Important messages are added below. (You can also click on the attached files to keep up to date regarding the COVID-19 coronavirus in relation to our KBS community).

12 August 2020

Kia ora koutou

As I’m sure you have heard, from 12:00pm today we move to alert level 2. At alert level two our school remains open however the following things now apply:

• Public health advice is that schools, early learning services and tertiary institutions are safe to open onsite at Alert Level 2.
• People do not need to return to bubbles at Alert Level 2 and can meet with friends and family. But people need to play it safe and continue to take sensible health and safety precautions.
• At Level 2, almost all children can continue to attend schools and kura onsite. The only exceptions are children or young people who are sick and have any COVID-19 symptoms, are in isolation, or are awaiting the result of a test. with learning support needs where they are required to remain at home.
• Playground, sports equipment use and sports, including contact sports, remain available at Alert Level 2.
• Two key public health principles support our education approach to Alert Level 2. These are to minimise the risk that someone gets infected in the first place, and to ensure we can identify and contact anyone who has been in close contact, if someone in an education institution is infected.
• Strong public health control measures will be in place including learners and staff staying home if they are sick, contact tracing, and safe hygiene requirements.
• If we were to have a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19, we may be advised by health to close for 72 hours to allow contact tracing, and then potentially for a further 14 days.
• Alert Level 2 is all about being safe and sensible and this is the approach that goes through our guidance to schools and services. So physical distancing will remain important in schools where possible.
• Contact tracing is again essential – you can do this via the school app, paper copy outside classrooms or the Government app.

We will keep you updated with additional information as it is provided to us.

Ngā mihi nui
Murray Overton

9 June 2020

Kia ora koutou

I’m sure you were all as pleased as us to hear the Prime Minister’s announcement about the move to Alert Level 1, effective at midnight last night. After everyone’s effort over recent weeks it’s great to get to this point.

At level 1 the Government guidelines are:

If people are sick, they should stay home (phone Healthline or their GP and get tested if they have cold or flu symptoms).

• Continue to regularly wash and dry hands, sneeze and cough into elbows.
• Soap, water and the ability to dry hands is be provided in our bathrooms.
• Regularly disinfected shared surfaces is part of our ongoing cleaning.
• Support contact tracing efforts by displaying QR Code posters for the NZ COVID Tracer App (see below for more information)
• Stringent self-isolation of those who display relevant symptoms of COVID-19, test positive for COVID-19, have been in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19, or have been overseas in the last 14 days – Ministry of Health information for self-isolation.

Today we are replacing the level 2 signage around KBS. We are supporting ongoing contact tracing by having our unique KBS QR code posters at our gates and the main entrance for you to use. If you haven’t already downloaded the NZ COVID Tracer app the Ministry of Health’s NZ-COVID Tracer app page has information to help you do this. You no longer need to sign in on a classroom register or via the Skool Loop app. If you are coming to school, other than the usual drop off and pick up, please sign in at the office via VisTab

If your child is sick they can be picked up from the office. Children who are unwell with cold or flu symptoms, should stay away from school for 48 hours after their symptoms have disappeared, and seek medical advice as recommended above.

We would appreciate that you don’t use the office as a short cut to get to other parts of the school, especially at the start and the end of the day. From tomorrow the drinking fountains will be available for use after a thorough clean and removal of their coverings. We are continuing with designated play areas for the coming weeks as this has assisted with some very positive playground activities.

We can also now look forward to inter-school and community sport, cultural events and performances and to welcoming all of our school community on site for these activities. Whānau times will resume next week with the first one planned for Friday 19th June. These will continue every second Friday.

Thank you again for your support, if you have any questions please let me know.

Ngā mihi nui
Murray Overton

18 May 2020

Hi everyone

It was really good to welcome most of our students back today - amazing to see how so many had grown, and to see the variety in lockdown haircuts! Thank you again for all your work at home with your children and their home learning over the last 8 weeks. You have done a great job.

We really appreciate your help as we manage alert level 2 at KBS. This means ensuring physical distancing, good hygiene practices and contact tracing. All our teams and individual classes have spent time going over these things today. Excellent to have students bringing full drink bottles and staying in the designated areas during their breaks too.

The drive through was very busy at the start and end of school. Please ensure you stay in your car while waiting. If needed, please 'do the loop' if your child is not there waiting. It is much safer if your child can get into the car on the 'hall side' in the drive through so they are not in the way of moving traffic.

