Kia ora koutou, Laidlaw Students, 

Following the move to COVID-19 Alert Level 4 from 11.59 pm on Wednesday 25 March requiring people to self-isolate at home, Laidlaw is moving its mid-semester break forward two weeks to align with the rescheduled school holidays. This will affect both our on-campus and distance students.  The rescheduled mid-semester break will provide some more breathing room for you to focus on your own welfare and that of your families (especially for those looking after children in lockdown).

This means that online teaching of all classes on our campuses will commence from Tuesday 14 April after the Easter weekend. There may be a few exceptions to this, such as postgraduate courses, where engagement during the mid-semester break will continue. If that is the case your lecturer will contact you via your Laidlaw email and Moodle announcements.  

We know that this is a time of uncertainty and anxiety to many and we wish to reassure you that we place a high priority on your wellbeing and that of your whānau and community. We have prepared for this possibility, and are committed to doing everything we can to make sure that you can successfully complete your studies. 

As a Christian College, we have an unshakeable source of confidence in Jesus Christ. We want to walk together with you as you need and are able in this time, so will be reaching out in the coming days to make sure you are well-supported, and to provide other opportunities for us to continue to be a college community together. 

What does this mean for you?

Mid-semester break

Mid-semester break has been moved to align with the rescheduled school holidays (28 March-13 April). During this time please stay up to date with your Laidlaw emails and Moodle notices.

Your lecturer will be in touch if you’re in one of the handful of courses that will require some involvement from you during the break. 

Assignments

Your lecturers are currently adjusting the due dates for assignments. In summary,

• The due dates your assignments to be adjusted to two weeks later than they currently are.
• The penalty for late submission of assignments will be adjusted to a 10% penalty for up to 14 days late. Submissions after that time will require a formal extension;
• To apply for an extension please use the normal process through Moodle.

Postgraduate courses

Some postgraduate courses will continue through the mid-semester break. Your lecturer will be in touch about that and what is expected during that time.

Access to Campus

Our campuses in Henderson, Manukau and Christchurch will remain closed until further notice.

Libraries

Our library services will be operating electronic services only for access to eBooks and the journal databases. Please keep an eye out for emails and other communications from the Library.  Access to the Library online is available here: https://www.laidlaw.ac.nz/library

Staff Contact

Staff will be available via email and in other online forums already operating. Watch out for messages from lecturers over the break by email and Moodle.

Student Support

Student Support will continue to be available to students throughout the campus closures, and you will be able to access academic and pastoral support. All advisors are available and contactable as per normal and we will be making further information about Student Support available tomorrow. 

Keeping updated

All Laidlaw updates are posted online at http://www.laidlaw.ac.nz/covid19

What next?

We know this is an unsettling and challenging time for many. Please reach out if you need help or support. Please continue to look out for family, friends and neighbours over the next few weeks and get in touch with Laidlaw as soon as possible if you need further advice or help.

• If you need additional support to get ready to study from home, please contact [email protected].
• If you are unwell during the next period, please let us know by emailing [email protected] and your lecturers.

In summary:

• Please take the time to organise what life will look like in the new home-based environment;
• Be ready to start the teaching part of your courses on Tuesday 14 April;
• Make sure that you can access your Laidlaw email and Moodle to stay up to date with your courses and Laidlaw announcements;
• Keep up with the reading and other resources in Moodle;
• Check in with family, friends and classmates.

Please also see this update from the Ministry of Education. 

Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.
Jeremiah 17:7

Ngā mihi nui,

Roshan