Principal's message
Towards the end of this term, we are wanting to hold an information afternoon/evening hui for parents who want some support or guidance around digital devices and the platforms that students use. We would like to hear from you what you might like covered at this hui, please add your suggestions to a survey link at the end of this message.
I know that I have spoken about this before, but one of the best things about OIS is the number of opportunities that we provide for students, both inside and outside of the classroom. I am always so grateful for the team of staff and parents that we have who make these opportunities happen for our students. A true testament of this will be over this weekend when 3474 dozen cheese rolls will be made to support our Year 8 students heading to camps in term four.
This week we have hosted the first choir festival practice, they were already sounding amazing. It will be great to see them on stage on Thursday 7 July. We have had Mrs Garrett’s writing group head out to the Whitestone Quarry, I look forward to reading the writing that comes from this.
Next week our Year 7 team will be taking part in an EOTC (Education Outside The Classroom) program, with each class participating in a visit to Karitane; the students will rotate around 3 different activities, followed by a potluck dinner at school for whanau to join. A huge thank you to any parent who is supporting their child with attending this experience and bringing a plate for their class’s potluck dinner.
Next Friday, Year 8 students are involved in a careers afternoon at WGHS. They will bus to WGHS at 12.45 pm and be returning to school at 2.00 pm. This is a great opportunity for students to be exposed to a range of different career paths and a great introduction to our careers unit they will complete later in the year.
I spoke last week about one of our values - Acting with Respect. This means respecting self, respecting others, and respecting our environment. Today we are wearing pink as a sign that we need to speak up, stand together, and stop bullying of any kind.
Everyone has the power to prevent bullying. Being an upstander is one of the best ways to make a difference in our schools, workplaces, communities, and whānau.
It takes courage and strength to be an upstander. An upstander is someone who uses their words and actions to help someone who is being bullied.
Today in Assembly I spoke about 5 simple actions that students can do to be upstanders:
Support the person experiencing bullying by letting them know that they are not alone, stand with them.
Distract/Interrupt the bullying in some way: help them to leave the situation - walk away.
Call it! If you feel safe, use your words to let the person or people doing the bullying know what they’re doing isn’t okay.
Leave and act: if you don’t feel safe to step in while the bullying is happening: leave and contact help, Police, teachers, trusted adults.
Get help for the person who is bullying: ensure that a supporting adult knows who can support them.
Often our children take the lead from us as adults: how we react to situations is how our children learn to respond. As teachers, we are often talking with students and whanau about how our children are interacting and speaking with each other online. We encourage you to monitor what platforms your children are using to socialise and talk with others online.
Towards the end of this term, we are wanting to hold an information afternoon/evening hui for parents who want some support or guidance around digital devices and the platforms that students use. We would like to hear from you what you might like covered at this hui, please add your suggestions to this survey link.
Have a wonderful, safe weekend
Rebecca Meek, Principal