Kia ora whānau

We are so excited about having our students and staff back at school. Thank you for all of your support throughout the lockdown. We have loved seeing what our tamariki have been doing and as hard as it was at times, we hope you managed to enjoy some quality time with your whānau. George and I definitely got used to a new normal and I really enjoyed taking a bit more time out playing cards, reading, knitting, walking and yoga. We feel very ready (as much as we can be!) to welcome our little baby girl.

I would like to say a big thank you to our staff for being so adaptable during this time. Penny, Megan and Sally worked hard to create engaging opportunities for your children and to be available when you needed them. Ruth continued working from home so the school admin could still tick along. Tamar enjoyed some online learning with one of our students and helped get the school back to shipshape for our students. Thalia (and Dylan) worked hard to ensure the school is clean and the garden is up to date and Ingrid, David and Wendy have ensured our lawns are looking good. Our BOT have also had regular zoom meetings to ensure they are in the loop and are always looking out for the wellbeing of our staff and students. Thank you Ingrid, Jaz, Julie, Leighton and Nicholas. We look forward to seeing Fi, Tracy and Yo back. We are lucky to have such a dedicated and supportive Omihi team.

I will be going on maternity leave in the next couple of weeks. I’m feeling really good, so am just taking it day by day. Penny will be taking over as Acting Principal and she will send you an email when that happens. She is all ready to go and we have had plenty of time for handover, which has been very helpful. As of next week Megan and Penny will be teaching 4 days a week.

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

School Notices

Principal’s Awards
Today we gave out the Principal Award from the end of term 1. Congratulations……Arthur Brown! We won’t be holding assemblies this term, but we will continue to give out certificates throughout the term.

New build/Septic tank
During lockdown we have still been working hard to progress with our new septic tank and new building. The BOT have made a number of decisions on the new building and we are excited about the multi-purpose space our school is getting. At the moment the architects are confirming the final drawings and then it will go out to tender in the next couple of months. This goes to a national database and we will also send the link to our community in case any locals want to apply. When we are able to, we will share the drawings with our community.

The septic tank plan is getting finalised at the moment and we are hoping to have this work completed before the new build starts.

Reporting
Due to the amount of distance learning this term, we have had to rethink the way we are reporting. Already in term 1 we have reported on Social Sciences, PE and Maths. At the end of this term the teachers will be reporting on Maths, Writing and Reading by updating the graph on Hero. They will also write a general comment, which will include Science. There will be no comment on Reading and Writing, these will come in term 3.

Camp/Events
As a BOT we have decided to postpone our term 3 camp to Arthurs Pass. At the beginning of term 3 we will be surveying parents and reassessing whether we go to Arthurs Pass in term 4, or postpone until 2021. We are aware of the uncertain times coming up and also financial stress on families, so we want to make the right decision for our students and community. We will also be discussing the ski trip, production and kapahaka festival at the start of term 3, so will continue to follow the Ministry guidelines and keep you informed. We will be continuing our kapahaka sessions, starting next week, we just aren’t sure about the festival at this stage.

The small schools and kowai cross country will not be going ahead this term.

Lunches Online
Sadly during the lockdown Pita Pit have had to close their doors permanently. We would like to thank them for all of their delicious lunches over the past year. Lunches online now have the option of Subway and sushi. These will not be happening this term, but we will keep you informed if we are able to set them up for term 3.

Change of clothes
A reminder for children to please bring a change of clothes on Tuesday and Wednesday this week as we will be doing science experiments in the afternoon. They still need to wear their uniform to school in the morning.

Mufti Day
This Friday 22nd May it is our SPCA mufti day. Children to dress as animals and please bring a gold coin donation.

Year 7/8 Technology
This will be starting on Monday 25th May.

Kia ora Koutou Whānau

I had written my newsletter on Friday and it was about all the excitement for the Omihi School Farm Race coming up this weekend. Sadly with the events and actions over the weekend regarding the Coronavirus, we have now decided to postpone our race until further notice. We will keep you updated and will hopefully aim to run it again later this year.

Thank you to all of the families who have offered to help and donated prizes, and to our fundraising committee for all of your support. All the hard work is done, so it will be easy enough to pick up later in the year and run with it again. I had listed all of our sponsors below and will leave those there, as we really appreciate your support for our kura.

We are in touch with iticket regarding refunds for entrants, so you will receive an email from them at some point this week.

Ngā mihi

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

School Notices

Thomas loving the warm days in our pool!

Principal Award
Our latest Principal award went to……Eva Harris.

Reports
A reminder that our report comments are being spread throughout the year. On Friday this week you will receive your child’s PE comment through Linc ed, then in the last week of this term you will receive their maths, social sciences and health comments. These will be a mixture of self reflection, teacher comments and evidence of their learning.

