As we enter this second week of level 3 for most it is at home distance learning and for some, it is coming to school, we can reflect and congratulate ourselves!!

1. Well done at home for communicating so clearly with us re the leaning and your needs.
2. Ensuring your children are ready at home for the timed ZOOM and Google Meets.
3. Ensuring your children follow and complete the expected tasks.
4. Teachers and support staff are working hard to connect with everyone to ensure learning continues.
5. For the parents and children coming to school, thank you for respecting the processes we have in place and being so mindful of these.

As you complete the week I have attached some online safety supports for you to consider. These are not only useful for your children but for yourself as well.

Distance Learning – Online Safety – I have attached a link for you if you are needing support, want to reflect on home cyber safety and the use.

For many of us (probably all of us!!), the use of online platforms has dramatically increased since we have been in lockdown. As with anything safety is something to consider. I have included two links from experts in the field that have been shared with me to help you at home.

The link is from NETSAFE (Net Safe are often on television led by Martin Cocker talking and giving advice about these issues). https://www.netsafe.org.nz/learn/?utm_source=Netsafe+Subscribers&utm_campaign=fa45fb 080a-

What Next? – There is talk and preparation about moving forward in COVID-19 Level 3 to Level 2. This is now the talk in the media and the Ministry of Education has already been preparing us as schools. Contrary to the views of a High School in Auckland shared in the media this morning, I have received information from the Ministry of Education beginning the preparation to move if we do. There is more detail being sent to us as Principals tomorrow. This will cover things such as social distancing for more children on-site, all the health and safety advice around hygiene etc.

The biggest prevention is washing hands and keeping everyone clean and surfaces cleaned. All of which we have prepared for and do.

Having myself, DP Jason Irvine, and AP Wendy Taylor on-site has enabled us to keep planning and talking about what is working now and what we might do next week if we move to Level 2. We will wait until the information comes and keep you all informed as it is always guided by the Ministry of Education.

One thing we do know is it will be the “New Normal”, we will not be returning to the same conditions we have always had!!

Lastly, yes, the internet has been down in the Wainui area for over 24 hours now. Very frustrating for all of us with lockdown and trying to do learning and for lots of you and your businesses. I have been alerting the MOE to this as well, fingers crossed it will be fixed for tomorrow. This is the reason the newsletter is a day late.

Nga Mihi Nui

Gillian Bray