School Newsletter: Week 5, Term 1, 2021 — Allandale Primary School

“Rere atu kia whakairohia to ake ao”

This korero, which is illustrated in the carvings of our waharoa, reflects our intention as a school - nurturing learners so that upon leaving Allandale, they are ready to fly off and carve their own futures.

Tēnā koutou ngā whānau o Te Kura o Motueka/Allandale School.

Message from the Board of Trustees

Tēnā koutou e aku Rangatira

Our board met last week and had a productive meeting focused on setting up the school for the year ahead. A big thank you to Acting Principal Mrs Adrianne McAlllister and her team for setting everything up for a smooth and focused start to the year. Thankfully we have had limited disruptions caused by Covid at this stage, but the school is well placed to respond in the event that we do go into lockdown locally.

At the meeting I was again entrusted by my fellow trustees with the role of Chairperson, and I look forward to continuing to work with you all to lift outcomes for our tamariki.

Appointment of the Permanent Principal

A big focus for our Board in the first two terms this year will be around appointing a permanent principal so that they can start in Term 3. This task is the most important job a Board will undertake in any school and our Board takes this responsibility very seriously. We want to ensure our whānau and community have plenty of opportunity to input into this process.

In particular we are interested in what personal and professional attributes you think the permanent principal of our school needs to have. We’re also interested in what you think an incoming principal needs to know about us – our school and our community.

We will be starting to gather feedback via a Facebook survey soon, so please keep an eye out and share your whakaaro / thoughts and ideas. We also plan to have a hui on the afternoon and evening of Monday 22 March. Please make a note of that date and we will be in touch again soon with additional details.

If you are unable to attend the hui or if you have any things you think the board should consider now, you can also email BoardofTrustees@Allandale.School.nz

Ngā manaakitanga,

Erin Green, on behalf of the Allandale School Board of Trustees

Erin Green - Board of Trustees chairperson

Covid 19 Alert Level 2

Our new normal means that from time to time things will look different at Allandale School. Covid 19 has meant that our school will need to change at very short notice and while this uncertainty is frustrating it is to ensure the well being of our community.

Here are things you need to know about Alert Level 2 in relation to school:

Schools are open to everyone, and all children must attend. At Alert Level 2 the disease is contained but there is still risk of community transmission. It is safe for children and staff to attend school as there will be appropriate measures in place, including for children and staff vulnerable to severe illness.

Learning will be onsite with distance learning offered in some circumstances. Distance learning should be provided for those required to self-isolate, those individuals who health authorities have asked to stay away while waiting for a test result, or those choosing to remain at home because they are vulnerable to illness.

Schools are not classified as gatherings and a range of events and activities can go ahead. For most day to day activities at schools, the rules for gatherings do not apply. Under the COVID-19 Public Health Response Order, schools are exempted from physical distancing requirements when people are there to receive, provide, or support education services.

However as soon as an event or activity brings people onsite who are not there for education purposes, including students, parents and caregivers, then the rules for gatherings do apply. This would include performances such as school plays, cultural events and sporting activities.

Schools will close for cleaning and contact tracing if there is a confirmed case who was infectious when at school. Your Director of Education will work closely with you and health authorities should this occur. Please contact your Ministry regional office if you hear of a confirmed case in your school community but haven’t been advised about it by health officials.

Face coverings are not required at school or on any school transport. This includes charter buses hired by the school to transport students and staff. Anyone who chooses to wear a face covering in any setting should be supported to do so.

Sick people must stay at home. They should seek medical advice if they have COVID-like symptoms and get tested if advised to do so. If that person displays relevant symptoms of COVID-19, tests positive for COVID-19, or has been in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19, they must self-isolate.

Fundamental public health measures continue to apply at every alert level:

● Physical distancing (not touching and not breathing on each other at Alert Level 2)

● Hand hygiene

● Cough and sneeze etiquette

● Regularly cleaning and disinfecting high touch surfaces.

This will mean that events at school may be postponed or cancelled at short notice. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Thank you, Adrianne McAllister

Zero Waste:

Zero Waste is currently in our school. We are learning about Litterless lunch boxes, reusing, making worm farms, and what makes great compost.

School Gates

Please note that for the safety of our tamariki that the front school gate is locked every school day between 8.15am - 8.45am and 2.30pm - 3.00pm. If you find yourself locked in school grounds during these times, we cannot unlock the gates. It is vital that we keep our tamariki safe as they arrive at, and leave school.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Junior Beach Trip - Wed March 10th

Senior Swimming Sports - Wed 10th March

Learning Through Play Hui - Thurs 11th March 5.30pm

Middle School Swimming Sports - Fri 12th March 11:15am

Juniors FUN4U - Thur March 18th

School Photos - Tues March 23rd

Winter Sports

It might be still balmy summer weather but winter sports are already starting!

Netball starts this Saturday for the Year 5 and 6 girls who are playing 7 v 7. A newsletter will be sent home to confirm what teams are playing on what days as there has been some changes.

Currently we are taking registrations for Hockey and keep an eye out for Football. Forms will be coming home soon.

Helmets

It’s great to see so many of our tamariki cycling and scootering to school. The rule at Allandale is if you have wheels under your feet then you need a helmet on your head. This includes bikes, scooters, skateboards, skates, snake boards etc.

*Some of our junior tamariki and Mrs McAllister planted new vegetables and flowers in our community gardens.*