Covid Update / Hybrid Learning - 10 March 2022

Kia ora koutou,

Over the past week we have been notified of an increasing number of positive cases amongst our students and with approximately 38% of our staff out due to illness or isolation the decision has been made to continue with the Hybrid learning approach for next week. 

We have made some minor changes to make it possible for us to keep school open with such a high percentage of staff out.

Next week, hybrid learning will continue to be available through the Google Classroom and Yr 9-11 students will be able to engage at home or at school. We particularly encourage our Yr 10 students to take the opportunity to come into school and engage face to face with their teachers. This is beneficial in terms of support with their learning and maintaining good learning routines which will make for a smooth transition back into face to face schooling. 

From Monday 14 March Year 12 and 13 students will continue to do Hybrid at home.  There may be times when the teacher requests students to come into school for a face to face class, for a tutorial, practical work or an assessment. Some students may not be able to attend a face to face class because of illness or isolation requirements and so this will be by invitation, and alternative arrangements will be made for those at home. The Library will be available for Yr 12 and 13 students who wish to engage with their learning on site rather than at home. Students are asked to contact their Dean if this is the case.  

Students will follow their usual timetable whether they are at home or at school. All resources and assignments will be posted in the Google Classroom. Students who are attending on site will need to bring their device, charger and earphones.‍

To the parents of Yr 9-11 students please advise us if your student will be accessing learning from home or school by completing the following form: https://forms.gle/xnC3Sp9MZiBUdZdU7. This will provide us with numbers of students attending and enable us to organise supervision for the week accordingly. Please complete the form no later than 1pm Friday 11 March.

To ensure we gather an accurate picture of COVID related absences (COVID positive or isolating) we are asking that you complete the form using this link: https://forms.gle/vBiMW2492Km6DkLx9. For any other related absences please email absence@wegc.school.nz or ring 385 8514 ext 848. 

School buses will be operational to transport students to and from school. 

The Cafe will continue to operate on a limited service.  Please encourage your student to bring a snack to school so that they can be prepared for any unforeseen changes to the Cafe service.‍

Changes to isolation requirements:‍

As you will be aware the Government has recently reduced isolation requirements from 10 to 7 days. As of Friday midnight the requirements change as follows:

• If you are COVID positive you are able to return to school on the 8th day after your symptoms started as long as you no longer have symptoms
• If you are a household contact you need to test on Day 3 and Day 7. If you are negative on Day 7 then you can return to school on Day 8.

This information is being shared with students in the attached slide show‍

School will be open for any student who wishes to attend for their learning. We will continue to monitor staffing levels so that we can return to a fully functioning timetable back at school. Thank you again for working with us to support our students through this time.

Ngā mihi nui

Gael Ashworth

Principal