Kia ora koutou

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

Today is the last day of school for Term One. The school holidays have been brought forward and will now run from Monday 30 March until Tuesday 14 March. The first day of school for Term Two will be Wednesday 15 March. However, as we will still be in lockdown, your children will be learning online, instead of coming to school.

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. The below timetable (targeted at children) could be something your household adapts to use over the next weeks. A school holiday version will likely look a little different, but some form of routine will still be important as we go through the lockdown period.

Daily Schedule:

*Adapted from a resource developed by Jessica McHale Photography

There are also 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. Farmside has also just announced that there will be no extra charge for data used between midnight and 9am.

Parents can email teachers and myself (Principal) and Wendy Taylor SENCO for support with learning at home when our term begins on 15 April. You should have the teachers emails already, but if not, they are on our website. All teachers have been in contact with every child and/family in their class and have already established great links.

Information and resources to support wellbeing and support learning at home:

• 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. Remember the rules of New Zealand’s level 4 lockdown still apply – 25 Mental Health Wellness Tips during Quarantine from Eileen M Feliciano, Psy.D.

This last one has just arrived!!!

• https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/lifestyle/a31909033/david-walliams-free-childrens-audio-story/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social-media&utm_campaign=socialflowFBGHUK

Nga Mihi Nui

Gillian Bray

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