Principal's Message...
Our Purpose: To prepare students to be active participants who will contribute to their community.
Tēnā koutou katoa, Malo e lelei, Talofa lava, Bula vinaka
It's a busy time with students actively rehearsing for upcoming choir, Kapa haka, and Pasifika performances. We are incredibly proud of their dedication and commitment. This is a great opportunity for students to showcase their talents and cultural heritage. Thank you to all the teachers, staff, and community members who are supporting our students in these endeavours.
We have also seen a fantastic turnout for interschool sports team trials. It has been awesome to see so many students participating and demonstrating their skills. Most teams have now been named. Thank you for your support in organising your child with the correct gear and getting them to games and training on time. Remember, at O.I.S., our students are expected to uphold the IDEAL values at all times, and we also ask our parents to exemplify these values while spectating.
Please note that we are experiencing an extremely high number of students arriving late to school. On average, 30 students arrive late each day. The start of the day is hugely important in setting your child up for success. It’s when teachers outline the day’s activities, provide crucial instructions, and students have the opportunity to settle into their learning environment. Arriving late means missing out on this vital information, and it can be challenging for latecomers to catch up and feel prepared. We urge you to ensure your child arrives at school on time. School starts at 8:45 am each morning. Over a year, even a consistent 5 or 10 minutes of lateness adds up significantly, resulting in valuable lost learning time.
Our school participates in the "Lunches in Schools Programme." While these lunches are provided, students are not obligated to eat them. However, it is crucial that if a child chooses not to eat the provided lunch, they have an alternative food to ensure they are adequately nourished during the school day.
Bikes and scooters
We value the many students who bike and scooter to school, however, we've received concerning reports of unsafe behaviour, including a recent incident where a pedestrian was struck by a bike. To ensure everyone's safety, we need your assistance in reinforcing safe practices. Please remind your child:
Do not bike on footpaths.
Always keep both hands on the handlebars.
Follow all road rules.
If using a scooter, be especially mindful of pedestrians, stop at corners, and look both ways before crossing.
Thank you for your continued support.
Ngā mihi
Rebecca Meek