In these challenging times, the staff at Akaroa Area School want to reassure you that we are working to provide as normal a programme as possible for your children and to minimise disruptions.  
We are also making contingency plans in the event of a closure. 
Currently the staff are preparing resources, both physical and electronic that will allow the students to work at home. The physical resources will be given to students to take home this week but are not to be used unless we close. For those students who are not at school, please contact the school office and we can make arrangements for you to pick up these up. In terms of electronic resources, staff are working with their classes to ensure they are familiar with the programmes.
Our counsellor, Mr Frank Woods is now working from home but is still available via email. His contact details are: frank.wood@xtra.co.nz
In the event of a closure, all programme details will be provided to parents. It is crucial  that we have current contact details for all parents/caregivers. Yesterday’s text message regarding email from the Commissioner was sent out using the details we hold on Kamar for you. We also send a notification through the Skool Loop app. If you did not get any text message/ notification yesterday please update your contact details. 

We have decided to close the pool for the season with immediate effect.  A few external factors have made us come to this decision: weather at the moment means that water temperature is not being maintained to a good level; we are struggling with the water restrictions and we also want to keep school visitor numbers low to reduce risk of infection. 
We would sincerely like to thank Alan Nobbs and our team of pool cover volunteers for keeping to pool going and looking so good through the season. 
If you are likely to apply for a card next year you can hold on to your card but if you would like your bond refunded please send/drop your card to the office with your bank account details and we will make a refund. 

As you are aware we put measures in place yesterday to decrease chance of infection by limiting contact outside of school. Other schools have been implementing similar measures and a decision has been made by Oxford to postpone CASAfest until the risk of spreading COVID19 has decreased. We know students will be disappointed as it is a highlight of the school calendar but safety of our communities is paramount at this time.

For those who have already paid there are two options: we can hold your payment for the rescheduled date or we can make a refund. To get a refund just send your bank details to the office otherwise we will hold the credit on your account.

Seafood Cruise
Please see the attached notice regarding our fundraiser being held on Friday 27 March.
The cruise is subject to weather conditions and if required an alternative land based venue will be arranged.

Reminder mufti Thursday 12 March
This Thursday, in commemoration of the Christchurch Mosque Attack, the Students Council will be having a Mufti where everyone will be wearing bright colours. All the money raised will go to St John. At 1:40pm we will have a minute of silence for those whose lives were lost.

We have been asked to pass on the following.

CRFU’s ‘The Draft’ campaign for 2020
12pm Friday 13th Duvuachelle School.
All Akaroa Area School primary school students that may be interested in playing rugby this season are welcome to come along to a CRFU run event at Duvauchelle School on Friday 13th at 12 – 1pm. This action packed fun filled hour will involve drills and games run by a Banks Peninsula rugby club rep. Come along to view Canterbury Rugby trophies and chat to a CRFU rep.
If you have any questions please phone Carl Uren 03) 304-8570. Come on give it a go…

CCHS Athletics Wednesday 11 March
This takes place on Wednesday for selected students. If you can’t open the link in consent notice please copy and paste to your browser

Mufti Thursday 12 March
This Thursday, in commemoration of the Christchurch Mosque Attack, the Students Council will be having a Mufti where everyone will be wearing bright colours. All the money raised will go to St John. At 1:40pm we will have a minute of silence for those whose lives were lost. 

Teacher Only Day Friday 13 March
Just a reminder that school is closed for instruction on Friday as Teachers will be attending Professional Development.

Covid-19 Advice
We are receiving regular updates from the Ministry regarding the corona virus outbreak and will pass these on where relevant. We are currently updating our pandemic plan.
The most important piece of advice at the moment is that good hygiene is the best way to keep ourselves as safe as possible. We are stressing the following with students and ask parents to also help get these messages across:
· Washing hands with soap and water before and after eating as well as after attending the toilet (Wash hands for 20 seconds)
· Covering coughs and sneezes with clean tissues or with an elbow
· Putting used tissues in the bin
Students who are not feeling well should be kept at home to prevent spreading any illnesses.
It is also important that we are made aware if anyone in your household has been travelling through Iran, China, South Korea or northern Italy or your family is on contact with anyone in this situation.

We have been asked to pass on the following information:
AAS Social Tops
Orders are still being taken for Social Tops until 21 March. Flyer is attached.
Netball Registration
2020 Netball registrations are now due for Year 3 – 13 , Social and Masters.
Please do this online asap at https://www.sporty.co.nz/banksnetball/Netball-Registration-2020/2020-BP-Netball-Registration
For more details email bpnetball@gmail.com or text 0276260783
Possum Control
Please find attached the Key Facts pack regarding the upcoming Feratox possum control operation on Banks Peninsula. If you have any questions or queries do not hesitate to contact me directly on 0272545843
Warm regards
Oscar Ashton
Possum control Ranger
DOC/Orion Partnership

Seaweek:
Seaweek- Kaupapa Moana is from February 29- March 8 2020. It is an opportunity for everyone in New Zealand to celebrate the sea. On Tuesday we have visits to classrooms from Marine Biologists organised by Garry Brittenden. 
On Friday March 6, with help from Parents and Friends, Years 1-10 are walking to the beach to do our bit to clean up our local environment. Pohatu, Hinewai and Year 7 & 8 will go to different locations in Akaroa to clean up. The tide will be high, so all litter anywhere is our target!  

· Year 7&8- will be heading to Children’s Bay
· Hinewai- French Bay, Daly’s Wharf
· Pohatu- between the main wharf and the boatshed
· Year 9&10– will be split between the 3 groups
All members of the community are welcome to join us. We hope to see you there.
When:   Friday March 6, 1:30 pm-2.45pm 
Parents and Friends have kindly offered to have a sausage sizzle ready for when we return to school.

Help required:
“We need your help with the outside area behind the Junior Hub. At the moment it is off limits for students and we would love to make use of it again. There are 2 structures that pose a danger to students. They need to be made safe or, if that isn’t possible , to be dismantled and taken away. It would be greatly appreciated if someone with the relevant expertise could advise us on the best way forward. Please contact Deb Lean if you can help.”

We have been asked to pass on the following information:

Make a Creature Mask
Please see attached poster for this workshop (21, 22 March).

Mcdonald’s Youth Duathlon
Sunday 5 April – Hagley park. See attached flyer.

Karate:
Beginners karate class for children at 4.30pm every Monday from today. 1 hour. $5. At school gym.
Doreen 0220891986

Social Tops
Tori Nichols is organising an order for School Social Tops for wearing out of school or on mufti days. This is not a school uniform item but an optional purchase for students who want to buy one. Picture of the tops is on the Akaroa Area School Friends and Family Facebook page. Cost is $75. Please email Tori on billyt.nichols@hotmail.co.nz for more details or to place an order.