From the Principal... Tēnā koutou katoa, Malo e lelei, Talofa lava, Bula vinaka
Welcome back to term 4, it has been great to see all the students back in the OIS routine. Today we held a mufti day, money going towards the new Waitaki Events Centre in Oamaru - the staff even participated wearing gingham.
We take pride at OIS in how our students wear their uniforms. Please take time on Monday to check that your child has got the correct uniform. We have noticed a number of students wearing make-up, jewellery and nail polish. Students are allowed to wear one stud in each ear. If your child is out of uniform for any reason then they need to get a uniform pass from the school office. We appreciate your support with this.
We are going to continue to hold our Assemblies each Friday via Zoom, we are making plans for how we will celebrate our end of year prizegivings under COVID level restrictions if they are still applicable. Please rest assured that we will be using digital platforms to ensure that you are able to celebrate the student’s successes with us.
At OIS we value your feedback and open communication around your child. It is really important that you do contact your child’s teachers if you have any concerns or questions. Early communication ensures that everyone is on the same page. We do stipulate that for communicating with staff that you use the staff member’s school email address or phone the school office. We do ask that you do not contact teachers or support staff via their personal social media platforms regarding school.
Our traditional Athletics Sports day is going to look different under the current Level 2 restrictions. Unfortunately, there is no North Otago athletics this year and under alert level 2 restrictions, we need to revamp our Athletics Day.. We will keep you updated about what this is going to look like.
Alyssa and Breanna Greaney are working with the Waitaki District Council (WDC) and the University of Canterbury to conduct research regarding how primary/intermediate and high school students travel to and from school. This survey will help us identify the transport needs and concerns of Oamaru’s school community. We hope that by developing safe, low-carbon routes for children, we will improve safety, traffic congestion, children's health, reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
They would really appreciate it if you could take the time to complete the survey. https://new.maptionnaire.com/q/88nva2ovg9ea
Touch Rugby
The structure of the touch rugby competition has changed due to current covid regulations and only half the teams will play each week. Each team will play on a field in which you have to enter the grounds from the appropriate entrance. This will be put on the draw each week. Children are not allowed to stay and watch other teams. It also means that children can not go over and congregate after school.
Positive puberty lessons
As part of the Oamaru Intermediate School Year 7 Health and PE Curriculum, your child will be taking part in the school’s ‘Positive Puberty’ programme. The learning outcomes for this unit will enable the students to work towards the achievement objectives of Health and Physical Education in the New Zealand Curriculum.
This unit of work will provide students with the knowledge, understandings and skills to develop positive attitudes towards the changes that they will experience during puberty.
Through the key concepts of this unit, students will learn about:
The physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual growth and development that occurs and the new needs that arise during puberty;
Strategies to manage the changes they will experience;
Factors that influence their choices during puberty (including their families, their peers and the media);
Their feelings, rights and responsibilities;
How to identify instances of discrimination and take positive action in such cases;
Positive self-image.
Lesson topics will include:
Growth Rates
Changes at Puberty
Physical Changes
Coping with changes
Daily Routines
Questions and answers
Teasing and other pressures
Advertising and Puberty
Having a positive self-image
If you would like to discuss the programme please contact your child’s teacher. Should you wish your son or daughter to be withdrawn from the class while a specific aspect of the programme is being taught, please make this known in writing to the Principal.
Camp
Our year 8 camp programme is all go, we are excited and finalising planning. Rest assured that if your child is away on camp and the COVID alerts change, we will get your child home in a safe time frame. We really need your support to ensure that your child has the correct gear to go to camp. Students who are going on the Kiwi Explorer camps must bring their jackets, packs, pants and shoes to Miss Taylor by Tuesday.