Tena koutou e te Whānau,
It’s hard to believe that we have already been back on site for two weeks. The return to school has been very settled and calm, with our staff and students getting to grips with their ‘new normal’ in terms of routines during the school day and increased hygiene practices.
As a staff we have been so impressed and proud of how our children have adapted to the changes at school. They have shown a multitude of Character Strengths, but I think the four that have really stood out to me as I have moved around our school have been Kindness, Self-Regulation, Perspective and Team Work. In particular it has been wonderful seeing many of our children displaying new found independence around drop off and pick up time - although I have to say the school site does still feel very quiet!!
We really appreciate your support in ‘thinning out’ our site at the start and end of the day. Please do remember though that you are very welcome on site if you do need to pass a message to the Office, settle your child at their classroom or quickly chat to a teacher. We do ask that you remember to sign in via our QR Code though so that we have a comprehensive contact tracing register should we need it.
It has been utterly fantastic to see New Zealand’s collective progress against COVID-19. At the current point in time the Board of Trustees and I will be working to keep our planning and procedures in place throughout Level 2. Once we have information from the Ministries of Education and Health about what Level 1 looks like we will work to update processes and inform you all of any changes in how our day at school ‘looks.’
Spotlight on learning programmes… Now that we have our health and safety routines embedded and have settled the children back into school, our attention will turn to our learning programmes. Our regular programmes are now getting underway and teaching teams are working to ensure that we are re-assessing children's learning and planning programmes that meet their needs.
As you will see on our Calendar of Events, we have decided to continue with our planned Teacher Only Day on Monday 22 June. This decision was not made lightly as we, like you, are aware of the amount of time our children have spent away from our physical school site this year. However after much thought we feel this day is essential for us as a staff to be able to reflect and take stock of the new needs of our children and plan a rich and engaging curriculum for the upcoming term.
You will also see that we have moved Learning Conferences back to the beginning of Term 3. In part this is due to the restrictions at Level 2, but it is also to give us time to reassess learning and develop new learning goals for students. In the meantime, please make sure you are in touch with your child(ren)’s class teacher if you have anything that you would like to discuss with them.
Finally… A huge ‘welcome back’ to Emma Browne-Cole who has rejoined our teaching staff as Georgia McRae’s maternity leave cover in Te Onepoto (Years 5 and 6). We are delighted with this appointment and are really pleased to have Emma back on our staff.
Have a wonderful extended weekend break with your families.
Ngā mihi nui
Anna Granger
Principal
Attendance Data
We will be sending student attendance data to the Ministry weekly, from 29 May. The purpose is to:
- report to the National Crisis Monitoring Centre and government on levels of attendance during the COVID-19 period
- inform and support Ministry planning for students and schools returning to normal operation, and
- evaluate and report on the effectiveness of initiatives implemented by the Ministry to respond and manage its response to COVID-19
Pacific Portraits
Photographs ordered last term arrived this week and should have come home with your children. Please check their bags and with their teacher before contacting sales@pacificportraits.co.nz to follow up on any missing orders.

Mana Ake Update
Mana Ake counsellor drop in sessions are now running via zoom meetings on Wednesdays. Please speak to your children's teacher if you want to speak to a counsellor and they will make contact with you and book a time.
Mana Ake counsellor drop in sessions are now running via zoom meetings on Wednesdays. Please speak to your children's teacher if you want to speak to a counsellor and they will make contact with you and book a time.
Art After School with Jo Loughnan
I am very happy to be able to announce that I am able to return with my art classes for the remainder of this term. Art classes will start on Wednesday 27 May at 3pm until 4.30pm in the Colenso Room. Each week we do a different piece of artwork so children can join the class at any stage. We use charcoal, chalk, dye, pastels and a little paint with lessons being strongly based on drawing skills. All supplies and afternoon tea included. To book in please email Jo: joloughnan@xtra.co.nz or phone 027 351 0321 |
Fuse Open at Level 2 but running differently to normal
Wednesday: 3:00pm - 5:00pm (Year 6's ONLY)
Thursday: 3:00pm - 5:00pm (Year 7's ONLY)
Friday: 3:00pm - 5.00pm (Year 8's ONLY)
Friday Evening: 5:00pm - 7:00pm (Young Adults) and movie nights for alternating age groups.
Christchurch Boys' High Open Day Info
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, CBHS Open Day has been cancelled. Instead of holding a physical Open Day, information about CBHS for intending students will now be available via the School website. This will take two forms to allow you to gain as much information as possible about Christchurch Boys’ High School as you decide the future education of your son.
Information Clips. The website will host three short information clips about the school. Please take some time to watch these to get a ‘flavour’ of our school, they will be available from 22 May 2020. You will be able to hear from the Headmaster and Board Chair about school development and see a sample of the school activities introduced by the Senior Monitor.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, CBHS Open Day has been cancelled. Instead of holding a physical Open Day, information about CBHS for intending students will now be available via the School website. This will take two forms to allow you to gain as much information as possible about Christchurch Boys’ High School as you decide the future education of your son.
Information Clips. The website will host three short information clips about the school. Please take some time to watch these to get a ‘flavour’ of our school, they will be available from 22 May 2020. You will be able to hear from the Headmaster and Board Chair about school development and see a sample of the school activities introduced by the Senior Monitor.
Enrolment at Avonside Girls' High School for 2021
Any student interested in applying for a place at Avonside Girls’ High School for 2021 should visit the school’s website www.avonside.school.nz for all enrolment information.
Enrolments for Year 9 2021 open on 8 June.
No Open Nights are being held this year at any Christchurch school; however, the school website provides information for those interested in attending the school, including images of the school, information on curriculum, school structures, virtual tour of the school, FAQs, key dates and principal address.
The prospectus and online enrolment form are available on the website from 8 June.
Any enrolment queries can be forwarded to office@avonside.school.nz
Following the enrolment process and acceptance of places offered, students and families will be invited to attend enrolment interviews over the latter part of the year.
We look forward to welcoming a new cohort of students to attend our wonderful new school on the co-located Ōrua Paeroa campus in 2021.
Any student interested in applying for a place at Avonside Girls’ High School for 2021 should visit the school’s website www.avonside.school.nz for all enrolment information.
Enrolments for Year 9 2021 open on 8 June.
No Open Nights are being held this year at any Christchurch school; however, the school website provides information for those interested in attending the school, including images of the school, information on curriculum, school structures, virtual tour of the school, FAQs, key dates and principal address.
The prospectus and online enrolment form are available on the website from 8 June.
Any enrolment queries can be forwarded to office@avonside.school.nz
Following the enrolment process and acceptance of places offered, students and families will be invited to attend enrolment interviews over the latter part of the year.
We look forward to welcoming a new cohort of students to attend our wonderful new school on the co-located Ōrua Paeroa campus in 2021.
General Election 2020
Please check that you are enrolled to vote in September and that your details are correct by clicking here.
More than 20,000 staff are required to work across the election period countrywide, including on Election Day, the 12 days of the Advance Voting period and in the various headquarters during the weeks before and after the election period. All staff are paid, this is not voluntary work. Please register your interest in working for the elections here. Once registered you will be advised via email of vacancies as they come up.
Thank you to our newsletter sponsors