Message to the Mairehau High School Community

This is the letter sent the Mairehau High School during the first week of the COVID- 19 home-isolation.

1st April 2020.

Kia ora parents, caregivers and whānau, Re: Mairehau High School Principal’s update I trust after your first week in ‘isolation’ that you and whānau are all well, safe and still smiling. Remember to be kind, and use nice words to others, be patient, we are in this together. I hope you are all taking some time to have a well-deserved break and that you get to enjoy time with your family this week. We are living in a different world, each morning I get up to watch the ‘Breakfast’ programme on TV. The disturbing global reports from various countries gives us all cause to reflect on our circumstances. Each day spend a little bit of time on yourself, go for a walk, read a book, and organise the garage. Communication: The main communication platform to our community will be the school website(school website Link.). We will also use Facebook and emails when necessary. Teachers are linking schoolwork to our ONLINE learning programme (MHS online Link). Students MUST be logged onto their MHS account to access their online schoolwork.

Keeping online safe: I wish to encourage parents, caregivers and whānau to discuss internet safety with your children. You should agree with your children what they can do online, including sites they can visit and appropriate behaviours including: • reviewing and approving games and apps before they are downloaded • reviewing privacy settings of websites and applications • checking children’s profiles and what they are posting online • check the sites your child is accessing • reminding children that anything that is posted online will be permanently on the internet • taking the time to understand what sites they are visiting and who they are talking with and check in regularly • some social media sites have age restrictions to join, check these before letting your child use them or join them • monitoring a child’s use of the internet and consider having them use it in an open, common area of the house • making sure your children know to report any activity they don’t feel comfortable with to parents and caregivers straight away. There is a unique opportunity during the lockdown of families going out together, albeit it close to home, but if your child is going out on their own it’s still important to check where they are going.

Netsafe continues to be available to provide you and your parent and caregiver community with support for online safety. They have information for parents and caregivers and have pulled together their top tips for online safety during the lockdown. To report an incident To Netsafe - https://www.netsafe.org.nz/reportanincident/

If you think a child in your care is the victim of online exploitation or abuse, report it to Police - if you or a child are in danger or a crime is being committed, call 111 or visit your nearest Police Station immediately.

If we all work together to make sure children are safe online, we can make the internet a great tool for people of all ages.

Harry Romana

Principal