28 February 2021


Teaching and Learning update for Semester 1 (beginning 1 March)

Kia ora koutou, Laidlaw students,

I hope you are all doing ok following Saturday’s lockdown announcement. This was not the start to term that we had hoped for, but we are grateful for all that God has for us in this semester.

For those of you who are new to Laidlaw (or those who need a refresher), here are a few things you need to know about how things work around here during COVID lockdowns – including what is happening with classes this week.

 

Keeping in touch

Important announcements relating to Alert Level shifts are emailed to students as soon as we are able. It is very important that you check your Laidlaw email account regularly. If you do not have access to your Laidlaw email address yet, please contact Fiona Sherwin ([email protected] or 09 836 7878) as soon as possilble.  

The latest College-wide information is posted online at: https://www.laidlaw.ac.nz/covid19

 

Health

If you are identified as a possible contact of a COVID case, or test positive for COVID, please let us know immediately by emailing [email protected] and follow Ministry of Health instructions. A reminder that the list of locations of interest for this latest cluster can be found here.

 

Teaching and Learning

 

Auckland students

Under Alert Level 3, our Auckland campuses are closed, and all classes for Auckland students this week will move to Zoom – starting at the same time as they would have been on campus. Lecturers will post Zoom links in Moodle. If you are home-schooling children or have other responsibilities, don’t stress, as classes will be recorded. If you have questions about a particular class, don’t hesitate to reach out to your lecturer.

 

Christchurch students

Christchurch students will mostly be on campus as normal with Level 2 distancing in place. If your lecturer is Auckland-based, you will be joining in via Zoom from a Christchurch classroom. The three exceptions to this are New Testament: Introduction (Mon morning) Counselling Block Courses (Wed), and Personhood, Relationality and Faith (Fri afternoon). Those students will be sent a Zoom link to join in via Zoom from home for those classes. If you have any questions about the Christchurch campus please contact Gill Pawson.

 

Distance students

Distance courses continue as normal, but please be in touch if you need extra support due to COVID.

 

Getting help

If you have any issues with accessing Zoom, Moodle or your Laidlaw email address, contact Fiona Sherwin ([email protected] or 09 836 7878) as soon as possible. It is important that we help you get sorted out quickly, so that you don’t miss things.

 

Community

Our life together as a praying, worshipping and learning community continues. Keep an eye out for invitations to online worship, chapel and other sessions. 

On our Henderson campus we hold lunchtime events for all students on Thursdays, and during lockdown we run these online and open them up to anyone in the Laidlaw community nationally or globally. Look out for our first Community Gathering this Thursday 4 March, from 12.30pm – 1.30pm.

In addition to our main College events, a lot of conversations happen on our Facebook community group, which we would love you to join.

 

 

We are closely watching the situation as it develops, and looking forward to when we can gather again on campus. Any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

I am reminded of God’s promise to Jacob at Bethel as he was wandering far from home,

“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” (Gen 28:15)

 

Ngā mihi,

Dr Roshan Allpress

National Principal/CEO