Kia ora Koutou

Wow what an amazing day yesterday!  It was such a special day for our school, to be able to open it to literally hundreds of people and use it as the hub for our Omihi School Farm Race.  We had over 230 entries and not only raised a lot of money, but also it was such a lovely way to bring our community together.  I loved talking to people after the race.  We had entries from 7 years up to 90 years!  Some found it tough, but they said it made it all worth it when they got to see the view from the top.  Spectacular.  We will confirm how much we earned once all payments are finalised.

A huge thank you from all of us to the Crofts and the Heards for letting us use their land.  Leighton, for all the work getting the track ready, all of our volunteers who helped on the day, plus all of our amazing sponsors.  We really couldn't do it without you.  The best thing was hearing how so many people can't wait to come back again next year.  It will be an annual event, so we will let you know when we have the date confirmed.

Another exciting event for us this week is having Violet and Rowan Inkson join our school.  It is wonderful to have them as part of the Omihi family.

Maree Lucas
Principal
Omihi School

Thanks to our sponsors of our Omihi School Farm Race:

• Omihi School staff
• All our volunteers
• The Crofts 
• Mt Cass Station - The Heards
• Downer NZ
• St John Ambulance
• All the volunteers
• Countdown, Amberley
• Tait Electronics- Peter Drake 
• Claire Inkson
• Emma Beaton
• Pushbikes
• PGG Wrightson Ltd
• Amberley Outdoors & Sports
• Black Estate Wines
• Team CP - North Canterbury 
• Sherwood-Estate Winery
• FMG
• Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa
• The Sloss family 
• The Esler family 
• Mt Lyford Ski Area
• Farmlands Cooperative Society Limited
• North Canterbury Vets
• Roseglen Tea
• Mainpower Rangiora
• Stirling Sports Rangiora
• Hazeldine Construction
• Omihi Southdown
• The Munros

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

School Notices

Principal's Award
The recipient of the Principal's award last week was:  Alice Pennell.

Strum, Strike and Blow
The whole school are going to be part of the Strum, strike and blow festival on Wednesday 29th August.  Each child will learn how to play either the recorder, marimba or ukelele and will play with hundreds of other children on stage at the Horncastle Arena.  We will be starting learning these instruments in term 2.

Easter Tuesday
A reminder that school is closed on Easter Tuesday next week.

Sports T shirt
We are currently looking into an optional sports t shirt for the children.  This will be an optional purchase for parents that children will be able to wear whenever they represent the school or Kowai at sporting events.  It will have our school name on it and will be 'Dri Gear' fabric with UV protection.  We have showed designs to the children to get their feedback and will come back to you when we have further details confirmed, including costs.

 

 

Community Notices

Kia ora everyone

It's now only 2 weeks away from our Omihi School Farm Race.  We are very grateful to all the people that have donated prizes for this event.  Also a big thank you to Downer who are providing the Traffic Management for free and a huge thank you to the Croft family for letting us use their amazing farm for the race.  The views really are spectacular.

The last thing we need help with is to get some more entries.  These are coming in a bit faster now, but I know people leave them to the last minute.  If you know of anyone that is talking about entering, please get them to do so sooner rather than later.  This makes our planning a little easier.  We would love to see our community down there on the day to support these participants, even if you aren't doing the race.  The Lions will have a BBQ going, so make sure you have some cash with you.

The Crofts getting their farm ready for the race.

Nga mihi

Maree Lucas
Principal
principal@omihi.school.nz

School Notices

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.  We are also looking for a couple of parents to provide morning tea.  If you are able to send in some baking, please let me know.

Sporting Achievements
Congratulations to the following children for their achievements in the past couple of weeks:

Kowai Triathlon:
Jeremy Pennell - 3rd
Alice Barnes - 1st
Maggie Hamilton - 3rd
George Steel - 3rd

Small School Swimming Sports: (Children who came 1st or 2nd will go onto Kowai Swimming Sports)
Freestyle:
Alice Barnes - 1st
Alice Pennell - 1st
Billy Esler - 1st
Tom Hazeldine - 3rd
Jeremy Pennell - 3rd

Backstroke:
Jeremy Pennell - 2nd
Tom Hazeldine - 2nd
Alice Barnes - 1st
Alice Pennell - 1st

Breaststroke:
Alice Barnes - 2nd
Alice Pennell - 1st
Jeremy Pennell - 2nd
Tom Hazeldine - 3rd

Butterfly:
Alice Pennell - 2nd

Indi, Max, George and Angus - Our Year 8 leaders

Medley:
Jeremy Pennell - 3rd
Alice Barnes - 3rd
Alice Pennell - 1st

Relay:
Year 5/6 team - Jeremy Pennell, Alice Barnes, Billy Esler, Georgie Macefield - 1st

A message from our Year 8 leaders:

A message from our Year 8 leaders:
Hi my name is Indi and I’m a one of the year 8 leaders here at Omihi.  I have moved here this year from Pegasus Bay and I am glad that I did it. I love all sports.  Hi my name is George and I am year 8. I have gone to Omihi my whole schooling life.  I love sports and outdoors.   Hi my name is Max, I have been here at Omihi for 8 years. I love the outdoors, sports and farming.   Hi my name is Angus.  I have been at Omihi for my whole schooling life and I love swimming and cycling.

