From the Principal...
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 is hard to believe we are now in week 7 of term 3, as I sit here and reflect on the past few weeks I feel very grateful for the community I live in and the people who I am surrounded by. Yesterday the team at O.I.S came back together, with a few restrictions the students and staff took it all in their stride. The school quickly filled with a buzz of energy that I for one have certainly missed.
The focus for this week and next is to re-establish routines and allow students time to reconnect with their peers face to face. The Year 7 team will complete their round of technology that they started before lockdown. The Year 8 team will continue their tech programme in week 9/10.
As you will be aware, a number of different events that have been planned in the calendar are unfortunately cancelled due to COVID restrictions and levels. We understand that our students look forward to these events and feel disappointed when things get cancelled. Rest assured that the staff at O.I.S are planning different events that will help keep students actively involved in different opportunities. For those of you who aren’t aware
North Otago Cross Country is cancelled
Stars on Stage is postponed due to being the same time as our camp weeks, so we are unable to participate
All winter sports are finished
Band Quest is cancelled
At this stage Polyfest, Kapa Haka Festival and Science Fair have been rescheduled for term 4.
Camps
Our Year 8 Camp Programme is all going ahead at this stage, however, in these changing times, we have to be aware that things can change and we have a number of scenarios to allow for this. Student invoices were sent out again in week 3 of this term. It is important that camp fees are paid before the end of this term.
Social Media
Thank you for your continued support in ensuring our students are safe online. I know that lockdown has forced students to use a number of different social media platforms to communicate with each other. While the majority of our students have been very respectful and kind to others online, a small number of students, unfortunately, have engaged with unkind chat groups. Please talk with your child about their digital footprint, here are a few key points you may want to discuss are;
If they are invited into a group chat that isn’t kind they need to leave the group
Do not friend people that you are not friends with
Winners
Congratulations to Ruby Turner and Kayleigh Lucey who won a $50 New World Voucher for sharing their exercise lockdown video.
Olivia Benade won a $25 Warehouse Stationery Voucher for sharing her baking experiences.
Rebecca Meek, Principal.