Kia ora koutou,

This year we are receiving our 5YA (5 Year Agreement) funding from the Ministry of Education. They contract a company to help us to create a 10 Year Property Plan, and then we can use this funding to do those works. We are in a great position, as our property is in really good condition, so we have a bit more flexibility on what we can spend it on. We will use part of it to top up the cost of the shade sails we are putting in. The Glenmark Lions ended up raising $8800 for us, so we only need around $1500 from this fund to pay for the poles. Then we will be doing a little upgrade on the cleaning shed and outside toilet near the swimming pool, plus we will be putting in a scooter track behind the PE shed.

This is a really exciting project, and as always the children have been a big part of it. We are using Nature Flow and Woodland Escape, who we worked with to create our playground, and they came to meet with the children to get their ideas. I have attached their ideas at the bottom of this newsletter, and the initial design of the scooter track. We will be working with Jared from Nature Flow to use local contractors as much as possible to keep costs down, and I have applied for the Mainpower Grant to help fund it as well. We are hoping to create this early in 2027.

We have recently placed Guardian Rocks (from EcoFarm Aotearoa) around key points on our site. These natural rocks are used to support grounding and help offset electromagnetic "smog" from everyday electronics and Wi-Fi networks. It’s a simple, natural initiative aimed at keeping our school environment feeling grounded, balanced, and peaceful for our tamariki and staff.

We have our trail ride in two weeks time on Sunday 8th November. Please help us promote this by sharing our social media posts, telling your friends, and spreading the word.

Ngā mihi
Maree Lucas
Tumuaki/Principal
principal@omihi.school.nz

School Notices

Literacy update from Georgie, our literacy leader
This term as a staff for literacy we are looking at what the new curriculum focuses on for reading. The new curriculum for reading brings a structured approach. It focuses on teaching students to decode, make meaning from, and think critically about texts. It develops students’ understanding of how to read fluently, comprehend a range of texts with attention to audience, purpose, and form, and engage with ideas and perspectives. In Phase 1, year 0-3, it is about foundational literacy and learning how to read. Phase 2, year 4-6, is focusing on reading for meaning and consolidating this knowledge. Phase 3, year 7-8, is reading to analyze and understand critical literacy skills. We have recently purchased some new books that focus on this structured approach, titled The Fox Kids and Moon Dog series as well as Dandelion Readers. 

Raffle prizes
If you haven’t sent your prize in yet, please can you do this asap. We will be sending home 20 tickets per child later this week. If everyone manages to sell their tickets, this is another $4000 for the school. Some families sell more, plus we sell some at the trail ride….so let’s aim for $5000!

Trail ride volunteers
We still need a few volunteers, and it would be great to have someone from each family if possible. Please add your name to the list if you are able to help.

Camp parents 2027
Thank you to all of the parents that put their names forward for camp in 2027. The parents that will be attending this camp will be Craig, Andy and Eran. Georgie and McKenzie will be running the camp, and Maree will be there on day one and day three.

Classes for 2027
The classes for 2027 will be:
Tūpari: Year 5-8, Mckenzie Baker-Flynn
Awaawa: Year 3-4, Bella Cubitt
Paemoana: Year 0-2, Georgie Stackhouse

We will have transition days for the year 2 students moving to Awaawa, and the year 4 students moving to Tūpari later this term, where they will get to spend time in the new classes.

Year 7/8 Hurunui Youth Amazing Race
The Year 7/8 students are invited to join year 7/8 students from Greta Valley and Waikari for the Amazing Race on Monday 7th December. They will travel to Northlands Mall, where students will split into mixed school groups, with a Youth Councillor in the group. From there, groups will make their way around Christchurch, either walking or using buses, to visit 3-4 checkpoints such as Tūranga, Ballantynes and the Bridge of Remembrance. At each checkpoint, they’ll take a photo and post it into a group chat with staff so we can keep track of everyone. They’ll then regroup at either Margaret Mahy Playground or Riverside Market for lunch before bussing back to Northlands and travelling home.

