Parent Letter, 27 August

Posted on August 27, 2020

Kia ora parents and caregivers.

Thank you for once again supporting the learning of your sons and daughters through remote lessons.  I understand it may have been stressful, particularly for seniors who have external assessments in the near future, students doing practical subjects and those who find learning from home a challenge.

School will be open and ready for all students to return to regular classes on Monday 31 August. We have prepared the school for students by disinfecting all of the classrooms and having plenty of sanitiser available. We have also increased the daily cleaning regime. Students and staff did a great job of managing the return to school in May and I am sure they will do so again.

We plan to welcome the students into their form classes at 8.30 am on Monday. The students will receive a briefing regarding hygiene measures, learning and assessment and advice on where to seek support should they need it.

Here are some further details about school operations under Level 2:

Hygiene practices

  • Any students and staff must stay at home if they are sick, and we will send anyone home immediately if they show any flu-like symptoms
  • Students will have hand sanitiser available in all classes
  • Masks must be worn on buses. We strongly recommend a mask or face covering is worn when in school or near other people.

Physical distancing guidelines for schools

  • Students must not touch each other or be close enough to breathe on one another
  • Schools are exempt from mass gathering rules.

Sharing equipment

  • Students cannot share personal stationery
  • School equipment used by students will be sanitised regularly.

Food

  • There are no microwaves or sandwich makers available in the Commons
  • Hot water is available from the Zip
  • The tuck shop and vending machines are open
  • Drinking fountains are closed so students must bring a drink bottle. It may be refilled from the tap in the Commons.

Learning programme

The staff have re-planned the last part of the school year to ensure all essential course material is covered and that students will be prepared for assessments. If you have concerns about the progress or learning of your child please contact the subject teacher in the first instance.

Student support

The counsellors in the Guidance Department are available to support students.  Students can make a booking in the SAS or via the school website. House Leaders are also available for more general advice related to all aspects of school life.

Extracurricular Activities

Practices and trainings can resume with all hygiene protocols in place. There are no inter-school activities before Monday 7 September. Further information about extracurricular activities will be announced shortly.

We are sorry that so many school events have been cancelled due to the restrictions.  We are currently unable to hold events involving groups of parents, guests and outside visitors. Thank you again for your support and understanding as we work our way through a reorganised term.

We look forward to seeing all of our students on Monday.


Kind regards

Steven Hargreaves