Our counsellors are still  here to help

We have a wonderful group of counsellors who are on standby to talk to you or your daughter by phone. Please text first with your name and the counsellor will call you back.

Linda Clouston     0273818379    [email protected]

Fleur Piper            0273804578    [email protected]

Siew Lee Foo         0273811323     [email protected]

Barbara Mackay   0273814294       [email protected]

School reports

School reports were posted last week and you will be able to access your daughter’s through the Parent Portal. Teacher Parent Conferences will be rescheduled at a later date.

10 Tips to Help your Wellbeing during Lockdown

This great little article in the NZ Herald has some good tips for keeping positive during the lockdown. Read it here.

SPARX online program for worried or stress teens

SPARX is a free New Zealand-developed game that provides strategies for young people to cope with challenges, anxiety and stress. You might want to check it out to see if it’s right for your teen. https://www.sparx.org.nz/ There is also a short YouTube video which describes what it is and how it works. Click Here

Daylight Savings ends this week end

Don’t forget to put your clocks back one hour before you go to bed tomorrow night!

The role of our Junior House Prefects is to ensue our Year 9s feel connected and comfortable at Westlake as quickly as possible In this series, some of our Pupuke Junior House Prefects share their first few weeks with us.

Week 1-2   Orientation & Getting to Know You

Form Class: 9PRE
Prefects: Breahn Robinson, Paige Roderick and Catherine Lee

In the very first two weeks of school, our Pupuke Junior House Prefects had the privilege of meeting all new Year 9s for 2020. We were all very excited to welcome the Year 9s to Westlake Girls and hoped that they would feel comfortable in their new surroundings. The Year 9s were welcomed into the school with a Powhiri from the Westlake Girls Prefects, which was an enriching experience for both parties. After we gathered the Year 9s into Form Classes, they were welcomed with gifts and lollies that the Pupuke Prefects made especially for them.

We then started with the introductions of the Prefects and Form Teacher. We each said a little something about ourselves to ensure they knew who we all were. Once the introductions were completed we then began a tour around the school. With many questions answered, we took them back to their Form Class, where we evoked on the journey of getting to know one another. We played many name games and they were also introduced to the House Deans and other Prefects, such as the Pupuke House Captain. We believe that the Orientation Day and first week of school can be hard for many newcomers, that is why we think as a school that it is important for us to have this programme. We think that it most definitely  helps the transition of intermediate into high school and welcomes them into this new environment comfortably. Our Year 9s had everything under their belt by almost the second week and are already striving for excellence and taking on high school like a champ.

By the end of weeks 1 and 2 the form classes seemed to be getting along nicely, although it did come with its own challenges. It was important to us as Prefects that our Form Classes were happy, comfortable and all getting along. We tried our best to ensure that all the Year 9s were happy with their Form Class and if anyone seemed uncomfortable we were sure to make an improvement within the Form Class as soon as possible. 

The first two weeks were a blast for both the Junior House Prefects and the Year 9 students. It was an extreme pleasure to be able to see the sheer excitement and anticipation on the faces of the Juniors. A few were overwhelmed by the size of Westlake, but they quickly adjusted to the new environment with the guide from the Junior House Prefects on the first day. We strive to make sure everyone has a sense of belonging in our magnificent Whanau. 

Week 3-4   Building Class Culture & Participating/ Contributing (and Clubs Expo)

Form Class: 9PBW (pictured top)   
Prefects: Amy Ellison, Arabella Hope, Gemma Douglas

During week 3 of our Form Class there was a significant difference to the previous weeks on confidence and participation. This was noticed during team building exercises that encouraged each student to find other classmates and form a group to perform the activity. Everyone came out their shell and communicated confidently with their new peers during this time in which the atmosphere changed as everyone was now being themselves and laughing within their new groups. This allowed us Junior House Prefects to recognise the class culture and the individual characteristics each student had to bring to the table to form this. It was clear that everyone now felt a strong sense of belonging as everyone was kind and compassionate towards each other. 

Week 5-6   Goal Setting, Participating/ Contributing  (Citizenship Awards)

Form Class: 9PZU
Prefects: Jamie Whittaker, Amayah Wingfield, Sarah Waller

We went over the Year 9 Citizenship Award in Week 6, which involved introducing a school-wide activity with the students which will enable them to give back to the school and receive an award through participation in a variety of activities in and out of classes, effort, and more importantly, kindness.

