Kia ora koutou, 

It has been wonderful to be back at school with students and staff. The last few weeks have been particularly unusual working in a school with no students! We have all been very pleased with the way students have settled back into routines and learned the new physical distancing, hygiene and cleaning procedures that are operating in all classrooms and across the school. Teachers have worked with students this week to ensure they feel comfortable, supported and safe in the classroom and school. Teachers have observed students carefully throughout the week and report a general calmness and prevailing sense of being happy to be back at school.

We have really appreciated the support of our community in making our contact tracing system work well.  As you know, we must have all adults that enter the school grounds or buildings record their details in the register, we will continue to ask that you do not enter the school or grounds unless it is absolutely necessary. When possible, please drop your child or children at the school entrance you use and collect from there, rather than going into the grounds.  There are registers outside the 3 main blocks and also outside the hall, hand sanitiser will be available however bring your pen if possible. At any other time of the day, parents must sign in through the Vistab digital sign-in system at the main reception. Students who are late should also use the Vistab. Please maintain physical distancing if you need to come to reception. We understand that for parents of our youngest students in the Ngake hub it is still important and necessary for you to bring your child into the classroom. You can certainly still do this, just remember to fill in the register. The Ngake hub will continue to finish at 2.50pm each day.

In this week’s video I am joined by students from room 9 who talk about the first week back in class:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2VTwbGyH5M&feature=youtu.be

Again, I would like to thank the Kilbirnie School community for your support this week and also throughout our preparation for the return to school.  

Tony Austin.