As the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation continues to develop around the world, with many more cases being reported, we continue to keep you up to date with Glenfield College’s response.

COVID-19 has led the world into unchartered waters with new cases being reported in new locations almost hourly.  As we watch other areas of the world go into collective lock-down, the Glenfield College Senior Leadership Team is very focussed on doing everything we possibly can to ensure the well-being of all students, staff and our community – now and in preparation for whatever may unfold.

We wish to bring you up-to-date with the actions we have taken to date and our planning ahead to ensure continuity of education should the Government require schools to physically close.

Hygiene and Cleaning
There is ongoing communication with students and staff around hygiene practices, both verbally and via notices.

• COVID-19 posters have been displayed around our campus.
• Students have been provided with links to information videos that have been viewed.
• Extra steps are in place to ensure the hygiene of the school.
• Our cleaning contractors have been instructed to complete a clean of all multi-user surfaces.
• A process and practice for cleaning all multi-user keyboards has been put in place.
• Greetings – we have changed our practices to ensure social distance is maintained – no hugs, handshakes or hongis.
• Magazines and other multi-touch items have been removed from reception, library and staffroom.
• Drinking fountains have been shut down.  We are asking students to bring their own pre-filled drink bottles and not to share these.
• The Fitness Centre has placed additional rules on users.
• We are currently installing signs at our main entrance to the school stating “Please do not enter if you are unwell or if you have been required to self-isolate.”

Social Distancing
Measures have been put in place to embrace the concept of social distancing, especially regarding group sizes.

• All assemblies have been cancelled until the end of the term.
• Open Evening has been postponed
• All major school and calendared events are postponed.  This includes:
  • School Ball
  • Mentoring Day
  • Kaipatiki Music Festival
  • Mother’s Day Breakfast

Sports

• All organised sport, run through College Sport Auckland and School Sport New Zealand, has been cancelled until further notice.  This includes sport at a local, regional and national level.
• All outside groups and activities are postponed until further notice.
• We are considering how we can maintain our sports teams’ practices and activities, but also ensure that those activities are safe.

EOTC/Camps

• There will be no trips or camps until further notice.
• Duke of Edinburgh will be postponed.
• Some essential EOTC curriculum trips will proceed where deemed safe to do so.

Distance Learning
The question of what may happen if our school is required to close is of utmost priority.  Whilst we are planning for a directive that our school physically close, we believe we are well-placed to run distance learning programmes at all levels.  At this stage, we have been given no indication if or when school will need to close.

Should distance learning be required, we will ensure that:

• Students are provided with meaningful educational tasks, continuing the major learning that would be happening if the students were at school.
• Students are trained in how this learning will be delivered and what our expectations are.
• Education will be delivered in a way that parents are not expected to become the teachers.
• Learning tasks will be different, engaging, creative, innovative and inspire students to be motivated to complete tasks to the best of their ability.
• A high priority will be placed on the ability for the student to get feedback on their work.
• Staff will be expected to communicate with individual students by email or other forms of technology.
• Students will be able to share their learning with other students.
• Work will be set regularly to ensure students are undertaking tasks in a time-managed manner.
• Parents are given information on what their child is learning and the expectations set.

Currently

• We have begun staff training on distance learning pedagogy.
• We have already put in place a range of digital formats that can be used and these are being tested and training programmes developed.
• We have reviewed and tested all our IT capabilities.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Ensuring all staff have the capability to work remotely.
• Online technical support mechanisms.

How you can help us

• Send your child/ren to school with their own drink bottles filled at home, with enough fluid to last the day.
• Please ask your child not to share any devices/drink bottles.
• Please continue to reinforce all the necessary personal hygiene rules that are critical at this time.

Talking to Children and Young People about COVID-19
It is inevitable that there will be a heightened level of anxiety in our community and amongst our young people in particular. As a trusted adult, you can help reassure and educate them about COVID-19.  It is good to keep the dialogue open so they can understand the illness and be reassured.

There are many sources of material online, but we recommend this one:
click here

If you would like more information about COVID-19, the Ministry of Health is the best source of information for New Zealand and they update this information regularly:
click here

With Pride & Respect
Paul McKinley
Principal