Monday 23rd June, 2025

Kia ora koutou,

Stanley and Lavi eager to try the pumpkin soup shared kai to celebrate Matariki.

I would like to say a huge thank you to Elizabeth for stepping in for Penny this term in Awaawa. We are so grateful to have such an experienced, kind and caring reliever, who knows our students well. A big thank you to Adrienne who has stepped in for me during these last few weeks. I’m so grateful for her support. Also thanks to the rest of our team for keeping things running smoothly while staff have been away - thanks to Kelly, Georgie, Bryleigh, Trudy, Sharryn, Emma, Yo and Fi. Our students are so adaptable. It’s great to see them just carrying on as normal, as they are so used to working with any of our teachers and relievers.

I also wanted to acknowledge the disestablishment of the kāhui at the end of the year, which you may have heard about on the news. This is a real disappointment for our school. We will lose staff funding, and 3 of our staff will lose their leadership roles. Plus it means we will no longer have the professional learning and networking opportunities for our staff and students. We are working with our kāhui to see what this will look like moving forward, and will keep you updated.

We hope you have a lovely holiday, and look forward to seeing you again in term 3, with our whole team back on deck.

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

A Note from Adrienne…

Thanks again for making me welcome for a little bit longer than originally  anticipated. Omihi School is a fantastic environment that I enjoy being a part of. I look forward to seeing everyone in their PJ’s on Thursday.

I want to congratulate our representatives in the Canterbury Cross Country - Michael, Alex and Harry. They were competing against the ‘best of the best’ in a tough competition which is quite an achievement - well done boys!!

We had a very enjoyable day last Thursday with the whole school participating in Matariki activities - soup making, making bread rolls and kite making in the afternoon. And, of course, eating the soup and rolls together at lunchtime. Thanks to Ze’ev and Lavi for providing the HUGE pumpkin that was enough to feed us all. It is always so encouraging to see the older students taking the lead and working so positively with the younger students.  

A reminder that there will be new posts on Hero about your child’s progress at school on Friday. These will differ slightly in each class. Paemoana students will have posts based around a General Comment and Health & PE. Awaawa students will just have a Health & PE post. Their General comments and Progress Report based on Reading, Writing and Maths will be done early next term when Penny is back. Tūpari students will have information on their progress in Reading, Writing and Maths, a General Comment and a Health & PE post.

I hope you all have a great holiday break, enjoying some family time together.

Ngā mihi
Adrienne Simpson

School Notices

Pyjama Day
On Thursday 26th June we have a 'pyjama day', where children wear their pyjamas to school and we ask for a gold coin donation for Ronald McDonald House.

Leadership Day
On Friday 27th June our Year 7/8s will be going to Oxford Area School on the school bus with Miss Fletcher to our kāhui leadership day.  There will be an inspirational speaker, and also the senior leaders of the area schools will be running activities with seniors.  They will leave school at 8.30am, and return at 3pm.

Omihi bus
On Friday 27th June there will be a north/south bus run in the morning, but no Reeces Rd bus run.  There will be no after school bus run that day.

Bloomfields Preschool and library
On Tuesday 15th July, Paemoana will be visiting Bloomfields Preschool and the Amberley Library. This is a great opportunity for our juniors to read to the preschoolers, and explore our local library. Maree, Georgie and Rachel will take the class there on the school bus.

Teacher only day
A reminder that we have a teacher only day on Friday 25th July. We will be working with the other schools in our kāhui, focusing on the new Maths curriculum.

Omihi School 125th Jubilee - Friday 12th September
We invite you to our 125th Jubilee. There will be a school tour, decade photos, and an afternoon tea between 12.30pm - 2.30pm. Then drinks, dinner and speakers in the evening at the Omihi Community Hall. Registrations are now open, and these will be on www.iticket.co.nz. Please help us spread the word, and let any previous students, staff and community know. If you have any old photos you would like to share for the event, please send them to Fi Williams - fiphil@xtra.co.nz or 027 286 5772.

Community Notices

Cottage to rent
A 2 bedroom farm cottage with log burner is available to rent. $275 per week, including wifi. Sorry, no dogs.
Please contact Leighton on 027 877 6390.

School holiday activities at the Amberley Library
Family Board Games
Venue: Hurunui Memorial Library, Amberley
Date: Wednesday 2 July – 1.30pm-3pm
Date: Wednesday 9 July – 1.30pm-3pm
Cost: Free drop-in event
Bring the family to play social board games at this drop-in session. You are welcome to use our selection of games, or bring your own. All ages welcome.

Winter Crafts for Kids
Venue: Hurunui Memorial Library, Amberley
Date: Tuesday 8 July
Time: 1.30-3pm
Cost: Free drop-in event