COVID-19 Update

22nd October 2021

Kia ora whānau,

It certainly is a time full of constant change, and here at Matangi School we have been busy preparing ourselves for the ‘Level 2 announcement’…we feel so disappointed after every Level update from the Government. We are ready for our children – a school is not a school without children. We really want to see all of our children back on site together, enjoying themselves, and creating a fun and happy atmosphere. Until then, we can only adjust and be creative in response to the current climate that we find ourselves in. 

This morning we held a staff meeting. We have made the necessary changes we feel we need to make to adapt to the government requirements on our Education system, especially to those schools in the Waikato and Auckland regions. 

This afternoon a Google form was shared with you all. Please note: This is for parents of Essential Workers to register their child/ren for onsite/online learning. We have a Staff only Day next Tuesday (the 26th of October). We will have onsite/online supervision available on Wednesday the 27th of October to Friday the 29th of October. The Government is providing us with a Level update closer to Wednesday – we remain at Level 3 until 11:59pm Wednesday 27th of October. This form closes at 6pm Monday the 25th of October.

Thank you to all of those students who have sent in their virtual Ag Day entries. I love looking at these and it is very evident that you have put a lot of work into rearing and working with your animal. You have formed a close bond with them, such a special thing to be a part of – well done. Please note that all entries close at 6pm Monday the 25th of October.

We want to set our students up in the best way possible to access their online learning. If we are to stay at Level 3 past Wednesday of next week, then on Tuesday the 26th of October we will send out a Google form for you to complete, if you require to borrow a school device. 

Unfortunately we have had to cancel our Student-Led Conferences that we had set up to take place next week. We are using this opportunity to launch our Hero Platform. This will mean a login notice will be emailed out to you on Tuesday morning for our ‘Launching Hero Student Conferences.’ We ask that you follow the instructions given, to set yourselves up ready so that you can access your child’s Seesaw platform. We will then make ourselves available via Zoom on Thursday the 28th of October (2pm-5pm) and Friday (9am-12pm) to discuss the goals that we have set for your child/ren. We ask that you follow the link below to schedule in a time to talk to your child’s teacher via Zoom. This is an opportunity for you to read the information that your child’s teacher has put on, in regards to your child’s learning. More information about this platform will go out Tuesday morning, along with the login details.

https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code/7w655

We have a nationwide Shake Out Day on Thursday. Make it fun. Teach your child/ren what to do, if they were to find themselves in an earthquake. Teachers are including aspects of this in their online learning next week.

Next week will look something like this:

Monday 25th – Labour Day: 

* Ag Day entries due in by 6pm

* Onsite/Online Supervision Google form closes at 6pm

Tuesday 26th – Staff Only Day:

* Google form requesting a device will be shared again today (if we are to remain at Level 3)

* Hero Information and Login details go out via email.

Wednesday 27th – Online learning.

Thursday 28th – NZ Shake Out 9:30am-10:00am:

* Devices distributed from school  9:00am-11:00am (if we are to remain at Level 3)

* Launching Hero Student Conferences 2:00pm-5:00pm via Zoom.

Friday 29th

* Launching Hero Student Conferences 9:00am-12:00pm via Zoom.

We hope that you all have a wonderful weekend. We endeavour to keep you updated as much as we can to ensure you are well-informed. Take this time to enjoy your local community. I hope to see you all again – very soon. In the meantime, Noho ora, kia mau (stay safe, keep well). 

Ngā mihi

Helena Kirkham

(Acting Principal)