Tuesday 7 April 2020
Thinking of you all ... look out for information about Term 2. It will be really strange not to see you all at the gate on the first day! Keep safe, keep well, keep inside your bubble and hopefully we will all be able to catch up again soon. Kris & the team :)
Message from the Ministry of Education - includes helpful hints Friday 27 March 2020
Hi parents & whānau,
The following comes to you from Iona Holsted - Secretary for Education.
There is a lot of information … it takes a while to read, it will be helpful to you:
We have started into a new phase of New Zealand’s response to COVID-19 and it is very different than anything most of us have ever experienced. I wanted to reassure you that our school staff and Board of Trustees will continue to be available to support your child’s learning and wellbeing in the next weeks.
You will understand the importance of routine for your family. If your routine has been shaken up, like you’re now working from home, it’s good to structure your time. Routines are reassuring, and promote health and physical wellbeing. The below timetable (targeted at children) could be something your household adapts to use over the next weeks. A school holiday version will likely look a little different, but some form of routine will still be important as we go through the lockdown period.
There are links below to more wellbeing information to support your family during the lockdown.
Some good news to support you either working at home and/or studying at home - Spark, Vodafone, Vocus/Slingshot, 2Degrees and Trustpower have all advised they have removed their data caps and the possibility of any extra charges based on usage.
For our Pacific families, if you are not aware the Ministry for Pacific Peoples’ has been working to ensure useful information is available to Pacific peoples. A one-hour special will be aired on Tagata Pasifika’s segment on Saturday at 9am; and on Sunday at 7.35am, Tagata Pasifika will share messages from community leaders. The Ministry is asking you to reach out to all your family members, community groups, friends and group chats to ensure our Pacific community groups are watching the programming on both days.
A big thank you to all of you for taking the lockdown so seriously. As the Prime Minister has noted staying at home will break the chain and save lives; breaking the rules could risk someone close to you and if the rules are not complied with, this could risk the lock down period being extended or could risk the virus being spread to thousands
Ngā mihi
Iona Holsted
Information and resources to support wellbeing and support learning at home
The Ministry of Education has developed a resource for parents, caregivers, whānau and family - http://education.govt.nz/school/health-safety-and-wellbeing/pastoral-care-and-wellbeing/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-coronavirus/.
The Ministry of Health’s website includes Top ways to look after your mental wellbeing during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Nathan Wallis has some helpful videos on his Facebook page for parents and whānau - https://www.facebook.com/nathanwallisxfactoreducation/ -
Tips on looking after mental health and wellbeing during COVID-19 from the Mental Health foundation https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/get-help/covid-19/
a website by the Health Promotion Agency to help New Zealanders recognise and understand depression and anxiety - https://depression.org.nz/covid-19/
Although overseas-based this is a good list and highlights some things particularly important for children. Remember the rules of New Zealand’s level 4 lockdown still apply - 25 Mental Health Wellness Tips during Quarantine from Eileen M Feliciano, Psy.D.
Key dates:
26 March Alert Level 4 commenced
28 March School holidays begin
10 – 14 April Easter including the Tuesday after Easter
15 April Term 2 begins (through distance learning)
22 April Current date for ending of lockdown period
27 April ANZAC Day observed
Removing data caps for internet
In addition to Spark, Vodafone, Vocus/Slingshot, and 2Degrees, Trustpower has now also advised they have removed their data caps and the possibility of any extra charges based on usage - Ask.Trustpower.co.nz – “we've removed data limits for all fixed-line broadband customers to make sure everyone can stay connected. You'll be able to keep in touch with family and friends, work or study from home, and receive vital updates without having to worry about exceeding your data limit”.
The suggested routine on the Ministry of Education website works well with the way Hunua School’s teachers will be sending out your child’s learning.
You may like to move the 9:00-10:00 and 4:00-5:00 slots around. I am not sure our nationwide lockdown would cope with every school family in the country heading out for a walk at the same time!!
Suggested Daily Schedule
*Adapted from a resource developed by Jessica McHale Photography
Consider scheduling time to use social media and establish usage time parameters.
There are apps that can help block you from certain sites at particular hours of the day or by tracking the amount of time you use social media.
If you need any support from the school during the holidays remember to contact Chris Woods (BOT Chair), or myself (Kris).
Remember, be kind to yourself and others.
Message from Chris Woods Board of Trustees Chair Thursday 26 March 2020
Kia ora koutou,
Hopefully things are coming together for everyone as we all head into isolation. On behalf of the Board, we just wanted to say thank you to the team at the school. Kris updated us on Monday evening at our Board meeting, taking us through procedures that are in place and what has been happening at the school. Everyone has pulled together and we really appreciate the effort that has gone in over the past few weeks.
Over the next few weeks I am sure we will be most grateful for the materials that the teaching team are pulling together. Again, we really appreciate the work that is going into this.
And Kris, you are leading the school through this with professionalism and empathy. Thank you.
So everyone, look after yourselves and each other.
Kia kaha
Chris (Board Chair)
PS – if anyone wants to talk, please just give me a call.
