Kia ora tātou, Laidlaw whānau, 

We are really proud of how the Laidlaw community have pulled together these past weeks. It’s been a joy to see many of you in online chapels, forums and to hear stories from online classes and students around the country.

With the upcoming move to Level 3 restrictions from Tuesday 28 April, and a picture emerging of what will be possible at Level 2, we wanted to clarify what the rest of Semester One will look like.

Teaching and Learning will remain online for the remainder of Semester One, with classes continuing through Zoom, Moodle, Teams and other online learning tools. This is based on the requirements of the Ministry of Education and the best health advice we have from other government agencies, and ensures that we continue to protect the most vulnerable in our community and guarantee continuity for all our students. We are mindful that this may not be easy for many, but we are working hard to ensure that everyone is supported to complete their courses well. At Level 2, we may be able to resume some small-group in-person interactions, but this is uncertain and subject to strong restrictions, and so the Laidlaw leadership have made the decision to keep online learning as our primary mode.

Our physical campuses will remain closed to students at Alert Level 3. We will make a decision on whether we can partially reopen campuses at Level 2 (though keeping classes online) when the rules for Level 2 become clearer.

Our lecturers, tutors and student support team are here to help. Please reach out to let us know if you are struggling, or need support or assistance of any kind. We know that for some of you, this situation is incredibly challenging, and we want you to know that we are here for you whatever your circumstances. If you don’t know who to ask for help, reply to this email, and we’ll forward it on to the right people.

We encourage you to continue to connect by joining our Laidlaw College Community Facebook page, and participating in our midday Psalms, Thursday morning worship, and Thursday lunchtime Kai & Kōrero. 

Important information bulletins for students from the Ministry continue to be posted here.

As Isaiah once reminded a nation facing deep troubles,

He gives strength to the weary

    and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,

    and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the Lord

    will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

    they will run and not grow weary,

    they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:29-31 (NIV)

May God continue to renew your strength as we hope in Him.