Oratia District School Newsletter
Week 02 - 10 February 2022
Message from Ms Linda
Tena koutou katoa. Nau mai ki te whanau o te Oratia . Ni hao. Talofa lava. Zdravo. Kia orana. Namaste.
Gong Xi Fa Cai to all those celebrating Lunar New Year. My sister's family and mine met last week for a steam boat dinner to celebrate, and we gave Ang Pow (red packets) to each other. It was such a lovely thing to do in memory of my Cantonese mother, and we shared photos back and forth to Malaysia with our family over there who were also celebrating. Social media can bring each other closer at such times we have found.
Welcome to all our new students and their families. We are so happy to have you join our community and hope that, despite the difficulties associated with Red Level for our start, that you will be very happy here and find that your child flourishes under our care and support.
Our teachers will be sending home introductory videos to you all at the end of this week, and will be inviting you to join them for an online Meet the Teacher session next week. If you have any questions for the teachers please email them so they can be answered at that get together. This is our attempt to provide an alternative to our usual Meet the Teacher event in Week 3 that we usually hold face to face in the classroom.
School has started well with over 90% attendance in the first few days. Thank you very much to those families who have been in touch with us to let us know if their child is not attending school at the moment, and the plans they have in place for home learning. I can assure you all that we have many health and safety practices in place to keep our students and staff as safe as possible, and that the social benefits of having your child here at school with their peers and the teacher are significant. We look forward to increasing that attendance percentage as time goes by.
Our students are very happy utilising all the facilities here at school including the pool, library and playgrounds. The bike track will be in use soon once the training for correct use has been completed in classrooms. OKK, our before and afterschool care programme, is operating at Red level and is open to accept enrolments. If you need to drop your child to school before 8.30am you might want to investigate using OKK. They are open in the afternoons till around 6.00pm so that might be a good option for some families too. While interschool events may be on hold during Red Level we will be starting up in-school events in the next few weeks. These will be advertised in the daily notices so remind your children to keep an ear out for opportunities that they might be interested in.
We look forward to a fun and interesting term with lots happening for your child.
Stay well and keep safe. Kia kaha, kia atawhai.
Ngā mihi nui,
Ms Linda
Calendar of Events - Term 1, 2022
Tuesday 15 February - Meet the Teacher zoom session
Wednesday 23rd February - New families are invited to meet our Senior Leadership Team
Monday 28 February - Board of Trustees Meeting
Thursday 14 April - Last day of Term One
All school events are recorded in our public calendar on the front page of our website.
Friday Lunch Schedule
Friday 11 February - Subway
Friday 18 February - Pita Pit
Friday 25 February - Sushi
Friday 4 March - Jesters Pies
COVID RED LEVEL
Please call the office on 818 6216 if you need to drop something to your child or collect them early and we will make arrangements with you.
Important points to note:
- School entrances are at Shaw Rd and West Coast Rd (sliding gate only)
- School access can begin at 8.30am
- Parents are to remain off site for drop off and pick up
- Any parent volunteer in the classroom must be fully vaccinated and wear a medical grade mask while onsite, sign in using the contract tracer app and sign in at the office.
- Pick up at the end of the day will be staggered to reduce congestion at the gate - Potiki (Junior) at 2.30pm, Arawhata (Middle) at 2.40pm, Tuakana (Senior) at 2.50pm, Bus travellers at 3.00pm Siblings can leave at the same time as their younger sibling.
- If your child shows any sign of illness, please keep them home till they are well again
- If your child becomes ill at school we will call you and ask you to collect them. (We will meet you at the school gate).
- Children from Year 4 - 6 and their teachers will be wearing masks in the classroom and on the school buses; no masks are required when children are outside
Water Safety learnings this week
Garden to table 2022
If you would like to volunteer to help out with your child's class please contact your classroom teacher.
A big WELCOME to our new teacher Verily Jackson who is this week's 'Teacher Feature'
Hi, my name is Verily Jackson and I’m in Room 11 with a year 1 and 2 class. I am new to Oratia School this year, previously I was at Konini School for many years. Some of you might already know me as I was involved with Oratia Cubs for a very long time and I also live in Oratia. I am very excited to be here this year and I feel very welcomed to the school. Lots of children are coming up and saying hello if they see me in the playground which has been lovely.
I live in Oratia with my husband, 3 cats and 8 hens. I have 2 children. My daughter Ruth may be familiar to you as she has been teaching at Oratia for many years and I am thrilled to be working with her. I also have a son Aaron, who is married and lives locally with his wife and young son.
During the Christmas break, I spent a few lovely days out at Anawhata with family. I enjoy walking and while we were at Anawhata, we walked over to Piha and back via Whites beach. What amazing views!
Our School App - If you haven't already please download it.
Thank you to everyone who has downloaded our new school app which we will be using for newsletters, notifications, absences, school calendar and more.
Once you have downloaded the app, it is a good opportunity to check if your child's details are correct in our etap student management system. At the end of the school year you will be able to access your child's school report and class placement information.
If you have not received your link or are having problems getting the app to work please contact janinem@oratia.school.nz.
We will continue to use email as well as the app until the the end of February when office communications will then start to come via the app only.
Policy for Review
The instructions to contribute to the review are below:
- Visit the website https://oratia.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm
- Enter the username (oratia) and password (0604).
- Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.
- Read the policy.
- Click the Policy Review button at the top right-hand corner of the page.
- Select the reviewer type "Parent".
- Enter your name (optional).
- Submit your ratings and comments.
- If you don't have internet access, school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form.
Does your child have a netball uniform to return?
Waitakere Learning Support (Teacher Aide) Programme and Enviroschools Learning Support Aide Programme -
Waitakere Improving School Attendance Programme is continuing their “Return to the Workforce” programmes for parents who currently receive the Sole Parent Support benefit. Please see the attached description and application information if you are interested.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Piano Lessons
Do you want to learn the piano during school hours?
Larissa is a qualified pianist (Masters of Music) and registered teacher with over 30 years’ experience. Her individual approach to your lessons will foster a passion for music and help your child reach their potential in a fun and encouraging way. All levels welcome! Teaching styles range from classical to contemporary to jazz.
For more information call Larissa on 021-113-9813
Playball West Auckland
Playball is an introduction to eight different sports, Football, Basketball, Netball, Cricket, Baseball, Tennis, Hockey and Rugby.
For all Year 1, 2 and 3 students:
Our aim is not to create superstars, but rather to provide children with the opportunity to develop a host of necessary social, educational and personal skills by giving children competence in sport.
Playball is taking final enrolments for term one and will commence on Monday the 14th of February from 3:15pm-4:00pm and will run for 8 weeks every Monday.
Ask about a free trial today.
To enrol your child/children please sign up online
https://www.playballkids.com/parent-zone/basket_bookings.php?classid=44137
Any queries please call James on 027-481-7000 or email james@playball.co.nz
PARENT CORNER
Contact Us
Email: principal@oratia.school.nz
Website: https://www.oratia.school.nz
Location: Shaw Road & West Coast Road, Oratia, Auckland 0604, Auckland, New Zealand
Phone: +64 9 818-6216
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OratiaSchool/