Welcome to Winter
Tēnā koutou ngā whānau,
A short week for all and oh my, the cooler weather has made getting out of bed so much harder. It is absolutely heartwarming to see the smiles and share in conversation at the gate each morning/afternoon, this is an important part of our school relationship with whānau and a time that I value sharing as a school leader. Even the banter with the wheelchair taxi driver’s keeps me on my toes on cold days. These regular meeting times have certainly been an upside to the Alert Level system, don’t get me wrong I love my ‘normal duties’ Monday morning on the Kea Crossing and Friday afternoon Road Patrol however there is something special about being able to just take the time to be among the community.
Dress like a Superhero Mufti Day - Wednesday 10 June
Our super PTA is running a mufti day with a difference, come dressed up next Wednesday as your favourite superhero, or invent your own super look! All you need to bring in is either a piece of Warm Winter Children's Clothing in good condition or Canned Food Donation to support our school community. Check out their HAIL message.
Alert Level 1
News of another announcement from the Government is pending early next week about the potential shift to Alert Level 1. We will notify you as soon as the Secretary for Education has confirmed what this will look like for schools.
There are key public health measures (Golden Rules) for everyone in New Zealand to follow. For schools and early learning services this means:
If people are sick, they should stay home (phone Healthline or their GP and get tested if they have cold or flu symptoms).
Continue to regularly wash and dry hands, sneeze and cough into elbows.
Soap, water and the ability to dry hands should be provided in bathrooms.
Regularly disinfect shared surfaces.
Support contact tracing efforts by displaying QR Code posters for the NZ COVID Tracer App.
Stringent self-isolation of those who display relevant symptoms of COVID-19, test positive for COVID-19, have been in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19, or have been overseas in the last 14 days – Ministry of Health information for self-isolation.
At all levels, upon advice from the local medical officer of health, any educational facilities connected to a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 must close on an individual or group basis for 72 hours to allow contact tracing, and then potentially for a further 14 days.
At Alert Level 1 it is highly likely we will be returning to a normal school operating timetable from 8.55am - 3pm. There will be no designated drop off and pick up zones for parents. We do ask that you continue to praise and support your son or daughter with their increased independence; simple things such as carrying their own bag, having a goodbye routine, managing themselves and tuakana-teina/siblings supporting each other. These are positive steps for many students and the gains they have made should continue to be built upon.
Meet our New Staff
In 2020 we have two new release teachers on the Isleworth staff who provide cover for our provisionally registered teachers and team leaders. Both teachers work three days per week and pick up additional relieving as required, this continuity and stability for our students is vital. This week let us introduce Mrs Elisa Currie who works in Team Awa & Moana.
Mrs Currie - Kia ora, my name is Elisa Currie. I have had the privilege of teaching in Teams Awa, Waipuna and Moana during my time at Isleworth School this year. I am Christchurch born and bred, my husband and I recently moved from the country back into the city. I have two sons and a daughter. My passions are drama and singing.
Zones of Regulation
During our lockdown we reflected as a staff on the explicit teaching of appropriate responses to behaviour that we have explored in our learning with the Ministry of Education and RTLB. The Zones of Regulation is a framework used to teach students how to manage their feelings and get them to a 'happy' place using four coloured zones.
This curriculum has been developed by Leah Kuypers, it is evidence based practice, and widely used in a variety of schools both nationally and internationally. Students are taught specific skills and coping strategies to support them throughout the day. This helps them to become more aware of their feelings, regulate their actions, which can lead to an increase in control over their behaviour and capacity to problem solve in times of trouble.
There are four zones to describe how your brain and body feel.
BLUE Zone – Your body is running slow, such as when you are tired, sick, sad or bored.
GREEN Zone – Like a green light, you are “good to go.” You body may feel happy, calm, content and focused. This is the optimal ready to learn zone.
YELLOW Zone – This zone describes when you start to loose control, such as when you are frustrated, anxious, stressed, excited, nervous, worried, silly or surprised. Use caution when you are in this zone.
RED Zone – This zone is for extreme emotions such as anger, rage, devastation, terror and aggression. When you are in this zone, you are out of control, have trouble making good decisions and must STOP!
Throughout the post lockdown period we have been introducing these zones school wide, some students may already be familiar with the material and strategies from 2019. Lessons will focus on: identifying our feelings, understanding triggers and contexts, what each zone looks like, feels like and sounds like, tools for moving us back to the Green Zone - ready for optimal learning. While introducing the Zones we use a few snippets from the movie 'Inside Out'. If you get a wet day and are stuck for family material to generate discussion check it out.
Stay safe and dry this weekend.
Ngā mihi nui
Suzanne Newton