Kia ora koutou,

Our new drinking fountains are being installed this week and look fantastic. These were funded with the ‘Kiwi-athon’ money from Term 2. Students are now able to drink filtered water and can also fill their drink bottles on the new fountains.

The staff and students from Hibiragoaka School had a wonderful stay with us. It was fantastic to see our Omokoroa No.1 School students learning and playing with our Japanese friends. Thank you to all of the families that were able to host students. It was an emotional farewell for our students but lots of new friendships have been made.

Our Year 8 students head off for their two day ski camp at Whakapapa on Wednesday morning. This winter camp is a great learning experience, and for 15 students, it will be their first time on the ski slopes.

Special thanks to ‘The Centre’ in Omokoroa for providing us with a community grant to install an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) that is now available for anyone to use in the case of an emergency. This is on the wall outside the school office in the bright yellow box. If you need to use the AED the emergency services will give you the code to open the box. The AED is in a portable bag.

The Staff vs Student Netball challenge was played last week in great spirit. Congratulations to the staff for pulling off a narrow win. The Year 8 girls all demonstrated exceptional teamwork and personal skills. I am looking forward to seeing them take on the best in New Zealand at the AIMS Games in two weeks.

‘The Omok Fear Knot’ will now always carry our intrepid sailors in whatever direction they choose with its new bespoke ships wheel mounted over the weekend. Special thanks to Troy Evans for his amazing craftsmanship and technical skills to get this special project completed.

Nga mihi nui,

Craig Pentecost