Dear parents and caregivers
We trust you are keeping well in your respective bubbles and thank, particularly, those in our community who are essential workers. In conversations we have had with many parents over the past week, it is clear that it is very challenging for many families and our aim with online learning is to provide as much structure and routine as possible to keep essential learning happening.
As we head into the Easter weekend, we are confident as a school that we have ensured the vast majority of our students have access to the school’s online platform, Microsoft TEAMS. We are working with the Ministry of Education to support those young men who are not in this position and solutions are being put in place.
In terms of expectations, we fully understand that it is not feasible or reasonable to expect home to be like school. Our timetable has been structured to provide predictable times where your son can engage in structured learning without needing to be face to face via video link 5 hours a day. To access the timetable, follow this link: https://www.nbhs.school.nz/students/covid-19-digital-learning-information/digital-timetable/ from the front page of our website. Juniors will have their first “face to face” lesson Wednesday 15 April; Seniors on Thursday 16 April.
There will be teething troubles and access issues initially. Use the studenthelpdesk@nbhs.school.nz link (on our webpage also) to troubleshoot these issues. The response time can take 24 hours and we have improved how we process these based on experiences over the past week
We will also be asking our tutor teachers to check in with their students during the lockdown from a wellbeing perspective. The boys continue to have access to the wellbeing@nbhs.school.nz link which is also on our webpage. If your son needs support or advice in terms of wellbeing, please reach out and don’t wait for a call to check up on him.
We will send out a further update next TUESDAY 14 APRIL prior to the new term starting, albeit in new and challenging circumstances.
Best wishes, Kia kaha
Matt Bertram
Headmaster
