As we are part way through our first week back at school we thought you would like to know how we are going.  Firstly, we would like to thank you for choosing not to come onto the school site unless it has been absolutely necessary. It has made our job so much easier as we haven’t had to ask you to sign in - instead the leadership team and support staff have been available to  warmly greet you and your children at the gate entrances, allowing the teachers to then be present in their classrooms.  We have been most impressed with our students knowing where they have to go at the start and end of each day. 

We now have almost 95% of our students back at school and want to assure you that we continue to work hard to keep everyone safe. We have no people coming on site unless they are required such as health workers, support personnel or contract workers that work away from the students. We are providing students with regular reminders and opportunities to support safe practices- such as the use of sanitisers and hand washing. All classrooms have additional cleaning products for staff to use during the day and the bathrooms are given an extra clean during the day.  We have staggered breaks to ease pressure on the use of  bathrooms. Thank you for regularly reminding your children of ways to keep themselves and others safe.

All of our classes are focussing on well-being, supporting students transition back into school making use of a wonderful resource, Te Rito Toi . This resource helps teachers work with children upon their return to school following  traumatic or  life changing events.

At the heart of Te Rito Toi is the understanding that schools must not just prepare students for the future but they also need to help them make sense of the present. As part of the transition back to school our first priority is to help learners safely explore the changed world in which they live.  We include some photographs that show some of the activities children are engaging with.

Please speak with your children about the activities they have been taking part in, in their classes; these activities will support the development of resilience not just at this time but also in the future. 

Feast of the Ascension – Matthew 28: 16-20

This Sunday, Christians around the world remember the final scene of Jesus’ ministry on earth: his ascension to heaven.  As Jesus returns to the Father, he leaves this message of assurance for his earthly friends;  ‘I am with you always, yes to the end of time’.  He left humanity with a wonderful spiritual dimension, a gift that enhances our lives.  He also left us with a mission to go out into the world and to make disciples of all nations.

The Church, entrusted by Jesus to the early Christians, has been with us for over 2000 years, a visible sign of Jesus’ promise to us.  Equally, for 2000 years, there are many who have inspired us, by witnessing the good news.  We too, are challenged to witness the good news.

 We know Jesus had a master plan- we are his master plan.  We have been commissioned and, as promised, the spirit of Jesus is with us until the end of time.  Like all good master plans we need to define our personal action plans, living our lives accordingly and witnessing to others through our actions.  

A blessing 

May God, who has given us such a sure hope, comfort and strengthen us  in everything good that we  say or do.

May we  live lives worthy of God, who is calling us  to share the glory of his kingdom.

May we  be proud witnesses  to the Lord.

We greatly appreciate the feedback you gave us recently from the ‘Return to School Survey’ which gave us valuable data to further support student wellbeing and learning in the weeks ahead.

Your responses told us that the lockdown period clearly provided  families / whanau  with an opportunity to find out more about their child’s learning, (1- I learnt a little about my child’s learning to 5 - I learnt a lot about my child’s learning)

The survey showed us  that the majority of students were feeling positive about returning to school and Celeste was able to contact those who were feeling anxious,  to support them. (1 = Worried to 5 - Excited)

It was also very interesting to get your views on students ability to work independently during  this time.

1 = My child needed a lot of support to work independently

5 = My child was able to work independently

More than half of you further  reported that your child’s ability to work independently improved during their time of learning from home. 

The responses you gave to the open-ended questions provided us with a useful  ‘snapshot’ which we will develop further  through surveys and discussions with students, staff and whanau.  

We witnessed remarkable growth in confidence and competence with digital technologies and we wish to harness and build upon these in a timely manner.  

The system that has been put in place has been working really well, however there is one area we ask you please not to park. This is the caretakers and sports lock up which is the first driveway on Miramar Ave. Please drop off or pick up on the court area instead. Thank you for your support.