23 March 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principals supporting Principals… Principals supporting Principles!

Kia Ora

Please find this week’s Monday Mailing below.

Coronavirus has now become the main topic of discussion. It is important you keep yourself up to date as much as possible. Thanks to our colleagues for sharing what they are doing to keep their communities informed.

If any colleagues have ideas/plans around how they are going to assist their students learning if schools have to close that they are willing to share, I am happy to put it out through our mailing list. I am sure there are colleagues who would appreciate it in these challenging times.

Remember this is your newsletter. Again if you would like to share a reading, opinion or an event feel free to contact me.

WPA Dates

From our President:

Kia ora kotou

These are unprecedented times and I renew my challenge from last week to contact another principal in your area and see how they are going. Now more than ever it is important we share our ideas and resources to make sure we have the best outcomes for our children, families and communities.

Communication with our community is extremely important at this time. I encourage everyone to read Ministry of Education updates from Iona Holsted and use these as a basis for your communications to the community. Our families rely on us to communicate facts and truths and so they don’t have to listen to social media ‘rumours’ which add to the stress and worry.

NZEI has also provided some good information in relation to pay and leave entitlements if we have to go into self-isolation or closures.

Paula Rawiri has been communicating with Hamish and I so if you have any concerns regarding the impact of COVID-19 on your school please let us know and we will put them to her. I must applaud the Ministry for the support and direction they have given us to date. The WPA will do it’s best to keep everyone up to date and share any resources we have.

Remember to look after yourself and take time to be your families.

Marcus Freke

An example of what a group of principals are sending out to their communities

Covid 19 - Level 2 Announcement

At 12 noon today, the Prime Minister outlined the Covid-19 Alert Levels. There are 4 different levels that can be set at either a regional or national level.

Nationally, we are at Level 2.

1. Level 2 means the following new restrictions have been put in place, effective immediately; a full list of restrictions can be found here https://covid19.govt.nz/latest-updates/prime-minister-to-make-a-statement-to-the-nation-at-12-pm-today/

Those community members over 70 and those who are immune-compromised need to immediately self-isolate. The list of people who are at risk can be located At risk people include:

• Those over 70 : Older people often have underlying health issues, including respiratory issues that make them more vulnerable to COVID-19.
• People with medical conditions : Underlying medical conditions can make you more vulnerable to COVID-19. In particular, people with respiratory conditions such as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), heart conditions, high blood pressure, kidney problems and diabetes.
• People undergoing a treatment for cancer and blood conditions : As treatments for cancer and blood conditions affect people’s immune systems, this makes them more vulnerable to COVID-19.
• Pregnant women : Health experts do not yet know if pregnant women are impacted by COVID-19 in the same way as other people. However, pregnant women experience changes in their bodies that may increase their risk from some infections.
• People without easy access to healthcare

This will affect staff members at our school which will impact on our daily programmes.

2. All internal travel within New Zealand has been ceased

This will affect all class trips and camps.

The Ministry of Health is now recommending anyone who fits the criteria of those most at risk, is advised to stay home.

Schools will remain open but this will affect how some of our classes function.

We are currently working through what it means to be at level 2 for our school for Monday morning. If we have to move to level 3 this will be advised by the Ministry of Health and we will communicate back to you.

If you do intend to self-isolate or temporarily withdraw your child/ren from school for the foreseeable future, it is important that you advise the school through the usual absentee channels (phone/email/website) before Monday morning to help us with our planning over the next few days.

Every school will have a different way to share possible learning packs that can be used for your child(ren) at home. We will be emailing learning packs home to families by separate email.

Schools to place their information here

Atawhai tetahi ki tetahi
Be kind to each other

Cheers

Hamish Fenemor
Principal
(07) 827 7651
027 4508 774

NZPF / APPA Conference - Don’t miss the Early Bird Registration

Just a reminder that if you wish to attend this event with the WPA that we need you to register with our Website so we know to include you in our organisation of accomodation, as we cover this cost for you! It is included in your $500 registration with the WPA which can be done here -

Then….

