Together We Grow  – Ka Tupu Kotāhi ai Tātou

Kia ora koutou OVS Whanau and Caregivers,

Welcome to Term 3!

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself, for those people who may not already know me.  I have been at OVS for 21 years now – originally just as a part time teacher, but then moving through to becoming the Deputy Principal for many years.   On a personal note, our family is a blended family, I have two step children ( who are now adults) and two children who belong to my husband and I.  Our youngest son is now 10 years old and attends Ōtāika Valley School.  I alos have 3 grandchildren.  I feel very privileged to be stepping up for Rick – that’s some big shoes to fill! I will do my best to make sure our wonderful little school in the valley keeps moving along and is in good shape for when Rick returns in Term 1,  2025! 

As usual, we started our term with a mihi whakatau, welcoming the new families to our kura.  As the weather was unpredictable, we decided to use our Room 4 space to keep us all warm and dry.  A big thank you to Matiu Dennison who spoke on behalf of the manuhiri.  I would like to reiterate a massive welcome to all those new families to our kura.  Welcome to the Ōtãika whanau! 

We have an exciting term 3 planned here at Ōtāika Valley School – from discos, senior stream visits, to visiting lambs! Yes, it’s that time of year again – time to get ready for our Ag day ( see below for the date).  The wonderful Mr T managed to get our lamb pen up and running before he left for his operation, so it is ready and waiting for lambs! If your child is interested in showing a lamb for Ag day, please contact the office or Robyn to get the registration papers. 

Here’s to a very successful, fun filled, and productive term 3! 

 

Ngā mihi

 

Heidi Nieddu 

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Look what’s arrived! 

 

We are so excited!  After so many years of planning, our new playground is nearly ready to open – with many thanks to Gareth Bourke for his organisation, and Matt and Scott from KERIGREEN who have supported the Otaika playground upgrade with the free delivery of the chip.  A big thank you also to Ventia for the free mud matting they provided.  We are so thankful! 

 

 

 

Our wonderful tamariki have all been helping out, moving the wood chip into its rightful places.  Teamwork makes the dream work! Thank you to everyone who loaned us their wheelbarrows.

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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 assembly today.

Well done to Mack and Faith!

 

  

 

Star Spot – New students.

 

A warm welcome to Archer and Ferdie (Room 1), and Kitana ( Room 3) 

Haere mai ki te kura o Ōtāika Valley !

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All change!

This term sees a few changes in staffing due to Rick being away on sabbatical.  Just a reminder that Whaea Kiri is now the teacher of Room 5.  Anna Keogh has now stepped up as Deputy Principal and Whaea Frances is now the leader of the senior syndicate.  We are all looking forward to an awesome Term 3! 

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After School Care

 

Our numbers in after school care are continuing to grow – please make sure you have organised your days with Robyn in advance.  Just a gentle reminder that if you have taken your child out of after school care for winter sports, then they are off our register for that day – even if the sports event is cancelled.  

 

Meanwhile, we are still looking for our After School Care super star.  If you ( or someone you know!) is interested in working 3-5.30pm every afternoon alongside our fantastic ASC staff then please contact Jen in the office – admin@otaika.school.nz. 

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Speedy Recovery

 ‘Mr T’ has had his operation over the holidays and is on the road to recovery.  We definitely miss him at school – although he will be back before we know it I’m sure.  We wish him a speedy recovery! Meanwhile, we have the wonderful support of Sid and Dylan to make sure our school continues to run smoothly.  

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D I S C O

Dust off your dance moves – the annual OVS disco is coming to the valley!  The disco will take place in week 4 on the 15th August, 5-7pm in the hall.  A massive THANK YOU to the wonderful PTA who organise this event.

 

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Mid Year Reports

 

Mid year reporting on HERO went online on Friday, 5 July @ 3pm.  

We hope you have enjoyed the new reporting format. 

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 (next week) 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 31st of July.  Please only book one time slot – if you need extra time with the teacher, you may want to arrange a separate time to meet. 

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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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.

admin@otaika.school.nz   

09 432 2731

 

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

24th October – Ag and flower show day
28 October – Labour Day (Public Holiday)
TBC – Last Day of Term 4