This week NZ made history opening our schools and early childhood centres during the Covid-19 Pandemic Alert Level 3. This means parents and caregivers who have to leave the home for work during the day [and have no other adult available to support] can arrange to have their child cared for at school.

We have had an average of 36 children attending our school during Alert Level 3 for the past two days. There are very strict measures that we have to adhere to from the Ministries of Health and Education as you can see from the photo above - set places where children must sit each day, maintaining 1m distances at all times inside and 2m distances outside, no sharing of equipment or balls, regular washing of hands and sanitising, the playgrounds are still taped up and the drinking fountains are covered with rubbish bags. 

These are very difficult times for our children to understand and I thank our staff for working in these trying times, and caring so well for our learners. Our staff have also been busy delivering quality on-line learning programmes and it has been lovely to receive such positive feedback from all of you about the efforts of our staff. Thank you!

I would also like to do a shout out to all of our parents, caregivers and whānau who are working from home whilst looking after children and supporting them in their learning. As a parent I appreciate how difficult this is and we are grateful for your support.  I currently have my fingers and toes crossed hoping that my son has opened his device at home this morning, and that he is working independently on his learning, without his mother's constant jollying encouragement:] We know these times are difficult and we do have the services of Mana Ake if you are wanting to discuss support avenues for your family. A confidential referral to Mana Ake can be made through one of our Deputy Principals, Ben Galletly and Amanda Clarkson, or myself.

Finally, I am aware that some of our Year 1-4 learners have not received their hard copy learning packs from the MoE and as earlier discussed we are not privy to their methods for distribution. New learners who have started this term and senior learners' information only went out to the MoE last week so I would not anticipate that anyone would have received theirs yet and when I enquired today I received this reply from the MoE: 

Unfortunately we have run out of some materials and students may not receive packs quickly and we are continuing to prioritise materials to schools serving communities with the greatest need.

However, for any learners in Years 1-4 who have not received a pack please email the office and we will prepare some photocopied worksheets for you to collect next week. Instructions will be emailed back to you.

Take care everyone

Ngā mihi nui

Sylvia