It has been great to have our learners back attending school on-site this past two weeks. The learning studios have been very relaxed and the children appear to have enjoyed returning to their teachers, their friends and the routine of school life, albeit whilst regularly hand-washing and sanitising.

As a staff we discussed the importance of prioritising well-being in our teaching and learning programmes. As a consequence of this we have decided to push out our usual Term Two assessment and reporting requirements to Term 3. We have scheduled these for the middle to end of that term with Learner Led Conferences to be held in Term 3 Week 9, Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th September. 

This term our problem based learning focus is related to science with inquiries in Planet Earth and Beyond being conducted around the school. You can expect to see a sample of this science learning uploaded into Linc ed, and a maths sample will be uploaded as well.  The children are also participating in lots of learning experiences across the curriculum including the exciting dance programme which has been generated digitally for us during this period. It has been great to get Pasifika back underway this week with some new faces joining our group, this was especially lovely as it is Samoan Language Week.

Thanks to our parents, caregivers and whānau for observing our health and safety restrictions regarding coming on-site during Alert Level 2 [only coming in if absolutely necessary and signing in and out]. We have actually noticed more independence being shown with many of our learners as a result, e.g quickly saying goodbye to Mum or Dad, carrying own school bags, and putting things away.

Thanks also for your patience at pick up time when the roads are very busy. Here are some tips for keeping our learners safe on the road:

* always use the pedestrian crossing in the parent car-park

* always use the patrolled crossing space on Dunn's Crossing Rd

* all bikes and scooters must be pushed on the patrolled crossing [no riding please]

* helmets must be worn on bikes and are strongly recommended for scooters [must be worn during school hours when using scooters]

* children should be encouraged to share pathways when using scooters or bikes

* children should be encouraged to stop at each road and look both ways for vehicles, when on the way to and from school

* hi-vis vests are recommended and there are some available free from the office

* the roundabout by Te Pa harakeke is not to be used in the morning except by wheelchair access vehicles

* the staff carpark is not to be used as an entry/exit into the school

Thanks for your on-going support. It is lovely to be back on-site and to hear the playgrounds ringing with the sound of our 636 learners [includes 14 children in Te Pa Harakeke] playing, laughing and enjoying each other's company at a sensible and safe distance.

Finally, we have also welcomed two new staff members: Estelle Austin who has joined the Te Kete Kākano Teaching Team and Amelia French, our new Office Receptionist to work alongside Trish and Paula. Special welcome to Estelle and Amelia.

Ngā mihi

Sylvia