Newsletter - Term 3, Week 5
Friday, 26th August 2022
Principal
Kia ora koutou,
This week our Kapa Haka group performed at the Murihuku Polyfest in Invercargill. I was so impressed how well they sang and they all looked amazing on stage. If you haven't managed to view their performance there is a link on the school Facebook page. We are getting a very good reputation in Southland for having a very accomplished kapa haka group. A big thanks to Jaime Dickson, Carolyn McDonald and Anna Bell for putting in the time and effort with this great bunch of students.
This week there was the launch of a new government initiative called 'All in for Learning'. This compliments the new push towards regular attendance within our schools. Being engaged in learning really matters, right from a child's first days in early learning and primary schools.
Regular attendance data has shown a marked decline since 2015. Right now, almost half of our tamariki in New Zealand do not regularly attend school (that means being present at school 90% or more of the time).
Not only are they missing out on important learning they need, but they miss out on friendship, connections, and fun moments.
What makes every school day a big day?
In Aotearoa, all children under 16 years of age are required to attend a registered school every day, unless they are sick.
We know that there is a direct correlation between regular attendance and achievement. A Year 11 student who attends school every day has about a 90% chance of achieving NCEA Level 1, but this drops to a 1-in-5 chance if they only attend school half of the time.
We are now moving from the messaging that says if you have cold or flu symptoms stay home to only stay home while infectious. If you have a cough that isn't going to get passed on then there is no reason why the child can't be at school.
Nga mihi,
Simon Bell
School Office
Completed Tau Cards this week
POLYFEST 2022
Classroom Happenings...
ROOM 4
ROOM 5
This week Room 5 have been learning about measurement. We have used a variety of equipment to measure with, including rods. The class are making sure they have the right starting point for accurate measurement.
A highlight this week for some our our class was performing at Polyfest. It was so good to be on stage this year, the first time for the students in our class.
School Board of Trustees Elections
School Board Elections
Voting closes Wednesday 7th September at 4pm
Julie Guttery
Returning Officer
School Bank Account Details
Below is the school bank details which is our preferred payment method.
There is also eftpos available at the office.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Password: “otautauschool”
Contact Us
Email: Office@otautau.school.nz
Website: https://www.otautau.school.nz
Location: 11 Elles Road, Otautau 9610, Southland, New Zealand
Phone: +64 3 2258320
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/otautau/