Kia ora koutou whānau
It was so nice to see everyone’s smiling faces this morning and hear about all the lovely memories made over the holidays. I love seeing how excited our students are at seeing their friends and teachers on day one.
George and I had some great camping adventures with Vuk in the holidays and managed to catch up with lots of friends and family. It was a lovely opportunity to have some down time, reflect on our exciting 2019 year and plan ahead to life with a baby. I will be at school until early/mid term 2 and am planning to take 6 months off, so depending on how everything goes, I will be back mid term 4. After our first Board of Trustees meeting in week 4, we will come back to you with information around who is going to be Acting Principal.
We welcome Penny and Megan to our teaching staff this year and also welcome back Tamar as our teaching assistant. I have included Penny and Megan’s introduction again in the newsletter below. We also welcome Kate Dodd who will be relieving in classes when needed. A warm welcome to Fergus and Noah who are starting their school journey in Paemoana today.
We have lots of exciting things coming up this term, so please see all the info below and we will continue to update the school calendar on the website as well. Let me know if you would like me to share the calendar with you so you can have it on your phone.
Ngā mihi
Maree Lucas
Tumuaki/Principal
School Notices
Congratulations to our Prize giving recipients from 2019:
Omihi Values - junior - Lily Banks
Omihi Values - senior - Alice Pennell
Speech cup - Maggie Hamilton
Sportsperson of the Year - Charlie Murphy
Excellence in Arts - Leni Wilkie
Academic - Maggie Hamilton
School trips:
Whole School Beach Ed - Thursday 13th February at Waikuku Beach
We will take the school bus, but will also need parent helpers to make up the ratios in the water. Please let me know asap if you are able to take a car and help out on the day. We ask that no preschoolers come on this trip.
Whole School Canterbury Museum and Art Gallery trip - Tuesday 25th February
To go alongside our inquiry unit this term, we will be going to the Museum and Art Gallery on the 25th February. We will take the school bus and hopefully the Waikuku bus, but will still need more helpers. Please contact Penny asap if you can help on this trip - penny@omihi.school.nz.
Year 5-8 Kowai Triathlon - Wednesday 26th February
This is at the Amberley domain and is run in the afternoon. We ask that parents take their own children and bikes to the domain. Further information will be sent out in due course. Usually you need to be there by 12.45pm.
Whānau picnic
We welcome all our families and our community to come along to our whānau picnic on Tuesday 4th February between 5-7pm. BYO picnics. The BBQ will be available to cook on and the pool will be open. This is a great chance to catch up after the holidays and meet new teachers and families.
School closed:
Waitangi day - Thursday 6th February
Kahui Ako teacher only day - Monday 2nd March
Waiswim lessons
We ask that children start bringing their togs everyday as we will use the pool as much as possible. We encourage children to wear rash vests if you have them. This not only protects them from the sun, but it also helps our pool from having all the extra sunscreen going into it every day. Waiswim lessons will be starting in week 3.
Reporting
We will be sharing our reporting schedule for 2020 with you this week. Reports are continuing on Linc ed, but the comments will be spread out during the year, so it is ‘real time’ reporting. You will still receive the general comment and the levels for reading, writing and maths mid and end of year.
3 Way Learning Conferences
These are booked in for Tuesday and Wednesday in week 6. We will send out a timetable nearer the time so you can book in a time to meet with your child and their teacher.
Assemblies this term:
This term there will only be 2 assemblies, as we are starting them later to give the classes time to settle in. From term 2 onwards there will be 3 each term.
Friday 6th March, 2pm - Year 0-4 assembly
Friday 27th March, 2pm - Year 5-8 assembly
School Uniform
A reminder that correct uniform needs to be worn each day and Omihi sunhats are compulsory in terms 1 and 4. Please ensure shorts, trousers or skirts are navy, with navy or white socks.
