Tena Koutou
We've had a very active first few weeks with lots of swimming lessons, Beach Ed and then the Kowai triathlon this week and swimming sports next week. I love seeing our children giving their best and trying hard, even if some find it difficult.
It's not long until our Omihi School Farm Race. We are loving the support from our community in prizes and also volunteering on the day, thank you so much. Please encourage your friends to start entering, as now we need to work out the finer details of logistics for the day and knowing how many people have entered makes that a lot easier. The Lions will be serving up soup and a sausage sizzle on the day, so remember to bring some cash along with you.
Last week I met with every child to find out what they love about our school. They all mentioned a number of things. One thing that came up with just about every child was Vuk, our reading dog. They loved that we had Sam at school last year and that now we have Vuk. He is a calming presence and the children are starting to read to him more often. I found this article about why dogs are a great asset to have in schools. Even though it talks about it being useful for struggling children, it is actually great for all of our children.
Maree Lucas
Principal
School Notices
Principal's Award
Congratulations to MAX CROFT for receiving the Principal's Award in last week's assembly. These awards are always based on our school values - Pride, Unity, Respect and Excellence.
Reporting
As you have probably heard, National Standards are no longer. As a school we would like to review our reporting process and get feedback from our parents of what you are wanting us to report on. At this stage our reports will be looking pretty much the same as last year, but we will be reporting against the curriculum levels, rather than National Standards. When the reports come out we can explain this further. We will gather feedback from parents and talk to the BOT later in the year with the goal to make some changes ready for 2019.
Cancellations/Emergencies
If we have a school trip that is cancelled, this message will be on the Facebook page at 7am the day of the trip. Please ensure you have liked our Facebook page to keep up to date with what is going on. If there is an emergency at school, such as an earthquake, where we need to contact families, we will try emails and social media first. We will also use our grapevine. Ruth will send everyone a copy of this. Please make sure you let us know if your phone number changes.
Helmets
A reminder that if children are riding bikes, scooters or skateboards at school, they must be wearing a helmet.
Informal and formal complaints
Just a reminder that if you have any concerns, please follow the right process for these. These are all in our school docs policies online. The username is 'omihi' and password is 'glenmark'. If you have an issue or question regarding a student, please talk directly to the classroom teacher.
School doc Policy
Each term we ask parents to help us review our policies. This term it is regarding Home Learning. Please go onto School docs and use the username and password from above. Then click on 'current review'.
Preschooler morning
We are introducing preschooler mornings once a term. We invite you to bring in your preschoolers on Tuesday 20th March at 9am. They will be part of the junior class programme with you and then there will be a morning tea for the parents. Please share this around, all children are welcome. If you would like to come, please email Maree on principal@omihi.school.nz.
Community Notices
WAIAU SCHOOL TRAILRIDE
www.theride.co.nz
17th & 18th March 2018
Entries are now open online for this years fundraising Trail Ride. Any enquiries please email: theridewaiau@yahoo.co.nz
2018 Course:
Saturday 17 March – Hillview (Galletly Family) Lyndon Road (5 mins out of Waiau) & Winford Hills (Macfarlane Family)
Sunday 18 March – Mt Terako (Turnbull Family), Whalesback Station (Northcote Family), Inland Road (a few km’s north of Mt Lyford)
Limited to 500 riders per day. Recommend to get in quick as there are already over 100 riders registered for both days. Waiau Trailride is an exciting weekend for competent riders of off road motorcycles & ATVs (no passengers).
Children under 15 years MUST BE ACCOMPANIED by a guardian throughout the ride.
Courses are challenging & set over steep, scenic farmland (enduro deviations included) & are very demanding on rider & machine.
Helmets & spark arrestors compulsory.
The venues will be well signposted from the Waiau township each day.
(No pee-wee tracks available).
Bikes must be mechanically safe & sound, knobbly tyres essential (if wet clay).
Track opens 9.30am. Closes 3pm.
Continuous loop tracks (all subject to conditions on the day).
Provide own fuel – no refuelling stops.
Loop tracks up to 50km long.
COST for 2018:
This year sees us increasing the cost of our Trail Ride so that we can pay the landowners a sum for their involvement. Without them being so generous & offering up their land we wouldn’t be able to raise the money we do to support the education of our children, as in today’s environment not all costs are covered by the Ministry of Education.
Package: $140 includes Sat/Sun ride, lunch both days (save $20 by riding both days)
Day 1: Entry fee $80.00 includes lunch.
Day 2: Entry fee $80.00 includes lunch.
Lunches available 11.30am-1.30pm each day.
All prices includes donation to the Amuri St Johns. A donation to the Westpac Helicopter & the Landowners get a percentage of money per rider. No Eftpos available.