A note went out earlier today about contact tracing which is now available through the Skool Loop app (if it is not appearing on your screen, you may need to update your app). Please remember to use the app or sign in on one of tracking registers at the classrooms each time you are on school grounds.

Also, please remember to keep any children at home who are showing any flu-like symptoms. Children can return to school 48 hours after their symptoms have gone.

If you have any questions or concerns please let us know.

Ngā mihi nui

Murray Overton

14 May 2020

Good afternoon everyone

Please find below a copy of the notice from Murray outlining what school will look like at Alert Level 2. Please take time to read this carefully, and let Murray know if you have any questions.   (File name: COVID-19 Update Alert Level 2, added 14 May 2020)

We look forward to seeing the children back at school next week.

12th May 2020

Kia ora koutou

As you will have heard we move to Level 2 on Thursday 14th May. It's great to have this confirmed and we look forward to seeing students back at school. If you need your child to be at school on Thursday 14th May and/or Friday 15th May this week, to assist with your return to work, you must register this with our school office 03 327 7231 or office@kbs.school.nz by 3:00pm Wednesday 13th May.

We are currently working to ensure we meet the requirements of the Ministries of Health and Education to move to Level 2. It is not 'business as usual' and we will be in touch with more information about the protocols that will be in place before the end of this week. For those of you with children at school already, please be aware that from Thursday we move to Team based bubbles so siblings will no longer be in the same bubbles.

If your child will not be returning to school (due to health concerns) at Level 2, please contact your child's teacher to let them know. The teacher will then work with you around continued learning at home. If there is anything I can help you with or you would like to check on please email me: principal@kbs.school.nz

Ngā mihi nui
Murray Overton

8th May 2020 

Kia ora koutou

Thank you to all of you who have filled out the survey over the last week. We had ​187 responses, with 247 families in our school that is a great return. The information you have provided will help us in the coming weeks as we ​plan ​for a return to school.​ The draw for the 5 x New World Vouchers has been done, and the winners will be notified next week.​

We understand the last ​few ​weeks have been challenging​​ in many ways and I'm sure you will be looking forward to moving to Level 2. You may have heard that at Level 2 schools are open. The first possible date for this would be Monday 18th May​. ​ We are currently working through the details supplied by the Ministries of Health and Education to make sure we have everything in place for a smooth reopening.

We will be back in touch next week with more details. In the meantime if you need to register your child to be ​at school next week, please let me know. ​

​Have a great weekend and enjoy the sunshine.

Ngā mihi nui
Murray Overton

4th May 2020 2:30pm - from Jenny Fraser (DP)

Kia ora whānau,

I hope you and your tamariki are all doing well as we continue on at Alert Level 3. Sometimes things can become a little challenging or overwhelming so here are a few helpful contacts and resources that you may like to access for support.

Many children will be experiencing mixed emotions. They may be excited about school closure and imagine it’s like a holiday, or they may be worried about not being able to see their friends or returning to school. To support their wellbeing, talk to them about how they are feeling, let them know it’s normal to feel this way, and help them manage worries.

I have attached (below) some tips on supporting children to feel settled about returning to school (File name Supporting Children To Return To School, added 4 May 2020).

I have also attached (below) some resilience strategies for coping with Covid-19.  (Files name Resilience Strategies for Coping with Coronavirus, added 4 May 2020).

To be able to support your children’s wellbeing, it's important to take care of your own as well.

If someone in your household is suffering from anxiety check out this link https://www.anxiety.org.nz/resources or ring the Anxiety Helpline on 0800 269 4389.

Michelle Cole from Meaningful Health Hurunui is running zoom meetings just for 'grown ups.' Michelle is a real gem in North Canterbury and well worth connecting with if you need to chat something through.

If you are worried or concerned about your child's learning or wellbeing, you can also contact their teacher or Jenny Fraser at school.

Kind Regards

Jenny (jenny.f@kbs.school.nz)

1 May 2020 1:55pm

Good afternoon everyone

At the bottom of this page, is a copy of a letter from Murray with information around returning to school under Alert Level 3 (File name COVID19 Update, added 1 May 2020). If you have any questions, please let Murray know via email principal@kbs.school.nz, or phone 021 082 50118.

