Newsletter – 6th December 2021 – Pakuranga Heights School

Dear Parents

Thank you for your patience and support over this lockdown.The staff have received numerous thank yous which has made a real difference.It is lovely to hear the students playing and reconnecting with their peers. Every child I have asked has loved coming back to school. Thank you for ensuring they have drink bottles, sunhats and masks if in Year 4 or above. The older students have been excellent in the wearing of their masks and respecting the rules so everyone stays safe.

Welcome to our new families, starting school is a nervous and exciting time but even more complicated by the lockdown, we acknowledge and admire this.

Classes in School Week 8

Please see below for the timetable.

Covid -19 Case in Elm Park School

A student was identified as positive last week at Elm Park School. It reminds us that it is very much in our community and the importance of staying safe.

Collecting Reports and Learning Hard Packs Reminder

This Friday 10th December your child’s teacher will be issuing reports and learning hard packs under the TLC Shade Area. The organisation will be similar to when we issued hard packs at the start of the lockdown. Your child’s report will also contain a letter letting you know their classroom and teacher for 2022.

Time: 8.30 am – 11.00 am

Entry – Front and back gates – staff will be on the gates to answer any questions and point you in the right direction

Safety Requirements – all adults must wear masks and sign or scan in. We ask that you please limit to one member per family and remember social distancing requirements etc.

Returning Devices, Library Books, School Readers and Sports Uniforms

You can drop off library books, school readers, sports uniforms, and any device borrowed from school to your child’s teacher as you pick up their report and hard pack.

Please ensure any cords or chargers are returned at the same time.

School Books and Stationery from this Year

If your child has not returned to school, their stationery will be available to be collected at the same time as their reports. These will be already bagged and named.

Leavers Assembly

It has been a difficult year and a disappointing time for our leavers. At present we are trying to ascertain how many students will be attending. If you have a child in Year 6 and have not had time to fill in the quick survey please click on this link. Information regarding live streaming and recording of this event will be shared with the families of a Year 6 student.

leavers assembly survey

Last day of school for students this year – Thursday 16th December

School will close at the normal time from 2.30 pm onwards.

2022 Information

First day of school 2022 – Tuesday February 8th

The Traffic Light System will be in place for the start of the year. We are unsure what level so here is a guide on what to expect at school under the different settings. A newsletter will be sent out closer to school opening once we know exactly what CPF setting we are at with more detail about what to expect on day one.

COVID-19 Protection Framework guidance

This is a brief summary of the COVID-19 Protection Framework (CPF) guidance.

At all settings of the framework

All schools will be open with students and staff onsite.
The same public health measures you are very familiar with remain in place:
– good hygiene and cleaning
– contact tracing systems in place
– vaccination requirements for workers (paid and unpaid), and all eligible people encouraged to be vaccinated
– if you are sick, you must stay home and get tested
– good ventilation.
Contact tracing and case management will continue to be very important.
There will not be a physical distancing requirement at any CPF setting, but at Red, keeping a one metre is recommended between different groups when inside and where practicable.

Red

Face coverings will be required at school when indoors for students and staff in Years 4-13.
Physical activities and singing should be held outside only.
Keeping a one-metre distance between different groups is recommended.
Children with complex medical needs can seek advice from their health professional about whether it is appropriate to come to school.
No non-essential visitors onsite.

Orange

There are very few differences between Orange and Green when onsite, however at Orange there is an increased emphasis on planning for events and activities with large student numbers involved

Holiday Office Hours

The office will be open from Monday 24th January from 9.00 am until 3pm each day.

Uniform Shop Hours

The uniform shop will be open on:

Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th January

Hours: 9.00 am – 12 noon

Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd February.

Hours: 9 am – 3.00pm

Stationery 2022

All stationery except Year 1 ‘New to School’ can be purchased on the Officemax website as below

https://www.myschool.co.nz/

If your child has unused stationery from this year, and these items are on the class list for next year, you will have the option to reduce the order on the Officemax website.

If you do not wish to order online, then all classroom full stationery packs can be purchased from the office during the above holiday office hours.

Building Renovation

Room 18 and Room 19 will be bubble wrapped before Christmas so work can begin to undergo a complete renovation including the toilets.

While this is happening during Term 1:

Room 18 will relocate to Room 3

Room 19 will relocate to Room 4

Room 3 will relocate to Room 9

Room 4 will relocate to Room 10

Room 9 and Room 10 were purpose built for the junior school so would struggle to accommodate the bigger children.

Extra Learning Support in Term 1

Mrs. Wendy Morgan has been employed for Term 1 as a specialist teacher to help students especially in Year 2 and Year 3 post lockdown . Students in other levels identified as needing extra support will be referred to Mrs Margaret Walker our Learning Support Coordinator.

Due to our growing student roll, next year we are able to separate Year 5 and Year 6 students. This will allow the teachers to focus solely on that year level and alongside students try and fill learning gaps post lockdowns.

Road Patrol Start of Year

Due to the lockdown, road patrol training has not been able to occur. We have managed to book the Police Education Officer for late February. We need our teachers to be in class with their students especially after this year so we need your help.

We need parents who are able to commit to one morning per week in February 8.30 am until 8.55 am or an afternoon 2.55 pm until 3.15 pm. Essentially, it is just making sure the traffic stops before children cross the road.

If you can help we would love to hear from you. Please email Miss Vanessa Roscoe who is our Roadsafe coordinator at vanessar@pakurangaheights.school.nz

Holiday Programme

The holiday programme and before and after school care is run by Pukeko which is separate from the school. Please contact them directly on 09 5764822.

Student Leadership 2022

Student leaders will be chosen during Term One next year.

Sabbatical

I was meant to be on sabbatical this term but due to Covid-19 it was deferred until next term. Mrs Sue Kandasamy will be Acting Principal, Mrs. Monique Browne Deputy Principal and Mrs. Antonia Burton, Acting Deputy Principal in my absence

Have a safe and happy Christmas and we look forward to seeing everyone in the New Year.

Meri Kirihimete

Fintan, Sue and Monique