Nga mihi nui ki a koutou katoa – warm greetings to everyone

What does education at Reporoa Primary look like post Covid?

Over the last two years, we have been challenged to make big shifts in the way we educate to accommodate an international pandemic. We went from school-based learning to home-based learning several times and now we are managing a hybrid of the two as students come and go from school. Initially, some students thrived while learning at home and came back to school even stronger. Many have not. Many of our students have struggled to get back into learning and have had major disruption to their education progress. Many did not continue with learning at home and have stalled in their progressions. Now, as students come and go with being sick or having to isolate, there is a real concern for their ability to keep up with their peers. Children who are at school are continuing to learn and progress. Our hybrid system allows for online education matching that which is happening in the classroom. Teachers are able to give specific feedback relevant to where your child is at in their learning. Hardpack materials are not so specific to level or need and therefore not as effective.

We have had to rethink our priorities about resourcing, school organization, and staffing, sometimes on a daily basis.  We have tried really hard to keep some regular events, celebrations and routines.  Many have simply not been possible.

As we hopefully head into a Post-COVID environment soon, we have decisions to make about:

1. What is needed now to support students whose learning has been disrupted for up to two years?
2. What will school look like for staff, students and parents?
3. What traditions, systems and routines will we reinstate?
4. What will we change for the future and ensure we are always ready should something else happen to disrupt education?

Our charter and strategic aims for 2022 address many of these questions. We are having a big focus on Learner Agency (the ability of our students to take ownership of their learning using goal setting and next steps). This is relevant whether they are learning at home or at school. We are also having a big focus on wellbeing through fostering an inclusive and culturally responsive school.

Take a look at our Strategic Aims in more detail by clicking on this link to our Website:

https://www.rep.school.nz/charter-strategic-aims-annual-plan/

Star of the Week:

Joseph has been working hard on his Te Reo this week. Tu meke Joseph!

Assemblies:

We are still running our assemblies via zoom at present. Our Kaiarahi (student leaders) are running them from the principal’s office. If your child is sick or isolating at home, please feel free to join us. We are enjoying seeing some of our whanau at home pop up on the screen :). Each week the link can be obtained from your child’s classroom teacher via SeeSaw.

Structured Literacy:

If you are a parent in the junior school and you missed our information evening on the changes we are making to the way we teach literacy in the junior school, please go to our website via the link below. There you will find an informative video that Kirsty Tatere has kindly put together for you. It will help your child and their progress if you understand what they are learning at school 🙂

STRUCTURED LITERACY

Managing Covid risk:

We have had only had 10 student cases of covid in total, 6 of whom have returned to school having finished their isolation period and fully recovered. Reports are that the illness has been mild. The spread has not appeared to have occurred at school. Our community have been excellent at keeping their children home when they are sick and for this we thank you. Our school has fared much better than many and we hope to stay that way by continuing the covid response strategies that we have in place such as mask wearing for seniors, sanitising, and ventilation of classrooms.

Communication:

If you have a bit of a niggle about something at school PLEASE communicate it with us. We are here to help and want to get it right for your child. See your child’s teacher first. If you need further help, please talk to Nikkole Fell (Senior School) or Gemma Hiini (Junior School) or myself (Richelle McDonald – principal). We will always listen and make every attempt to resolve the problem with you.

Message from the Board:

The board of trustees would like to extend a huge thank you to the staff for the positive way they have been handling hybrid learning as students come and go. It is much appreciated!

It was great to see some of the community in the school for our Summer/Swimming Sports last week. We hope to be able to enjoy more events like this in the near future and are looking forward to getting our community back! We have missed everyone being a part of the life of the school over the last two years.

Board of Trustee elections are to be held later this year. If you are interested in becoming a board member, please either get in touch for a conversation with me or have a look on the following website for more details.

BECOMING A BOARD MEMBER

The board meet twice a term from 7pm in the staff room. Our second meeting is this Wednesday.

Stay safe and well everyone!

Kate Bowron, Presiding Member

Sports:

Calendar:

Other Notices:

School Account Details:

Account payments can be made directly to our school ASB account using online banking.  The account number is: 123155 0134517 00

Details: 

Remember if you change address, get a new cell phone number or email address  to notify the school so we have up to date records. The office needs your up to date email address so the newsletter can be emailed out – thanks.

LUNCHES: 

We are part of the governments healthy lunches programme. Children are provided lunch everyday. If they have any allergies, please let the office know so that allowances can be made. Children still need to bring a drink bottle (water only please) and morning tea every day.

Absences:

Reminder – if your child is absent either text, phone and leave a message, or fill in an on-line absent form. We also are required to fill in the reason they are away, so remember to include this in your message – thanks. IF CHILDREN ARE SICK PLEASE KEEP THEM AT HOME.

Car Parks:

Please use the car parks provided at the front or back of the school. No vehicles are permitted on the school grounds except for staff or service vehicles.

Nãku i runga i aku mihi ki a koe – Yours with thanks

Richelle McDonald

and our team – Nikkole, Korkz, Gemma, Debs, Tanissha, Isla, Steven, Julie, Jasmine, Maureen, Heather, Mary, Bridget, Karla, Linda and Sarah.