A Note from Graeme Budler, Executive Principal
Dear KingsWay Community,
I am writing today’s update from school. I confess that it feels like a deserted town compared to the bustling place when the students are here. I know I speak for all staff when I say that we are missing having the students onsite. Thank you to everyone for persevering for a while longer to allow teachers to juggle the challenges of distance learning with balancing their own family’s needs.
We have adopted a wait-and-see strategy and will update you in the last week of the holidays regarding plans for next term. Meanwhile, stay safe, eat less chocolate and know that we miss you all and cannot wait for things to return to normal, even if that is a new normal.
God bless,
Graeme Budler
Executive Principal
Whole School Notices
A reminder that Summer Football registrations CLOSE this Friday, 24 September. Registration for Summer Football is slightly different this year. You won't be able to register through the usual Kindo (school shop), but rather by filling in the form found on the Summer Football website page under the Fees and Registration tab/heading. Or simply click on the link below to register:
Summer Football Registration Form
Wellbeing
The initial surge of happiness at moving Alert Levels will have undoubtedly been a boost to many in our community. This transition may also bring with it additional stresses of re-orientating routines and rhythms to suit a change in work patterns and the like. Here are some simple reminders to help families continue to be well as we navigate Level 3.
- Work Together! It’s important that students, parents and teachers work as a team, adopting supportive communication and behaviour. Value and encourage open and honest communication.
- Listen to your child’s experience and seek to validate all feelings. Everyone’s experience is valid. Avoid dismissive statements that shut down i.e. “harden up” or “get over it.” A brave face is not indifferent to feelings and experience – it is showing courage as we validate and navigate them!
- Remember your job is to be your child’s caring parent, but not their rescuer. Encourage each person in the household to consider “What am I responsible for?” and get on with that.
- Reduce Demands and Adjust Expectations. Be prepared to relax expectations and encourage your child to work according to their capacity. Allow time for new routines and rhythms to be established. Level 3 is not a return to normality – it is still a time where expectations and routine need careful management.
Wellbeing Webinar WED 29th September | 7 pm
Navigating the Digital Spaces of GenZ
We are pleased to be hosting another wellbeing webinar next week. We have two speakers from Laidlaw College who will present how Gen Z and teenagers think and operate within a predominantly online lifestyle. We will cover practical wisdom tips for parents on topics like gaming and social media.
Access to the broadcast is available HERE.
Primary School Notices
Parent-Teacher Conferences Thursday 30th November
Parents will receive an email today which will provide login details for PTO, where bookings for Parent-Teacher Conferences can be made. Bookings go live from 3:30pm today and close at 9.00am on Thursday 30th November.
Middle School Notices
Teachers will be working hard to keep students engaged, motivated and having fun as they aim towards finishing the term well. This is a real-life lesson in perseverance which is hard but can reap rewards as we know from scripture. We often talk of finishing well in Middle School and the importance of having character even when we feel like giving up at the end of a term.
Senior School Notices
As the end of term rolls near we encourage all students to continue to meet deadlines and expectations in terms of online classes, assignments and assessments. We acknowledge this term has been challenging for everyone and look forward to a well-deserved break before a hopeful return to school in Term 4.