IMPORTANT NOTICES

Skinny Jump
Subsidised broadband for Kiwi homes.
At Skinny, we believe every New Zealander deserves to have the opportunities to learn and thrive in the modern digital world. That’s why we offer super-affordable broadband to thousands of Kiwi homes.
Skinny Jump is flexible prepaid broadband: Only $5 for 30GB of data, no contracts or credit checks, and the modem comes free of charge. Just top up as you go.
Our flexible prepaid top-up system means you can get a 30GB plan for only $5; you can then renew the plan five times every month. You can get up to a maximum of 150GB every month (and it will only cost you $25).
Skinny Jump is a not-for-profit service and we don’t use your information to promote or sell other products. 
If you think this sounds like a plan for you, continue to read the next bit to see if you qualify.
We specifically support those most at risk of digital exclusion, as identified in the government's digital inclusion blueprint.
If one or more of the following sounds like you, then you would probably be eligible:

• Families with children
• Job seekers
• Seniors
• People with disabilities
• Refugees and migrant communities
• Those in social housing

If it is ascertained that they qualify the next steps will be to complete this form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJvaTgGBBeY6dLm7yQqaO243MsOTEDLu5IA5Uqp4z6wCN1Xg/viewform (Providers or organisations can do this on behalf of whanau). 

 25 March 2020

Dear Parents/Caregivers

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Next Four Weeks

Further to the Prime Minister’s announcement and our update yesterday, we would like to provide further information relating to the next four weeks.

Summary

• Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 March – school is closed to all students other than for students from families of essential service workers.
•  At 11.59pm on Wednesday 25 March, New Zealand moves into Alert Level 4 and all schools close completely. For the remainder of this week (Thursday 26 – Friday 27 March) there is an expectation that students will be required to work from home.
• The Government have moved school holidays forward. These will take place from 30 March – 14 April.
• From the 15-22 April, term 2 commences, but with students and schools working remotely and engaged in distance learning.
• From 23 April school may resume as usual, however this date may be pushed out further by the Prime Minister and Cabinet. We will be in touch with parents regarding any new announcements from the Government.

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Distance/Online Learning
On the days that are allocated as learning days (i.e. not allocated as school holidays) learning will be provided by subject teachers.
Teachers may email their classes with instructions or links to online resources which most students will be familiar with. In most cases teachers will set small, familiar tasks that don’t use too much data. This way of learning is comforting for students and will help them feel connected. It is expected that students spend the same amount of time on each subject as they would do in school, usually 3-4 hours per week.
Learning can take many forms. We are all learning about how to deal with the current situation. It will be important to look after each other during the time at home. Get regular exercise both indoors and by getting out for a walk (only with people in your household). Household chores are a great learning opportunity!
If teachers get sick, they will need to pause the remote learning for a time. They will be in contact with you if this happens. If you would like to contact your child’s teachers, the school email address format is firstname.lastname@buller.ac.nz.
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School Transport
All buses have now ceased running until the school site opens again.

Communication
We will be limiting our Parent Communication for the next couple of weeks (school holidays) but will send further communication to families towards the end of the School Holiday period.

Thank you for your support and understanding during this time. Look after yourselves and your families and we will be in touch again prior to the start of term 2, 2020.

Warm regards,
Andrew Basher
Principal