Kia ora koutou
I hope everyone has had a relaxing break. We are looking forward to seeing everyone in Term Two. We will hold IEMs on Monday 2 May and classes will begin on Tuesday 3 May.
If you still need to book an IEM then go to IEM booking sheet
If you need supervision for your Yr 1- 6 child on Monday 2 May then please fill in the form at this link IEM supervision
We would like to welcome back Sarah O’Brien from her maternity leave. We would also like to welcome back Paula Green, Richard McCance, Ian Hayes and Kay Hayes.
Staff Only Day – please note: Friday, May 13th is a staff only day. Our school will be closed for instruction on this day as it has been allocated by the Government as a professional learning day.
Covid Update
I would like to thank our whānau for their support in following the public health guidelines last term as that enabled us to stay open for our students. The Government has moved the country into the Orange Traffic Light settings of the COVID-19 protection framework. As such we have revised our Health and Safety plan to work within these guidelines.
We highly recommend that masks continue to be worn by students (year four and older), staff and visitors at school. The case numbers in Canterbury continue to remain at a high level so the risk of infection still exists in our community. Masks have been proven to reduce the spread of Covid infection and help protect the more vulnerable members of our school community to avoid getting seriously unwell. We will continue to supply masks at the front reception desk. Masks will continue to be mandatory on public transport.
If your child is unwell then please keep them at home. If your child becomes unwell at school then we will contact caregivers to pick up children and we will send them home with RAT tests.
Please do let us know if your child has covid as this enables us to closely monitor the risks of infection within our school.
Here is a link to the updated education guidelines under the COVID-19 protection framework.
Here is our dedicated email address for any Covid related questions. Covid@aotawhiti.school.nz
Attendance
We are aware that some of our whānau live with people who are at a higher risk of getting seriously unwell if they are exposed to Covid, and as such have concerns about sending their children back to school. We would like to work with those families moving forward to develop programs that best support student learning. If you have a medically vulnerable household family member and are concerned about sending children to school then be in touch with your Home Base Learning Advisor, or the school so we can work together to support your child’s education.
We are legally required to ensure that our students are engaged in education, and we will be in touch with families who have children with low attendance rates and aren’t working with Home Base Learning Advisors or the school around the development of learning programs. We have resources within school to support families who are dealing with long term issues around attendance. Our school’s guidance team is able to support students to return to school. If students are struggling to return to Ao Tawhiti then we can also support them with transitions to tertiary education, the workforce, Te Kura (online schooling) or Home School.
See contact details below.
Miriam Denney miriam.denney@aotawhiti.school.nz School Counsellor
Bridget Scott bridget.scott@aotawhiti.school.nz School Counsellor
Kirsty McMillan kirsty.mcmillan@aotawhiti.school.nz Careers Advisor
Anne-Marie Hampton annemarie.hampton@aotawhiti.school.nz Kaitiaki
You are also welcome to talk to myself or your Community Leader.
The important factor is communication between home and school so we are working together to support students.
Thank you for your continued support.
Ngā mihi nui
Anita