Brandon Intermediate - Dare to be True

Monday 30th August 2021

Kia ora

I hope this message finds everyone safe and well.

Planning for moving from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3 has begun here at Brandon Intermediate.

As the Prime Minister noted on Friday, schools are essentially closed at Alert Level 3 with the exception of those few children whose parents and carers must go to work at Alert Level 3, and there is no appropriate caregiver at home.

To help us plan for those parents and caregivers in this situation we are asking that if your child needs to return to school at Alert Level 3, you please advise ASAP by either:

• Text 027 265 0268, or

• Email office@brandon.school.nz

Please continue to communicate with your child’s classroom teacher for continued distance learning.

Ngā mihi

Paul McKendry

Principal

Monday August 23rd.

Kia ora koutou,

We hope that our Brandon whānau are all well and managing this lockdown as required. 

Thank you to the students and staff who have been communicating with each other.  Students can continue with their learning and staff are there to support.

There are so many unknowns as the country works through this lockdown process.  This morning Senior staff have collaborated to decide our next steps with options for distance learning.  Brandon will be offering two methods of learning:

• Paper Resources (would include reading, maths, writing materials and Inquiry based learning), and
• Online (the school does have some chromebooks that can be used).

To enable us to distribute learning resources please complete the form via the following link to enable us to keep accurate records and identify our students resourcing needs Distance Learning

Staff will remain in contact with you and in the meantime, please continue to use resources found on HERO, the school website Brandon Intermediate,  and TVNZ Home Learning Home Learning TV

Nga mihi

Kia ora

Like me you probably looked at the emerging cases from this outbreak and thought that some further time at Alert Level 4 was the best thing for our community.

That thinking was confirmed today when the Prime Minister advised that we will remain at Alert Level 4 until 11.59pm on 24 August. We will learn more on Monday about what will happen next.

I wanted to reassure you that our school staff and board will continue to be available to support your child’s learning and wellbeing in the coming days.

We also hope you are doing OK at the moment – but it is also OK if you aren’t. 

As the Mental Health Foundation of NZ says, “it’s all right to feel a range of emotions right now. Going into a Level 4 lockdown is a big deal and it brings all sorts of different feelings to the surface, including frustration, worry and even gratitude. However you are feeling, know that you’re not alone – we’re all going through this together.”  If you need to talk, check in with a friend or whānau member, or free call/text 1737 to chat with a trained counsellor. It's free and confidential.

Ministry of Social Development is also available, if you have immediate welfare needs this lockdown, including income support or temporary accommodation, get in touch with the Ministry online or by calling 0800 559 009.

You will also understand the importance of routine for your family. If your routine has been shaken up, it’s good to structure your time. Routines are reassuring and promote health and physical wellbeing.

For our Pacific families, if you are not aware the Ministry for Pacific Peoples’ has been working to ensure useful information is available to Pacific peoples in nine different languages. Taeaomanino Trust is also available - If you’re needing urgent food or utility support, please reach out by calling 0800 345 345 or email office@taeaomanino.org.nz. Their opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 7.30am to 9.00pm.
 
A big thank you to all of you for taking the lockdown so seriously – we’ve seen before that staying at home will break the chain of transmission 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.

Please keep checking the locations of interest and get tested if you were at that location at the specified time, or if you have symptoms which could be COVID-19.

And just a quick point – please don’t use our playground during lockdown.  Playgrounds cannot be used at Alert Level 4.

As always, please let us know if there is anything you need to support you and your tamariki during this time.
 
Ngā mihi

Paul McKendry, Principal

HERO Log in

 Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Atu, Malo E Lelei,  Malo Ni,  Talofa, Bula, Hello and Warm Brandon Intermediate Greetings!