FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Kia ora Koutou,
There is a saying “a lot can happen in a week” it certainly can. I want to thank the Wainui community for all the support, positive communication, and the enablement of school to continue, despite the continued impact of Omicron. The procedures are constantly being reviewed by The Ministry of Education, we continue to improve and integrate these into our daily school life. More is provided in this newsletter to ensure we are all on the same page.
Thank you to the wonderful teachers and support staff, our classes are all into their learning both inside and outside the classroom.
THIS WEEK
EOTC – (Education Outside the Classroom) – Two groups got to experience learning outside the classroom, they have amazing weather this week to do so.
EOTC – Yr 7&8 – Sailing at Big Manly – We were so fortunate to have Merahanji Odedra, dad of Sunny, and Ian Neely, dad of Samantha & Jacko Neely as our fabulous parent help. Ian is a professional sailing coach in our community and has trained Olympians and some of New Zealand’s top sailors. On Monday our Year 8’s went to Big Manly Beach to experience the thrill of sailing for the first time and for others to learn some new skills in sailing and work together in boats. A big thank you also to Saphron and Charlie from the Manly Sailing Club.
EOTC – Yr 5&6 Goat Island – Snorkeling at Goat Island – We are so fortunate as well to be close to the marine reserve and to easily access the experience of snorkeling and being able to observe marine life. What an amazing day for this to happen with clear water and great weather.
Both these activities will be happening on Thursday for the other half of the team.
School Assembly – On Friday 25th February we will have our first full school Assembly on ZOOM at 2:00 pm. We will welcome new children and new teachers, celebrate being together and the year that has started, and introduce our school student leaders. Each class teacher will present 3 certificates in their classroom to focus on our core value of Respect Whakaute.
A ZOOM link will be emailed to you for you to attend on Thursday.
WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING
Learning Conversations on ZOOM – The teachers really enjoyed meeting you all on ZOOM last week. Perhaps some of the new things we do will replace what we used to do. This is all for conversation in the future as ZOOM gives us options. Teachers were able to talk to parents/caregivers and begin that partnership which is so important for a positive learning journey. If you haven’t had a conversation, please email your child’s teacher as they will be happy to schedule a time.
Absentee – Just a reminder to kindly inform the office daily if your child is going to be away so we can mark them on the roll. Thank you.
Board Meeting – Tuesday 22nd February – 6:30 pm on ZOOM – The first Board meeting for the year whereby we ratify our budget, revisit the charter (strategic goals). We do not have a new Charter, we are now in the second year of the current strategic plan. Our Board members are Nadine Phillips – Chairperson, Nikki Browne – Vice-Chair and Community Portfolio, Lindsay Ledger – Finance Portfolio, Dr Pete Adlam – Property Portfolio, Chris Scott and Jason Irvine – staff representative are all committed members of the Board and we look forward to another successful year.
FOWS Meeting – Wednesday 23rd February – 7:00 pm on ZOOM – Please come along to our first FOWS Meeting of 2022. The link to attend is –
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/
Meeting ID: 283 739 5544
Passcode: n4fR5q
Covid Procedures Update
Thank you to everyone that has been involved in our first case at Wainui School. The Ministry of Education Toolkit and the advice we have been given have enabled us to be clear in the identification of who is in close contact and the actions that need to occur.
Thank you for the communication from you as parents it has been positive and enabled us to clearly follow our procedures.
- PCR tests in Auckland are now taking a long time to obtain a result due to high numbers. A RAT test is being used and will provide an almost immediate indication of your COVID status. If the RAT test comes back positive the person then must have a PCR.
- It is good to let us know your results, please if you have had a test, but again this is your choice.
- The time frame for tests to occur is on DAY 5 of the isolation period. If it is the school that has informed you of isolation then we will inform you when day 5 is.
- After 7 days, if the RAT / PCR test is negative and your child has no symptoms your child can return to school. This would be day 8.
- Parents, please remind your children to wear their masks/a face covering if they are a Year 4 or up and don’t have an exemption, both at school and on the bus. (A bus driver will not enforce this as they can get into the tricky ground if they are being officious with the children. We will remind them, but are not there on the bus.)