Wednesday 25 March
Welcome to Distance Learning Hunua School Style
Students are used to having an adult on call to help with their learning.
Their teacher guides them one-to-one or in a small group. Sometimes there are whole class lessons or discussions.
So they may need a little help from you from time to time.
Teachers will be only an email away for help from Wednesday 16 April when distance learning starts.
We are very aware that our Hunua families suffer from poor internet and, in most cases, very slow broadband. As a result we will not be using videos or live streaming as we do at school.
What you should expect
Teachers will send out work on Monday, Wednesday & Friday.
For our younger students receiving a whole week’s work at once would be too daunting.Tuesday & Thursday are the days the teachers will mark the work and give feedback.
Somethings are easy and can be marked by you e.g. spelling. Other things need the teacher to mark them. The teachers will make it clear which is which for you.
Teachers will be sending 2 learning events for each day e.g. writing & reading / maths & topic / handwriting & art / spelling and an enviro task.
When they set these learning events, there may be a few tasks to do for each. The teachers will be looking for their students to work well and put some effort into it.Obviously Year 7&8 students will be expected to do more.
Some teachers will also be setting a research project. So if your child finishes their learning events and has time to spare, they can practice their research skills.
How do we get the work?
Year 1-4 Mrs Helen Davenport Mrs Merlyn Thompson Mrs. Aimee Nortje
Mrs. Nola White & Mrs. Renae Smith
These teachers will email your child’s work directly to you. You simply email back the work that needs to be checked by the teacher. Sometimes it will be as easy as taking a photo of the work and sending it through.
Year 5&6 Miss. Bronwyn Clegg
You, the parents, have a choice as your children are getting a little older. They can EITHER receive their work through your email (the same as Years 1-4) OR they can receive it through your child’s individual school email OR both.
Bron has emailed you about this today. Please let her know which you would prefer.
Year 7&8 Mr. Nick Gage
The Intermediate class is working using Google Classroom. All parents should have been sent, by email, an invitation to join the Classroom so you can see the work that has been set for your child.
You should also have your child’s email address so you are able to see the work they are doing.
Work will be sent to Nick for marking either directly through Google Classroom, or through his school email.
What do you do if this doesn’t happen?
Email your child’s teacher or email me kburden@hunua.school.nz
Send your email address to me so I can check the teacher has the correct address.
If you aren’t quite sure, have a question, or just need me to know something … kburden@hunua.school.nz
We won’t be:
sending you lots of messages, we do not want to clog up your email at a time that your family & friends need you. That is why we have set days to send work out.
sending out a whole mass of apps, games, websites - this can be overwhelming.
Email the teacher if you would like a specific suggestion and they will help you if they can.sending out busy work. We will be linking our tasks to the New Zealand Curriculum. The work will have purpose & relevance to your child.
If everyone in your house is feeling tired, or you just want family time, or they want to curl up with a book or hear you read a story, or cabin fever has hit and you decide to have a picnic on your back lawn … do not worry … do what you need to do.
As a kid I loved it when my Dad got a chapter book and read us a chapter a day after lunch. It really was something to look forward to!
We will be thinking about you and your children all the time …
Be kind … live our RiCH Values … look out for those that need help.
Thanks Mel Bird for your beautiful mural.
Mā te wā
Bye for now
Kris Burden
Principal
Hunua School
Auckland
Tuesday 24th March
Good morning families.
Today we have woken up to a lot of changes. We tend to live in a bit of a bubble at Hunua School.
The school sits in a beautiful environment and mostly manages to stay away from the major issue of the world. Until now.
Before I share with you the current situation regarding distance learning, there are a few things I would like to address:
Your children are Super Stars! Over the last few weeks they have been asking a few really tough questions (even our 5 year olds). They have been aware that something has been happening around the world & have been trying to make sense of it in their own way … especially when the class numbers started to fall.
Despite all of this there has been a lot of laughter around the school, children playing, routines and learning maintained, etc.
Please be aware, if you are not already that, at first, the kids will think this is a long holiday, just like the end of the year. Soon they will realise that they can’t go to the movies, library, shops, etc. and that they can’t have their friends over …You as parents and caregivers have had to make some of the hardest calls ever. You have had to reassess and rethink daily, even hourly as we found yesterday, what is best for your family. Not only have you had the worry of your children, some of you have elderly parents living with you or nearby, some of you have been impacted by issues concerning work and even income.
Yet your children bounced into school happy and well every day.
It is imperative that you keep in contact with your friends and family. You may need just as much support as your children from time to time.The Hunua School staff have been awesome! The teachers have kept the normality going and the learning happening. In recent days I have watched their faces and seen the worry. Many have elderly family, children around NZ or overseas, friends, their own health … They have been everything you would hope for in a situation like this - calm, professional, organised & fun!
The Ministry of Education has done a fantastic job. Principals around the country have received constant updates, resources, information to share with you, phone calls,etc. The support has been greatly appreciated by us all.
