FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Kia ora Koutou,
We can’t wait for you all to return!! Lockdown has been going for 91 days and we have been given the green light to go ahead and welcome you back!! Thank you so much for the communication, it has all helped us plan, make things as safe as we can and for us to do this all in less than a week. This is school in Covid times, so please be patient, as like everything else in New Zealand we have only just been told and now we must organise the next steps.
Yesterday, Monday saw the return of every staff member back to Wainui School. All staff on site are vaccinated and have had a negative Covid test to return on site. Teachers have all returned to their own classrooms. The children that have been coming every day in “Bubble School” are now with their own teacher and they can continue to attend either, part-time or full-time as needed. The teachers are ready to welcome in the remainder of their classes on the days they return.
Full-Time or Part-Time Request – More families are now returning to work. If you also need to attend on other days or full-time, please let us know. This can be accommodated for you.
THIS WEEK
School A – Year 1&2 and Year 7&8 return on Wednesday 17th and Friday 19th November.
School B – Year 3&4 and Year 5&6 return on Thursday 18th November.
The focus is on reconnection with friends and teachers, engagement with routine, and being part of a school community, and of course learning and teaching face to face at school.
School Buses – With the return to school from tomorrow, the buses will run as usual so please let us know if you have different bus arrangements from Term 3. All bus changes must be made by midday on the day to Mel Ludwig in the office – [email protected]
Clarification of some of the Health and Safety Requirements in place with the Public Health Order – These do make school a different place than it was, this is the reason we don’t have everyone on site at once to enable us all to manage the new requirements. We do not however have long conversations or focus on COVID, but please remember children want to talk about it and why we are doing things. The advice to us from child psychologists is to have a chat to allay fears and anxiety but also school is safe and organised as it should be. Teachers are incorporating mindfulness and lots of fun collaborative activities to help children learn to be with others again after such a long time.
- Face Coverings/ Mask Wearing – At our school this is only for Years 5-8. The year 3/4 children are in a mixed class and are given the option of wearing masks. We have chosen the option of not to expect Year 4’s to wear a mask, but if they would like to they can. The mask can be of any design. Masks are only to be worn inside. You will however see the adults wearing their masks at Drop-off and Pick-up and the children who are catching the bus aged 12 years and over must do as well.
- Ventilation – A key requirement of our classrooms at this level. Luckily the weather is nice and warm. The classrooms will be following the requirements and will have a through breeze with windows open and the fans on. Lots of time to learn and be outside will also be part of the programme.
- Classes and Play – Your child will be in a larger group/ bubble for the next few weeks and this is with their own class. Playtime will be with their teams to keep the numbers in the designated outside areas well spaced.
- Parents/ Caregivers – You must stay in your cars at drop-off and pick-up. We close the gate at 9:00a.m and reopen the gates from 2:25pm to ensure anyone visiting onsite must call the office before they enter and comply with the health requirements. All contractors must have a Negative Covid test before they are onsite with any children here. Incidentally most of our regular contractors, the cleaner etc are all vaccinated. We keep their records as well. If you need to collect children for a special appointment, please call the office from the gate and we will be able to let you in or collect your child for you. We would prefer not to have last-minute changes, please.
COMING UP
Reports – These will not be the usual end-of-year summative report. Since the mid-year report there has been no further assessment data for obvious reasons. We do have something else planned, however, to finish the year. We will inform you of this in the near future.
FINALLY
Thank you everyone for completing the survey. Technology helps us so much in these times. The results were very clear to the Board as the tables showed 85% wanting to return, 84% wanting to return in year groups and 66% wanting staggered times.
If the overall choice was not what you had asked for you can approach us as we are flexible and will accommodate you if you need this. Please let us know.
Nag mihi nui
Gillian Bray
FOR YOUR CALENDAR
- Thursday 18th & Friday 19th November – MasterChef Semi-Finals – POSTPONED
- Tuesday 23rd November – BOT Meeting – 6.30pm – ZOOM
- Wednesday 24th November – FOWS Meeting – 7.00pm – ZOOM
- Thursday 25th November – Junior Athletics Running Heats
- Thursday 25th November – MasterChef Finals – POSTPONED
- Friday 26th November – Young Farmer – Years 1 – 4
- Friday 26th November – Junior Athletics
- Tuesday 30th November – Last day to submit your art for the Art Competition
- Tuesday 30th November – Graduation Dinner for Year 8
- Friday 3rd December – Final Whole School Assembly – 2.00pm
- Wednesday 8th December – Music & Cultural Performance
- Thursday 9th December – Christmas in the Country
- Friday 10th December – Winter, Spring & Summer Sports Prizegiving
- Tuesday 14th December – Wainui School Prizegiving
- Wednesday 15th December – Farewell Assembly & Last day of school for 2021!
- Thursday 16th December – Teachers Only Day
COMMUNITY
