Dear Parents and Caregivers
RE: Covid-19 Update – Alert Level 3 – The ‘Partial’ Return to School
As many of you will be aware, the country is moving from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3
on Tuesday 28 April. LAC along with other schools will be ‘partially’ open from
Wednesday 29 April as directed by the Ministry of Education (MOE). The purpose of this
letter is to explain what ‘partially open’ means, how the school is going to function at this
level and what parents are being asked to do.
What does ‘LAC will be partially open’ mean?
- The physical school is not open to Year 11-13 students and students are to remain at home.
- Year 7-10 students may come back to the physical school only if parents cannot look after their children due to work commitments.
- International students currently in the dorms will not be allowed back to day school buildings at this stage so as to maintain their ‘bubble’.
- Domestic boarding students are to remain at home at this stage. We are awaiting a response from the government as to when domestic boarders can return to the dorms.
What will school look like for students physically at school?
- Online classes will continue as if students were at home.
- Class will start at 9 am and the same timetable will be followed:
| Mon – Wed, Fri | Thursday |
| Period 1: 9.00am – 9.50am Period 2: 10.00am – 10.50am Break: 11.00am – 11.25am Period 3: 11.30am – 12.20pm Period 4: 12.30pm – 1.20pm Break: 1.30pm – 2.05pm Period 5: 2.15pm – 3.15pm | Period 1: 9.00am – 9.50am Period 2: 10.00am – 10.50am Break: 11.00am – 11.50am Period 3: 12.00pm – 12.50pm Period 4: 1.00pm – 2.00pm |
The school is aiming for all students at LAC to be managed by external relief
teachers. This is so that our teachers can focus on providing online learning.
- Breaks will be taken in a designated room and the front of the school. This is to allow boarders to take their break at the back of the school and maintain their ‘bubble’.
- Students will not go to the reception area except in an emergency.
- Students will need to bring their own lunch and morning tea. There will be no access to anything that can be shared e.g. kettle, hot zip, toasted sandwich maker.
- Subject teachers have been given the option to teach online either from home or from school.
- Students will be required to maintain social distancing at all times as per the MOE’s instructions.
- Uniforms are expected to be worn at school.
The amount of time spent under Alert Level 3 and 4 has, and will be, significant in
relation to learning. That is why I want our teachers to have the best opportunity to
focus on delivering the very best online learning they can.
As a parent what do I have to do?
If your child is staying at home you do not have to do anything.
If, due to work commitments, your child is coming to LAC on, and after, Wednesday
29 April, please email Rosalind Burnett ( dp@lac.school.nz ) as soon as possible.
Knowing the number of students coming is essential in terms of getting organised.
In conclusion, I am sure that each of our ‘bubbles’ has its own story. At the same
time, the one common thread is that it is not ‘business as usual’. Know that I support
your decision as a parent to either send or not send, your Year 7 to 10 child. If you find
yourself in a ‘unique’ situation and you wish to speak with me, please email on
principal@lac.school.nz with your circumstances and I will get in touch with you.
He Waka Eke Noa.
We are in this together
Brendan van Oostveen, Principal