A copy of this has also been sent out on the app, and is available on our website www.kbs.school.nz.

28 April 2020 12:20pm

Kia ora Koutou

Staff are working on the learning packs for students. As soon as these are ready to be picked up we will notify you via the app.

From tomorrow, KBS will be open for students who parents/caregivers have registered their attendance at school under Alert Level 3. Ahead of this our school site has been checked for safety and thoroughly cleaned in accordance with Ministry of Health guidelines. Contact tracing registers have been set up for school bubbles and any visitors to our site.

With this email is information for students (and their families) returning to school at Alert Level 3.  (See the document named Information for Parents/Caregivers and Students updated 28/04/20210 at the bottom of this page). Please note this is not school as usual, things will look and feel very different as we have in place procedures to minimise contact across bubbles.  (See the document named 

Students working at school cannot mix outside their bubbles and must maintain social distancing guidelines with other students and staff. Student bubbles will be in separate classroom spaces with their own toilets. Each child will have their own desk, equipment and mat space set up to allow for physical distancing. Each bubble will have it's own play breaks. Students need to wear their school uniform, but can wear an accessory that matches the colour of their bubble if they wish.

Please note that while we are at Alert Level 3, parents/caregivers should not be on our school grounds, unless an appointment has been made ahead of time to meet with a member of staff.

If you have any questions about the above please let me know. Thank you for your ongoing support and stay well.

Ngā mihi nui
Murray Overton

24 April 2020 3:20pm

Good afternoon everyone

At the bottom of this page, is a copy of a letter from Murray with information around returning to school under Alert Level 3 (File name COVID19 Update, added 24 April 2020). If you have any questions, please let Murray know via email principal@kbs.school.nz, or phone 021 082 50118.

A copy of this has also been sent out on the app, and is available on our website www.kbs.school.nz.

22 April 2020 1:50pm

Home Learning | Papa Kāinga TV is free to air on TVNZ channel 2+1, TVNZ on Demand, as well as on Sky Channel 502 and Vodafone TV.

It can be live streamed at tvnz.co.nz/livetv. Some lessons are also available on TVNZ OnDemand from the Home Learning TV landing page.

There’s an email address for learners and their whānau to give feedback – info@HLTV.co.nz – and learners can text free to 5811 to interact with the teachers and presenters.

We’ve had a number of inquiries about content for Pacific learners. Home Learning TV programming is being developed and delivered by teams that include Pacific content developers, teachers, and presenters. We’ll continue to include content that is relevant to a wide range of New Zealanders, including Pacific peoples.

Click here to view the Home Learning TV webpage for more information.

21 April 2020 5:05pm

Good afternoon

At the bottom of this page, is a copy of the letter from Murray with information around moving to Alert Level 3 (File name COVID19 Update, added 21 April 2020).  

This information has also been sent out on the Skool Loop app, and email.

17 April 2020 2:10pm

Kia ora koutou

I hope things are going well for you in your bubbles :)

There has been a lot in the news over the last couple of days about schools reopening as we move to Level 3. I'm sure you are wondering what this might look like. I am too! So far there is not much detail other than what has been in the media. Some information can be found at: https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-system/alert-level-3/#education. I understand there are meetings underway today around the details of how Level 3 will look for schools, I will let you know when we know more.

While it is currently school holidays for KBS I know some of you have continued with home learning from the previous two weeks and/or the activities teachers have sent home. As mentioned before, there is NO compulsion for you to be continuing with home learning this week and next week. The material is there for you to use if it is helpful to have some activities and structure. Great to see a number of pictures of what students have been working on at home, thank you for sending these through to me.

The Ministry of Education has said they will now fully insure any school devices that are sent home so we are going ahead with the issue of some KBS devices next week for students to use at home if needed. If the devices are sent home and then not used because school has re-opened then they can be brought back to school. However if there is a delay then they are ready to be used at home as Term Two gets underway. The priority for the limited devices we have is households where there is no suitable device that can be used. We can distribute, ipads for years 1 - 4 and chromebooks for years 5 - 8. If you have not already put your name forward, your need is urgent and you would like to request a device, please email Adrienne Shipley, our Learning Support Coordinator, adrienne.s@kbs. school.nz by 9:00am on Monday 20th April. The following information is required in the email to Adrienne: 1) Do you have connectivity suitable to run a device? 2) Your confirmed lockdown address. In the case of shared care of children only one address can be nominated and one device issued.

