Together We Grow – Ka Tupu Kotāhi ai Tātou
Kia ora OVS whanau and caregivers,
Well the end of term is upon us and it is hard to believe we are 3 terms into 2023 already. It has certainly been an action packed end to the term with our ‘Kids v Adults basketball challenge, our Stories by the Fire (won by Room 4), our RURU fun Day and of course or disco! A huge shout out to the PTA for all their organisation and hard work on the Disco night. The food was yum, the sounds were great and the hall looked fabulous. It was special to see the students so well behaved and supportive of each other, everyone participated and the students had a ball!
Star Spot – Celebrating Student Learning
A huge OVS congratulations to our R.U.R.U award winners for the last two weeks.
Well done to Riley, Ellah, Drey and Te Wairere. Awesome Learning!
Stories by the Fire
Room 4 were lucky enough to win and experience , ‘Stories by the Fire’ last night.
Run by our wonderful school librarian, Darcie, the children were read a series of books, and then took part in various games, activities and cookie decorating. The night was finished off by a yummy ‘pizza picnic’, followed by roasting marshmallows around our Ahi Ahi fire pit.
Fabulous Attendance
A big shout out to our “EXCELLENT ATTENDANCE winners for term 3. These super students are the lucky winners of a PIZZA PARTY with Mr Sayer.
Ag Day – Registrations and Trophies
Friday 27th October
If your child is entering their Ag Day animal but haven’t registered yet, please do so asap. Please email Robyn at r.drake@otaika.school.nz for registration forms.
Could all trophies please be returned to the office on Monday 9th October so we can have them engraved and ready to give out on Ag Day.
RURU VALUES: A message from Miss Alchin…
This term Rooms 4, 5 and 6 trialled a new acknowledgement system within the classroom, to replace the peg chart. It was such a success that we have decided to introduce it school-wide from the beginning of Term 4, onwards. Students earn tokens for demonstrating each of our values (Respect, Unique, Resilience, and Up to Me) in class. When a student has earned 20 tokens, they are acknowledged with a special ‘RURU Rockstar’ certificate at assembly. We are looking forward to having all of our classes celebrate student effort and achievement with this system next term.
Teacher Only Day Next Term – please note for calendar
The last Ministry of Education ‘Teacher Only Day ‘ for 2023 is scheduled for Friday 20th of October. This is the Friday prior to Labour Weekend. There will be no school for OVS students on this day.
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Attendance – the conversation continued
Sobering Statistics! Do you realise the cumulative attendance impact on student learning?
| If your child misses… | That equals… | Which is… | And over 13 years of schooling that’s… |
| 1 day every 2 weeks | 20 days per year | 4 weeks per year | Nearly 1 1/2 years |
| 1 day per week | 40 days per year | 8 weeks per year | 2 1/2 years of school |
| 2 days per week | 80 days per year | 16 weeks per year | Over 5 years |
| 3 days per week | 120 days per year | 24 weeks per year | Nearly 8 years |
But now the good news…STOP PRESS
Your support in ensuring your child’s attendance is more regular is making a difference. Our average attendance % for term 3 is 85.7%. This is a major increase on last term and even more so from term 1. Thank you everyone for making a difference. Let’s hit 90% next term!
Kia tupu kōtahi ai tātau – Together We Grow!
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Powhiri
OVS will be holding a powhiri to welcome all students and whanau who started with us in Term 3 and also for those who will be starting on day 1 in Term 4. This will be held at 9.10 on Monday 9th October, our first day back in Term 4. All whanau (as outlined previously) will be contacted by the school prior to the start of term and we warmly invite any other whanau to attend. At the end of our powhiri there will be an opportunity for new whanau to share kai and get to know some of the other newly starting families.
Newbies for 2024
If your child is starting their school journey with Otaika Valley School next year, please contact Jen in the office to ensure we have their name on our list. Jen will email the enrolment forms for you to complete prior to your child starting school.
Daylight Saving
Reminder Daylight Saving starts this Sunday, 24 September at 2.00am. Don’t forget to put your clocks forward.
Sun-Smart Reminder
Term 4 is a Sun-Smart term, please ensure your children have a hat for school.
Policy review.
As part of our on-going policy review we would like to invite our school whanau to have input into the ‘Dogs on School Grounds’ policy. You can find this draft policy and the ‘policy review form’ link here.
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Property Development Update – New classroom refurbishments.
Yes we have news….thunderbirds are go! Building work will start at the end of the holidays and Room 4 has shifted into their new home – the library, for next term. The building work is expected to go into the new year with a predicted completion by early in term 1, 2024.
Mr T will also be busy this holiday break as we make paths leading to and from the pool area.
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Term 4: Dates for your diary
Monday 9th October – Term 4 starts
Friday 20 October – Teacher Only Day
Monday 23 October – Labour Day
Friday 27th October – Ag & Flower Day
Dates 2024
Please note for your calendar.
Term 1: 7 February – April 12.
Term 2: 29 April – 5 July
Term 3: 22 July – 27 September
Term 4: 14 October – 17 December
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