Waipawa School
Term 1, Week 7 -16th March 2022
PRINCIPAL'S Catch up
I have the latest Covid rules further down the newsletter - well I think it is the latest!!
Since last Monday it has been steady. All up we know that 20 children have been affected with Covid and these children are spread across 10 different classrooms. We have a number of children isolating as household contacts. We have 3 staff who have also tested positive.
Our absences last week grew each day and on Thursday we had 92 children away. On Monday we had 113 away, yesterday 102 and today 89. Maybe we've peaked! We are experiencing a change of seasons with a drop in temperatures which is contributing to similar symptoms as Covid and a few sore tummies as well.
What is exciting is to see children back at school who have been away isolating. Fully recovered, symptom free and raring to go.
To those families and whanau who have experienced Covid and home isolation our thoughts are with you. Not an easy time on so many levels.
We just keep going and will do our best. We are expecting the rest of the term to be like this. It is a challenge for teachers doing home learning and face to face learning. It is a challenge to have so many children away from a class with children constantly changing. We just need to box on, keep learning going, ensure school is as safe as it can be and enjoy every day. We also know from the previous two years that many good things do come out of disruptive periods like this. We learn so much and that's always a good thing.
We had a great TOD last Friday. We learnt about the Ngā Ara Tipuna project and visited a number of Pa sites around our local area. Phil and Lou Morris shared their expertise and it was awesome for all of us to gain much-needed knowledge. When I finally stop writing about Covid I'll get more into our learning theme and our big goals for the school this year.
The new fitness trail is 90% completed. We are just waiting for the special playground chip to turn up and then it will be all on!
Ngā mihi nui
Mr J
School Uniform
Cycle Champion
Sport Hawke’s Bay is invested in supporting the development of a local workforce and a sustainable delivery model for cycle skills and on-road training for CHB schools. To enable this we have been asked to put a call out to our communities to identify interested members (teachers, support staff, parents, or friends or family of the school) to become ‘Cycle Champions’ to participate in a ’Train the trainer’ workshop, with the intent to oversee and deliver in-school sessions for our tamariki. Check out this video of Irongate School - Ka Tipu Ngā Kahikatea Project that shows the impact and value of having Cycle Champions in their school.
The Sport Hawke’s Bay I-Way team is able to deliver a ‘Train the Trainer’ development workshop for local Cycle Champions - LEVEL 1 Basic Cycle Skills during the April School holidays (specific dates to be confirmed, but it will be a 2-day course with lunch provided).
Please let Sue in the office know if you are interested in being 'Waipawa's Cycle Champion'
Whanau and Friends Update
The AGM for W & F is set for Wednesday 23rd March 7pm at Skinnys.
Easter Raffle
Mufti Day today - Instead of a gold coin donation students were asked to bring along an Easter item for the raffle baskets. Dianne, Jen and Yvette along with some senior students braved the wet and cold and collected the eggs. Raffle tickets will come home on Friday with the eldest child in each family. This will be drawn on 14th April in time for School Holidays.
There will also be a childs bike to give away which has kindly been donated by John Sayer.
Year 7 & 8 Technology Fees
COVID - Update
COVID-19 lastest information (I think!!!)
Anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate for seven days.
Day 0 is the day symptoms began or the day the test was taken (whichever came first). Cases will isolate for a full seven days and are free to return to normal activities on Day 8, if they are not symptomatic.
Evidence also shows that the risk of re-infection within the first three months after someone has had Omicron is very low. For this reason, recovered cases will no longer need to isolate again if they become a household contact within 90 days of having the virus.
Household contacts
Household contacts are required to isolate for the same seven days as the case. They can return to their normal activities on the same day as the first case in their household, so long as all test results have been negative, and they are not symptomatic.
Household contacts should continue to self-monitor for symptoms up to Day 10.
Household contacts will be required to take a self-administered rapid antigen test (RAT) on Day 3 and Day 7 of the case’s isolation period.
If symptoms develop at any time during isolation:
- the usual advice remains in place to undertake an additional RAT
- if the test is negative and symptoms persist or worsen, test again 48 hours after that negative test
- if symptoms resolve there is no need for a further test until the required Day 7 test. If this is negative, they can return to daily life on Day 8.
