
Dear Parents,
Further to our communications over the last few days, the Ministry of Education has lifted the direction for Auckland schools to remain closed for physical attendance and instruction, with effect from today (Wednesday 1 February). This means that Auckland schools can now make their own decisions about reopening tomorrow. It will be no surprise to you that our decision is to re-open for instruction on campus.
The School day will begin tomorrow (Thursday 2 February) with assembly at 9am and thereafter, normal timetabled classes for a Thursday will operate. No lessons will be provided on GrammarNet on Thursday or Friday. We are expecting all students, who can return safely to campus tomorrow, to do so. A shortened lunch will operate on both days, with a 3pm finish.
If your personal circumstances are such that you cannot transport your son to school safely tomorrow, then he should stay home. In that case, please access the Parent Portal to inform us of your son’s absence if it is not safe for him to travel.
GrammarNet
Our congratulations to students for their positive responses to online lessons over the last 24 hours. The login rate on Tuesday was over 85% across all year levels, including Form 3 students, who only received login details and an online orientation yesterday afternoon. Teachers have been impressed with engagement levels in the online lessons they provided today with over 90% logging in to complete class work by midday.
It is our expectation that all students will have completed all of the work set by their teachers by the time they return to School.
Tibbs House
Boarders are welcome to return to the hostel this evening, ready for school tomorrow. Families who will not be able to safely return to campus should contact Mr Haszard as soon as possible.
Support
We realise that the current weather conditions may continue to negatively affect some families. As a School, we are available to offer immediate support with uniforms and other school essentials as required. Please do contact my Executive Assistant, Debbie Watson, via email at ea@ags.school.nz if you need to access such support or you know of a family or families who may benefit from the Grammar community rallying around them, as we are happy to contact them.
As we return to campus, Head Prefect Q. H. D. Te Tamaki and the Prefect team will be rallying interested students to join them in creating a student army to assist families who need help cleaning up homes and properties. We look forward to sharing further details about how to access such support in the coming days.
Tim O’Connor
Headmaster