Happy new year! It’s been a lovely break over the summer, and I’ve really enjoyed having no routines, and lots of family time. We had a great time away in Akaroa and up in Momorangi Bay, and were excited to start Delilah and Ada on their water skiing journey!
We had a few improvements at school over the holidays, with new carpet in the office block, new heat pumps, the roof and gutters have been cleaned, and some refurbishments to the pool shed. This was all funded through the NIK (Ngā iti kahurangi) programme from the Ministry, which is about improving property in small schools. Plus it was very cool to get our first apples off of our trees by the front gate! We are really excited to get back into the classrooms next week with our students, and hear about their holidays.
This year we are lucky enough to have Rachel back as our student teacher. She will be in Tūpari with Kelly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, starting in week 3. We are also thrilled to have Trudy back as our teacher aide four mornings a week, starting in week 2.
We warmly welcome Bella to our Omihi whānau, and I know Awaawa is excited to get to know her. Bella will be working Monday - Thursday, but is flexible if we need her on a Friday. I have added her introduction below if you haven’t seen it.
Please keep an eye on our school calendar on the website for upcoming events, as there is a lot going on this term. If you would like me to share the calendar with you, please let me know.
Ngā mihi
Maree Lucas
Tumuaki/Principal
principal@omihi.school.nz
School Notices
Attendance
We are pleased to inform you that our attendance rate was up for term 4. Please see the data attached below. Thank you for helping us to make attendance a priority. It is parents’ responsibility to get their children to school, and it is our responsibility to follow this up.
Omihi bus
This term the bus will do South/North pick up first, then Reeces Rd. The Ministry has recommended schools remind caregivers of the following points:
Caregivers are responsible for getting children to school, which may involve getting them to and from their nearest bus pick-up and drop-off location.
Please either stay with your children while they are waiting for their school transport in the morning or keep in contact with them to make sure that they are picked up safely.
It is recommended students and caregivers be at the bus pick-up/drop-off locations 5-10 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
If you wish to discuss any school transport related issues, please contact Maree.
Stationery
Please hand in your child’s stationery to their teacher, and they will give it out as needed. The lists can be ordered through www.myschool.co.nz/omihi. We will give students their books and invoice you for these.
Invoices and Donation Scheme
Families will receive an invoice for your child’s books, and also for a contribution to the bus. This is to help cover the costs of using the bus for school trips, so we can minimise the amount of parents we require each time. We really appreciate those families that do pay this. We are still part of the Donations Scheme from the Ministry, so we do not need to ask for the annual school donation from parents.
School community conduct expectations
At Omihi we have high expectations of our students, staff and BOT, and we would like to share our School Community Conduct Expectations. This also has a link to our concerns and complaints policy. Please search “school community conduct expectations” at omihi.schooldocs.co.nz (Username: omihi Password: glenmark).
Whānau picnic
We welcome you to our whānau picnic on Tuesday 3rd February from 3.30pm - 5.30pm. As our pool party with Hurunui Council was cancelled, they are very kindly going to come along and put on a sausage sizzle for us at 4.30pm. The swimming pool will be open from 3.30pm-4.30pm. Please bring along any other dinner you would like for your family. The BBQ will be available if you would like to use it. This is a good chance to meet new families and catch up after the holidays. If you are not attending, please pick up your child before 3.30pm.
St John sessions
St John will be running first aid sessions with each class on the morning of Thursday 5th February.
Evan’s farm walk
On Tuesday 10th February, we will be doing a walk on the Evans’ farm as part of our ‘Belonging to our community’ inquiry. Please let Maree know if you are able to help with transport and be a parent helper on the trip.
School uniform
We have received a small amount of size 8-10 navy skirts to sell. These are $10 each. Please contact Bryleigh in the office if you would like any.
Triathlon
Our school triathlon for Year 1-8 is on Thursday 5th February at 1.30pm. We welcome parents to come and watch. The top 3 children in each year level from Year 5-8 will go to the Kowai triathlon on Thursday 12th February at the Amberley Domain. Children can bring their bikes to school each day in week 1 to practise.
Contact details
If you have changed address or phone number, please make sure you let us know. You can email Bryleigh on office@omihi.school.nz.
Sunsmart policy
A reminder that as part of our Sunsmart policy, sun hats need to be worn every day in term 1. Please put sunscreen on your child before school. If your child has a rash vest, please send that along for swimming. We will be swimming every day if possible.
Bus safety
Constable Ken will be taking the whole school for bus safety on Friday 20th February, and he will also be training our bus wardens.
Preschooler morning
We welcome all preschoolers on Wednesday 4th March from 9.00am - 10.30am. Please bring your child’s morning tea and water bottle.
Year 4-8 Small School Swimming Sports
On Tuesday 3rd March, we will be joining Waipara and Broomfield School at the Amberley Pool for our small school swimming sports. These will start at 9.30am, and will finish by lunchtime. We will take the school bus, so please let Maree know if your child needs a ride or if you will meet us there.
Food Truck Friday
We are collaborating with Farmstrong to bring Food Truck Friday to Omihi. This will be across the road at the Omihi Hall on Friday 6th March, from 5pm - 9pm. It is not a fundraiser, just a chance to bring the wider community together. Kelly will be singing and there will be a number of food trucks available to purchase dinner. Bring a picnic rug, and we would love to see you there.
Year 5-8 camp
We are excited about our Year 5-8 camp to Hanmer Springs on 25-27th March. Kelly and Bella are leading the camp, and they will be sending further details home in the next couple of weeks.
Year 7/8 technology
Technology starts at Hurunui College on Monday 2nd March. The bus will pick the children up at 10.30am and they will be dropped back after lunch. They will have maths at Omihi, and then leave during morning tea.
Whole school assembly
We welcome you to our whole school assembly on Thursday 2nd April at 2pm.
ICT agreements
Your child will be bringing home an ICT agreement. Please read through this with them, both sign it and then send it back. After week 2, children will not be able to use school devices unless this is returned.
Basketball
Please let Bryleigh know by 4th February if your child is interested in playing basketball in Term 1. There is a 3x3 competition for Year 5/6 students on Thursday nights at Mainpower Stadium in Rangiora ($230 team fee), or a 5x5 competition for Year 7/8 students on Friday nights, played at both Mainpower Stadium and Kaiapoi High School ($420 team fee). Fees would be split evenly between registered players. Games start 12/13th February and run for 6 weeks.
Message from Bella (Miss C):
Kia ora Ōmihi whānau,
My name is Bella Cubitt, and I am thrilled to be one of the newest additions to the Ōmihi School community! I grew up in a small rural community called Millers Flat in Central Otago, so joining a close-knit school like Ōmihi feels very special.
I began my teaching career in 2021 in the beautiful Wānaka and Hāwea Flat area. After two and a half incredible years there, I set off overseas for almost two years, travelling through Europe, nannying and teaching in London, and exploring Central and South America. I loved every minute, but I’m so happy to be back in Aotearoa and settling into this wonderful part of the country.
I have been teaching at Woodend School as both a release teacher and a new entrant teacher since May last year. It will be bittersweet to leave, but I am excited to begin the next chapter of my life further North and join the Ōmihi whānau.
In my spare time I enjoy singing and playing guitar, creating pottery, spending time in the hills and hanging out with my gorgeous friends and family. I’m truly excited to join Ōmihi in 2026. If you see me around, please come and say hi. I can’t wait to get to know you all!
Community Notices
