Week 6 Newsletter
Tēnā koutou katoa, Malo e lelei, Talofa lava, Bula vinaka As I reflect on the week, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support in encouraging your child to participate in all the different activities at school this week.
This week children have had the opportunity to participate in;
Cricket skills run by North Otago Cricket
Swimming sports
Afterschool touch
Our girls and boys cricket teams are heading to Dunedin to play on Friday. We wish them all the best.
Triathlon will be held tomorrow Friday at 1.30pm, weather depending.
It is important to stop and reflect on the very busy week we have had, and I am so grateful for the supportive staff and willing students that we have in our school. A special shout out to Becky Taylor and Sharon Wilson who have successfully organised school sports events this week. Phil Martin and Di Wardle for the hours that they put into organising cricket.
We offer a number of opportunities at OIS, a number of these are new experiences for your children, and often the not knowing can be worrying. It is always important for us to teach our students to take new experiences as a chance to learn something new and experience something different in a safe supportive environment. Encourage your child to get involved in a cultural activity or winter sport this year.
I spoke last week about coming together as a community to keep each other safe. This week we had Sergeant Tony Woodbridge come and speak to the school about how they can support each other, how they can keep each other safe, seek help from an adult if they are feeling unsafe and not to be afraid to phone 111 if someone else is in immediate danger. Talk with your child about who they might call or what they may do if they need help. I also encourage you to take an active role in what your child is doing after school. At this age our children are very impressionable however, memories that they create while doing things with family and friends will stick with them. Taking an active role in your child’s interests not only ensures their safety but gives valuable opportunities.
As parents and caregivers we have a part to play in supporting our students ensuring that we nurture , protect and guide them. Children take the lead from us, often how we respond in situations is how our children respond. At school, we work within a positive behaviour for learning model where students are supported to make positive choices. We give them routines, guidelines in order to help them thrive.
Materials teacher
The Board of Trustees and Staff are super excited to have Paul Sullivan joining the team on Monday. Paul has a number of years teaching experience behind him, most recently tutoring at WITT (Western Institute of technology Taranaki) where he was a head chef tutor. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience teaching in the technology area.
I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Richard Savage who stepped into the Materials technology room at the start of the year. As always Richard has gone above and beyond to ensure our students have had a successful start to the year in the Materials room.
Support networks available to our students
OCEANS Programme
OCEANS is a Grief and Loss Programme that provides support for people who are missing someone in their life.
The programme provides a safe environment for students to talk about their losses, discover appropriate ways to express how they are feeling, and learn new tools to help them cope with loss and change in their lives. This happens in a small group setting with others who have experienced similar losses and is supported by caring and trained facilitators.
If you would like more information then please contact Maria Johnson on 020 459 6900 or click on the link below
https://anglicanfamilycare.org.nz/services/north-otago-services-2/
Youthline
Everyone has difficult experiences or feelings at some point in their lives, and it isn’t always easy or useful to try to deal with them alone. Youthline offers a range of different platforms where our children can get support when they need it. Helping them better understand themselves, discover strengths, make decisions, deal with difficult events both past or present, cope with feelings, improve relationships and improve self-esteem. We are very lucky to have two youthline counsellors who visit the school regularly to support children. This is a confidential service.
For more information please contact Kara on the email below.
Chocolates
Thank you for your support selling chocolates this week. As you know we held our chocolates back due to COVID. Sales are going very well and we have people who would like more. If you are unable to sell your chocolate then can we ask that you return it to school ASAP as we have other students who want to sell them.
If you have any questions related to chocolates please contact pta@oamaruint.school.nz
We really appreciate your support.
He waka eke noa - We are in this together
Kind regards
Rebecca Meek