Together We Grow – Ka Tupu Kotāhi ai Tātou
Kia ora koutou OVS Whanau and Caregivers,
As we come to the end of Term 2, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all our whānau and caregivers for your support and contributions. Your involvement and encouragement have been vital to our success as a kura this term.
I am very proud of our dedicated staff, whose hard work has resulted in pleasing mid-year achievement results in both Mathematics and Literacy. Our Structured Literacy initiative, though still new, is already making a noticeable difference for our learners and we look forward to even more progress throughout the second half year. The positive impact on student outcomes is a testament to our collective efforts and the staff’s commitment to excellence and new learning. Thank you all.
A special acknowledgment also goes to our PTA for their hard work behind the scenes and of course a special shout out must go Miss Lynch and Darcie for their outstanding dedication to our school Kapa Haka. Their hard work has enabled our students to perform and grow, showcasing the talent and spirit of our entire school community. Our kids rock!
I also want to thank our school whānau for making our Matariki evening so special. It was a great evening and everyone’s contributions have helped make Term 2 a busy, productive, and memorable term for everyone involved. The Kite Flying earlier in the day was an absolute hit, with our students bringing an array of kites of different shapes and sizes which made quite the spectacle!
As I will be on sabbatical during Terms 3 and 4, I want to assure you that I will continue to be an active participant in the school’s direction and decisions for the remainder of 2024. I leave the day to day school in the very capable hands of Mrs Nieddu, who will serve as Acting Principal, and Miss Keogh, who will be Acting Deputy Principal.
Have a safe and warm July break, and I look forward to catching up with you all very soon.
Ngā mihi,
Rick Sayer
Principal
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Star Spot – Celebrating Student Learning @ OVS
Every week at assembly we celebrate super OVS students, and this week’s shout out is to say a huge congratulations to our R.U.R.U award winners from the last two assemblies.
Well done to Bree and Cassie !
Star Spot – New students.
A warm welcome to Aria (Room 7), Jethro and Sophia (Room 1)
Haere mai ki te kura o Ōtāika Valley !
Excellent Attendance
We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate these fabulous students who have had 100% attendance for Term 2! Well done!!
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Welcome
I would like to take this opportunity to extend a warm welcome to Kiri Kainamu-Wheeler. Whaea Kiri will be teaching in Room 5 while Mrs Nieddu is Acting Principal. Whaea Kiri will be well known to you already through all her work at OVS this year.
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Staff Farewell
It is with some sadness that we farewell Cherry Galley from our OVS team.
Cherry has been a long standing staff member at our kura working as a Teacher Aide and After School Care supervisor. On behalf of the staff, students and BoT, I would like to thank Cherry for all her wonderful contributions across the years and for the difference she has made for so many of our tamariki.
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Speedy Recovery
‘Mr T’ heads of to get some super human bionic implants to increase his superhuman-ness even more (as if it were possible!) …and will not be with us for the start of Term 3. We wish him a speedy recuperation and will have his cape ready and ironed for his return!
Also to Jay, one of our amazing Teacher Aide’s who has been recuperating at home for the past few weeks, and we look forward to seeing her back, sharing her lovely smile and wonderful energy at the start of Term 3!
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Mid Year Reports
Mid year reporting on HERO will go online today, Friday, 5 July @ 3pm. Please refer the previously emailed information sheet that outlines this process, and what you will see in your child/rens report.
If you ‘do not’ have the ability to access an online format’ please contact your classroom teacher to enable a written copy to be sent home. Please also be aware that HERO reporting is designed to be an on-line reporting system and is best accessed, read and interacted with in that environment. Whānau may experience some formatting issues with a printed copy.
Parent/Teacher Interviews
We will be hosting Parent/Teacher in Week 2 of Term 3 which gives parents and caregivers an opportunity to discuss their child’s learning needs.
These interviews will take place over 2 days during Week 2 of Term 3 (dates below). Please note, school will be closing early at 12:00pm on Wednesday 31stof July.
After School Care will be available as per normal.
Dates:
- Wednesday 31st of July 12:15pm to 6:45pm
- Thursday 1st of August 3:15pm to 4:45pm
Booking
Either book online https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code Enter code: m6uxq
or you can contact the office directly.
Online bookings will close on Monday 29th of July at 3:00pm.
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Morningside Kapa Haka Festival
It was a pleasure to take our kapa haka rōpu to perform at the Morningside School Kapa Haka Festival. Our tamariki really did us proud with their performance, and it provided an awesome opportunity to reflect on how far this rōpu has come in just one year. Every student has worked super hard to get ready to take the stage, and they should feel extremely proud of this accomplishment. Ngā mihi nui ki a Darcie, for her fantastic work in supporting this opportunity for our tamariki to shine.
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Ministry of Education Teacher Only Day
The Board of Trustees has approved the Ministry allocated Teacher Only Day to be held on Friday 25th of October. All schools across the nation will be undertaking Professional Development related to the rollout of the new curriculum. OVS will specifically be looking at the new English curriculum ready for its introduction in 2025. Please note this for the calendar.
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Pyjama Day
Thank you everyone for helping celebrate the end of the term by having a snuggly PJ Day. It was great to see adults and students break out their PJ’s and slippers!
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Vacancy – After School Care supervisor OVS
A vacancy exists for an After School Care supervisor at Otaika Valley School.
This position commences on Monday 22nd July, for Terms 3 & 4, 2024.
The purpose of this position is to support the running of an effective After School Care Programme between 3.00pm and 5:30pm, five days per week. Successful candidates will ideally:
- Love working with children
- Have experience working with and managing groups of children
- Have behaviour management experience
- Undergo a police check and support our culture of child protection
- Have good communication skills and enjoy working in a team environment
If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you. Applications close Friday 12th July at 3.pm
Please contact the school office for further position information.
09 432 2731
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Vacancy – Mane Ake
We would like to inform our school whanau that a full-time position has become available with Arataki Ministries. They are looking for a person to partner with school’s, tamariki, and whānau to provide wholistic and well-being support across the Whangarei region. This position involves working with our students here at OVS for 1 day per week and the same with other local schools.
If this sounds like you you can find the advertisement on Seek:
Applications close Friday 19th July.
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Term 3
22 July – 1st Day of Term 3
27 September – Last Day of Term 3
Term 4
14 October – 1st Day of Term 4
28 October – Labour Day (Public Holiday)
TBC – Last Day of Term 4
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