Te Karere
Edgecumbe College Newsletter, 03 March
From the Principal
Kia ora Koutou Whanau,
Well Covid continues to make itself felt. We have a number of students and families isolating at the moment, but very few staff are affected as I write. This is likely to change over the coming weeks. However we have plans in place and will keep the school operating in one form or another throughout this time.
It is quite likely that we will need to roster year levels home, and have online lessons as we are unable to have enough staff to supervise classes. We will of course keep you informed as things change.
We are working to keep school as normal as possible particularly in terms of EOTC trips and learning experiences.
Remember please: if you have a student who is unwell they should stay home. If there is a Whanau / family / household member who has tested positive then everyone in the home needs to isolate for 10 days.
I wish you all well, and hope that you stay safe.
Nga mihi nui
Mike
Reminder:
It will help us greatly if you could please update any contact details that we have for you – especially phone numbers and emails so we can stay in touch.
Call us 073048211 or info@edgecumbecollege.school.nz to update.
We use Google Classrooms so please check in with your tamariki that they understand how to access this from home if the need arises.
Instrument Music Tutors
We are very short of people to give our students practical music lessons, so this is a plea, please for volunteer insturment teachers – guitar, piano, drums especially vocal coach, anyone interested in starting a school choir and or band we would dearly love to hear from you. Please just get in touch with the office and we will get back to you.
Parents Evening
A parent evening for term 1 has been put in for Week 8 Thu 24th March.
If you need a hard copy of the interim reports due out shortly please ask your child to pick one up from the front office (ask in morning and pick up after school).
Teacher Only Day
We have our Teacher only day on Friday the 11th of March, whereby all the staff will be looking at places of importance to our community and Ngati Awa in particular.
Waharoa
Please remember Whanau that the school will remain open at all times for all students who need to be onsite, particularly children of critical workers.
Uniform
Our uniform is looking great, and most students are in good uniform. Thank you so much for your support for this. Our students are proud to wear the uniform well, and it gives them a boost when at school. If there are any problems please contact the office and we will be able to help you out. Thank you.
Cell phones
Please support us in not having cell phones in the school, they are such a distraction to the learning environment of the school and students are continually bombarded by the negative influences of social media. They are creeping back into the school and we would like this stamp this early.
School Pool
Staff Te Reo Lessons
Staff are continuing their Te Reo lessons again this year, following on from last year with Iharaira Hakiaha after school on a Wednesday at 3:30. They are a lot of fun and staff get to experience again what their students face every day. I'm not sure teachers make good students!!!
Thank you Butch, we really appreciate your time and patience with us.
A Covid reminder...
Face Masks
The Government is also now requiring that a face covering be an actual mask.
A reminder that there are a number of exemptions to wearing a mask including if you have to communicate with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing, or the person has a physical or mental health illness or condition or disability that makes wearing a face covering unsuitable.
Students need to be wearing their masks on the buses to and from school.
Some students may have mask exemptions.
Generally we all need to be wearing masks indoors as do all visitors. Outdoors (for example P.E.) masks do not need to be worn. Lunchtimes etc masks should be worn. We are working towards minimising infections.
Good hygiene and cleaning
Please talk to your students about using and encouraging good hygiene practices including:
- regular hand washing/sanitising
- cough and sneeze etiquette
- regular cleaning of high touch surfaces
- open doors and windows.
Stay home if sick and get tested
Students and staff members with COVID-19 symptoms must get a COVID-19 test and remain at home until a negative result is received and they are symptom free for 24 hours.
Please do not come to school if you are unwell. Use the app or website to lodge your absentee and only return when you have no symptoms of being unwell.
We will send home students who exhibit any signs of being unwell.
Unvaccinated children, students, parents and caregivers
All registered schools (including private schools), all school hostels (including private hostels), and all school transport services (for all students) are prohibited from requiring proof of vaccination (either via My Vaccine Pass or other tool) as a condition of using or accessing education. This prohibition applies to all children, students and their parents or caregivers. This means that a person’s vaccination status should not restrict learning for children and young people. Neither should it restrict parents and caregivers from supporting their children in their learning.
The Edgecumbe College Board will not be hosting any vaccination events on our school site. If you would like to pursue this option, please arrange this with a vaccination clinic off-site or through your GP. Riverslea Medical Centre and Riverslea Pharmacy both administer covid-19 vaccinations during their usual opening hours.
We will be doing everything we can to ensure our students have a positive, engaging and stable year, and to ensure learning goes ahead and our students are safe and supported.
Taiohi mā!
Because old mate COVID has been complicating things, applications for the Whakatane District Youth Council have been extended to Friday, 18 March.
Help bring the whakaaro/thoughts and wawata/aspirations of youth in the Whakatāne district to life!
If you're aged 14-24 years and are passionate about actively contributing to community projects and being a māngai/representative for your friends and whānau - send in an application!
Check out the Council website for more info >> whakatane.govt.nz/youth-council
Or apply here >> whakatane.govt.nz/wdyc-apply-online
Gateway News
We're really excited to offer Gateway at Edgecumbe College - it is a great opportunity for our students setting out on their chosen career paths.
Gateway is structured work experience and is a partnership between school, student and business/community. We've got businesses in the Whakatane district but always love to hear from other locals!
Gateway is designed to support rangatahi from Kura to Mahi through on the job learning. There is potential for a student to earn 20+ credits through courses such as first Aid, safety in the workplace, forklift licenses etc. This is a great opportunity for students to test the waters of their chosen career path under the guidance of a working relationship with school and employer.
There are limited gateway spaces, so early interest is recommended! Whanau can discuss with our Gateway coordinator via nan@edgecumbecollege.school.nz or call 073048211 ext 722, and students can find Mrs. Nancy Anderson in her office (A Block) on Tues, Wed & Thurs.
Property Update
It's painting week for our construction teams!!
We've got a big team on site this week, ready to paint the six D-block classrooms, which have been under renovation the last month.
We've also got a team painting in the pool area.
Hillary - Whēkite House will be pleased to see some blue paint shining to compliment the red, green and yellows used in our main branding!
Reading Corner
Senior Ball Fundraiser: Valentines Day
Edgecumbe College 60th Centenary Celebrations
Our new APP
Once we're all set up, you'll need to register so that you get parent-only communications.
Its very easy to use and free. You can fill in an absentee form, see previous notices and newsletters, go straight to Kamar to access your student's records, see our school calendar, and receive emergency notifications if necessary.
You can find our school policies here:
Edgecumbe College Careers
Did you know we have a specialised FB page dedicated to Career Pathways? Go find and like our page! It’s called Edgecumbe College Careers. This page is regularly updated with a host of information about where to seek job vacancies, apprenticeships, preparing for jobs, careers events, Open Days, scholarship and grant applications, and heaps of photos celebrating our wonderful students. Nau mai, Haere mai.
Check out our calendar:
11 March - Teacher Only Day
Contact Us
Email: info@edgecumbecollege.school.nz
Website: http://www.edgecumbecollege.school.nz/
Location: Edgecumbe College 100 College Road, Edgecumbe 3120, New Zealand
Phone: 07-304 8211
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edgecumbecollege