Thursday 08-05-2021
Aquinas College Alert Level 2 Operational Protocols from 09 September 2021
Please review the protocols for students, staff and visitors to our site as of Thursday 9 September 2021
Aquinas College Alert Level 2 Protocols 08.09.2021
Monday 12-05-2020
COVID-19 Alert Level 2 – Guidelines for BOPDHB Community Dental Service
- The Community Dental Service is following Dental Council NZ and Ministry of Health recommendations for practitioners during COVID-19 ALERT LEVEL 2
- During Alert Level 2, the service will be open 8.00am-4.30pm, but the way we operate will be different:
- We can provide routine, urgent and emergency care for COVID-19 low risk patients and urgent/emergency care for COVID-19 high risk patients.
- Our priority patient groups have been identified as – emergency and urgent care, those children who are under treatment, most overdue, and year 8 patients leaving the service in December 2020.
- Parents/caregivers/guardians will be contacted before any appointments are scheduled, to complete a patient health assessment. These questions will be asked again on arrival at the clinic.
- If a child has a cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, loss of smell – with or without fever, their treatment may be postponed.
- Appointment availability will be heavily reduced, due to the need to reduce overlap and contact of patients and also to allow time for thorough cleaning of the clinics in between patients.
- Community Dental Service staff will be required to wear approved PPE to protect patients and themselves.
- Hand sanitizer and tissues will be available at clinic entrances for all visitors
- Clinic visitor sign in/sign out will be collected daily for contact tracing if required.
- One support person per patient is permitted.
- DO NOT ATTEND A CLINIC WITHOUT PRIOR CONTACT OR AN APPOINTMENT.
Open and Closed Clinic information is found on BOPDHB Website https://www.bopdhb.govt.nz/umbraco/umbraco.aspx#content
and is updated weekly, it is also sent to schools weekly and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Talkteeth.bopdhb
- Or call 0800 TALKTEETH 0800 825583 Monday to Friday 8.00am to 4.30pm for all enquiries
Tuesday 25-05-2020
Principal’s Message: Alert Level 2
Kia ora e te whānau,
Following on from the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday, we are very excited about the prospect of welcoming our students and staff back to school from next Monday, May 18th. We are aware that all of our students have engaged with their learning from home with varying levels of success for various reasons and will be returning to school feeling anything from anxious to excited. However they are feeling, we want them to know that they are not alone and we are eager to reconnect with them in person. We will be putting an emphasis first and foremost around well-being and whanaungatanga. This is our highest priority. We will also work with all of our students to establish where they are at with their learning and start to formulate a strategy for moving forward their learning in a way that ensures they have a plan in place for experiencing personal success.
As with all government decisions over the last six weeks, the detail announced yesterday by the Prime Minister about de-escalating to Alert Level 2 was based on the latest public health advice. The updated Alert Level 2 framework is considerably different for the education sector than what had previously, and most recently published in the Ministry of Health’s public health guidelines. The updated public health requirements in a school environment are quite different from other sectors, but this is informed by the Ministry of Health’s latest evidence and recommendations. We accept the public health advice, and we will be working to support it. I can advise that we have carefully considered the Alert Level 2 framework for schools and have developed our protocols accordingly. The Board of Trustees convened a video meeting on Sunday evening and approved these protocols. They are attached to this email for your reference and can also be found on the College’s website.
As I wrote in my email yesterday, The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education has deemed it safe for all students and staff to return to school at Alert Level 2. This includes students and staff who are classified as being at higher risk to COVID-19 because of underlying medical conditions or those who have a household member who is considered to be at higher risk. Schools are considered safe because hygiene habits will be strong, and schools will put into place safe and sensible practice. The College is committed to implementing the public health measures required in schools, which minimise risk for everybody. Understandably, however, some members of our community may feel anxious about sending their children back to school. As parents and caregivers, we respect that you understand your children best, and we want to work in partnership with you to manage their well-being and return to school at Alert Level 2. I ask that every member of our community completes this short (one minute) survey as soon as possible confirming whether or not your child(ren) will be returning to the College from next Monday. We will be following up families from Thursday who haven’t responded or who indicate that they would like to discuss the management of their child(ren)’s well-being at Alert Level 2.
Remote learning protocols will continue through to the end of this week; however, there will be no online meetings with teachers on Thursday and Friday as our staff will be onsite to plan and prepare for welcoming students back on Monday as has been allowed for by government. This time is critical for our team. From Monday, May 18th, the primary method of delivering teaching and learning will be in the classroom, face to face with the teacher. Learning material will be accessible online for those students who are unable to attend. We will continue to reflect on what we have learned through this period of home-based learning and will be reviewing our practices moving forward as a result.
