Disco Fun

 A big thanks to the teachers, senior students and all the parent helpers for the organisation for our disco on Friday evening. It was another great opportunity to get together again as a community and enjoy some dress up fun and music.

A special mention to Tiana, Dee and Thalessia for their great organisation and work with food preparation, Olga for being DJ extraordinaire, Monique for her tireless 'do everything' support, and all the other parents who supplied music equipment and made other contributions to the success of the afternoon. Thank you all.

Asking for feedback

We sent this survey out to parents and whānau prior to returning under Level 2. It's not too late to have your say.

FAQ's from the Bay Academy community

Praise for Effort

During this period of online learning we will look to be praising and acknowledging all those children who display our school values - Ko wai au? Who am I?

Whanaungatanga might be shown by children who participate positively in online group meetings, sharing their learning with others,

Aroha might be shown by children being encouraging to others, helping them succeed in this unfamiliar environment,

Responsibility might be shown by children who make an excellent effort to complete the learning tasks offered by their teachers, and

Resilience might be shown by children who display a willingness to keep trying even though this might be hard?

We will do one or two draws of children who have been given Ko wai au cards, and they will receive their prize when we return to school.

Health and safety under Level 3.

Our Kerikeri Survey

Our Kerikeri would like to get a better understanding of why we are seeing such a large increase in walking and cycling around Kerikeri and Waipapa right now. They have put together a survey, and would love to know your thoughts on why this is happening, and how we could embrace more walking and cycling after lockdown.

You can answer the questions by following this link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QHNP9ZJ

Safe listening for children at home

Support from the Mental Health Foundation

Sparklers At Home available now

Document Delivered on behalf of Mental Health Foundation NZ by Vega.Works

Our plan for learning continuation

Covid-19 update for our school

Tēnā koutou katoa

With the latest announcement made by the Prime Minister on the NZ ‘alert level’ in relation to Covid-19, it is timely to consider your personal circumstances at home. If your child/children are returning home daily from school to someone in your household who fits the criteria of those most at risk (see images attached taken from the Ministry of Health website) then it is advisable for that child/children to stay away from school. This is assuming that the at risk person is unable to be safely isolated elsewhere at home. Please do this from tomorrow Monday 23rd. Please also advise us at school if you are taking this step. We will act to provide learning support at home for those children who are forced to stay away.

As mentioned earlier we will be making Chromebooks available for children in Rooms 3 to 5. Alternative ways of connecting will be available for younger children. We have a brief agreement to sign for parents taking devices away from school for their children.

If you have further questions or concerns please do not hesitate being in touch with your classroom teacher, Whaea Sharon or me.

Ngā mihinui

Chris Bell

Tumuaki/Principal

Covid 19 Update

Kia ora koutou

You may have seen that the World Health Organisation has now declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic. As noted by the Minister of Health, this doesn’t change what New Zealand is doing to respond to coronavirus.

The Ministry of Health has been working through its pandemic plan since January. You will also know the Government has already implemented a range of measures to minimise the impacts to New Zealand. This includes border restrictions, a requirement to self-isolate on arrival in New Zealand from China, Iran, Italy and the Republic of Korea and immediate and detailed contact tracing of any confirmed cases. It is important to note those four countries account for more than 90% of cases globally and China and the Republic of Korea have significantly declining numbers of new cases.

We have 5 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand and it is pleasing to know they are all doing well and are at home.  Their children, four students at Auckland schools, continue to be well and show no symptoms. While we expect that more cases will arise, the Ministry of Health says that with continued vigilance the chance of widespread community outbreak is expected to remain low in New Zealand. We all have a role to play in this.

For our school, our pandemic plan is also ready to be implemented if needed. In the mean time we will continue to focus on good hygiene practices. Hand washing and good cough etiquette are very important tools in preventing the spread of illness including colds, flu and COVID-19.

With that, there is a good video clip from Nanogirl that will help your children to better understand the virus.

One other action we can all take is to be vigilant about our own health and the health of our children. I will be encouraging my staff to stay away from school if they are showing signs of illness such as coughs and colds. I ask that you please do the same with your children. Colds and flus are common in schools and by staying away, seeking medical attention and practicing good hygiene, we can all keep any spread of illness to a minimum.

Ngā mihi nui

Chris Bell, Tumuaki/Principal

Free Hip Hop Workshop - Whangarei

Creating a peaceful environment, managing behaviour expectations

As we strive to build a school environment where kindness and peacefulness are core values and are practiced by all, we need your help.

Please be open in your communication and let us know when you hear of behaviours that are not in line with these values. Creating a successful community of learners together is a shared responsibility, staff, students, parents, and whānau.

And please be assured - we do not accept or tolerate swearing, unkind or inappropriate language or physical aggression, and children will face immediate consequences. These may include a loss of personal freedoms and/or tasks required, and will more than likely require restorative conversations with teachers or principal and those affected by the behaviour.

Following are the expectations for behaviour at all places in our school including the bus.

Beach '2' Basin - Fun Run/Walk

Netsafe resource for online safety

Our school values - Ko Wai Au, Who am I?

The Bay Academy is a Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) school. We have chosen this programme alongside our mindfulness programme to support strong relationships and emotional wellbeing for all of our children.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Together, students and staff have identified the behaviours that we think will result in excellent learning and a peaceful, friendly and supportive school community.

WHAT DO WE DO?
We teach and model those behaviours consistently and regular so everyone knows what is expected. We support that learning by using visual signage of expected behaviours.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
We emphasise and focus on praising expected behaviours rather than focussing on negative behaviours. We prefer a restorative approach, often including parents and whānau if negative behaviours occur.

ARE THERE CONSEQUENCES?
Yes, while restorative conversations and apologies are an extremely valuable approach, children will face consequences for negative behaviour.

Below is an image that displays the 4 main values we think reflect the big picture. We have chosen 4 because its easy to remember. Ko wai au, as well as being a useful statement in itself - Who am I?, it is designed around the letters WAI. W = whānaungatanga, A = aroha and I = I am....





Below is a table of what we consider are minor behaviours that will be dealt with by teachers. Parents and whānau can be expected to be included in text messages, emails or conversations about these if necessary.

Our overriding strategy - did you know?

These are the goals and initiatives that drive us as a school. They have been reviewed again recently for 2020. YOUR voice is important to us, and as we continue to update this strategic focus, student, parent, whānau and community feedback is an essential contribution.

An email to principal@boi.ac.nz or even a note left at reception are both ways you could have your say.

The Great New Zealand Santa Run - 2019

Community Notice - BOI Swim Club

A problem with inappropriate language?

We received indirect feedback from the community that swearing and inappropriate language might be a problem at our school. We wanted to act immediately to try and identify if it was a problem, and if so, how much of a problem it is. We surveyed staff and students.

Results are shared below. In summary there is a problem. Together we are going to work hard to replace inappropriate language and swearing with kindness and respect for each other.

We don't expect this to be easy but with everyone's help, students and parents included, we expect to be successful. We are standing committed to an environment free of swearing and inappropriate language.