Monday 16th March, 2026
Outdoor learning for Awaawa today.
Kia ora koutou
Congratulations to all of our students who competed in the Small School Swimming and Kowai Swimming Sports. The results are listed below. Also well done to Hugh and Harry who qualified for the Canterbury Swimming Sports. These are being held next week.
Thanks to Donald who came in to talk to our students last week as part of our ‘Belonging’ inquiry. Our students loved hearing about Donald’s Olympic achievements, it was so inspiring!
We would like to wish Georgie all the best for her wedding this Friday. It is such a special time, and we are very excited for her. The teachers and myself will be attending on the day, so Mr Stone and Mrs Maddren will be teaching that day.
Next week Year 5-8 are heading to Hanmer Springs for their camp. It’s such an exciting time, and there is usually excitement and a few nerves as well. Thanks to Kelly for leading the camp, and to Bella who is a teacher on camp also. I look forward to joining them for two of the days. Students will receive their camp booklet this week, and it will be emailed home to parents.
Ngā mihi
Maree Lucas
Tumuaki/Principal
principal@omihi.school.nz
School Notices
The Faraway Tree - Thursday 2nd April
We still need help with transport to Rangiora to see The Faraway Tree. If you don’t want to watch the movie, you are welcome to drop children off, and pick up again afterwards. We will be leaving school at 9am.
Literacy update - from Georgie, Leader of Literacy
The literacy curriculum has had a refresh and the focus has shifted from broad curriculum levels to specific phases of learning that align directly with year levels. Year 0-3 has a big focus on phonological awareness and phonics. The biggest change for years 4-6 is the shift from "learning to read" to "reading to learn." Increased focus on complex vocabulary, comprehension strategies, and writing for different purposes. For years 7-8 there is a focus on deeper analysis, understanding different perspectives, and using literacy to advocate for oneself.
As a staff we are constantly learning and evolving our teaching with the curriculum which we are doing by running professional learning focused on literacy twice a term during staff meetings.
Student’s writing from Awaawa
Goodbye Summer, I will miss the ice cream dripping down my hand as I slurp it up. Goodbye Summer, I will miss the waves knocking me off my feet, Freya.
Goodbye Summer, I will miss my golf ball flying through the air like a plane. Goodbye Summer, I will miss doing manu’s in the warm lake with a massive backslap, Freddie.
Goodbye Summer, I will miss the hot sand between my toes. Goodbye Summer, I will miss the waves crashing me under water, Heidi.
Goodbye Summer, I will miss your soft breeze blowing through my hair. Goodbye Summer, I will miss the red crabs scuttling in and out of the water like crazy ballerinas, Emma.
Small School Swimming Results (Omihi, Waipara, Broomfield Schools)
One length:
Emma - freestyle (3rd)
Mackenzie - freestyle (3rd)
Charlotte - freestyle (2nd), backstroke (2nd)
Lavi - freestyle (2nd), breaststroke (3rd)
Ze’ev - freestyle (1st)
Noah - freestyle (3rd), backstroke (3rd)
Arlo - backstroke (1st)
Michael - backstroke (2nd)
Ze’ev - breaststroke (1st)
Theo L - breaststroke (2nd)
Two lengths:
Harry - butterfly (3rd), medley (1st), freestyle (1st), backstroke (1st), breaststroke (1st)
Arlo - medley (2nd), freestyle (2nd) breaststroke (2nd)
Fergus - medley (3rd), freestyle (3rd), backstroke (2nd), breaststroke (3rd)
Michael - freestyle (3rd), breaststroke (3rd)
Ze’ev - backstroke (3rd)
Hugh - breaststroke (2nd)
Alex - breaststroke (2nd)
Kowai Swimming Sports
Harry - freestyle (2nd), backstroke (1st), breaststroke (1st), medley (1st)
Fergus - backstroke (3rd), medley (2nd)
Hugh - breaststroke (1st)
Alex - breaststroke (2nd)
Own Clothes Day
On Friday 20th March children can wear their own clothes. Please bring a donation to go towards Ronald McDonald House.
Kids Lit Quiz - Tuesday 31st March
We are excited to take two teams to this for the first time. Maree will be in touch with parents to organise the details. More info about the event is here.
