COVID19 Previous Communications

COVID-19 UPDATE: 17 April 2022

COVID-19 UPDATE: 17 April 2022

Update to SAE Auckland ‘Locations of Interest’ table 

Kia ora SAE whānau 

We have a new confirmed COVID case who recently visited our SAE campus. Please see an update below to our SAE Auckland ‘Locations of Interest’ table. 

If you were within close proximity of the confirmed case at the date and time listed below, you should:

• Closely monitor for symptoms and seek a COVID-19 test if you become unwell.
• You do not need to self-isolate unless you become unwell.
• You are able to return to campus and attend classes, as well as visit our studios. Please ensure that you continue to abide by our strict protocols – scan/sign in, wear a mask, and keep physically distanced as much as possible.

If you were within close proximity of the confirmed case and NOT wearing a mask, please contact me for additional instructions.

Please do not hesitate to contact me via Slack @s.major or email s.major@sae.edu if you have any questions or concerns.

Kia kaha team,

Suzette

COVID-19 UPDATE: 14 April 2022

COVID-19 ANNOUNCEMENT: 14 April 2022

Move to ORANGE

Kia ora SAE whānau

Yesterday, the Government announced that, as of midnight last night, New Zealand will move to the ORANGE Traffic Light setting of the COVID Protection Framework. The continued reduction in case numbers and hospitalisation rates indicates that we are now through the Omicron peak. While community transmission of COVID-19 is still occurring, the pressure on our health system is becoming more manageable. 

The two key differences under ORANGE relate to the removal of capacity limits for both indoor and outdoor gatherings, and changes to the mandatory wearing of face masks in some locations.

For tertiary institutions, face masks are no longer mandated. Rather, we have been advised to assess the risk associated with our campus and determine the best approach.

Having undertaken this analysis, I have decided that for the remaining 3 weeks of Trimester 1, face masks will remain compulsory.

There are 3 reasons why we are taking a more cautious approach:

1. We still have COVID circulating within our SAE community. There have been just under 80 confirmed cases of COVID within our community, including 13 cases on campus. Just yesterday, I updated our Locations of Interest table once again with a further confirmed case that had been at SAE in recent days. While cases are still popping up on campus, it is wise to continue to wear masks to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
2. We have a number of rooms on campus that are small and enclosed – most significantly our studios. Our air filtration units, coupled with the existing ventilation systems are highly effective. But I’m mindful that being within enclosed spaces increases the risk of transmission. Given our close proximity within studios and labs, continuing to wear masks for the time-being is sensible.
3. We have a number of staff and students who are vulnerable to COVID-19 and would likely become quite unwell if they contract the virus. You often have little idea of what those around you are dealing with – either in terms of their own health issues or those who they are living with. It’s important that everyone can access campus, including those who are vulnerable or live with someone who is vulnerable. Wearing masks is not much of an imposition to help keep our entire community safe.

There are 2 instances in which I appreciate wearing masks is problematic: recording vocals and filming actors. In both these situations, we can have the vocalist or actor briefly remove their masks during the recording/filming. However, the singer/actor must only remove their mask for the brief period they are being recorded/filmed. All other people within the environment must remain masked at all times.

I will revisit our settings during the upcoming trimester break and let you know if we are in a position at that point to remove the compulsory wearing of face masks at SAE. 

Attached are our current ORANGE Safety Protocols. Please familarise yourself with how SAE will operate under ORANGE.

While COVID has been disruptive and difficult, I find joy and solitude in how our SAE community has coped. Your ongoing mindfulness and aroha reminds me how special our staff and students are. When we are able to look beyond ourselves and act in ways that support each other, we are all stronger for it.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me on Slack @s.major or email s.major@sae.edu.

Noho ora mai rā,

Suzette

COVID-19 UPDATE: 13 April 2022

COVID-19 UPDATE: 13 April 2022

Update to SAE Auckland ‘Locations of Interest’ table

Kia ora SAE whānau

We have a new confirmed COVID case who recently visited our SAE campus. Please see an update below to our SAE Auckland ‘Locations of Interest’ table.

If you were within close proximity of the confirmed case at the date and time listed below, you should:

• Closely monitor for symptoms and seek a COVID-19 test if you become unwell.
• You do not need to self-isolate unless you become unwell.
• You are able to return to campus and attend classes, as well as visit our studios. Please ensure that you continue to abide by our strict protocols – scan/sign in, wear a mask, and keep physically distanced as much as possible. 

If you were within close proximity of the confirmed case and NOT wearing a mask, please contact me for additional instructions.

Please do not hesitate to contact me via Slack @s.major or email s.major@sae.edu if you have any questions or concerns.

Kia kaha team,

Suzette

COVID-19 UPDATE: 10 April 2022

COVID-19 UPDATE: 10 April 2022

Update to SAE Auckland ‘Locations of Interest’ table

Kia ora SAE whānau

We have a new confirmed COVID case who recently visited our SAE campus. Please see an update below to our SAE Auckland ‘Locations of Interest’ table.

If you were within close proximity of the confirmed case at the date and time listed below, you should:

• Closely monitor for symptoms and seek a COVID-19 test if you become unwell.
• You do not need to self-isolate unless you become unwell.
• You are able to return to campus and attend classes, as well as visit our studios. Please ensure that you continue to abide by our strict protocols – scan/sign in, wear a mask, and keep physically distanced as much as possible.

If you were within close proximity of the confirmed case and NOT wearing a mask, please contact me for additional instructions.

Please do not hesitate to contact me via Slack @s.major or email s.major@sae.edu if you have any questions or concerns. 

Kia kaha

COVID-19 UPDATE: 4 April 2022

COVID-19 UPDATE: 4 April 2022

Changes to COVID restrictions

Kia ora SAE whānau

At midnight tonight, Monday 4 April, the COVID-19 Protection Framework – commonly known as the Traffic Light System – is changing. While we are remaining at RED, how RED will operate has been updated. 

Why?

Modelling suggests that we are now over the peak of the Omicron wave. Case numbers, including hospitalisations, are reducing, particularly in Auckland. New Zealand is also a highly vaccinated population, with Auckland showing over 99% being at least partially vaccinated. As a result, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that vaccine mandates can now be removed and the need to scan QR codes can also cease. Gathering sizes have been increased. We are however remaining with the RED traffic light. 

Our updated RED Safety Protocols are attached. Specifically, and how these changes impact SAE, are outlined below.

Vaccination Policy

As of midnight tonight, and in accordance with the removal of vaccine mandates for tertiary institutions, our SAE Vaccination Policy will be suspended. That means all staff, students, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, can now be on campus. In many ways this has little impact for us, as most people at SAE are vaccinated and have provided a copy of their My Vaccine Pass as evidence. Please note however, that the policy is being suspended rather than removed. If health advice changes, for example if a new variant of COVID entered the country, and the tertiary sector was asked once again to only allow vaccinated staff, students and visitors on campus, the Policy would be reinstated. But, for now, everyone can return to SAE.

Scanning QR codes

As of midnight tonight, it is no longer compulsory to scan the COVID QR code each time you arrive at SAE. This is because contract tracing has moved to being an individual’s responsibility. That means, should you contract COVID, you need to inform all people that you’ve had contact with directly. Please note however, our QR posters will remain up at SAE and you are indeed welcome to scan in each day if you need a reminder about when you’ve been on campus. It’s just that it’s no longer compulsory.

Masks

Along with our high vaccination rate, the key measure of minimising the spread of COVID-19 are masks. These remain compulsory and must be worn at all times while on campus. In many ways, as other COVID restrictions lessen, mask use becomes even more critical. Please ensure you are wearing a surgical-grade or N95 mask when at SAE. Masks will continue to be made available on campus.

Gatherings and physical distancing

Under the revised RED traffic light, gathering sizes have increased to 200 people indoors, and there is no gathering limit for outdoor events. As much as possible you should physically distance around 1 metre. However, we are able to bring most classes back on campus and be within that 200-person limit.

Online classes

For the remainder of Trimester 1, some classes may continue on zoom. But, as we’ve done all year, we will try to ensure all students get some ‘on campus’ time each week – particularly with those hands-on, practical classes. Determining what classes are best delivered online and what should be moved back on campus is best left in the hands of the teaching staff. So, please chat with your lecturers and keep an eye on your Slack channels. Should the location of an upcoming class shift from online to on-campus, we’ll be sure to make that change in your timetable too. 

Returning to campus

I appreciate that there is some anxiety about returning to campus. I recognise that COVID is still circulating, even if the numbers are reducing. Please be assured that SAE will continue to take a cautious approach as the COVID restrictions ease. We take your safety and wellbeing very seriously and we will continue to do all we can to stop COVID reaching our campus and minimising its spread when it does.

Our highly vaccinated SAE community, our air filtration systems, our ventilation systems, our cleaning regime, along with the need to continue to wear masks at all times helps. But perhaps the most important measure you can all do is to stay home if you are unwell. Take that sniffly nose or tickly throat seriously. If you feel fatigued or headachy, consider taking a COVID test. And, of course, should you test positive or become a household contact, stay home and self-isolate for 7 days. Please continue to let us know if you test positive or are living with someone who tests positive, so that we can ensure we offer all the support you need around your SAE studies while you are self-isolating. 

You have done an extraordinary job of taking care of yourselves and each other through these past few weeks and I want to commend you for the effort, flexibility and understanding you’ve all shown. I know it’s been tough, but we are nearly there. Please continue to treat each other with the respect and aroha that our community is renowned for. And in so doing, help make SAE a place that we all love to be.

I look forward to seeing many of you on campus in the weeks ahead.

Arohanui,

Suzette 

Campus Director, SAE Auckland

COVID-19 UPDATE: 1 April 2022

COVID-19 UPDATE: 1 April 2022

Update to SAE Auckland ‘Locations of Interest’ table

Kia ora SAE whānau

We have a new confirmed COVID case who recently visited our SAE campus. Please see an update below to our SAE Auckland ‘Locations of Interest’ table.

If you were within close proximity of the confirmed case at the date and time listed below, you should:

• Closely monitor for symptoms and seek a COVID-19 test if you become unwell.
• You do not need to self-isolate unless you become unwell.
• You are able to return to campus and attend classes, as well as visit our studios. Please ensure that you continue to abide by our strict protocols – scan/sign in, wear a mask, and keep physically distanced as much as possible. 

If you were within close proximity of the confirmed case and NOT wearing a mask, please contact me for additional instructions.

Please note, I am now removing cases from our Locations of Interest table that are more than 14 days old, to help you focus on the most recent and new cases.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact me via Slack @s.major@sae.edu or email s.major@sae.eu if you have any questions or concerns.

Arohanui,

Suzette

COVID-19 UPDATE: 31 March 2022

COVID-19 UPDATE: 31 March 2022

Update to SAE Auckland ‘Locations of Interest’ table

Kia ora SAE whānau

We have a new confirmed COVID case who recently visited our SAE campus. Please see an update below to our SAE Auckland ‘Locations of Interest’ table.

If you were within close proximity of the confirmed case at the date and time listed below, you should:

• Closely monitor for symptoms and seek a COVID-19 test if you become unwell.
• You do not need to self-isolate unless you become unwell.
• You are able to return to campus and attend classes, as well as visit our studios. Please ensure that you continue to abide by our strict protocols – scan/sign in, wear a mask, and keep physically distanced as much as possible.

If you were within close proximity of the confirmed case and NOT wearing a mask, please contact me for additional instructions.

Please do not hesitate to contact me via Slack @s.major@sae.edu or email s.major@sae.eu if you have any questions or concerns.

Arohanui,

Suzette

COVID-19 UPDATE: 30 March 2022

COVID-19 UPDATE: 30 March 2022

Update to SAE Auckland ‘Locations of Interest’ table

Kia ora SAE whānau

We have a new confirmed COVID case who recently visited our SAE campus. Please see an update below to our SAE Auckland ‘Locations of Interest’ table.

If you were within close proximity of the confirmed case at the date and time listed below, you should:

• Closely monitor for symptoms and seek a COVID-19 test if you become unwell.
• You do not need to self-isolate unless you become unwell.
• You are able to return to campus and attend classes, as well as visit our studios. Please ensure that you continue to abide by our strict protocols – scan/sign in, wear a mask, and keep physically distanced as much as possible.

If you were within close proximity of the confirmed case and NOT wearing a mask, please contact me for additional instructions.

Please do not hesitate to contact me via Slack @s.major@sae.edu or email s.major@sae.eu if you have any questions or concerns.

Stay safe everyone.

Arohanui,

Suzette

COVID-19 UPDATE: 28 March 2022

COVID-19 UPDATE: 28 March 2022

Update to SAE Auckland ‘Locations of Interest’ table

Kia ora SAE whānau

We have a new confirmed COVID case who recently visited our SAE campus. Please see an update below to our SAE Auckland ‘Locations of Interest’ table.

If you were within close proximity of the confirmed case at the date and time listed below, you should:

• Closely monitor for symptoms and seek a COVID-19 test if you become unwell.
• You do not need to self-isolate unless you become unwell.
• You are able to return to campus and attend classes, as well as visit our studios. Please ensure that you continue to abide by our strict protocols – scan/sign in, wear a mask, and keep physically distanced as much as possible.

If you were within close proximity of the confirmed case and NOT wearing a mask, please contact me for additional instructions.

It’s been a couple of weeks since we last had a confirmed case at SAE – a sign that we through the peak of Omicron now. Nevertheless, this positive case on campus serves as a reminder that COVID is still circulating in Auckland and it’s critical that we continue abiding by our Safety Protocols to help keep ourselves and others safe.

Please do not hesitate to contact me via Slack @s.major or email s.major@sae.edu if you have any questions or concerns. 

Arohanui,

Suzette

COVID-19 UPDATE: 23 March 2022

COVID-19 UPDATE: 23 March

Kia ora SAE whānau

While hoping this doesn’t appear as an announcement about an announcement , I just wanted to acknowledge the updates to COVID restrictions that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced this morning. The Ministry of Education is currently updating advice on how the lifting of some restrictions impacts tertiary and will have some detailed guidance to us within the next 48 hours. As soon as that arrives, I’ll update our SAE COVID Response Plan and Safety Protocols and send them to you – likely early next week. Any changes won’t take effect until 4 April.

