Nau mai ki tenei wiki Kōrero. We are aware that there has been heaps of information circulating as the Covoid 19 situation continues to develop here in New Zealand. We are working to ensure that we are providing up to date, accurate and helpful information to ensure you are equipped to work with whānau in your kindergartens. Today’s Kōrero includes the latest information we have. Please feel free if you have any questions to get in touch with either Mandy or Jane – if we don’t know the information you need we will work with you to get it 😊. As new information comes to hand, particularly if things change we will email all kindergartens with any updates. Ngā mihi nui Jane 
COVID-19 The Ministry of Health has announced a third confirmed case of COVID-19 in New Zealand. The Ministry of Education has assured all early childhood services that it will keep us updated with the latest information as it becomes available. To clarify the situation about those returning from overseas, those who have been in Mainland China, Iran, South Korea or Northern Italy are asked to self-isolate for 14 days. Previously, those who had been in South Korea or Northern Italy were only asked to self-isolate if they displayed symptoms. Anyone who has been in close contact with anyone confirmed as having the virus is also asked to self isolate for 14 days and to avoid situations that could facilitate the transmission of the virus, such as social gatherings and events.
Can all kindergartens with families who are self-isolating please inform either Jane or Mandy, as we are keeping an association wide register.
Currently the Ministry of Health (as at March 3) has three categories of countries: Category 1a • Mainland China • Iran Category 1b • Northern Italy (specifically the provinces of Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia-Romagna) • Republic of Korea Category 2 • Hong Kong • Italy (other than northern Italy) • Japan • Singapore • Thailand Those who have visited countries in category 2 are asked to ring the Healthline (for free) if they have symptoms such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing. The number is 0800 358 5453 (or +64 9 358 5453 if using an international SIM). People in this situation should also: • avoid close contact with people (stay at least one metre away) • wash hands frequently, especially before contact with people, before eating and after coughing or sneezing • practice good cough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing and wash hands). For more information about COVID-19 Please visit Ministry of Health website. The Ministry of Education advises that while in a serious pandemic situation schools or early childhood service may close, we are a long way from that situation. The Ministry is working closely with the local Medical Officers of Health. In the meantime, we can provide you some further facts from the World Health Organization. - Evidence from China shows that only 1% of reported cases do not have symptoms, and most of those cases develop symptoms within 2 days.
- Young people 18 years and under represent less than 2.4 per cent of those who have contracted the virus.
- From the data we have so far, COVID-19 does not transmit as efficiently as influenza.
It continues to remain that the best thing to do is to practice good preventative measures, particularly good hygiene: - Washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before and after eating as well as after attending the toilet
- Covering coughs and sneezes with clean tissues or with an elbow
- Putting used tissues in the bin
- Encouraging staff and students to stay home if they are unwell
Give Away Day We are holding our first Twilight Give Away Day!
This will take place tomorrow at Nuanua Kindergarten from 6pm - 8pm.
We are still welcoming donations for the give away day, if you have anything to donate this can be dropped off either at the office or at Nuanua Kindergarten.
Welcoming Paremata Creche to the Association! Welcome to Paremata Creche This week we welcomed a new kindergarten into the Whānau Manaaki family, with Paremata Creche, (previously Paremata Plunket creche) joining us. A shared morning tea with a bouncy castle marked the day on Monday, and on Tuesday a mihi whakatau was held at the regional staff meeting to welcome the teachers to Whānau Manaaki. Head teacher Tammy Harper says teachers are excited to be joining an established organisation that is strongly focused on early childhood education. “It will be great to be part of an organisation that is ECE focused and to have that support – joining a network of kindergartens is really great.” Parents have had a few questions about how the centre will operate after the changeover but things will remain the same for now. Tammy says because there’s been an 18 month consultation period, families are generally happy with the change. A new name will be chosen for the kindergarten in time, in consultation with families and staff.  
Induction and Mentoring Seminar Induction and Mentoring Seminar Saturday 7 March 2020 10.00am – 2.00pm Venue: He Whānau Manaaki Office in Porirua We are looking forward to seeing all Provisionally Certificated Teachers and their Mentors at our first Induction and Mentoring Seminar for 2020. It is expected that all provisionally certificated teachers (PCT’s) attend as it is a required part of the Induction and Mentoring programme. Teachers who hold a Subject to Confirmation Practising Certificate (STC) are very welcome to attend too. Please enrol on HR.Net as soon as possible so that your enrolment is confirmed (we need numbers so that we have enough food, chairs and resources for everyone – thanks). If you do not have an HR.Net login yet, please contact Hannah at Association office, who will help you with this: Hannah.Toomaga@wmkindergartens.org.nz Our programme includes: - Te Manawa workshops on Intentional Teaching and also on Individual Portfolios
- Introduction to the Induction and Mentoring Programme for new PCTs/STCs and
A workshop on Educative Mentoring for new Mentors - Gathering and discussing evidence for your Induction and Mentoring programme
Please contact Lynette (lynette.wray@wmkindergartens.org.nz) or your Senior Teacher if you have any questions or queries.