- All teachers have spare surgical masks if children forget or lose their face covering. Teachers will not reprimand or be officious in this area, they will remind and model themselves wearing a mask in all the expected learning areas.
- Identifying Close Contacts – We have a very clear process to identify close contacts of a case. Please be assured all areas are taken into account. This includes the Bus, after-school care, any other after-school activities, especially if they are in an indoor environment.
- Most classes are only working inside as a single classroom or with one other classroom. They are not mixing with other classes, to ensure the numbers of close contacts are reduced.
- Teams are mixing outside, but only as a team, not as a whole school. We keep teams in different areas of play.
- For example, as I write this newsletter only the Kiwi Team (Year 3&4’s are up on the top courts and the junior playground). The juniors are all up in the bush. If the children do mix coming back it is only in a very short passing time, less than a minute which does not make the person a close contact. Currently, this is all being managed very well and the children rotate around the play areas. It has certainly given us new ways of playing as well which we are liking!!
- Online/ Remote learning/ distance learning – Our online, remote learning program is in place for all students who are learning from home. Classroom teachers will share links to these slides for students to access. We are also aiming to add links to these slides on our school website by the end of the week.
Activities are theme-based and are linked to the in-school program, where possible each week. We are also finalising a ‘hard pack’ (an activity booklet) for all students to work on at home if needed.
Some of these procedures will change again. I will update the Safety Framework on the website and the FAQ we shared last Friday as there are a few tweaks.
FINALLY
We are aware that there is in almost every community in New Zealand a division of opinion around the current Covid climate. We have a lovely school in a beautiful setting with school values that accept and respect diversity. Our staff work hard to create and maintain a safe space for your children to learn and play in. We assure you all there is no place for any discriminatory images, behaviour, or words here. School is a neutral zone and we would like to keep these discriminatory elements outside our school gate, both physically and online. Anything of this negative nature will be dealt with in line with our behaviour management policy and procedures. We are looking forward to a continued positive term and one day in the near future being back together to celebrate, to have events, assemblies, etc.
Ka kite ano,
Gillian Bray
FOR YOUR CALENDAR
- Monday 21st February & Thursday 24th February – Tui Team – EOTC – Goat Island Marine Reserve snorkeling and water safety
- Monday 21st February & Thursday 24th February – Takahe Team – EOTC – Sailing at Manly Sailing Club
- Tuesday 22nd February – BOT Meeting – 6.30 pm — ZOOM
- Wednesday 23rd February – FOWS Meeting – 7.00 pm – ZOOM
- Friday 25th February – Full School Assembly – 2.00 pm – ZOOM – Link to be sent out
- Monday 14th March – Friday 18th March – Swimming at Northern Arena – Postponed at this stage and new date TBC
- Monday 21st March – Friday 25th March – Swimming at Northern Arena – Postponed at this stage and new date TBC
- Monday 28th March – Dance Curriculum (whole school)
- Thursday 14th April – End of Term 1
- Friday 15th April – Good Friday – Public Holiday
OTHER
Scholarship Opportunities at Saint Kentigern College, Auckland – Saint Kentigern College is a leading independent co-educational Presbyterian secondary school in Auckland and offers scholarship opportunities for students who would be entering the College in Year 9 in 2023 and beyond. Our goal of enabling exceptional students from all walks of life to achieve their dreams is rooted in the Presbyterian notion of wanting to contribute to society and seeking to help others to aspire and achieve. It is how we can help make a difference to the world.
We are really keen to reach out far and wide to young people who;
- demonstrate excellence in any area
- would uphold the Saint Kentigern values
- have an outstanding attitude
- have a clear vision of how they see themselves in the future and the contribution they would like to make to the world
Scholarships are available for up to 100% of tuition and Boarding. Applications close on Friday 25 March 2022.
For more information about applying for a Scholarship to Saint Kentigern College, visit our website at https://www.saintkentigern.com/college/apply/scholarships/ or email Holly in our Admissions Team at skc_admissions@saintkentigern.com
COMMUNITY
After School Music Lessons – See attached flyer – Joanne Slagel Newsletter Ad 210×250 2022 (1)
