The A-Z COVID-19 Information Sheet - May Edition

KingsWay School —

An Update from Graeme Budler, 29 April 2020

Dear Parents,

Today we welcomed a handful of students to school under Alert Level 3. I confess it was somewhat surreal. While it was wonderful to have real live students moving through the gates once again, I confess to missing the familiar sounds of learning, chatter and laughter of the crowds.

I have updated the A-Z COVID-19 Community Information Sheet (below). While some information remains the same from the last edition, I have updated the May edition with additional information that has come to light and recent decisions made. The school leadership are currently working towards a return to school soon, and staff are rearing to go when we get the green light at Alert Level 2.

Kind regards,

Graeme Budler
Executive Principal

The A-Z COVID-19 Community Information Sheet – May Edition

After School Sport and Practices

All After School competitions are postponed until further notice. Harbour Sport is considering adopting a revised draw under Alert Level 2. A decision on the resumption of practices is to be made before we are advised by the Ministry of Education of a return to school under Alert Level 2.

Assemblies

All assemblies and year group assemblies in the Middle and Senior School are postponed until further notice. Under Alert Level 2, 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. The Year 8 Sport’s Camp is cancelled.

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

Classrooms will be cleaned before opening as per MOE guidance. Both sites are in the process of being cleaned and prepared for a return of all students at Alert Level 2.

During School Sport Programmes

Initial decisions related to sports’ programmes during the day will be made before students return at Alert Level 2. 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 is cancelled. Other evening events will be advised closer to the time.

ESOL

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

Hours of Work

All teachers are contactable via email from 9 am - 3:30 pm daily during weekdays during Alert Level 3. All support staff are contactable during their usual office hours. There is no expectation of being contactable after hours. The typical protocols of answering emails within 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 and any issues have been addressed. Normal operations have resumed with online classes, and staff can be contacted from 9 am - 3:30 pm during week days.

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. Students in Years 1-10 who are attending school under Alert Level 3 continue with the distance programme.

Marking the Roll

There is no expectation from the Ministry of Education for the school to officially take the student roll, unless students are onsite. 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 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 ‘catch-up’ weeks or days and continuation of these programmes until the end of Term 4 is a consideration. A final decision will be made when we enter Alert Level 2, and return to school.

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.

Alert Level 3 Exit Plan

The ELT are preparing for an exit out of Alert Level 3 in the next two weeks. We continue to be guided by the MOE on specific dates and guidelines.

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 are to email parents of at-risk students and 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. Please 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. The grounds are being maintained, and the school fields are out of bounds until the middle of May.

Report Writing

The issuing of the mid-year written reports will be delayed until Term 3, Week 3.

Senior School Ball

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

Senior School Production

A final decision on whether to postpone this year’s production until 2021 is postponed until the announcement of Alert Level 2.

Tournament Week

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

Tax Receipts for 2019

Donation 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.