Covid-19 and Alert Level changes have been major disruptors this week. It is a relief for everyone that we have returned to Level 1, and a relief to us that we will be able to enjoy our annual Athletic Sports today. While the Alert Level has dropped, it is still essential that we all follow the advice around practising good hygiene; staying home if unwell, scanning QR codes, sanitising and washing hands, coughing and sneezing into elbows, maintaining distance where possible and not sharing drink bottles and the like. Hand sanitiser continues to be provided at school and students need to be responsible for using it.

It is timely to remind you all where we post important information relating to events such as the school being closed (eg for Covid or snow) or other urgent matters. This newsletter comes out weekly and generally contains information about upcoming, planned events and accounts of things that have happened. In the event of urgent information we will send out information via email and in the school app. We will also place this information on our school website. There is a dedicated Covid button clearly highlighted on this page.

Much planning and preparation has gone into sports day. This event is an opportunity for our athletes to shine and it is always a highlight to see these students in action. It is also the premier event in our House Competition with much emphasis on fun and participation. Students who get involved in a wide range of events always enjoy the day the most, regardless of their sporting prowess. We hope to see many of you there supporting your child.

Two of the casualties of Alert Level 2 were our Year 9 Meet the Teachers evening and our Whanau Get-together. We have rescheduled the Year 9 evening to Monday 22nd February (next week) and I hope we will see many of our Year 9 parents there. We are still finalising where to place the Whanau Get-together in a very busy calendar. We will be in touch in due course.

By now students should have settled into classes and their studies. We are finding that handing phones in at the beginning of each class is making a positive difference to the learning environment. Some students are finding this requirement a challenge however, which goes to emphasise the addictive nature of these devices. We appreciate your support in reinforcing this expectation with your child. If you have any concerns about your child and their progress, please contact their year level dean. They are as follows:

Year 9: Ms Nielson ni@otagogirls.school.nz

Year 10: Mrs Millar mv@otagogirls.school.nz

Year 11: Miss Young yg@otagogirls.school.nz

Year 12: Miss Joyce jce@otagogirls.school.nz

Year 13: Miss Holmes hm@otagogirls.school.nz