Oratia District School Newsletter
Week 3 - 3 November 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.
On Wednesday we celebrated Diwali with many of our Indian families with an afternoon tea they provided for the staff. We took the time to hear what made Diwali important to them and how it was celebrated. Families that took part got to meet each other, and we all enjoyed the tasty Indian treats that feature during this time of year. It was a lovely get together for us all.
This week I spent three days at a conference run by MAC (The Māori Achievement Collaborative), a growing group of schools that we are a part of. Kōka Teena and I heard from many wonderful speakers who passionately shared their hopes and dreams for a better schooling experience for our Māori tamariki. I came away challenged and inspired, with a renewed appreciation for the attitude of our teachers and staff here at Orātia and a recognition of the mahi we will continue to engage in to keep making our kura a great place for all our students. We are committed to keep growing in our understanding and application of learning in this space.
On Tuesday evening we had a special board meeting to vote on the roles in our board. We heard from Phil Wilkinson, the Chair of GEIS for the past 10 years and also from Jason Lewis, our outgoing Chair. They spoke about the importance of governance and key tips they could pass on to our new members. We voted on the roles and I am pleased to announce that Edward Cowley is our new Chair (Presiding Member) and Susan Giles is Deputy Chair with Matthew Barnett taking on the role of Treasurer. Congratulations to these members and my deep thanks for committing to working with the school leadership team.
On Wednesday we had the last of three rugby games between Henderson Valley School and Orātia. There was some delay to the game due to a swarm of bees that settled into a tree on the side of the field so we had to wait for it to be collected by a local beekeeper. We each had won one game previously so the competition between the two schools was hot. In the end we had a draw with 7 points to each side so that means that this year's competition is a draw also. Congratulations to our boys for their heart, passion and hard work playing this week. You did us proud.
I also was informed that a team of our students won the Auckland Primary Schools surfing competition over the weekend, with Ella Withers winning Year 6 and under Girls and Harry Paewai-Huston winning Year 6 and under boys. How fantastic! Congratulations to all the team for their skill and effort. There is more information and photos later in the newsletter.
Please take note of all the upcoming events and we will see you there if you can make it.
Take care and stay safe.
Kia kaha, kia atawhai.
Ngā mihi nui, Ms Linda
Friday Lunch Schedule
Friday 4 November - Subway (order by Thursday night)
Friday 11 November - Sushi (order by Wednesday night)
Friday 18 November - Jesters Pie Day (order by Thursday lunchtime)
Friday lunches can be ordered on Kindo and will be delivered to your child's classroom at the beginning of lunchtime. Please contact the office to make arrangements to collect lunch orders if your child is absent on the day
Introducing our new Board of Trustees
Edward Cowley
Susan Giles
Matthew Barnett
Joanna Macfarlane
Christine Wang
Ben Coenradi
Kahui Ako Cultural Festival
A group of over 100 students proudly represented us last Friday at the Kahui Ako Cultural Festival at Henderson High School. Our Kapa haka and Pasifika groups both gave rousing performances and Oratia students enjoyed watching the performance here at school via the live data feed. Well done to all of our students for their practice and mahi over the year and our wonderful staff, Ruth, Gemma, Ben and Teena who helped make it happen.
Celebrating Diwali
As part of our whole school Diwali celebration, we held an activity session in the hall on Tuesday at lunchtime for our students. They had the chance to try out Bollywood dance, henna, and arts/crafts.
Yesterday afternoon our Indian families kindly shared afternoon tea with the staff. We enjoyed the experience of trying some new foods and having the chance to chat to extended family. Thank you very much to everyone who came.
In Garden to Table this week many tasty traditional Indian treats have been prepared including Raita, pumpkin dhaal, vege fried rice and apricot coconut slice.
Learnings in Room 12
Our repurposed garden by Gardener Moira
This is the new play area within the nature trail made with rocks and sculptures from the old gardens outside Rooms 1-4 using native plants and surplus sand that was delivered to top up the long jump pit.
Some buzzy visitors to Orātia District School
Just before lunchtime today, a swarm bees decided to make one of our trees their home! Caretaker Steven Reddington cordoned off the area to keep the children safe and our rugby match was put on hold. We were very lucky to have local beekeeper Tony of Creative Urban Farms arrive just a few minutes later to remove the bees which was fascinating for student to watch from afar.
Final boys rugby game for the year - Oratia v Henderson Valley
Once the bee swarm was removed everyone was excited for our final game against Henderson Valley to commence. This was our third and final game for the season with both teams having won a match each. Once again it was a real nail-biter with both teams putting in 100% despite the scorching conditions! The final score was a draw at 7-7 so Mr Loten will investigate as to who will house the trophy for another year. Watch this space.
Thank you very much to the parents who helped clean up the pitch after the game.
The Auckland Primary School Surf Champs
The Orātia team put in 100% effort recently for the Auckland Primary School Surf Champs out at Piha. This hardworking team were very supportive of each other and well deserving of their win. Congratulations to :
Ella Withers - 1st place for Year 6 and Under Girls
Harry Paewai-Huston - 1st place for Year 6 and Under Boys
Congratulations also rest of the Orātia team:
Ryder Smith
Keana Hoffmann
Blake Rebolledo Withers
Manaia Zephyr Hart - Watson
Charlie Gannon
Annabelle Nicholson - Jiu Jitsu Champion!
I am Annabelle Nicholson, and when I am at Oratia, I’m just a normal student. But when I am at home I’m much more than that.
Jiu Jitsu is a type of martial art. It is much like Judo, except with more fighting when you're on the ground. You get disqualified if you punch or kick.
Last Thursday night, I went to Australia with the rest of my team, Dare Devil Jiu Jitsu, for a Jiu Jitsu competition. We all stayed in one giant house together. On Friday, we watched our coach and a few of the other adults compete. Then on Saturday, the kids competed. I fought in the under 44.5kg yellow belt weight division. I came in second place.
REMINDERS
Lost Property Room
COMMUNITY NOTICES
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/