It’s a great opportunity for students to build confidence, independence and teamwork skills while learning to navigate public transport, read timetables and find their way around a city. They’ll also develop their problem-solving and communication skills while connecting with other young people and having fun along the way! We are lucky that this is all funded by the Hurunui Council. We will be in touch with permission forms and more details.

Contribution to activities
At the start of each year, or when a new student starts, we request a donation of $10 per student per term, which goes towards extra activities, not usually part of the school day. So far this year we have put these funds towards our trip to Orana Park, the visit from the Life Education bus, watching the Playhouse Theatre’s Puss in Gumboots show, a donation to St John for their first aid session with each class, and tickets to see The Faraway Tree at the cinema. Thank you for supporting us to provide these opportunities for our students.

Pie Day Friday
Here is the order form for pies for this Friday. Please have orders and payment in on Wednesday to guarantee a pie for Friday. If we have enough pies in the freezer, we will take orders on Thursday if you email Maree or Bryleigh directly. This will usually be a winter term event for terms 2 and 3, but as we have only just started, we will do it for half of term 4 as well.

Small Schools’ Athletics
The Small Schools’ Athletics day for Year 4-8 students is coming up on Wednesday 4th November. Here is the timetable for the day.

Here is our transport document. Please let Maree know if your child will be meeting us there - there are a few students with question marks next to them on the list. Otherwise we assume they are on the school bus.

School Docs review
We work on a 3 year cycle, and each term we review a number of our policies. These are open for review from our community as well. Please review the following by going to http://omihi.schooldocs.co.nz. Username: omihi Password: glenmark

• Curriculum and Student Achievement Policy

• Reporting about Student Progress and Achievement (board)

• Learning Support

• Māori Educational Achievement

• Health Curriculum

• Privacy Policy

Community Notices

Kia ora koutou,

Two of the many stars on stage at our production!

What an absolute success our production was! I was so proud of all of our students, they put everything into it, and a big thanks to Kelly, Bella, Georgie for all of the work leading up to it, and Trudy for your backstage help. It is something we do every 3 years, and even though it takes a lot of work, it is so worth it to see each and every one of our students on stage.

At the end of last term I attended the International Confederation of Principal’s Convention in Auckland. This was the first time since 2007 that it has been hosted in New Zealand, and it was wonderful to join Principals from all over the world for the event. There were a number of amazing speakers, such as Dr Lequanta Nelson, Sir Ian Taylor, Gilbert Enoka, Louka Parry, Dr Hana O’Regan, Stacey and Scott Morrison, and Professor Peter O’Connor. They all gave great messages, and were passionate about their topics. A few takeaways I took from all of their presentations that I think are relevant as a teacher and as a Principal are:

• Depending on where you stand, the view is different

• People don’t follow positions, people follow people

• Kids don’t learn from people they don’t like, neither do adults

• What am I doing intentionally to ensure that people know they belong?

• Ask better questions

• Honour the past, make the present matter, create something worth remembering

• When all is said and done, it’s you against you

• The most important thing about teaching is aroha (love)

The final speaker was Professor Peter O’Connor, and I really enjoyed his presentation focusing on reawakening joy and wonder in learning. He talked about ensuring every day that we embrace curiosity, joy and wonder in our young people, and in our staff.

I would like to welcome McKenzie Baker-Flynn to our Omihi whānau. We are excited to have her join us this term in Tūpari. Please feel free to pop in and say hello.

We are excited about all of the fun and exciting learning happening this term. Keep an eye on the calendar and newsletter to ensure you are up to date with what is happening.

Ngā mihi
Maree Lucas
Tumuaki/Principal
principal@omihi.school.nz

School Notices

SunSmart policy
As part of our SunSmart policy, we ask children to wear a school hat every day in term 4. They also need to have a T shirt with collar, not the PE shirt. Please apply sunscreen before they get to school, and teachers will remind them to reapply at lunchtime.

