Dear Parents, Caregivers and Whanau,

It’s hard to believe we have arrived at the end of Week 6, Term 3. What a few weeks we have had as we’ve experienced another lockdown and then shifted from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3. I hope the ‘remote learning’ for your child/ren has gone as well as could be expected during this time and I thank you for your ongoing support with this. Please keep in touch with your child’s teachers, especially if you have any concerns about their wellbeing or learning.

Under Alert Level 3, we currently have ONE small ‘Bubble’ operating at school for those students whose parents cannot look after their children at home. In the meantime, our teaching and support staff continue to work from their homes to ensure teaching and learning can continue for all students, whilst they also juggle the demands and challenges of looking after their own children and families. Can I again express my sincerest gratitude and thanks to all our staff for their genuine care, support, and commitment to ensuring our students are being well supported with their learning and wellbeing.

When we are allowed to move from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2, which we hope for the South Island may be sometime next week (DV), we will be having a ‘STAFF ONLY DAY’ before students return to school.

I will confirm what day this will be as soon as I know when we will be moving to Alert Level 2.

This day will allow time for staff:

· To prepare the site to meet the health requirements under Alert Level 2

· To have staff and team meetings to review the teaching and learning that occurred under Alert Levels 4 & 3

· To plan and prepare to manage the wellbeing and pastoral needs for when students return to school

· To prepare for teaching and learning under Alert Level 2

· To prepare for the upcoming Senior College preliminary exams

On this day students will continue with their remote learning and work set by their teachers. However, there will not be any live lessons delivered by teachers, as the teachers will be involved in the above activities.

Can I encourage you with these words from:

Habakkuk 3:17-19

17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails, and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.

19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to tread on the heights.

I wish you God’s grace and peace as you continue to shepherd your children in the ways of the Lord.

May our Lord bless us all and continue to guide us as we seek to serve Him in our respective callings.

Blessings in Christ

Mike Vannoort

Principal (Tumuaki)