In the meantime, please continue to abide by our RED Safety Protocols when on campus. We have been fortunate that the number of positive cases at SAE has been relatively low and that the measures we’ve had in place has helped minimise any spread of the virus. The limited impact on our SAE community is testament to the seriousness that you have all given to our safety protocols, and your care and consideration with how you are behaving around others. Thank you for helping to keep SAE safe as we rode the Omicron wave.

Look out for my announcement with the updated SAE Safety protocols next week. (See, this turned into an announcement about an announcement!). If you have any specific questions in the meantime, feel free to Slack or email me.

Arohanui,

Suzette

COVID-19 UPDATE: 14 March 2022

COVID-19 UPDATE: 14 March 2022 (2nd announcement)

Update to SAE Auckland ‘Locations of Interest’ table

Kia ora SAE whānau

We have a further confirmed COVID case who recently visited our SAE campus. Please see an update below to our SAE Auckland ‘Locations of Interest’ table.

If you were within close proximity of the confirmed case at the date and time listed below, you should:

• Closely monitor for symptoms and seek a COVID-19 test if you become unwell.
• You do not need to self-isolate unless you become unwell.
• You are able to return to campus and attend classes, as well as visit our studios. Please ensure that you continue to abide by our strict protocols – scan/sign in, wear a mask, and keep physically distanced as much as possible.

If you were within close proximity of the confirmed case and NOT wearing a mask, please contact me for additional instructions. 

I’m aware the cases on campus may come with anxiety for many of you. But please be assured that we have effective safety protocols in place which are reducing the risk of the virus spreading when there’s been a confirmed case on campus. Keep up the great work of following those protocols, including wearing a mask at all times, and in so doing you help me to help keep our SAE community safe.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact me via Slack @s.major or email if you have any questions or concerns.

Kia kaha,

Suzette

COVID-19 UPDATE: 11 March 2022

COVID-19 UPDATE: 11 March 2022

Isolation period reduced from 10 to 7 days

Kia ora SAE whānau

This week, COVID Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced that the isolation period for COVID-19 cases and their household contact will be reduced from 10 to 7 days.

This reduction to a 7-day isolation period will take effect from midnight tonight.

Household contacts will need 2 negative RAT tests to leave isolation, to be taken on Day 3 and Day 7.

Any SAE students, staff or visitors who have been self-isolating will need that negative Day 7 RAT test in order to return to campus.

The Government’s decision to reduce the isolation period is larger due to the increasing evidence that people are most likely to transmit the Omicron virus earlier in their infectious period. So, please be reassured that any risk associated with having people back on campus after just 7 days of isolation is low.

A reminder that under our RED Safety Protocols, mask use, hand hygiene and physically distancing as much as possible are still in play. These are critical ways of keeping our community safe. And please, if at any time you feel unwell, stay/go home and seek a COVID test if required.

Keep up the great work everyone. Modelling is suggesting that Auckland may be coming over the peak of this Omicron outbreak. I’m sure that our campus will be vibrant and humming with students and staff once more in the not-too-distant future.

Arohanui,

Suzette

Dr Suzette Major

Campus Director, SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 UPDATE: 8 March 2022

COVID-19 UPDATE: 8 March 2022

Updated way of reporting SAE cases

Kia ora SAE whānau

As we ride the Omicron wave, it’s not surprising that we are finding more COVID cases on campus. This is not unexpected, and we’ve been planning for this at SAE. I’m incredibly proud of how our SAE community is coping – you are all continually proving how resilient, flexible and caring you are. Ngā mihi nui. 

My concern however is that with each announcement I make about another confirmed case at SAE, it may become overwhelming and the details of the confirmed case may become lost. 

As of today, I am therefore taking a slightly different approach in announcing any confirmed COVID cases that have been on campus. 

Essentially, I’m going to start a ‘Locations of Interest’ table specifically for our SAE Auckland campus. This will list each confirmed case, the dates they visited SAE and where they went. This will help you to determine if you were in close proximity to the confirmed case.

I will still reach out to any Close Contacts directly with additional instructions. But in general, at all times, please continue to monitor for symptoms and, if you become unwell, stay home and seek a COVID test if required. And please check our SAE Locations of Interest table regularly. 

The table below will be updated and announced via Slack and our COVID website whenever we have a new confirmed case that’s been on campus.

I hope this makes keeping track of COVID at SAE easier.

Take care everyone.

Arohanui,

COVID-19 UPDATE : 3 March 2022

 COVID-19 UPDATE: 3 March 2022

5th COVID Case on Campus

Kia ora SAE whānau,

I’m writing to let you know of a confirmed COVID-19 case in our community. The confirmed case visited SAE campus on Wednesday 2 March, between 12noon-4pm. They were primarily located within Studio B and also visited Studio A.

What we’re doing

·       We’re working to identify any Close Contacts of the confirmed Case

·       Close contacts will be contacted in a separate email shortly

·       The campus does not need to close. The risk assessment has been deemed as low. Full cleaning of our campus will be undertaken tonight as per our usual cleaning regime. 

What you need to do

·       If you were at 18 Heather St (SAE Studios) on Wednesday afternoon, please monitor for symptoms.

·        If you feel unwell, please stay home and seek medical advice, including a COVID-19 test if required 

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me on Slack @s.major or email s.major@sae.edu.

Stay safe everyone. 

Noho ora mai,

Suzette

Dr Suzette Major

Campus Director, SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 UPDATE: 1 March 2022

COVID-19 UPDATE: Tuesday 1 March 2022

Further Confirmed COVID Case on Campus

Kia ora SAE whānau,

I’m writing to inform you that we’ve had a further confirmed COVID-19 case in our community. The confirmed case visited SAE campus on Monday 28 Feb, between 9am - 12.30pm and was based primarily within 10 Heather St computer labs. Specifically, they attended classes in Totara and Nikau Computer Labs and also visited SAE reception.

What we’re doing

We’re working to identify any Close Contacts of the confirmed Case.

Close contacts will be contacted in a separate email shortly.

The campus does not need to close. So long as you are well, you are able to continue attending your on-campus classes.

What you need to do

If you were in the Totara or Nikau computer lab on Monday morning or at the SAE reception, please monitor for symptoms.

If you feel unwell, please stay home and seek medical advice, including a COVID-19 test if required

As COVID numbers increase and we find further cases on campus, the key message for our entire SAE community is to regularly monitor for symptoms. Please ensure you keep your masks on at all times. And if you become unwell, please go home and seek a COVID test.

Take care everyone. These are challenging times, but I know with the kindness and understanding that SAE is renowned for, we can support each other through.

Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Noho ora mai 

Suzette

COVID-19 UPDATE: 28 February 2022

COVID-19 UPDATE: Monday 28 February 2022

3^rd Confirmed COVID Case on Campus

Kia ora SAE whānau,

I’m writing to inform you that we’ve had a further confirmed COVID-19 case in our community. The confirmed case visited SAE campus on Friday 25 Feb, between 9am - 11.30am and was based primarily within the Rimu computer lab.

What we’re doing?

We’re working to identify any Close Contacts of the confirmed Case

Close contacts will be contacted in a separate email shortly

The campus does not need to close. So long as you are well, you are able to continue attending your on campus classes

What you need to do?

If you were in the Rimu computer lab on Friday morning, please monitor for symptoms.

If you feel unwell, please stay home and seek medical advice, including a COVID-19 test if required

I’m aware that such cases are popping up regularly now. I will inform you each time we’ve had a positive case that has been on campus. But in general, the key message is to regularly monitor for symptoms. And if you become unwell, please go home and seek a COVID test.

I also know that such ongoing cases will cause anxiety for some of you. Know that we are well equipped to deal with such cases and we will continue to do all we can to keep you safe, as well as informed as we ride this Omicron wave.

Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Noho ora mai 

Suzette

COVID-19 UPDATE: 26 February 2022

COVID-19 UPDATE: 26 February 2022

Confirmed COVID Case on Campus

Kia ora SAE whānau, 

Apologies for a weekend announcement, but I wanted to alert you that we’ve had another confirmed COVID-19 case in our community. The confirmed case visited SAE campus on Thursday 24 February, between 6-8pm and was based primarily in Studio C as well as Studio B live room. 

What we’re doing

We’re working to identify any Close Contacts of the confirmed Case

Close contacts will be contacted in a separate email shortly.

The campus does not need to close. The risk assessment has been deemed as low. Full cleaning of our campus will be undertaken tonight as per our usual cleaning regime.

What you need to do

If you were at the SAE Studios on Thursday evening, please monitor for symptoms.

If you feel unwell, please stay home and seek medical advice, including a COVID-19 test if required

I’m aware that another positive case on campus is not the news we want to hear, but please be assured that we have measures in place to deal with this situation. I will reach out to any Close Contacts shortly with specific instructions.

Noho ora mai

Suzette

COVID-19 UPDATE: 25 February 2022

COVID-19 UPDATE: 25 February 2022

Move to Phase 3 

Kia ora SAE whānau,

Yesterday, the COVID Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced that New Zealand is moving to Phase 3 of the Omicron response.

So, what is Phase 3 about 

In simple terms, Omicron is now widespread in the community. Case numbers will continue to rise sharply over coming weeks as we reach the peak of the Omicron wave. While this might feel scary, it’s important to remember that we’ve been preparing for this moment. 

SAE is well placed to cope with the Omicron outbreak. The safety measures we’ve put in place are designed to minimise the spread should we have a positive case on campus. We witnessed this earlier this week, when the risk associated with the positive case we had at SAE was deemed as low. There was no need to close the campus or ask people to self-isolate. Rather, all staff and students including close contacts were simply asked to monitor for symptoms.

The safety protocols we are operating under are attached. I’d like to particularly emphasize 3 main points:

• It’s critical that you are wearing a surgical-grade mask while on campus. Please wear it correctly – fully covering your nose and mouth. We all need to help monitor this. If you see someone who is not wearing a mask correctly, please (kindly ) ask them to adjust it. If anyone continues to not wear a mask correctly, they will be asked to leave campus immediately.
• In terms of physical distancing rules, try to keep around 1m distanced from each other as much as you can. I recognise this is not always possible in some of our SAE spaces – hence the importance of wearing a mask when in close proximity to others.
• Please stay home if you are feeling unwell and seek a COVID test if required

What you need to do if you test positive to COVID-19

If you test positive to COVID-19, either through a PCR test or a RAT test, please alert me immediately. We need to determine if you’ve been on campus while infectious, and if so, I’ll undertake some contact tracing with you and inform our SAE community.

Who needs to self-isolate?

Under Phase 3, you only need to self-isolate if you have tested positive to COVID-19 or if you are a household contact. You will need to isolate for 10 days and not visit SAE at any time during that period.

While you are self-isolating, we will work with you to ensure you can continue to zoom through to classes where possible. And, once you can return to SAE, we’ll help catch you up on sessions you may have missed.

What about Close Contacts?

Close Contacts no longer need to self-isolate. Rather, just monitor for symptoms and if you become unwell then go home and seek a COVID test.

If you’ve been self-isolating as a Close Contact this week, we are asking that you remain off campus for just a few more days. From next Monday 28 Feb, if you are well, you are welcome to return to SAE.

Attached are some updated COVID procedures that outlines the step-by-step approach we’ll take should you test positive to COVID-19 or become a household or close contact.

The shift to Phase 3 places more responsibility on the individual. Be mindful of where you go, who you visit, and whether you are feeling unwell. If you are with vulnerable people such as visiting an aged care facility, do everything you can to ensure you are not taking COVID-19 with you. Continually monitor for symptoms, and if you ever feel unwell, please seek a COVID test and self-isolate if it’s positive. 

While we’ll likely see more COVID cases at SAE, remember that we have been preparing for this moment. Over these next few weeks, more than ever, I ask that you strictly follow the safety protocols we’ve put in place: wear a mask, physically distance as much as possible, scan/sign in each day, and stay home if you are feeling unwell. In so doing, you help me to help keep our SAE community safe.

As always, please reach out if you have any questions or concerns. I’m best reached by Slack @s.major or email s.major@sae.edu.

Kia kaha e te whānau.

Arohanui,

Suzette

COVID-19 UPDATE: 23 February 2022

COVID-19 UPDATE: 23 Feb 2022

Confirmed COVID Case on Campus

Kia ora SAE whānau,

As you know, the health and wellbeing of our students, staff and community at SAE is a top priority. You may have heard there’s a confirmed COVID-19 case in our community. The confirmed case visited SAE campus yesterday, Tuesday 22 Feb between 12noon and 5pm.

What we’re doing

• We’re working to identify any Close Contacts of the confirmed Case
• Close contacts will be contacted in a separate email shortly
• The campus does not need to close. The risk assessment has been deemed as low. Full cleaning of our campus will be undertaken tonight as per our usual cleaning regime.

What you need to do

• If you were at 10 Heather St (computer labs) or 12 Heather St (SAE reception) anytime between 12 noon and 5pm on Tuesday 22 Feb, please monitor for symptoms.
• If you feel unwell, please stay home and seek medical advice, including a COVID-19 test if required

I’m aware that having a positive case on campus is not the news we want to hear, but please be assured that we have measures in place to deal with this situation. I will reach out to any Close Contacts shortly with specific instructions.

Noho ora mai 

Suzette

Dr Suzette Major

Campus Director, SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 UPDATE: 16 February 2022

COVID-19 UPDATE: 16 February 2022 

Kia ora SAE whānau 

It has been such a pleasure seeing so many staff and students on campus this week. How wonderful to have our campus feeling so vibrant again! 

A reminder that under RED, some of your classes are on campus whilst others are online. Keep an eye on your Slack channels for details about whether you need to come to SAE or attend via Zoom.

Now that we have some classes back on campus, I’d like to outline the work that SAE has been doing in preparation for dealing with the highly transmissible COVID-19 Omicron variant. 

In general, SAE has been taking a precautionary approach to dealing with COVID. Our aim is to minimize the chance of Omicron reaching our campus by enforcing a vaccination requirement, ensuring all staff, students and visitors are physically distanced and wearing masks at all times, and by reducing the number of classes on campus on any given day. We’ve also installed HEPA air filtration units across studios and have regular cleaning of the campus including sanitising high touch areas and using air sanitisers. Should Omicron reach our shores, we are well prepared to swing into action. 

The attached procedures show you what happens should you test positive to COVID-19 or if you are identified as a Close Contact.

