Proverbs 16:3
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
As you are aware, due to COVID-19, our school site is now closed, and we have moved to remote/online learning from Thursday, 26 March 2020. School holidays were brought forward, beginning on Monday, 30 March 2020 and concluding on Tuesday, 14 April 2020.
- Remote learning will continue from Wednesday, 15 April 2020
Our staff have worked hard to prepare for this situation, and you can be assured that your child’s learning is a priority for us, as is their well-being and safety. Despite our most thorough planning, there are likely to be some initial teething problems and challenges for us as we work together with you and your child/ren to ensure positive learning continues.
Please note below a list of important information that all parents/caregivers/whanau should know about this move to remote/online learning.
- Our priorities
Psalm 124:8
“Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Our priority as a Christian School community is first and foremost to honour and trust in God, especially during these very uncertain times. It is our prayer as a staff that we may support and serve you and your children during this time of lockdown so that we ALL can bring ‘glory to God’.
- The New Normal
Please keep checking on your child/ren to ensure they have a healthy balance of schoolwork, physical activity, rest and recreation. You, as parents have a key role to play during this time of lockdown and can I encourage you to maintain your family devotions and positivity as this will have great benefit for your children. - The structure for your child’s learning
Each week your child’s teacher will phone, email or communicate electronically with each child in their class to check how they are getting on, and provide ideas/resources for further learning. This might include:
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- What activities they could be working on
- Any tasks that are due to be sent through to teachers
- The dates and times of any face to face lessons/discussion, video-conferences or livestreams
- How students can receive feedback for that week
- He Waka Eke Noa – We’re all in this together
Ephesians 4:16
“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”As mentioned above this will be a big change for you and your family, and your support will go a long way to ensuring your child’s learning carries on successfully. Below is a list of practical measures you can do to help support your child during this time:
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- Try to establish a clear routine, start time, breaks, etc for the day.
- Set up a consistent and comfortable learning space – ideally this will be a public family space, and if possible, a space where you are able to monitor your child’s learning.
- Try to encourage regular breaks, healthy nutrition and exercise to help break up screen and work times.
- You will need to take an active role in what your child is learning this week, particularly if they are in Years 1 – 4. Primary School children are not independent learners and require varying levels of support. Ask to see what work they are doing each day and check on what support they might need. This doesn’t mean that you are doing the child’s work for them, but you are providing, structure, routines, resources and guidance.
- Most importantly of all, spend regular time in prayer and reading God’s word together.
- On-line behaviour/expectations
The school rules for interacting with teachers and students still apply, even though learning is occurring remotely. It is important for students to show high levels of respect in all their actions and to ensure they comply with the school’s cyber safety and digital use agreements - Needing help – School Guidance Staff are available to support students
Our counsellors are checking their emails daily – and will respond to you directly by email. Be assured, that all conversations will be kept confidential.
Guidance Team contacts are:
Mr Mike Coleman m.coleman@middleton.school.nz
Mrs Anne Aitken a.aitken@middleton.school.nz - Technical help/support
If your child does not have the ability to work from home for technical reasons such as no access to a device or internet, they need to contact Mr Dean McKenzie, our Director of e-learning asap: d.mckenzie@middleton.school.nz.
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Blessings
Mike Vannoort
Principal