Part of our leadership roll this year is to organise one fundraiser a term to raise money for charity.

In Term 1 Mrs Lucas is putting on a fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House.  It is a fashion show and the some of the kids here at Omihi are modelling in it.  The year 7 and 8 children are going in on the day to help set up.  There are still tickets available. (Thursday 12th April)

In Term 2 we are having a mufti day for turtlerescue.co.nz.  This will also be a gold coin donation. (Friday 11th May)

In Term 3 we are having a Crazy Day.  Each child has to dress crazy, have their hair crazy and be crazy.  This will be a gold coin donation and we are fundraising for Kidscan. The whole school is participating in this fundraising. (Friday 10th August)

In Term 4 we are fundraising for the SPCA.  Your child has to dress up as their favourite animal and bring a can of animal food - it will be a great day. (Friday 9th November)

As a fundraiser for the school we are also organising a movie night on Friday 25th May.  It is $5 for children to come along and watch a movie in the junior class.  There will also be popcorn they can buy.  Parents will be able to come along and socialise with each other in the senior room.

Thank you from the Year 8s - Indi, Angus, Max and George

ICAS tests
Here is a link to the ICAS tests and the prices.  These are Australian based tests that are optional.  If you would like your child to enter any of them, please email me by Friday 23rd March.  Ruth will then invoice you for the entry fee.

Easter Weekend
School will be closed on Good Friday, Easter Monday and Easter Tuesday.

NZEI Teachers Union Meeting
There is a paid union meeting for teachers on Thursday 22nd March.  There shouldn't be too much disruption to our day.  The teachers are going to go to different meetings throughout the day and I will cover their class when they are gone.

Community Notices

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.

Tena Koutou

Thank you to everyone who was able to make our picnic last week.  It was a lovely chance for families to get to know each other.  There will be other opportunities throughout the year for this as well.

We appreciate all of the replies to our annual donation/fundraising survey.  There is still time if you haven't filled it out.  I will discuss the results at our next BOT meeting and we will be in touch with the outcome.

With so many new children at school now we are noticing it is getting quite busy on the road at pick up times.  Please remind your children to stay in the gate until you arrive to pick them up.  They must have an adult with them to cross the road.  You are welcome to drive up the driveway if that is easier.  There are so many logging trucks and big machinery on the road at the moment, so we need to be extra careful.

Nga Mihi
Maree Lucas
Principal

School Notices

Taylor reading to Vuk, our school reading dog.

Omihi School Farm Race
Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help on the day.  If you are able to, please feel free to add your name to the Google Sheet I emailed out or let me know.  Entries are trickling in, which is great.  If you know anyone that is thinking of entering, please give them a gentle reminder to enter on our website.  The first 100 entries will go in the draw to win a $100 Black Estate voucher, which was kindly donated by the Sloss family.

Rakahuri Rage
This is a bike race held at the Ashley River on Sunday 18th March.  It goes from 10am - 4pm and is a relay around the Rakahuri track.  All profits go to subsidise the Waiswim programme - which our students are benefiting from at the moment.  We would love to support this event so will be entering a Year 8 team and a staff team.  It would be great to enter a community team as well.  It is $55 per person to enter and teams consist of 2-4 members.  Here is more info on the race.  Let me know if you are interested.

Small School Swimming Sports - Year 4-8
These are being held on Wednesday 8th March at the Amberley Pool from 9.30-12.30pm.  Your children have entered their races already, so please feel free to talk to them about these and let me know if there are any changes.  The Kowai Swimming event is on Monday 12th March at 4pm at Amberley pool for those that make it through.

Kowai Triathlon - Year 4-8
The Kowai Triathlon is on Wednesday 28th February.  This is optional for children to enter.  Children will be practising at school next week.  So we ask all Year 4-8 children to please bring in their bikes and leave them at school for the week.

Beach Ed
On Monday 19th February the whole school are going to Beach Ed at Waikuku.  If I haven't spoken to you already, I am assuming your children will be dropped at school and will go on the bus with us.  We will leave school at 9am and will hopefully arrive back just before the afternoon bus.  Please make sure children have their hats, togs, towel, water bottle, a big lunch and sunblock on.

School Assembly
Our first school assembly for the year is on Friday 23rd February at 2pm.  The seniors will be leading this assembly.  All families and our community are welcome.  If your child is getting a certificate, we do try and tell you before the assembly so you can try and come along.

Three Way Learning Conferences
We have changed these dates that were originally on the calendar.  So the 3WLC are now being held on Tuesday 27th February and Wednesday 7th March.  This is a chance for parents, children and teachers to work together and set goals for the year.  I will send out a booking form for this later in the week.

Community Notices

Omihi Library
We are very excited to announce that our library is now connected to the Hurunui Library.  We have a small section of adult books, but you are also able to request a book online and have it sent to our library to pick up.  You can return books to us also.  Feel free to bring your pre-schoolers in to get books out.  It is open to all of our community.  Yo Turnbull is kindly volunteering every Tuesday from 1-2pm, so it is open at that time starting tomorrow.  There will also be other times during the week where our student librarians will be able to run it.  I will let you know those times when they are fully trained and we have worked out a schedule.