Orātia District School Newsletter
Week 7 - 16 March 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.
Top of our thinking this week is the Strike Action voted to happen today, Thursday March 16. Because our school has many teachers who are union members this has meant that the Board made the decision to have the school open for supervision only, as there were not enough teachers present at school to open for regular instruction. I wanted to thank all the many parents who found alternative arrangements for childcare so that the numbers of children we needed to supervise was manageable. We really appreciate this organisation as we understand what an interruption this is to regular school life. We are very hopeful that taking this strike action will influence the government to recognise the teaacher's claims for this next collective agreement round.
I had the pleasure of hosting an ice cream sundae building session on Wednesday for a group of students who had purchased the voucher for the event from their PB4L apples. We had 10 happy kiddies who thought icecream for lunch was the best thing ever. The PB4L shop was also open, and I saw many little ones running out with their eyes alight at what their apples had purchased them. There are many other experiences that our students can opt for as a reward for their collected apples, and it brings them a lot of pleasure to see a reward for their amazing attitudes and behaviour that are in line with our school values. My thanks to Ms Hamlin and her team of helpers for making this all happen.
Last week we had a couple of exciting trips out of the school. Arawhata syndicate took all their students to visit the Orātia Folk Museum, which the children found very interesting and had a lot to talk about on their return. It was great to be able to visit this wonderful resource right on our doorstep, and we thank the team at the museum for their hospitality. On Friday Mr Moncur took a group of Travelwise leaders to a day of workshops and activities all about road safety and leadership. The group were very happy to attend and got a lot out of the day.
At school we are all rejoicing in the settled and sunny weather and are making sure we use the pool. The water is heated so it makes swimming much more pleasurable. We have had the bikes all serviced so the bike track will be up and running now too. Our goal setting conversations will be happening in Week 9 on Thursday March 30, 2.00pm-7.30pm, so make a note in your calendars and save the date. We look forward to talking with you there.
Take care and stay safe.
Kia kaha, kia atawhai.
Ngā mihi nui, Ms Linda
Friday lunch schedule
Friday 17 March - Pita Pit (Order by Thursday night)
Friday 24 March - Subway (order by Thursday night)
Friday 31 March - Jesters Pie Day (order by Thursday 12noon)
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
Gigantic radish harvest!
One of our Garden to Table classes were very suprised to find this monster Daikon Radish hiding in the undergrowth! With all the recent rain it has grown to this super size. Kye from Room 12 used all his strength to show the office staff his bounty last week.
Sea Cleaners Adventures
Several groups of Year 6 children have enjoyed a day out on the water with the Sea Cleaners recently as part of our Ngā Rākau Kaha programme. A variety of areas have been covered with many bags of rubbish collected. Well done to all our students who have participated so far!
Parent online Q & A evening
We are hosting a Parent online Q & A evening Thursday 23rd March - Dr Chris Garrett from child psychology will be available for parents to support their tamariki around the impact of the recent weather events. If you have any questions please send them to Katherine Goldsmith at katherineg@oratia.school.nz. Dial in details will be emailed soon.
Supporting tamariki following Cyclone Gabrielle
The Ministry of Health has compiled a resource that is available in multiple languages on their website:
Mental health advice for coping after a traumatic event – Ministry of Health
Māori Whānau Tino Rangatiratanga Rōpū 2023
We will be meeting informally at kura, Wednesday 22nd March 6pm, primarily for whakawhanaungatanga and sharing kai. At our first hui for the year whānau can share what is important to them for their tamariki, and determine the focus, format and the purpose of our Māori Whānau Tino Rangatiratanga Rōpū for the coming year. Please complete the link below if you would like to join.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQtou93LyzMWJH9SbFrFoAks98wpPT9ATj9HYInHwGXjvNgg/viewform
Hauora (well-being) and Kawakawa Balm Making Wānanga for whānau
As part of this program we would like to offer whānau the opportunity to join us with Dr Tia Reihana and Matua Piripi Morunga for a special Hauora (well-being) and Kawakawa Balm Making Wānanga for whānau on Friday 31st March, 3.30 - 7 pm.
This is free, you can bring tamariki, we provide dinner, and you will get to take home your own handmade pottle of Kawakawa Balm.
There are very limited spaces so please complete this google form ASAP if you would like to join us.
'Back2School' support for our Lone Kauri whānau affected by the flooding
This week, Lone Kauri School were given backpacks filled with lunchboxes, drink bottles and toiletries. The amazing Charity ‘Back2School’ provided these for us all. We were so happy and grateful to receive these treats. Thank you Back2School!
Travelwise Workshop
Lost Property - Please check for your child's items
Our lost property room (located up the ramp next to Room 15) is full of items. Please take a moment to check for your child's clothing. We really appreciate you naming items worn to school. Thank you.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Situation Vacant
Cyclone Gabrielle Relief Fundraising Concert event at Parrs Park - Parking available at Orātia School Field
Hey Neighbours!
Did you know there is a big cyclone fundraising concert on at Parrs Park Sat 25 March? https://www.nzherald.co.nz/.../P33J3L7UOFG7NOUR6Y5PRAYIBY/
"The new artists performing include Kings, Hollie Smith, Teeks, Bic Runga and Ardijah. They will perform alongside the already announced artists - Stan Walker, Troy Kingi, Che Fu, Three Houses Down, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Ria Hall, Drax Project, Anna Coddington, Muroki, Bella Kalolo-Suraj and King Kapisi."
This has resulted in the cancellation of our lovely Orātia School Fair, planned for the same day, so Orātia School and the local scouts are providing car-parking on the school field instead.
So come out and see the concert - give a few pingas at the cyclone relief effort in the park, and also help support the school and the scouts going to Jamboree by parking on the school field.
Cash only - 11am start.
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/