Hopefully the step-by-step guidelines are fairly self-explanatory. Key points to remember are:

• Any staff or students who test positive to COVID-19 should contact me
• Any students who are identified as a Close Contact should contact Student Support
• Any staff who are identified as a Close Contact should contact me

Either myself or Student Support can then lead you through the steps we need to take. Our contact details are in the attached documents.

Please continue to show the kindness and aroha that our SAE community is renowned for. By continuing to offer care and support to each other, along with the health and safety measures we’ve put in place, SAE Auckland is well placed to face Omicron. As a reminder of those health and safety measures, I’ve also reattached our RED Safety Protocols.

If you have any questions about the attached procedures, or any general queries about our COVID-19 response at SAE, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me on s.major@sae.edu

Ngā mihi nui,

Suzette

Dr Suzette Major

Campus Director, SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 UPDATE: 4 February 2022

COVID-19 UPDATE: 4 February 2022

VACCINATION REQUIREMENT AT SAE AUCKLAND

Kia ora SAE Students, 

SAE Auckland recognises our responsibility to provide a safe working and learning environment for our SAE community. 

 We are committed to minimising the risk of COVID-19 to SAE staff, students and visitors, and ensuring that the campus is kept as safe as possible throughout the pandemic. As part of this commitment, SAE is implementing a Vaccination Policy which aligns to the Government’s public health response to COVID-19.

 As outlined in this policy, all staff, students and visitors to SAE will be required to be fully vaccinated to attend our campus unless otherwise exempted with an official Ministry of Health medical exemption.

 The Ministry of Health My Vaccine Pass must be used to evidence the vaccination status of staff, students and visitors. If staff, students or visitors hold a valid My Vaccine Pass, they are able to access the SAE Auckland campus at all traffic light settings.

 A Student Vaccination Register has been established to gather information regarding the COVID-19 vaccination status of all students studying at SAE Auckland.

 Please complete this google form in order to submit your details to the Student Vaccination Register. This form must be completed by all new and returning students, whether or not you are vaccinated.

 If you are not vaccinated, please contact me to schedule a zoom call to discuss options.

Student vaccination evidence will be stored securely on the SAE Auckland server as part of your SAE Student Enrolment record. These student records are maintained by our SAE Auckland Student Recruitment and Enrolment Officer. This information will be destroyed as soon as the current My Vaccine Pass has expired (typically 6 months), and if required, updates may be sought at that time. 

 Unless otherwise indicated, student vaccination status will be shared with staff you interact with including administration staff, teachers, student support and studio supervisors, so they are aware of which students are able to be on campus. 

 Upon submitting your vaccination status details and a copy of your My Vaccine Pass to the register, SAE Auckland students will no longer need to have their Vaccine Pass checked daily on arrival. 

Please ensure you submit your My Vaccine Pass to the SAE Auckland Student Vaccination Register by no later than Sunday 13 February.

If you have any questions, please contact Campus Director, Dr Suzette Major on s.major@sae.edu .

Ngā mihi nui,

Suzette

Campus Director,

SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 UPDATE: 23 January 2022

COVID-19 UPDATE: 23 January 2022

Kia ora koutou,

This morning, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Director of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield held an unscheduled press conference to announce that there are cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant circulating in the community.

As a result, the entire country is being moved to the RED traffic light setting as of midnight tonight, Sunday 23 January.

Effective immediately, the SAE Auckland campus will be closed for one week until at least Monday 31 January. Closing the campus for this period allows us all time to readjust to the new setting – both for our own personal household as well as for the SAE campus. All staff should work from home during this period. No staff, students or visitors should go on campus unless they have been given specific permission by myself or Leyland.

I will be back in touch prior to Monday 31 January to discuss the next steps for SAE, including how we might partially open within the RED setting.

The most immediate impact for SAE is that all Graduation events scheduled for the week ahead will be postponed. This includes the Diploma Presentation Ceremony, the Audio and Music Showcase, the Degree Graduation Ceremony and the Academy Film Screening. It is so unfortunate that we’ve been unable to proceed with these events – I know how much staff, our graduates and their whānau were looking forward to the celebrations. However, given the size and scale of these events, they cannot be held within the Ministry of Health restrictions of gathering sizes and physical distancing measures. As soon as we can proceed safety with these graduation events, we will do so.

This is not the ideal start to 2022 and I’m acutely aware that everyone is tired after 2 years of negotiating this global pandemic. But our SAE community is strong, and I know that with the kindness, aroha and creativity that we are renowned for, we can once again help each other through this latest outbreak.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly on s.major@sae.edu or 027 6693119.

Stay safe everyone. Arohanui,
Suzette

Dr Suzette Major

Campus Director, SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 UPDATE: 2 December 2021

Kia ora SAE whānau

This Friday 3 December, New Zealand moves to the new COVID Protection Framework, commonly known as the Traffic Light System. 

The Traffic Light System helps protect New Zealanders from COVID-19 and minimise the spread of the virus through vaccinations, capacity limits, record keeping, and public health measures.

At a glance, the RED traffic light will be used if there’s a need to protect both at-risk people and our health system from an unsustainable number of hospitalisations. Under ORANGE, there’s increasing community transmission of COVID-19 and some health measures are needed. Under GREEN, there are a limited number of COVID-19 cases in the community and most restrictions are lifted.

SAE Auckland can continue to operate under all 3 traffic light settings. 

Attached is our SAE Auckland COVID Safety Plan that will take effect from this Friday. I highly recommend you read this thoroughly and become familiar with how we will operate under RED, ORANGE and GREEN.

As announced on Monday, as we move to the new framework, Auckland will be placed into the RED traffic light.

The specific Safety Protocols for the RED setting are therefore also attached. In short, they state:

• Fully vaccinated staff, students and visitors, or those with an official vaccination exemption, can be on campus and must scan in using the My Vaccine Pass upon arrival (yes, visitors are allowed)
• Non-vaccinated staff and students must work and learn from home
• Upon arrival, staff, students and visitors must scan the COVID QR code to meet our contract tracing obligations
• From now until we close for the Christmas break, please continue to contact Alex Ferrier on a.ferrier@sae.edu to book a studio. Do not simply turn up to campus without prior clearance
• 18 Heather St will be open from 9-5pm Monday to Sunday
• 10 and 12 Heather St will remain closed until the end of the year
• Face coverings are mandatory at all times
• 1 metre physical distancing is required at all times
• Equipment can be booked and taken off campus. Please contact Alex Ferrier on a.ferrier@sae.edu to book equipment
• Cleaning equipment will be provided to wipe down surfaces and equipment before and after use
• If you are feeling unwell, do not come to campus. Please seek medical advice including a COVID-19 test if required
• If any staff, students or visitors test positive to COVID-19, please contact Suzette immediately on 027 669-3119 or email s.major@sae.edu

It is encouraging to be moving to this new COVID Protection Framework, particularly given that SAE will be able to continue to operate at all 3 traffic light settings. The key to maintaining access is to be vaccinated. If you have not as yet been vaccinated, I encourage you to do so.

I do hope you make the most of these next 2 weeks and enjoy spending some time in our studios, following the protocols attached. It’s a great way to put into practice much of what you’ve learnt throughout the year.

Enjoy. And stay safe.

Ngā mihi nui,

Suzette 

Dr Suzette Major

Campus Director, SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 UPDATE: 26 November 2021

Kia ora SAE whānau,

Today marks the end of our teaching year for 2021.

While I appreciate that some students have extensions for assignments and that all of you can continue to access our facilities until Christmas, I didn’t want today to pass without acknowledging this milestone.

To say it’s been a challenging year is an understatement. This past trimester in particular has been so tough.

But we did it.

To make it to the end of the teaching year required extraordinary tenacity, a remarkable ability to problem solve and be flexible, and a deep commitment to creativity and learning. It drew on the best of our humanity – the importance of kindness and consideration for others and the need to be gentle with ourselves.

These are skills and attitudes that will take you far. Beyond the technical competencies you develop at SAE, it is this broader learning that will forever impact your work and career. It may have been the harshest of lessons, but COVID has shown us what we are truly capable of.

I am proud of the kindness and support you have shown each other.

And I am deeply grateful to our amazing teachers and academic leaders, our awesome studio supervisors, our compassionate student support team, and all the other staff from operations and IT to admin and recruitment who have worked so hard behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly. Ngā mihi nui team. You are truly extraordinary.

And to our students: Congratulations for making it through 2021.

If you are finishing up at the end of this year – well done! I look forward to watching you cross the graduation stage in early 2022.

If you are returning next year, I can’t wait to see you back on campus.

Thank you for helping to make this year one that we will truly remember. Not only for the tough times, but also for how we met that challenge.

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini

My strength is not as an individual, but as a collective

Ngā mihi nui,

Suzette 

Dr Suzette Major

Campus Director, SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 UPDATE: 12th November 2021

Kia ora SAE whānau

If we had kept to our original trimester dates, today would have been the final day of Trimester 3. But, as you know, we have extended the teaching year by 2 further weeks and will now officially end on Friday 26 November.

What occurs over these final 2 weeks depends largely on what’s needed to wrap up each particular course. Some courses have scheduled additional classes, some are focusing on students spending time in the studios, others are asking students to book out equipment to shoot off-site, some classes will have 2 weeks of one-on-one supervision, and many courses have extensions in place for final assignments. Reach out to your Course Coordinator or check out your Slack channel to see what’s been planned. 

However these next 2 weeks may unfold, I encourage you to make the most of this opportunity and finalise any outstanding work from across the year. We want to ensure you all get over the line and these additional 2 weeks give you the best chance of doing that. Please also reach out to your classmates and help them to get over the line too. It would be so disappointing to have just one assignment outstanding that prevented a student from completing the year. Let’s collectively help each other through this final stage.

I’d also like to remind you of the mental health support you can access as an SAE student. This ongoing lockdown has been both physically and mentally exhausting and I encourage you to consider the free and confidential professional counselling that SAE can provide. This professional service is organised for you by our Student Support team. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Alex Harter on a.harter@sae.edu or Alex Twidle on a.twidle@sae.edu to discuss options. 

Good luck as you finalise your work in what has been a truly challenging year. I know many of you are so very tired, but we are on the final stretch now. Try to stay positive, focused and industrious. You would not have made it to this point, if you didn’t have the ability to finish this. I, and my team, know you can do it. And we are here to support you ever step of the way.

Noho ora mai,

Suzette 

Dr Suzette Major

Campus Director, SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 ANNOUNCEMENT: 29th October 2021

Kia ora SAE whānau

Over the past week, we have been hearing about the roadmap out of lockdown. Commonly referred to as the ‘Traffic Light’ system, the new COVID Protection Framework will take effect once Auckland reaches 90% fully vaccinated. Current modelling indicates that is likely to be around late November. 

In the meantime, Auckland remains in Alert Level 3.

While it is difficult to continue operating under such restrictions, the announcements over the past week have given us some clarity on how the remainder of Trimester 3 will look for SAE Auckland. 

I would like to take this opportunity to outline this for you all.

1. The SAE Auckland campus will likely remain closed for the remainder of the trimester, with the exception of our studios which are operating under restricted hours.

2. Our teaching year has been extended until 26 November – 2 weeks later than initially planned. You will continue to receive StudyLink support for those additional 2 weeks. 

3. Studios are open under Alert Level 3 protocols. We have computers in the studio building that have music production and editing software that you would typically use in the computer labs. Should you need to access our campus to use those studios, computers or pick up equipment, please contact Alex Ferrier on a.ferrier@sae.edu

4. As per NZQA guidance, we can only allow staff and students on site during Alert Level 3. Sorry – but no guests are allowed. This is because we need to be able to contact our SAE community quickly and easily should there be a positive case on campus. I know this is proving difficult for some of you keen to bring in guests for recording or filming. If this guidance changes, I’ll immediately let you know, but at present its staff and students only 

5. We appreciate that Work Integrated Learning hours may be difficult to undertake during lockdown and we are happy to provide extensions, including into 2022, if needed. Please contact Dave Johnson on d.johnson@sae.edu if you are unable to complete your hours

6. A reminder that beyond the official end of the teaching year, we will continue to allow you access to our studios until 15 December, when the campus closes for the summer break. Our hope is that we will move to the new Traffic Light COVID Protection Framework by then and we may be able to lift some restrictions.

7. Please be aware that once we move to the new COVID Protection Framework, under the RED Traffic Light, only fully vaccinated people will be allowed on campus. This is a government mandate. If you have not as yet been vaccinated, please do so.

8. If you are needing to self-isolate, e.g., due to being a close contact, please let me know. I am required to keep track of such cases. It also means we can ensure we are providing all the support we can during that difficult time. 

9. If you receive a positive COVID-19 test, please contact me as a matter of urgency on 027 669-3119.

10. Finally, from now until the end of the year, I’m going to run an Open Zoom room for students or staff that have any questions or concerns. A little like dedicated office hours, albeit virtual. My open zoom room will run: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 12-1pm at:  https://navitas.zoom.us/j/9614694565 

While this is not the way we wanted Trimester 3 to unfold, I am forever grateful to the team for all they are doing to keep classes going and for the support and guidance they continue to offer. Working and studying through a global pandemic is, at times, overwhelming. Yet the comradely, maturity and kindness you have all shown is evidence of a truly extraordinary group of people. As creatives, we naturally adapt. And perhaps our creative spirits are what has helped us negotiate the toughest of trimesters. 

I also want to particularly acknowledge Alex Ferrier and our Studio Supervisors – Richard, Chai, Sid, Marlon, Alex T, Amy, and our newest addition Noah. These are the staff that are on site every day – carefully managing our campus to ensure every student and staff member who comes on site is kept safe. That’s a big responsibility. And they do that work with a smile and with humour, and they help keep the spirits up of those that make it to campus. Thank you. We are so lucky to have such a talented, creative and caring Studio Supervisor team. 

Stay safe everyone. And remember that I’m available in my personal zoom room everyday Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at midday if you have any questions.

Good luck for the remainder of Trimester 3.

Arohanui,

Suzette

Dr Suzette Major

Campus Director, SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 ANNOUNCEMENT: 15th October 2021

Tomorrow is Super Saturday - a nationwide drive to increase our vaccination rate across Aotearoa New Zealand. 

