Category Archives: Community
Helpful advice from Ministry of Health
COVID update 24/2/22
I share extracts from a bulletin I received from the MoE today:
You’ll be aware that this afternoon the Government announced that New Zealand is moving into Phase 3 of our response to Omicron from 11:59pm tonight Thursday 24 February.
In Phase 3, only household contacts of confirmed cases are required to self-isolate. The isolation period will be 10 days. All other contacts of COVID-positive people are not required to isolate, but they will need to monitor for symptoms. Rapid antigen tests will become the primary testing method.
This is a decision that has been made based on public health advice – the high vaccination rate across the country will do its job in protecting us from transmission during the next surge of cases. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to get your booster.
So your child may come to school provided:
- they are not showing COVID symptoms and
- they are not household contacts and
- they have not tested positive for COVID-19.
While we have a rising number of cases among the student body, they are still relatively low and school is still a safe place for our students provided we all remain vigilant and follow the guidelines we have outlined so often:
- please keep children at home if they are showing symptoms and get them tested ASAP – this was done by the cases reported to us which has helped to slow the spread of the virus;
- keep supplying your child with a mask (and a spare one), this is one of the best ways to keep them safe;
- seriously consider vaccinating your child against the virus if you have not done so.
Once again your patience, support and cooperation is really appreciated.
COVID-19 update 23/2/22
Today we were informed that two of our students have returned positive results for COVID-19. They were both away from school today however I wish to inform you as a courtesy of these, our first reported cases.
A letter has been sent to all parents/caregivers and I can state that at this stage we have not identified any close contacts.
School will be open as normal on Friday (tomorrow the school is closed for Student Led Conferences which are being done online this term).
COVID update 16/2/22
As we move into phase 2 of the Omicron response plan a quick update may be helpful.
So far we have been fortunate not to have any positive cases at MHJC. This is likely to change given the rising numbers of cases in the wider community but I would like to thank the MHJC community for its tremendous efforts to help minimise the risk of the virus spreading.
Our students have been fantastic as have parents with clear and timely communication if members of their family have been identified as close contacts.
The best advice at this stage is that owing to our extensive use of masks indoors, well-ventilated classrooms, movement of students every hour and a thorough cleaning programme, the number of close contacts will be kept to a minimum.
You will be contacted if there is a positive case in a class however it is likely that if your child is in that class they will still be able to come to school.
Please continue to reinforce our safety measures with your children so we can maintain as safe an environment as possible.
Kia kaha
Happy Waitangi Day!
Waitangi Day, the national day of New Zealand, marks the anniversary of the initial signing – on 6 February 1840 – of the Treaty of Waitangi, which is regarded as the founding document of the nation.
The Treaty reminds us we are one people – in the words of William Hobson, Crown Representative, “He iwi tahi tatou” and to renew our commitment to the Treaty.
Enrolments 2022
Please note that we will be no change to the dates published despite Auckland being in lockdown.
Out of zone ballot will take place on Wednesday 8 September.
Nice to be back!
As indicated in the Term 1 newsletter I was granted a sabbatical by the Ministry of Education for Term 2 which is available to Principal’s after 5 years of service (mine was delayed by a year). I wish to thank the Board of Trustees for supporting my application and our Associate Principal for stepping into my position while I was away. The topic I was investigating, was “Principal’s Wellbeing” which together with student and teacher wellbeing is becoming a very important consideration for Boards of Trustees and the Ministry of Education.
Following an analysis of responses by over 50 school leaders in Auckland and meetings with a selected number I was able to summarise some broad generalisations which I have shared with colleagues and Principal organisations. Some of the reasons why Principal’s indicate they are thriving in their role, rather than surviving, is due to the support they receive from their Boards and their Board Chair in particular; their Senior Leaders and the community generally. I am pleased to say I fit in that category and wish again to thank everyone who has contributed in some way to my feelings of wellbeing. I realise this is a personal statement which I am unused to sharing, however a school leader faces numerous complex issues on a daily basis and this can be draining unless there are other factors which help to “refill the bucket”.
Being back at school and reconnecting with our wonderful staff, student and parent community has been a most enjoyable experience. It is often true to say that when we are away or leave a place we tend to appreciate things more and this was true for me when I was away and witnessed through facebook and emails the amazing efforts of our staff to maintain our mission of helping students to find and grow their greatness.
I trust everyone is well and like me, feels blessed that we are able to enjoy personal freedoms that many in other countries are denied owing to the pandemic. I look forward to sharing with you all the events and celebrations we have become used to in term 3 and beyond.
Growing greatness – Kia mana ake!
COVID update 28 Feb 2021
Following the PM announcement that Auckland is at alert level 3 for the week starting Monday 1 March, please note that, as before, the school is closed until further notice except for students of parents of “essential” services. If your child/ren need/s supervision at school please notify the relevant Whānau Leader before 5 pm today so arrangements can be made.
These students are to report directly to the library and have lunch, charged device and other learning equipment with them. Masks are recommended but not compulsory.
The rest of the school will kick into distance learning and further information will be sent to students via the Whānau Leaders.
While this is frustrating it is necessary and we thank you once again for your patience and support.
Kia kaha
Ian Morrison
Transition
SPECIAL REPORT: Starting Year 7
Starting Year 7 poses many new challenges, but also offers exciting opportunities. It comes with a number of mixed feelings. Unfortunately for many Year 6 students, 2020 was marred with school closures and remote learning due to the pandemic and the overall impact of this is still unknown.
For many students regular orientation activities at the end of 2020 were less than ideal. Therefore, many students may be feeling a little bit more anxious than usual about their expectations of starting Year 7. Grasping new skills and establishing new study practices can quickly become daunting and overwhelming.
During this time of transition, parents and carers need to be supportive, but also realistic in their expectations. This is an important milestone in your child’s life. There will be feelings of exhilaration, but also the fear of the unknown. Therefore it will be important for parents and carers to be vigilant in monitoring their child’s mood and mental health during this time. They could easily become overly anxious or even depressed.
In this Special Report, there are a number of strategies offered that can make this transition period smoother and start things off on the right foot! We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.
If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to your special report https://mhjc.nz.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-transition-high-school