Kei aku nui, kei aku rahi, tēnā koutou katoa i roto i ngā āhuatanga o te wā.

Welcome back, after what we hope has been a wonderful summer for your whānau.

Our team is feeling refreshed and ready to go for the 2022 year. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back onsite.

School will be opening on Thursday 3rd February for all students in the red setting. Our Pinehill School Covid Protection Framework which unpacks what school will look like in red, orange and green settings is outlined in pdf attached. Below is a summary of some important points in the Red setting.

Red Setting important points

• Unfortunately our powhiri welcome in the hall can not go ahead. Instead, students will be welcomed within their classroom settings.

• Students can arrive at school between 8:30am- 8:50am. The school day starts at 8:50am.

• Our school playgrounds are closed before and after school. Students are to go straight to class when they arrive. Teachers will be in class ready to welcome and settle your child.

To minimise congestion, timed pick up will occur:

• Year 0-3 students with no older siblings leave school at 2:45pm

• Year 4-6 and their younger siblings leave at 3:00pm (younger siblings will remain in their classrooms for older siblings to collect)

• Year 4-6 students and staff are required to wear face coverings when indoors

• No parents or visitors onsite, except parents of new students to Pinehill School. Please arrange with office staff. Parents are required to sign in and must wear a mask (only to drop off or pick up and help settle in)

• Car drop off and car pick up on Spencer Rd only (layby)

• For car pick up of students, parents & caregivers are to remain in their car

• Parents not to congregate outside school gates

• Learning is onsite, at school, for all. Home learning will only be provided for students self-isolating under GP/medical direction or awaiting Covid test results. Home Learning packs can be collected from the office, following red light procedure OR accessed from our school website for students to complete independently at home. There will be no zoom workshops or online teaching as all teaching staff are onsite.

• Please inform the school office in the event of student illness - info@pinehill.school.nz or the Pinehill School App absence link

• Students are encouraged to bring their own water bottle. Drinking fountains will be in use and cleaned daily.

While this might all feel a little overwhelming at times, we know that all these measures will help our children return to school, connect with their teachers and friends and do what they enjoy.

We are here to help. Please get in touch if you have any concerns or need help in any way.

Enjoy the long weekend ahead. We look forward to seeing everyone for the first day of school on Thursday 3rd February.

Ngā mihi nui,

Carla Veldman, Principal