8 November 2021

Newsletter Articles

Kia Ora

Happy Week 4!

Nga Mihi
Chrissy Wakeman
Orini Combined School

A message from Lesley

E rau rangatira mā, tēna koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.

I would first like to acknowledge the Principal and staff of Newstead Model Country School who had a difficult second week of term dealing with a case of Covid-19 in their school. Thank you to the colleagues who have reached out and offered support and encouragement to Meg and her team. I am sure it was greatly appreciated.

This term is proving to be a challenging term for principals with the vaccination deadline looming and the prospect of a possible return to school for those of us in Alert level 3. Along with this, many of us still at Alert level 3 are finding that after each Alert Level review announcement, we have more requests from parents needing to send their children to 'Bubble School'. I certainly felt a sense of relief on Friday when I was notified of the increase from 10 students to a maximum of 20 in learning bubbles.

With all of these ongoing challenges, the WPA Executive want to let you know that we are more than happy to support you, our colleagues, should you need to have a chat or if you are needing any assistance. These are unprecedented times and it is important to reach out and talk with each other.

I thought this verse of a waiata by Hirini Melbourne along with this interpretation of the translation was especially relevant to our differing circumstances.

E tu Kahikatea
Hei whakapae ururoa
Awhi mai, awhi atu,
Tātou, tātou e.

Kahikatea stand together
Their roots intertwine,
strengthening each other.
We all help one another and
together we will be strong.

Take care and stay safe and well.

Ngā manaakitanga

Lesley Lomas
Interim President

Contacts for support

Your WPA Exec is here to support you. Please do not hesitate to contact us. You can find all of our emails via our WPA website below by clicking on our photos.

EAP Support - Reminder

Workforce wellbeing EAP services

EAP wellbeing support services has been made available until the 25th of November.

All teachers, regular relievers and support staff across early learning services (including kōhanga reo, kindergartens and playcentres), kura and state and state-integrated schools are eligible to access these services.

There are up to three confidential individual one-on-one counselling sessions available. There will be no charge for these services and under our current Alert Level settings these are available online or on the phone.

These sessions are not intended to replace existing services you already offer staff but rather to be in addition to the current provision for a specific period.

You’ll find further information about these EAP services on the Workforce wellbeing package page or if you have any questions call 0800 327 669 or visit the EAP website.

Further information: wellbeing for education workforce

We’ve updated the COVID-19 and wellbeing page on our website. It includes information that will be helpful for you and the wellbeing of children and young people learning from home and their whānau.

Children and young people will again look to adults for guidance on how to react to stressful events. If parents or teachers seem overly worried, children’s and young people’s anxiety may rise.

Parents and teachers can reassure children and young people that everyone is working together, from the Prime Minster down, to help people throughout the country stay healthy and to limit the spread of this virus.

As things change, families and whānau will also want to stay connected with you. Things may be challenging for some children, young people and their families. As an individual teacher you might not have all the answers but working collectively can help. Work with parents, other school staff, iwi, social and health agencies and other services in your community.

Whakawhānaungātanga: take the time to connect and listen to ensure genuine and authentic engagement with those around you.

Learning Lab

This TED Talk is coming from a business perspective, however definitely food for thought within the education realm.

Work that's dictated by a fixed schedule, place and job description doesn't make sense anymore, says leadership expert Debbie Lovich. In light of the cultural shift towards remote work sparked by the pandemic, Lovich gives three essential tips to leaders so employees can keep their autonomy (while remaining productive), companies can let go of rigid bureaucracy and we can all reshape work to better fit our lives.

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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.