Week 1, Term 1, 2021

That's right Week1 is complete and it has been great to see just how excited and settled our learners are to be back at school. Watching our students arrive in the morning and walking through classrooms it is very evident of the positive feeling about the place - we are in for a great year!

The week started with our customary Mihi Whakatau to welcome new staff and learners, and their families, into the Oxford whānau. This included six of our seven new teaching staff including:

• Nerissa Thompson - Teacher of Year 4/5
• Georgia Fogarty - Teacher of Year 5/6
• Duncan Hortin - Teacher of Year 5/6
• Meghan Robb - Teacher of Year 7/8
• Elise Basher - Teacher of Mathematics
• Cheryl Muirson - Technology
• Nigel Dodge (a welcome back for Mr Dodge!) - Technology

We are very excited to have appointed such wonderful people to our existing teaching team. We have also enjoyed getting to know the 40+ new learners to our school including reuniting with some who returned having attended Oxford in the past. Again a nice positive way to start the school year.

I would like to remind our community of the leaders we have appointed to represent our student body. This includes our senior student leaders (Year 13s):

• Liam Bamford - Head Boy
• Lauren Morris - Head Girl
• Cole Stagg - Deputy Head
• Shaugn Kilgour - Deputy Head
• Journie Karaitiana-Matthews - Deputy Head

And our junior student leaders (Year 8s):

• Zoey Anderson
• Alexis Graham
• Nicholas McKinney
• Mika Tagicakiverata

Be sure to check into future newsletters as we will be hearing their thoughts throughout the year.

Enjoy the long weekend and celebrate Waitangi Day the best way your family/whānau does and we will see you back at school on Tuesday.

Ngā mihi nui,
Mike Hart
Tumuaki - Principal
Te kura o te Poho Rakahua - Oxford Area School