1. Book your own flights (Recommended flight over 8.45am - NZ0123 arrives in Melbourne @ 10.50am and return Flight Home - NZ0126 arrives 12.20am in Auckland)
2. Register for the Conference - https://tcm.eventsair.com/transtasman2020/registration/Site/Register early bird closes 29th May
3. Wait for the Google Doc from WPA to indicate who you wish to room with and indicate your U grading (important for U1-3 scholarships)
4. Apply for NZPF Scholarship if you are U 1-4 http://www.nzpf.ac.nz/awards.html closes 1st May!!!

Hamish Fenemor
Waikato Principals’ Association
President
07 827 7651
027 450 8774

NZPF / APPA Trans Tasman Conference 2020

Our major event for 2020 will be the NZPF/APPA conference to be held in Melbourne 15th - 18th September with over $40,000 being placed into this event. We have 45 spaces pre-booked at the Dockland Private Apartments for this event.

We will be opening up bookings for this Conference on our website by the end of February so people can get in and book and just remember, as it involves overseas travel, you will need to seek permission from the Board.

We will cover your accommodation, transfer from/to the Melbourne Airport for those travelling on the recommended flights (more details to come), sponsors/business partners drinks/nibbles and a meal out as part of the package.

Again we will be offering scholarships for U1-3 Principals to apply for, with priority given to those who don’t receive an NZPF or NZEI grant/award such as the Don Le Prou Award, and those who haven’t received a WPA Scholarship in the past.

To help with Planning and Budgeting;

Conference Registration - $1,200 (AUD, member and Early Bird is $990 - conference dinner additional cost?)
Flights - $700 (approx. you could find cheaper flights)
Deposit for WPA - $500
Covered by WPA - accommodation, one evening meal, transfers from/to Melbourne Airport

Consider an amount for breakfasts and evening meals not covered, please note you have full apartment kitchens to use.

The Ministry are seeking feedback

Leading Local Curriculum Design

The Leading local curriculum design in the revised technology learning area guide is part of the Leading local curriculum guide series released in early 2019. This guide takes school leaders through the change in the technology learning area together with the high-impact practices to help design and implement this learning in their school curriculum.

We are seeking feedback from school leaders, and teachers on this guide – comments can be sent to digi.tech@education.govt.nz by 31 March.

Feedback will be collated and the final version is planned to be promoted to schools in Term 2, 2020.

Sponsors’ note from Sitech

Kind regards/Ngā mihi nui,
kia ora, kia ora te iwi

All of our staff at Sitech especially sales consultants are taking the utmost care to protect ourselves and your school students and staff before and after we visit

Warren Leet
Education Technology Consultant - Waikato and Bay of Plenty

Sitech Systems (NZ) Ltd
Ph: 07 846 0060
M: 021 405 284
E: warren@sitech.co.nz

Upcoming staff PD

Rototuna Primary School is hosting Nathan Wallis for a day of PLD for their teaching team on Tuesday 13 October 2020.

We have 40 spaces available for other teachers in our area who wish to attend.

Here’s your chance to get all the latest brain development research from a valid source, in a series of talks that are made to make sense. Nathan's focus for the day will be talking about The Developing Brain: The Big Picture, including:

1. Understand Your Brain – The First 1000 Days
2. Engage Your Brain - 2-7-Years
3. Change Your Brain! Change Your Life!

We will be hosting Nathan at the St Andrew's Golf Course, 64 St Andrew's Terrace, St Andrews, Hamilton.

Morning Tea and Lunch is included in the ticket price of $175 (including GST).

The 40 available spaces will go to the first in, first paid!

Once payment is received, you will receive a confirmation email with your ticket number/s.

Please use the link below to register for tickets

Remember our sponsors, support those that support us

Schoolzine

Schoolzine is proud to be a digital partner and supporter of Waikato Principals' Association.

Schoolzine has been an industry leader in digital school communications for 14 years. They are dedicated to customer service, product development and understanding the school landscape that keeps them at the top of the industry. Schoolzine’s Parent Engagement Platform consists of 3 packages, an eNewsletter, Mobile App and Website offering. Purchased separately or together, they guarantee each package will make engaging with parents easy and even enjoyable for a school of any size. Schoolzine addresses the need for media-rich, interactive content that engages parents.