Welcome back to a Term 2 like no other!

I hope you have been keeping safe and staying sane in your bubble over the past three weeks. These are very challenging times and my thoughts go out to everyone facing hardship of any kind at this time. Hopefully you have been able to find some positives throughout this experience so far. Slowing things down, spending quality time with those in my bubble, having regular video chats with my family, talking with friends and family I don’t talk to on a regular basis, completing long unfinished projects and having time to read have all been things I’ve enjoyed over the past three weeks.

Yesterday the Government outlined what Level 3 will look like when the country moves down from Level 4. The announcement about when this will happen will be made following the Cabinet meeting on Monday 20 April.

The key focus of Level 3 is on restricting contact between people as much as possible while allowing more businesses to get up and running. The advice to “Stay at Home” remains in place during Level 3. While the indications from the Government are that they want students to continue to learn from home, early childhood centres and schools are expected to be open for students up to Year 10, with attendance voluntary. The expectation is that schools will continue to provide online learning for all students throughout the duration of Level 3.

At present we have very little information to help us plan for the re-opening of the school to some students in Years 9 and 10. Once the decision about when we move to Level 3 is made on Monday and more information has been provided by the Ministry of Education, I will send out an email to all parents and caregivers outlining our plans.

In the meantime online programmes of learning continue to operate for all students.

This newsletter contains a number of links to resources you may like to look at to support your children’s learning. Teachers will be providing students with plenty to do so there is no need to find additional materials, but you may be interested in seeing what is out there.

Please do not hesitate to reach out for help or support from the school at this time. If we cannot help directly we will ensure we pass your request onto others who can.

Ngā mihi mahana

Linda Miller