Kia ora whānau

Last week I was away at the NZEI Rural Principal’s Conference. Not only was it a great opportunity to visit local schools and meet other Principals in similar size schools, there were also fantastic speakers. One of the most inspiring for me was Sir John Jones. He is a 69 year old ex-principal from Liverpool. He spoke for 3 hours and had the whole audience engaged, entertained and inspired. There were so many take aways from his talk, but here are a few that stood out to me:

Give our children:
* Opportunity
* Passion
* Belief
* Time
* Role models

Be the leader you’d want to be lead by. Be:
* Authentic
* Believable
* Competent
* Dependable
* Empathetic

Also one thing he talked about always trying to teach his students, is to:
* Notice
* Appreciate
* Thank

Ngā mihi
Maree Lucas
Tumuaki/Principal

School Notices

Principal’s Award
The latest Principal award went to…..Daisy Kay.

Cross Country
Congratulations to Violet, Jack and Charlie who have all made it through to the Canterbury Cross Country.

BOT
Welcome to our new and re-elected BOT members:
Ingrid Davis
Leighton Croft
Jaz Hazeldine
Julie Wells
Nicholas Brown

No Omihi bus on 20th June
A reminder there will be no Omihi bus run on the 20th June as we are using the bus to take the Year 6-8 students to a leadership conference.

Year 0-4 Amberley Trip
Year 0-4 will be visiting the Amberley Library and Oakfields Preschool on Friday 21st June.

Kate Valley Trip
This week each class will be visiting the Kate Valley landfill as part of our ‘Me in my Environment’ inquiry. Year 6-8 will go on Wednesday and Year 0-5 on Thursday. Please send along carseats for the bus.

Movie Night
The senior leaders have organised a movie night at school for Friday 21st June as a fundraiser for their senior camp. The movie will start at 6pm and they will be selling tickets over the next couple of weeks. Tickets are $5 and there will be opportunities to purchase popcorn on the night. Please send along water bottles with the children. During the movie, the parents are very welcome to join us for a chance to socialise and catch up in Tūpari. Parents please bring along a plate to share. We will be handing out a survey on the night to gather your feedback.

Ski Trips
In term 3 we go on two ski trips to Mt Lyford. They are on the 8th and 13th of August. The cost is:

Students:
Skiing
$30 per trip - ski pass and lesson
$40 per trip - ski pass, hire of skis, poles, boots and lesson

Snowboarding
$40 per trip - day pass and lesson
$50 per trip - day pass, hire of boots and snowboard, lesson

Parents:
Skiing
$40 per trip - day pass
$50 per trip - day pass and hire of skis, boots and poles

Snowboarding
$50 per trip - day pass
$60 per trip - day pass, hire of boots and snowboard

Parents are responsible for their children on the day. So you either need to be up there with them, or organise for another parent to be responsible for them. If you don’t have a 4WD, we can organise for you and your child to get a ride with someone else. It is a really fun day and a great opportunity for children to give it ago, especially if they have never skied before. If you haven’t got ski clothing, please see me before you buy any, as I’m sure there are some people that have spares that wouldn’t mind lending them for the day.

Community Notices

Kia ora whānau

Last week Neil Wilkinson was in school. He is my appraiser and he came in to talk to our students, our teachers and some of our parents. I really enjoy the appraisal process and having that time to reflect on myself as a Principal and to gather feedback from others on what is going well and anything I can improve on. It’s a great learning opportunity and a good chance to be able to talk through my goals and ensure I’m on the right track. I really do feel lucky to be Principal in such an encouraging, collegial, and supportive community.

Ngā mihi
Maree Lucas
Tumuaki/Principal

School Notices

Parent Liaison
Thank you to Jaz Hazeldine who is going to be our Parent Liaison. Jaz will get in touch with new whānau to our kura and make sure they are settling in ok. She will be an extra support, alongside our staff, if parents have any extra questions. Jaz will also help us to organise baking, etc when we need to support families. Rather than email everyone, she will contact different people each time to share it around.

Pie Orders
A reminder that all senior school pie orders and money need to be in by Tuesday 4th June. Year 0-4 pie orders need to be in by Monday 17th June.

Cross Country Bus
The Omihi bus will still be running tomorrow morning, but it won’t be running in the afternoon after cross country.

No Omihi bus on Thursday 20th June
On the 20th June I will be taking the Year 6-8 children to Rangiora to a leadership conference so there will be no Omihi bus on that day.

Strike on Wednesday
We greatly appreciate the community support that we have already received following the decision by teachers and principals to strike on Wednesday 29 May. The decision to take further strike action was not taken lightly by any of us. For the first time, both primary and secondary teachers are striking together because the crisis in education hits us all very hard and we need the Government to understand how serious it is.

Schools are grappling with the fallout of a 40% nosedive in the number of people training to be teachers between 2010 and 2016, even while the population grew by 400,000.  While the situation improved a little last year and the Government has announced an urgent $95m package to recruit teachers, this is not sufficient to address the crisis.  Schools struggle daily to find enough teachers to meet their relief teacher needs and this will worsen as winter approaches. There is also a desperate need for more support for children with additional learning needs.  