Each Year 9 student has a leaflet to complete, which is due at the end of Term 3. We also played some getting to know you games, in which the students were great at learning more about each other and becoming a closer form class family and part of the Westlake community. We are so proud of you 9PZU, you guys are the best! 

Week 7-8   Managing Self/ Homework/ Studying & Self-awareness, Self-confidence

Form Class: 9PSN
Prefects: Hannah Troughton, Alannah Thoma, Blessing Tuilaepa

During Week 7 of our Junior House support programme we focused on managing ourselves when we start getting an excessive workload, as well as sharing some extra study tips. We emphasised the importance of keeping up with all our extra-curricular activities, as well as focusing on all our homework and schoolwork. So we provided the girls in our Form Class with a weekly schedule so they could infill what they had within that week.

Personally I think the students positively responded to this activity because we granted them 30 minutes to fully focus on creating a productive timetable for the rest of the year. They then got to personalise them with colours and images making it a more enjoyable experience as they could make them their own. Through this activity it meant the girls ended up with a personalised weekly schedule filled in with all their extra curricular activities as well as a box for reminders such as homework due or days when they need extra resources for their classes. 

During Week 8 of our Junior House support programme we focused on self awareness and self confidence, particularly as many Westlake students come from diverse cultural backgrounds. We got the girls in our Form Class to focus on this by getting them to draw a waka (a Maori boat). The girls filled their waka with things that encouraged and supported them, some examples were family, friends or extra-curricular activities. Outside the waka, the girls wrote things they considered were obstacles in their lives, for example pressure, social media or school stresses. After carrying out this activity individually, our Form Class shared the different things they included in or outside of their waka. This not only helped students become more aware of their personal situations and what made them feel good, but how there are differences between them and that they need to respect that. 

TIC Food Technology, Elizabeth Beaumont, set her Year 10 Food Technology classes an interesting assignment while in lockdown.

“I wanted something for the students to share that they probably would be doing anyway – eating breakfast. Most of my students have Instagram and love posting images of food they make or things we are doing in class.

As the lockdown seemed to happen so fast and we were nearing the end of our current unit, I asked the students to post an image of their breakfast on google class. I am always amazed by their creations and it is great to see so many of them are making such interesting breakfasts.”

We are in school holidays right now, but on Wednesday 15 April Term 2’s online learning programme will begin.

Our Teacher Librarian, Megan Davidson, has this advice for students:

Use databases for research

While students are at home doing online learning, we encourage them to use the EPIC databases for research.  They will find reliable, verified, approved information, written by experts.  In that way, databases are preferable to Google.  Students have access to about 25 different databases in a variety of subject areas suck as world history, environment, health & wellness, global issues, and more.  The Ministry of Education pays for all NZ students to have access to these databases, so as long as they are logged into their school account, they will be able to access the databases without a password.  Using databases now is also good preparation for university, where they will be faced with hundred of databases for their research.

E-books from the public library

Free e-books and audiobooks are still available from the Auckland Council Libraries while their buildings are closed.  And anyone can open a new ebook account online even if you don’t currently have a library card!  All you need is an email address.

https://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/Pages/join-the-library.aspx#Start

Once you’ve signed up, you can borrow:

• Non-fiction e-books for assessments, research and study
• Fiction e-books for recreational reading
• Graphic novel e-books
• e-Audiobooks

When Term 2 starts on Wednesday 15 April, our Smart Swans programme will recommence – albeit online rather than in person. If your daughter needs some assistance with a particular subject while we are in lock down, your can fill out this form and we will do our best to assign a Smart Swan Tutor. Please note that not everyone who applies may receive a tutor – but we will do our best. Here’s the link to sign up: is This is the link for the

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1wRZ2geQt_7ABeLwfbG5__WsH-8RI4T12oxNHSpn-qNQ

One of our Science teachers, Kahlia Hawkins has made this great little video to help keep us all motivated. It’s definitely worth checking out – some great tips and good humour.

Top Tips from Ms Hawkins (and her cat)

By Chesca Manalo
Year 13

On the morning of 11 March, our Year 13 Food Technology class visited the ice cream boutique – Giapo. Owned by Gianpaolo Grazioli and his wife Annarosa from Italy, Giapo uses his imagination to change the function of ice cream by offering people different methods to interact with it. Some examples of this are the “selfie cone”, “col0ssal squid”,  “ice cream and hot chips”.