SAE Auckland encourages you to get involved. If you have not as yet been vaccinated, please make the most of Super Saturday. And if you have been vaccinated, support others to get their shot. The best chance we have of Auckland moving down Alert Levels, and our SAE Auckland campus being able to fully open again, is by having high vaccination rates. 

There are multiple events happening tomorrow, from mobile vaccination buses to celebrities making appearances at vaccination sites throughout the day. There are pop-up events across the city – even Air New Zealand has transformed one of its Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets into a vaccine clinic. Or you can tune into the Vaxathon from midday.

So, if you’ve been waiting to book in for your COVID vaccination, now’s the time. You can find details of Super Saturday events at vaccinateforauckland.nz

If you are hesitant or have any questions about being vaccinated, check out the resources from the Ministry of Health, or jump onto one of their ‘live chat’ sessions with a medical expert. 

Once we are back on campus, the more staff and students we have that are fully vaccinated, the safer SAE will be. 

And, as the #vaxforlive campaign reminds us, high vaccination rates are also critical for our creative industries. 

So, for yourself, your whānau, for our SAE community, for our industry, please make the most of Super Saturday - get vaccinated and support others to get vaccinated too.

Arohanui,

Suzette

Dr Suzette Major

Campus Director, SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 ANNOUNCEMENT: 4 October 2021

Kia ora SAE whānau,

Today, Cabinet met to review Alert Levels and decided that Auckland will remain in Alert Level 3, but restrictions will now gradually be eased. A 3-step plan was announced that will help Auckland transition out of lockdown over coming weeks.

Step one, which will take effect from midnight Tuesday 5 Oct, allows 2 households to socialise outdoors, up to a maximum of 10 people. Early childhood education will open and people can travel around the region for recreational purposes.

Step two allows retail to open, as well as public facilities such as pools, zoos and museums. The number of people who can meet will increase to 25.

Step three extends to hospitality and some close contact businesses such as hairdressers will be able to open. Gatherings will then be extended to 50.

At the end of this 3-step phased approach, New Zealand will move to a national framework that reflects a more highly vaccinated population. 

To be clear, throughout each of these 3 steps, Auckland remains at Alert Level 3 and we must continue to maintain social distancing, mask wearing and contract tracing at all times. The dates upon which Auckland will move to Step 2 or Step 3 will be determined in due course. 

The most significant announcement for SAE was that, at this stage, schools are set to re-open on 18 October. This is a tentative date and a final decision will be made closer to the time.

So, for the time being, all our classes continue online, and our SAE campus remains largely closed with the exception of our SAE Studios. Students are able to access our studios, or pick up equipment, as per our Alert Level 3 Studio Protocols. A reminder that if you do wish to visit campus, you must email Head Studio Supervisor Alex Ferrier first to book in a time and undergo a pre-screening clearance check.

I’m aware that this lockdown is now impacting much of our Trimester 3 and I’m sure you’ll be as keen as I am to return to campus. Hopefully it is just another couple of weeks now until we can start bringing classes back to SAE. In the meantime, please be assured that our staff are doing a truly remarkable job and are well capable of delivering our courses online. Where needed, we can put extensions in place to allow you sufficient time on campus, once that is possible, to complete your assessments. And a reminder too that, whatever happens, we will allow you access to our facilities beyond the end of teaching until the Christmas break.

My final key message is the importance of getting vaccinated. Once our campus fully re-opens, the more vaccinated staff and students we have, the safer our SAE community will be. Remember too to check the locations of interest regularly and seek a COVID test if you are feeling unwell or have visited a location of interest. 

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Kia kaha – stay strong. Together we can get through this. Together we are getting through this.

Arohanui,

Suzette

COVID-19 ANNOUNCEMENT: 20 September 2021

Kia ora SAE students

This afternoon, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that Auckland will move to Alert Level 3 as of midnight, Tuesday 21 Sept. The Alert Level 3 boundary has also been extended to include the Whakatiwai and Miranda area, given the new community cases that recently emerged in the Firth of Thames.

Moving Auckland to Alert Level 3 is great news for SAE Auckland, as it allows a partial reopening of our campus.

Buildings at 10 and 12 Heather St will remain fully closed until Alert Level 2. However, our studio facilities at 18 Heather St will open under reduced hours of 9am-5pm Monday to Sunday and under very strict Level 3 protocols.

We need time to set up the campus, so here’s a schedule for the next few days:

•  Wednesday 22 Sept - Thursday 23 Sept: 18 Heather St will open to Studio Supervisors ONLY. They require 2 days to prepare our campus.
  
  
•  Friday 24 Sept - Sunday 26 Sept: The facilities will be open to Staff ONLY. This allows staff time to prepare urgent materials for classes.
  
  
•  From next Monday 27 Sept: Students will be able to access our studios in a very limited manner, under our Alert Level 3 Studio Protocols.

These Alert Level 3 protocols are attached, but may I highlight 3 key points:

1. All classes will stay online.
   
   
2. Any staff or students who wish to use one of our studios, computers or pick up equipment must first undergo a pre-entry clearance check. You must not simply come to campus. Rather, you must email Head Studio Supervisor Alex Ferrier first, on a.ferrier@sae.edu
   
   
3. While on site, you must abide by the attached protocols. These have been set up to help keep our SAE community safe. If anyone breaks these rules, they will be removed from campus immediately.
   
   

I would also like to re-emphasize the importance of testing and vaccinations. If you have any symptoms, or you have visited a location of interest, please self-isolate and contact Healthline to organise a COVID-19 test. A list of Auckland testing sites can be seen here. There are 7 suburbs of particular interest, and the Ministry of Health is encouraging people within these suburbs to be tested, even if asymptomatic. These include Mt Eden, Massey, Māngere, Favona, Papatoetoe, Ōtara and Manurewa. If you live in one of these suburbs, please seek a COVID-19 test to help rule out any undetected community transmission.

I also encourage you to get vaccinated. The more vaccinated staff and students we have, the safer our SAE community will be. To book a vaccine, go to https://bookmyvaccine.nz/

or visit one of the Auckland walk-in vaccination clinics listed here.

These are challenging times, but I have every faith that our community will continue to rise to meet the challenge. To help keep our SAE community safe, please ensure you get tested if required, get vaccinated as soon as you can, and most significantly, follow our Alert Level 3 Studio Protocols if you are visiting campus.

Kia kaha, kia maia kia manawanui – be strong, be brave, be steadfast. By playing your part, you can help keep SAE safe.

As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly via Slack @s.major or email s.major@sae.edu

Ngā mihi nui,

Suzette

COVID-19 ANNOUNCEMENT: 13 September 2021

Kia ora SAE whānau,

This afternoon, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that the current lockdown for Auckland will be extended for at least 1 more week until midnight Tuesday 21 September. That means, Auckland remains in Alert Level 4 and our SAE Auckland campus remains closed for the time being. A further review of Alert levels is scheduled for next Monday.

Keeping Auckland in Alert Level 4 helps keep us all safe. By reducing the interaction that people have with each other, we reduce the potential of spreading the virus. This is particularly critical with the highly transmissional Delta variant that is currently in the Auckland community. 

I know, however, that as each week progresses, lockdown gets tougher. I know that being unable to come to campus right now is hard. I know that you would love to be in our studios, using our equipment, spending time with each other, creating on campus. We miss our students as much as you miss us! 

But I hope that the measures SAE has put in place will help keep you on track as much as possible and ensure your study is not too disrupted. To that end, I’d like to focus on 3 points below that are part of our strategy to help keep you safe and get you through this lockdown.

Extensions

Our teachers are doing a fantastic job of adjusting classes and assessments to ensure you can keep progressing whilst in lockdown. However, individual or class-wide extensions may be needed if the particular project you are working on requires access to our studios, equipment or software. If this is the case, please talk to your Course Coordinator. Extensions will be granted where needed. 

We also hope that by extending access to our studios beyond your final week of classes in November through to the Christmas break, you get that ‘hands on’ experience you are after and helps make up for these weeks in lockdown.

Accessing Support

I am very mindful of the strain that lockdown creates. It can take quite a toll on our mental health and wellbeing. Our Student Support team have therefore set up a daily ‘check-in’ session: 1-2pm every day on zoom link: https://navitas.zoom.us/j/2506570952. Drop in and chat with Alex H or Alex T, and if you need a private chat they can place you in a break-out room. 

We also have Hardship Funds available – if you have been directly impacted by this latest COVID outbreak, if you’ve lost your job and unable to pay rent, if you are struggling with covering the costs of data because of all your zoom calls, then please chat with Student Support. They can talk through with you how to apply for our Student Hardship Fund. 

Vaccinations

Once SAE campus can reopen, we lessen the risk of getting COVID or passing on the virus if we are fully vaccinated. SAE strongly encourages you to get a COVID vaccine. All people aged 12 years and over can get a vaccination. Go to: https://bookmyvaccine.nz/ to book your spot. The higher the percentage of vaccinated staff and students we have on campus, the safer SAE becomes.

Finally, I’ve been continually impressed with the kindness and understanding you are showing each other. Thank you also for the care you show my team, particularly recognising how hard they are all working right now. Our SAE community has met the challenge of COVID with compassion and grace. I’m proud of how we are collectively negotiating these unusual times and implore you to continue to look after yourself and each other. Together we will get through this. He waka eke noa.

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns, either via Slack @s.major or email s.major@sae.edu. 

Keep safe everyone. 

Arohanui,

Suzette

COVID-19 ANNOUNCEMENT: 1 September 2021

Kia ora SAE students

On Monday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that Auckland will remain in Alert Level 4 for a further 2 weeks until at least Tuesday 14 September. This means that our SAE Auckland campus remains fully closed and, for the time-being, all classes will continue online.

I am very aware of the disruption that lockdown creates – not only in terms of the challenges it poses for teaching and learning, but also the impact on our mental health. We are a strong, tight-knit community and it’s hard to be away from campus and from each other. I therefore encourage you all to continue to reach out, to support each other through this difficult time and ensure everyone you know is keeping safe and well. A gentle reminder that Student Support can access free, private counselling services for you if needed. There are also a great range of resources available at: https://covid19.govt.nz/health-and-wellbeing/mental-wellbeing/ 

I would also like to take the opportunity today to announce several initiatives that we are putting in place, given the extended lockdown. I trust these will help to alleviate concerns you may have about the impact of Alert Level 4 on your SAE studies. 

1. All current students will be granted continued access to our studios, labs and equipment beyond the end date of Tri 3 classes through to the Christmas break, specifically until Wednesday 15 December. These additional weeks will give you the chance to continue to hone your creative and technical skills using the industry standard facilities that SAE is renowned for. Bookings will be needed as per usual, and access will obviously be dependent upon Alert Level protocols applicable at the time. 

2. We are couriering out webcams, usb mics and mice to students, as well as helping out with data costs if needed. If you need such devices or data, please contact Alex Ferrier or Alex Harter to discuss.

3. As previously mentioned by our Academic Manager Dr Julia Reynolds, Course Coordinators may adjust assessments or due dates as we go. We are trying to be fluid, reasonable and practical in our approach throughout lockdown. However, beyond any class-wide extensions that may be announced for particular assessments, you may also formally apply for an extension if you feel you have been specifically impacted by not having access to studios/equipment or software. Please discuss your circumstances with the Course Coordinator first so that we can make adjustments and provide support where possible.

4. Level 6 and 7 students may be impacted in your ability to undertake Work-Integrated Learning during lockdown. If you are yet to accumulate placement hours, you must speak with Dave Johnston immediately. We can grant extensions if required, however this can only be considered once you have a plan in place with Dave. 

5. For our new Music Production students who just commenced study in Tri 3: we are aware you have not, as yet, had a chance to experience SAE life on campus. We are therefore extending your ‘census date’ – i.e., the date in which you must fully commit to the course. Usually this occurs 8 days after starting your programme, however we will start these ‘8 days’ once you have actually started on campus. This will give you time to assess if the Music Production course is the right one for you.

6. Unless advised otherwise, we will endeavour to ensure that your Trimester dates do not change, i.e., courses will still be completed by November 12. This means you should not need to be concerned with making any adjustments to StudyLink etc. 

7. For those who would be graduating with a Diploma at the end of this year (i.e., completing Level 5 and exiting SAE), please be advised that we will likely move your Diploma Presentation Ceremony date to January, allowing us time to get any students through extensions in time to graduate. Once we have settled on a new date, you will be informed. At this stage, the Degree Graduation Ceremony (for Level 7 students) will occur in late January 2022 as initially planned. 

8. We are very aware of the social side of SAE and how much you are missing spending time together beyond the classroom. From today, Student Support have therefore set up a social zoom room, open daily from 1 to 2pm. This is a space to ‘hang-out’, catch up with fellow SAE students, share material that you’ve been working on, as well as chat with Student Support. If you need a private conversation, Alex H will direct you to a breakout room.

9. Finally, a reminder that our studios are able to open, under very strict protocols, at Alert Level 3. While all classes will remain online, we can allow some students on campus, in a limited capacity, so that you can use our facilities for your assessments. Once we have confirmation about when a shift to Alert Level 3 will occur, I will be in touch to outline those protocols.

I hope these initiatives help reassure you that SAE is well equipped, experienced, and resourced for online delivery. While lockdown brings about challenges, our focus continues to be delivering the best possible student experience. It is also encouraging to see the average daily COVID case numbers drop in recent days and I’m hopeful that Auckland will be able to move back down Alert Levels soon.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge my extraordinary team. They have been working tirelessly over these past 2 weeks to ensure your learning experience at SAE continues to be a positive one. SAE is an amazing place to work and study largely because of the people. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated, capable, and creative team of staff. Please join me in thanking them for all they are doing. 

Kia kaha everyone. Together we will get through this.

Arohanui,

Suzette

COVID-19 UPDATE: 23 AUGUST 2021

Kia ora 

This afternoon, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that the current lockdown will be extended once more, with Auckland staying in Alert Level 4 for the remainder of August – until at least midnight, Tuesday 31 August.

That means, our SAE Auckland campus remains fully closed and all classes will continue online for the time-being. 

I implore you to regularly check the locations of interest. There are now over 300 sites, many of which are in or around Auckland city. If you have been at a location of interest at the date/time noted, you must immediately self-isolate, seek a COVID test and contact Healthline on 0800 358 5453.

