As we move closer to alert status 4 I wanted to update you all further.

School holidays are being brought forward so that they are completed within the 4 week period. School holidays will now begin from Monday 30 March to Tuesday 14 April inclusive (a reminder that the Tuesday after Easter Monday is always a closed day for schools).

At the end of the school holidays, schools will be open for distance learning but not physically open for tamariki or staff to work at the schools.

Please note the instruction to stay home (Alert Level 4) will continue beyond the new school holiday period but schools will be technically open for distance instruction. Teachers will be working offsite.

Today our kaiako are working hard to put together packs of learning for our tamariki over the next week. They will be ready for pick up after 1pm today. We have stored all of them under Whaea Kate's verandah in plastic bags in plastic boxes. 

For the junior class packs ( Year 0-5 ) tamariki can expect work for the remainder of this week and for two weeks after the holidays. 

For our senior tamariki (Year 5-8) tamariki can expect work for the remainder of this week and for two weeks after the holidays as well. Some kaiako will be providing work online work through google classroom for the tamariki that have been used to using this platform. 

If you have WIFI but no device for your child to work on we have decided to loan chrome books to our two senior classes. This is Whaea Kate and Matua Kiwhakiwha's ākonga. Please come into the reception area today between 12pm and 3pm or tomorrow between 9am -11am. You will need to sign a waiver to take full financial responsibility to replace the device and the charger if the device is not returned how it was borrowed. These will only be given to whānau who intend to access the google classroom work. 

We are not expecting whānau to run formal lessons but more support tamariki to work together. This should not create stress. If there is work that your tamaiti finds too difficult move on to something else. Learning should be fun. 

The mental health of whānau is a priority so although the work is here it is not meant to be mandatory for whānau to complete. Looking after one another is your first priority. 

If you are unsure or worried about any of the mahi this week please contact the kaiako of your tamaiti by email. 

All emails are the first name of the kaiako and then @tuahiwi.school.nz

Distance Learning will begin from Wednesday April 15th for two weeks. Kaiako will be available for support and we will know more about what this looks like as this week evolves. 

We need to remember that our kaiako are also busy working out their lives in this ever changing situation. They will need time, space and patience as they to work through the current situation too. 

As an aside... I would personally like to thank everyone that has sent wonderful words of thanks or made lovely and positive comments. Ka nui te aroha ki a koutou katoa. You are always in our hearts and minds. 

Kia kaha te whānau, we know the this is a tough time and will continue to challenge us on a daily basis. 

Mel x