Newsletter – 25th May 2020 – Pakuranga Heights School

Dear Parents

It has been great to see all the students and staff return and reestablish teaching and learning programmes. A special welcome to all our new families who have joined our school community. On Friday we had over 90% of our students at school.

Thank you in your support of the Covid-19 Level 2 requirements such as tracking records when entering and leaving the school. Fundamentally, it has been about ensuring that all students and staff are as safe as possible.

For families who have yet to return their children to school due to your concerns about Covid-19, the Ministry of Education and Health assure us that:

Our schools are safe. Even though there is such a low risk of the virus getting in the school gates to start with, we will be keeping up our hygiene practices and other public health measures as an extra precaution for as long as we are at Alert Level 2.

The return to school has gone smoothly and it has been wonderful to see how excited the children have been to get back to their learning and social routines.

We know some of our families are still feeling a bit anxious about sending their children back to school, which is understandable given everything we have been through these past 2 months.

It is important children do return to school, not just for their education but also their health and wellbeing as instances of Covid-19 in New Zealand are very low.

We are aware of concerns out there that people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus. The Ministry of Health has advised us that there is no instance in New Zealand of someone spreading the virus without ever having symptoms.

Last week two students and one staff member tested negative for Covid-19 as they had common colds.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back.

Property Upgrades
Foundation work has begun on the middle school sunshade and we expect that the project to be completed within 4 weeks. Once the shade area is completed, we will be replacing the middle school playground and resurfacing under the sunshade.

Senior School Area
The large sun umbrella from the middle school has been relocated to outside Room 20 to provide more shade for the senior students. During January next year Room 18, Room 19 and the toilet block will be renovated.

Middle School Playground and Sunshade
The Ministry of Education has approved for us to proceed replacing the middle school playground which has entertained thousands of children over the years. We are also putting up a sunshade over the top to protect the children while they are playing.

Middle School Area Sunshade
The foundation work has been completed and late next week work will begin to raise the structure.The foundation holes were 3 metres deep so this gives an indication of the size of the structure.

Once the structure is completed, Astroturf, like in the junior school area, will be laid.

Devices
Thank you if you have already returned your child’s device. All devices are being checked, cleaned and reallocated back to classrooms.

School Reports and Parent Interviews in Term 2
We know teaching and learning has looked quite different during the COVID-19 restrictions, and whilst we are establishing routines and classroom programmes we also want our staff to prioritise relationships, wellbeing and making learning fun and engaging.

It is challenging to assess learning progress from a distance; however, we know that as parents and whānau you will still want to receive information about your child’s progress and achievement. There are opportunities from the home learning programmes to reflect and give feedback to you about your child’s progress across the broader curriculum.

Covid -19 Distance learning has disrupted the way we will report in Term 2. A parent teacher conference will take place on Tuesday June 23 and Wednesday June 24 where your child’s teacher will document the conversation about your child’s curriculum progress. Parents you will receive the notes, including information on progress in mathematics and literacy. We expect that Term 4 reports will return to a more traditional format.

Next week a link for interview bookings will be sent out via Signmee. If you are unable to meet with the teacher your child’s teacher will be in contact

Future School and Interschool Events
All inter school events this term have been cancelled and the Howick Pakuranga Principals Association is surveying all schools this week to see if schools will be participating in Term 3. Once the Association has this information it will decide if inter school events will go ahead in Term 3. Once this decision is made we will let everyone know.

Lost Property
The lost property box is located on the deck of the Whanau Centre. Please ensure all your child’s property is clearly named this includes lunchboxes, drink bottles etc.

School Events and Assemblies
We have cancelled all large gatherings such as assemblies at school this term as it will be impossible to ensure everyone is correctly spaced out and fit in the hall.

The School Art Exhibition has been cancelled this term as the focus is on getting back to classroom routines and learning programmes as well as avoiding large gatherings.

Our school motto of ‘Reaching new heights together’ has been alive and evident in the way everyone has worked together under what can only be described as potentially stressful conditions whether at home or at work. Thank you for your continued support.