What a strange way to end a term. It has been a very unusual term of learning. The lockdown has thrown many issues at us and we have managed to come up with creative solutions to engage students and provide a quality education in a caring environment.
Today I want to dedicate this message to our amazing staff who have stepped up and done an incredible job of teaching at levels 3 and 4. A few highlights for me have been the following...
Within 24 hours of finding out we were in lockdown, teachers had set up zoom meetings and were feeding back to me about students who they could not make contact with. This helped us to identify those who needed additional support or the loan of a digital device.
By the Monday morning of our first full week in lockdown, teachers had planned and shared their planning with each other to ensure that all students were given a variety of activities from all curriculum areas that had various levels and a variety of ways to complete the tasks. We were able to provide paper copies of work for those who needed this resource and many of our staff volunteered to deliver paper copies to those who needed them.
By week two, we became aware of families who needed additional support with food, blankets and stationery items. We were able to gather food parcels and essential items and deliver them across the neighbourhood. This can continued to happen throughout lockdown with deliveries being done at least twice a week. We have been so thankful to the BeachHaven/Birkdale Community House for their support and food parcels.
To encourage students to participate in more zoom lessons, we introduced our optional timetable of online teaching sessions in the third week. This was very successful and teachers loved seeing more students getting involved in learning activities.
The resilience our students have shown when faced with disappointment has been humbling. The cancellation of zone sports days, band quest, sports camp, a cheerleading competition, school disco, open evening, choir festivals and more have all been hard to handle. Our staff have supported students who needed it and encouraged all students to continue to look forward to exciting future events such as camp and term 4 events.
The school production rehearsals continued and the production has been filmed on zoom. I am looking forward to seeing the final cut! Talent quest was done at home and that range of entries were very impressive. We even had a visiting guest speaker, Wild Boy who joined a zoom to answer questions about his life.
Staff volunteered to work onsite once we moved into level 3 and quickly established good health routines to keep everyone onsite safe. Staff working from home made lunches and treats each day and delivered these to school to support those working onsite.
At the Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, our Board members wanted me to pass on how impressed they have all been with the work ethic and energy that staff have put into the lockdown lessons.
As teachers, we would always prefer to be at school and working with students face to face. Your children inspire us to be our best and to strive to provide a quality education. Doing it online is a challenge at times and we ofter feel like we are not meeting all needs. However, as a principal, I could not be prouder of the work that our team have done over the last term.
I have asked all staff to please take a break. I want them to step away from their screens and have some quality time with their loved ones or engage in an activity that sparks joy. They need to recharge and get ready for a full on term 4 where we can welcome your children back to school and ensure a smooth transition back into the class and into a 'normal' routine.
I am hopeful that you can all enjoy the holiday time regardless of what happens with alert levels and covid. I am keeping fingers crossed for a level 2 decision on Monday but more importantly, I want a level 2 Auckland in time for the start of term 4. I encourage you all to stay safe, be well and stay in your bubble.
I will be sending out a newsletter prior to the return of school to confirm the alert level and how the start of term 4 will look for your child.
Kia kaha,
JoAnne Sutton
JoAnne Sutton
Tumuaki
