The A-Z COVID-19 Community Information Sheet - April Edition

Dear Parents,

Welcome back to Term 2, albeit in under quite unusual circumstances. If you're anything like me, your main conversation piece remains COVID-19. I am aware that you are saturated daily with information, and I do not want to exacerbate the situation. Therefore, I plan to update this COVID-19 Information Sheet (below) at least monthly with relevant information if and when appropriate. Please email me directly if you have a query that is not addressed by the information sheet, and I will gladly include this and update the information accordingly. I plan to communicate a special bulletin once I have greater clarity regarding the Ministry’s timeline for the return of students to school.

I wish you well for the next two weeks as you supervise learning at your home. We are all praying for a quick outcome, and look forward to welcoming your children back to KingsWay School.

Regards,

Graeme Budler
Executive Principal

The A-Z COVID-19 Community Information Sheet - April Edition

After School Sport and Practices

All After School competitions postponed until further notice. A decision on the resumption of practices to be made on 1 May.

Assemblies

All assemblies and year group assemblies in the Middle and Senior School are postponed until further notice. Once out of lockdown, scheduled times will remain and be used for class pastoral care and to stream video messages. Primary School assemblies are postponed until further notice.

Assessment

Adjustments to assessments will be made as required at various levels, and students kept informed of any modifications.

Camps

A final decision on the viability of school camps will be made within three months of the scheduled date. Year 8 Sports Camp will be decided on 1 May.

Careers and Pathways

Senior School students can still make career and pathway appointments with Mrs Perrow by emailing jessica.price@kingsway.school.nz.

Classroom Preparation and Cleaning to Prepare for Return to School

Classrooms will be cleaned before schools opening as per MOE guidance.

During School Sport Programmes

Initial decisions related to these sports’ programmes will be made on 1 May. Social distancing and hygiene will be carefully considered as critical determining factors in decision making.

Evening Events

Any evening events held during May are postponed. The Middle School Mathex/Biblex evening will be decided on during May. Other evening events will be advised closer to the time.

ESOL

All ESOL students will be supported regularly each week to aide them with their learning.

Hours of Work

All teachers are contactable from 9 am- 3:30 pm daily during weekdays during the lockdown. All support staff to be available during their usual office hours. There is no expectation of being contactable after these hours. The typical protocols of answering emails with 24 hours of receipt remain.

International Students

The International Team continued to work over the lockdown period.

All international students have been contacted each week by one of the International Team – any issues were addressed. Once online classes commence, normal operations will resume, and staff will be contactable from 9am - 3:30pm.

Learning at Home

All students are expected to continue their learning programme at home. Time spent in learning is at the discretion of parents managing students in the home environment.

Marking the Roll

There is no expectation from the Ministry of Education for the school to officially take the student roll until we are back on site. Middle and Senior School teachers will maintain an informal student roll for their records.

The expectation is that students are at every session throughout the week for each class. However, the school management realises that on some occasions, it may not be possible for students to join but that this would not be more than one session per course per week. Staff will be contacting management and parents if some students are consistently absent or late for meetings.

NCEA

The lockdown significantly impacts subjects that have a considerable practical component such as Hospitality and Outdoor Education. Staff are encouraged to offer as much theory as possible during the lockdown. The possibility of a ‘catch-up’ week and continuation of these programmes until the end of Term 4 is a consideration. A final decision is to be made at the end of Term 2.

Overseas Travel

Overseas travel is discouraged during this time due to the mandatory quarantine time on your return. Please advise the office if you or your children intend to travel in the next year.

Planning for Changing COVID-19 Alert Levels - Lockdown Exit Plan

The ELT want to reassure you that following an announcement, the Ministry of Education will provide us some time to prepare for the physical reopening of KingsWay School. As more information becomes available, we will update you accordingly.

The Prime Minister reiterated that we would not be moving out of Level 4 early.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Term 1’s face to face teacher conferences have been cancelled. Primary and Middle School form teachers are requested to make telephonic contact with any at-risk students by 15 May. Senior School subject teachers to email parents of at-risk students and, if necessary or required, arrange a suitable time to speak by telephone by 15 May if not done so already.

Pastoral Care for Students

The pastoral care team are contactable during regular working hours.

Email: cherie.wallace@kingsway.school.nz to refer a student.

Property and Grounds Maintenance

Property and Grounds Maintenance will take place within the MOE guidelines.

Report Writing

The issuing of the mid-term written reports will be delayed until Term 3, Week 3. At this stage, Senior School report dates remain unchanged, but could be adjusted if the lockdown period is extended.

Senior School Ball

The Senior School Ball is, most likely, cancelled for 2020. A final decision whether KingsWay will adopt a compromised alternative will be made on 1 July.

Senior School Production

A final decision on whether to postpone this year’s production until 2021 will be made by 1 May.

Tournament Week

A final decision on Tournament Week to be made on 1 June.

Tax Receipts for 2019

Donations receipts were sent to all parents on 6 April. If you did not receive your receipt or have any queries, please contact rosie.braly@kingsway.school.nz.

Trips

All trips and school excursions are approved on a case by case basis and communicated about in advance. The Year 9 trip for Sports Studies to Snow Planet will be decided on Friday 8 June. Middle School Year level trips planned for 15-19 June will be decided on 1 June.

Uniform shop

All online orders can be collected from your child’s campus reception on the dates to be advised via the website and the KingsWay School app. Uniform shop hours will be notified. Once students return from the lockdown, a grace period will be extended to students to allow winter uniform to be purchased.

Year 13 Graduation

A revised graduation programme may replace the scheduled graduation evening. A final decision on this will be made on 1 August.