Coronavirus and Infectious Disease Policy
Please have a read of these two policies on School Docs that we are following, along with guidance from the Ministry. We will keep you updated with any changes. If you or your family are planning any overseas travel in the next few weeks, please let me know. Also if your child is showing any signs of illness, please keep them home. We will be continuing to discuss and be diligent with sneezing into your elbow and hand washing at school, especially before morning tea and lunchtime, and would appreciate you continuing those messages at home.

School Docs
The policy we are reviewing this term is ‘recognising cultural diversity’ . We would love you to review this with us. The login details are: www.schooldocs.co.nz
Username: omihi
Password: glenmark

Swimming Sports and Duathlon
Congratulations to all of our Year 4-8 children who participated in the Small School Swimming Sports. They did themselves proud. Well done to Charlie, Jeremy, Tom and Georgie who then went on to compete in the Kowai Swimming Sports.

Well done to our juniors who completed their duathlon last week. It was so lovely to see them all giving it a go!

Omihi Bus
If your child is not on the bus in the afternoon, please let me know as early as possible. Last Friday Tracey arrived to drive the bus and there were no children on it, but I hadn’t heard from anyone. It is usually when there is a school event on, but we can’t assume that all parents are coming, so please still let me know.

Plywood
Paemoana are after some plywood. If you have any lying around, can you please let Penny know. They would like 4 or 5 pieces approximately 30-60cm square

Omihi School Farm Race
Thank you to all of our sponsors and volunteers:

• Downer - traffic management 

• Croft family - farm

• To our Omihi fundraising committee - Jane, Megan, Kate, Amy and Jaz

• To our Omihi families for all donating a prize and donating their time today to help.

• Forestry - Rayonier

• FMG

• Commodore Hotel - one night’s accommodation

• Commodore Hotel Park and Fly - one week’s free parking

• The Good Home, Pegasus

• Carrfields, Feilding - organised by Mickleson family

• www.Gwamma.co.nz

• Crafty Weka Bars

• Rangiora New World

• Smartwool socks

• Fire and Ice Hanmer Springs

• Push Bikes, Rangiora

• Little Vintage, Amberley

• Pita Pit, Rangiora

• Vege’n out, Woodend

• The Good Home, Pegasus

• PURE

• Aaron Harris Electrical - sponsoring the signs.

• Water cups donated by Hazeldine Family

• Mt Lyford

• PGG

• Fonterra

• Swanndri

• The Office Cafe, Waikuku

• Thanks to the Glenmark Lions for the sausages and pumpkin soup at the finish line!

Community Notices

Our 2020 Year 8 leaders

Kia ora koutou

The BOT and I are pleased to appoint Penny Vincent as the Acting Principal while I am on maternity leave. Penny will take over when I leave - which will be early-mid term 2, until mid term 4.

Thank you to parents who have been helping with our transport and trips lately, we really appreciate it.

I sent an email home last week regarding the Omihi School Farm Race. We are looking for someone to take over the lead of this for next year. We have one parent keen and are looking to have one more on board so they can work together and share the load. Please let me know if you are available. All the systems are set up, so it is mainly monitoring that things are done. It is our major fundraiser of the year and the reason why we are able to have an extra teacher for our 3rd classroom.

Ngā mihi
Maree Lucas
Tumuaki/Principal

School Notices

3 Way Learning Conferences - Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th March
This is an opportunity to meet with your child and their teacher and talk about their goals for the year. Please book a time on this timetable.

Year 0-4 Triathlon
This is being held at Omihi School on Tuesday 10th March at 2.15pm. We invite parents to come and watch. The children are encouraged to bring their bikes and helmets to school this week to start their practice. This event is designed to give our junior children a taster of what a triathlon is like before they attend the real thing at the Kowai triathlon from Year 5 and up.

Sushi and Pita Pit
Thanks for supporting Sushi and Pita Pit. Last year Julie collected the sushi for us from Amberley every fortnight. If there is someone that is able to take that on this year, please let me know. It would be nice to share it around. Sushi is this Wednesday and Pita Pit is next week.

Mufti Days
The Year 8 senior leaders have organised four mufti days this year. They are for the following:
Term 1 - Heart Kids - Friday 3rd April. Gold coin donation and wear red.
Term 2 - SPCA
Term 3 - DOC Predator free 2050
Term 4 - Amberley Pool

Donation and bus/activity fee
This week Ruth will be sending out letters for our school donation. She will also be invoicing you for the books your child has been issued and asking for a contribution towards an activity fee and bus fee. This covers such experiences as Life Education, class trips, Waiswim, using the bus for school trips.

Omihi School Farm Race
Remember to get your entries in for this. We are looking forward to a great community day! Entry details at www.omihi.school.nz/bikerun. A reminder to send your prize along to school asap if you haven’t already.

Year 4-8 Swimming Sports
Here are the transport details for the day.

Year 0-4 Assembly
We welcome you to our Year 0-4 assembly this Friday 6th March at 2pm in Paemoana.

