Kia ora e te Whānau,

Thank you very much to all of you who attended our Learning Conferences. I recognise that this is an unusual way to catch up with your child’s teacher, but this way of connecting is becoming more and more the norm. The information you share at Learning Conferences is invaluable to teachers as they get to know your children better and understand how to cater for their individual needs.

As you are probably aware, COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise across the country and we now have a number of cases in the Canterbury region. Many schools are being impacted by Omicron; currently, approximately 15% of all Canterbury Schools are directly affected by COVID-19. We do expect to be impacted and have plans in place when this occurs.

If you need to let us know that you or a family member has tested positive for COVID-19 and it is after school hours please phone us on the following number: 021 0271 6844. This is our designated phone number for COVID cases.

We will then contact all families via email with further information under the guidance of the Ministries of Health and Education.

Today Minister Chris Hipkins and Dr Ashley Bloomfield announced that as of 11.59 pm Thursday 24th February Aotearoa will go into phase 3 of the Red Setting of the Covid Protection Framework. In phase 3 of the Red Setting, very few changes needed to be made around how we operate in our School Zones. It will not be until we are impacted as a school, that operational changes will need to be made to staffing and class groups. We currently have School Relievers available and digital learning ready to go should we need to provide it.

We continue to have clear safety protocols in place to mitigate the risk of the virus spreading at school. They are outlined in our past Updates. You can find information about our Red Setting procedures on our website under Ilam Updates. Our website address is https://www.ilam.school.nz/.

Again, with regard to our school response, thank you for your attention to all we have asked of you. Your compliance has contributed significantly to the smooth running of our school.

We have some exciting events in the coming weeks. Please see below for further details.

Ngā mihi nui,

Belinda Kennedy and the Ilam School Team

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In this Update, you will find information on the following:

• Pick up and drop off at the Red Setting

• Should I keep my child at home - a flowchart

• Cultural Week information

• Upcoming Events

• Some cool learning @ Ilam

• Term Dates

We aim to continue to allow parents onsite during drop off and pick up times while at phase 2 of The Red Setting of the CPF. We feel that coming onsite enables you to collect your child/children with ease and it also means you can spread out and social distance. We appreciate your continued support with this.

A reminder of our guidelines:

• Wearing a mask when coming on site

• Signing into our QRCode

• Maintaining social distancing

• Collecting tamariki in their School Zones, starting with the youngest child first.

In order for us to continue with this practice, we also ask that you leave promptly at the beginning and end of the school day. This is to ensure that no large clusters of caregivers or students are coming together. Ideally, children are arriving no earlier than 8.30 am and leaving before the clearing bell at 3.15 pm. No playing before or after school, please.

Please click this link to find a flow chart designed to help our families understand what is required if your child or someone in your household feels unwell.

14th - 18th March

We are so excited to be announcing the Ilam School Cultural Week has returned….but not as we know it!

We have a number of activities that each School Zone will participate in. However, one special date for the calendar is always our Cultural Day. While it will look different this year, we intend it to be a wonderful event.

Cultural Day will be held on Tuesday 15th March. Children are encouraged to wear clothes that represent their cultural heritage.

During the week of 14th-18th March, all the classes will be involved in a wide range of cultural activities.

If you would like your child to present a cultural item for their class i.e. dance, song, music or poem please let the teacher know.

Usually, on this day we would have a shared lunch, but due to Covid restrictions, we cannot do this. We suggest that your child has items in their lunch that may hold cultural significance that they can discuss with their classmates.

Although parents are unable to attend this day, we will be sharing photos and clips via class seesaw and the Ilam School website.

Senior School Swimming Sports

3 March

This year we have had to scale back our swimming sports due to Covid Restrictions. Our swimming sports this year will only be for competitive swimmers who are in Year 5 & 6.

If you think your child should be participating in this event and they haven't already signed up, please contact Mrs Ewen at linda.ewen@ilam.school.nz

Walk Wheel Week:

7-11 March

Keep an eye out for information about Walk Wheel Week in your child’s class newsletter over the coming weeks.

There will be simple daily challenges and some fun activities at school such as a fancy foot day!

Room 16 and Room 3 have been painting, writing, challenging each other's ideas, thinking, collaborating and exploring our Ilam School Values.