Nau mai haere mai as we return from our nationwide lockdown.

Under a COVID Alert Level 2
We are privileged to be back at school, safe and well whilst our Auckland counterparts remain in Alert Level 4 (and hopefully soon to be Level 3). We thank them for their ongoing commitment. As I took my father to have his second vaccination and my first a while back, it was fabulous to see so many fellow community members also being vaccinated. Many of us rely on our international borders to be re-opened, especially our International Students who are so keen to go home and then be able to return. Some of our current students have not been home in three years! The Goverment's target of 90% of NZ’ers to be vaccinated to support our reopening of international borders supports TGC, so thank you if you have had your COVID vaccination.

Remember, it is safe to return to school, we continue to pay extra attention to touch points, sanitisers and have stopped all large gatherings. Please remind your learner to stay home if they are unwell. Learning via the google classroom is only for those who are unwell. Face to face learning is the main form of learning and teaching under Alert Level 2.

Well-being and hauora
On Thursday 9 September, the first day back at school post lockdown, there was a real focus on whanaungatanga and manaakitanga. Reconnecting and a warm welcome and return to school. Whilst chocolates, sanitisers, extra masks etc all helped to reassure us all, it was the gratitude cards, cards of thanks that were also well received. A chance to write, not text or phone, but write a word of thanks to someone special to say thank you for your support over lockdown.

Scholarships and references for University are complete
What a talent and service giving Year 13 students! It was a pleasure to sign off on all of the University references for scholarships. The culmination of a five year commitment (which continues) is simply incredible. Thank you Year 13.

Te Wiki O Te Reo Māori
Ka mau te wehi that so many of our staff and students stopped on Tuesday at 12 noon to participate in the Māori moment AND to continue and challenge themselves this week. Let's make every week an opportunity to learn and speak a little more Te Reo than before. Thank you to our Cultural Diversity Deputy HG and her wonderful team of Kaupapa Māori prefects along with Whaea Ngawai for their inspiration.

Feeling a little overwhelmed
This is a normal feeling if kept under check. We have a number of support mechanisms and people in school to support your daughter if she feels this way. A focus on her strengths and what she can do is most important. Set some priorities, suggest she talk to someone like her teachers, dean, guidance staff or friends. Our schools FB and Instagram continues to focus on well being and promoting our ‘ We are here for you’ information. Posters of these contacts are in every whānau classroom. The teaching and support staff are here to help and we encourage students to take up the opportunities available to them.

Devices, paints, books and more
During the lockdown we were able to deliver necessary learning resources to students. My thanks to my colleagues who gathered up these items and then did a contactless delivery! If we loaned you something, please can we have it back now or speak to your teacher if you still need this.

Subject choices for 2022
Our subject choice forms are all in and class configurations for our 2022 timetable are now being explored. If however, your daughter has yet to hand one in, please ask her to return this today! House deans were chasing the last few this week.

A safety reminder for parents and or students

• Parents please be car and pedestrian wise when doing drop offs and pickups
• Use the crossing, Cameron Road is too busy to take risks
• Vaping is not permitted, nor are other substances
• Avoid the construction site, instead use the well marked alternative paths
• Be on time

Parents or visitors onsite
A reminder that if you need to speak to a student or staff member, you must do that via the front office. A time can then be provided for you during non teaching time. During school time, the priority is to ensure learning and teaching is at the forefront of what we do. For everyone's health and safety, please do the right thing and book in a time so that a respectful conversation can be had. Alternatively, email the staff member you want to see. Details are on our website.

TGC, we have got this. We have returned after a lockdown before and with the support of others we have ensured no one was forgotten. Let's do this again. It takes all of us to do our part. 

Ngā mihi whānau!