Kia ora koutou. I am writing this from the comfort of my own home, and you are probably reading this from yours! Although we have been in lockdown once before, there are still new things I am learning about how to do my teaching online. Hopefully we won’t be at home for much longer, but while we are still in Levels 3 or 4 there are a couple of things I want to mention about the learning from home for your child(ren).

Firstly, it is an expectation that every student is engaging with the work their teachers are providing. If you or your child is unsure about what work there is, please feel free to email their class teachers for more information. Please also ensure your child has a quiet place to work, where they can sit comfortably without distractions. Lying on their bed is not ideal. There may be particular reasons why your child cannot do some or all of the work. Their health and wellbeing is just as important, if not more so, than completing the set work. If there is anything I can help you with, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Similarly, if there is an issue with Chromebooks or internet access, let me know and I will see if there is a way I may be able to help.

Some of you may be concerned about the effect the lockdown is having on the ability of senior students to complete their NCEA work. At this stage we know that external exams have been pushed back two weeks, which means there is a bit more time to prepare for these than was originally planned. We do not know yet if there will be any other measures put in place to make up for this lost class time. I recommend your child completes what work they can, and saves what they do (either digitally or physically) in case their teacher needs to use their work as evidence towards any of the standards they are working on.

Lastly, and almost forgotten, is the Next Steps Camp that was held at Blue Skies in Kaiapoi, only a few days before we went into lockdown. We had an amazing group of Year 12 students that came along to learn about leadership and teamwork, and have a fun time. The weather was kind, a couple of short bursts of rain, but otherwise sunny and warm. The highlight of the camp was of course the bonfire, complete with roasted marshmallows, smores, and singing! Hopefully the skills the students learned will come in useful for whatever the future holds.

If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Ngā mihi nui.

Phil Daines

Years 10 - 12 Mōhua Kāhui Dean

(03) 349 5396 ext. 923

da@hornby.school.nz