Staff Sync Reliever App Training We are continuing the roll out of training for Staff Sync (app for co-ordinating relievers). This app is already used in some parts of our organisation. It is really important that all relievers attend the training because it is the systems we will using for booking relievers from Term 2. We know, like any change, there could be some hiccups along the way so please let us know if you need further support or have any questions. We anticipate that there will be very little (if any) impact on teachers in Kindergartens, it will be Relievers and our Co-ordinators who will be using the App, we need teachers to support where you can. Our reliever co-ordinators have been provided with training and they will also be present where possible at the training days being provided. Relievers will be paid for their time to attend the training and reimbursed for travel. The schedule for the remaining training sessions is as follows: Region | Date | Times | Venue | City South | 9 March | 3.00pm & 5.30pm | ASB Sports Centre Whataitai Room 72 Kemp Street Kilbirnie | City Central | 10 March | 3.00pm & 5.30pm | Toitu Kilbirnie NZCT Room 49 Kilbirnie Crescent, Kilbirnie, Wellington 6022 | Levin | 16 March | 12.30pm / 3.00pm / 5.30pm | Te Takare Education Suite 10 Bath Street, Levin | Kapiti | 17 March | 12.30pm / 3.00pm / 5.30pm | Kapiti Pavillion 10 Scaife Drive, Paraparaumu 5032 | City North | 23 March | 12.30pm / 3.00pm / 5.30pm | He Whanau Manaaki Te Puna | Porirua | 24 March | 12.30pm / 3.00pm / 5.30pm | He Whanau Manaaki | Catch Up Sessions | 30 & 31 March | 112.30pm / 3.00pm / 5.30pm | He Whanau Manaaki |
Catch Up Sessions The catch up sessions are for any relievers from Upper Hutt or Wairarapa that have not yet attended a training session, or who need a refresher. We will email relievers with the dates and details of the training, if you haven’t received this email by end of next week please contact Leigh.Comeskey@wmkindergartens.org.nz. We will send out this schedule to be displayed in the kindergarten for relievers. We will send out further details with the venue and asking you to RSVP to confirm numbers for catering purposes. Please direct any questions to trish.taylor-pope@wmkindergartens.org.nz We look forward to seeing you there.
Creekfest A big thank you to all the kindergartens, Amataga team and office staff who were involved in making the early learning tent at Creekfest in Porirua such a success. Trinity Coulston and Nga Ropu co-ordinated the village. Here are some photos from the day. 
Congratulations! 
Congratulations to Mel (Head Teacher Greytown currently on parental leave) and partner who have welcomed their baby boy Ashton. “Mr Ashton was rather impatient and arrived at 35 weeks. He’s doing really well. He was born on 20/02/2020. We're still in hospital in the NICU room here at Masterton hospital. But he's finally moved into a room with me which is amazing. Definitely an interesting start to motherhood.” Mel has asked that the photo not be shared please.
Check out our talented Whānau! We may have an actor or two among us! Teacher from Totara Puku kindergarten, Mandy had 2 of her children in the production of "Merchant of Venice" - both holding down main parts - "Nerissa" and "Lorenzo". Senior Teacher Raewyn Mckenna's husband Pat was also involved, playing the "Prince of Sydney". And our very own Kaz Craig from the Whanganui office was director! 
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Surrogate Grandparents is a NZ Charitable Trust (CC54933) that connects families with surrogate grandparents to forge long lasting friendships and family bonds. Surrogate Grandparents can be the bridge that connects generations. By connecting families with surrogate grandparents and grandparents with our children; we can fight social isolation and loneliness in New Zealand. Working together, we can make New Zealand a more caring and connected nation.
Appointments and Resignations Congratulations to the following on their recent appointment: | Andrea Cooke | Teacher | Upper Hutt | | Stephanie Hall | Teacher | Matairangi | | Fabian Stoffegren | Teacher | Brooklyn | | Marie Ropati | .8 Teacher | Seatoun | | Rachel Waugh | .6 Teacher | Papararangi | | Kimberley Frecklington | .65 Teacher | Taitoko | | Anthony Bruges | Teacher | Titahi Bay | | Nora Robertson | Administrator | Titahi Bay |
We wish all the best for their future endeavours to the following who have resigned: | Jackie Munrio | Teacher | Newlands | | Nic Fitzgerald | Head Teacher | Ascot Park | | Catriona King | Administrator | Heretaunga |
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