COVID Alert level 4 update 20 August 2021
Friday 20 August 2021
Kia ora koutou
Thank you for your ongoing support as we negotiate a way through this latest COVID-19 phase. Our communications endeavour to update you on the current situation from our school’s perspective relative to the Government's responses. This is passed on to us through the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education. This is the latest information we have at the time of preparing and then sending this through to our community. We do appreciate that things can change quite quickly.
Unsurprisingly, the Level 4 lockdown status will remain for the whole country until 11.59 on Tuesday August 24. The government will be reviewing this on Monday August 23, as they have indicated today that it is too soon to say what the longer term picture looks like.
To that end, these are the next steps that the school is working on:
- Students will continue their learning for Monday under the current process being supported by teachers.
- Staff will be using Monday as a preparation day to support greater online learning for the remainder of next week (and future weeks as required).
- The remote timetable for next week is as follows:
School-Wide Timetable for online “Face-to-Face” Sessions - Google Meet
- Advice for learning remotely will be sent to students.
- The scheduled mid-term break will become an independent work day for students and staff (non contact day - to support the wellbeing of both students and staff, keeping in mind that both teachers and students are asked to continue with their teaching/learning the best that they can whilst taking care of themselves relative to their personal circumstances).
- Over the weekend a survey will be sent to students' school email addresses so we can find out who will need Chromebooks to access learning from home. We hope to distribute these on Monday and Tuesday next week. Please support this by asking your child to check their school email address. If it isn’t there they should check the spam folder.
Whānau can support their child’s learning by checking in with them and their work plan each day and by helping them stay connected to their teachers and their peers. Encourage your child to take breaks, seek fresh air and maintain a balance between online and offline time.
Unfortunately a number of trips and events scheduled for the first part of next week are now postponed. It is likely that will also be the case for at least the remainder of the week.
I can appreciate these are challenging and uncertain times. Once again, we hope that Monday will bring a positive shift for the Canterbury region. We will continue to keep you updated the best we can and ideally only once a day.
Keep safe and take care
He waka eke noa - We are all in this together
Ngā mihi nui
Mr. Jeff Smith
Principal - Tumuaki
The Ministry of Health and Education has provided the following supporting information;
Keeping yourself updated
· The Ministry of Education website will continue to be updated with education related information.
· The Ministry of Health website will be regularly updated with health and status information.
· The All of Government website will also have the latest updates.
Support Services Available
Our primary focus remains supporting the well-being of our students while maintaining an ongoing teaching and learning programme. It is important to note that we are all learning and adjusting to being back in COVID Alert Level 4 and the stresses that this can bring. Should you feel it necessary please contact the services below.
- Free call or text 1737 support from trained counsellor
- Child, Adolescent & Family (CAF) Emergency Team (Business hours) 0800 218 219 - press 2
- Crisis Resolution, Freephone 0800 920 092, (After hours), 7 days a week.
- Youthline – 0800 376 633 or free text 234
- Lifeline – 0800 543 354
- Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
If it is an emergency or you, or someone you know, is at immediate risk