A Note from Graeme Budler, Executive Principal

Dear KingsWay Community,

Ngā mihi mahana ki a koutou katoa.

It was great to see many of our senior students and parents' friendly faces, albeit hidden behind a mask, as we handed out derived grade assessments this morning. Today’s government announcement has far-reaching implications for everyone. The ELT hope to consider the information over the long weekend and respond once we hear the next significant update from the Minister of Education on Tuesday next week.

Meanwhile, we continue to offer supervision for registered students of an essential worker in Years 1-10 and distance learning for all other students. I want to take this opportunity to wish all our students well who are sitting NCEA derived assessments all the best for next week. To the rest of the community, I hope that you have a relaxing extended break.

Ngā mihi nui and God bless,

Graeme Büdler
Executive Principal

Whole School Notices

Term Start Dates for 2022

The year start dates for Term 1, 2022 are on our website – VIEW HERE.

Aladdin Production Refunds

Should you request a refund or want to make a donation please e-mail rosie.braly@kingsway.school.nz.

Wellbeing

Episode 2 of ‘Lockdown Life’ explores how we navigate the losses that occur during lockdown. Cherie Wallace talks use through strategies we can employ to help navigate this challenge.

Lockdown Life – Episode 2: Resilience and Loss (WATCH NOW)

If you missed Episode 1: Resilience on the Roller-coaster you can access it HERE.

Primary School Notices

No updates for today.

Middle School Notices

We are mindful that this time of distance learning is prolonged and that for Middle School students and families there is not a clear indication of when our return will be. While parent feedback on the balance and programme is overwhelmingly positive, we are cognisant that student motivation and engagement is possibly waning. We continue to develop ways of recognising student effort and sparking their interest. You will see an increase in fun activities to help provide our young people with highlights in their week.

Please remember that as parents you can moderate your child’s workflow. You can expect additional amounts of work to be done using the supplied Optional Extra pages, reading times across a week or Education Perfect etc. You are also welcome to reduce workload if you feel that is needed by your child. Teachers continuously check work online and give feedback and will update you if your child appears to be disengaged for a period so that we can understand and assist.

More updates on events and adaptations for Term 4 will follow as we gain further clarity. Many blessings over you all as you lead your young ones to live in peace and faith in these times. Let us ensure that our children do not develop a mentality of fear or worry but to hold on to the certainty that is in a life following our Lord and saviour. Clearly, we need the Holy Spirit to help us with this.

Have a wonderful Labour Weekend.

Senior School Notices

Derived Grades Assessments

Information is here once again for how students should approach the online assessments next week. Please remind your child to stay calm and try to put their best foot forward.

As noted earlier, it is vital that students put their best efforts in at this time because while the government has indicated NCEA exams will continue, there is still a chance that covid cases in the local vicinity could disrupt these exams. If that happened, the school-derived grade assessments, in conjunction with other evidence gathered, would become the student’s final grade.

If you anticipate any problems with WIFI or have trouble accessing the online assessments next week please email colin.thomson@kingsway.school.nz and your individual teacher.

Note, if you were unable to pick up a physical Maths paper today, these will be available from reception on Tuesday between 10am – 2pm. If not, remember these will be uploaded online.

Unexpected Event Grades

There have been a number of queries about the Unexpected Event Grade (UEG) Process. UEG processes apply in circumstances where an ‘exceptional event’ may undermine students ability to complete their final NCEA exams. NZQA defines an exceptional event as one that stops students:

• from attending an examination, or
• impairs their performance in an examination (e.g. extended lockdowns), or
• prevents them from completing an examination.

The unexpected event grade is based on standard-specific evidence collected by the school prior to the start of the external examination period. As communicated previously, where the student attends the examination, the better of the unexpected event grade or examination grade will be awarded. This process will occur at NZQA’s end at the end of the year and grades would not be finalised until January, as per usual. If students could not attend NCEA external exams due to covid related factors, the unexpected event grade would be applied. However, NZQA has noted that students results tend to be higher if they sit the external exams, so we are recommending that students do sit their final NCEA exams if possible.