The fact is that teaching is no longer considered an attractive profession due to long-term under-funding of the education sector. A significant pay jolt is part of the solution, alongside significant improvements to our heavy workloads. Otherwise our schools will end up with larger class sizes and more teachers leaving.

On Wednesday 29 May we hope you will join us at our local public event in Rangiora, likely to be from midday. We would love to see you and your children standing with us – together we are a community and we can make a difference. We will advise you of further details when they are confirmed. 

Community Notices

Omihi Hall Committee AGM
This is on Monday 27th May at 7.30pm at the hall. Everyone is welcome.

Winter Ball
Tickets go on sale 1st June at 9am. There will be bus pick ups from Rangiora, Waikuku, Ashley, Sefton, Amberley, Waipara, Greta Valley, Cheviot, Scargill, Waikari and Cheviot (numbers dependent). Keep an eye on the M Factor Events Facebook page for Pre-sale ticket info.

Tena Koutou

On Friday, Kat and I went to a course in Christchurch led by James Nottingham. It was such an inspiring day of learning and consolidating for us. James created the term ‘The Learning Pit’. Where instead of taking the easy path, you challenge yourself and go into the pit before you get out the other side. I have attached a diagram for you to see. I have summarised some of the main points from the course:

• Cause children to:

  • Think more

  • Go beyond their first answer

  • Make connections

• Challenge builds self-efficacy.

• Education should also value resilience, empathy, patience, self-awareness, hope, open-mindedness and confidence.

• Easy answers should be extended.

• Desirable difficulties lead to longer lasting learning.

• Struggling is not a sign of weakness but of developing strength.

• If children are out of comfort zone - do not scaffold, or advise. Just encourage.

• Intrinsic motivation wins hands down over extrinsic motivation.

• Easy is boring.  Challenge is interesting.

• Use praise when children are out of their comfort zone, rather than in their comfort zone.

• Focus on ‘process praise’ rather than ‘personal praise’.

• www.thelearningchallenge.co.uk

Ngā mihi

Maree Lucas
Tumuaki/Principal

School Notices

Principal’s Award
The last Principal’s Award went to…..Xsara Mann.

Teacher’s Strike Day
Negotiations are still going on between teachers and the government and we haven’t been able to come to an agreement, so we will be striking on Wednesday 29th May alongside our secondary teachers. We ask you to please keep your children at home on this day.

Clubs
This term we have a number of clubs running.

• Running club - before school, the day varies. This will be on the school calendar.

• Goal kicking club - Tuesday lunchtime

• Gardening club - Wednesday lunchtime

• Photography club - Thursday lunchtime

Photography club starts this Thursday with Claire Inkson and is from Year 4-8. If children would like to be a part of it, they need to bring a camera and memory stick and make sure it is charged. If they don’t have a camera, they will be able to share with others.

Support Staff Day
Thursday 16th May is Support Staff Day. We had a morning tea to celebrate our support staff last week. But I would like to acknowledge and thank our wonderful support staff who help keep our school running - Ruth, Thalia, Shannon, Tracy and Fi.

Grandparent’s Day
We look forward to welcoming our grandparents to Omihi on Thursday 16th May from 9.00-10.30am.

Amberley Library and Preschool visit
On Tuesday 21st May, Year 5-8 will be visiting the Amberley Library and Amberley Community Preschool to read to their tamariki.

Senior Camp Fundraiser
If you are selling pies as a camp fundraiser, please have all forms and money into the office by Tuesday 4th June (Monday is Queens Birthday). The pies will be delivered on the 23rd July. $2.30 from every pie sold goes directly to your camp account.

Mindfulness Workshops
If you would like to attend our mindfulness workshop on Tuesday 4th June, please let me know. It will run from 3.30-5.00pm.

Cross Country
The small schools cross country is on Tuesday 28th May. Broomfield School run this event and the venue has changed this year. We will send out further information this week. We will be taking some of the older children to run the course this Friday 17th May.

Community Notices

Winter Ball
The tickets for the ball go on sale on June 1st at www.iticket.co.nz. There are only 15 tables available at $900 for 10 people. The rest of the tickets will be sold separately at $95 each. The idea of only having 15 tables is so there is space for bar leaners, casual areas and a dance floor. There will be a grazing station set up throughout the night, rather than a sit down dinner. It is all about mixing, mingling, dancing and having fun! Plus we will raise money for The Omihi Hall while we are there!

Reusing Envelopes
At the Winter Ball we will be running a mystery envelope competition to raise money for the Omihi Hall. We need 250 envelopes and would like to save the environment and reuse envelopes rather than buy new ones. Please can you save your envelopes and send them along to school for us.