At the heart of Giapo is the idea that ingenuity and imagination can be applied to ice cream to change its function. The team is always finding new ways to be innovative through all sorts of disciplines, including design, music, science, art and technology. What they are doing is different from traditional American and Italian ice cream (gelato) as they don’t focus exclusively on changing or creating new flavours, but also on changing its function by offering people different ways to interact with the ice cream.

Giapo interests me because of how they applied the design process and art in developing their ice cream, using sketches, designing their own moulds and adding humor to their designs, which is the only store I know who make ice cream like this. We all enjoyed trying the various creations and talking with Giapo, who is so willing to share his knowledge.

Name:
“Lockdown Lucy” (Robinson)

I teach:
English

My top tip for remote learning is:
Hydrate and don’t be too hard on yourself. Small steps add up.

Something I’ve learnt over the past week in lockdown:
I’m pretty good at handball (my son Jake is really into it just now).

My best advice for the school holidays:
Baking homemade bread is actually quite easy- give it a go.

Right now I’m loving:
‘Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine’ by Gail Honeyman

The first thing I’ll do when I come back to school is:
Laugh with my hilarious colleagues and enjoy the lovely smiles from students

Beth Naylor
Pupuke House Captain

I’m at home with:
My family 🙂

My top tip for remote learning is:
Keep a balance!! Make sure to keep doing the things you enjoy. This will help you keep a positive mindset. 4 weeks is a long time to be self isolating but it is also an opportunity to get around to doing those things you always wanted to do but never had time to! It’s important to keep up to date with schoolwork but make sure to save some time for yourself; FaceTime friends, get outside, watch some Netflix, hug a pet, learn a language! Make the most of it!

One thing I’ve learnt during my first week in lock down:
It’s super easy to get lazy but this will only make you feel worse and impact how you make use of your time. For me, the way I spend the first few hours of the day massively impacts how the rest of my day looks. If I get up early and spend the first few hours getting productive work done, or going for a run or walk, then I find the rest of the day seems less daunting. Try and make good use of these first couple of hours as they tend to ‘set the tone’ for the following ones.

During the school holidays I will:
Hopefully make the most of this ‘forced’ break. I’ve been meaning to get back into photography and this is a great opportunity for me to do this. I’m lucky enough to live in beautiful Muriwai so there’s heaps of opportunities to get out and do things that I enjoy. I’m also hoping to use these coming weeks to get more fit! So hopefully lots of mountain biking and running over the next couple of weeks.

Right now I’m loving:
Baking! Little bit of a procrastibaker- Can’t say my mum is very happy as I seem to be using all the flour and sugar very quickly!

My recommended binge watch on Netflix:
“I’m Not Okay With This”. So good!! Gutted there’s only one season. Atypical, Lovesick, and Sex Education are also some favourites of mine

The first thing I’ll do when I get back to school:
Catch up with my friends, I’m so so excited to see them all again. I am really missing them and this self-isolation period is allowing me to reflect on things I may have taken for granted. 

Name:
Megan Davidson

What I do:
Teacher Librarian

My top tip for remote learning is:
Sign up for Auckland Libraries eMembership!  It’s free and you don’t need a current library card to register online for eBooks and eAudiobooks.

Something I’ve learnt over the past week in lockdown:
When the public libraries are all closed, and the neighbours are running out of things to read, I can offer a neighbourhood supply of books stacked outside my front door without violating quarantine.

My best advice for the school holidays:
Don’t read Station Eleven (by Emily St John Mandel) right now, because it’s about a pandemic that wipes out 97% of the population, and the entire civilisation collapses. On second thought, go ahead and read it and maybe you’ll be thankful that the coronavirus pandemic is not as bad as the book’s fictional pandemic.

Right now I’m loving:
To skype with my grandkids every day for bedtime stories.  I read heaps of picture books like Winnie-the-Pooh to the toddlers, and am reading Harry Potter to the older ones.  Note that Winnie-the-Pooh stories must be acted out with stuffed animals. To hear Megan read a snippet of Winnie-the-Pooh, click here.

The first thing I’ll do when I come back to school is:
Hug you.

