Kia ora whānau,
Welcome back to Term Two, we are truly about to embark on a new journey for us all in terms of Distance / Remote Learning. Although these are the terms coined by the Ministry of Education, I have been doing some reading over the ‘break’ and the term ‘emergency blended learning’ has stuck with me, blended learning is learning online and in the classroom or the real world which is what we hope to achieve over the next few weeks. The emergency part is what we’re all dealing with now, the massive upheaval of our lives and now our teaching and learning, so please be mindful of ourselves and each other as we take this journey together.
The reason for my message is to update you on some changes to the Remote / Distance Learning Plan as at 15/04/2020.
Some of the significant updates are detailed below, but as always you can find this information on our website via the Covid-19 page (https://nelson.school.nz/covid-19-updates/) and The Remote / Distance Learning Plan (https://bit.ly/NCremote).
Communication
Teachers will communicate about classes or school work via your sons’ school email in the first instance, where they will outline future communication channels. This communication will most likely be in one of two ways, either continued through school email (instructions on accessing email bit.ly/NCstudentemail) or via Microsoft Teams through the classes ‘Posts’ page (instructions on accessing Teams and Posts bit.ly/NCteamsposts).
Student Learning Opportunities, Expectations and Devices
Students will be provided with a variety of learning opportunities from a range of subjects, however it is not practical or appropriate that all subjects are able to provide meaningful work for students.
As a guide, Junior students (Year 9-10) should be completing approximately two hours’ work per subject per week and Senior students (Year 11-13) approximately three hours per subject per week where appropriate.
Students are expected to attempt this work, however we acknowledge that some students may be unwell, or not have access to the resources required to do the work at home.
If students do not have access to resources such as a computer or access to the internet at home then please contact our Assistant Principal – Jarrod Aberhart (ja@nelsoncollege.school.nz).
Mental Health, Wellbeing, Guidance and Pastoral Support for teachers, parents and students
If you have serious concerns about a young person’s mental health and well-being, then you should contact your local GP. If a young person is in immediate danger, please dial 111 for ambulance assistance.
For further information on getting help in a crisis visit: https://bit.ly/2VukKCT
Guidance and Pastoral Support
Guidance Counsellors – Our Counsellors are available to provide professional and confidential counselling and guidance services for all students and their families at this time. More information on our counselling and guidance services can be found here: https://learning.nelsoncollege.school.nz/ClassSpace/1511/
Students and families can contact our counsellors via our online form or alternatively send them an email using the email addresses below:
Simon Field – fd@nelsoncollege.school.nz
Heledd Restall – rl@nelsoncollege.school.nz
Deans – Our Deans should be the first point of contact for students and families in terms of academic and pastoral support. The Deans can offer advice and guidance and then liaise with key staff and agencies as necessary.
To contact one of our Deans please send them an email using the email addresses below:
Year 13 Dean – Simon Powrie – pe@nelsoncollege.school.nz
Year 12 Dean – Graeme Peake – pk@nelsoncollege.school.nz
Year 11 Dean – Tess Eden – te@nelsoncollege.school.nz
Year 10 Dean – Annabelle Reeves – av@nelsoncollege.school.nz
Year 9 Dean – Joe Haddon – hn@nelsoncollege.school.nz
Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources
Please see below a collection of resources and activities put together by our staff and the Ministry of Education mental health and wellbeing that might be useful for students and their families.
Ministry of Education – Tips for teachers, parents and caregivers – supporting young people through Covid-19: https://bit.ly/3b9yOIv
Ministry of Education – Helping children and young people while they are learning at home: https://bit.ly/2V4C960
Covid-19 – Looking after your mental wellbeing: https://bit.ly/2V4j0kL
Ministry of Health – Taking care of your mental wellbeing: bit.ly/2UkDvsT
Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand – Looking after mental health and wellbeing during COVID-19: https://bit.ly/3a8soYR & Top tips to get through: https://bit.ly/2VtZgpJ
Head First – Being Men: https://www.headfirst.co.nz/being-men/
Attitude – Stress & Anxiety – Response to Covid-19: https://youtu.be/F9KjlD4yC8g
Eileen M Feliciano – 25 Mental Health Wellness Tips: https://bit.ly/2V7WkQB – although overseas-based, this is a good list and highlights some things that are particularly important for children
Ngā mihi nui,
Tim Tucker
Acting Headmaster