Please also be aware that there are now staff and students who have been identified as close contacts and are self-isolating. Given this, there are four key points I want to reiterate: 

1. Please look out for COVID symptoms and if you feel unwell, seek a COVID test and contact Healthline. 

2. As above, please regularly check the locations of interest and comply with all associated health orders.

3. If you do need to self-isolate, please inform me through emailing s.major@sae.edu or via Slack. 

4. Please be mindful of everyone you are interacting with during our zoom classes, recognising that you may not be aware of the personal circumstances that fellow students or staff are facing, including whether or not they are self-isolating while attending their online class. Kindness and aroha goes a long way when we are anxious, so let’s continue supporting each other through this challenging time. 

I would also like to remind all of you of the counselling support we have available, both for staff and students. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Student Support or to me privately to discuss your situation if needed.

All the best with your online classes this week. Fingers crossed that collectively we can stop the spread of this outbreak and gather on campus again soon.

Arohanui,

Suzette

COVID-19 UPDATE: 20 AUGUST 2021

Kia ora SAE students

This afternoon, the Prime Minister announced that the current New Zealand-wide lockdown will extend to at least midnight next Tuesday 24 August. This is to allow time for community cases to be identified and for ongoing contract tracing to be undertaken. I will continue to send out communications as updates come to hand. 

I’m very aware that commencing Trimester 3 under lockdown is not ideal. However, the staff have been working hard this week to ensure that your online classes will be engaging and valuable and I’m sure you’ll enjoy catching up with everyone, albeit online. As soon as we are able to re-open part or all of the campus, we will do so.

So, to confirm: Trimester 3 starts next Monday 23 Aug, with all classes online. You must not come to campus. Please check your Slack channels for the zoom link each day. And don’t hesitate to reach out to your Course Coordinator, to Student Support or to me should you have any questions.

Good luck and stay safe

Arohanui,

Suzette

Dr Suzette Major

Campus Director, SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 UPDATE: 17 AUGUST 2021

Kia ora SAE students

This afternoon, a community case of COVID-19 was detected in Auckland. Given the potential that this case may be the more transmissible Delta strain, our government has taken the pre-emptive action of moving New Zealand immediately to Alert Level 4. Alert Level 4, a full lockdown, will take effect as of midnight tonight.

The SAE Auckland campus is now CLOSED and must not be accessed by any staff or students until further notice. This includes all offices, classrooms and studios. If you have any equipment currently booked out, please keep it with you until the campus re-opens.

Alert Level 4 aims to eliminate widespread outbreaks by having people stay at home and by closing all businesses except essential services. This means you must go home, and stay home. For Auckland, this snap lockdown will last for at least 1 week and will be reviewed again in 3 days. For further information, please visit the Government’s official COVID-19 website: https://covid19.govt.nz/. I also advise you to regularly visit the Locations of Interest, which are being updated regularly.

I’m very aware that lockdowns are disruptive and stressful. It is understandable if your anxiety levels are high. Let’s continue to be mindful, respectful and caring towards each other as we negotiate these challenging times. Reach out to your classmates, regularly check in with each other and contact us at any time. He waka eke noa – We are all in this together.

I will be back in touch over the next few days to discuss how your classes might be impacted next week. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact me or any SAE staff over Slack, email or phone should you have any questions.

Stay safe everyone.

Arohanui,

Suzette 

Dr Suzette Major

Campus Director, SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 UPDATE: 12th March 2021

Kia ora staff and students

Great news! Cabinet has announced this morning that Auckland is able to lift the current COVID-19 restrictions and revert to Alert Level 1, as of midday today. The most recent outbreak is now regarded as contained and the risk of community transition is low.

This means we can fully return all staff and students to campus. All classes can be held on campus, without the need for physical distancing.

A reminder however that we must still scan/sign in daily, wear face masks when on public transport or in close proximity to others and continue to practice good hand hygiene. Most significantly, please stay home if you are unwell and seek medical attention including a COVID-19 test if required.

I’m sure you are as thrilled as I am that we can fully return to campus. It has been a challenging start to our academic year and I commend you all for the flexibility and resilience you have shown moving in and out of lockdowns. It will be a pleasure to see our SAE creative community together and vibrant once more.

See you on campus!

Ngā mihi nui,

Suzette

COVID-19 UPDATE: 5th March 2021

This afternoon, Cabinet met to review the current COVID-19 Alert Level. Given the high amount of testing, the contract tracing measures undertaken and the fact that there have been no community cases now for five days, Cabinet has decided to move Auckland and New Zealand back through Alert Levels. As of this Sunday 7th March @ 6am, Auckland will move to Alert Level 2.

Alert Level 2 means we can re-open our campus. However, given the need for physical distancing, some classes will be held on zoom so that those on campus have sufficient room to spread out. We will ensure however that everyone gets a chance to be on campus at some point next week. Please keep a close eye on Slack, where your Lecturers will post messages about whether your class is online or on-campus.

As of Sunday, 8am, our studios will fully re-open at standard opening hours: Mondays to Sundays, 8am-10pm. Equipment can be booked and taken off campus from Sunday morning onwards. 

It’s great news that we can transition back to campus. However, I implore you to still be mindful of our Alert Level 2 safety protocols. These are reattached as a reminder, and include:

• Most significantly, stay home if you are sick and seek medical advice 

• Scan in each day through the COVID-19 app or via our manual contact tracing register

• Maintain good hand hygiene and cough/sneeze into your elbow

• Mask wearing is mandatory on public transport and encouraged on campus. All staff and students are particularly encouraged to wear masks when in areas of close proximity such as our studios

• All staff and students at high risk of COVID-19 should stay at home

• Physical distancing of 1 metre should be maintained at all times

• Classes are held both on campus and online to ensure sufficient space on campus to maintain physical distancing

• Studios and computer labs are fully open, 8am-10pm 

• Film equipment can be booked and taken off campus as per normal.

Please also keep a close eye on the locations of interest and follow the Ministry of Health advice regarding self-isolation and obtaining a COVID test. These locations are updated regularly, so it’s worth visiting this website often.

If you have any queries, please let us know. Otherwise, check your Slack channels regarding classes and feel free to start booking studios and equipment.

See you back on campus!

Ngā mihi nui,

Suzette

Dr Suzette Major

Campus Director, SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 UPDATE: 27 February 2021

Kia ora SAE staff and students

This evening, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that following a further positive COVID-19 community case, Auckland is moving back to Alert Level 3 as of 6am, Sunday 28 February. This lockdown will be place for the next 7 days.

Our SAE Auckland campus will immediately close. No staff or students should come to campus until further notice. All classes will move to online learning – check your Slack channels for details. 

Please stay home and stay safe. If you are feeling unwell, or if you have visited one of the locations of interest, please contact Healthline on 0800 358 5453 and seek a COVID-19 test if required.

As always, reach out if you have any questions or concerns. As soon as we receive further information, I’ll be back in touch.

Arohanui,

Suzette

Dr Suzette Major

Campus Director, SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 UPDATE: 22 February 2021

Kia ora SAE staff and students,

This afternoon, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that our recent ‘snap lockdown’ has contained the community cases of COVID-19 and as such, Auckland can move back to Alert Level 1. The transition to Alert Level 1 will take effect as of midnight tonight.

This is the news we hoped for. It means we can fully return all classes to campus. Please look out for further information within your respective Slack channels, but in general, you can plan to be back to SAE from tomorrow. Yay!

A reminder however that “Alert Level 1 is not Alert Level none”, as recently emphasized by Dr Ashley Bloomfield. We do need to maintain vigilance and care. In particular:

• It’s critical that you do not come to campus if you are unwell. Please stay home and seek medical attention as required.

• You must scan in daily, either through the COVID-19 app or our manual sign in sheets. The recent community cases were contained so quickly largely because of the speed in which contact tracing could occur. Let’s do our bit and ensure we ALL scan in every day.

• Maintain good hand hygiene and cough/sneeze into your elbow.

• Mask wearing is mandatory on public transport and encouraged on campus, particularly when in close proximity to others over a sustained period such as recording in our studios.

Our Level 1 protocols are reattached as a reminder. 

And one final reminder: We typically don’t know what is happening behind the scenes for most of our students and staff. Many of you will have loved-ones affected by COVID-19, particularly if you have family overseas. Some may have lost jobs as a result of the pandemic, others will be working in stressful situations on the front-line. So, as we come back together on campus, let’s please continue to be respectful and kind to each other. Treating each other well helps ensure SAE is a safe and enjoyable place to come to everyday, no matter what you are dealing with outside of these four walls. 

I look forward to seeing you all back on campus. 

Ngā mihi nui

Suzette

Dr Suzette Major

Campus Director, SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 UPDATE: 17 February 2021

This afternoon, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that our current Alert Level 3 lockdown will cease as of midnight tonight and we will transition to Alert Level 2. This is great news as it allows us to transition back to campus.

Under Alert Level 2, our campus is able to re-open, albeit under strict protocols. These protocols include:

• Most significantly, stay home if you are sick and seek medical advice 

• Scan in each day through the COVID-19 app or via our manual contact tracing register

• Maintain good hand hygiene and cough/sneeze into your elbow

• Mask wearing is mandatory on public transport and encouraged on campus. All staff and students are particularly encouraged to wear masks when in areas of close proximity such as our studios

• All staff and students at high risk of COVID-19 should stay at home

• Physical distancing of 1 metre should be maintained at all times

• Classes are held both on campus and online to ensure sufficient space on campus to maintain physical distancing

• Studios and computer labs are fully open, 8am-10pm 

• Film equipment can be booked and taken off campus as per normal.

These Alert Level 2 protocols are attached.

There are 2 items I would particularly like to draw your attention to:

1. The need for physical distancing

Under Alert Level 2, physical distancing of 1 metre should be maintained whilst on campus. In order to achieve that some teaching will need to continue online, while other classes may be split into smaller groups while on campus. This means there may be a slight adjustment to your timetables so that those on campus are able to spread out and ensure we are meeting physical distancing requirements. As always, please keep a close eye on your Slack channel, as well as your Axis timetable, where the latest information will be posted. 

1. Staff and students who are at high risk of COVID-19

People with pre-existing medical conditions that place them at high risk of COVID-19 should stay home under Alert Level 2. If this is the case, please contact me directly to be placed on our vulnerable persons register. A medical certificate may be required. You will still be able and expected to attend class, however provision can be made, including one-on-one catch ups, where needed.

When will our campus reopen?

On Thursday 18 Feb, our campus will remain closed to students, in order to allow us time to transition the campus with the required physical distancing, as well as readjust the timetable as needed. Only staff will be able to access the campus during normal working hours. 

From Friday 19 Feb, our studios and computer labs will reopen under usual opening hours, 8am-10pm including the weekend. Students are welcome to start booking studios or equipment as needed.

From Monday 22 Feb, all classrooms, studios and computer labs will reopen and classes can return to campus. However, as noted above, some classes may continue online to ensure there’s enough room for those on campus to spread out and maintain physical distancing. Please keep an eye on your Slack channels for information about whether your class is on campus or on line.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the swiftness by which staff and students responded to this snap lockdown. We transitioned seamlessly online with minimal issues. I was so impressed with the positive and compassionate attitude that you all showed. Maintaining the strength of community and taking care of yourself and each other is what will help us through these tough times. He waka eke noa – we are all in this together. 

The next review and announcement regarding Alert Levels will be made on Monday 22 February. Should the situation change at that or any point, I will be back in touch. In the meantime, and as always, please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Ngā mihi nui,

Suzette

Dr Suzette Major

Campus Director, SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 UPDATE: 14 February 2021

Kia ora SAE staff and students,

This afternoon, the Ministry of Health announced that there have been 3 positive COVID-19 cases of community transmission in the Auckland region. As a result, Auckland is being moved to Alert Level 3, as of midnight tonight – Sunday 14 Feb. This snap lockdown has been put in place for 3 days until midnight Wednesday, whilst further investigation is being undertaken.

As a result, our SAE Auckland campus will be closed for the next 3 days. This includes all classrooms, studios and labs. No staff or students should come to campus during this period.

Similar to previous lockdowns, we will maintain classes by moving to online learning. Given we have some very new students who may not as yet be fully comfortable with zoom, we will take a slightly different approach for each level:

• Level 5 classes will be cancelled for Monday 15 Feb, allowing you 24 hours to get prepared for online learning. Please look out for messages in your Slack channels, where staff will assist you in becoming familiar with how to learn from home. Your classes will resume online from Tuesday 16 Feb.

• Level 6 and Level 7 classes will be taught online, as per your usual timetabled classes.

Your Slack channels are the primary way of keeping informed. If you feel unsure how to use Slack, please contact your Class Coordinator directly – they can show you what to do. 

Whilst on previous occasions, we have allowed Studios to remain open during Alert Level 3, for this snap lockdown this will not be the case. Any studio or equipment bookings will be cancelled, and we’ll ensure you get first priority as soon as the campus reopens.

Student Support will continue to be available. You can contact Alex Harter or Alexandra Selkirk-Hanna via their Slack channel or by emailing them directly. Similarly, if you have any IT questions, you can contact Brad directly. And of course, you are welcome to contact me at any time. 

I know that we have only reached Week 2, and this is a disheartening way to start our academic year. However, we hope this community outbreak is resolved quickly and our campus will be able to reopen soon. 

In the meantime, stay home and stay safe. Take care of yourself and each other. If you are feeling unwell, or if you have visited one of the locations of interest, please contact Healthline on 0800 358 5453 and seek a COVID-19 test if required. 

Reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Arohanui,

Suzette

Dr Suzette Major

Campus Director, SAE AUCKLAND

Welcome to SAE Auckland and COVID-19 UPDATE - 29 January 2021

Kia ora SAE students!

The 2021 Academic year is nearly here, with Trimester 1 commencing on Tuesday 9 February.

We are looking forward to welcoming back our returning students to SAE, as well as welcoming all our new students starting studies with us this year.

The team have been busy over the summer break, with equipment upgrades, studio refurbishment and, of course, the academic team have worked tirelessly developing course materials. It looks like an exciting year ahead. 

Before you return to campus, I would like to remind you of our COVID-19 Safety Protocols. 

