Kia ora koutou,
When we last provided an update on 30 March, we had indicated that online teaching would remain in place for semester 1 and we would review our current settings for semester 2, including forthcoming intensives, after Easter.
In light of decreasing Covid-19 cases nationally, in the Bay of Plenty, and among BTI’s staff and students, and that New Zealand is now in the ‘Orange’ traffic light setting, we brought forward that review.
We have also heard the strength of our student voice for a preference for returning to onsite teaching and learning, and we agree.
Therefore, classes will be onsite, and all staff and onsite students will be expected to be back to onsite teaching and learning, from Monday, 2 May.
At this stage, we are hearing from our students in all programmes across the campus indicating that their preference is for all intensives to also return onsite. Therefore, following further discussion with their teams, Heads of School will be in touch in May about specific arrangements for intensives.
Onsite students and students attending onsite intensives and onsite tutorials may remain online by exception only.
For onsite students, if they or someone in their household has a medical vulnerability to Covid-19, they can contact their course coordinator and ask to be given the online learning options as they apply for distance students; this decision will be at the discretion of the course coordinator.
These settings will remain in place for the remainder of Semester 1, with an expectation that in Semester 2 all staff and students are teaching and learning fully onsite.
There is the usual caveat, of course, that changes in the transmissibility of Covid-19 could change things again and, as usual, if they do, we will be in touch.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please contact your course coordinator or cohort mentor.
Ngā mihi nui,
Dr Andrew Butcher, Te Taiurungi/Principal
Dr Vicki Turner, Academic Dean
Dr James Arkwright, Head of School of Social Practice
Gayle Te Kani, Head of School of Teacher Education