A Note from Graeme Budler, Executive Principal
Dear KingsWay Community,
Ngā mihi mahana ki a koutou katoa.
I realise that many KingsWay families are doing it tough right now. We are navigating one of the most testing and challenging periods in recent history. At times like this, it is easy and even understandable to feel grumpy with people and our situation. While facing a different challenge, Paul urges Christians in the book of Hebrews in chapter 12 verse 2- with the following words: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart”. My prayer for the KingsWay community is that we will not grow weary and lose heart. Instead, we will together overcome this obstacle in unity, in God’s strength and with kindness and support. Peter Wilding (Board Chairperson) has written a short update for the community regarding recent major government announcements related to Covid and schools. See link.
Moving to Level 3 – Stage 1
The government has signalled that Auckland will stay at Alert Level 3, Stage 1 for at least another week. Please read this document carefully and familiarise yourself with KingsWay’s Level 3 Stage 1 protocols as we have updated a few items following recent Ministry of Education information. Several urgent action points require your immediate attention. We apologise in advance for the short turnaround. These actions should not take much time and are essential to resume distance learning on Monday, 18 October seamlessly.
Alert Level 3, Stage 1 Protocols, Information and Actions
1. Attendance at Level 3, Stage 1
The Junior Campus is closed until further notice. We will supervise pre-registered students from Years 1-10 at the Senior Campus. KingsWay’s Senior Campus is open once more on Monday 18 October for only the small number of children who need to attend. All our usual safety precautions for Alert Level 3 are in place, which includes all the recommendations from the public health experts. This measure means we keep students in bubbles of no more than 10.
Please keep your child at home if there is an appropriate carer available and support your child’s learning. For those of you with no other option, we are preparing to support your child at school next week. Please scan in at the gate before entering the school at all times.
A limited amount of Year 13 students completing specialist practical work is onsite at Alert Level 3 Stage 1. They are invite-only, and we permit them to enter the front gate while always maintaining social distancing and adhering to protocols.
Action: To allow the management time to prepare appropriately, please complete this FORM before 11 am on Friday 15 October if you intend to send your child to school next week because you cannot find appropriate care for your child. Due to logistical and health and safety arrangements, we cannot accommodate unregistered students without at least 12 hours’ notice and do not check emails during weekends. Please wait for a confirmation before dropping your child at school. We will contact and confirm in writing with eligible Senior School students.
2. Communication
A nurse will be onsite daily, but if your child shows any cold or flu symptoms, you will be contacted and must collect them asap. On collection, remain in your car in the Visitors car park outside the Senior Campus Main Reception and call the nurse on 09-427 0903.
- We have postponed all in-person activities until further notice.
- The Office will be staffed between 8:30 am and 3:30 pm but will not be open for in-person business. Should you need to contact Reception, please call 09-427 0900 in the first instance.
- The website will update the community on all Alert Level 3 protocols. The Executive Principal will continue to update the community daily at Alert Level 3 before 6 pm.
3. Vaccination Register
The Ministry of Education now requires schools to hold a COVID-19 vaccination register for all eligible students and all staff. Whilst there is no mandate for vaccinations for students, the Ministry of Education requires KingsWay to record if your child over 12 years of age has had their first and second vaccine dose. KingsWay holds this information following the Privacy Act protocols and will only share it with public health authorities.
Action: Please complete this FORM (one for each child) to update KingsWay on your child’s vaccination status if they are 12 years or older before they return to school.
This link remains active and appears on the KingsWay website to allow you to update your child’s vaccination status should this change.
Once your child has had two vaccinations, please send a copy of their completed immunisation card or certificate to KingsWay’s Lead Registered Nurse Anita Wicks anita.wicks@kingsway.school.nz
4. Face Masks
Please note that it is now a requirement for students 12 years and older to wear face coverings while at school and on school transport. We recommend surgical masks as these are proven to be the most effective. In rare instances, people can apply for a mask exemption. Would you please provide evidence if your child has an approved mask exemption before returning to the physical school site?
