Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Last night’s announcement that Auckland is back at COVID-19 Alert Level 3 for this next week is one that none of us wanted. Thank you very much for your support in following the instructions given by government, and for keeping your children at home.
Avondale College will be closed from Monday 1 March to Friday 5 March, inclusive.
Due to the change in alert levels, all meetings, practices and events scheduled over the next week are cancelled. This includes the Year 13 Taurewa Camp, Avondale College Athletics Championships, Swimming Championships, the Girls Touch Tournament and Year 9 Parents Information Evening.
Learning at home
This week, students are expected to continue with their learning at home. Teachers will interact with their classes using Microsoft Teams and/or email as the primary forms of communication. We are aware that for some aspects of learning, hard copy materials may be preferable, and opportunities to collect these will be provided early next week (details to follow).
Over the past two weeks, Year 9 classes have had an introduction to our digital systems, and they should all know their login details, as well as how to use Microsoft Teams and school-based email. Further information is found in the Instructions for Distance Learning: https://www.avcol.school.nz/post/instructions-for-distance-learning
If your child has any difficulties with digital access they should contact our IT team through servicedesk@avcol.school.nz.
Avondale College has a limited supply of laptops for students to use at home. Over the past few weeks we have issued those to students in Year 11, 12 and 13, who we were aware had no access to a device at home. We are in the process of issuing further laptops to some Year 9 and Year 10 students. If your child does not have access to a device at home and you would like to apply to borrow a laptop from school, please contact Mr Hill, Deputy Principal, hil@avcol.school.nz for an application form.
Children who need to attend school in Year 9 and Year 10
The only students who may come onto the school site over the next five days are children in Year 9 and Year 10, for whom no alternative care arrangements can be made.
If your child needs to attend please email the relevant Deputy Principal:
Year 9 - Mrs McNaughton: B.McNaughton@avcol.school.nz
Year 10- Ms Joynes: E.Joynes@avcol.school.nz
Students may not come to school if they are sick.
Students attending school must wear a face mask. Physical distancing will be required during class time and breaktimes.
Students must arrive by 9am, and they will be dismissed at 3pm.
Students should report to the Attendance Office in E block.
Students must bring their school books, stationery, lunch, a filled water bottle. The canteen will be closed.
Students will be working independently in supervised classrooms, on work set by their class teachers or generic Year 9 and Year 10 learning. Their usual class teachers will not be at school.
Student Wellbeing
Over the time that we are at Level 3, we encourage our students to play a full part in family life, and to go for a walk or do some exercise outside every day. Our Guidance Department and Deans are available for parents and students if you have any concerns, and their contact details are on our website.
Communication with school
The best way to contact school at this time is using email. A full list of staff names and email addresses is on our website, under Our School > Our Team. Subject-specific questions and concerns should be sent to the subject teacher or Director.
We will carefully follow the most up-to-date advice and guidance from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education so that we can confidently make informed decisions about our next steps. We will have the safety and wellbeing of our school community as a priority. Further information will be sent to students and their families using email and our school website.
I wish you all the best for the next few days. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Kia haumaru te noho.
Lyndy Watkinson
Principal