Oratia District School Newsletter
Week 5 - 25 August 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. Our Fiafia night has finally arrived amongst much community support and hard work from our lead teachers - Ben, Gemma and Ruth. I apologise for those people who may have missed out on a ticket to attend. Our numbers are limited by the fire safety rating of the hall and how many seats we have available. We are overwhelmed by the level of interest and support from you all, and thank you so much for all the different things you have done to help us out. I cannot wait to see our tamariki perform.
On Tuesday the senior syndicate travelled out all around West Auckland to play against other schools in the zonal Winter Sports Day. We sent teams to play hockey, soccer, rugby, netball and kiwi sports games. Lots of parents took time out of their day to pop in and cheer the teams on and we had a number of volunteer parents who helped out our teachers through the whole day. We could not have taken so many students away without that support and we are very grateful to those helpers.
Our boys' rugby team came second after tying for first, with the deciding order being made based on tries scored against the other teams. Due to other teams forfeiting, our girls' rugby team ended up having to be split up amongst our other teams on the day, with the girls showing remarkable resilience dealing with that abrupt change to their plans. Our soccer team came third and our hockey team came fourth. Teachers were very happy with the behaviour of their students, the respect they showed to other teams and their effort and focus throughout the day. They were supportive and inclusive of all team members, and represented Orātia well. One teacher commented on how wonderful it was to be out mingling with other schools after over two years of not being able to do so. My thanks to all the Tuakana teachers for their efforts training their students throughout the term leading up to the day yesterday. Thank you too to Staci Hamlin who ended up umpiring netball games non-stop all day. We have a wonderful group of students and teachers who were great ambassadors for Orātia on the day.
Mrs Walker and Mrs Goldsmith took a big team of our young writers to the Auckland Writers Festival on Wednesday, held in the Aotea Centre. The students came back happy and inspired after listening to authors and illustrators and seeing all sorts of exhibits and displays. It is so good to be able to have education opportunities outside the classroom for our tamariki.
Next week is our Family Friendly Week, when we stop our meetings and encourage our teachers to head home a bit earlier to spend time with their own families. Therefore, they may not be as available to meet with you for meetings next week as usual.
I wish you continued good health and well being.
Kia kaha, kia atawhai.
Ngā mihi nui, Ms Linda
Friday lunch schedule
Friday 2 September - Pita Pit (order by 9am Friday)
Friday 9 September - Sushi (order by Wednesday night)
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.
Board of Trustees Elections - Voting is Open
Voting is now open for the Board of Trustees Elections. Please take a moment to read through the candidate statements and complete your voting form. Completed voting forms can be dropped into the ballot box in the school office foyer or posted to the Returning Officer at Oratia School, 1 Shaw Road, Oratia. Auckland 0604. Voting closes at 4pm on Wednesday 14th September.
Wintersports 2022
Tuakana students enjoyed a fun day out on Tuesday as part of the Winter Sports Zonal Day. For some it was a chance to experience a new sport whilst others enjoyed playing their favourite game against other west Auckland schools. We were very lucky with the lovely weather and everyone enjoyed the chance to be out in the fresh air.
Our Potiki tamariki have been enjoying some outdoor sport this week too!
Meet our new Caretaker!
Hi I am Steven Reddington, your new Caretaker at Oratia School.
I am 'new' to Oratia having only lived here for just 11 years, both my children have attended Oratia School with Darcie in her final year.
My last 11 years have been working maintaining turf in our parks and reserves. I have a Kiwi can do attitude and have done several house renovation projects.
We live up West Coast Rd with 6 chickens, 4 sheep, 2 cats and some bees. Say "Hi" if you see me around or need a ball retrieved.
Teacher Feature
Hi there, my name is Ms Walker. This morning when I was teaching, a child said, “You taught my dad.” This is no surprise at all. I have been teaching at Oratia for the last 22 years and this is what I love about my job. I have loved getting to know the families at Oratia.
For many years I taught Year 6 in Room 19. I loved going to camp and seeing the students enjoy the outdoors-kayaking, abseiling and, hut building, raft building and snorkelling. Room 19 was removed and I started as Literacy Specialist working with our writers. For many years we researched and wrote about the rich history and told stories of the district. We dominated the ‘Capturing the West ‘writing competition and bought home the Bullock Trophy year after year. I was so proud of the writing that came from this.
Now, I work two days of the week releasing teachers. My passion is still writing and each year I take a group of children to the Auckland Writers Festival.
I have three grownup children, two of them live in London and one daughter lives just down the road so I get to enjoy my two grandchildren. My spare time is spent enjoying the outdoors.
Writers festival
Mrs Walker and Mrs Goldsmith took a group of Year 6 students on the bus to the Auckland Writers festival yesterday. The children were very engaged listening to the variety of authors some of whom they recognised from books that we have in our school library!.
Garden to Table
REMINDERS
Absences
Do you have any boxes?
Do you have any My Foodbag/Whoop/Hello Fresh boxes and/or woolen inserts we could please have? We're building a no dig garden at school so we would love to have them as the base for our gardens. Please drop them in to the school office. Thank you.
Family friendly week
Next week is 'family friendly week' - a chance for staff to refresh and spend time with their families. There will be no meetings after school as teachers will be leaving school promptly after the bell!
Can you help?
Key Wellness Indicators
- Healthy young children can have up to 8 to 12 colds or upper respiratory tract infections each year. These are a normal part of childhood.
- A child should stay at home if they appear unwell or if they develop any of these symptoms: new runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, they are off their food and drink or show signs of feeling miserable.
- If a child becomes increasingly unwell and/or you are concerned about them, call your GP or Healthline on 0800 611 116. A child who is refusing to drink anything is likely to be very unwell.
- If an in-person appointment is required, follow your GP’s processes, which will include everyone wearing a mask if they can safely and practically do so.
- If you or a child you are caring for develops difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, fainting or becomes unconscious, call 111 immediately.
Find reliable information on how to manage colds and flus on KidsHealth and Health
Navigator. https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Love Tennis Day at New Lynn Tennis Club
The club is holding Love Tennis Day on Sunday 11th September 2022, from 11.00am to 4.00pm.
Please come down with family and friends any time through the day to participate on or off the court. There will be coaching demonstrations, competitions, BBQ and free tennis for those wanting to try it out (some racquets are available to borrow).
New members are welcome.
PARENT CORNER
EZI Lunch/KINDO Fathers Day Competiton
Whether it's a Dad, Uncle, Grandad or Poppa in your life, make them feel extra special this Father's Day with our ezlunch giveaway. Every lunch order gets you a chance to win one of two $50 'Not Socks' vouchers.
Order ezlunch for delivery from Monday 22 August - Friday 2 September to be in the draw to WIN! Two vouchers, two winners!
The winners will be drawn on Friday 2 September and notified by email.
Go to www.mykindo.co.nz to start ordering.
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/