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Kia ora *|HTML:MMERGE5|*,
Just as you will be, at the Council we’re getting used to a rapidly changing new ‘normal’. Since the announcement of the move to Alert Level 4, we’ve all been working hard to prepare.
Council staff are ready, willing and able to do their best, though there will be some changes to our services.
I’d also like to quickly update you on our activities over the last few days. On Monday we sent an open letter to Prime Minister Ardern asking for action to close, kura, centres and schools to combat the spread of the disease.
Many teachers came to us as their professional body to speak up for schools, kura and centres to be closed. We’re aware that not every teacher wanted this, but the concerns of teachers who came to us detailing the reality of how difficult things had become for them could not be ignored. We know you were prepared to continue to go to work and do what was needed – because being there for children and young people is engrained in what it means to be a teacher – but many were worried about their leaners, their own health and wellbeing and that of their families.
By no stretch of the imagination do we think we are health officials or pandemic response experts and absolutely defer to their advice. However, we were expressing the concerns of the teaching profession to the highest office, because our role is to ensure decision-makers have all the information they need to make well-rounded choices. I hope you felt the letter was respectful and professional; acknowledging the Prime Minister is leading in incredibly difficult times.
No decision has been taken lightly by our Government and every difficult decision has repercussions that will be felt by all. On Monday the Government made the courageous decision to move to COVID-19 Alert Level 4. So, these are extraordinary times we all find ourselves in, which requires equal doses of extraordinary leadership, kindness and calm from us all.
Already we’ve seen on social media platforms teachers offering their teacher expertise to their friends and family who are at home with their children. This is incredibly kind! Please take care to not spread yourself too thin during this time – take care of yourself, your family and loved ones.
Early learning services, schools, kura and tertiary education providers closed from midnight, Wednesday 25 March for four weeks. Distance education will be provided where possible. We acknowledge those where it is not easy, or possible, including those with special learning needs.
School holidays will start early, from 30 March to 14 April inclusive. During the holiday break, the Ministry of Education will continue support schools to develop e-learning and other distance learning options for early learning, primary and secondary learning.
Tertiary providers are moving to full distance learning as quickly as possible.
We’ve gathered a range of information for you here, but please bear in mind things are changing at pace!
For information and advice for schools, centres, students, whānau, and the education sector please regularly check the Ministry of Education website
Please refer to the Ministry of Education for health information
The Government has a dedicated website for all other information and advice
Again, I ask for you all to work with us, and with others as we all move forward.
Ngā mihi
Lesley
Chief Executive
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