Fees Assistance
The College is mindful of the challenges many people in our community have faced and may continue to meet during the COVID-19 crisis. Please feel confident to approach the College if your family has experienced adverse financial impact as a result of COVID-19. It is crucial in these tough times for the College, and its community, to work closely together to ensure a high level of continuity in the teaching and learning of our students. Any inability to meet fees and donations will not be a barrier to continued education at Aquinas College. All communication will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and should be initially addressed through the Principal.
Uniform
Students are expected back in their winter school uniform from Monday, but we understand that there may not be enough time to for this to be practicably achieved by everyone. We will apply appropriate discretion, care and understanding in this space. I am advised that New Zealand Uniforms has good levels of stock and are continuing to accept online orders during Alert Level 3. They will open their shop from Thursday. Refer to their website for operating hours. We will also make the College’s second-hand uniform shop more available for our community in the coming days at the following times:
Thursday, May 14th: 11:00am-3:00pm
Friday, May 15th: 9:00am-3:00pm
Monday, May 18th: 9:00am-3:00pm
Tuesday, May 19th: 9:00am-3:00pm
Wednesday, May 20th: 9:00am-3:00pm
Thursday, May 21st: 9:00am-3:00pm
Friday, May 22nd: 9:00am-3:00pm
Facebook Live
I will be hosting another Facebook Live session tomorrow at 7:00pm to answer questions you may have about the move to Alert Level 2. Please post the questions you have to the post promoting this on our Facebook page.
In closing, I commend you all for your creative and faith-filled response during this time. I have been inspired by how we have collectively worked to ensure the continued learning and spiritual formation of our students. Let us all join in prayer together to seek our Lord’s guidance and protection over our students, staff and community as we move forward in our new normal.
Ma te Atua tātou e manaaki
Matt Dalton
PRINCIPAL
Click here to view or download:
Aquinas College Alert Level 2 Protocols
Monday 11-05-2020
A message from the Ministry of Education
Click to view or download:
Managing health and safety in schools at Alert Level 2
Monday 11-05-2020
YEAR 9 & 10 LEARNING PLANS
Click to download:
Thursday 7 -05-2020
Aquinas College Business Community Directory
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, many local businesses have been unable to operate and so we have introduced a practical way to support our College’s Business Community.
By promoting our network of family-owned local businesses on this website we are able to help local business and by doing so help our community to survive.
Thank you for supporting these local businesses.
Tuesday 28-04-2020
Aquinas College Important forms
These forms are being distributed to staff and the community and we all need to read, understand and sign the induction information, agreeing to abide by the protocols for everyone’s safety. Printed copies available Wednesday morning. Read and download here:
COVID-19 Alert Level 3 INDUCTION INFORMATION
COVID-19 Alert Level 3 OPERATIONAL PROTOCOLS
Monday 27-04-2020
YEAR 9 & 10 LEARNING PLANS (updated weekly)
N.B. These Learning Plans contain active links and each year group plan will be updated weekly.
(28 April – 1 May)
Year 9 Weekly Remote Learning Plan
(28 April – 1 May)
Year 10 Weekly Remote Learning Plan
Thursday 23-04-2020
Update for Aquinas College community prior to moving to Level 3:
Today you will have received a letter via email from Principal Matt Dalton updating the College’s plans in light of moving to Level 3 next Tuesday.
There is also a link to a form in the letter that you are urged to fill out and return if your child(ren) will attend school from Wednesday 29th April. You may also click here to fill the form: https://tinyurl.com/ya6daqtv
(There is no need to complete the form if your child is remaining at home).
Special note: Tomorrow evening, Friday 24th April, Principal Matt Dalton will host a Facebook Live session from 7:00pm-7:20pm from the Aquinas College Facebook page. This is an opportunity for you to engage and ask any questions. Feel free to add your questions in the comment section of the notification posted today before Friday’s session or you can add them during the viewing tomorrow.
A message from Mr Dalton following today’s announcement from the Prime Minister:
Thursday 16-04-2020
Kia ora e te whānau,
I am tremendously proud of the way that our students and teachers have engaged online in the first two days of this term. I know that it hasn’t been without its challenges as well, but as a College, we are confident that the ongoing adjustment to this space will ensure continued learning and progress for our students. I also offer sincere thanks to all our parents and whānau for the way you have supported your children’s education in this new space.