If a household contact has new symptoms on the day of release:
- they should undertake an additional RAT and stay at home while unwell
- if that test is negative and symptoms persist or worsen, test again after 48 hours. If symptoms resolve, there is no need for a further test.
If a household contact has finished their period of isolation they do not need to return to isolation if a new case is identified in their household. However, this only applies for a period of seven days following them leaving isolation.
Should a new household member be confirmed as a case eight or more days after the household contact has left isolation, then they must start a new period of self-isolation for seven days.
If you have any concerns about sending your child to school, please do get in touch. We are here to help.
SPORTS CORNER
Term 2 Sports
We have a number of sports starting in Term 2.
What a strange couple of years we have had due to Covid disrupting sports for our children. We try to make the disruptions as little as possible but unfortunately some things do happen and we just have to roll with it. Lots of communication and help will get us through.
CHB children are very lucky to have a wide variety of sports available, Netball, Football, Miniball and Hockey which Waipawa Primary loves to take advantage of and of course Rugby and CHB
Gymnastics Club which we can also point you in the right direction of contacts.
So keep an eye on Hero and notices in bags for how to register or email me for information.
Yvette Spindler
Winter Hockey Coaching Clinic
Rugby Central Park
For all those interested in playing 11th & 12th Grade Rugby, muster 23rd March 4.00 -5.30pm at Central Park. If you are unsure about 10th, 11th 12th grade weights and abilities come anyway.
Blair Holt
Waipawa Country United Rugby
Just reminding families that "Waipawa Country United Junior Rugby" is open for 2022 registrations. The link is Waipawa Country United Junior Rugby-Waipawa Country United Junior Rugby (sporty.co.nz)
Thanks so much
Amy Davidson (WCUJR - Secretary)
Umpire Workshop
Kia ora All,
Hawke’s Bay Netball are excited to offer a Learn to Umpire Workshop in Waipukurau with the aim to provide general knowledge and understanding of the basic rules and protocols of Netball.
Please refer to the flyer attached for more information.
Register here - Hawke's Bay Netball-Hawke's Bay Netball (sporty.co.nz)
STARTING SCHOOL : 4 Year Old Mornings
- We find 4 visits before starting school is usually sufficient. However, if your child requires more we would be in close communication with you.
- Whanau are welcome to stay for the first visit and leave when the child / parent feels comfortable. Subsequent visits we ask that parents be brave and leave so that the child experiences what school is like.
- Please pack a snack for brainfood (fruit, sandwich, muesli bar) and something for morning tea.
- Children can wear mufti clothing or school uniform if they have it available.
Please don't hesitate to pop in and see us if you have any questions or concerns.
Jess Stewart and Karena Finch
Calendar Events
- FISH & CHIP FRIDAY 18th March - Rms: Kakano, 1,2,3,4,5,6&7
- Yr 7/8 Immunisations - Friday 25th March
- FISH & CHIP FRIDAY 25th March - Rms: 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12
- SCHOLASTIC BOOKCLUB ISSUE 2 CLOSES 4TH APRIL
- Easter Raffle and Bike drawn today 14th April
- LAST DAY OF TERM - Thursday 14th April
Waipawa School Term Dates 2022
Term 1: Wednesday 2nd February to Thursday 14th April
Public Holidays: Waitangi Day: 7th February, Good Friday 15th April
Term 2: Monday 2nd May to Friday 8th July
Public Holidays: Queen's Birthday 6th June, Matariki 24th June
Term 3: Monday 25th July to Friday 30th September
Term 4: Monday 17 October to Friday 16th December
Public Holidays: HB Anniversary Day 21st October, Labour Day 24th October
Teacher Only Days:
Term 1: Friday 11 March
Term 3: Friday 26 August
Term 4: Friday 18 November
CONGRATULATIONS
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Please come to the office on Friday at lunchtime to receive your Birthday Juicy.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Contact Us
Office Hours
Monday – Friday 8:30am to 3:30pm
Email: office@waipawa.school.nz
Website: https://www.waipawa.school.nz/
Location: Waipawa Primary School 6 Harker Street, Waipawa 4210, New Zealand
Phone: +646857 8761
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Waipawa-Primary-School/161520177365904