Oratia District School Newsletter
Week 8 - 8 December 2022
Message from Ms Linda
Tēnā koutou katoa. Nau mai ki te whānau o te Orātia. Zdravo. Talofa lava. Ni hao. Kia orana. Namaste. Greetings Orātia whānau.
What a fabulous week we have had celebrating our Year 6 students through prize giving and our new Year 6 leavers dinner. Wednesday's prizegiving ceremony was a lovely time of recognition for our students who had demonstrated leadership and academic, sporting or cultural excellence. Our students received certificates, books, and trophies in some instances, in tribute to their accomplishments. Thank you to all the family and whānau who were able to attend and celebrate with us.
Cassidy Foster, an ex-pupil of Orātia School, came to speak to the students about having courage and trying new things. As an accomplished surfer, it was great to hear her words of encouragement, and see the example she was setting in her own life. Our presiding member Edward Cowley shared his ABC's of success with the students, with many pearls of wisdom evident amongst the laughter and fun happening. The Year 6 students sang a beautiful version of Will I Am's "Hall of Fame", with a te reo translation of the chorus included. The kapa haka group performed powerfully also, and all together, finishing with shared refreshments and an Orātia hebe for each leaver. It was a memorable event.
Our inaugural leavers dinner will be a formal affair with a sit down meal, guest speakers and time to mingle and dance at the end of the evening. I know that students are really looking forward to it. Our Year 6 Day is happening on Friday with a trip to 'Jump', and a shared picnic, so this week has been a big one for our leavers. We will miss them very much, as well as their families, so make sure you take the time to say farewell to us if you can.
Our last day of term is next Friday, December 16, finishing at 12.30pm. Also, please take note of the new format for our first day of school next year, Thursday February 2. Information about it is later in the newsletter, and we will send out the link for you to sign up for a session to meet the teacher, on the last day of school.
Only one week to go. I hope your summer break will be relaxing and refreshing for you all.
Take care and stay safe.
Kia kaha, kia atawhai.
Ngā mihi nui, Ms Linda
Housekeeping
First day of 2023 - 'Meet the Teacher'
The first day back to school for 2023 is Thursday 2 February, however this will look different to usual . It will be 'Meet the Whānau Day and you will be invited to make a booking of 10 minutes to come in to school with your child to meet the teacher one to one. This will mean that your child will only attend school for the ten minute meeting with yourself and their teacher. We hope this will be a great time to connect with each other, share any news of importance with one another, and for parents to share the great things about their child they would like the teacher to know.
This time of connection is to grow our sense of whakawhanaungatanga and partnership with each other. More details about how to book your timeslot will be sent in an email next Friday. OKK is taking bookings for this day. Our first full school day will be Friday 3 February.
Senior Prizegiving 2022
The Dux Award - Mara Van Straten
Proxime Accessit - Kevin Zhao
Graduate Award - Sylvie Wright and Zoe Tomlin
Please see the attachment below for full list of award winners.
Colour Run 2022
What a fun Friday it was last week! There was music, running and most of all, lots of colour! It was great to see all the whānau come in to school to support our tamariki at this special event. We raised a grand total of $25,302.00 so a huge thank you to those parents and whānau who sponsored children to complete the Colour Run. We appreciate your support of our school fundraising efforts.
Congratulations to our Major Prize Winners who each won a scooter
Bryce Kata - Tuakana
Elin McSporran - Arawhata
Arlo Livingstone - Potiki
Room 20 Christmas Murals
Superstar Christmas Writers!
Update from Librarian Jess
Here are the Oratia duty librarians at our last get together in 2022! I am very grateful for this crazy wonderful bunch, and so proud of Zoe, Madison, Jamie and Audrey for presenting their book reviews in order to receive their Gold certificates, before they head off to intermediate school.
Have a wonderful Christmas break from us here at the Oratia District School Library and I look forward to new projects, books and librarians next year. Stay safe, take care :)
REMINDERS
Visitors to our school
If you are visiting the school during school hours, please remember that you are required to sign in at the office and get a visitor’s badge. This is a Health and Safety requirement and in the case of an emergency, we do need to know who is on school grounds and it also ensures the security of our classes.
Jacket found
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Christmas Picnic
Lunchtime Dance Classes in 2023
Helen Anderson is taking expressions of interest now for your child for 2023 and it’s filling up fast!!!
Get in quick today to secure their enrolment for Term 1, 2023! We bring DANCE to your child at SCHOOL during LUNCHTIME which allows the busy parent not to have to rush around
after school hours or during weekends getting your child to their Dance Class. They dance with their friends and enjoy the class in the safe environment of school.
We look forward to hearing from you and starting your child's Journey in Dance in 2023!!
Online enrol form www.rhythmnsteps.co.nz
Have a lovely Festive Season and see you next year!
Helen Anderson
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/