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 is hard to believe we are three-quarters of the way through our school year, it really does feel like yesterday that we were sitting in the hall welcoming our new Year 7 students. I would really like to take this opportunity to thank our students at O.I.S who have really stepped up this term, both during and after lockdown. They have taken everything in their stride with a positive attitude, settling back into routines and O.I.S life. I want to thank our staff and B.O.T. for their ongoing support and commitment to ensuring Oamaru Intermediate is a place of positive fun and learning opportunities.
With nearly two weeks of the lunches and schools programme running we have had a huge amount of positive feedback from everyone including;
Students giving new food a go
Teachers noticing a change in energy levels and engagement in the afternoons
More students eating lunches.
Today the students have been sent a survey to give their feedback.
We are super lucky to have very skilled support staff working with us at O.I.S. Support staff member Josh Acheson also works at the Oamaru Youth Centre. This is a great place for youth to socialise with other teenagers. They have many activities such as air hockey, pool, table tennis, video games and more. If you would like any information please talk to Josh.
Today at Assembly I spoke to the children about our responsibility to uphold the IDEAL values not only just at school but in the community. Unfortunately, from time to time, we have to remind students of their behaviour in the community. As parents/caregivers, we have a responsibility to ensure that our children are kept out of harm's way and support them to make the right choices and have those tough conversations when expectations haven’t been met. During the next two weeks of holidays, I encourage you to engage with your child, know where they are going, who they are hanging out with and check in on them. If your child has access to cell phones, video games or other electronic devices where they can talk with others, monitor what they are doing, who they are talking with and how they are talking to each other.
Mufti Day - Thursday 21 October
All schools in the North Otago and East Otago areas are taking part in our Waitaki Wide Schools' Mufti Day in support of the Waitaki Event Centre. This is a wonderful way of connecting all of our students across North Otago and with that all of their families, to the Centre. Students are asked to bring a gold coin donation if they wish to wear their own clothes.
Enjoy the holiday break and see you back in Term 4.
Rebecca Meek
Principal