Otago Polytechnic English Language Centre

With some of our friends and classmates testing positive for COVID and the numbers in Dunedin increasing, the time has come for us as a school to put our health and safety first. That’s why we’ve decided to take classes online, on Teams, for two weeks, starting Monday 14 March. This is following the lead of Otago Polytechnic’s degree programmes, 2nd year and up, who have been already been online for two weeks. We will review this in our time apart but intend on resuming in class lessons on Monday 28 March.

Your teachers will be talking to you tomorrow, and through Teams, about preparing for your first online classes on Monday. This includes asking about the books and computers you have at home. I know online learning is hard, but being sick is harder. We will do this now so we don’t have to do it for longer, later.

We are really proud of how you have started your learning in the three weeks of face to face (kanohi ki te kanohi) classes. Please talk to your teachers if you have any questions.

Hi everyone at the English Language Centre, as Covid starts to affect more and more of our students, please be aware that there is support out there. Any students isolating or with Covid are contacted by OP to see how we can help.

There is also this help below! Please call if you need it. Remember, people are not the problem, the virus is.⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

⚠️ Need extra support while self-isolating because of COVID-19?⚠️ The Ministry of Social Development NZ maybe be able to help.

👉 ANYONE can request help. You do not need to be on a benefit or getting Studylink payments.

There is help available for immediate and essential things if you need it.
You may be able to get:
ℹ️ Money for urgent costs, like food and groceries, essential items, medicine or bills that are higher than usual, like power
ℹ️ Deliveries of things you need
ℹ️ Help from community, iwi or Pacific organisations to get things done.

It's ok to fill in a form if you:
ℹ️ just need help with deliveries
ℹ️ can work from home while self-isolating
ℹ️ are not getting a benefit right now
ℹ️ are not currently a New Zealand citizen or resident
ℹ️ are in New Zealand but don't usually live here

✅ You must be 16 years old or over and be in New Zealand to fill in the form.

Learn more here 👉 https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/covid-19/self-isolation-forms/index.html

Or 📞 Call 0800 512 337 from 8 am to 8 pm.

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OPSA - Otago Polytechnic Students' Association

Welcome back to staff and students at Otago Polytechnic English Language Centre! We are refreshed and ready to go.

Classes begin on Monday 21st February. If you are a returning student (coming back from last year) can you please contact Suzanne at [email protected] to confirm enrolment and details? THANK YOU! This will help us planning for your classes.

We hope you had an awesome break and look forward to seeing you soon.

Lara

Happy kiwi New Year everyone! OPELC is back into it with our RB Youth Summer Programme until the end of January. It looks like yesterday was great fun on Kamau Taurua/Quarantine Island! Normal classes begin in February and we will post dates closer to that time.