Back to School 2022

Friday 28th January

Kia ora koutou e te whānau o Matipo,

Happy New Year to you all.

I hope you have all enjoyed a nice break away and you were able to catch up with your whanau outside of Auckland, enjoy the beach and stunning weather we have had. I hope you have all been able to relax and unwind after what was a long and challenging year. Unfortunately, this year looks to be no different. However, here at Matipo we are resilient and supportive of each other and will get through this.

In this newsletter you will find vital information for the return of your tamariki to school. Please read this newsletter all the way to the end and please read it carefully. 

We will begin the 2022 school year under Red Light restrictions on Thursday 3rd February from 8:50am to 1:00pm as a meet the teacher day. Please note this is a different finish time to what was originally advertised.

What Matipo will look like under Red Light restrictions: Normal school hours – no staggered start or end times All school gates will be open for entry and exit (Matipo Road, Crieff Place and Rapaki Place) All whanau members to wear a mask when dropping students at the gate and remain socially distanced All students in Year 3, 4, 5 & 6 to wear masks Each team will be in a bubble together; eg: Mana students (Year 3 & 4) will be in a bubble, allowing students to play with their peers at break times and work as a team together Students will play in restricted areas during break times Students will sanitise hands regularly throughout the day including before and after breaks and eating (sanitiser is provided in all classrooms) Classrooms will be regularly disinfected – table tops, stair rails, door handles, toilets etc  We thank you for modelling our Red Light restrictions for our tamariki.

 

When children return to school the day-to-day running of Matipo School will be very similar to what the tamariki experienced on their return after the previous lockdown, with personal hygiene being of high importance. If you are new to Matipo Primary, don’t worry we have detailed in this letter what you can expect. 

What your child needs for school each day:

• Named face mask – for students in Year 3+

• Named full water bottle
• A full lunchbox, change of clothes and book bag etc

Checking and Tracking Sickness If your child is sick in any way; has a ‘sniffle’, a runny nose, headache, sore throat, is coughing or sneezing, has ‘flu-like symptoms or has an upset tummy. Let us know and keep your child home for 48 hours or until symptoms are no longer present. Do not send your child to school if they are unwell. This is to protect all tamariki and staff. If someone is unwell in your family or household we encourage you to keep your child at home. If another child in your child’s class is sick then that child cannot return to school as per the guidelines above. If they are suspected of COVID-19 we will notify the COVID Helpdesk. The local health department will contact families if your child has been exposed to COVID-19. If a teacher or staff member is sick we will ensure they do not return to school without effective due diligence. The same processes will be in place for staff as for students. If a teacher is away we will check the reason, ensure learning can continue, and try to find a suitable reliever. If not, classes will be notified and your child will be asked to remain at home.

 

Before and After School Care (SKIDS)

Will operate under Red Light restrictions. Please contact Diksha for enrolment information. 

Staggered Break Times

To ensure bubble integrity and mitigate intermingling with bubbles, our break times will be staggered throughout the day and play areas will be strictly monitored. Each team (Junior, Middle and Senior) will have designated play areas and break times. This is keeping within the Red Light restrictions outdoors. 

COVID-19 poses a considerable risk for staff, students and the wider community if health and safety measures are not correctly followed. Students who do not follow instructions or comply with Health and Safety requirements will be sent home in the first instance. If there is further non-compliance students may face disciplinary action.  Please discuss this and our Health and Safety expectations (as above) with your child. Classroom teachers will also be discussing the shared expectations. 

We will focus on the wellbeing of all our tamariki. We will work hard to help our tamariki have a positive start to the 2022 school year. If you have any questions or require support please contact us. Our contact details can be found on the school website. Please also find a copy of our

health and safety action plan here.

Kia Kaha, Kia Maia, Kia Manawanui, 

Matua Jonnie Black 

Tumuaki/Principal

 

Important Dates to Note
Thursday 3 February	School Starts 8:50am (Gates open from 8:15am) to 1:00pm.  New Entrant intake visit, 9:15am – 12:15pm
Friday 4 February	Normal school day – gates open from 8:15am New Entrant intake short day, 9:15am – 2:45pm
Monday 7 February	Waitangi Day – Public Holiday
Tuesday 8 February	Normal school day  – Gates open from 8:15am
Friday 11 February	Online School Assembly (internal only)