One week until the government's announcement on Monday 11 May about our next alert levels.
Kia ora koutou. Talofa. Kia Orana. Malo e lelei. Bula. Fakaalofa atu. Namaste and Kumusta. Greetings to everyone at LCŌ and our wider LCŌ community as we begin another week of Level 3 distance learning.
Kia ora koutou
Today, Rāhina-Monday, has started week 2 of our altered term 2, although it continues to be a very different school-week for us all. My thoughts are every learner and every whānau-aiga-family as we continue to balance the range of complexities and pressures that our community faces.
Thinking about Level 3 ending
The Prime Minister has said that on Monday 11 May the government will announce its decision about the review of Alert Level 3. One of the options is that we move at some point after Monday 11 May into Alert Level 2.
It is tempting to think that Level 3 is going to quickly stop, that Level 2 will happen automatically, and it all happens after Monday 11 May. However, I am having to keep reminding myself that nothing is decided or guaranteed. The only certain point is that there is an announcement on Monday 11 May.
Ministry of Education preparation
Level 3 will end at some time however, and the Ministry of Education has begun its preparation for the various post-Level 3 options. The Ministry of Education is working with the Ministry of Health and the various national educational groups for a clear set of the public health requirements for schools. Iona Holsted, the Secretary of Education (the national boss) has said that the base for this thinking is the COVID-19 Alert Level Table that is on the Government website. The Prime Minister has also said that the detail of Alert Level 2 is being considered.
We are told that the health and safety guidance will again include information for parents and caregivers, students, staff and Boards and will have a particular focus how we welcome our young people back to their school on this as-yet unknown future date.
LCŌ's distance learning
Many students have developed their routine for managing their learning in their present circumstances well. For some students, and for many reasons, distance learning is still a challenge. My key message remains that wellbeing and learning go hand in hand, one reinforces the other, and so we have learning expectations, learning expectations that are personalised to each student and their whānau.
"Personalised" means that in these extraordinary circumstances the situation for each student and their whānau may be very different. LCŌ completely supports parents in their judgement and how they manage their whānau-life for wellbeing, everyone's wellbeing.
As I have written before, parents are the best people to judge the right amount of time of schoolwork for their children, whether the learning levels of the schoolwork are right, the balance of (school) screentime vs other activity, the level of engagement and all the other factors that make up whānau life and distance learning in Alert Level 3.
Next communication
I will be in touch as soon as we receive information from either the Ministry of Education or Ministry of Health. Until then, as always, please be in touch with us if necessary. The school office is open so a phone call is possible, and, if required, my direct contact is en@linwoodcollege.school.nz and 027 6221090.
Go well.
Ngā mihi nui -
Richard Edmundson Tumuaki-Principal