Kia ora Parents / Caregivers / Whanau

Welcome to term 2!

As I left home for work this morning to check on our grounds and buildings, I found myself thinking "I wonder if my car will start?  It has been sitting idle for weeks on end.  Luckily it did.  Like everyone else, I've been stuck at home for so long and it got me thinking about the past few weeks and just how unorthodox life has been.  As I reflected more about what I had been doing and saying, there were two words in particular that I have said or written more times than ever before:  'Bubble' and 'unprecedented'.

In fact, I don't think I have used these words at all in a school newsletter or email?  These are two words that, in my mind, sum up the past 4-6 weeks of COVID-19 and Alert Level 4 lockdown.  We have been living in a bubble, totally removed from any human contact in a situation that is new to us all.  

But, thanks to our amazing health system staff as well as the work of so many essential service personnel, we have managed to get through.  I know that many of you have found these recent weeks really tough for many reasons.  I would like to express my deepest sympathies to those of you who have lost someone close and couldn't attend their funeral, or perhaps you may have lost work or income?  My hope is that the future days will become brighter and we can all resume a way of life that we are accustomed to.

It has certainly been a challenging time working out how we, as a school, will operate under Alert Level 3 restrictions.  Thankfully, with the guidance from the Ministry of Education and the support of our staff and Board of Trustees, we have developed a plan that will enable students and staff to return if they need to.

From 29th April, we will be moving into Alert Level 3 and opening up with many restrictions in place.  The key principle of alert level 3 is to 'limit contact', in other words, as Jacinda Adern said "Please stay home. If you are not at work, school, exercising or getting essentials, then you must be at home".   

But, if your child/ren need to be at school, please understand that the way school will function will not be normal.  Children will be put into "Bubble Classes" and these bubble classes will be made up of family groups, up to 10 students.  They will have a supervising teacher with them at all times and they will complete their online / distance learning programme set by their normal HB Teacher.  Staff and students will be maintaining safe distancing of 1m inside and 2m outside and they will not be interacting with other children or bubble classes.  Each bubble class will have their own bathroom to use, their own desk, stationery and even sports/play equipment.  Break times will likely be staggered and possibly even pick up and drop off times.

So, it's not necessarily schooling as we know it, but our safety plans are written and underpinned by MOH and MOE guidelines so it's going to be a safe place to learn.  If your children are at school, we will take the best care of them and ensure they are well supervised and supported in a caring environment.

Community of Learning - Lead Principal

On a different note, I wanted to let you know that I am privileged to have been recently appointed as the Lead Principal of our Kahui Ako (Community of Learning).  I am most certainly not leaving the amazing Clearview Primary.  This is an additional role and my number one priority will be to continue to lead Clearview Primary.  In saying this, however it does involve some time away from school to carry out the job.  This will be up to 2 days off site per week.  During these times of absence, our two Associate Principals Mrs Leigh Fowler and Mrs Tracey Young will assume the role of acting principal of Clearview Primary so things will continue to run smoothly.

We have such a cohesive group of local schools and ECEs within the Rolleston area that is part of our Community of Learning and in order for us to continue moving forward and leading the way, we need someone to lead us all.  I feel very honoured to have this extra role and look forward to continuing the great work of Sue Jackson (Principal of West Melton School) who has stepped down from it.

I wish you all a safe and restful long weekend ahead.  

Ngā mihi nui

Rob Rush

Principal / Tumuaki