Monday 3rd December, 2018
Kia Ora whanau
We had a fantastic time in Kaikoura last week. Sadly the juniors weren’t able to join us, but the weather definitely improved as the days went on. Even though there were quite a few children and adults feeling quite unwell, the whale watching was definitely a highlight. We were so lucky to see so many gorgeous animals out there. The kayaking was also a lot of fun and great to see children putting themselves out of their comfort zone and giving a go. Thanks to Miss Hanna for the organisation of the camp, we loved it.
As this is our last newsletter of the year I would also like to acknowledge the children and staff leaving at the end of this year. Our year eight students - George Steel, Max Croft, India Wilkie and Angus Barnes, along with Year 6 Alice Barnes. We will miss you all so much and wish you well for your next schools. Kathy Menzies, Jane Croft, Treen Nicholls and Sue Parish, thank you for your dedication, hard work and support for our school.
Hopefully we will see some of you at our whanau day or at the prize giving. But if I don’t, thank you for all of your support throughout the year and have a lovely Christmas.
Ngā mihi
Maree Lucas
Principal, principal@omihi.school.nz
School Notices
School Pool
The pool is now open. Please encourage your children to bring their togs to school everyday. We have Swim NZ coming out this Wednesday to take the classes for lessons and to work with our teachers.
Year 8 Day Out
The Year 8 students will be going to Hanmer Springs on Tuesday 11th December. They will leave school at 9am and arrive back by 3pm for the bus.
Raffle Tickets
Thank you for your support with selling raffle tickets. I can confirm we have made over $5300 for the school! The raffle will be drawn tonight at the BOT meeting and winners will be announced on Facebook and notified personally.
Stationery lists for 2019
The link to order your stationery from Office Max will be sent out to parents this week. Please make sure all stationery is purchased before the start of 2019. The books won’t be on the list this year. We will give those out at the start of the year and will invoice you directly.
Lucas Farm Walk
On Monday 10th December the Year 5-8 students will be walking around our farm in the afternoon. We will be back for the bus at 3pm.
Play house
We are still looking for someone to line the inside of the playhouse for us. Please let me know if you are available.
Whanau Day at Motunau Beach
This is on Wednesday 12th December. We are meeting at the park at Motunau at 10am and will leave at approximately 2pm. Children don’t need to come to school beforehand. Please let us know if your child needs a ride, otherwise we will meet you there.
Preschooler Morning
This is on Wednesday 5th December from 9am - 10.30am. Please share this with your friends, all preschoolers are welcome.
Omihi School Farm Race - Sunday 24th March
The early bird entries are now open. Please help us promote this by sharing the link on Facebook, or if you have anywhere that you can put posters, please let me know and I will send some posters home. We are also looking for prizes. If you have any contacts for prizes, please let me know.
Reminders:
* Prize giving is on Friday 14th December at 1pm. Everyone is welcome.
* The last day of school is Monday 17th December. School will finish at 12.30pm.
* School starts back on Tuesday 29th January, 2019.
Message from BOT Chairperson - Sarah Barnes
As the school year comes to an end, I wanted to sum the year up and provide families with an update of what is happening with the Board. This is the end of my term on the school Board of Trustees now that we have moved away from Omihi. I first joined the Board in 2013 while Peter Mitchell was still Principal. Being on the Board has been a really valuable experience and I think the school is in the best position it has been in for some time due mainly to the work of Maree and the teaching team.
I’d like to thank all the staff for the work they have put in over the year to teach our children and provide them with such amazing opportunities. I’d also like to thank the rest of the Board: Ruth, Nick, Leighton, Bridget, Jennie and Pen. Everyone has made a great contribution and made my life as Chair a lot easier – whether its by providing support and information in the background, maintaining the pool or looking after the school house. I’d also like to acknowledge the contribution of the families of the staff and Board members who support them and tolerate meetings and other school activities outside of normal hours.
At the start of the new year the Board will meet to appoint a new Chair until the Board Elections next June. We had appointed both Pen and Genevieve to the Board as additional members to provide for succession planning so the existing Board will not be short of members at the beginning of 2019. It is likely that some of the existing board members will resign so we are looking for new members from the middle of next year. The Board works best when it reflects the diversity of our community. Everyone has something to contribute and I would encourage all of you to consider joining the Board. Please feel free to talk to any of the Board members if you have any questions.
