Please could ALL families read the following notice from Graeme Budler, Executive Principal, regarding an EARLY CLOSE of school on Tuesday, 26 March.

Dear KingsWay School Community

As you may be aware, there was industrial action by teachers belonging to the NZEI union in 2018. KingsWay School was unaffected by this action as we are on the Area School’s Collective. The Ministry of Education is now renegotiating the Area School’s Collective, of which KingsWay School is a member. Consequently, our teachers, who are NZEI and PPTA union members, are scheduled to have a paid union meeting on 26 March from 2-5pm to discuss the terms of the renegotiated Area School’s Contract. Our teachers, who are union members, are obligated to attend this meeting that is being hosted at KingsWay School for all area school teachers who belong to the union. As most of our teaching staff belong to their respective unions, the management has decided to close the whole school for instruction from 2 pm on this day.

The management fully supports our teachers in their quest for better working conditions and increased remuneration. However, we are also acutely aware that some of our parents will struggle for childcare on the proposed day of this meeting. The management will provide supervision for students until 3.15pm courtesy of the remaining teachers and support staff for the school day at the Junior and Senior campuses; however, the school will not be open for instruction. Bayes school buses will run at 2 pm as per our arrangement when we have long weekends, whilst Ritchies buses will run at their usual times. 

Key Information:

• KingsWay School will be closed for instruction on 26 March from 2 pm due to a paid teacher union meeting.
• Bayes school buses will leave KingsWay School at the earlier time of 2 pm. Ritchies buses will run at their usual times. 
• Limited childcare is available until 3.15pm.

Kind regards,

Graeme Budler
Executive Principal