SAE Auckland takes the health and safety of our students, staff and visitors very seriously. As part of our COVID-19 response, we have developed a detailed SAE Auckland Business Continuity and Safety Plan outlining how we operate across all 4 Alert Levels. This is attached, as well as the Studio Protocols for our current Alert Level 1.

Under Alert Level 1, we are able to proceed with all campus activities, however we must exercise care and vigilance at all times. This means you must:

• scan in daily through the COVID tracing app or manually enter your details on the COVID-19 sign-in forms at the entranceway of all buildings
• maintain good hand hygiene – wash your hands often and use the hand sanitiser provided
• cough/sneeze into your elbow
• wear a face mask when in close proximity to others. A reminder that face masks are mandatory on public transport
• physical distancing is encouraged where possible
• Most significantly, you must stay home if you are sick and seek medical attention including a COVID test if needed

As you’ll be aware, there are some current positive COVID-19 cases under investigation. The Ministry of Health is regularly updating locations of interest. If you attended one of the locations listed during the relevant timeframes, you should immediately isolate and call Healthline about when and where to get a test. You must not visit our SAE Auckland campus. If you are needing to isolate, please alert me on s.major@sae.edu

If we move Alert Levels prior to the commencement of our academic year, I will be in contact to discuss how this might impact SAE Auckland. Please check your emails regularly, as well as Slack channels and our COVID-19 response webpage.

While we appreciate these are challenging times, be assured that SAE Auckland is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and visitors. Throughout your studies, we will provide ongoing support and communication to ensure you feel safe and informed. The aroha and compassion across the SAE community last year helped us navigate a difficult year together. Let’s ensure we maintain that same sense of kindness and understanding as we begin our 2021 academic year.

If at any time you have any questions or concerns regarding our COVID-19 response, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly on (027)669-3119.

I look forward to seeing you all on campus on 9 February! 

Dr Suzette Major

Campus Director, SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 Update re SAE Auckland Degree Graduation: 25 January 2021

Kia ora koutou

This evening marks a momentous occasion for SAE Auckland – our annual Degree Graduation ceremony. Given Auckland is currently under COVID-19 Alert Level 1, this event is continuing as planned.

However, as you’ll be aware, the Ministry of Health is currently investigating a positive COVID-19 case with a person who recently travelled from overseas and completed their stay in managed isolation in a facility in Auckland. The person in question visited a number of places in the Northland region on departing managed isolation and went to around 30 locations. These 30 locations are listed in the Ministry of Health webpage. 

The Ministry of Health has advised that anyone who attended one of the locations listed during the relevant timeframes should immediately isolate and call Healthline about when and where to get a test. If you have any symptoms, get a test promptly. Close contacts of the positive case have been contacted directly.

If you have visited one of these 30 locations, you must not attend our SAE Auckland Graduation Ceremony.

If you are feeling unwell, please stay at home and seek medical advice. 

For those attending graduation – please exercise vigilance and care. Ensure you scan into the venue upon arrival and practice good hand hygiene. You are welcome to wear a mask during the event. Social distancing is encouraged, but not mandatory. 

If, on the off-chance circumstances change between now and 6pm, we will urgently contact graduates via text, email and slack.

Please pass this message onto your family and loved ones attending the ceremony. If you, or any of your guests have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly on (027) 669 3119.

We appreciate these are challenging times, however we know that our Graduation Ceremony will be an exciting and enjoyable evening. We are looking forward to celebrating the success of our graduates with their whānau and friends at Q Theatre tonight.

Ngā mihi nui,

Dr Suzette Major

Campus Director, SAE Auckland

COVID-19 UPDATE 13 NOVEMBER 2020

Kia ora students

Following today’s COVID-19 briefing and the advice of the Ministry of Health, Auckland, as well as the rest of New Zealand, will remain at Alert Level 1. People are now being allowed to return to Auckland CBD.

This means our SAE Auckland campus is able to reopen: 

• Our Studios and Labs will reopen at 8am, Sunday 15 Nov

• The main SAE reception and office will reopen as usual from Monday 16 Nov.
  
  

We are taking an additional day to open our studios and labs to allow sufficient cleaning across the campus tomorrow as a safety precaution.

As we reopen, our ongoing vigilance is important. Please continue to take action to help keep yourself and others safe. This includes:

• scanning in daily through the COVID tracing app or manual entry

• maintain good hand hygiene

• cough/sneeze into your elbow

• from next Monday, mask-wearing on public transport will become mandatory. You are also encouraged to wear masks when in close proximity to others, such as within our studios

• stay home if you are sick and seek medical attention, including a COVID test, if needed.
  
  

Please continue to check your course Slack channel for further information, including new dates that may be applied for assessments or end-of-year events.

I’m aware today and tomorrow’s closure is disruptive – particularly given how close we are to the end of the year! Hang in there folks, I’m sure we can wrap up your final classes and assessments soon.

As always, you are very welcome to contact me directly should you have any queries or concerns.

Ngā mihi nui,

Suzette

Campus Director
SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 UPDATE 12 NOVEMBER 2020

Kia ora SAE students & staff,

This afternoon, the Ministry of Health announced that there has been a case of community transmission of COVID-19 within the Auckland CBD region. 

For information about this case, please visit the COVID-19 government website: https://covid19.govt.nz/updates-and-resources/latest-updates/update-on-covid-19-cases-12-november

As a precaution, Minister Chris Hipkins has requested that anyone living or working within Auckland CBD should stay at home tomorrow where possible.

Given the large number of people that visit SAE each day, and the fact that many of our staff and students live within the Auckland CBD, we are heeding this advice and closing the SAE Auckland campus for Friday 13 November.

I am very aware that this is terrible timing, with many of you handing in final pieces of work and planning public presentations tomorrow. In particular, this is impacting our Level 7 students who had a public exhibition planned for tomorrow afternoon/evening. However, for the health and wellbeing of all staff, students and visitors, we need to close the campus temporarily. The length of this closure will depend on Ministry of Health advice.

Our teaching team will be in touch with students via your Slack channels to discuss specific plans, including where extensions or rescheduling of events may be required. Please be reassured that students will not be penalised in any way due to this closure. 

We hope that this latest community outbreak is resolved quickly. We will re-open campus as soon as the Ministry of Health advises that it is safe to do so

In the meantime, please check your Slack channels and reach out to your Course Coordinators directly with any queries you may have about how the campus closure might impact your specific classes or assessment.

Finally, if you are feeling unwell, please seek a COVID-19 test immediately. A number of pop-up COVID testing stations will be available throughout Auckland CBD. For further information, please contact Healthline on 0800 358 5453.

Stay safe and keep well everyone. 

I will be back in touch as soon as we have further information.

Ngā mihi nui,

Suzette

Campus Director
SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 UPDATE 5 OCTOBER 2020

Kia ora SAE students

This morning, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her Cabinet met to review our COVID-19 Alert Levels. Given the reduction of community transmission, with no community cases now for 10 days, they have decided that Auckland can return to Alert Level 1. This shift will take effect at midnight, Wednesday 7 Oct.

This is great news! It means that we can fully return all staff and students to campus. 

Look out on your Slack channels, and via your Axis timetable, to see where your classes will be located from Thursday onwards.

 As you return to campus, please maintain your vigilance and care. These are all safety protocols we are now well versed in, and include:

• scan in daily through the COVID tracing app or manual entry

• maintain good hand hygiene

• cough/sneeze into your elbow

• you are encouraged to wear a face mask when in close proximity to others including on public transport

• stay home if you are sick and seek medical attention, including a COVID test, if needed

I want to also take this moment to acknowledge what a tough year it has been. 2020 has been stressful and challenging – truly a year like no other. But your resilience throughout, your sense of community and care, your understanding and respectfulness has been a joy to watch. Our SAE community has never been stronger. Thank you. 

If, at any point you have any concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me via email or Slack. Otherwise, I look forward to seeing you all on campus from Thursday.

Ngā mihi nui,

Suzette

Campus Director
SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 UPDATE 14 SEPTEMBER 2020

 Kia ora koutou

 Today, the government reviewed the COVID-19 Alert Levels and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that the current Alert Levels will remain in place for at least one more week. That means, Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) will remain at Alert Level 2.5 and the rest of New Zealand will remain at Alert Level 2. The government will re-consider Alert Levels again next Monday 21 Sept. Should a shift in Alert Level be announced, the earliest that this would occur would be midnight, Wednesday 23 Sept. 

That means, for the meantime, we will continue as we are at SAE Auckland with a mix of online and on-campus classes. Keeping some classes online, means those on campus are able to spread out and ensure we are maintaining physical distancing. But we also want to ensure you have access to our studios, equipment and labs as much as possible. So, as a reminder, the key principles of Alert Level ‘2.5’ include:

• Stay home if you are sick and seek medical advice if required

• Sign in each day through scanning the COVID-19 app upon entry or via our manual contact tracing register

• Maintain physical distancing of 1 metre 

• Maintain good hand hygiene 

• All staff and students are encouraged to wear masks whilst on campus, and in particular when in areas of close proximity such as our studios

• All staff and students at high risk of COVID-19 should stay at home

• Classes are held both on campus and online, ensuring that all students have at least one class on campus per week 

• Studios are fully open, 8am-10pm Monday to Sunday

• Film equipment can be booked and taken off campus as per normal.

As always, keep a close eye on your Slack channel, as well as your Axis timetable, where the latest information will be posted.

 Should the government move Alert Levels next week, we will review our protocols and, if needed, update accordingly. Our aim is, of course, to get all students back on campus as much and as soon as possible. However, we need to await a full return to Alert Level 1 before that can happen. 

 I’ve been so impressed with the commitment and attitude you’ve all taken through this tough year and encourage you to ‘stay the course’ as we move through Trimester 3. Keep being safe, kind and mindful of yourself and others. And please, reach out for support at any time through our fabulous Student Support team. You are also welcome to contact me directly.

Keep safe everyone. He waka eke noa – we are all in this together! 

Ngā mihi nui,

Suzette

Campus Director
SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 UPDATE 26 AUGUST 2020

Kia ora SAE students

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that our current Alert Level 3 is being extended for a few more days until midnight Sunday. As of Monday morning, Auckland will step down to Alert Level 2. This is great news for SAE, as it means we can commence our new Trimester under the lower Alert Level, and thereby allow more teaching to occur on campus.  

The Ministry of Health has issued some updated advice for operating under Alert Level 2 – namely the use of masks, contract tracing via the NZ COVID-19 app and limiting mass gatherings to a maximum of 10 people. Accordingly, we have updated our Level 2 protocols and this new version is attached. Please take a moment to review this document before we commence Trimester 3 next Monday 31 August.

So, what does Alert Level 2 mean for SAE Auckland?

The attached protocols provide more detail, but in short, here are the key principles:

• Our SAE Auckland campus will be fully open, including our studios, labs and office
• Studios will be fully open, 8am-10pm, Monday to Sunday
• Equipment can be booked and taken off site as per normal
• All staff, students and visitors must register their entry to campus by scanning the NZ COVID-19 app. If you are unable to use that app, we also have manual contract tracing stations set up at the entranceway to each building. 
• The 10-person limit for mass gatherings does not apply to a controlled environment such as schools or tertiary. We are able to have a full class on site. 
• However, our biggest challenge is the need to maintain physical distancing of at least 1 metre. In order to do that, we will need to have around half of our classes working online at any given time so that there is enough room for those on campus to spread out. 
• Our academic team are currently working through how to manage this online/on campus mix to ensure all students get adequate time with our studios/labs/equipment.
• Please keep a close eye on your Slack channel where regular posts will provide information about where your class is being held. 
• Your Axis timetable is also being updated to indicate if you will be attending class online or on campus
• Outside all our classrooms, labs and studios is a poster indicating the maximum occupancy of that room. Please adhere to these numbers.
• Mask wearing is now mandatory on public transport and encouraged in all other public settings. We encourage you to wear a mask on campus, particularly when you are in close proximity to others such as within our studios. 
• Please stay home if you are sick. If you are displaying any symptoms as outlined on the COVID-19 website, please seek medical advice.
• For those staff and students at high risk of illness with COVID-19, we advise that you stay home throughout Alert Level 2. Please note, a medical certificate may be required. Staff will be in contact with you to discuss how best to support your learning whilst studying from home.
• Ongoing hospital-grade cleaning is occurring across our campus nightly, with a particular focus on high risk areas such as doorknobs and handrails. 

You’ll be pleased to know that there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 amongst any SAE Auckland staff or students. We are hoping that by adhering to our strict Alert Level 2 protocols attached, we will continue to keep our campus and SAE community safe. 

Finally, we know this is tough. This is not the way you imagined studying this year and I’m very aware that the second lockdown has been particularly challenging. It is quite normal to feel despondent and overwhelmed right now. Our Student Support team are available every day and can help you access free, confidential counselling at any time. Please reach out if you need some support. This also extends to your mental health and wellbeing, and I’d like to point you to a range of resources available on the Ministry of Health website that might be helpful. When you return to campus for Trimester 3, please, above all else, be kind and courteous to all those around you. I know, collectively, we can get through this. 

Enjoy the rest of your trimester break. Stay safe and well within your bubble. And we look forward to seeing you on campus and online for Trimester 3 from next Monday onwards.

Ngā mihi nui,
Suzette

Campus Director
SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 UPDATE 12 AUGUST 2020

Kia ora SAE students 

Last night, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that the Auckland region will be moving to Alert Level 3 for 3 days, as of midday today until midnight Friday. These 3 days are to allow officials to investigate 4 cases of potential community transmission of COVID-19 within Auckland. 

Under Alert Level 3, our SAE Auckland campus is closed, effective immediately. This includes all our facilities, including our studios. Students and staff should stay home and must not return to campus over this period. 

I’m very aware that this is our final week of Trimester 2 and many of you will have final classes and assignments to submit over these next 3 days. As much as possible, we will continue to work online so that we minimise any disruption to your studies. Your Course Coordinator/HoD will post messages within your Slack channel regarding how these 3 days will impact your classes and/or assignment submission. Please regularly check Slack, as well as your email. 

This swift move back into lockdown for the Auckland region aims to quickly stamp out any community transmission of COVID-19, but that largely depends on all of us. I implore you to follow the advice of the Ministry of Health, that is to stay home and, if you are showing any symptoms of COVID-19, to get tested. For further information, please visit https://covid19.govt.nz/.