Thank you also to the Hunua School BOT, especially the Chair, for regularly checking in to see if there's anything we need and for trusting us to get on with the job.
Key information regarding the care of your child / children
If you need to have your child cared for by someone else you will need to identify that person or people as part of your self-isolated group. This will need to be done by midnight Wednesday and the group must remain the same for the whole 4 week period.
The caregiver’s own group (eg, their partner and children), your child and your own group (eg, your parents and other children) become one group. This group needs to be limited to minimise any risk of spread and should be no more than 20 people.
Your child will be looking to you for guidance about this decision. Parents, caregivers, whānau and teachers will have a particularly important part to play in reassuring children at this time. If you haven’t already done so, you may wish to read the information put together by the Ministry of Education to support your conversations with your children – Talking to children about COVID-19
As noted by the Prime Minister these restrictions are our best chance to slow the virus in New Zealand and to save lives. We all have a clear role here to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Now comes the business of distance learning.
This week teachers are getting learning material ready to send out to you. We are aware of issues our Hunua families have regarding poor reception and slow broadband and are taking this into account when planning tasks and communicating with you.
The school holidays are from Monday 30 March - Tuesday 14 April (due to ANZAC Day)
Distance learning starts on Wednesday 15 April.
Tomorrow I will send out information explaining how and when distance learning will occur for the students of Hunua School.
Monday 23rd March
As you are aware our Prime Minister has declared Alert Level 3 moving into Level 4 in 2 days, this means that our school will be closed from tomorrow Tuesday 24th March, in exception to children of essential workers such as Doctors, Nurses, Ambulance Drivers and Police. This will be temporary and schools will close entirely from midnight Wednesday.
We are awaiting further instructions from the Ministry of Education, once we have this we will have this information out to you.
Our love goes out to all our families, these are worrying times. Look after each other, take care and we will be in touch as soon as possible. Please check your mobile phone app and email for updates.
Kia Kaha
Kris, Nick, Bron, Aimee, Nola, Renae, Merlyn, Helen, Lynette, Gary, Mel, Donna and Megan
Sunday 22 March 2020
As a school the teachers, BOT, and support staff are keeping up-to-date with the changes in COVID-19. The information we base our decisions on come directly from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health & the New Zealand Government.
Please phone the school office 09 292 4889 and speak with Megan Rogers (Office Administrator)or myself (Kris Burden, Principal). We will be able to help you as best we can with the situation relating to Hunua School.
Saturday 21 March 2020
The Prime Minster has introduced the New Zealand COVID-19 Alert Levels. At the time she declared that we have entered level 2.
It is important the we prevent the risk of infection to help our children, families, teachers & community.
We continue to recommend:
★ stay home when you are sick and seek medical attention
★ wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20-30 seconds and dry thoroughly
★ avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
★ avoid sharing anything that has come in contact with saliva, whether in your living or social environments
★ cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the rubbish
★ get adequate sleep and eat well-balanced meals to ensure a healthy immune system.
Please keep a lookout for members of our community that may need extra support, especially those over 70.
COVID-19
The Ministry of Education has share this useful checklist to help us at school. We think it may be helpful for you too.
Novel Coronavirus
This is a new virus and its specific nature is currently unclear, however it appears that you can have the virus at an early stage and not be showing any symptoms. This incubation period is currently considered to be up to 14 days.
As we return back to school the Ministry of Health & the Ministry of Education have emailed information to us. We will be closely monitoring and following their advice.
As our children and teachers return to school, their health is a priority. I ask you to please follow the following advice:
All Students:
• Anyone who is unwell should NOT be at school. If you have a concern about your child’s health, please keep them away from school. Contact Healthline at 0800 611 116or your GP for medical advice.
• High Risk Students (those who have visited China or had contact with someone with the virus):
Students who may be at high risk of exposure because they have recently been to China or have been in close contact with someone confirmed with the virus, are asked to delay the start of their school year for 14 days. This will keep everyone safe. We will ensure there is no impact on any student’s learning if they are away from school for an extended period of time.
• Please note that for everyone’s safety if a student attends school with symptoms the Education Act allows principals to preclude students from attendance if they believe on reasonable grounds they may have a communicable disease such as Novel Coronavirus.
Further Information:
The Ministry of Health has published information regarding the Novel Coronavirus which is available here: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov
I will be sure to share any updates as they come to hand.
WELCOME TO 2020! 🎉✨
School start TUESDAY 4 FEBRUARY
Uniforms are available from: New Zealand Uniforms - Manukau City
Stationery is available from: Office Max
Hats From day 1 please
All studnets need their school hats for the first day of school as summer has hit with vengence. Teachers will be asking their class to leave their hats at school at the end of the day.
We find that some students take their hats home and forget to bring them to school the next day.
Togs Most, if not all, classes will start swimming in Week 1
Swimming is part the Physical Education Curriculum. Our teachers are trained to teach swimming and are great at encouraging even the most reluctant swimmer.
Hunua School Vision:
Excellence in education through the use of the environment, active student, parent and community involvement and interactive learning.
