Latest information from Ross Willocks:

Tena koutou e te whanau

Greetings to all our Parents / Caregivers

Welcome

Welcome to 2021. We hope you are feeling relaxed and rested and are ready for the new school year. The teachers have been working hard over the last few weeks in preparation mode for this term. We are all looking forward to seeing the children and yourselves next week.

Reminder: Ministry of Education Teacher only day Friday 5 February.

Just a reminder about the scheduled Ministry of Education Teacher Only Day this coming Friday ( 5 February ) as posted on our school calendar last year. Teachers are required to participate in regular “in depth“ professional development by the Ministry of Education as a means to keeping “up to date” and providing the very best in teaching practice for our children. 

MASH have advised that they will be open for bookings on all Teacher Only Days in 2021. Please contact them directly to enquire. 

Thank you for your anticipated support here. We have posted below the Ministry of Education Teacher Only Days scheduled for 2021.

Scheduled Teacher Only Dates for 2021 are:

1. Term 1 - Week 1 - Friday 5th February (leading into Waitangi Day Monday)

2. Term 2 - Week 5 - Friday 4th June (leading into Queens Birthday weekend)

3. Term 3 - Week 6 - Monday 30th August

4. Term 4 - Week 1 - Friday 22nd October (leading into Labour Day weekend)

Covid19: Being prepared

One of the first conversations we have had with staff is the need to be prepared should a covid infection become an issue in our large school community. Strategically we are prepared for this possible eventuality and we ask all of our parents and caregivers to be likewise prepared. The recent events in the North Island have reminded us that we must not be complacent and to be "ready to go" with our procedures.

Please be vigilant with the following:

• Scan the QR codes and using the Covid Tracer app where ever you go and ensure that your bluetooth is switched on

• Whenever you enter our school you must scan one of the QR codes placed around the school. This is very important. If an infection issue did arise at school the Ministry of Health would shut the school initially for a 72 hours period for an assessment to be made. The assessment will be carried out more effectively and quickly if everyone entering the school scans in using the QR code. If a covid infection is found, the school could be closed for up to a week to allow deep cleaning and contact tracing to be completed. If everyone scans as they enter the school then contact tracing will not hold up the opening of the school, meaning less time will be spent organising child care and taking days off work to do so. Therefore it is in all our interests to scan the QR code whenever you enter the school. It only takes a few seconds to scan, so have your phone ready as you enter the school.

• Continue to reinforce regular hand washing and hand drying

• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or into your elbow

• Practise physical distancing

• Keep children at home if they are unwell and seek advice about getting tested

Whanau Picnic:

When: This Wednesday 3rd February between 5:30pm and 6:30pm.

Where: Queenspark School back field.

Cancelled if wet. (Check QPS FB page)

We would like to invite you to come to a family picnic to meet your child’s teachers, and join in some fun games with other QPS families.

Just come along with a blanket for the family to sit on, and some food and drink to have for tea.

*** This year we are running a ‘free’ raffle and have 3 x $100 Fresh Choice vouchers as prizes. Children who introduce their whānau to their teachers will be given a ticket to go into the draw to win! ***

Reports:

Great News… Our HERO system now has the function for you to print off your child’s report. Remember there are two sections to print, the report and the comment. You are able to log in and read your child’s progress throughout the year and you are now able to print off the report for yourself or for High School purposes. There is the function to print this or save as PDF and attach to an email to send to the High School. You can also log in and check on your school financial statement at any time also via Hero.

Easter Break /School dates:

A small reminder to please keep an eye on our calendars for dates and school closures. For example, Easter falls outside the school holidays this year. All schools have Friday to Tuesday as the Easter break. Friday 2nd - Tuesday 6th April.

Term 1 means.. remember your HATS!

We look forward to seeing you all on Monday morning :-)

Kind Regards

Ross Willocks

Principal

Queenspark