If you have any questions or concerns about anything please shoot me an email.

Stay safe and well :)

Ngā mihi nui
Murray Overton

Principal

9 April 2020 12:50pm

Kia ora koutou

Today brings us to the end of term one for KBS - not quite what we had expected it would look like that's for sure! Thank you for your engagement and support with your child's learning at home over the last two and a bit weeks. I'm well aware it has been a challenging and stressful time for many of you, we do appreciate what you have done around schooling alongside all of this. Our teachers have worked hard too and I really appreciate all their great efforts as well.

Friday 10th April, until Monday 27th April (inclusive), are our school holidays. Teachers will be in touch with you about finishing up school work today. They will also be sending out some activities for you to use with your children over the next two weeks. Please note these activities are completely optional. You do NOT have to do them, they are there for you to use if it helps with some kind of routine over the break while we are still in lockdown. There may also be things you choose to continue that the teacher has set since school closed, please be aware our teachers will be taking a break and not available like they have been since school closed with the pandemic. There is also the TV learning option that the Ministry of Education is introducing next week which may be of interest to you as well. Some of you requested devices or hard copy learning packs via the Ministry of Education, this process is underway however I have very little information on how this is being prioritised or delivered, other than what has been advised through the media. If you have any questions about any of this, please let me know via email: principal@kbs.school.nz

I am yet to hear anything about school reopening, however we are starting to plan for next term already. Please note the Teacher Only Day planned for Monday 18th May has been cancelled and the one planned for Friday 29th of May is now under discussion, I have requested this is cancelled too.

We are looking at what we might need to do differently to offer support given the challenges of the last few weeks, I will send out more details once they are in place. In the meantime, please look after yourselves and your families, we look forward to school opening again and seeing you all soon. If you have any questions or there is something I can help with please let me know.

Have a great Easter, and enjoy some downtime from learning with your children.

Murray Overton
Principal

7 April 2020 1:50pm

Hi Everyone 

I hope you are all doing OK and staying well. I'm very aware of the extra stress that comes with our current circumstances, being at home, many of you juggling your work around caring for your children and caring for other members of your family or community too. As we approach the Easter break I hope you are able to find time to relax and do something enjoyable together. 

At the end of this week, term one finishes and the Easter break (from Good Friday 10th April) signals the start of the school holidays for KBS. Tomorrow we are having an online staff meeting, following that, some activities will be sent out for you to do over the holiday break with your children if you want to, and if you have time. The purpose of sending home the activities is to provide some ideas of things you may like to do together as the Level Four response to COVID 19 continues. 

I have no new information about a return to school date, if things go according to plan and the lockdown is lifted, term two will begin on Tuesday 28th April. I will let you know if anything new comes through. 

If you have any questions or I can help with anything please send me an email: principal@kbs.school.nz. Thank you again for photos, video clips and messages that have been coming through, it's great to see the creative ways learning is continuing at home. 

Murray Overton
Principal 

3 April 2020 4:15pm

Kia ora koutou - please see the following information that has been sent out by the Ministry of Education, KBS additions in italics

To help make sure your child can keep up with their learning at home, the Ministry of Education has asked for up-to-date information on your child’s year level, lockdown physical address and the resources your child will need. The Ministry will use the information to identify where devices and hard copy learning resources may be needed to be delivered. We won’t be able to meet everyone’s needs all at once but we will continue to provide as much as we can, as it is available. The MoE is prioritising students for support with IT devices and data across primary and secondary schools. If you need assistance with devices and/or data, please email Adrienne Shipley our Learning Support Coordinator: adrienne.s@kbs.school.nz with your child's name, studio number and lockdown address. You also need to say what assistance is needed. This information is needed by 10:00am on Monday 6th April and will then be passed on to the MoE.

We may be contacting some of you to check the details we have for you are correct. Resources are limited and it will take time to get them to learners who most need them, so the sooner we are able to get this information to the Ministry the better.