Hockey
Does your primary aged child want to learn the basics of hockey, but isn't old enough (or not yet have the confidence or skill) to play competitively? The skills programme starts next Sunday, led by Janelle McKellow.
10 weeks skills Program. Starts Sunday 19th of May 2019, 11-12noon at the Dudley Park Mini Turf.
Contact Janelle McKellow - mjmckellow@outlook.com with enquiries.

Kia ora koutou

What a lovely two weeks! It is such a great opportunity to recharge and come back refreshed for the new term. George and I went to Samoa in the second week and had a lot of fun exploring both islands.

We are very excited to welcome Liam, Luke, Lachie, Isla and Ze’ev to our Omihi whānau, as well as Tracy and Fi our new bus drivers. A big thanks to my Dad Al who drove the bus for us while Tracy and Fi were getting their licences sorted.

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

School Notices

Principal’s Award
The last Principal’s award in term 1 went to….Jeremy Pennell.

School Calendar
Please remember to keep up to date with what is happening on our school calendar on the website.

Literacy Week
This week is Literacy Week. There will be literacy focuses in each of the classes, as well as our trip to Tūranga Library on Wednesday, watching The Tortoise and the Hare at the Omihi Hall on Thursday and our ‘Book Character’ dress up day on Friday. Children do not need to bring a gold coin donation on this day.

Omihi uniform
We have had a chat today about our uniform as we have noticed it is getting a little too relaxed. Please note that children must wear navy on the bottom. These can be shorts, leggings, track pants or culottes. We would rather children didn’t wear rugby shorts or black shorts. They also need to have their navy merino, not black jerseys. If they are wearing a thermal under their polo, it needs to be navy.

We have Omihi jackets and beanies in stock if you would like to purchase any. It is fine for children to wear their own jackets if they don’t have an Omihi one. Sports tops are optional. We will be putting in another order this term as we have had a couple requests. Please email office@omihi.school.nz if you would like to order one and what size you would like.

Tūranga Library transport
Here are the transport details for our trip on Wednesday. The Omihi bus will still be running morning and afternoon.

Pita pit and Sushi
There are no lunches this week. Sushi starts next Wednesday and Pita pit will start in week 3. If you would like to order lunches on Wednesdays, you can order online - www.lunchonline.co.nz

Road safety after school
It is getting busier at the gate at 3pm. Children are not allowed to cross the road on their own, especially when the buses are around as it is hard to see. If you aren’t able to park on the school side of the road, then the children must cross the road with you or an adult.

Mufti Day for Ronald McDonald House
This is on Friday 10th May. Please bring along a gold coin donation.

Paid Union Meeting
On Thursday 9th May there are paid union meetings being held for teachers and Principals. We ask that you please pick up your child at 12.30pm on that day. The Omihi bus will leave school at 12.30pm and take all children at once if they haven’t been picked up.

Grandparents Day
We welcome all of our grandparents into our classes on Thursday 16th May from 9.00-10.10am, and then we will enjoy a shared morning tea. Please let me know if you are happy to send along a plate for morning tea.

Tipu Maia Kahui Ako - Community of Learning
Stephen Walters from Rangiora New Life is our new kahui ako Lead Principal this year and myself and Mike Hart from Oxford Area School are the supporting Principals. I have attached Stephen’s term 1 newsletter below for you to see what is happening in our kahui ako.

Reporting to Parents
In the last week of this term you will be receiving your child’s report. We will be reporting on reading, writing, maths and there will also be a general comment. This will be a digital report through LINC ED. You will be sent login details in the middle of the term so you can access them. You will have the option to print them if you want to.

Movie Night Fundraiser
The senior leaders are organising a movie night to fundraise for their school camp. This will be on Friday 21st June at 6pm at school. They will be selling tickets at $5 each for children to come and watch a movie in Paemoana and Awaawa. Parents are invited to bring a plate and come and socialise in Tūpari.

Arthurs Pass Camp Info
Student health forms will be sent home this week. Please send them back by the end of the week. Thank you to everyone who put their name down as a camp parent. Camp parents will be notified this week.

BOT Nominations
Omihi School Board of Trustee Elections are being held this term. This is a fantastic way to be involved in our school community, so please give it some serious thought. Call for nominations open on Friday 10th May and close Friday 24th May. If you would like any information on becoming a trustee, please don’t hesitate to contact me on 0272384769. Thanks, Ingrid, BOT Chairperson.

Mindfulness Workshops
We are running two more mindfulness workshops for our staff, parents and community. We have one this term and one in term 3. This term it is on Tuesday 4th June and is from 3.30pm - 5pm. The school are covering the cost, so if you would like to be a part of this, please email me - principal@omihi.school.nz.

William Pike Challenge
William Pike is coming to Leithfield School to talk about his experiences and launch the William Pike Challenge at Leithfield School. This is something we are interested in taking our Year 7/8 students to so we can look at the opportunity for Omihi to be a part of this in the future. I will email all of the Year 7/8 parents to see who is interested. More details are below.

Violet’s Merino and Jacket
Violet has misplaced an Omihi jacket and two merino jerseys. Can you please do a double check of your child’s uniform and make sure they have the correct items.

Community Notices