Kia Ora Wesley Whanau
I hope you are safe and well in your bubbles and you had an enjoyable and blessed Easter.
As you know, tomorrow, Wednesday 15th is the beginning of term two and our entry into the challenging but exciting world of digital learning.
Class teacher’s will have been in touch to organise online work and will be available to assist for the next few weeks. Students will have also been given hard copy of work to complete.
Some students will receive chrome books in the next few days – it is vital these are well looked after and returned once lock down is complete.
This way of learning is new to us all. It will take time for us all to adjust – the key thing is that all students are expected to be completing work now the school term has started.
Remember we are here to help. Teachers will be available online during school hours to provide feedback and to answer any questions you may have. Please email your class teacher with any questions you may have – all emails are on the school website.
We look forward to working and learning alongside you as we embark on this new learning adventure together.
Below is previously emailed information that you might find useful:
A key part of the online learning is the importance of routine for your family. If your routine has been shaken up, like you’re now working from home, it’s good to structure your time. Routines are reassuring, and promote health and physical wellbeing.
The below timetable could be something your household adapts to use over the next weeks.
For Secondary school level students I suggest you create the timetable with them.
Most importantly as a Methodist school, it is important we remember what the time of Easter represents. At a challenging time like this, this is even more important than ever. While preparing for school on Wednesday please remember to have a blessed and restful Easter. While we can’t attend the Church services we would normally make, we can observe and spend time at home in prayer and remembering this holy time.
Daily Schedule
|
Before 8:00am |
Wake up |
Family Prayer Time, Eat breakfast, make your bed, get dressed, put any dirty clothes in the laundry |
|
9:00-10:00 |
Morning walk/or straight to school work |
Family walk with the dog, bike ride, home based exercise |
|
10:00-12:00 |
Learning at home |
School-led learning |
|
12:00 pm |
Lunch 🙂 |
|
|
12:30 |
Helping at home |
# wipe all kitchen tables and chairs |
|
1:00-2.00 |
Quiet time |
Reading, puzzles, nap, radio NZ stories |
|
2:.00 -4:00 |
Learning at home |
School-led learning |
|
4:00-5:00 |
Afternoon fresh air |
Bikes, walk the dog, play outside |
|
5:00-6:00 |
Dinner 🙂 |
|
|
6:00-7:00 |
Free TV time |
|
|
7.00 – 8.00 |
Study |
|
|
8:00 |
Prayer/watch Rev Tasi Video |
Everyone |
|
8.30 |
TV/Reading |
All kids who follow the daily schedule & don’t fight |
|
9.30 – 10 |
Bedtime |
|
Home learning television
Ministry of Education want to ensure that every learner and ākonga has at least one channel for accessing educational content from 15 April – either through this package or through their school or kura.
So, they have been working with teachers and leaders, alongside staff from ERO and Te Kura to develop Home Learning TV | Papa Kāinga TV, on TVNZ, which will run from 9am to 3pm on school days on TVNZ2+1 and Sky channel 502. Some lessons will also be available on TVNZ On Demand.
There will be content for parents and whānau with preschool children and tamariki, and lessons for those aged 5 to 15 years of age will cover a broad curriculum that includes movement, music, physical education, wellbeing, numeracy, literacy and science through an integrated approach to curriculum. There’s already a lot of good education video content available, and the Ministry will be working with experts and educators to refine and further develop it.
Information and resources to support wellbeing and support learning at home
- The Ministry of Education has developed a resource for parents, caregivers, whānau and family – http://education.govt.nz/school/health-safety-and-wellbeing/pastoral-care-and-wellbeing/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-coronavirus/.
- The Ministry of Health’s website includes Top ways to look after your mental wellbeing during the Covid-19 lockdown.
- I AM HOPE is the youth and community focused support group run by The Key to Life Charitable Trust, started by Mike King – https://www.iamhope.org.nz/
- Nathan Wallis has some helpful videos on his Facebook page for parents and whānau – https://www.facebook.com/nathanwallisxfactoreducation/ –
- Tips on looking after mental health and wellbeing during COVID-19 from the Mental Health foundation https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/get-help/covid-19/
- a website by the Health Promotion Agency to help New Zealanders recognise and understand depression and anxiety – https://depression.org.nz/covid-19/
Ngā mihi nui
Dr Brian Evans
ONZM
BA, Dip Tch, MEd, PhD
Principal