Waikari Rock Art trip
In Week 7 our tamariki will be going on a trip to the Waikari Rock Art as part of our ongoing 'Our Place, Our People' inquiry investigations. These trips will be taking place over two days. On Tuesday March 17 the year 0-5 children will be going and on Wednesday March 18 the year 6-8 children will be going. We will be taking the bus there, however will require one parent car for transport on each of the days. If you are able to help out please email Penny to let her know. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

School Calendar
Please keep an eye on our school calendar so you can keep on top of what is coming up.

Community Notices

Amberley Rugby Football Club
Please find attached a link for families to complete registration if they would like to be part of the Amberley Rugby Football Club for 2020.

Resilient Hurunui
Dr Nicholas Price, lecturer in Agricultural Systems Management at Lincoln University, will be speaking at the Amberley library on Thursday March 19th at 7.30 p.m. Topic: How farmers and land managers can address social concerns about issues such as water quality and GHG emissions. Gold coin please.

Kia ora Koutou

What an action packed first two weeks of school! This term is full with sports - golf, triathlon, swimming and also The Arts trips - Museum/Art Gallery, Waikari carvings and our sculptor visit. Please keep an eye on the calendar to keep up to date. We really appreciate all the parent support for this, thank you!

This week I am in Hanmer Springs for two days with a group of Canterbury Principals. I have joined the CPPA (Canterbury Primary Principals Association) Executive Committee and we have our first hui for the year and strategic planning meeting. It is a great learning opportunity for me and a chance to connect with other Principals and be part of a support team for Canterbury Principals.

We have had progress on our new multipurpose space. We have confirmed our project manager and In the holidays I met with potential architects and have now confirmed our architect. Ingrid and I met with them both last week and have shared the ideas from teachers and children as to what we want the building for. The next steps are for the architects to come back with ideas on where the building will go and then the initial concepts. These will be shared with the BOT and staff for discussion and we will keep you informed with the progress. My goal is to have the designs confirmed by the time I go on maternity leave. It’s an exciting time!

Ngā mihi

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

School Notices

Omihi School Farm Race
This is our major fundraiser of the year. We need as much help as we can on the day of the race and ask all families to be involved. Please enter your name on the volunteers document of where you would like to help on the day. We also ask each family to please donate a prize with a minimum value of $10 and to send it along to school by the 2nd March.

Omihi bus
The bus is in getting a service and a small repair, so it will be up and running again on Friday.

Museum/Art Gallery trip - Tuesday 25th February
Transport information.

Raffle
Our second fundraiser of the year is our raffle. This raises between $5000-6000 to help us pay for our third teacher. Please click on the survey to give us feedback on ticket price.

Pita Pit and Sushi
Wednesday lunches start again this week. Sushi is this Wednesday and Pita Pit the following Wednesday. Please order online at www.luncheonline.co.nz.

Year 5-8 Triathlon
Wednesday 26th February. All information is here. Parents need to pick children up from school at 12.20pm and take them and their bikes to Amberley Pool, to be ready for the briefing at 1pm. Children go home straight from Amberley at the end of the race.

Contacting teachers
I encourage our teachers to have a work/life balance. We try not to contact parents after hours or in weekends, so we please ask the same from parents to teachers. If you need to contact us after hours, an email is definitely preferable than a text message. The teachers will give out their cell phone numbers if they want to, otherwise please just email them. If your child is away, an email is good so you can then copy me in as well in case I am teaching on that day.

Year 4-8 Swimming Sports
Our swimming sports are on Thursday 5th March at Amberley Pool at 9am. We need two parent helpers. Please let me know if you can help.

Community Notices

Glenmark Netball Club
Registration day for any interested players on Sunday 15th March, 10.00am at Glenmark Netball Courts (opposite Omihi School on Reeces Rd). All ages & abilities welcome. Please contact Katie Croft (all under 14’s) on 021 022 30360 or Milly Croft (seniors) on 027 552 1644 if you have any queries.

Amberley Tennis
Coaching starts this Friday with anyone welcome as outlined below.
3.30pm - 4.30pm : all beginning tennis players who want coaching should attend.
4.30pm - 6.30pm : all intermediate, D,C, B and A grade interclub juniors who want coaching should attend at the times they did last year. Anyone NEW wanting to participate and join in the fun should please turn up at 3.30. Our funding application for this season was successful, so the cost is heavily subsidised by Amberley Tennis Club again this year. Contact Simon - bennetto@xtra.co.nz.

St Andrews College
The St Andrew’s College family wish to extend an invitation to you and your family, and prospective families from your community, to join us for refreshments and hors d’oeuvres for a St Andrew’s College promotional evening. We very much hope you will be able to join us.

Venue:  Waipara Hills, 780 Glasnevin Road, Waipara
Date:  Wednesday 4 March 2020
Time:  5.00pm – 7.00pm
RSVP:  Please click here to register before Friday 28 February