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 This week we celebrated our support staff team. We have an outstanding group of people who support within Oamaru Intermediate School. It is also important for me to acknowledge our B.O.T., who put in a considerable amount of resourcing to ensure we have a high level of support within our classroom programmes.
Yesterday we had two special guests from the Oamaru Police, Senior Sergeant Jason McCoy and Constable Ross Lory. As I mentioned in last week's newsletter, eight O.I.S students have taken this epic opportunity to participate in the Blue Light Queenstown Adventure Camp. We are so excited to be able to take up this opportunity.
Over the next couple of weeks your children will be finding out if they made a team for James Hargest. We have had a number of trials take place at school, and it has been excellent to see a large number of students taking up the opportunity to get involved. Unfortunately, not all children can be selected for the teams that they have trialled for. While we celebrate those students who have gained a position in a team, it is important that we acknowledge the feelings of disappointment.
As we know in life, whenever we put ourselves out there to trial or be selected for an activity or sports event, not everyone can have a place. It is important that we acknowledge disappointment with our children and the feelings that can come with this. It is perfectly normal to be disappointed when we don’t get something, and I am sure that we have all experienced this, however, we must keep trying and keep putting ourselves out there to try new things and push ourselves out of our comfort zone. I believe that these experiences hold an incredible opportunity to see who we are as a person and how we handle disappointment. Stepping out of our comfort zone takes courage, being challenged and it also boosts your confidence and helps build your self esteem. It also helps build resilience within your child to take a knock, but to get back up and try again.
I would like to extend my thanks to those of you who attended our Student's Learning Conversations. Making the time to come and meet with their classroom teacher sends a direct message to your child that you are invested in their learning and the importance that you place on them having success at O.I.S. It also helps to keep building those positive home and school connections that are so important in ensuring successful outcomes for your children.
The consultation is under way for the Proposed Enrolment Scheme process. As a community you need to be aware that these proposed changes will take place and will include all enrolments for 2022.
- Have you looked at the proposed boundaries?
- Have you read over the information?
- Have you read the frequently asked questions page?
At this stage, our projected intake from in zone schools for 2022 is high. It is important that you have your say, so please go into the link and complete the survey. You can find the link on our website under the Proposed Enrolment Scheme. The Enrolment Scheme is based on your physical address that you reside at.
Added information from the Ministry of Education
Can I enrol a child at any school in Oamaru? Not necessarily. There are state schools in Oamaru that have enrolment schemes which help the school manage its roll. A school with an enrolment scheme has a home zone, which is a geographically defined area around the school. Students living inside the zone are guaranteed a place at the school.
Students who live outside the zone can apply to enrol but acceptance of their application is subject to places being available for them – and if there are fewer places available than there are applicants, their acceptance is subject to the outcome of a pre-enrolment process called a ballot.
It is important that we have our say as a community about the proposed enrolment scheme process. Whether this be a question or comment, you need to have your say as this is the consultation stage of the process.
The Ministry website is:
https://consultation.education.govt.nz/education/oamaru-intermediate-es/
Like every other school in Oamaru we strive to nurture our inclusive culture and provide the best teaching and learning opportunities, and environment for our students. We are really proud of our BOT and staff for what they do for our students.
Change is not always easy and for a small community and it will have its challenges.
Have a fantastic weekend
Rebecca Meek