Editor's Note: Learners come first as Omicron fears grow

Learners come first as Omicron fears grow

Kia ora! Our first School News issue for 2022 has arrived!

As we go to print, news across the sector is Omicron-heavy: some schools in the South Island are even advertising for casual classroom supervisors to be on-call should teachers find themselves in home quarantine. Meanwhile, anti-vaxxer protests have started up, targeting school pick-up times. In North Canterbury, Stuff reports that principals are “so concerned about the prevalence of the scaremongering they have raised it with the Ministry of Education”. Knowing School News would head to print while the threat of Omicron looms over communities, we focused our attention on COVID-related solutions schools were likely to research and require. For instance, with families increasingly aware of border restrictions and the fear of being stuck overseas, we sought pandemic-specialised career guidance options for school leavers on page 16. On page 37, we talk to air ventilation specialists about problems schools have with poor indoor air quality – a concern that has intensified throughout the pandemic. Also in our health and safety section, we encourage schools to consider the need for an AED and outline relevant Ministry guidelines for schools (page 40). Video-assisted classrooms are all the rage since at-home-learning came on the scene, and we go in-depth on page 42 to brainstorm innovative ways schools can boost their pedagogy with video. We also have a bumper feature on STEAM classrooms beginning on page 25, with an exclusive look at how Hobsonville School students teamed up with Whenuapai Airbase to win an international bot competition.

Rosie Clarke, Editor, SchoolNews editor@schoolnews.co.nz

Good news gathered

Our resident industry reporter, Heather Barker Vermeer has hit the ground running this year, penning her special report on some of the potential long-term benefits schools may have gained from their most challenging at-home-learning experiences (page 10). Heather also spent some time with the winner of the Prime Minister’s Excellence in Education Wellbeing Award, Henry Hill School, to find out more about their stunning innovations. The school’s awardwinning Sensory Garden: Te Āhuru Mōwai took my breath away. Don’t miss Principal Speaks this issue (page 8), where Napier Girls’ High School Principal Dawn Ackroyd talks us through developing culturally responsive and relational pedagogy at one of the oldest schools in Aotearo. Ackroyd also celebrates the recent Gold Medal Olympic win by of one of her former students. Finally, I’m especially excited to showcase some true innovation in school design: find out how Watts & Hughes construct flagship schools for the future on page 20 and find out what STEM space designs can do for your school by checking out Furnware’s collaboration with Rathkeale College on page 30. Got plans for your school in 2022? Write in and let us know so we can feature you!

Group accommodation in the heart of Rotorua

Blue Lake TOP 10 have a wide variety of accommodation options available to suit every budget, from 180 powered and non-powered tent sites to standard and self-contained cabins.

The facilities at the park will keep your group entertained and active, with free Kayak hire available and a private or sole use marquee with attached kitchen and BBQ that can accommodate up to 80 people. Okareka and Rotokakahi are all within 2km of the park, and a short 8km drive will find you in the centre of Rotorua.

Blue Lake TOP 10 offer large groups heavily discounted rates from February 1st – December 20th (excluding peak season only) and can work with you to accommodate any size group and any budget.

For more information please call 0800 808 292 or visit www.bluelaketop10.co.nz