Newsletter – 27 September 2021 – Pakuranga Heights School

This is the last newsletter of the Term 3. It was a term of surprises, challenges and positives. Thank you for your support and understanding. It is without a doubt that distance learning at times has been challenging for some children, parents and your child’s teacher, but also rewarding in other ways. We look forward to Level 2 and then Level 1 when we can have some sense of normality and routine.

Term Four – If we are in Level 2 Guidelines

Checklist for parents to prepare for Alert Level 2- Ministry Advice
Help prepare your child to transition back to daily school life. Talk to them about what they can expect when they return to their school.

Play it safe:

Children should be going to their early learning service or school.
If your child is sick, they should stay at home. Children who arrive at school, or an early learning service sick, will be sent home.
If your child is awaiting a COVID-19 test result or is in isolation, they should stay at home.
Remind them that COVID-19 is still out there so it is important that they play it safe and follow the rules.
Let them know that some things will be different. Their early learning service or school will have some extra measures in place.
Talk to your early learning service or school if you have any questions.

For school-aged children

We want everybody in New Zealand to be well, and they can help do that.
Talk to your child about playing safe when they are with their friends. Remind them to keep a safe distance in a way that they are ‘not breathing’ on each other.
Tell them that their teacher might have some extra rules and it is important that they follow their teacher to keep everyone safe.
Remind your child to always wash their hands before and after eating; playing outside, playing with others, after sporting activities, after playing on hard surfaces including outdoor play areas.
Explain to your child that they should not share their lunch or any other food and drink.
Let your child know that they will see more cleaning of their school and their classroom.
Let them know that some children and adults may wear a face covering in school and there will be some who are not. Explain to them that it’s a personal decision and it’s important that we respect their choice.

Devices
Please ensure all school owned devices are returned on the first day back at school (18th October) so these can be redistributed to the classrooms. Please have in a bag with the charger and name of student and classroom number. Please return these to the office before school.

Property Update
Work has begun on the sunshade for the senior playground. Completion will depend on how soon the ground is hard enough for the bigger trucks to drive on.

Hall
The hall re-clad will be starting during the holidays- It is expected to take 3 months so there will be scaffolding and the usual safety precautions in place. We are using this opportunity to renovate the toilets, kitchen, new window coverings and put in heat pumps.

Staffing Term 4
In Term 4, I will be on leave so if you need to contact one of the senior team:

Mrs Kandasamy will be Acting Principal
Mrs Monique Browne – Deputy Principal
Mrs Burton – Acting Deputy Principal and Senior School Team Leader.

Quotes most used by teachers this term

“You’re on mute.” or “Click your mute button”

Stay safe
Fintan, Sue and Monique