Oratia District School Newsletter
Week 8 - 23 June 2022
Message from Ms Linda
Today was a day of celebration and connection. Ōratia School began the day with a dawn ceremony around the fire, and remembered our loved ones who had passed as well as considering our hopes and wishes for the coming year. It was cold but so wonderful to be together around the fire. Our thanks to so many in the community who were able to join us for the start of the day.
We opened with an official whakatau and welcomed all our community onto the kura for the day. It was lovely to see everyone who came to visit with us - whether for a short moment or a longer stay. My sincere thanks to the whānau who shared their knowledge of Te Ao Māori with our students through the day. We had harakeke weaving, pūrakau(storytime), poi demonstrations, art and craft activities, and lots of waiata through the day amongst other delights. Our classrooms were open to all whānau to visit and observe and join in with the activities as appropriate, and the students just loved having you with us.
We all joined in together with a shared lunch which was very well received by the students! We closed the day with a kapa haka performance and karakia. Each child was given a small token as a gift to commemorate this important day, the inaugural Matariki public holiday. We hope that it will be an ongoing keepsake as a reminder of 2022.
May your Matariki celebrations through this weekend be filled with family, whānau and good friends connecting together.
I have a request from our office staff regarding notifications for student absences. Could you please let the office know about your child's absence each day. Some are informing the teacher, but not the office. If you can let the office know it helps us keep our records accurate. Many thanks for your support with this.
Take care, and stay well. Kia kaha, kia atawhai.
Ngā mihi nui
Ms Linda
Friday lunch schedule
Friday 1 July - Subway
Friday 8 July - Pita Pit
Friday lunches can be ordered on Kindo and will be delivered to your child's classroom at the beginning of lunchtime. Order cut off times: Sushi- Wednesday night, Jesters Pies-12noon the Thursday prior, Subway and Pita Pit Thursday night.
Please contact the office to make arrangements to collect lunch orders if your child is absent on the day.
Warm clothes for winter months
In Orange level we are required to keep our classrooms well ventilated which means that although the weather is cooler, we will have doors and windows open during the day. Classroom heaters will be on however, it is important that children come to school dressed warmly in these winter months.
Please also ensure that they have a change of clothes in their bag in case they get muddy or wet.
CELEBRATING MATARIKI AT ORATIA SCHOOL
Karakia, waitata and intentions fire this morning
A special Matariki gift
Kōrero and breakfast followed by a kapa haka performance to welcome our whānau
Shared kai and lunchtime full of activities and sports
Thank you to everyone who helped to make today possible and all the whānau who came to spend time with us!
PB4L
Next week's PB4L lesson is about winter at Oratia School. Please help support us with this by making sure your child has a named change of clothes in their school bags and also reminding them that occasionally throughout winter our fields are closed due to it being too wet and muddy to play on and that we have many other places for them to play while we wait for our field to dry out.
Garden to Table
Library Update
The school Librarians are all working hard toward their Bronze, Silver or Gold certificates. A big congratulations to Lilliyana Bamforth on receiving her Bronze Certificate this week.
Buddy Class
CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE
Congratulations to our NZ Modern School of Music students
On Saturday 18 June, NZ Modern School of Music students held their Auckland Music competitions, which was held in Remuera this year.
Oratia school pupils competed strongly, with the following amazing results being achieved.
Overall Winner of Beginner Guitar Section - Daisy Dye
Overall WInner of Guitar section students commencing in 2021- Jacob Foulkes
Overall WInner of Guitar 7 years old and under - Jacob Foulkes
Overall Winner of Guitar 8 years old section - Sky Wallace.
NZMSM Guitarist of the Year winner - Jacob Foulkes
Congratulations to all who entered. Students have said it was a great experience to be able to participate and compete against other students from around Auckland.
Well done also to their amazing guitar teacher Mrs Glenis Renata who take guitar lessons at school.
PARENT CORNER
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Situations Vacant at OKK
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/