Orana Park transport
Here is the transport for Orana Park on Tuesday 13th October. We will leave school at 8.50am, or please organise with the parent helper if you are going to leave straight from home, and let Maree know. Thanks to those parents who are taking cars and will be parent helpers on the day - we will cover parent helpers entry fee to Orana Park. If you would like to come along as well, you are very welcome and we can invoice you for the Orana Park fee, or you can just pay on arrival. If you are coming not as a parent helper, you are welcome to bring preschoolers.

Children are to wear the correct school uniform (not PE shirts), and have an Omihi hat and sunscreen on please. Plus they need a drink bottle and a packed lunch.

Pet Day/Agri Sports
Our Agri Sports and Pet Day is on this Thursday. Here is the timetable for the day, and the registration form for the pets. Please enter your pet by the end of today if you haven’t already. The weather isn’t looking great. If we need to, we will cancel Agri Sports, and start pet day at 9am. We will let you know by the end of the day on Tuesday.

Work/life balance
As employers we try and promote a work/life balance for our staff, so we don’t email them outside of work hours (after 5.30pm), and we ask that parents don’t either please. If you are emailing at night, please schedule it for the next morning. We try not to email parents at night or in the weekend either.

Trail ride - Sunday 8th November
A big thanks to Andy and Craig for letting us use their land for the trail ride and for setting it all up for us. We know it is a big undertaking. We need parent help on the day, so please fill in this form asap if you are able to help.

Raffle
We have two main fundraisers a year that we ask our parents to contribute to - our trail ride and a raffle. We have our raffle this term, and we ask families to sell 20 tickets per child, plus we sell them at the trail ride. Every ticket sold is profit to the school, so it makes a big difference if you are able to sell all of these for us. Please get the children involved so they can call relatives, friends and family to ask if they want to buy them.

We also ask every family to donate an item for the raffle. This could be voucher, or products for a hamper etc, with a minimum value of $20. Please can you send these to the office by Friday 23rd October.

Pie Day Friday
Here is the order form for pies for this Friday. Please have orders and payment in on Wednesday to guarantee a pie for Friday. If we have enough pies in the freezer, we will take orders on Thursday if you email Maree or Bryleigh directly. This will usually be a winter term event for terms 2 and 3, but as we have only just started, we will do it for half of term 4 as well.

Junior Athletics
Year 0-3 are attending the junior athletics held at Waikari School on Wednesday 28th October (postponement date is 29th October). We will send through more details closer to the time. It is a full day event. If you are going to come and watch and can be parent transport, please let Georgie know. 

Year 4-8 Athletics
This will be at Waipara School on Wednesday 4th November, postponement date is Thursday 5th November. We will be taking the school bus. Please let Maree know if you will be meeting us there, otherwise we will assume your child/ren are on the bus.

Sports Spectacular 
Year 0-3 are taking part in the Sports Spectacular run by the Mainpower Sports Coaches. This is on Tuesday 20th October across the road at the Omihi Domain. Parents are welcome to come and watch, and we would love some helpers. Please let Georgie know if you can help.

Year 5-8 Camp 2027
We will be going to Wainui from the 22nd - 24th March, 2027. The cost of the camp is $370 per child. The school is going to subsidise $130 per child, so we will ask parents for a contribution of $240 per child. There will be an invoice for this coming out in the next 2 weeks, and you are welcome to pay this in instalments. The full payment isn’t due until early March 2027.

In the past we have had fundraisers selling pies and pizzas to subsidise the camp cost. Any family that sold them took the profits straight off of their camp fees. We only stopped it as we didn’t have enough families interested in doing it. If you would like a fundraising option, please email Maree by the end of the week and we are happy to set something up.

Camp parents 2027
If you would like to be a parent helper on camp, please fill out this form by Monday 19th October.

