Principals Message, 20 August 2021 (Level 3 Update)

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The Prime Minister has announced that we will move into Alert Level 3 at midnight on Tuesday 31 August.

Dear parents/caregivers

I hope that students have managed to move into online learning mode quickly and have been engaging with their teachers over the past week.  It was pleasing to hear the Prime Minister announce this afternoon that we are moving into Alert Level 3 from midnight on Tuesday 31 August.

Level 3 School

Under Level 3, young people should continue to learn from home. From Thursday 2 September, we are able to provide some limited supervision of online learning for year 9 and 10 students.  This is only possible if both parents are working and no alternative arrangements within an extended bubble are available. Please note:

  • Currently it is difficult for Nayland College to cater for some students that require close supervision from a Learning Assistant (Teacher Aide). This is due to physical distancing requirements. If you are not able to supervise your child please contact the school so that arrangements can be made.
  • For students that absolutely must come to school they will be working on supervised online study. Physical distancing will be in place; 2 metres outside and 1 metre inside
  • We are awaiting clarity from the Ministry of Education, however it is possible that students and staff may have to face coverings whilst at Level 3 school
  • We will regularly disinfect surfaces
  • Students must regularly wash and dry hands, cough into elbow, and not touch their faces
  • Students must stay home if sick and report flu-like symptoms

For students that absolutely must come to school, the Director-General of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, has recommended that we start with bubbles of no more than 10 students. Each bubble will be supervised by a senior leader, with other staff rostered on at various times. Students will be working on their own individual online learning.  The school day will be divided into three blocks of learning and rolls will be taken. All school services including the Kuaka Café, Breakfast Club and buses will be closed.

Students must enrol by midday on Tuesday 31 August in order to attend Level 3 school so that we can set up registers and bubbles in advance. Students must meet the criteria set out above to enrol. Remember that our preference, unless it is just not possible, is that students stay at home.

To enrol for Level 3 school please follow this link. You do not need to complete this link if your child can stay at home.

NCEA

We have been informed by NZQA that the following changes have been made to accommodate the loss of learning during lockdown:

  • The dates for end of year NCEA and NZ Scholarship exams will be delayed by two weeks, to run from Monday 22 November until Tuesday 14 December. Due dates for portfolio submissions will also be pushed back by 2 weeks.
  • Term 4 will now finish for senior students on Wednesday 17 November, with Senior Prizegiving held at 1:00pm on Thursday 18 November.
  • The Mathematics Common Assessment Task (MCAT) will be delayed by two weeks until 28-30 September. The Digital Technologies & Hangarau Matihiko Common Assessment Tasks (DigiCATs) date has not yet been changed.
  • As the length of time we are likely to remain in lockdown becomes clearer, there are extra steps the Government may take, such as reintroducing Learning Recognition Credits, or making changes to the thresholds for Endorsements and University Entrance. 

Reminder: Advice for students learning at home

It is important that students stay connected to their subject teachers, we do require parent assistance to ensure students are joining online meetings. 

Work will be set for each timetabled subject. Teachers will provide learning materials and set tasks on a regular basis. This might happen on a day-by-day basis, or less frequently as blocks of work – your teachers will guide you. You are likely to have around 2-3 hours of work to do per subject per week.

How you organise your time to complete school work is up to you but we recommend that you:

  • Establish a daily routine, with blocks of time set aside for school work and plenty of breaks too.
  • Use a to-do list or planner to help keep track of tasks – it’s hard to stay organised, so use tools to help (Office 365 has a really easy to use to-do list and also a more powerful planner app).
  • Keep in touch with your teachers – let them know when you have completed tasks, or if you need help.

Our Learning@Home guide and website give more detailed information to assist you in making the most of online learning.

Distribution of Devices

Some students missed out on collecting a device earlier this week. The school library will be open again from 10:00am until 11:30am on Monday 30 August for students/parents to be issued a device if required. Covid requirements for being on-site will need to be followed (signing in, sanitising, physical distancing and masks worn).

Website

Please refer to our school website for updated information. 

Please look after yourselves and I will be in touch again soon with more information as it comes to hand.

We appreciate your help in supporting us to be ready for Alert Level 3.

Ngā mihi nui

Daniel Wilson
Principal

By Daniel Wilson