Weekly News Term 1 Week 8

Dear Parents and Caregivers

As you are all aware the situation with COVID-19 is very changeable. We are following Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health guidelines in all we do and we will communicate any updates to you. We are changing the way we hold assemblies and chapels and always considering how to adapt our practice to keep students safe without disrupting their learning. We will continue to provide avenues for them to connect, create, be active and have fun, as these elements of school life are essential to their everyday wellbeing.

Yesterday, we decided to cancel the school production for 2020. It was done with considerable regret, however the logistics of running rehearsals and building towards a performance, were just unmanageable in the current environment. The school calendar is so full later in the year that we could not feasibly find another time to hold this event. We will look for creative performance opportunities as alternatives for the juniors towards the end of the year, and hope to hold a production in 2021.

This week we have also hosted the Education Review Office as they investigated how well we provide equitable and excellent outcomes for students progress, achievement and learning. The team spent four days in the school meeting with staff, students and Board members. Their processes are very thorough and their report of emergent findings with the Board of Trustees last night was very encouraging. We look forward to receiving the final report in the coming months.

Please take the time over the long weekend to enjoy time with family, stay safe, and relax. Please read the article on real time resilience strategies for coping with Coronavirus by  Dr Lucy Hone and Dr Denise Quinlan,Co-Directors of the New Zealand Institute of Wellbeing and Resilience. Their advice is excellent and timely for all of us.

Jackie Barron