Community Notices

Kia ora koutou

We had a great night at the Glenmark Lions Quiz on Friday night. We are so grateful to be the recipients of all of the money raised on the night. The tally so far is up to $7500, and they are still waiting for the details of the food and bar money to come in. So it will be slightly more than that. This will go towards new shade sails for our swimming pool, outside Tūpari, and under the pergola. A big thank you to the Glenmark Lions.

Last week Harry represented Omihi School in the Canterbury Duathlon. He was against over 100 students from all over Canterbury, and he came 8th! We are so proud of him, what an amazing achievement! Also, Fergus represented Omihi School at the Hurunui Speech Competition last week, and he came 1st! His speech was about “Why Marmite is better than Vegemite”. Congratulations Ferg!

I was so proud to see our kapa haka group perform last week with Greta Valley School at the North Canterbury Kapa Haka festival. They showed confidence, joy and mana. A big thanks to Matua Rihari and Bella, along with Mrs Pugh and Ra from Greta Valley, who worked with our students for the last two terms.

After three and a half years, we are farewelling Kelly at the end of this term. I would like to thank her for her warmth, endless laughter, and truly talented musical spark that brought so much fun to our students. Her humour kept us all smiling, and she brought a lot of laughter and learning into her classroom. I know her students will miss her, as will we, but we are so excited for Kelly and her next chapter.

Lastly a huge thanks to our teachers for all of the work on the production - scripts, songs, dances, props, practising, the list goes on. There is a lot of work to bring a whole school production together, and we are so excited to see it in action next week, and grateful to our teachers for making it happen. Well done to all of the parents who have been making costumes as well!

Ngā mihi
Maree Lucas
Tumuaki/Principal
principal@omihi.school.nz

School Notices

Principal Award winners
Congratulations to the following students who received this term’s Principal Awards - Michael, Theo, Harry and Hugo.

School calendar
All of our dates are on the school calendar on our website for term 4. Please have a look to keep up with the many events and trips next term. We also have term dates in for 2027.

After school
A reminder that there are no teachers on duty after school, so please ensure you are here to monitor your children if they are staying for a play, or let us know if you are going to be late.

Orana Park transport
Here is the transport for Orana Park on Tuesday 13th October. We will leave school at 8.50am, or please organise with the parent helper if you are going to leave straight from home. Thanks to those parents who are taking cars and will be parent helpers on the day - we will cover parent helpers entry fee to Orana Park. If you would like to come along as well, you are very welcome and we can invoice you for the Orana Park fee, or you can just pay on arrival. If you are coming not as a parent helper, you are welcome to bring preschoolers.

No school bus
There will be no school bus on Wednesday 16th September.

Basic facts
With the recent curriculum updates, learning expectations have shifted, and the work in each year level is definitely a bit more challenging. We know our students work hard all day, so we aren't looking to load them down with home learning. However, alongside daily reading at home, we’re asking for families to add just 10 minutes of basic facts practice each day. It’s hopefully a low stress way to keep key maths skills sharp and support their learning in class.

The teachers will send home a maths booklet twice a term that is appropriate for your child. They will explain to each class what is expected, and when they need to bring it back. This will start in term 4.

Pie Day Friday
Here is the order form for pies for this Friday. Please have orders and payment in on Wednesday to guarantee a pie for Friday. If we have enough pies in the freezer, we will take orders on Thursday if you email Maree or Bryleigh directly.

Pet Day/Agri Sports
Our Agri Sports and Pet Day is on Thursday 15th October. Here is the timetable for the day, and the registration form for the pets. Please enter your pet by the end of the term. Thanks to George who will organise agri sports.

Junior Athletics
Year 0-3 are attending the junior athletics held at Waikari School on Wednesday 28th October (postponement date is 29th October). We will send through more details closer to the time, it is a full day event. If you are going to come and watch and can be parent transport, please let Georgie know. 

Sports Spectacular 
Year 0-3 are taking part in the Sports Spectacular run by the Mainpower Sports Coaches. This is on Tuesday 20th October across the road at the Omihi Domain. Parents are welcome to come and watch.