Sania Jafarian
Wairau House Captain

I’m at home with:
My parents and my little sister.

My top tip for remote learning is:
– Find a space where there are virtually no distractions. I work on my living room floor because there are absolutely no other things for me to focus on in a 2 meter radius.
– Just tell yourself that you’re gonna start by learning for 5 minutes. You’ll be surprised how far that’ll get you.

One thing I’ve learnt during my first week in quarantine is:
How to play Easy Living by Billie Holiday on the piano.

During the school holidays I will:
Practice my Spanish, memorise my drama script, try to read three books, practice the Ukulele – the possibilities are endless now that I have so much time on my hands.

Right now I’m loving:
Learning to cook a lot more than I used to. I won’t say my food always turns out the best, but I’m learning!

My recommended binge watch on Netflix is:
The Crown (especially Season 3, purely because I am a major Helena Bonham Carter fan).

The first thing I’ll do when I get back to school is:
Give my prefect team and my friends a big hug 🙂

What I do at Westlake: 
Director of International Students

One thing I’ve learnt during the first week of lockdown:
I can live more frugally without unnecessary spending, eg, using up what I have in my fridge and food pantry.  I’ve also learnt how to make a café style mocha or as close to it as I can.

What I’m doing work-wise during lockdown:
The International team and I are checking in regularly with our International students and our homestay parents.  Making sure they are all safe and well in their bubbles.

I’m loving:
Being able to do things that I usually find excuses not to do especially in the weekend, eg, idying up the garden, cleaning out cupboards, decluttering – shoes and clothes and I have more time to learn new IT skills.

I’m missing:
The in- person interactions and social events with students, colleagues, friends and families.

 The first thing I will do when I get back to school is:
Organise an International group hug to celebrate the end of lockdown and that ‘We got through this!’  I’m looking forward to hearing the staff and students’ lockdown experiences.

Name:
Mr Davis

My role is:
Currently tidying up the local streets on my morning walks and keeping up with all the emails that still are coming in relating to school (pictured right opposite A block on Wairau Rd, and top outside the school).

My top tip for remote learning is:
Have a routine (and stick to it) and make sure you take regular breaks. Walk around the house, walk outside, look around and see that even though things are a bit different at the moment, we are still a lot better of than people in a number of other countries trying to cope with this virus situation.

Something I’ve learnt over the past week in lockdown is:
How would we ever have coped if we did not have the internet, and how quiet it can be without traffic noise. I also know I could not have a job where you just sit at a desk all day and work at a computer… Being at a school and doing a lot of different things and talking and interacting with a lot of people in a day is way more enjoyable and interesting!!

The thing I’m missing about school right now is:
The variety of what happens in a day (bus duty, assemblies, teaching, students bringing up those great items they have found around the school, lunchtime detention students). In a lockdown/isolation/distancing situation, there is not huge variation in the days – are the weekend days now any different to the week days!! I miss the students waving as they past my office window as school. The other thing I miss a lot, is that just around now the main winter sports for our students begins. I am missing going down to watch our teams play and cheer them on. Year 9 netball on a Tuesday after school, football (soccer) or badminton on a Wednesday after school, crazy lacrosse on a Thursday after school and Year 10 – Year 13 netball on a Saturday morning. However, I want to encourage keep up the fitness and practice as they may run some of these competitions in reduced formats when we return to school.

Right now I’m loving:
Still listening to G’NR (Guns And Roses) music whenever I want in the day and adding in some Talking Heads and Lady Gaga of course!! I have also had a number of other walkers out in the morning when I am cleaning the local streets say “thank you” which is nice.

The first thing I’ll do when I come back to school is:
Walk around it to make sure it is nice and tidy for when the students re-start. “Clean school = clean mind” ha ha.

Milford shops                                                East Coast Road

Name:
Tayla Boyd

I teach:
Health and Physical Education

My top tip for remote learning is:
Keep it simple, fun, exciting and manageable – learning can be done anywhere and there are so many awesome activities that teachers have put together around the world during this time, but how students interpret the work is even better!

Something I’ve learnt over the past week in lockdown is:
That I really miss my students and work colleagues and value the relationships I have with them .Thank goodness for Google Meet and its filters!

My best advice for the school holidays is:
Have fun, try to keep things as normal as you can. It might help to have some structure, there can be the odd duvet/PJ days but others you need to get out and enjoy the sunshine whilst spending time with your family – they are finding it tough too.

