Tēnā koutou katoa, Malo e lelei, Talofa lava, Bula vinaka

Our Purpose: To prepare students to be active participants who will contribute to their community.

I know I am not alone this week when I share my deepest sympathy and thoughts with all of those who have been caught up or are dealing with the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle. It truly is heartbreaking to see the devastating stories and images coming out this week.

A huge thank you to everyone who came to our Meet the Teacher night, which last year was cancelled like many events due to COVID restrictions. We have missed the connections with you all and our community, we loved seeing so many faces, new and old returning to the event. To those of you who couldn’t make it, never fair we have another event coming up on Tuesday morning, an informal breakfast.

It has been a wonderful start with the Year 8 students setting the tone in the playground around what is expected. The Year 7s have more than risen to the challenge of their new school and, for the most part, settling into life at OIS. Our awesome House Captains stepped up and are running games in break times. We are all running on the same timetable and having breaks together now. The ability to set our expectations at assemblies and meet the teacher evenings has really helped, but I think it is the positive attitude and the ability to get involved in some fun activities that have been pivotal to the great start that we have had. The technology programme is in full swing and the swimming pool has been well utilised. The students have had the North Otago Cricket coaches in over the last two days and touch starts on Tuesday night.

I would like to thank all of the parents who are supporting the school with those little things like correct school shoes or jewellery before they leave home. Keeping on top of those little things is what helps keep our school expectations high.

Our Board of Trustees is meeting for the first time this year on Tuesday night, we have a brilliant, hardworking and supportive Board. Bec, Jane, Ben, Ian, Damian, Tessa and Whaea Isabelle make up our very committed BOT members.

It is that time of the year when we look to review our Strategic Goals. It is an opportunity for you to let us know what is important to you. We would appreciate it if you take 5 minutes to share your thoughts and ideas by completing this survey. Your feedback is both valued and appreciated.

OIS offers a number of different opportunities, both sporting and cultural. The students find out about these via the daily notices. If your child is away at the time and does want to sign up for something it is really important they let their teacher or the teacher in charge of that area know as soon as they can. Notices go out from school, as you know we do have to have cut-off times for notices coming back, please support your child by signing these forms and reminding them to take them back to school. I would hate for your child to miss out on an opportunity due to not having been organised to bring a notice back.

Whānau Breakfast

We are super lucky to have BX foods supporting our first informal breakfast this term, this is an awesome opportunity for your whanau to come along, share kai and meet other parents and students from your child’s room or year group. The breakfast is free and open to anyone in your whanau. Thank you to BX foods who are providing this breakfast, it is happening Tuesday 21 February from 8:00 am - 8:30 am. To give us an indication of how many sausages to cook we would love you to complete this simple form. I know your children will enjoy having you at school and showing you around the grounds. We would love to see as many of you here as possible.

Touch

Touch teams are due to be named, we do ask that only touch players head over to the fields after school to play and we don’t have other students hanging around. If your child rides a bike to school and is taking it over to the touch fields please talk to them about locking it up against the main rugby ground. It is really important that students are not riding their bikes on the fields, especially the cricket pitches. I know that you will support us with this.

Year 8 camp raffles

It is awesome to see so many students taking up the opportunity to sell raffle tickets to go towards their camp. As parents you are proactive about ensuring your child is on that bus heading to camp, please don’t leave the payment of the camp to the last minute.

Union meeting: School Closed Tuesday 28 Feb at 1 pm.

Our teachers love what they do, but not enough funding for schools means that they don’t have the time they would like to support all kids to thrive.

We can fix this though. NZEI Te Riu Roa primary teacher and principal members are making the case to the Government for the best investment in tamariki. Smaller class sizes, more time for individual students and more specialist learning support staffing would make a huge difference. Keeping and retaining teachers is top of mind right now, and this term, our teachers will also be meeting to consider a pay offer – and assessing if it’s enough to make sure that teaching is valued and is an attractive profession for future generations.

That is why I and the teachers at our school will be attending a paid union meeting. ALL students will be released after lunch on Tuesday at 1 pm.

I wanted to finish the week with a huge shout-out to our students, staff, parents and members of our community who have supported a very positive start to the year. I am very privileged to be the Tumuaki of Oamaru Intermediate School and greatly appreciate your support.

Have a wonderful weekend and don’t forget if you are in Oamaru, get out to Papakaio and ride the track. A great family event for all.

Rebecca Meek, Principal

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