Term Update - 13 April 2020

Dear Parents/Caregivers

Welcome back to Term Two, which officially starts on Wednesday 15 April. Teachers will be available online from Wednesday 15 April. Please ask students to check their school emails, if possible, for work etc. They can also ask questions of their teachers this way.

Returning to School
The current plan (assuming Level 4 to Level 3) could be the children of essential workers only being allowed back on site on Wednesday 29 April. Please keep in mind this is a very fluid situation. We are likely to know more after the Prime Minister’s announcements scheduled for Thursday 17 April and Monday 20 April.

Devices for Students
As you may have heard, the Ministry of Education (MOE) are issuing devices. Make no mistake MOE are not issuing devices to all students. At the time of writing we have had over 130 requests for devices and the demand will be greater than supply. I am hopeful that all seniors who requested devices will get them. At the time of writing this has not been confirmed. Neither has any timeline.

Work Packs for Juniors
All Year 9 and 10 have had work packs ordered from MOE as it’s unlikely that devices will be issued to junior students. This is to help supplement (not replace) the learning set by us (either online or hardcopy), or if they are not online, give them some meaningful work to complete. At the time of writing no timeline has been supplied.

Work Packs for Seniors
For those students we know don't have devices, either via our survey, contact with staff, or missed out on MOE devices, hard packs will be ordered. This will not be a quick process as I am required to enter every student's details, including subjects, to MOE. At the time of writing no timeline has been supplied.

The College's General Expectations of Teaching Staff after 14 April
• They will not be available every minute, of every day
• They will keep work / instructions simple
• Their focus will be on providing learning opportunities (and possibly electronic meet ups; if possible)
• We can not deliver full 60 minute lessons
• We will not be taking class rolls, monitor engagement, issuing reports etc
• All communication should be through school channels e.g. school email / google classroom etc

Pastoral and Counselling Work
As of Wednesday 15 April, students may contact deans (email addresses below), who will work with Deputy Principal, Mr Nick Reid, (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) to coordinate responses.
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Our counsellors will endeavour to continue to work with our students over the period of any school closure. Counsellors may refer families / whanau to seek outside support. Email contact (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), phone (06 356 4817 ext 8846). The use of virtual meeting apps may be used to allow our counsellors to continue to support students and families.

Yours sincerely,
Gary Yeatman
Principal