Right now I’m loving:
Completing at home workouts and challenging my students to a range of similar tasks. I also am getting the chance to read the books that I never seemed to find the time to.

The first thing I’ll do when I come back to school is: Congratulate the students for getting through lockdown and showing resilience. Secondly, I would ask them what they wanted to do, since they have been restricted for so long!! 😊

 Name:
Catherine Lin

I teach:
Mathematics

 My top tip for remote learning is:
Try follow the learning schedule, but also give yourself a break whenever needed.

Something I’ve learnt over the past week in lockdown is:
How to stay positive. Also there are caterpillar/butterfly plants in my garden, so I’m hoping to see beautiful butterflies soon.

The thing I’m missing about school right now is:
Seeing my awesome group of 12ALN and all my lovely, motivated classes this year.

Right now I’m loving:
Have time to play the piano and spending more time with my family.

The first thing I’ll do when I come back to school is:
Greet my lovely big Westlake family with big smile

Name:
Melissa Nielsen

I teach:
Health & PE

My top tip for remote learning is:
Have a separate work space from where you like to relax – my work space is the dining room table, I’ll then go to the couch to relax.

Something I’ve learnt over the past week in lock down is:
My neighbourhood is full of friendly people, and my husband and I get a bit cranky when one of us distracts the other while working.

My best advice for the school holidays is:
Get outside, go for a walk in your local area! And make a to do list of any work you’ve been set over the break – that way you can tick stuff off once done.

Right now I’m loving:
Developing my knowledge on different digital learning tools/platforms, interacting with my students in a different way!

The first thing I’ll do when I come back to school is:
Enjoy a social lunch break with my department

Lara Remo
Akoranga House Captain

I’m at home with:
Family and our cat, Lucy.

My top tip for remote learning is:
Get comfy, find the best environment that works for you, and claim it as your study spot! (Bonus tip: Time of the day can also be part of your environment, so figure out when best you study and keep that in mind as well!)

One thing I’ve learnt during my first week in lock down is:
Don’t try to study in bed. Trust me, I’ve made that mistake plenty of times. While it’s the recipe for a great nap/Netflix session, not so much for work and study.

During the school holidays I will:
Finally, get to read the books left neglected and collecting dust bunnies on my bookshelf. Six of Crows, I’m looking at you.

Right now I’m loving:
Loooong Skype calls and Netflix Parties with my friends. It keeps me sane and keeps me connected with my friends!

My recommended binge watch on Netflix is:
Brooklyn Nine-Nine, always. It has crime fighting, comedy and a cast of cool characters. All the important Cs.

The first thing I’ll do when I get back to school is:
Give my friends a big hug 🙂

Darcy Frank
Deputy Head Prefect

I’m at home with:
My dog Lilah (aka Hairy Maclary), my cat Louis, my fish and last but not least, my mum!

My top tip for remote learning is:
If possible, establish a loose routine – know what time you will wake up, what time you will start your school work, and what time you will take breaks.

One thing I’ve learnt during my first week in lockdown is:
Regular exercise is necessary in order to avoid crankiness! Whether it is a stroll outdoors (independently and keeping 2m distance of course!), a 10-minute stretch, a workout or just dancing around your room – try to stay as active as possible.

During the school holidays, I will:
Read a lot of books, rewatch all the Harry Potter films, work on some internals for next term, cuddle my pets and start on some DIY projects (I am learning to make my own earrings… wish me luck!)

Right now I’m loving:
Rewatching old seasons of Doctor Who, re-reading my favourite poems, baking and video calling my friends.

My recommended binge watch on Netflix is:
ATYPICAL!! So so good.

The first thing I’ll do when I get back to school is:
Hug my friends … a lot!

Maddison Gerbes
Hauraki House Captain

I’m at home with:
My family and my puppy Pipi!

My top tip for remote learning is:
To have a study plan and to plan out your day so that you know what your going to do and when to do it.

One thing I’ve learnt during my first week in lock down is:
Get out of bed early so that you don’t end up in bed till 1 in the afternoon.

During the school holidays I will:
Relax and read books. I don’t normally get time to read books, so my goal is to read two books by the end of the 4 week lockdown. Fingers crossed I do!

