At Last - Alert Level 3

Initially I was feeling quite wary about the change in Alert Levels. It feels like Auckland has been at Alert Level 4 for a long time but we needed to stay safe. Auckland is still at risk from Delta, so hopefully we will all continue to be vigilent and keep our bubbles safe.

What I have realised, is for most whanau, Alert Level 3 is not much different than being at home at Alert Level 4. Yes, we have more freedom to choose to extend our bubble just a little. In addition, we can opt to buy some takeaway food, but generally most of Aucklanders are still working and learning from home. 

Living at Huia doesn't look and feel any different, except the roading crew are repairing the flood damaged roads and the council workers are mowing the park.  

I'm aware we need to celebrate the small wins. My son, daughter in law and grandchildren are part of my extended bubble, so it meant that we could celebrate my birthday with a family bubble dinner. I felt like I had been out to a restaurant, as I've had to cook for myself since the beginning of Lockdown. 

My Mum who is 97 and lives alone, was taken out for a drive around her neighbourhood by her bubble family. She hadn't even been down her driveway, so she felt a huge sense of freedom just to see the world for a bit.  

I keep hearing from friends and family how much their children are missing school. It will be a relief for all when we eventually return to Alert Level 2 and Auckland students can be back at school like the rest of the country. I think all the parents will love this as well!

Some of our students, whose parents are essential workers are attending bubble school at present. There are two very small bubbles with two teachers, Learning Assistants and a Principal on site. There are strict health and safety protocols in place, so it doesn't look like normal school as we know it at all. It has been awesome to hear fom Ms Siohane how many of our parents have been to the school gate over the last two days to collect learning packs for their children. 

I'm looking forward to making the most of the weekend and having a break from being constantly on my computer.

Nga Mihi

Hauora - Wellbeing

Wellbeing is so important to us all at present. After thirty days in Auckland Level 4 Lockdown it seems that wellbeing is the top of the agenda for all. 

Last week I attended the Kahui Ako Within School Leaders Inquiry sharing day. Two leaders from a local school presented their Team Inquiry into Wellbeing. 

At the scanning stage, they surveyed both teachers and students about their wellbeing. 

Their hunch was that sound wellbeing practices were being used in the school, but their was no coherent pathway for all to follow. 

During the inquiry, they reflected on what wellbeing practices were operating in classes, what practices they wanted to keep or add, as well as what wellbeing practices were most relevant for the school and their community.

As an outcome of the inquiry, the staff attended the 'Pause, Breathe Smile' Professional Development and taught mindful lessons on a weekly, then daily basis.

This resulted in the same language and expectations being used in all classes. 

The teachers next step is to continue this mindfulness practice until it is embedded as part of everyday practice and expectations of the school.

Food for thought!

 

Our Peaceful Piece of Paradise

 

In today's world of Covid, the Taliban take over in Afganistan and the anniversary of 9/11, I try to focus on being in the present and celebrate the simple things in life.  

It's hard to imagine that our peaceful piece of paradise down under has been jolted by terrorism again. The attack in Lynnmall, last week, reminded me that we are so vunerable as a global community.

My heart goes out to the victims, the workers and the public who were present in Countdown that afternoon. Keeping themselves and others safe under Level 4 Lockdown, whether working or shopping is stressful enough without the fear of being attacked.

We need to remember be kind, be generous and embrace the small joys that Lockdown gives us.

                                              

                                                                     Sunset at Huia - a joy to celebrate

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Lockdown Storm

 Lockdown Storm

Reflecting back over the week, it's certainly been a week of contrast. Early in the week we had the storm that hit my place in Huia with vigour. We had torrential rain for seven hours, resulting in flooding, not just in Huia, but all over West Auckland. 

I woke to find thick debris piled up against my gate, with no access out of my property. Our road had been dug up ready for new seal the day before we went into to Level 4 Lockdown. As the rain poured down the road, the gravel was washed away and filled the driveways on its route down the hill. My dog couldn't figure out how to clamber over the debris at the gate to go for our usual morning walk. 

The road was so badly damaged in two places. One site outside my place, made a two hundred metre long and one metre deep hole. Auckland Transport attended by 10am and worked for five hours repairing it. 

The whole of the beach was covered with large trees and vegetation that had been washed down the rivers. The Kakamatura stream changed it's route and washed out all the carpark and part of the new walking track.

The huge bonus of all this was that the Huia and Nihotupu Dams are now full. There's always a positive at the end of the rainbow.

As the week went on, we had beautiful sunshine and Spring showed it's head.