Important Update / East@Home change of dates

Tēnā koutou kātoa,

With the announcement that New Zealand has moved to Alert Level 2 – Reduce Contact for COVID-19, people over 70 years of age and those with compromised immunity and certain existing medical conditions are asked to remain at home as much as they can from now on and avoid any non-essential travel.

Staff, children and young people in schools are therefore asked to follow this advice.‍

High risk individuals

While the majority of people who are confirmed with COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms, some individuals are at risk of more severe symptoms.

People with pre-existing health problems are more likely to get severe illness and are therefore considered at risk. High risk individuals also include people with underlying medical conditions, such as:

• a compromised immune system
• liver disease
• cancer
• kidney disease
• heart disease
• diabetes mellitus

 Further information is available at:

• https://covid19.govt.nz/help-and-advice/for-everyone/vulnerable-people/

• https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-health-advice-general-public/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-questions-and-answers

We are therefore encouraging young people and staff who fit into this high risk category to stay at home. If your child will be absent from school can you please follow our school process and email absence@wegc.school.nz detailing the name of your child and the reason for their absence.

We are anticipating that there will be significant staff absence during the next week and have looked at how we can keep things as business as usual, in these unusual circumstances. Due to the rapidly changing circumstances we have decided to bring forward the East@home days to Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday to make sure that we have the opportunity to trial digital distance learning with the students and troubleshoot any issues that arise. Further details for parents showing how you can support your child with distance learning can be found here East@home Parent Help Sheet

‍

The week ahead at a glance:

Monday‍

8.45-9.30 Ako 

9.30-10.15 Session 1

10.15-10.45 Break

10.45-12.15 Session 3

12.15-1.00 Lunch

1.00-2.30 Session 4

2.30-3.20 Ako

Tuesday

8.45-9.00 Ako

9.00-10.15 Session 1

10.15-10.45 Break

10.45-12.15 Session 3

12.15 Go home

Wednesday 

East@home day. If at home arrangements can not be made there will be provision made at school to supervise students. 

Thursday 

Normal timetable

Friday

Normal timetable

Bus service

At this stage we expect the school bus service to run as normal but this will be a cashless service.

General information

We will be running a reduced service in the cafe. This will be cashless. 

We are discouraging students from congregating in this area. The Hall will be open at lunchtime and intervals to have more space for students and the Quad will also be available. 

Ngā mihi

Gael Ashworth

Principal