A note from Damien

Kia ora Koutou, it's an unusual Pipeline this week as I write my note to you from my couch in my lounge at home. I hope you're all safe and well in your bubbles still, the government's move to Level 3 signals a possible move closer to the end of our lockdown which I'm sure you'll agree will be so nice (I love my house  but wouldn't mind seeing some different walls either!) 

Thank you for your support of us as a school as we move to Level 3. There are some seriously strict restrictions on Mounties that do come to school to learn in our 'school bubbles' for Level 3. Our team are not only working to meet the requirements, keep our Mounties and our staff safe but also taking care not to create an environment that is any more scary than we need to, this is a difficult balance. 

I will send out further information about learning in Level 3 on Friday once we have a greater idea of how many Mounties we are expecting to return to school. One of the things we do know is that we will be significantly reducing the number of people at school, so we will be meeting Mounties at the school gate and then taking them to learning in their bubble for the day before returning them to the gate for pick up (we are asking parents not to enter our school site as they normally would). These drop off and pick ups will be at set times for bubbles to ensure we do not have bubbles mixing, and adults within each bubble will receive their Mounties at the set time at the gate. We know set times is quite different to how arrivals and departures at our school normally happen but we need this level of predictability to improve the level of safety for those Mounties and our staff onsite.  

Bubbles will remain together for the school day and will be made up of no more than 10 students.  Where possible whanau/families will be in the same bubble to reduce the number of bubbles merging into a school bubble. Movement around our school will be restricted to reduce the chances of contamination of shared spaces. 

Preparing for re-opening in Level 3 has been massively complicated as we have tried to navigate requirements and the needs of our Mounties. Ultimately the hauora/health of our Mounties is first and foremost and once we are confident that we have taken all reasonable precautions we will support our Mounties in their distance learning (the same as those who have remained at home). 

Please stay in touch and stay safe. If you have any questions your child's teacher is a great place to start, if not the rest of our team are here to support you through this too.