Year 5-8 Camp 2027
We will be going to Wainui from the 22nd - 24th March, 2027. The cost of the camp is $370 per child. The school is going to subsidise $130 per child, so we will ask parents for a contribution of $240 per child. There will be an invoice for this in term 4, and you are welcome to pay this in instalments. The full payment isn’t due until early March 2027.

In the past we have had fundraisers selling pies and pizzas to subsidise the camp cost. Any family that sold them took the profits straight off of their camp fees. We only stopped it as we didn’t have enough families interested in doing it. If you would like a fundraising option, please email Maree by the end of the term and we are happy to set something up.

Grants
We would like to look into applying for some grants to help us continue to subsidise events, such as camp. If there is anyone that would be interested in helping to apply for grants, please let Maree know.

Scargill Show
A reminder that the Scargill Show is on Saturday 19th September at Tipapa. Paemoana and Awaawa have entered artwork into this, look out for it if you are heading along.

Teacher only day
We have our final teacher only day for the year on Thursday 12th November.

After school summer sports
Please see the flyers below regarding Miniball, Hockey and Football in Term 4. If your student is keen to join a team, please let Bryleigh know by 23 September. If we don’t have enough players to make a team, we can see about joining with other schools short on numbers.

Production logistics
Matinee:
On the 24th September, we have our matinee at 10am. Please make sure your children are on time to school, ideally here by 8.45am, with their hair done ready for the production. Please do make up before they come if you are doing this at home, otherwise we will do it at school.

Evening show:
In the afternoon we ask that you please pick your children up at 2.30pm. The buses will be leaving then as well. They can then get home, have a rest, have some food, and then be at the hall by 4.30pm with their hair already done. If they are doing make up at home, they can arrive at 5pm. Otherwise we will do make up when they arrive. Please send a drink bottle and some small snacks in a named bag - no yoghurt, or messy snacks etc.

Production tickets
You can order tickets here, and Bryleigh will invoice you. Once that has been paid, we will send the tickets home. Those who have paid so far will have their tickets sent home today. Adult tickets are $14, and child tickets are $5. Under 5 are free. This covers the cost of our sound and lighting. If you are bringing a preschooler to the matinee, and coming again to the evening event, you will only be charged for one adult ticket.

Thanks
Thanks to Tamar and Anna who will be helping with make up at our two shows, Jamie for picking up the lights, and Kate for picking up the stage.

Weber Bros circus
We have received a few complimentary child passes for the upcoming Weber Bros circus in Christchurch. Please email Maree if you would like one of these - first in first served!

Community Notices

Kia ora koutou

Designed by Year 7 student, Ruby-Grace.

We had our senior speech competition, and I was so proud of everyone for giving it a go. It was tough competition, and we would like to congratulate the following students who placed:

1st - Stanley
2nd - Fergus
3rd - Arlo

Stanley will be receiving the Speech Cup at our prize giving, and as the top year 7/8 student, Fergus qualified for the Hurunui Speech Competition, run by the Lions. Thanks again to Mrs Turnbull and Mrs Pugh for being our judges.

We are really excited about our quiz night on the 11th September. A big thanks to the Glenmark Lions for organising this. Also thank to you the following businesses who have donated to our raffle/auction:

• Pattersons Restaurant (Commodore Hotel)

• Little Vintage

• Markham St Trader

• Ruby Six

• Farmlands, Amberley

• Greta Valley Tavern

• Black Estate

• PGG, Amberley

• North Canterbury Vets

• Porters Pass

• Goldpine, Amberley

• GSI Insurance

• Monteiths, Hanmer Springs

• Hanmer Springs Hot Pools

Ngā mihi
Maree Lucas
Tumuaki/Principal
principal@omihi.school.nz

School Notices

Pie Day Friday
Here is the order form for pies for this Friday. Please have orders in by midday on Wednesday to guarantee a pie for Friday. If we have enough pies in the freezer, we will take orders on Thursday if you email Maree and Bryleigh directly.

