Haere mai, welcome back to a very different Term 2!!

“This is a new day, a new beginning” – Ahsoka Tano ( Star Wars ) 

To be told when we began 2020 this would be the “new norm” I am not sure we would really have believed it, hence the quote above!! However we are now in day 19 of lockdown! We have had the school holidays, including Easter!! We have all had time in our bubbles learning to not go far, queue at the supermarket and if you are like me, go for long walks and get so many of those outside projects completed as the weather has been amazing!! We are now prepared to return to regular learning and welcome you back to Wainui School for Term 2.

I would like to thank the teachers and the support staff for their commitment throughout this time devising different programmes to support your child at home, connecting to see if you are prepared for distance learning or need a device or a hard pack. We have all learnt to use video conference platforms to connect, plan and share together. For some of us not having used these before have been plunged into a fast learning curve!! We have had some fun practicing with each other and with our family and friends. We will now move into using this with classes. There will be some anxiety, some challenges – will the network even cope, this is “normal”, do not worry we will help you?

I will endeavour to keep you posted on what is happening with more regular posts / newsletters – instead of one newsletter a week, it will be two shorter ones; one at the beginning of the week and one at the end of the week. This will enable us to keep you informed of the changes that may happen by the Government and Ministry of Education and exactly what that means for education, school and what we all need to do.

Return to School tomorrow

Distance learning begins – All teachers have connected with children and families in their class.  All children are able to connect with the teacher everyday. A time table is included with different programmes devised by the teacher for all families to use and be involved in.  Nothing is planned to make it too hard or overwhelming, please ask for support if you do not understand or if it is too much!! Do what feels right to you.

Support Programmes – These are in place for some of the children, Mrs Taylor and Teacher Aides will have connected with you and have some extra support in place.

Teams – All have different times for connecting with the children in their teams and to help with sharing of a device, internet time and to also fit in with the TVNZ programmes that may be relevant for children to use.

Times are:

Takahe Team – 9.00am – 10.00am

Tui Team –  10.00am – 11.00am

Kiwi Team –  10.00am –  11.00am – Pukatea and Kohekohe class  and 11.00am – 12.00pm for Kowhai class 

Pukeko Team –  9.00am – 10.00am 

Some things will work, others won’t, please do not worry, talk to us, we are here to help.  There are wonderful sites to use. I will list a whole lot on the school website.

Cybersafety – Free N4L Safety Filter for all Students – Network 4 Learing (N4L) have set up a safety filter that parents can set up on their child’s learning devices from home.  Just go to switchonsafety.co.nz to find clear instructions on how to do this.

The free N4L safety filter (by global cyber-security leader, Akamai) blocks websites containing known cyber threats like scams, malicious content and viruses, while also protecting children from content deemed the worst of the web (like adult sites).

It is an extension of one of the many safety and security services they have in place at schools and is a valuable layer of protection to help keep children safe online. Please remember that technology is not a silver bullet and the filter should be used in combination with Netsafes online parent safety toolkit.

Communication is Vital – Over the last week we have contacted everyone to see if you are prepared for this next phase of lockdown and how to return to school. We are very aware that connection to the internet is a problem for some of the Wainui families and this is the case for many children in New Zealand.  This is why there are two television channels with programmes starting tomorrow. 

There are hard packs of learning materials being sent to families with internet connection issues. Some children are being provided with a device. All of this takes time but we have sent in your needs to the MOE and thought about how this will work. Please keep in touch please let us know what else you may need.

Planning for changing COVID-19 alert levels –  The Prime Minister has set out the timelines for some key decisions that will affect us all moving forward. It is the Government’s intention that on the 20th of April, two days before the current period of Alert Level 4 is due to finish, Cabinet will make a decision on whether or not the Alert Level will change. They will use the most up to date data they have to make that decision. 

Level 4 has come with some heavy restrictions and next week the Government will give some guidance on what life at Level 3 looks like.  I will ensure we provide you with some information for you when a final decision is made.  Minister Hipkins also spoke to the change of alert levels and the implications for education providers and their communities. The Minister noted it would be wrong to assume that all schools and early learning services will reopen at Level 3.

Assuming the alert level does change, current planning assumptions are that Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th April would be full access by the staff to the school site and undertake a property inspection and necessary maintenance and cleaning. Monday 27th April is a public holiday (ANZAC Day observed) and Tuesday 28th April would be a staff only day, therefore anticipate Wednesday 29th April would be the first day with some of our students /children able to attend in person.  More detailed guidance is being developed to support us through this process.  The Prime Minister reiterated that we will not be moving out of Level 4 early, but we will be ready when the time comes.

Finally – My new norm is an hour walk with my dog each morning!! I am not sure how I will fit this in on my return to school but am loving the opportunity to enjoy my neighbourhood, reconnect with the neighbours and feel much fitter!!