Action: If your child has an approved mask exemption, please send a scanned copy to KingsWay’s Lead Registered Nurse Anita Wicks anita.wicks@kingsway.school.nz
5. Teaching and Learning
KingsWay continues to support all students at home through our distance learning programme. Senior students continue with learning on Teams and Middle School students on Zoom. Primary staff have prepared additional home learning packs for students in Years 1-6. We are adding another level of teacher feedback using the Seesaw platform currently being used in the primary classes and teachers will communicate what this will look like at the different year levels through their regular parent communication emails.
Home Learning packs can be collected on Friday afternoon (tomorrow) via contactless pickup at the Senior Campus, between 2pm and 5pm. Uncollected packs will be couriered out to students next week, if not collected from the Senior School office by Tuesday.
6. Health and Safety
Our staff are tested for COVID-19 before they get back to work. Following the recent government requirement, we are also supporting staff vaccinations before 1 January. You can also assist everyone’s safety by keeping your child at home if they are feeling unwell, and please get in touch with your GP or Healthline to seek advice about getting tested.
Action: Please inform the Executive Principal if anyone in your bubble tests positive for Covid-19 by emailing principal@kingsway.school.nz
7. Uniform Shop
The uniform shop remains closed and we continue to encourage parents to purchase online. All online orders received by end of Sunday 17 October will be available for contactless pick-up from the main reception on Tuesday 19 October between 10:00 – 12:00. Should you wish to exchange or return an item, please mark this clearly and hand in at the main reception no later than the end of Wednesday 20 October. All exchanges and other online purchases (received by end of day Wednesday 20 October) will be available for contactless pick-up from the main reception on Friday 22 October between 10:00 – 12:00. Please scan in at the gate before coming onsite.
8. School Services
Skids is closed under Alert Level 3.
9. Student Wellbeing
You can book student counselling by emailing:
Cherie.wallace@kingsway.school.nz
10. Trips, Camps and Excursions
It appears unlikely that there is going to be any trips or camps for the next five weeks. We realise that this news is disappointing to many as many of these events serve as rites of passage. Staff are exploring ways to honour the intent of these events while adhering to alert level protocols. KingsWay’s Finance team will start processing reimbursements from next week.
11. Sport
There are no practices or competitions at Alert Level 3.
I realise that there are strong opinions related to many issues around Covid-19, in particular vaccinations. As a state-integrated school, the government requires KingsWay to adhere to all Ministry of Education directives. While I respect your right to hold a different view, I wish to remind you not to use KingsWay’s social media platforms or communication channels to share your opinion or other information.
Ngā mihi nui,
Graeme Budler
Executive Principal
Primary School Notices
Welcome to Mrs Peta-Ann Ross who is picking up Mrs van den Berg’s Year 3 class for this term, Mrs Cristal McKoy in her new role as Assistant Head of Primary and a big welcome back to Mrs De Gibson, who returns to us after completing her Sabbatical!
Please note that, regrettably, Year 6 Camp has been cancelled but we are considering other alternatives for the Year 6 students to enjoy.
Swimming Lessons for Year 1 – 5 have also now been cancelled.
Middle School Notices
Welcome back to Term 4. We are ready to commence Distance Learning in the same way we had done it in Term 3. While this is disappointing, we look forward to resuming onsite schooling. Please, as always, communicate with your child’s homeroom teacher if you have any concerns regarding your child’s learning or wellbeing.
If your child was taught by Mrs Stacey, who is now on maternity leave, please note that Year 9 teachers will teach these online classes. This will enable for seamless Distance Learning for these students. Mrs Morris will commence teaching when we return to school onsite.
Senior School Notices
NCEA Derived Grade Exams
Note that derived grade exams will not be able to proceed in the format we had planned, however, we are looking into alternative options to ensure these proceed in some way. We are regularly seeking updates from NZQA and MOE about the guidelines for learning and assessment. More detail to follow next week.
Calendar dates will be reassessed in light of further delays to being back on site.