Welcome back to Term 2.

This term is a longer one (11 weeks) than Term 1(9 weeks), which seemed to disappear within the blink of an eye. To support families with planning, I have placed here some important dates for events and activities that may impact our students and families and their weekly schedules.

Important dates:

• Monday, 27th April. ANZAC Day is observed on (School closed due to public holiday)

• Friday 1st May - Movie Night Fundraiser

• Tuesday 5th May - Student Conferences 3 pm onwards

• Tuesday 5th May Board Hui - 6. PM onwards

• 18th - 29th May - CAA examinations

• Monday 1st June - King's Birthday observed (School closed due to public holiday)

• Friday 3 July - Last Day of Term 2

Fuel Crisis Concerns

I have been recently contacted by a couple of parents, and there is much concern in our community regarding fuel cost and access.

Te Kamo High School is provided with clear guidelines from the Ministry of Education regarding our responses to concerns about access to educational opportunities.

At this point in time, New Zealand is in phase 1 of the Fuel Response Plan. This means schools and early learning services will keep operating as usual.

There is no change to:

• children and young people attending school or early learning services

• staff teaching on site

• using transport to get to and from schools or early learning services.

We are actively monitoring and planning so we can respond quickly if there is a change in phase.

At phase 1, there are no changes for schools and kura regarding:

• budgets and funding

• staffing

• making operational decisions

Attendance

While we are sympathetic to the financial strain the increase in fuel prices is putting on whanau, the Ministry of Education policy is that, as New Zealand is in Phase 1 of the fuel shortage, students are expected to be at school for face-to-face learning. Schools are not required to specifically supply any online distance teaching material. However, students will be able to access their subject’s Google Classroom, which will have classwork set.

Any absences relating to fuel issues will have to be coded as explained, but will be considered unjustified and will count against a student's attendance rate.

Ngā mihi maioha

Natasha Hemara