He mihi mahana ki a koutou katoa - Warm greetings to all.

There is a sense of uncertainty  today with the announcement of COVID in Christchurch. We will be communicating quickly with you if there is an Alert change. We will use our current database to issue devices if we need to and will run drive by's to collect them and/or some new hard copy resources if needed.

If at Alert Level 3 we will also send a survey for bubble school for workers who cannot work at home so we can operate bubble school.

Please keep an eye on your APP and emails. Like me you will have your fingers crossed that we do not have to change Alerts.

I am concerned at the number of people entering our school without masks and expecting to communicate with our staff. Please wear masks if you have to come onto the school grounds.

On a positive note, once again we have had a successful block of swimming and many of our tamariki have made considerable progress.  I'd like to stress the importance of lessons to keep up the wonderful work. The good thing about this programme is that they have swimming instruction as well as instruction in water safety.

Best wishes to the 49 tamariki who are participating in the South West Zones Athletics competition next Thursday, hopefully. It will be a different experience without spectators but our thoughts will be with them.

In this weeks newsletter I have included the criteria for our awards that are given out at the end of year assembly.

Thanks to those that have contacted me about placements for next year. If you want to give me some information to consider for your child's placement in 2022 please do so by the end of the day tomorrow. Email is fine.

Please fill in the school Travel Plan Survey - see separate article.

I am sure you have heard that vaccinations are mandatory for all staff in schools. Our register is already set up as staff have to have had their first jab by 15 November. It also applies to contractors, volunteers and anyone engaged to provide onsite services.

This has an implication for all parents and volunteers who help with coaching, school trips, sausage sizzles, or any parent who is likely to come into contact with our tamariki. They will have to provide proof of vaccinations and be on our register.

See information further in the newsletter.

Alert Level 2 Events

There are a number of events that cannot go ahead if we are not in "green" but we are trying to offer experiences where we can. Below is a very fluid plan. Who knows what will happen.

If we haven't reached the green traffic light.

Maunga teitei - cancelled

Athletics - cancelled.

Art Exhibition ( 25/26 Nov) - going ahead with restrictions

Kids Market/ Whānau Evening ( 26 Nov) - cancelled

Year 6 Leavers (Wed 15 Dec) - going ahead for tamariki, live streamed to parents

Service SMART assembly (Fri 10 Dec) - virtually

Final Assembly - ( Fri - 17 Dec) - virtually

End of Year trips - we are waiting Alert Level 2 requirements for places we visit before making any decisions.

Lastly, it is the last day for you to fill out the Gluten Free Sausage Survey for the PTA.