and organisations ie stay home if sick, cough and cold etiquette and washing hands. Sick and symptomatic students and staff are expected to stay home if sick and students will continue to be sent home from the school and the hostel if they are ill. This is particularly important as we head into winter with a potential rise in winter illnesses after a period of closed borders and lockdowns. Plenty of learning and course work will continue to be available online for students at home. If your daughter has an ongoing medical condition, for example moderate to severe asthma, which can be mistaken for a cough related illness please let her Dean know so we can accommodate those situations.

Junior parent interviews

A number of events are running but in a different format. Year 9 and 10 parent interviews are running between 2-5pm on Tuesday 17 May and 9am to 2pm Friday 20th May. Both these sets of interviews will be online. As well as a covid precaution, other schools who are using the format we are adopting have reported the highest parent engagement they have had and parent feedback that it is far more convenient and preferable for them. Parents are able to zoom into a private interview from their workplace or home, not have to look for a park, nor arrange childcare. We will be interested in your feedback afterwards. The interview booking schedule will be available to you on Monday evening and will close next Friday. You will receive information about how to book by email and how the online link will operate.

Open Day

Open Day is a hybrid model this year due to covid. You can visit our website for further detail. Prior to Open Day the website will include video welcome addresses from the Principal, Head Student and some Year 9 students. School tours will be run on Tuesday 24 May and Thursday 26 May between 9am and 1pm in smaller groups of 12 for 2023 Year 9 students only and parents. It is essential to register for a place on the tours (information will be available on the website closer to the time). Masks will be expected to be worn by visitors to the school. Further information will follow but please advertise the tour dates to family, friends and prospective parents you may know. Enrolments close July 29 2022 for all out of zone applications and we would appreciate as many in zone applications by that date as well to assist with 2023 roll planning.

Ngā mihi nui

Christine O’Neill, Principal