Opunake High School

2 days ago

MESSAGE TO THE OPUNAKE COMMUNITY

Kia ora koutou,

We have started into a new phase of New Zealand’s response to COVID-19 and it is very different than anything most of us have ever experienced. I wanted to reassure you that Opunake High School staff and Board of Trustees will continue to be available to support your child’s learning and wellbeing in the next weeks.

The government has announced that the school holidays have been brought forward and will now start on Monday 30th March and runs until Tuesday 14th April.

Our focus as a school is currently to support all whanau to support each other and adjust to our new way of being. You may already have started online learning with your teachers and please continue this until the end of Friday 27th March when the holidays start. Our 'Learning @ Home' programme (teachers working offsite and online) will therefore resume on Wednesday 15th April as we will continue to be in Level 4 COVID-19 of self isolation.

You will understand 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.

There are links below to more wellbeing information to support your whanau during the lockdown.

Some good news to support you either working at home and/or studying at home - Spark, Vodafone, Vocus/Slingshot, 2Degrees and Trustpower have all advised they have removed their data caps and the possibility of any extra charges based on usage.

A big thank you to all of you for taking the lockdown so seriously. As the Prime Minister has noted staying at home will break the chain and save lives; breaking the rules could risk someone close to you and if the rules are not complied with, this could risk the lock down period being extended or could risk the virus being spread to thousands

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 - education.govt.nz/school/health-safety-and-wellbeing/pastoral-care-and-wellbeing/talking-to-child....

- The Ministry of Health’s website - www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-novel-cor...

- I AM HOPE is the youth and community focused support group run by The Key to Life Charitable Trust, started by Mike King - www.iamhope.org.nz/

- Nathan Wallis has some helpful videos on his Facebook page for parents and whānau - www.facebook.com/nathanwallisxfactoreducation/ -

- Tips on looking after mental health and wellbeing during COVID-19 from the Mental Health foundation www.mentalhealth.org.nz/get-help/covid-19/

- Health Promotion Agency website to help New Zealanders recognise and understand depression and anxiety - depression.org.nz/covid-19/

- Although overseas-based this is a good list and highlights some things particularly important for children - 25 Mental Health Wellness Tips - govt.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2f59fcd18a691d315b5a045cb&id=85b52ac7b3&e=b7fb75f16b
(Remember the rules of New Zealand’s Level 4 lockdown still apply)

We will continue to keep you updated and advised as we adjust to this period of change.

Stay home, be kind, keep safe, be patient and look after each other.

Regards,
Peter O'Leary, Principal ... See MoreSee Less