A Note from Sherryll

What amazing mahi has gone on over the lockdown period, and it continues as we settle back into kindergarten-as-usual, having celebrated te Wiki o te Reo Māori.

Yet again, I have been so impressed at the energy and creativity that teaching teams and Head Office staff showed in setting up systems, processes, and activities to keep whānau and tamariki connected while we were all at home, and in the week since our kindergartens have been able to open their doors again.

Everybody's efforts in ensuring that our kindergartens are safe places to be for tamariki, whānau and staff have also paid off – a whopping 83% of tamariki were back at kindergarten for the first day. This contrasts with the 75% who returned after the first lockdown.

The COVID-19 vaccination campaign is in full swing, and I've had both of my vaccination shots. It's not the whole answer, but certainly one of the tools in the kit to keeping COVID-19 at bay in New Zealand, and hopefully all of us out of yet another Level 3 or 4.

Even though there is presently no community spread in the South Island, we must remain ready to respond quickly to any community spread, especially given that snap lockdowns now appear to be routine. It's one of the many risks we manage on an ongoing basis at Head Office, and as always, we are ready to do all we can to support you in the event another one is needed.

Thank you for all your hard work and commitment, and I look forward to seeing you soon once the dates and details of my forthcoming cluster meetings are confirmed, so please keep an eye out for my email regarding this.

kia pai to hararei (have a good week)

Sherryll

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