#4 Covid-19 Notice
16 February 2022 - What is Hybrid Learning?
Kia ora Parents, Whānau and Caregivers
With the number of Omicron cases increasing in New Zealand, the Government announced that New Zealand would move to Phase 2 of the Omicron response at 11.59pm last night in order to minimise and slow further spread.
To help us plan and prepare for Phase 2 of the Red Traffic Light setting all the ‘Getting to Know You’ meetings were postponed yesterday. Thank you for your understanding. We will let you know when new dates have been organised.
The #3 Covid newsletter was sent home earlier today and outlines how our school will manage cases in our school. We are ensuring our communication, contact tracing systems and staffing organisation is ready for when our school has multiple positive Covid cases.
Our teachers are working to set up 'hybrid learning' programmes as we plan for multiple disruptions to learning at school due to moderate - high student sickness or high - extremely high staff absences. As we prepare for an Omicron outbreak in our school, we know that we may not be able to run learning in the same way as we do now. Therefore our aim is to keep school open for as long as we can, for as many students as possible - but in order to achieve these goals then learning and classes will need to be organised differently. Hybrid learning is the approach we will use to cater for learners who are onsite and those at home at the same time.
An Introduction to Hybrid Learning
Hybrid learning is a way for learning to continue while school is open but we also have moderate-to-high staff and student absences. We are expecting to have unpredictable teaching and learning with the move to traffic light settings rather than lockdowns. We are very likely to have situations where student and staff are absent because they need to isolate (if they have been a contact of a case, or are positive but asymptomatic) or because they are unwell.
When students or staff need to isolate but are well, they should still expect to be able to learn and teach. This will require an approach to learning that includes online, remote, face-to-face and onsite learning so learners and teachers can transition between settings with minimal interruption to learning. Learning that is delivered in these multiple modes all is commonly known as ‘hybrid learning’. Hybrid learning is an educational approach in which schools (but not necessarily the child's home class teacher) provide remote and onsite learning at the same time, using a range of technologies and approaches, including paper-based learning.
Working together to overcome the barriers to Hybrid Learning
The transition to hybrid learning will not be simple or easy. Teachers will need to think differently about how to plan learning for students who are at home or on site. We need to keep an open mind about what is manageable for our students, especially if a family member is unwell. Hybrid learning is different from the remote learning approach we used in previous lockdowns.
Moving to a Hybrid Learning Programme
The scenarios outlined here will be regularly reviewed by the Pandemic Response Team (PRT). The PRT will determine which scenario Paparangi is currently managing, with consideration given to Health & Safety risk factors, wellbeing of staff and students, rates of absence for staff or students. It is likely that school will move back and forth between scenarios at short notice, and not always in a linear order.
We are preparing for our teachers to work in any area of the school as we anticipate moderate to high staff absences and a shortage of relieving teachers. Team Leaders and Home Class Teachers will be in contact with more information about hybrid learning over the coming days.
Ngā mihi nui
Tracey Arthurs
Principal
Contact Us
Remember that parents can use the App to send a message about a student absence. It is our preferred method of contact for non-attendance and is quick and easy to do.
Email: office@paparangi.school.nz
Website: https://paparangi.school.nz
Location: 57-59 Beazley Avenue, Paparangi, Wellington 6037, New Zealand
Phone: +64 4-478 6617