The community has been busy again this lockdown, doing another form of ‘essential work’ – taking care of themselves and each other and keeping their spirits up in all sorts of ways. Here is a snapshot of Coasties, lockdown style.
Aidan Watson was doing a workout in his garage when a barbell flew up and struck him on the eye. Frozen peas helped him back into his workout. Bella Peddie-Booth of Stanmore Bay loves her daily sunrise walk with boyfriend Claude.Life goes on! Andy Field of Ōrewa has been busy with a new baby. Courtney-Love Dalhouzie has been busy crocheting comfort toys for newborns and premature babies.Caitlin Watson’s family held a surprise birthday party for her dad (Cr John Watson). The dress up theme was “John’s life through the decades”Ed Amon has been checking his mailbox 7 times a day. Missing the local pamphlets or a human connection through the local pamphlets.Local board chair and entertainer Gary Brown, with his wife Tracey, performed a show live streamed via Facebook. The family also coloured a lockdown poster. “A great way to remember a time when family means everything,” Gary says. Columnist James Dale’s daughter Madison is modelling a funny hat created for a Red Beach School Zoom session, while sister Julia swings. Janet Fitzgerald gave us a shout out, saying she is “Catching up on reading local news”! Hellen Wilkins has been “baking as if there were five in the house, but there are only three”. She says sweet chilli and ham cheese scrolls have replaced last year’s “lockdown loaf” fad.Jeremy Fourie of Orewa has a large household and escapes, when he can, to enjoy a little golf on the Kensington Park green.Karen Miller has been enjoying nature on her walks.Ōrewa Beach School principal Katherine Pascoe took this photo of daughter Daisy, 9, on Ōrewa Beach. She says the school’s “virtual bubble” of 430 students 40 staff and their families are doing well too.Mitch Boocock shared one of his favourite lockdown jokes: “Why would Ashley Bloomfield lie? He said I had to wear a mask at the supermarket but when I got there everyone had clothes on too!” Mitch says he’s using the time to get fit and eat healthy – including stretching properly.Myra Rogers is keeping safe with her daughter on the farm. Lockdown saw a couple of new additions join their bubble, including this baby goat.Natasha Symons made this cross from driftwood. Roger William White has been spending time photographing Red Beach.Shyr and Brent Godfrey of Gulf Harbour have three children under three, and a business to run. They are spending time at the beach, baking, reading stories or dancing around the living room all while responding to emails and zoom callsSteve McCracken, Whangaparāoa College principal says “even principals teach”. As well as working from home, he loves to create ‘real’ learning moments with Cameron (7) and Oliver (5). Susanne Wilson says four-month-old rescue puppy George Roper (aka the Terrorist), adores the constant attention of lockdown. Yolanda van Straaten says her family is busy with schoolwork, and she is colouring, doing housework and cooking.
Schools adjust to lockdown learning
20/08/2021
Mahurangi schools have transitioned to online learning, but there are concerns for students with upcoming exams and rural students without internet. Mahurangi College principal Tony…
Students at Tomarata School decided to celebrate the country’s emergence from Covid-19 lockdown by building their own chicken coop, soon to be filled with chickens…