Kia kaha (stay strong) from Alert Level 4 Lockdown. I trust this pānui finds everyone safe and well in their bubbles. Special thanks to our essential workers including some of our students working in supermarkets, chemists and petrol stations, but particularly thanks to our health care workers on the ‘front line’.

Thank you also to those students/families who are close contacts and are self isolating to minimise the spread of this very infectious Delta variant of COVID-19.  As indicated by Minister Hipkins recently, getting vaccinated is also the strategy to support a return to ‘normal’. I know I am booked in for my COVID vaccinations.

My key message to all students is to believe in yourself to keep going and to engage with learning as best as you can. We are here to support you. We know that internet access isn't ideal for many and we have this week delivered essential learning materials to homes to ease some concerns for our students.

Parents, communicate with us via email and encourage your learner to stay connected with us via the Google platform.  Teachers have endeavoured to juggle their own families' needs whilst at the same time provide meaningful learning to each of their classes. Remaining connected also makes the return back to school a smoother transition. Don't forget our pastoral team is also available for support.

We have all been here before and we can successfully work through the challenges we find ourselves in again. I know my teachers are working really hard and particularly so for senior students. Any course changes will be communicated. Fortunately, many classes have completed internal assessment work and are on revision programmes.

The MoE along with NZQA are also looking at ways in which they can alleviate any issues caused by this lockdown. Details will be provided as receive them.

School INSTAGRAM
Thanks to Ms Gill and the Communications and Publicity Head Girl and her team, we now have a school instagram account. This was launched this week and will have limited accessibility. Having said that, we know that students use this platform to keep in touch and it was important that as a school we were responsive to using this platform for good. As with all social media platforms associated with TGC, we ensure responsible use at all times. Follow us on our handle of taurangagirlscollege

Enrolments for 2022
We have received many new enrolments in the last month and are aware that enrolments for 2022 are well underway. When Alert Levels change, we will visit our contributing schools and collect all processed enrolment forms. Enrolment forms are also available on our website. If you have any questions, please email us.

Cancellations
I am very aware of recent cancellations. Winter Sports Tournament, The Big Sing and The Big Band are just three examples but involved many of our dedicated students. I know this is disappointing news. I too was looking forward to supporting some of our groups this week. Coaches, managers, parent helpers, and the like will also be disappointed, let alone organisers who would have spent months in preparation for some of these events. It is important for students to talk about such disappointment and contacting your coach, our counsellors and discussing the disappointment with parents is really important.

Celebrations continue
Here at TGC and even under a lockdown, we have much to be proud and thankful for. I am immensely grateful to my colleagues and the amazing TGC students including our Head students who continue to be upbeat and positive about their school, who are adjusting into learning in a lockdown, keeping connected with friends, finding time for whānau and have enrolled for their vaccinations!

Kia kaha TGC community

Be kind, be safe and keep learning