As was announced today by our Prime Minister, when New Zealand moves to Alert Level 3, schools will open for children up to and including Year 10. Students in Years 11-13 will continue to learn at home. Physical attendance at school for junior students will be voluntary, but all children not at school should be learning remotely. As we learned today, schools will primarily be for children of parents who need to return to work, or for children who cannot learn remotely. Children who can, should remain home and continue to learn remotely.
I understand this announcement will cause consternation for many members in our community, especially our students, but I want you all to know that our staff are 100% committed to supporting our students learning and well-being through this evolving space.
While I am expecting to receive considerably more detailed guidelines from the Ministry of Education in due course, this is all the information I have now. Rest assured; I will communicate with our community with further details on what Alert level 3 will mean for Aquinas College as soon as I am able.
May the Lord continue to bless us and protect us.
Mr Dalton
2021 Enrolments Update
Thursday 16-04-2020
In light of the Covid-19 situation, our 2021 enrolment process is under review. Information and timelines will be published when the College has a better sense of the evolving Covid-19 situation and permissible activities under the Government’s Alert Levels.
If you have any queries, contact Moira Ramsbottom by email on mramsbottom@aquinas.school.nz or by phone (07) 543 9032.
Click here to view or download our current Prospectus 2019
Beginning of Term 2
Tuesday 14-04-2020
On the eve of the start of Term 2 Principal Dalton speaks to our Aquinas College students and community. He is joined by a number of staff sharing their personal messages of encouragement!
Term 2 Message from Principal Dalton
Aquinas College Easter Liturgy
Thursday 09-04-2020
The Aquinas College Student Executive have been working alongside Mr Dalton and Mrs van Zyl, over this period of lockdown, to put together an Easter Liturgy for our Community. This year we have focussed on the words of Jesus to his Disciples during Holy Week.
These words are not only a lamp for our feet but are made even more significant as we sit in our bubbles at home. Bishop Steve Lowe also joins us to reflect on the Gospel message.
During this unprecedented time, we also encourage you to embrace the invitation to be one people of Christ and to reflect on your own relationship with Christ.
May the peace and love of Christ be with you all this Easter.
Click the link to see the Liturgy:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AQbap-U9BnR7iqSA0ZVemSlFwkAvpNwN/view?ts=5e8e6d41
Click here to also see and hear daily Mass brought to you by the Hamilton Diocese: https://www.cdh.org.nz
Remote Learning Notice:
Thursday 09-04-2020
Aquinas College Student Executive message:
Saturday 04-04-2020
Here’s a helpful video from our Student Executive team with lots of tips and tricks to get through the rest of the school hols and beyond! ?
https://youtu.be/kReyOD3OCqQ
Message from Principal Dalton:
Tuesday 24-03-2020
Kia ora e te whānau
I want to thank our College community for your continued cooperation and understanding during these challenging times. I hope you have had an opportunity to digest the information I sent via email last night. I appreciate that there has been a lot of information to take in and that this continues to be a difficult time. The swiftness of the Government’s decision has undoubtedly caught many people by surprise. While your focus will undoubtedly be on preparations for lockdown and on the wellbeing of your family, please take time to ensure you are taking care of yourself in the process.
We feel confident from a structural point of view that our students will be well catered for when the time comes for remote learning. It seems prudent, however, to reach out once more to ensure we have widespread coverage of devices across our families.
In my emails dated 12th March & dated 18th March, I sought feedback from families who do not have the internet at home and/or do not have access to a device for their child(ren) to facilitate remote learning. Our Deans have also sought to identify students in this vein. We are confident from the responses to my emails and the work of the Deans that we have excellent coverage but wanted to reach out once more. If your child(ren) do not have access to a device, please contact us urgently so we can prepare a loan device which will be available for pick up before the College closes tomorrow. We understand that during this time, our families may need to share devices, and that is to be expected. Our priority is to our community members who do not have a device to facilitate remote learning for their child(ren).
Concerning the internet at home, we understand that the Ministry of Education is working to ensure equity across New Zealand as all schools need to employ distance learning. I ask that if you do not have the internet at home, and this cannot be arranged, that you make us aware of this so that we can provide these details to the Ministry of Education in due course.
I ask that contact regarding these two matters is made to Mr Kennedy, Deputy Principal, by email – kkennedy@aquinas.school.nz
Yours in Christ
Matt Dalton
PRINCIPAL
COVID-19 IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Pastoral Letter to School Families
Learning at Home: A Handy Guide for Parents
Learning at Home: Expectations for Students
Teaching remotely: Guidelines for STAFF
Stay in touch with the Aquinas College Facebook page to be notified of regular updates to this page.
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