A time of danger, a time of opportunity. Lessons from lockdown.

 

Things you need to know ...

Dear whānau/parents and caregivers,

 

Welcome back to school for 2021. This year promises a lot but we will be keeping an eye on the rear-view mirror to make sure everything goes as smoothly as it should.

 

Covid preparedness

We would be very happy if we never heard the word Covid ever again but we are still making sure that we have things in place. While we wait for the vaccine (which should be here by the middle of the year) we want to keep going with the following:

·        Keep washing hands

·        Bring a drink bottle school every day

·        Stay home if you are sick

We would also like parents who come on to the school site to scan our Covid QR codes when they pick up or drop off children.

Attending school

One of the things that was impacted last year with Covid was attendance. Lower attendance negatively affects learning. This year we need parents to make a real effort to make sure their children get to school because each day at school really does count. If your child is sick please don’t send them but events such as birthdays and family visits need to be celebrated after school or during a weekend.

 

This year we are paying closer attention to what is called unjustified absences. An unjustified absence is when the reason for a child not being at school is insufficient. Sickness is a justified absence. If a child’ attendance falls below 80% we are likely to be contacting the truancy service this year.

 

The staff are meeting with the Thames truancy service for professional development within the first part of this term.

 

New legislation in 2020

Legal expectations

Under the new law the board of trustees must do the best it can to make sure your child is at school and when the school is open your child is legally expected to attend.

Your child is considered to have attended a full day of school if your child has been present for at least four hours of instruction.

Taking holidays when the school is open

Taking holidays or days off when the school is open is illegal and although many parents do it we are finding that it is really hurting the learning of some of our students.

By law, parents and caregivers are required to apply for an exemption from the principal and the principal can only provide an exemption for a maximum of five days. By law this is not a right and needs to be a conversation with the school. This means the parents and caregivers will receive a letter from the school stating that the absence is justified. No letter to this effect means your child is truant.

This means that children cannot stay home for the following:

·       Helping tidy the house or looking after younger children

·       Having a day off for a child’s birthday or someone else’s birthday

·       Having a holiday or taking an extra day to make a long weekend

·       Relatives or family visiting

·       Going to Hamilton or Auckland for shopping

·       Hair appointments

This also includes parents who take their children overseas for a period of time.

An exemption would usually be granted for:

·       Medical related issues

·       And bereavement

 

Yours sincerely,

 

David Brock

Principal