Orātia District School Newsletter
Week 3 - 16 February 2023
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.
When I consider all that so many in our community have been through in the past three weeks I find it difficult to find the words to express myself. I am both filled with concern and empathy for those who are suffering, as well as admiration for the emotional strength you have shown and the community support shared with each other through this time. My heart goes out to you all. While I may not be able to stand beside you and lift a shovel or sweep mud and water away I do hope that we can provide a safe and calm place for your children here at school, where you can feel confident that we are caring for them and keeping their minds and emotions engaged positively. If there is anything that we can do to support your children and yourselves over the next few months please just ask and we will do all we can to make it happen. Our doors are always open if you would like to pop in and have a chat, and we have access to practical support through Vision West too. Just let us know and we will try to sort it for you.
The staff and I would like to say again how disappointed we are that we have been unable to host our Meet the Whānau afternoon. It just seemed like one too many things to ask families to deal with at this time. If you really would like to speak to your child's teacher then we would love you to contact us and make an appointment. Our goal setting evening will be happening at the end of the term so you will get a chance then to connect.
Some positive happenings in the school starting this week are two 'Creatives in Schools' projects. One is being facilitated by Kōkā Teena called Te Kauhanga Ora and involves our students learning more about Māori performing arts in dance and music, and well being. Dr Tia Reihana-Morunga and her husband Piripi Kauri are the artists who will be working with our students and their teachers. They will also be hosting a weekend workshop for families interested in learning more about well being and the restorative properties of kawakawa. Keep an eye out for the dates in March for this. The other project involves script writing and drama inspired by local history/pūrākau, and will culminate in a students' performance at the end of Term 2. Kerensa Mackinnon is facilitating this programme with John Goudge, and children will have the opportunity to audition for roles in this soon.
We are hopeful for a calm and uneventful rest of the term so that we can all settle into learning and getting to know each other better. Take care and keep safe. Kia kaha, kia atawhai.
Ngā mihi nui, Ms Linda
Friday lunch schedule
Friday 17 February - Pita Pit - (order by Thursday night)
Friday 24 February - Subway (order by Thursday night)
Friday 3 March - Sushi (order by Thursday 9am)
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
Lunar New Year celebrations
We were very lucky to have the Henderson Chinese Association perform during assembly last week. The children were enthralled with singing, a flute item, and dances.
Performers along with the support of some of our Chinese and Korean parents then ran a variety of activities activities for our tamariki at morning tea time including Chinese lantern making, a fan dance, dumpling-making, and writing Chinese characters. It was a wonderful opportunity for our students of all ages to really experience the culture first hand and we really appreciate the Henderson Chinese Association and parents for all their efforts.
Thank you to Dawn Holdworth for these photos.
Sandbagging preparation
With Room 20 flooding earlier this year we decided to be pro-active before the approach of cyclone Gabrielle. Students helped our caretaker Mr Reddington fill sand bags and place them in a defensive line around the classroom and to our relief, it held any flooding at bay!
School clean-up
Some of our students who were able to return to school on Wednesday worked together and got stuck in to a big clean up of all the fallen debris around the school grounds. We feel very fortunate our buildings have not sustained any damage in the cyclone.
Wide-Brimmed hats
We require students to wear a wide-brimmed hat in the sunnier months. Hats can be purchased from the school office and on kindo for $15. From next week staff will be enforcing our 'no hat/stay in the shade' policy.
Cook Island drumming for Term 1, 2023
This term we have the exciting opportunity for year 4-6 students to enroll in Cook Island drumming. Mr Richard Linklater has again agreed to offer group lessons at $5.00 per session per child. The groups are no bigger than 10 and each session is for 30 minutes. Please check your child's school bag for a notice going home with children today. Payment for lessons will go directly to the drum teacher Mr Linklater.
Thank you Avalanche Coffee!
Staff have been spoilt yet gain with a supply of yummy coffee sachets - Thankyou Avalanche Coffee
COMMUNITY NOTICES
PARENT CORNER
Filing cabinets for sale
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/