Transition to Level 3

Tēnā koutou katoa,

With the Prime Minister’s announcement today we are now developing our plan to transition to Level 3. 

As stated in the Alert Levels, Level 3 states people must stay at home unless they need to safely attend their place of work. From Wednesday we will be able to extend our bubbles to include caregivers and other family members whose safety will not be compromised. This may support some families with care of young people if they have to return to work. 

As announced, schools will be open from Wednesday 1 September for students of Years 9 and 10 whose families are essential workers. It is really important for us in our planning to get an estimate of the number of students who will be attending. Alert Level 3 will last for at least 1 week and we will be continuing with the East@home online learning programme for all students. Students who attend school will be supervised by a member of staff who will support the students while they continue with their online programme. There will be no face to face teaching. They will be organised into small ‘bubbles’ to maintain physical distancing and minimise social contact at all times. Students will have to provide their own lunches. There will be no catering provision and mask wearing will be mandatory.

We need to have an accurate indication of numbers of students who will be committed to attending on a daily basis. There will be no opportunity to attend some days and not others, as to manage Level 3 safely and effectively we need to be able to staff the school appropriately, manage the logistics of social distancing and maintain the safety of students and staff. To that end, could you please email me directly principal@wegc.school.nz by Sunday 29 August , if your child will be attending school on Wednesday 1 September. I will then communicate with those families the ways in which we will manage the logistics of schooling under Level 3. 

Due to being at Alert Level 3 we have cancelled the Teacher Only Day scheduled for Friday 3 September.

School is closed to all students in Yr 11-13. These students will continue with the East@home online learning programme.

Our priority at this time is the safety and wellbeing of all members of our community.

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Ngā mihi nui

Gael Ashworth,

Principal