Finally, returning to lockdown - albeit hopefully for just a brief period - is disappointing, particularly after having recently celebrated 100 days of no community transmission. It is quite normal to feel anxious and shocked by this turn of events and I encourage you to reach out for support if needed. Alex Harter, our Student Support Officer, is reopening our Student Support zoom room from today, 12-2pm daily. The zoom link is in the Student Support slack channel. Please contact Alex if you have any concerns. He can help you access professional counselling if needed, a confidential service paid for by SAE.   

I will be back in touch with you as soon as we have further information. But for now, stay home and stay safe. Hopefully this lockdown will be brief and we’ll all be able to return to our SAE campus very soon. 

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly if you have any questions or concerns. I can be reached on email, or for urgent matters over mobile 027 669-3119. 

Arohanui

Suzette 

Campus Director
SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 UPDATE 2 JULY 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE 2 JULY 2020

Kia ora SAE students

Many of you will be in the final throes of your current project and busy wrapping up your assignments. Good luck 

This means that next Monday 6 July marks the commencement of your next project and for most of you that means a full return back to campus. As you’ll recall, we took a gentle transition out of lockdown over these past 6 weeks, with some classes remaining online and a handful of sessions being held at school. From the next project, you’ll notice another shift for SAE Auckland, with the vast majority of your classes being back on campus. 

But we also hear that many of you have enjoyed some online learning. So, we will keep the occasional class online when appropriate – such as theory-type classes or class discussions. For those classes, you’ll be able to chime in from home and won’t need to travel to campus. But, given the hands-on practical nature of our quals, these won’t occur too often – on average, no more than one a week.  For the most part, you’ll be on campus as of next Monday.  

While it will be brilliant for our campus to return to a vibrant, creative place, we do need to be mindful that COVID-19 continues to rage worldwide and our vigilance here in New Zealand is still needed. Please maintain good hand hygiene, sneeze/cough into your elbow, stay home and inform us if you are unwell, and use the contract tracing app to sign into SAE each day. And above all, be kind and gentle with yourself and others. We’ve all been through a lot, so let’s ensure our SAE campus is a safe and enjoyable place to come to each day.

To celebrate our return and help reconnect our community, we are putting on a Soup Day next Wednesday, 12noon in JJs. Come and enjoy a hot bowl of soup with your fellow classmates. See you all there!

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. Otherwise, I look forward to seeing you all back on campus next week.

Arohanui,

Suzette

COVID-19 UPDATE 17 June 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE 17 June 2020

Kia ora SAE Students 

COVID-19 has reshaped our lives in recent months. At SAE Auckland, we moved quickly to respond to this global pandemic – shifting around our trimester breaks and swiftly moving to teaching online. This has been a huge success. Indeed at SAE Auckland, we have not had a single student withdrawal as a result of COVID-19. That fact alone speaks volumes.

I’m very aware however that there was one thing you did miss out on during lockdown: access to our studios and equipment. I also know that our industry standard facilities are largely why people study at SAE.

I discussed this issue with your Student Reps during a recent Board of Studies meeting and together we’ve come up with a solution.

I’m pleased to announce that, for 2020, we will extend your studio access beyond the end date of teaching and allow you to continue to use our studios and equipment for the remainder of the year. Usually, your access is ceased in mid-Nov, as your final course wraps up. But for this year, we will allow you to continue to book studios and equipment beyond this date until the campus closes for Christmas. These additional few weeks will give you a chance to hone those practical skills – the very skills that will help you once you step into the industry.

There’s a few caveats around this to be aware of:

1. The extended access weeks run from the end of your final course until Wednesday 16 December.
2. The studio hours for this one-off extended period will be Monday to Saturday, 9am-5pm. 
3. Studio Supervisors will be available during this time to provide support if needed
4. This offer is for all current SAE students, including those in Level 7 who would ordinarily be finishing up with us in November
5. Studio and equipment bookings through this extended period will continue as they are now. 
6. Importantly, accessing our studios/equipment is about developing your skills. This equipment is purchased, in part, through government funding and a condition of that funding is that the facilities must be used for educational purposes only. That means, as is the case at all times, you cannot use this time to make something for commercial release. We do not want to undermine local studios nor jeopardise our funding conditions. Rather, please book the studios/equipment simply to practice.
7. You will still be required to hand back your student access card in mid-Nov as usual. Whenever you come to campus during this mid-Nov to mid-Dec period, we’ll just issue you with a temporary visitor pass for the day.

I hope that by providing this ongoing access to our studios, you’ll be able to make up for the time lost during lockdown. There are no classes during those weeks, so it’s a great opportunity to spend time on campus, all day if you wish, developing your practical skills. 

Finally, many thanks to our Head Studio Supervisor, Alex Ferrier and his awesome team of Studio Supervisors, for helping to make this happen. 

Ngā mihi nui,

Suzette

DR SUZETTE MAJOR
Campus Director, SAE Auckland

2020 SAE AUCKLAND REVISED ACADEMIC YEAR

COVID-19 UPDATE 9 June 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE 9 June 2020

Kia ora SAE whānau

We have reached a significant milestone in our fight against COVID-19, with there now being no known active cases in New Zealand. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced yesterday that, as of midnight last night, we will transition to Alert Level 1.

At Alert Level 1, SAE Auckland staff and students are able to return to campus. Attached are the protocols by which we will operate, but here’s a quick summary:

• There is no requirement for physical distancing and we are able to have all our classrooms, labs and studios in full operation. 

• Contact tracing stations at entranceways will be removed, however all staff, students and visitors should scan our QR codes located around each building, in order to register your presence at SAE Auckland through the official COVID-19 app. 

• It’s important that you maintain good hand hygiene. Wash your hands often and use the hand sanitiser provided.  

• Please stay home if you are sick and seek medical attention if required. This not only reduces the potential spread of COVID-19 should it re-emerge in the community, but also prevents us from spreading general coughs and colds. 

• If a medical professional advises that you should not return to campus, please let us know.

In terms of teaching and learning, we are conscious of minimising the disruption to your current project. It is likely therefore that your current schedule will continue as planned, with a mix of online and on campus classes. Your Course Coordinator or Head of Department will advise if there are any changes to your teaching schedule as a result of the shift to Alert Level 1. Once we move into the next project in early July, most of your classes will likely then be held back on campus. 

Finally, you’ll be pleased to know that throughout this period, SAE Auckland has not had a single known case of COVID-19 amongst any staff or students. This is due to the vigilance and care that you have all taken and I applaud you for keeping yourself and others safe.  

But I also know that this has been a hugely stressful time and transitioning back to normality is not always easy. Let’s continue to be mindful, caring and gentle towards ourselves and each other as we slowly return to some sense of normality.  

I look forward to seeing you all back on campus in the days and weeks ahead.

Arohanui,

Suzette

DR SUZETTE MAJOR
Campus Director, SAE Auckland

COVID-19 UPDATE 4 JUNE 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE 4 JUNE 2020 

Kia ora students

It has been such a pleasure to see many of you in person over these past 2 weeks as we gradually return to campus. Our mix of online teaching and on-campus classes seems to be working well. I’m particularly pleased to see you making the most of our extended studio hours and the ability to take equipment off-site. Indeed, our bookings are increasing dramatically. 

While this is good news, I am very aware that the past 2 months have been tough. As has often been stated, COVID-19 is unprecedented and it’s hit many of us hard. I’m mindful of students who are struggling to pay for data in order to access our online classes, or for those of you who have lost part-time work and are now facing difficulties paying the bills. 

We want you to keep studying, and we want to help where we can. I’m therefore pleased to announce 2 funds that have been established to assist students facing technology access issues and/or general hardship due to COVID-19. Any current SAE Auckland student can apply to either or both of these funds. These funds will remain open for the remainder of 2020.

Technology Access Fund

This fund has been set up to provide financial assistance specifically for data in order to help students access online classes. Students will be provided money to pay their Internet Service Provider to ensure they have sufficient data to learn from home whenever we have online classes. The Technology Access fund will include payment of data or other associated costs to the value of $60 per month for a maximum of 3 months. 

Application to the Technology Access Fund

Hardship Fund

This fund has been set up to provide temporary financial assistance for students experiencing hardship from the impacts of COVID-19. Students can use the money to cover basic living costs they are unable to meet including food, utilities, rent or other unexpected expenses. The Hardship Fund will include lump sum grants to the value of either $250 or $500 depending on the student’s circumstances.

Application to the Hardship Fund

Once an application has been submitted, we will be in touch to talk through your particular circumstances and how we might be able to help. If you are facing financial difficulties as a result of COVID-19, please make the most of this opportunity. 

I’m incredibly proud of how our staff and students moved so quickly to the online environment. Your flexibility to shift online and your ongoing commitment to your studies during such difficult circumstances has been truly commendable. But I also appreciate that COVID-19 has been disruptive and difficult. While we are gradually returning to some sense of normality, the impact of this extraordinary situation will be felt for some time. My hope is that these two funds will help you navigate through any financial challenges you may be facing and allow you to focus squarely on your studies with us.

Finally, this is also a timely reminder of the free, confident counselling services available to you through our Student Assistance Programme (SAP). For more information about SAP, including assistance lining up a face-to-face, email, zoom or texting conversation with an appropriate professional, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Student Support team on a.harter@sae.edu.  

As always, if you have any queries or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly on s.major@sae.edu

Arohanui,

Suzette

DR SUZETTE MAJOR
Campus Director, SAE Auckland

COVID-19 UPDATE 20 MAY 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE 20 MAY 2020 

Kia ora students

I hope you are enjoying your trimester break and staying safe and well during these challenging times. 

As you’ll be aware, our Trimester 2 commences next Monday 25 May. The good news is that this trimester is commencing under Alert Level 2, which enables us to facilitate your gradual return to campus. From next week onwards, we will be extending access to our SAE Auckland campus, including:

• re-opening all three buildings;
• extending our studio hours to an 8am-10pm Monday-Saturday schedule; and
• allowing equipment to be taken off-site.
  
  

The attached Alert Level 2 Protocols provide such detail, but there are a few points I’d like to highlight:

Trimester 2 timetable

In general, we will be maintaining some online teaching under Alert Level 2. This is in part to reduce the amount of foot traffic on campus to help facilitate physical distancing. However, some classes will return to campus, particularly for studio or computer lab work that’s difficult to do at home. An updated timetable that shows this mix of online and on-campus classes is now available via Axis – you may want to check where and when your first class will be for next week. I also encourage you to keep an eye on your course Slack channel where updated information will be regularly posted. 
 

SAE Auckland Alert Level 2 Protocols

While we are able to return students gradually to campus, we still need to maintain strict protocols to protect the health and wellbeing of our teaching and learning community. These Alert Level 2 protocols for SAE Auckland are attached. Please read these thoroughly.
 

Stay home if you are unwell

It’s critical that you stay home if you are feeling unwell or experiencing any COVID19 symptoms, and contact us to let us know. If you are unwell, we recommend seeking medical advice. The dedicated Healthline for COVID-19 is 0800 358 5453.

Contact Tracing

We are required to maintain a Contact Tracing Register at SAE Auckland. There will be a Contact Tracing station set up at the entrance to all three buildings and you’ll be signed into campus each day you arrive.

You may also be aware of the new NZ COVID Tracer app that was released today. We encourage you to download and use that app to sign into SAE as part of your own digital diary. However, this does not replace our manual Contact Tracing Register which will be in place for the foreseeable future.
 

Vulnerable Students

In keeping with our commitment to protect the health and wellbeing of our community, we ask that any student who is at greater risk of contracting COVID-19, or living with someone at risk, refrains from coming to campus for the time being. If you are regarded as having greater risk to COVID-19, please contact me immediately. Please note, a medical or counselling certificate may be required as evidence. In these cases, an individual study plan will be put in place to ensure you can maintain your study with us from the safety of your home. For further information about at-risk people, visit: https://covid19.govt.nz/individuals-and-households/health-and-wellbeing/at-risk-people/#alert-level-2-advice-for-at-risk-people

Thank you

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for continuing to engage with your studies and our SAE community during what has been a challenging time for us all. I very much look forward to seeing more of you on campus over the coming weeks and months. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me directly on s.major@sae.edu

Arohanui,

Suzette

Dr Suzette Major
Campus Director, SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 UPDATE 27 APRIL 2020

Kia ora SAE Auckland students, 

As you’ll be aware, at 11.59pm tonight Monday 27 April we are moving from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3. As mentioned in previous communications, under Alert Level 3 we will be partially opening the SAE Auckland campus – that being the SAE studio building only, with reduced hours and under strict protocols.

These protocols are attached. Please read these thoroughly.

As a reminder, the studios are open this week for staff only. Students will be allowed access from next Monday 4 May onwards. You must be pre-approved before you can come on campus. If you are interested in making a booking for a studio, or to use equipment on site, please contact Head Studio Supervisor Alex Ferrier on a.ferrier@sae.edu.  

In the meantime, online classes will continue.

Thanks for your understanding as we negotiate this challenging time. 

Ngā mihi nui,

Suzette
Dr Suzette Major, Campus Director SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 UPDATE 21 APRIL 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE 21 APRIL 2020 

Kia ora SAE Auckland staff and students

Yesterday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that New Zealand will move out of Alert Level 4 from next Monday 27^th April at 11.59pm and shift to Alert Level 3.

 Alert Level 3 does allow us to partially open the SAE Auckland campus, however that will be under very strict protocols. By the end of this week, we will provide detail regarding those protocols. In the meantime, here are a few key points that we already know:

• Under Alert Level 3, all teaching and learning will continue to be online.
• There will be no classes on campus, nor a requirement for any students to come to SAE Auckland. Indeed, government advice is that within Alert Level 3 you should still stay home within your bubble if you can.
• Whilst there is no requirement to be on campus for learning and teaching activities, we will start to allow staff and students access to our studios and equipment (for use onsite only) within limited hours and with strict access protocols.
• Next week, from Tuesday 28 April – Friday 1 May, the studios/equipment will be accessible for staff only. This will provide us some time to prepare the campus for students, as well as develop further online material for classes.
• From Monday 4 May onwards, the studios/equipment will be accessible for staff and students, albeit in accordance with the protocols that will be sent to you later this week.

