southmakgallan

Evening,

Today has certainly introduced unchartered waters not only within the education sector, but within all sectors. However, as a Board and as a school, dialogue has now, for some time, been centered around how we would potentially address and support distance learning should the need arise.

We are continuously being informed and guided by the Ministry of Education as information comes to light. Please note that during the next 48hours, schools are open only to children of essential workers/businesses; and to teachers who are preparing online resources to provide your children with a continuation of their learning from the classroom, to date. Please refer to the following website which clarifies who is deemed an Essential Business:  https://covid19.govt.nz/government-actions/covid-19-alert-system/

We appreciate the unique and difficult position our essential workforce are in and those in our community who will be part of this. Our thoughts will be with you as you embark on this difficult challenge.

Clarification regarding the change of school holidays has now been provided. Holidays will now begin next Monday, 30th March to Tuesday 14th  April inclusive (a reminder that the Tuesday after Easter Monday is always a closed day for schools). This means that your child/children will be provided with online learning from approximately Wednesday (as teachers implement online lessons/classes) until Friday this week, and that online learning will resume at the conclusion of the holiday period (Wednesday 15th April) until the conclusion of the Level 4 status lockdown.

We thank you for your understanding and your accommodation in keeping your children at home over the next 48 hours as we move, as a nation, towards a Level 4 on the alert system (exception of course to children of essential businesses). This is going to allow teachers to put measures into place to ensure your children’s learning is not compromised due to the current situation.

We, as a Board, would like also to acknowledge the tireless commitment of Greg and all the teaching staff at South Markirikiri who have been, for some time now, working on alternative solutions to what was presenting as an imminent eventuality.

Lastly, I would like to remind you and your families to adhere to the advice given by our government as we prepare for a minimum of four weeks lockdown and to be kind, keep safe, and look after each other as much as possible.

Kia Kaha,

Christina Belton

Board Chairperson

Following on from the latest Government announcement. South Makirikiri School will now be formally closed to all students for learning unless you are part of the essential workforce.eg doctor, nurses. All staff that are able to practically come to school on Tuesday will be putting in place all online learning programmes for students. If you are in the list of essential workforce we will work with you on the supervision of your child/children if needed. You will need to get in touch immediately if you are in this group.

Teachers will be taking a couple of days to get student programmes sorted via online platforms and more information will follow after our initial 48 hr period to get ready.

As we get more information we will be keeping you informed.

If you need to send your child/children to school as part of the essential workforce please email: principal@southmak.school.nz

This is really unprecedented times in my education experience. School will continue to be open for instruction this week until we are instructed otherwise by the Ministry of Education or Ministry of Health.  All staff have been notified on the current alert levels and at this stage, we have a large number of the staff still in a position to run classrooms.

If you feel that it is in your families best interest to self-isolate we understand your reasons.

Vulnerable people
Information about who is considered vulnerable has been updated today on the COVID-19.govt.nz website and is as follows:

At risk people include:

• Those over 70: Older people often have underlying health issues, including respiratory issues that make them more vulnerable to COVID-19.
• People with medical conditions: Underlying medical conditions can make you more vulnerable to COVID-19. In particular, people with respiratory conditions such as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), heart conditions, high blood pressure, kidney problems and diabetes.
• People undergoing a treatment for cancer and blood conditions: As treatments for cancer and blood conditions affect people’s immune systems, this makes them more vulnerable to COVID-19. 
• People without easy access to healthcare

Buses: Potentially we will have to modify the Bus run that does Makirikiri Road, Duddings lake and Whanganui Road. We will try and notify families once we have a confirmed time. We are thinking at least 30 minutes later than normal.

Absences: Please use the app, text messages and emails are appreciated so we know why students will be away. If you make the call to self isolate we will take that as the reason for absence until notified otherwise.

As a school, we will continue safe hygiene practices and limit non- essential gatherings of large numbers. Assemblies will be postponed until further notice and we will come up with some unique ways to recognise students achievements.   

Nga Mihi

Greg Allan

During these unprecedented times, people in our community need our support. The team at  Marton New World needs help to fill shelves at any time throughout the evenings. If you know of anyone looking for some casual employment contact Brendon Shoebridge. 02108105056

Kia ora koutou Whanau,

With so much information and misinformation swirling around about COVID-19, I wanted to share with you what will happen if we were to have a case in our school community. We have been planning for this and are in a position to respond quickly.

• As soon as a case is confirmed in our immediate school community (eg. a student, staff member, or member of their household), the Medical Officer of Health and Ministry of Education will inform me about this, and we will work together to get quick and clear messaging out to you

• If there was a case confirmed of someone in our school, we will likely be asked to close temporarily by the Medical Officer of Health. This will allow time for close contacts to be traced, appropriate testing to be undertaken, and a careful clean of the school to be undertaken.

• If our school does need to close temporarily, we have a plan in place to support student’s learning.

We know COVID-19 feels scary and of course people are concerned for the wellbeing of our children. Please be assured that with no case confirmed in our school, your children are safe here.

Good hygiene is a priority at our school, and we are reinforcing this regularly with all students and staff. We know that practicing good hygiene is still the best thing we can all do to prevent illness.

We are getting the most up to date advice and guidance so that we can confidently make informed decisions about the safety and wellbeing of our school community.

Ngā mihi

Greg Allan