This week all our students began their third rotation of technology. I have loved visiting these rooms and praise the mahi that students are doing.

As you know, we are an IDEAL school and Acting with Respect is one of our core values. This isn’t just about respect for others but respect for ourselves and our environment. How we treat others and the environment is a direct reflection of how much we respect ourselves.

It has been great to see students out at break times interacting with each other and getting involved in a number of different activities being offered, along with our lunchtime walking group. Next term our teachers are looking at starting various lunchtime clubs. We hope that the students make the most of a club that may interest them.

With the holidays around the corner, I would like to encourage you to take an active role in being aware of who your child is with and where they are over the two week break. While I know our tamariki love to have more responsibility, it is important we remember that they are still young and impressionable, and need some support and supervision. Unfortunately for some of our tamariki, they don’t always make the most sensible choices especially when it comes to their digital footprint. If your child communicates on an online platform we encourage you to monitor what platforms they are using to socialise.

At O.I.S we value your feedback and I encourage you to continue to communicate with your child’s classroom teacher. Teachers are always open to having a chat at an agreed time. It is much better to sort things out at a low level and restore understanding early on to ensure we are all on the same page. Please also remember to pass on those positives.

Illness

We have had a large number of children off school with colds and flu. We have also had head lice. If you need support with treating your child’s head lice please don’t hesitate to contact us, we do have access to products to help treat them. I appreciate that accommodating sick children add extra pressure on families however, we can not have sick students at school. It is really important that you phone, text or email the school to let us know your child is away.

Uniforms

Our school uniform fosters a sense of identity, belonging and pride in our pupils. It ensures a consistently high standard of dress is worn by pupils throughout the day and provides a cost effective and practical dress code. We are incredibly proud of our school uniform and have pride in how we look. Can you please check your child’s uniform and make sure they're clean and tidy. Please take this opportunity to check your child's shoes as we have noticed that students shoes are not looking their best. Remember no canvas shoes! We have also noticed that non-regulation uniform items have started to appear. At O.I.S our rules regarding jewellery are

a watch
and a small plain stud in each ear.
nail polish, makeup and dyed hair are not permitted

Students are expected to have their PE gear each day at school, they must come to school in uniform.

Waitaki and St Kevins Inter-School Week

Next week is the annual inter-school week for our local high schools. This year we will be taking a group of our year 8 students across to the interschool rugby match on Friday. We will leave during lunchtime and return before school finishes. Students who are coming over need to have a warm jacket, correct O.I.S uniform and display the IDEAL values both during the game and at school the week before. We will be collecting names via classroom teachers on Monday.

If you are intending on taking your child along to watch a game during the week please make sure that you communicate this with your child’s teacher and sign your child out at the office.

Board of Trustee Elections

A Board of Trustees is an appointed or elected group of individuals that has overall responsibility for the governance of a school. We have our triennial board elections coming up and are looking for nominations. All eligible voters will receive an email calling for nominations no later than 15 July, 2022. Nominations close on 3rd August 2022.

School Policy review

POLICY REVIEWS - Please follow these links for instructions to review our current school policies that are up for review.

Visit the website https://oamaruint.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm
Enter the username (oamaruint) and password (oispolicy).
Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.
Read the policy.
Click the Policy Review button at the top right-hand corner of the page.
Select the reviewer type.
Enter your name (optional).
Submit your ratings and comments.

“He waka eke noa” We are all in this together

Rebecca Meek

Principal

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