Dear Parents and Caregivers,
School Opens Tuesday 1 February 2022
We look forward to being able to welcome back our students from their holiday destinations, experience their enthusiasm for the new year ahead, and begin to establish the cadence of routine. I am sure we will see many excited students on our first day, Tuesday 1 February.
Open Monday – Friday
Sunnybrae will be open to all students from Monday to Friday. I am delighted to hear talk of schools as an essential service. I remain committed to the view that students learn the best while in a collegial atmosphere, with inspired teaching and advice coming from a teacher in situ. It will be wonderful to see students back learning alongside their peers.
Traffic Light Red
It was announced by the Prime Minister that New Zealand would move to Traffic Light Red at 11:59 pm on Sunday 23 January 2022. With the news of Omicron entering the community in New Zealand, it is entirely expected that some of our community will feel anxious at the prospect of a busy school campus. We await more information from the Ministry of Education in the next couple of days which will help us with our organisation around guidelines provided for all schools.
Sunnybrae Staff
In mentioning our staff, I would like to pay tribute to them. Sunnybrae staff have been working very hard in anticipation of the start of a successful school year. I would like to thank our staff who remain committed to in-person teaching. Our teachers are eager to greet their students at the classroom door on Tuesday 1 February. We are all very excited to get the year started with strong attendance rates.
Adjustments
That notwithstanding, once again we have been disappointed that adjustments have been necessary. Assemblies are on hold at this point, and as you are aware, we ask you to drop/pick up your child at the gate. As you would expect, we have redoubled our commitment to good hygiene practices, physical distancing, cleaning routines, good ventilation and mask-wearing protocols. Otherwise, we are very much business as usual.
Stationery
The 2022 Stationery Lists were emailed to all parents/caregivers at the end of last year. If you need to access them, they are available on our website under School Life – Stationery.
Masks
All students in Years 4, 5 and 6 must wear face coverings indoors and when in close contact with others. Sunnybrae Teachers and Support Staff will wear face coverings when teaching and supporting children.
Vaccinations
Tamariki aged 5 to 11 can get a free COVID-19 vaccine now. If you are looking for more information, please visit the Covid19 website. Children cannot be prevented from going to school based on their vaccination status.
Keeping you Updated
As always, changes to the protocols will be communicated and we encourage you to keep an eye open for future communications. Please be aware that we find out information at the same time as the general public does. I will be in touch once we receive further guidance from the Ministry of Education.
I don’t underestimate the scale of anxiety for some, but I do know that by supporting one another, we will be able to stare down our own individual concerns. Together we are stronger.
Kind regards,
Lorene Hurd
Principal
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