STUDENT GUIDE TO RETURING TO SCHOOL AT LEVEL 3

PARENT PANUI #3 - TERM 4 - ALERT LEVEL 3 - 25 OCTOBER, 2021

Kia Ora Students, Parents, Whanau and Aiga.

We now have new information from the Ministry of Education (MoE) related to the Government announcement last week. We indicated that we may need to be flexible and pivot as new information comes to hand. So we are changing to meet the new information.

The clear intention of the announcement and directive to schools is that schools are open for instruction so that years 11 to 13 can attend for the purpose of preparing for year end assessments.

At Waitākere College we want to respond to this directive and also follow the health response the country has been following while we work towards high vaccination rates. The key is to get good educational outcomes for our Senior Students particularly in year 13 and 12, as they pathway into University and the Trades. But also to help reduce the opportunities to spread Covid. 

We have revised the plan to invite subject classes or groups of students from a class into the College to complete work on end of year assessments for either external or internal work that can confirm evidence for Derived Grades or complete internals.

Teachers will be completing this work today and tomorrow and we will publish the timetable for these classes by Tuesday evening in Parent Panui #4. Specific Year 12 and 13 students will be invited in from Wednesday onwards for specific classes. Year 11 students will not be required in school this week and will continue with online learning.

Meanwhile, as this is a hybrid learning model, all students will continue with Online Learning from home for classes not needing to be onsite.

So the new changes for this week are:

While Online Learning from home continues for All students via Google Classroom during  this week we will also put a plan in place for inviting in the Year 11 Students to complete work for gathering evidence for Derived Grades.

If any student needs extra guidance or information they should contact their teacher via Google Classroom or email. They are available for targeted support to complement the work being available through Google Classroom e.g. through Zoom / Google Meet sessions and email.

Students who are invited to attend school are to be in full school uniform.

Level 3 Protocols
While school is open for invited Year 12 and 13 students and students of essential workers for Year 9 and 10, we will follow these protocols: 

• Parent and visitor access is via the Front Office  and socially distanced only
• The Student Centre is closed
• Gate 2 is pedestrian access only
• Only attend school if you are well. If not well, please get tested, isolate and vaccinate
• Masks must be worn in the school grounds and classes at all times (Except for consuming food/drink)
• Scan in using the QR code scanner and class rolls will also be taken
• Bring a drink bottle (you can refill at specific sites at school) and lunch. The Canteen is not open.
• Hand sanitiser is in every classroom and is to be used when entering and exiting
• Surfaces will be disinfected regularly
• If walking to school, wear a mask and try to keep a safe distance from other students
• When in school also ensure you keep a safe distance from fellow students 
• Students are to maintain a 1m distance from other students and staff at all times where possible. This means no hugs / handshakes etc. 

If students have been to a location of interest, or are awaiting a test result, they are to stay at home until they have received their negative test result.
If students have been in contact with a person who has tested positive for Covid-19 they are to get tested and remain at home until they have received a negative test.
If students are experiencing any of the following Covid-19 symptoms they are to get a test and remain at home until they have received a negative result:

Common Covid-19 symptoms:

• cough
• shortness of breath
• loss of smell
• sore throat

CARING & HAUORA
Once again I refer you to Our College Counsellors who are available via email [email protected]  and I include the Youthline number 0800 376 633 for your reference, or text 1737 for any guidance needs that may occur.

The one constant we will face as we go through this time will be that things change. It is important that we allow Flexibility to be the key to how we all operate at this time. So please manage your workload as you go through each week and manage breaks for physical walks and activities away from learning. Take regular breaks.

This too shall pass.

Kia Manawanui.

Mark P Shanahan
Principal

You can find our UPDATES page HERE and our PREVIOUS UPDATES page HERE

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