Right now I’m loving:
Home workouts, it gives me something to do during the day and Im able to go into the backyard and get some fresh air.

My recommended binge watch on Netflix is:
The Stranger! But don’t start till the holidays otherwise you won’t stop!!

The first thing I’ll do when I get back to school is:
Find all my friends so that I can ask them how many Netflix shows they binged watched compared to school work, whoops!

Name:
Susana Tomaz

I teach:
Robotics

My top tip for remote learning is:
Machine learning/artificial intelligence

Something I’ve learnt over the past week in lockdown is:
I really miss my students and they really miss each other. Staying connected and seeing each other through our video call is really important. It has been really challenging to keep teaching robotics skills without robots!! However this has created the opportunity to take us to the next level and learn about artificial intelligence and machine learning. Our remote project is In this project is to train a computer to recognise photos of kiwi birds and stoats.By differentiated between pests and native birds we can help the department of conservation meet their target of pest free NZ by 2050.

My best advice for the school holidays is:
Have a routine in place of the things that you like to do, stay connected with your friends virtually and your teachers. Be kind to yourself and each other

Right now I’m loving:
Video calling my students and exploring new tools and ways of keeping them engaged in their learning remotely and staying connected.

The first thing I’ll do when I come back to school is:
Smile and appreciate time in the classroom with my students which I am already missing so much

Christina Pollock
Communications and Marketing Manager

What I do at Westlake:
I look after our communication to parents including The Voice newsletter, App, emails, website content and Facebook. I’m also our Brand Champion – so publications and anything involving our logo swing past my office for a tick.

One thing I’ve learnt during the first week of lockdown:
I’m a morning person, I’ve learnt that I operate best in a routine that includes a pre-dawn walk to watch the sun rise, and a decent cup of coffee outside on the patio when I get home. Then I set up my work station and jump in until around 4pm. After that, it’s a bit of a slog and I’m basically thinking about snacks.

What I’m doing work-wise during lockdown:
I’m working on this edition of The Voice, making sure there is still fun and informative content on our Facebook page and updating our website. Also working with SLT to ensure our parent community stays well informed.

I’m loving:
How everyone seems to be enjoying the simple things now that normal life has changed – teddy bears in windows, connecting with family, walking in the sunshine, snacks.

I’m missing:
Our students and the vibrancy they bring to our school.

The first thing I will do when I get back to school is:
Swing by Smales Farm to order a soy flat white from Goodness Gracious, take it to staff briefing and enjoy being back amongst people who aren’t my husband (wonderful as our bubble is).

Anya Powell – Onewa House 

I’m at home with:
My family.

My top tip for remote learning is:
Make sure you always have some good food around to snack on for motivation! (Frozen peas and berries are my new fave!)

One thing I’ve learnt during my first week in lock down is:
To organise ‘work time’ with your family so you all end up working at the same time. This means that there won’t be one person (like a gaming younger brother🙄) making heaps of noise while the rest of you are trying to get some work done.

During the school holidays I will:
I’m honestly not too sure at this point.  Read?

Right now I’m loving:
Having time to play piano and teach myself some new songs!

My recommended binge watch on Netflix is:
Gilmore Girls and Big Bang Theory. They’re both superrrr long and will keep you going for a while!

The first thing I’ll do when I get back to school is:
Hug my friends!! (who I’m already missing so much!)

Renae is pictured taking a break from giving feedback on assessments to film an aerobics routine for Year 9 students. 

Name:
Renae Dodds

I teach:
PE and Health

My top tip for remote learning is:
Make a routine, and don’t forget to have breaks!

Something I’ve learnt over the past week in lockdown is:
Keep it simple. Do what you need to do. Don’t make more work for yourself.

My best advice for the school holidays is:
Take time to rest and rejuvenate.

Right now I’m loving:
All the snacks being accessible 24/7.

The first thing I’ll do when I come back to school is:
Catch up with everyone! It’s going to be so weird not seeing everyone for such a long time.

Kaia Tupu-South
Head Prefect

I’m at home with:
My older brother, parents and earless cat.

My top tip for remote learning is:
Make the most of the opportunity of being at home in a flexible learning environment! There are so many ‘things’ to associate your learning and study with, whether that be the extreme of my photo using the garden or any plants/ pets to help you understand visually and actively about science topics or getting inspiration for English/ technology classes from around the house (eg, baking for food tech, naming every object in your house in Spanish) and lastly involve your family/ isolation buddies no matter how much they resist – because even explaining your learning to someone else will help you better understand yourself even if they don’t have a clue what you’re talking about (like my parents)!!

