Kia ora whānau. There’s a certain feeling of “deja-vu” with the current lockdown, and I find it a bit reassuring that we’ve been here before, we know what to do, and we know that the “plan” works.

Here’s a reminder of some of the things I said in a newsletter article last year:

• Being kind: Throughout our COVID-19 experience The Rt Hon.Jacinda Ardern has emphasised the need to be kind. At school our students show kindness to each other by completing the “Caught Being Kind” sheets which are then shared with their classmates. Maybe this is something you could try at home. Ask each person to nominate someone from your bubble who has done something kind, then distribute the nominations to the people nominated. This is sometimes easier than saying it out loud.

• Routines: Common advice from psychologists and other experts is for families to set up routines and create a new normal while in lockdown. This is helpful not only when we are in lockdown, but it helps us to transition out of lockdown and back into the classroom. I found this advice really helpful last lockdown when I was dealing with a bored 10 year old in my bubble. Each day before dinner we sat down and set a new timetable of activities for the following day. Over time the timetables settled into a regular pattern and this was really helpful in managing screen time, allocating a variety of activities (including doing chores), and it set him up well for when we returned to the routines of school timetables. This link takes you to a website that might give you some more ideas about setting routines as well as a handy template you can print off.

• Looking after yourself: We’re often reminded of the safety message on planes - “If an oxygen mask drops down, put your own mask on before helping other people”. Please look after yourselves so that you are in a good place to help others when they need it.

• Asking for help: The really clear message for families across the country has been that you are not alone, and if you need help we (a team of 5 million) are there for you. If your whānau needs help in any way please contact me at mt@hornby.school and I will be very pleased to arrange whatever support I can.

Ngā mihi

Terry Mitchell

Mōhua Year 7-9 Dean