COVID-19: Support and Online Safety during COVID-19

Ministry of Health – Support

The Ministry of Health have sent through details regarding welfare support which include tips on looking after your mental wellbeing and information and contacts on how to access support.  Please click on the following link to view: Ministry of Health COVID 19 Welfare Info Sheet

Mana Ake have information on their website which may help families over this time.  Please click on the following link to view:

Mana Ake: Health

Services and Support: Where to go for help

Important information for families on Online Safety during lockdown from the NZ Police.

Increase in Child Exploitation Material and Online Child Sexual Abuse during Lockdown 

Netsafe Stay Connected Stay Safe campaign launch

Further information and support

We know many parents are under pressure these days managing work, child-care and self-care. During this time our relationships with each other may be tested and parents may need some extra support at home.
Families can reach out to Parent Help for support:

Parenting Helpline
For support and advice on any parenting issue; if you need someone to talk to about what is happening in your family, or need some advice on how best to support your family, call our free parenting Helpline on 0800 568 856. Available from 9 am – 9 pm 7 days a week.

Online coaching
Online coaching to develop parenting strategies or coping skills you can implement straight away.

Our parenting coach can support you with strategies to help in chaotic situations, create structured routines that best support your family, suggest strategies to stop unwanted behaviour, create plans to achieve a calmer household and learn how to work together as a team, etc.
30 minute or 60 minute sessions available via Zoom. Call 0800 568 856 to book an appointment or read more here: www.parenthelp.org.nz/coaching

Affordable counselling
We understand that in this strange new environment we are in that all relationships can be tested and we urge you to reach out for support. Our counsellors offer therapy online via Zoom or via telephone. We offer a 30-mins free initial appointment.
Call 0800 568 856 to book an appointment or read more here: www.parenthelp.org.nz/counselling

Symptoms of COVID-19

COVID-19 can include new onset or worsening of one or more of the following:

• Cough
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
• Temporary loss of smell

Health’s information on who should get tested notes that people with any of the COVID-19 symptoms who are close contacts of confirmed cases, have recently travelled overseas, or been in contact with recent travellers, should get assessed.

If anyone has symptoms but is unsure if they have been exposed to COVID-19, they should ring Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or their GP for advice. Over winter there are many other viruses about that can cause people to feel unwell and have symptoms similar to those of COVID-19.

Skinny Jump is flexible prepaid broadband: Only $5 for 30GB of data, no contracts or credit checks. https://www.skinny.co.nz/jump/home.html Skinny Jump is a not-for-profit service supporting those most at risk of digital exclusion, including families with children, job seekers, seniors, people with disabilities, refugees and migrant communities, those in social housing. 

Message from the CDHB re: Dental services

Due to the pressures on our health system from Omicron, we are suspending delivery of Community Dental Services within the Canterbury area effective Thursday 10 March 2022.  We will be redeploying our teams to support the delivery of essential health services.

We will be closing our clinics and removing our mobile dental vans from schools over the next few days and redeploying these to help in other areas.

Could the following be included in your newsletters or sent directly to parents’ mailboxes?

Community Dental Service is suspending some of its services from 5pm Wednesday 9 March 2022 to provide support to the Canterbury health sector in response to Omicron.

We will continue to provide relief of pain clinics by appointment only from Thursday 10^th March.  You can access these appointments by calling our Contact Centre on 0800 846 983.

For any dental advice please call the Contact Centre on 0800 846 983.

Please find below some helpful information to assist you through Home learning.

Information and resources to support wellbeing and support learning at home

• The Ministry of Education has developed a resource for parents, caregivers, whānau and family – http://education.govt.nz/school/health-safety-and-wellbeing/pastoral-care-and-wellbeing/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-coronavirus/.
• The Ministry of Health’s website includes Top ways to look after your mental wellbeing during the Covid-19 lockdown.
• I AM HOPE is the youth and community focused support group run by The Key to Life Charitable Trust, started by Mike King – https://www.iamhope.org.nz/
• Nathan Wallis has some helpful videos on his Facebook page for parents and whānau – https://www.facebook.com/nathanwallisxfactoreducation/ –
• Tips on looking after mental health and wellbeing during COVID-19 from the Mental Health foundation https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/get-help/covid-19/
• a website by the Health Promotion Agency to help New Zealanders recognise and understand depression and anxiety – https://depression.org.nz/covid-19/
• Although overseas-based this is a good list and highlights some things particularly important for children. Remember the rules of New Zealand’s level 4 lockdown still apply –  25 Mental Health Wellness Tips during Quarantine from Eileen M Feliciano, Psy.D.

As per Government announcement, school is closed at 2:55pm today until further notice.

The staff will be meeting to ensure they can provide some work for your children. This will happen over the next two days.

We have had notification from Canterbury Sports Canterbury that Swim Canterbury, Canterbury Rugby League, Canterbury Softball, and Touch Canterbury that all sporting events are suspended until further notice.  I am sure that other Associations will follow too.

This affects our swimming events on 31 March and 2 April, our Rugby League Tournament, and our summer weekly sport.

Water polo have suspended all Year 7 and 8 Water Polo competitions.

Also the Duathlon on 23 March has been postponed until further notice. This may go ahead in Term 4.

The Summer Tournament which has been held today (Tuesday 10 March) has had to finish early due to weather conditions.

All students will be back at school by 12:30pm.