Tēnā Koutou, Talofa Lava, Malo e Lelei, Namaste, Ni sa bula, Noaia’e mauri, Fakalofa lahi atu, Kia Orana, Ni Hao, An Nyung Ha Sai Yo, Nay Ho, Hej, Hallo, Sawat Dee, Cześć, Goeie Dag, សួស្តី, Здравствуйте, hola. Greetings to our school families.
Welcome to 2022! Our last official “newsletter”, (because there were numerous Covid-related updates), was the 13 August 2021. It was quite disheartening to read as I began to write this – there is a real awareness of how much we have missed. But then a sense of optimism as I see how quickly the kids and teachers have settled back into the rhythm of school. As I write this now, I can hear kids laughing and talking, (& some sort of dinosaur impersonation), while the Middle School are out at Play Based Learning. I’m feeling optimistic because although the Omicron wave is all around us, from what we can see overseas, once this goes through we can think positively about getting back into our usual groove.
To our many new families, a special welcome. Not having parents on site has been a funny way to begin the year, and the latest members of our school family have all reminded us how resilient kids are. I have been so proud at how quickly everyone has settled in.
Ngā mihi nui,
Kathryn Ramel
Principal
Welcome to our new students – we hope you enjoy your time at our school!
Amelia A, Isla A, Havana B, Ollie B, Thomas B, Libby C, Travis C, Leia C, Blake F, Tanah F, Tatum F, Levi F, Jorja H, Ruby H, Remy H, Jax J, Isla K, Grace L, Amelia L, Casey M, Cianna-Nicole M, Lincoln M, Connor M, Brody O, Dane P, Kenzie R, Kodi R, Perrie S, Levi S, Hunter S, Toawea T, Elsie T, Mieke V, Emma V, Alayna W, Xanthe W, Harlem W, Mazden W. Whew! 🙂
Keeping in touch
In current times more that ever, keeping in touch is important. We need to be able to contact whanau quickly and efficiently. If you have changed address or contact details, please let us know asap, either via email admin@snellsbeach.school.nz, or by calling the school office 09 425 6058.
-
Following our school Facebook page
“Snells Beach School”, which operates as a digital newsletter. This is a great way to get quick updates and reminders.
-
Downloading our School App
Simply download the “Skool Loop” app from either App Store or Play Store & select “Snells Beach School” from the drop down box to receive instant notifications & reminders.
-
Subscribing to our school email database
Please email us at admin@snellsbeach.school.nz to be added to the list. If you do not receive this newsletter via email on Friday afternoon, you are NOT in our database. All new families should have been added – please check. You can unsubscribe at any time.
What’s new, who’s who?
We have a few changes to start our school year off.
Miss Thomas is on leave and we welcome Miss Manning and Mrs Fergusson into Totara 2.
Miss Henry is working remotely, still on our admin team, and will be contactable via the admin@snellsbeach.school.nz email address.
Mrs Lovegrove, our amazing Art Specialist has decided it is time to retire and focus on fishing and spending time with her grandkids. We will still see her in the school however, as she will be back for day to day relieving after a break this term to recharge. Trish has been a central part of our school for so long. She is loved by kids across the school, and always made a special effort to get to know each child as an individual. Trish was able to really immerse her students in visual art, and make them see themselves as artists. She passed on her own passions through her teaching. We wish her a restful and fun term, and look forward to seeing her and her home baking back at school in the future.
Mr Outwin, our amazing caretaker, has been another important part of our school team over many years. He will also be retiring later this term. Graham is an incredibly skilled person, who can use his wealth of knowledge to solve almost any problem. He has, in particular, been a huge support throughout our many building projects, and managing some of the specialist systems in the school. Graham is also a VERY patient man, who is happy to support our teachers in the multitude of projects that they come up with! We wish him all the best with his future plans.
Our Admin Team has also grown. Zena Morrison joined the SBS crew last year as a Teacher Aide and member of the Admin Team. She is continuing in the role this year, with increased time in the office, and may well be the person who answers the phone, or helps out when you pop in. Lovetta Bayer, who has been such a huge support to many of our students over the years in her Teacher Aide capacity, also joins Zena, and Marissa Bale on the Admin Team. We are lucky to have such a flexible and supportive crew, who are doing a fantastic job navigating all the extra pressures of the Covid response, on top of their already busy jobs.
Crossing Safety
Our new pedestrian crossing makes a huge difference in terms of safety for our students and whanau. They can clearly be seen, and the raised design is making a big difference to traffic speeds in front of our school. Please, please, if you are crossing Dawson Rd with your child, use the crossing. It may be a few extra steps out of your way, but if you don’t use the crossing, they won’t when you are not with them, and other kids may well run across also, because they saw an adult doing that. It is so busy out there, particularly around pick up time, with the buses moving through and many cars – we need to work together to keep our kids safe.
The school has met with Auckland Transport in the past to try to get an improved crossing on Mahurangi East Rd, for the large number of students that cross by Dalton Rd. We have been told that this is in consideration for 2022, but are thankful for the number of community groups and parents who are following this up individually with the Council. Watch this space!
SBS Covid Response
We are doing everything we can to keep the school open in our current model for as long as possible, and limit the number of close contacts. We have not had any reported cases involving staff or students, however if case numbers rise to the point that it becomes difficult for us to staff the school, we may need to consider moving to either a hybrid learning model, with some students working from home, or revert to online learning for a period of time. Unfortunately rapid antigen tests are not yet available to schools, as these would have allowed us more certainty in keeping the school open.
Procedures if a student tests positive
If students test positive for COVID, or realise they have been in close contact with a confirmed case, then please isolate and contact the school immediately.
What to do if you are a Confirmed Case
Isolate for 10 days from date of result. Retest on Day 8. A negative result means you can return to school once you have completed your 10 days.
What to do if you are a Close Contact (We will notify families of any students who are deemed close contacts due to possible exposure at school – the criteria for this has been changing.
Isolate as soon as you are aware that you have been in close contact with a confirmed case, and get tested.
If you return a negative result then isolate for 7 days.
Test again on Day 5
Return to school after 7 days if you still have a negative result
Thanks Mahurangi East Tennis Club!
Big thanks to the Mahurangi East Tennis Club for supporting our school and donating tennis balls for the kids to play with and for the teachers to use in the Physical Education and Sports programmes!
This year registration is online only with weigh-in days taking place on Thursday 24th Feb from 4-7pm and Saturday 26th Feb from 10am-1pm. All welcome, boys & girls, Rippa rugby (non-contact) for ages 4-7 and Quick Rip for girls and boys of all ages; tackle rugby for ages 8-13. Free cap with each paid registration (‘early-bird’ fees are $85 if paid on registration days, otherwise $95/player). As per NHRU resolution, all players from 12 years and over are required to be fully vaccinated to participate. Contact juniorsec@mahurangirugbyclub.co.nz for more information.
Print or Save this Post