ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC
SCHOOL
TAKAPUNA
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
Kia ora Whanau and Parents
This week has seen the Minister of Education announce an indicative date of 15th November for the return of Year 1 – 8 students in Alert Level Three zones, here in Auckland. The Minister has directed the Ministry of Education to come up with options for what this will look like should it occur.
Principal’s and teachers hear these announcements at the same time as the rest of the public, by watching the televised press conferences. We do not hear anything prior to the announcement. Within 24 – 48 hours, following the announcement, schools receive a Ministry of Education Update which provides guidance around what has been shared by the Prime Minister or Minister of Education.
You can be reassured that any decisions, by the Ministry of Education, about bringing more children and staff on-site will be done in accordance with strict public health guidance – so what on-site learning will look like will be different than Alert Level 2 or Alert Level 1 settings. For example, this might mean attending school two days a week and learning from home for the other three.
The earliest a return to school will happen is 15th November, and we will provide more information about this as we receive it.
The Principal’s Message will cover the following topics:
- Distance Learning
- Sports
- Parish
Ka manaakitia e te Atua
Alister Bridgman
Tumuaki
DISTANCE LEARNING
These are a great way for your child to be supported with their learning from the Team Google Sites. Teachers are able to guide the children on their learning at home and share with them effective ways in which they can do the variety of activities that are provided. The Zoom sessions are also a great opportunity for the children to see their friends from their home group. Please encourage your child to join their zoom sessions.
Activity Packs
- These will continue to be available on a weekly basis
- Printed activity sheets for the week, from the Team Google sites
- Available for collection from the ‘Pick Up Drop Off Zone’ in front of the school office from 8 am Monday – please stay in the car and please wear a face covering
- Available as a PDF which teachers will email to you on request
Team Google Sites
If you have any questions regarding the distance learning programme for your child, your child’s teacher will be happy to assist. Please contact them through their email address.
SPORTS
All sport is postponed and will not resume until the Government lifts the lockdown and it’s safe for sport to continue.
Until this time:
- Breakers Basketball and North Harbour Basketball are on hold.
- I will not open up registrations for North Harbour Flippaball and Newbies, Junior Touch until we have further information. When we receive this information, I will notify people by email and then there will be a quick registration process.
- Kidzplay Netball is going to try to have some more games so we will await further information on this.
- North Harbour Netball is finished for the year. There will be no Spring Netball this year organised by the school.
I will contact coaches and managers with any information that I receive from the respective organisations and they will be able to inform teams if sports will be resuming. If sports do begin again, there is no pressure for your child to play unless you and your family feel comfortable. If we receive reimbursements from organisations, we will message to ask for your account to refund the money to you.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email sports@sj.school.nz
Sarah Nicolson
Sports Coordinator
