Tēnā Koutou Katoa,
You may be aware that, following the Government’s announcement yesterday, plans are underway to support the return to onsite learning, in the safest way possible, for schools in Alert Level 3. We are awaiting further guidance from the Ministry on what a return to school might look like, but want to reassure you that any decisions 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.
The earliest a return to school will happen is 15 November, and we will provide more information about this as soon as we know more ourselves.
Distance learning continues in the meantime; if you haven't yet had a chance to pick-up a hardcopy resource pack for your year 0-4 learners, you can collect on from the school office between the hours of 9.30 and 12pm. We will also be deploying the Spelling and Times-table Knowledge Builder card packs to years 5 & 6 next week - detailed information on collection of these will be sent to directly to yeas 5 & 6 parents and caregivers.
While we wait to learn more details on a return to school, vaccination and testing remains the best thing we can do to keep whānau and our community as safe as possible. COVID-19 is finding those who are unvaccinated in this outbreak, and we need to look after our most vulnerable people. It is great to see our community vaccination rates continue to go up - there are now three million New Zealanders fully vaccinated, which is fantastic news!
Ngā mihi nui,
Sarah and The Stonefields School Team
We wanted to proactively communicate with you about how we are going to adapt the end of year reporting as we continue with distance learning. We were hoping to have your children back onsite at the start of term 4 so that we could carry out the additional assessments that accompany our judgements about children's progress and achievement. It is uncertain when and how this will happen this term.
As part of the reporting process we are very keen to hear your insights as you have been instrumental in your child’s learning during this time. We also want to share our insights from distance learning with you about how your child is progressing.
The reporting process will involve:
A 10 minute Digital Learning Conversation (DLC) with you and your child (where appropriate) midway through this term
A short report which will include our most reasonable judgement on your child’s achievement in Reading, Writing and Mathematics. Also, a summary of the online connect discussion and your child’s reflection (for those in years 5 - 8).
Digital Learning Conversation (DLC)
Your online connect will be scheduled for 10 minutes and will take place midway through this term.
It will provide you with an opportunity to mutually share insights, progress and achievement and discuss next learning steps with your child’s teacher.
The teachers will be emailing you with a link so that you can book a time that works for you through the School Interview system. This will be sent to you by 5 November.
End of Year Report
You will receive the end of year achievement report (slimmer version) at the end of the school term.
Save the date! We're excited to announce that our Learning Achievement Celebration will go ahead online.
When: Friday 10th December, 4pm
Where: Online
We've got an action-packed programme featuring the School virtual band, the launch of the new School song, learning highlights and the award ceremonies - you won't want to miss it! Watch this space as we will be encouraging you to get your family dressed up for this very special occasion.
Triple P is an internationally acclaimed parenting programme. It’s considered one of the world’s best because it has been scientifically shown to work and has already helped more than four million children and their families in more than 25 countries.
This is a fully-funded support for COVID-19 public health initiative to help support whānau, thanks to the Ministry of Health with support from Whāraurau.
It’s one of the world’s most researched parenting programs, and because evidence shows that investing in the future health and happiness of our children and teenagers benefits the whole community. So doing Triple P Online, Teen Triple P Online or Fear-Less Triple P Online is totally free. And yes, that means the whole course, and no, there’s no catch.
Sports Cancellations
Due to covid level restrictions and uncertainty around school return dates, we unfortunately have to share that Term 4 inter school events have now been cancelled. This includes:
Tamaki Cluster School events (Years 3-8)
AAIMS Zone and Interzone sports events (Years 7-8)
Primary and Intermediate Schools’ Champion of Champions’ Gymnastic Championships (Years 3-8)
Auckland Cricket Cup - Boys Primary School Cup (Year 7-8)
We are obviously disappointed as we know how much our learners were looking forward to these sporting events. Please know planning for a full 2022 calendar is well underway and we look forward to getting back into teams and competing soon.
A big Shoutout! To all our learners and families who are keeping active this lockdown. Please continue to share your experiences on our PE Padlet for others to see, try and comment!
Remember our Sports Site is your first port of call for all information about PE programmes,
inter-school sports, whole school sporting events and community based opportunities. It is updated regularly and holds specific information on what is happening with sports as we move through the different COVID Levels.
Board Meeting | Wednesday 3rd November
Learning Achievement Celebration | Friday 10th December | 4pm
Term 4 | Monday, 18th October - Wednesday, 15th December
new date (Term 4) TBC