Parent Support:
We know many parents are under pressure managing work, child-care and self-care. Parenthelp.org.nz has some useful resources for parents who would like some extra support:
 
Parenting Helpline
For support and advice on any parenting issue; if you need someone to talk to about what is happening in your family, or need some advice on how best to support your family, call our free parenting Helpline on 0800 568 856. Available from 9 am – 9 pm 7 days a week.
 
Online coaching
Online coaching to develop parenting strategies or coping skills you can implement straight away.
 
Our parenting coach can support you with strategies to help in chaotic situations, create structured routines that best support your family, suggest strategies to stop unwanted behaviour, create plans to achieve a calmer household and learn how to work together as a team, etc.
30 mins or 60 mins sessions available via Zoom. Call 0800 568 856 to book an appointment or read more here: www.parenthelp.org.nz/coaching
 
Affordable counselling
We understand that in this strange new environment we are in that all relationships can be tested and we urge you to reach out for support. Our counsellors offer therapy online via Zoom or via telephone. We offer a 30-mins free initial appointment.
Call 0800 568 856 to book an appointment or read more here: www.parenthelp.org.nz/counselling
 
Keeping our students safe online
Attached is the Netsafe Online Safety Parent toolkit which has many useful tips on keeping our students safe online.
We recommend that parents turn on the “safety” setting on students’ school devices. Once a child’s device is set up, all internet search requests will go through the safety filter which checks if the website they are trying to visit is safe before allowing access. If it’s a website that’s known to be unsafe, then it will be blocked. The safety filter is applied to the child’s device, so parents’ devices are not affected. Instructions on how to set this up are here: https://switchonsafety.co.nz/  
 
Schooling at level 3 and distance learning
The details of how education will look at level 3 are still being worked out by the Ministry of Education. What we do know is that when schools reopen it will only be for students in years 1-10 where it is not possible for them to remain at home. Measures will be taken to keep our children and staff as safe as possible through classroom structures, physical distancing and hygiene/cleaning practices.
The reality is that most of our students will continue to learn by distance.  We have received good feedback on the learning which our staff have worked hard to put in place. If you have any questions or need any help to support your child’s learning please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher. 

Dear Students and Families
I hope the term is starting well for you. Don’t hesitate to contact teachers if you need information or support. 
While at home please ensure students sign in and out of their school google accounts each time they are using them. If you are concerned other students know the password please change it.
Be safe, stay home and be kind!
Regards
Deborah Lean

Student addresses
The Ministry of education is updating their database of student addresses in order to support online learning. They intend to send hardcopies of study packs out to students. Initially these will go to NCEA students but this may happen for other yeargroups if lockdown is extended. The postal address we have on Kamar is the address which will be used by the MoE. If you have changed address or your child is staying at a different address during lockdown please let us know today as we need to cornfirm details with the Ministry ASAP. Email any changes to aasoffice@akaroa.school.nz.

School grounds closed
We would like to remind the community that the school premises are closed during lockdown and this extends to the grounds as well as the buildings. The nature of the school is such that it is difficult to close off access so we are relying on people to do the right thing to keep everyone safe.

Keeping on line safe
 You may want to encourage your parents, caregivers and whānau to discuss internet safety with their children – of all ages. They should agree with their children what they can do online including sites they can visit and appropriate behaviours including:
· reviewing and approving games and apps before they are downloaded
· reviewing privacy settings of sites and applications
· checking children’s profiles and what they are posting online
· check the sites your child is accessing
· reminding children that anything that is posted online will be permanently on the internet
· taking the time to understand what sites they are visiting and who they are talking with and check in regularly
· some social media sites have age restrictions to join, check these before letting your child use them or join them
· monitoring a child’s use of the internet and consider having them use it in an open, common area of the house
· making sure your children know to report any activity they don’t feel comfortable with to parents and caregivers straight away.
There is a unique opportunity during the lockdown of families going out together, albeit it close to home, but if your child is going out on their own it’s still important to check where they are going.
· Netsafe continues to be available to provide you and your parent and caregiver community with support for online safety. They have information for parents and caregivers and have pulled together their top tips for online safety during the lockdown.  To report an incident To Netsafe – https://www.netsafe.org.nz/reportanincident/
· If you think a child in your care is the victim of online exploitation or abuse, report it to Police – if you or a child are in danger or a crime is being committed, call 111 or visit your nearest Police Station immediately.
If we all work together to make sure children are safe online, we can make the internet a great tool for people of all ages.