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

The time has come for me to write the last newsletter of the year. Despite this unsettled time, I remain grateful for the activities that we have continued to enjoy even if it has had to look a little different. I am grateful for the ongoing support that our parents, whanau and wider community continues to give Oamaru Intermediate.

This year has not been an easy one for many of us as we have had to adapt, change, problem solve and at times, cancel/miss out on different events. We had to very quickly settle into new norms and routines. With any aspect of new, there will always be challenges, changes and times of uncertainty that will always be part of our life. These aspects of life provide us with real learning opportunities, and experiences to grow and develop our capabilities and resilience.

I believe one of the special aspects of teaching at Oamaru Intermediate is our Akonga, our learners, our students, our people. Your children are what brings energy and life to the school.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the O.I.S team, Deputy Principal Belinda, the teachers, the relievers, support staff, Bill, and Kerry and Debbie. I feel extremely proud and honoured to work with some of the very best educators, administrative and support staff. Their commitment, drive, passion, energy, encouragement and determination; underpinned by skill, knowledge and empathy, is why we continue to see our goals being met and students coming first, despite the ever changing world we live in.

I would also like to thank the Board of Trustees, Bec O'Sullivan and the team who continue to provide ongoing support and governance to ensure that our students have an absolutely brilliant experience here at Oamaru Intermediate. A special mention to Lyndon Wardle who has stood down from the B.O.T after seven years of service. We thank Lyndon for the commitment and dedication he has shown to our school.

To our P.T.A, thank you for your support and mahi to continue to help the school achieve its goals.

This year we farewell Kelsy Fletcher, Kate Lawrence, Olivia Hunter, Olivia Brien from the team. We wish them all the best for their next endeavours.

Looking at next year, we will continue to work hard on our strategic goals and will see the arrival of two new classrooms and an administration block. We welcome India McLay and Zac Mitchell-Collie to our teaching team for 2022.

Following a restructure of our leadership team, we are very excited to start 2022 with two Assistant Principals. A huge congratulations to Becky Taylor and Jamaya Fisilau who will continue to bring a huge skill set and a wealth of experience to our team. We also start 2022 with a Head of Curriculum Gavin Baumber, who will be bringing his vast experience and curriculum knowledge to this position.

Congratulations to all our Year 8 leavers and our awards recipients from the Diligence and Prizegiving Assemblies. Whilst not all of our students were recognised formally at this prizegiving or diligence assembly, I know that you have all made progress both educationally and socially. They should be very proud of their achievements.

As the end of the year draws to a close I would like to wish everyone a very safe and Merry Christmas.

Kind regards

Rebecca Meek and the team at OIS

Meri Kirihimete