If your child is learning in and through te reo Māori you can register for a te reo Māori and Māori medium hard learning pack on Kauwhata Reo. We know that some whānau don’t have internet access, so anyone can register for a pack on behalf of a child, including their kaiako and teachers. No special permissions are required. The registration form can be accessed at https://kauwhatareo.govt.nz/mi/news-holder/ki-te-ao-marama-learning-packs/

Murray Overton 
Principal 

1 April 2020 12:40pm

Attached below are two documents (dated today) around online safety which have been passed on by Senior Constable Ken Terry.  A copy has also been emailed out.  Please take some time to have a read. 

We hope you are all keeping safe and well in your bubbles. Remember to contact your child/ren's teacher if you need any help around their learning.

27 March 2020 11:05am

Please read the Community Update attachment (below) which contains information about the importance of setting a schedule for yourself and your family, and information from the Telco's around data caps and charges.

25 March 2020  1:25pm

Kia ora koutou

I hope you have been able to do all that is needed for you and family to prepare for the Level Four changes being implemented across the country tonight.

You will have heard the dates for the School Holidays across New Zealand have been brought forward. They have been notified as Monday 30th March to Tuesday 14th April inclusive. With the support of the KBS Board of Trustees and having worked with the Ministry of Education in Canterbury, as a school we have (today) been granted an exemption to these dates by the Secretary for Education. The school holidays for KBS will be from Friday 10th April until Monday 27 April inclusive.

We pursued this because we strongly believe, given the needs of our learners and what is happening in our community, we are best to keep the learning momentum going for this week and the next two weeks while people are well. Class teachers will be in touch to confirm when and how they are available to assist you in supporting the learning of your child at home. Please contact them directly if you have any questions about the programme that has been provided. This support is available up until Thursday 9th April, after that the teachers will be having a break and you can too – unless the learning at home has been so great you want to carry on with it as a family.

Of 11:59pm today our school is closed until further notice. Please note this includes the playgrounds, which in accordance with other public play areas have been cordoned off. If you are out for a walk or drive and see anything amiss at school please let me know.

If you have any questions or concerns please let me know. Please follow the advice found at: https://covid19.govt.nz/ take care of yourselves and those around you and we look forward to things getting underway here on site as soon as we are able.

Murray Overton
Principal

24 March 2020 4:30pm

Hi Everyone

Thank you so much for your support today and speedy pick up of the learning packs - it is very much appreciated! Thank you too for the kind notes and positive feedback for staff who did an AMAZING job getting the packs sorted at short notice.

Please note that tomorrow the office is open from 9:15am - 11:00am, Wednesday 25th March, for the pick up of the remaining 69 learning packs. Any children who need to be at school tomorrow need to come through the office in the morning to register with us.

Thank you again for your support and please stay safe and well and follow the advice found at: https://covid19.govt.nz/ it is more reliable that other things that may be circulating. Just on that, please be mindful and wise about the amount of exposure your child is having to news and views on the pandemic this will then help with their anxiety levels.

If there are any questions you have about school please let me know.

Ngā mihi nui

Murray 

24 March 2020

Kia ora koutou

Thank you for your support in keeping your children at home today and tomorrow, it is appreciated.

Staff have been busy working on learning packs and these will be ready to be collected from the KBS drive through today between 11:00am - 3:00pm. Please note additional work has been prepared for all students including those who received packs yesterday. If you are able to pick up work for other families please arrange this directly with those families before doing the pick up. Learning packs have the students names on them, and are in crates for each studio. Please drive through and pick them up and maintain recommended distancing as you do the pick up :) Sorry your pick up through the drive through cannot include a large fries...

Regards
Murray

23 March 2020

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Given the announcement from the Prime Minister this afternoon, I am writing to let you know that schools are closing from Wednesday midnight, and will not reopen until term 2, or when advised.

If your child does not need to be at school for the next 2 days then please keep them at home. Closing our school at such short notice brings challenges. Teachers are working on home learning packs some of which may go home today, if not they will be available by Wednesday.

Your assistance support and understanding is greatly appreciated. This is a challenging time for everybody. Please ensure you follow the government’s advice in order to safe guard yourself and your families.

You can read more information on today's announcement at www.covid19.govt.nz.

Murray Overton

Principal

Please also remember to check the Government's new website, specifically for anything and everything COVID-19 related. This website has everything you need to know about COVID-19 in one place. Learn the simple steps you can take to unite against the virus and slow its spread. Find out what help is available and get the latest updates.

https://covid19.govt.nz/