In all cases, we want to ensure the safety of our staff and students and our protocols will be very strict. That includes gaining clearance and approval from Head Studio Supervisor Alex Ferrier PRIOR to arriving to campus. We will be applying strict physical distancing rules and adopting deep cleaning regimes. As long as we are sensible and considerate of others, I’m sure we can make this work.

I would like to reiterate however that you will not need to come to campus under Alert Level 3. That is likely to be in place for the remainder of this trimester. During the next trimester break (18 May-22May) we will then reassess the situation. 

I hope that provides some clarity on how these next few weeks will proceed. Look out for the detail later this week regarding our protocols to access the site. In the meantime, continue to engage with your online classes. And reach out at any time if you have any further questions. 

Ngā mihi nui,

Suzette

DR SUZETTE MAJOR, CAMPUS DIRECTOR, SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 UPDATE 17 APRIL 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE 17 APRIL 2020 

Kia ora SAE students

As we come to the end of Week 2 of online teaching, I wanted to reach out to say congratulations. It’s been astonishing watching how quickly you have adapted to the online environment. I’m so very impressed with how you are all handling this challenging situation. And we are grateful for all your words of thanks, as well as the support you are showing each other. Our creative community has never been stronger. 

The hard work and dedication of our teaching staff is fully on display right now. You are watching this team at their best – creating engaging material and ensuring your studies keep on track, albeit from their respective bubbles. We are fortunate to have such a capable teaching team. I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the important work of our Student Support Officers. Lani and Alex hold an open zoom room daily from 11am-1pm (details in Slack for those who wish to join) and it’s been great to see how many of you jump in for a chat. These catch ups are as important as your classes – they are a way of keeping us connected while we are physically apart.  

How much longer we will be physically apart is a question many of us are now asking as the 4 week lockdown period draws to an end. You may have seen Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s announcement yesterday on what Alert Level 3 looks like. Right now we are still in Alert Level 4, however next Monday 20 April the Prime Minister will be announcing whether the lockdown will be extended, or if/when we might move to Alert Level 3. 

At SAE Auckland, we have commenced planning in how we might operate at Alert Level 3. My focus throughout this pandemic has been, and will always be, the safety of staff and students. Under Alert Level 3, it is clear that online teaching will be maintained. However I appreciate that gaining access to our studios and equipment, albeit under very strict protocols, would be helpful. I’ve therefore asked Head Studio Supervisor, Alex Ferrier, and Operations Manager, Leyland Bottomley, to lead a project investigating how SAE Auckland might work at Alert Level 3 and we’ll share that with you in due course. 

In the meantime, a reminder that we are still in lockdown at Alert Level 4. Please stay home and stay safe. Continue to engage with the online teaching as you have been – classes continue again from next Monday. And keep being creative from within your bubble. 

He waka eke noa – We are all in this together.

Ngā mihi nui,

Suzette

DR SUZETTE MAJOR, CAMPUS DIRECTOR, SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 UPDATE 7 APRIL 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE 7 APRIL 2020

COMMUNICATIONS FOR STUDENTS DUE TO COMMENCE THE MUSIC PRODUCTION TRI 2 INTAKE 

SAE is closely monitoring the global response to COVID-19. As part of the government’s Alert 4 status, our SAE Auckland campus is currently closed. 

Due to this unprecedented situation, and after careful consideration, we have decided to move the start date of our upcoming Music Production programme from Trimester 2 to the start of Trimester 3, on Monday, August 24. This decision will give us more time to prepare for both on campus or online delivery, depending on what government restrictions are in place at this time. Importantly, our focus is on making sure you receive the highest quality education, with every opportunity to collaborate and engage with your teaching staff and peers. 

For those students who were enrolling into our one-year Diploma in Music Production qualification, the programme will now be delivered on the following dates:

• Monday 24 Aug 2020 – Friday 6 Aug 2021

For those students enrolling into our three-year Bachelor of Music Production qualification, the degree will incorporate a longer summer break at the end of the first year and will run on the following dates:

• Level 5: Monday 24 Aug 2020 – Friday 6 Aug 2021
• Level 6: Monday 14 Feb 2022 – Friday 18 Nov 2022
• Level 7: Monday 13 Feb 2023 - Friday 17 Nov 2023

We recognise that some of you were looking forward to starting with us in May but trust you will appreciate that we are operating in challenging times and are constantly finding new ways to adapt and respond to those challenges.

The application you have already submitted to us still stands. We will simply need to provide you with an updated Letter of Offer and Public Trust form with the amended dates. These will be provided over this coming week.

If you have already applied to StudyLink, you will need to inform them of the new programme dates and they will confirm arrangements with us.

If you are an international student, you may need to change your visa and/or insurance dates. We recommend you discuss any changes required to your visa with Immigration. The contact details for NZ Immigration can be found at: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/contact

If you would prefer to commence in Feb 2021 rather than August this year, please let us know study@sae.edu. Your enrolment will be given priority for this intake.

In all cases, our Recruitment and Enrolment Officers are here to help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Sid Dalin or Swap Gomez anytime at study@sae.edu.

While your start with us might be slightly delayed, we are confident that your journey with SAE will ultimately be hugely rewarding. We pride ourselves on high quality education, in a hands-on practical format. We look forward to having you join us in August. In the meantime, please look after yourself.

Ngā mihi nui,
Suzette 

DR SUZETTE MAJOR, CAMPUS DIRECTOR, SAE AUCKLAND

COVID-19 UPDATE 2 April 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE 2 April 2020

Kia ora SAE Auckland Students 

We’re now one week into the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown and I hope you’re all comfortably set up at home during this challenging time. With online classes commencing Monday April 6th we wanted to share some information around your studies over the next half-trimester.

Access

Students have been asked to identify their online engagement capability in terms of equipment and internet capacity through our IT survey. Thanks so much to those who completed that survey. While we appreciate that there are a handful of you with limited computer access, we encourage all students to do their utmost to engage in synchronous online classes, even if this means using only your smartphone. Classes will be recorded and subsequently made available for any asynchronous self-directed learning. It is imperative that you are logged into Slack to be able to receive all pertinent information. 

Course Communication

On Friday April 3rd course-specific information will be sent to you in Slack for AP502, AP702, MP502, MP702, SP502/503, SP702 and CC602. This will include dates, information and links for class delivery using Zoom and/or Google Meet. Unless clearly specified, classes will be at the same times already published in the Axis timetable. That means that you should plan to attend classes at the time you usually would - it’s just that it will now be online rather than in person for a while.  

The team has done a superb job of developing material for your online classes, however we recognise that the flow of information and activities is different in a flexible online delivery. Naturally, practical production work will be framed differently than usual, and particularly collaborative work. Your Course Coordinator will explain our online learning community approach and ways in which we will meet learning outcomes. Any production work that cannot be meaningfully delivered or assessed will be delayed until we return to the physical campus in due course. 
 

Attendance

The requirement for attendance remains the same. The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), NZQA and Studylink expect and require you to be attending all classes and maintain engagement in the programme. Those organisations also expect SAE to continue reporting all attendance, as per usual. The courses will obviously have a very different flavour to them but they will provide you with a great opportunity to exist as a creative practitioner solely in the online space for a few weeks at least. So, although we won’t be at the campus in Parnell, the potential for meaningful creative endeavour is as high as ever. 

Student Support

We recognise that these are unusual times and your anxiety might be higher than usual. Our Student Support staff are here to help. This week, Alex and Lani have been ringing all students to check in regarding general wellbeing and to ensure that you’re ready to recommence classes next week. From next week on, Student Support will hold daily office hours, every day 11am-1pm in their zoom room. The Student Support zoom link will be published on the Student Support Slack channel. During this 2 hour period, feel free to pop into the zoom room at any time to chat with Lani and/or Alex. Beyond the office hours, Alex and Lani are available via Slack or email at anytime.

IT Support

Our IT Support person, Brad, is available to assist with any IT issues you may be facing while engaging with our online learning. Brad is available via Slack or emailing b.thompson@sae.edu

Management Support

Beyond communication directly with your Course Coordinator or Head of Department, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Campus Director Suzette, Operations Manager Leyland or myself with any questions or concerns. Our Slack and email contact details are below:

Dr Suzette Major           Campus Director           @s.major          s.major@sae.edu

Leyland Bottomley        Operations Manager     @l.bottomley   l.bottomley@sae.edu

Dr Stephen Small          Academic Manager       @s.small           s.small@sae.edu

       

Trimester dates

As you are aware, at the announcement of entering COVID-19 response Levels 3 and 4, in order to ensure your continued studies as quickly as possible we brought forward two weeks of the next trimester break. This means that the remaining trimester breaks will be one week each with us still finishing the academic year on Friday November 13th, as originally planned.  Below are the new trimester dates for the remainder of 2020.

Finally, we know these are strange times, but we are excited about our online classes and really looking forward to reconnecting with you from next Monday. I’m sure you’ll enjoy being back amongst your creative community. If you have any questions, reach out. Otherwise, please check Slack, particularly your course channel, for more specific information about your online classes starting next week.
 

Dr Stephen Small
Academic Manager, SAE Auckland

COVID-19 UPDATE 24 March 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE 24 March 2020

Kia ora SAE Auckland students and whānau,

Yesterday in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our Prime Minister announced that New Zealand is moving to Alert Level 3 immediately, and will be moving to Alert Level 4 tomorrow.

Alert Level 4 aims to eliminate widespread outbreaks and community transmission of the COVID-19 virus by instructing people to stay at home and by closing all businesses except essential services. This means you must go home, and stay home. This lockdown period will occur for at least 4 weeks.

As part of these measures, the SAE Auckland campus will be closed from 5pm, Tuesday 24 March. This includes all offices, all classrooms, all labs and all studios. Students and staff will not be allowed to access the facilities until further notice.

We appreciate that such measures are stressful. It is understandable if your anxiety levels are high. However this collective action will help slow the spread of this virus. You need to play your part – please stay home unless visiting an essential service. If, at any time, you are concerned for your health, please contact Healthline on 0800 358 5453. We also advise you to regularly visit the Government COVID-19 website on https://covid19.govt.nz/.  

Our focus at SAE Auckland is to support you through this period by minimising disruption to your studies. To this end, we are implementing the following:

• The full 2 week trimester break will be brought forward so that it falls within the lockdown period. There will therefore be NO CLASSES for 2 weeks, from Monday 23 March until Friday 3 April.
• Classes will now resume on Monday 6 April through online delivery. We will send you more information about that online delivery in due course.
• If the lockdown period extends for 4 weeks, that means your studies will only have 2 weeks online, with the first 2 weeks of lockdown occurring in what is now the trimester break. Our team have also planned for scenarios should that lockdown period be extended further.
• As part of our planning, we are pushing much of your hands-on practical learning to occur later in the year once you return to campus. That means, over the course of the year, you will still learn the same content including practical skills – it may just be in a slightly different order.
• Thank you for all of you that have completed our IT survey. If you haven’t as yet, please do so immediately: https://forms.gle/Gk1KSAD4F99TQcay7. As part of that survey, it is clear that most of you have computer and internet access at home. For the few students who do not, we will be in touch with you to talk through options.
• I’m pleased to let you know that our broader SAE global family has managed to negotiate free access to multiple pieces of software for this period. For further information, click here. https://sites.google.com/sae.edu/sae-software-processes/home Please note, the dates on this website relate to Australian course delivery – please ignore. However, the software list is relevant to New Zealand.
• Our Student Support team will be in regular contact with all students. This will be particularly important for those of you at home alone. Access to counselling support will be maintained, albeit online/by phone. Reach out to Student Support at any time if you feel that counselling support would be helpful on auckland.studentsupport@sae.edu
• IT support is also available during normal working hours. If you having any IT issues relating to your SAE studies, please contact Brad on auckland.it@sae.edu
  
  

Trimester 2 Music Production intake

At this stage, we have an intake due to commence at the beginning of Tri 2 on 18 May. We are currently exploring options, and may look at pushing that start date back slightly so that you are able to commence on campus rather than online. We will provide some clarity about that intake start date within the next few days. 

Finally, as always, we encourage you to stay safe and follow the guidance of the government at https://covid19.govt.nz/. We will continually update this website, as well as communicate to students via your SAE Auckland email and our Facebook page.

If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the team. While we may be working off campus for a while, we are still here and your SAE studies, as well as your wellbeing, is at the forefront of our minds.

Take care everyone. Stay safe and stay well.

Ngā mihi nui,

Suzette

DR SUZETTE MAJOR, CAMPUS DIRECTOR SAE AUCKLAND 

COVID-19 UPDATE 18 March 2020

 COVID-19 UPDATE 18 March 2020

In light of government advice about social distancing, we have reviewed our response and today announce further proactive steps to help slow the spread of the virus. While there have been no confirmed COVID-19 cases at our campus, SAE Auckland is investigating ways in which we can move to full or partial online delivery if needed. As a result, we are immediately implementing the following:

1 week pause for all teaching and learning

SAE Auckland is pausing all teaching for one week, as of Monday 23 March. This will allow faculty time to prepare for online teaching so that students have the flexibility to continue their studies remotely if required.

This means, there will be NO CLASSES next week, from Monday 23 March to Friday 27 March.

We will then recommence teaching on Monday 30 March. For most of you, this will be the commencement of your second course. We will advise closer to the time how that teaching will occur, whether it will be fully or partly online.

New trimester break dates

As a result, your Trimester 1 break will be shortened to one week. It was previously scheduled to occur from Monday 4 May to Monday 18 May. Trimester 1 break will now be one week in length, and instead occur from Monday 11 May to Monday 18 May.

Student IT survey

In an effort to determine what equipment students have at home to support online learning, we are undertaking a quick survey. Please complete the following survey by no later than next Wednesday 25 March and earlier if possible. https://forms.gle/Gk1KSAD4F99TQcay7

We understand this is a stressful time for staff, students and their families. We will continue working hard to ensure the health and wellbeing of our community, support students to continue their studies, look after our staff and protect the future of our campus.

As this situation is ever-changing, I encourage you to follow our Facebook page and regularly check your SAE Auckland email for any updates. This website will also be updated regularly with any developments. 

Take care everyone. Stay safe, well and enjoy your one week away from classes while we plan your upcoming courses.

Ngā mihi nui,

Suzette

DR SUZETTE MAJOR, CAMPUS DIRECTOR SAE AUCKLAND