School photos
We have school photos on Wednesday 9th September (please note change of date). There will be information sent home today regarding sibling and individual photos. Please send this back to school this week if you would like them.

Kapa haka transport - Thursday 10th September
If you are coming to kapa haka and are able to transport some children, or if your child will meet us there, please let Maree know. Everyone else will go on the school bus. Info about tickets is below.

Answer phone
As we don’t always have someone in the office, when you leave a message on our answer phone it gets emailed to Maree and Bryleigh. So feel free to leave messages, or you can email directly.

Whole school Orana Park trip
We will be visiting Orana Park on Tuesday 13th October for the start of our inquiry next term. We will be leaving school just before 9am and will be back by 3pm. Please let Maree know if you are able to help with transport. We are not able to take preschoolers with us on this trip.

Hurunui Foodbank drive
Please help us support the Hurunui community foodbank drive. Our local foodbanks are currently running low on some everyday pantry staples, and we’re asking those who are able to bring in one non-perishable item by the end of this Friday 4 September for the council food bank to collect. They have indicated their current priority items are:

• Tinned tomatoes

• Tinned fish

• Peanut butter

• Rice

• Pasta

There’s no expectation for all families to contribute, just an opportunity for those who can to help local individuals and families experiencing hardship.

Preschooler morning
We welcome you to our preschooler morning on Wednesday 2nd September from 9am - 10.30am. Please bring along a drink bottle and a snack for your child.

Production logistics
Matinee:
On the 24th September, we have our matinee at 10am. Please make sure your children are on time to school, ideally here by 8.45am with their hair done ready for the production. Please do make up before they come if you are doing this at home, otherwise we will do it at school.

Evening show:
In the afternoon we ask that you please pick your children up at 2.30pm, and the buses will be leaving then as well. They can then get home, have a rest, have some food, and then be at the hall by 4.30pm with their hair already done. If they are doing make up at home, they can arrive at 5pm. Otherwise we will do make up when they arrive. Please send a drink bottle and some small snacks in a named bag - no yoghurt, or messy snacks etc.

Make up
If you can help with make up at either of the shows, please let Maree know.

Production costumes and tickets
Please can you send in all named production costumes by this Friday. Please put them in a bag with your child’s name on them.

You can order tickets here, and Bryleigh will invoice you. Once that has been paid, we will send the tickets home. Adult tickets are $14, and child tickets are $5. Under 5 are free. This covers the cost of our sound and lighting. If you are bringing a preschooler to the matinee, and coming again to the evening event, you will only be charged for one adult ticket.

Production stage and lighting
Thanks to Kate for agreeing to pick up and drop off the stage to Amberley. We have lighting that needs to be picked up and dropped back to Hurunui College in the last week of school. Please let Maree know if you can help with this.

Community Notices

Fundraising for the Waipara Valley Vineyard Trail
Construction has started on the Omihi Creek bridge. This is the last piece of the Waipara Valley Trail that will finally get walkers and cyclists off State Highway 1! Phases 1 and 2 are funded and underway with $175,000 raised, but the Hurunui Trails Trust still needs to raise $80,000 for phase 3.

There are sponsorship packages available from $1,500 up to the $45,000 naming rights, or people can pledge whatever they're comfortable with through the Givealittle page - please visit givealittle.co.nz/org/hurunuitrails for more information and to donate.

Help your community to vote in this year’s general election!
There are over 28,000 jobs available for the 2026 General Election. We need people from all over Aotearoa New Zealand with all levels of experience to apply. No experience, no worries! We are recruiting for a variety of roles.

Whether you’re new to the job market or an experienced leader, chances are there is a role to suit you. You’ll be fully trained and get paid to work in the heart of your community.

Election Day is Saturday 7 November, and advance voting begins on Monday 26 October.

Roles vary in length from several weeks to just Election Day, so there are lots of opportunities available.

For those in the Kaikōura Electorate, please visit the following link to view the available roles and apply: Kaikōura Electorate – 2026 General Election recruitment