Bus Parking
When dropping off or picking up your child at the school gate, please don’t park right in front of the gate as that is where the two buses need to park. Either park across the road in the Omihi Hall carpark or closer to Omihi Road. The Omihi bus also needs space to be able to turn around. The children will be involved in bus safety with Constable Ken at the start of this term.
A reminder that the speed limit is 20km when passing a school pass that is stopped. We ask that any children getting on the bus on the main road, please wear a high vis vest. School can provide these if you haven’t got one.
Omihi School Farm Race
Please help us to promote the farm race and raise money for our school. Entries are available online at www.omihi.school.nz/bikerun. If you have anywhere that you can put up one of our posters, please let me know.
School of Rock
Music Lessons 2020 Term 1. One day a week there will be group, individual and or band music lessons available at the school within school time, that are run by School of Rock. In the lessons the students will learn the fundamental techniques associated with their instrument and a "song". The "song" could be anything from new school to old school, classical to rock. Music Enrolment Form.
Year 5-8 Basketball
Basketball starts up again on the 28th February. Please let Maree know if your child wishes to play again and also if you are available to coach.
Penny Vincent - Paemoana teacher
I have been teaching for the past 11 years. I spent my first four years teaching at Dunsandel Primary School. Whilst there I taught years 3 - 6 and became the senior syndicate leader. My husband and I then moved to North Canterbury to be closer to our families and I spent 6 years at Waikuku/Pegasus School teaching Year 0 - 6. During this time I worked as both the Middle and Junior syndicate leader. Over the last year I have worked at St Patrick’s school in Kaiapoi from 9.15 - 12.30 four mornings a week. Initially I was taking small groups for numeracy and literacy support across the school and for the last two terms I have had a Year 2 and 3 class for the mornings doing intensive numeracy and literacy work.
I feel very privileged to be in a job where I get to spend time getting to know and help shape little hearts and minds. I have also been lucky enough to previously teach and get to know some of the wonderful children and families that currently attend Omihi school.
My family and I live out in North Loburn and have three children. Jaxon is 4 and will be starting at North Loburn School in the new year, Hudson is 2 (almost 3) and Sadie is 1 (turning 2 in March). My husband Scott and I have been married for six years, he is a spray contractor in North Canterbury and some of you may know him (and his brother Jacob) from when he played rugby for Glenmark.
I am so looking forward to being a part of a country school and community and look forward to getting to know you all and also catching up with some familiar faces too!! See you soon!
Megan Jacobson - Tūpari teacher
Hi, I’m Megan Jacobson and I’m loving being back in the Hurunui district with my young family. My partner Mike and I have a 7 month old girl Isobel, our dog Tank and cat Mozzy. We are both originally from the North Island where I’ve been teaching at Greytown Primary School for the past 7 years through years 2-6 and before that I was at Gladstone Primary in Years 6-8.
However I did my degree at Canterbury University and we have family farming in the area. This year I have been relieving around the North Canterbury area and on maternity leave. I have a strong background in sports coordination and have previously been heavily involved in Young Farmers and AgriKids. I enjoy walking, exercising and anything outdoors and that gets me involved with people. I look forward to joining the team at Omihi and meeting you all.
Community Notices
KAIAPOI NORTH SCHOOL’S 2020 Memorial Golf Tournament for Robert ( Mr Bob ) Sincock
WHERE: Kaiapoi Golf Club
WHEN : Sunday, March 8th with a shotgun start at 10:30am.
WHY : to raise funds to provide equal opportunities for ALL children at Kaiapoi North School.
GRADES : Mens and Women’s handicap sections. Stableford.
Trophy to be presented on day. Calloway system to support all non-handicappers. $100:00 for closest to the hole for both men on No 1 and women on No 10. 2’s, longest drives etc all included.
COST : $30:00 per player which includes refreshments during your round and a wonderful afternoon tea.
Fantastic raffles for all. Huge Prize Table for all. Over $2000:00 sponsorship. For inquiries and for registration please contact Jack Oldridge 027 327 6633, or e-mail at jackoldridge5105@gmail.com .
