‘E ako ana, ā, e tipu tahi ana tātou’ - Learning and growing together.

Kia ora Koutou

I hope that everyone enjoyed the long weekend, taking a timely break with family and friends.

It has been frustrating not to be able to plan too far ahead, as well as having to cancel several school events, or think about running events in a different way. 

As far as school events and activities are concerned, the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education make the decisions, especially around the size of gatherings/events, those in our bubble and health and safety requirements and as a school we have a legal obligation to follow their direction.

Thank you for your understanding and patience during these uncertain times.

Athletic Sports:

It was great to see so many personal bests achieved at last Thursday's Athletic Sports morning. Unfortunately TSSA and Otago Athletic Champs have both been cancelled. Results from our own Athletic Sports Day will be collated and put in next week's newsletter.

World Teachers' Day

This Friday is World Teachers' Day.

World Teachers’ Day is important because it’s an annual opportunity to recognize teachers and how they’re helping and nurturing the young people of tomorrow. Each year, World Teachers’ Day has a unique theme to build awareness about the current teaching climate and recognize the immediate needs and challenges teachers currently face.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 World Teachers’ Day theme is “Teachers at the heart of education recovery.” This year’s theme focuses on how society can fully support teachers and contribute to the recovery process.

At East Taieri we are extremely fortunate to have such a professional, dedicated teaching team who work incredibly hard to provide the best possible learning environment for your children.

Reminder - MOE COVID-19 update

On Monday 11 October 2021 the Government advised that all staff and workers who may have contact with children and students in schools and kura throughout the country (regardless of COVID-19 Alert Level) will be required to have a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by 15 November and be fully vaccinated by 1 January 2022.

From 1 January 2022, education services must only allow those that are fully vaccinated to provide onsite services during opening hours.

This means vaccinations are mandatory for all those working onsite including teachers, relief teachers, casual staff, administration staff, caretakers, cleaners, OSCAR providers and hostel staff – whether direct employees or employees of a contractor. It also applies to unpaid workers, such as volunteers (including parent volunteers) and any members of the community who are on site at the school kura, as they are likely to come into contact with students.

The vaccination requirement does not apply to parents or whānau undertaking student pick-ups and drop-offs, but these should be conducted in an outdoor environment where face coverings must be worn, and physical distancing measures retained.

A REMINDER ABOUT LEVEL 2 GUIDELINES

PUPIL ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

• Unwell children and adults are not to enter the school.

• Parents are encouraged to drop their children at the main gates - Cemetery Road entrances and school carpark gate entrance. There will be a staff member monitoring entry at each gate. Gates from the field will be locked.

• The name of any parent who comes onto the school site will be recorded - to enable contact tracing.

• Children are NOT to arrive at school BEFORE 8:30am (unless they are attending Kelly Club). If bus children arrive before 8:30am they will head straight to their classroom.

• Children must go to their classroom upon arriving at school. They can then stay in class, or play in a designated before school play area - teachers will inform children of where these are.

• Some children may be anxious or reluctant to leave parents at the gate. If this is the case, parents may bring their child to the classroom door, do the hand over, and then leave the school promptly.

• Children who show signs of sickness will be sent home.

• Latecomers are to head straight to the office

• The bus bell will be rung at 2.40pm and the bus will be leaving school at 2.45pm

• To avoid congestion at the gates children from the Junior School will be taken to the school carpark gate with their teacher at 2.40pm. Older siblings will leave at this time as well. Could parents please let us know if they cannot collect children at that time. Those who cannot be collected early will stay with their teacher until 3pm.

• Middle and senior school students will leave at the normal time of 3pm.

• Kelly Club staff will notify you of their safe arrival and departure process
  

CLASSROOM PRACTICE

• It is unreasonable to expect children to maintain a safe distance from each other and from the teachers 24/7.

• The wearing of masks is optional.

• We will do our best to educate the children that for the time being, closeness could spread sickness but we will not police this unreasonably.

• The classroom should operate as normal with the following exceptions:

• Children will line up outside the classroom after interval and break times and after being anywhere else in the school - e.g. library, CRT, etc

• Hand sanitising or washing at the beginning and end of each session is essential. Such practices should also happen when the children use other areas in the school such as the Owhiro Centre, the playground and the library.

• Teachers will ensure there is a supply of hand sanitiser, soap, tissues available in their classroom. Surfaces will be cleaned with disinfectant regularly.

• Each child will need a named drink bottle - no drinking fountains to be used

• Children are to use hand sanitiser as they enter their classroom

VISITORS

• We need to keep a record of all we come in contact with.

• Visitors will be discouraged to visit school. They will be asked if possible to use the phone or email to communicate with school staff.

BUSES

• School buses will be running as normal in the mornings

• When bus children arrive at school they will go straight to their classrooms

• Afternoon buses will be leaving school at 2.45pm

• If there are any changes to bus arrangements for your child please contact the office

Enjoy the short week ahead.

Ngā mihi nui

Jennifer Horgan