We were delighted to move to Alert Level 2 this week and to see students return to school and re-connect with their friends, teachers and learning. Thanks to everyone - staff, whānau and students - for their commitment to online learning which has meant that students are well-placed for the coming parallel examinations and achievement for the rest of the year.

There has just been one concession for our students who have been disrupted by 16 days of alert level restrictions this year and this is the Learner Recognition Credits. For every five credits a student earns, they get one extra Learner Recognition Credit. Students at NCEA Level 1 are eligible for up to eight additional credits and students at NCEA Levels 2 or 3 are eligible for up to six additional credits. Please be aware that these are only awarded when a student falls short of the total credits needed to achieve the NCEA certificates. There are no changes to endorsements or university entrance requirements.

The remaining class and examination time this term will be valuable. School holidays remain unchanged, beginning on Friday 1st October. Many school activities have resumed and it is important for students to keep up with notices and the School-Wide Google Classroom.

Masks or face coverings are not required at school however students may use them if desired. It is important not to judge others for wearing or not wearing a mask, accepting that it is everyone’s individual decision. However, a student on a public bus MUST wear a mask. If your child is unwell, please do not send them to school. Good hygiene practice, hand-washing and cough and sneeze etiquette is important. All students must keep a record of their whereabouts by using contact tracing.

Subject selection is upon us. Please read the information about this carefully as we have not had our usual student learning conferences in August where we normally discuss this. Mentees are meeting with their mentors today and you can contact your child’s mentor or HODs at any time.

Finally, we farewell Dr Ian Phillips today, our long-serving Head of the Science Department and inspirational teacher of Chemistry. Ian has been with us 21 years and has contributed hugely to STEM, Citizen Science and academic programmes at our school. We wish him well in his new role as National Assessment Facilitator with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. We are currently in the process of appointing our new HOD Science.

We trust you are enjoying the new-found freedoms of Level 2. Stay safe and roll on Level 1!