One thing I’ve learnt during my first week in lock down is:
Enjoy this time with your loved ones because it’s not often that life and the world/NZ will essentially ‘pause’ for 4 weeks. Time is often always the hardest thing to manage especially when we’re at school and balancing our lives as well as our parents working, but right now sitting at home it seems like time is endless, so instead of complaining about being bored, relish in this time!!

During the school holidays I will:
Hopefully get back into throwing discuses after my ankle injury (without a coach of course – because social distancing is where it’s at!), Skype some friends if I can figure out the technology, study some more of course, and probably give in to downloading tik tok!

Right now I’m loving:
Setting no alarms, and being able to have a hot lunch without waiting in the tuck shop line. Plus getting quality time with my family.

My recommended binge watch on Netflix is:
I can’t binge watch series for some reason, but I’m currently watching ‘Suits’ every now and then and it’s pretty good. Some past favourites have been Gossip Girl, PLL and Vampire Diaries (only up until season 3 though because after that it’s boring)!

The first thing I’ll do when I get back to school is:
Have a calcuclass reunion with Ms Kim because it’s probably the thing I’ll miss most!

Name:
Mr Jones

I teach:
Junior Science and Senior Biology

My top tip for remote learning is: (I) Find somewhere in your house that is quiet, where distractions are kept to a minimum. (II) Follow the routine you had before all this madness began. As a teacher, this means I post my e-lessons just before my normal timetabled classes.

Something I’ve learnt over the past week in lockdown is:
E-Teaching / e-learning is a poor substitute for kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face) based teaching and learning.

My best advice for the school holidays is:
For juniors, forget about schoolwork. Go have what fun you can, learn a new skills, ask your parents about their work and see how you can get involved. If you’re at home with grandparents ask them about the ‘good old days’, make something from watching a YouTube or TikTok video and show it off to your friends. Then come back to school, whatever that will look like, ready to give Term 2 your all. For seniors, see above.

Right now I’m loving:
Saving $ and time on travel / traffic and knowing every day is ‘casual dress Friday’. Stoked I wont be having to do so much laundry at the end of the week!

The first thing I’ll do when I come back to school is:
Return all my indoor plants to my classroom, and track down my colleagues who took some of my indoor plants home to look after – to make sure they give them back!

Name:
Carol Wright

I teach:
English

My top tip for remote learning is:
Where possible engage with your friends.  Meet with them over Google Hangouts, Google Meet or some other social media where you can actually see one another and do your work together.  Get dressed for your hangout with your friends- that is dress how you would if you were going out with those same friends or have a themed party with it.  Yesterday I watched my daughter and her friends have an 80s themed hangout together.  There was fun in finding the clothes or adapting ones that they had and then having a laugh together.

Something I’ve learnt over the past week in lockdown is:
That isolation is hard.  I didn’t think that it would be all that bad- I’m safe, I’m with my family.  But, I have two teenagers at home and keeping them from just sitting around staring at their devices and streaming has been challenging.  We had to sit down as a family and come up with must dos: 10 laps of the outside of the house each day (for fresh air), clean one room or space each day each, digitally meet with your friends for at least 30 minutes each day.  These small things give a little bit of purpose (I hope) and help them to continue with life (and keep my house clean).

My best advice for the school holidays is:
Set challenges if you have teenagers.  My kids have created a challenges list each and are getting their friends onboard- ever hear of remote Dungeons and Dragons?  Me neither but one of my kids is learning the game so that they can play over Google Meets with their friends.  

I’ve also challenged each member of my family to keep a daily diary – a prompt to look to the small things and be grateful as well as a way of prompting them to explore the way that they are feeling.  Each day we share them and talk about the way we are feeling so that we can support them in processing those emotions and they can see us do the same. [To find out how you can implement a Daily Lockdown Journal in your house, see the article under “Community”.]

Right now I’m loving:
The beautiful bird song in my backyard.

The first thing I’ll do when I come back to school is:
Smile and greet every person I see.  Acknowledge them.  Welcome them back to our school, department, classroom.

Name:
Mrs Green, 12AGR