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Photo by Jacqui Pascoe

Covid-19 Update

Jacqui Pascoe —

Kia ora Parents, Whānau and Caregivers 

We have started into a new phase of New Zealand’s response to COVID-19 and it is very different than anything most of us have ever experienced! I hope Day 1 went well for you, I think the good weather helped! 

I wanted to reassure you that our school staff will continue to be available to support your child’s learning and wellbeing in the next weeks. 

Key dates reminder

26 March Alert Level 4 commenced
28 March School holidays begin
10 – 14 April Easter including the Tuesday after Easter
15 April Term 2 begins (through distance/online learning)
22 April Current date for ending of lockdown period
27 April ANZAC Day observed

Update on the provision of home-based supervision and care for the children (aged 0-14 years) of essential workers

A huge THANKYOU to our parents and caregivers who are essential workers!

The Government has agreed that three large home-based providers (Barnardos, Edubase and PORSE) will provide additional support to essential service workers, where workers are not able to make their own arrangements. These providers have national coverage.

The level of demand from essential service workers is not yet clear and the Ministry is exploring all options to make sure that essential service workers can do the important work necessary. In particular, we are working with the wider network of home-based providers to identify additional carers in areas of high demand.

Essential workers should still continue to contact one of the following three providers if they have been unable to make their own arrangements:

Wellbeing 

The resource below adds to the information I have previously provided supporting conversations with children about COVID-19 - http://education.govt.nz/school/health-safety-and-wellbeing/pastoral-care-and-wellbeing/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-coronavirus/.

You will understand the importance of routine for your family. If your routine has been shaken up, like you’re now working from home, it’s good to structure your time. Routines are reassuring, and promote health and physical wellbeing. Having a timetable can be useful to give children a sense of normality. 

There are links below to more wellbeing information to support your family during the lockdown. 

Some good news to support you either working at home and/or studying at home - Spark, Vodafone, Vocus/Slingshot, 2Degrees and Trustpower have all advised they have removed their data caps and the possibility of any extra charges based on usage. 

A big thank you to all of you for taking the lockdown so seriously. As the Prime Minister has noted staying at home will break the chain and save lives; breaking the rules could risk someone close to you and if the rules are not complied with, this could risk the lockdown period being extended or could risk the virus being spread to thousands 

Please don't hesitate to get in touch with your child's Home Group teacher or myself for more support if needed. 

The Ministry of Education has developed a resource for parents, caregivers, whānau and family - http://education.govt.nz/school/health-safety-and-wellbeing/pastoral-care-and-wellbeing/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-coronavirus/. 

The Ministry of Health’s website includes:

Top ways to look after your mental wellbeing during the Covid-19 lockdown. 

I AM HOPE is the youth and community-focused support group run by The Key to Life Charitable Trust, started by Mike King - https://www.iamhope.org.nz/ 

Nathan Wallis has some helpful videos on his Facebook page for parents and whānau - https://www.facebook.com/nathanwallisxfactoreducation/ - 

Tips on looking after mental health and wellbeing during COVID-19 from the Mental Health Foundation https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/get-help/covid-19/ a website by the Health Promotion Agency to help New Zealanders recognise and understand depression and anxiety - https://depression.org.nz/covid-19/ Although overseas-based this is a good list and highlights some things particularly important for children. 

Thank you for all you are doing. I am regularly reading children's blog posts and feel so thankful that Marshland School has developed children's ability to work online so well. Our teachers have developed some fantastic learning activities for your children for at least 2 weeks. These will be updated by teachers in the coming weeks. The children's blog posts are awesome, and I love reading them.

Take care and I will continue to update you as more information comes to hand.

Warm regards

Jacqui