Newsletter No. 04

ONEWHERO AREA SCHOOL - 31st March 2023

Principal's Message:

Kia ora e te whaanau,

Our Year 10 boys with Mr Mann and Mr Donald have had an amazing opportunity this week, spending two days at Port Waikato to learn about water safety. Thank you so very much to Fiona Gower and the Port Waikato Surf club for providing our students with this camp and thank you to the awesome dads that supported the two days.

For the first time ever, we had a student compete at Waka Ama Secondary School Nationals, congratulations to Jackson Aldworth who made it into the plate final.

You will now see that the electric gate has been connected across the front carpark of the school. If you are coming into the office for normal everyday reasons, we ask that you park on the street and walk in through the pedestrian gate. If you need to come in through the gate to collect a student from sick bay, please use the call button on the pin pad, so the office can let you in.

Over the holidays one of the trees at the front of the school will be removed. This tree is dead and is a health and safety issue for the school so needs to be removed.

Next term on 24th of April we have the first of two national teachers only days. On this day our staff will be joining with 500 teachers in the Franklin area to learn about the new curriculum. If you are interested in seeing what is changing in the curriculum feel free to use the following link to access the information https://curriculumrefresh.education.govt.nz/whats-changing

Next week is the last week of term. We wish you all a happy Easter and hope you have a safe and happy break. See you all on Wednesday the 26th of April.

Message From The Board:

Kia ora koutou katoa

I would like to introduce myself as the new presiding member of the Board of Trustees, alongside the newly appointed deputy presiding member, Amie Morgan.

We have taken over these positions from Owein Greaves and Graham Eskdale. During their time as presiding and deputy presiding members, they helped govern the school through COVID related matters, alongside the day to day matters that needed to be dealt with at a board level.

As a Board, we would like to thank Owein and Graham for their hard work and dedication to their positions. As the role is a voluntary one, it can be hard to fill the positions let alone, have the same people continue on in these positions for a number of years. Thank you Owein and Graham for doing a wonderful job for our school and our community.

We do also have a position available on the Board for a Whaanau Board Representative. The role is an important one for our Board, School and community. Some of the areas that the Whaanau Board Representative can help are:

Support the principal/tuumuaki and board by providing advice on how to best include tikanga Maaori in school practices.
  1. Bring forward a mana whenua perspective to our discussions at the board meetings to ensure we are:
    1. Meeting our commitment to ti tiriti o Waitangi;
    2. Engaging with our Maaori community/iwi/students/parents appropriately and successfully;
    3. Holding hui/meetings that will provide substance for both the school and our Maaori community/iwi/students/parents; and
    4. Meeting our strategic and annual plans - relating specifically to our Maaori students
Please get in touch with myself or our principal if you are interested in knowing more or would like to express your interest in the role.

At our school, we have a great Careers and Gateway Co-Ordinator Pam McArley, who provides wonderful support and guidance to our years 9-13 students. Some of the programs and areas that fall under Pam’s co-ordinator role include, Career guidance, Gateway, trades academy, STAR and correspondence. All of these areas and programs provide our students with great academic opportunities and experiences from their first years at secondary school through to when they wish to end their schooling journey.

Some of the great opportunities, experiences and academic programs that our students undertook last year were:
      1. Gateway courses consisting of civil construction, health and safety, aviation, IT and more;
      2. New Zealand Defence Force Navy Experience Day;
      3. MITO Automotive Careers Tour;
      4. Rural Health Careers Workshops;
      5. Apprenticeships upon leaving OAS; and
      6. Correspondence subjects undertaken such as Geography, Calculus, Legal Studies, Te Reo and History.
As a Board, it is encouraging to see the number of different opportunities provided to our students and the great success that our students go on to have in their schooling and when they leave school.

We are always open to feedback from our community, so please feel free to reach out if you have any feedback to pass on.

Ashlea Murphy
Presiding Member
Onewhero Area School BOT
https://onewhero.school.nz/board-of-trustees/

Newsletter Proudly Sponsored by:

THANK YOU GJ GARDNER FRANKLIN/PAPAKURA

GJ Gardner Homes - Franklin / Papakura is excited to release a generous fundraising referral offer to the Onewhero School Community. With titles due in Kaipo Heights in September, the new development offers large sections with options for elevated views. With pre-priced house and land packages available or the option to design your own dream home, contact the friendly team at GJ Gardner Papakura/Franklin.

For every unconditional build contract entered into before the end of September MJB construction will donate $2500 to the school, so please be sure to mention Onewhero Area School.

If you are interested in more information please email clinton.herring@gjgardner.co.nz

We are excited to announce a BLACK AND WHITE Disco

for Years 1-6 to take place on Tuesday 4th April from 5.30 - 7.30pm.
Tickets for $5 can be brought at the door; and food, drinks, games, glow sticks and face painting will be available from $1.
Proceeds will go to support our Year 5 & 6 Camp at the beginning of Term 2!

SPORTS ASSEMBLY

We will be having a Sports Assembly next Wednesday 5th April in the morning at approx 9.30am in the gym. All whaanau are welcome to come. Students who placed 1st - 3rd overall, from each year/age level will be presented with certificates. Along with those who represented our school at River, Franklin and Auckland sports events.

Onewhero Area School Motocross Team


North Island Secondary Schools Motocross Champs on Friday March 31st being held at Harrisville .

There will be competitive classes but also novice classes too.

If any existing or new members are interested please feel free to contact me for further details

Jonelle Hewitt
0276973723
mandjhewitt@xtra.co.nz

Tooth Group Dental

At OAS Week 1 & 2 in Term 2

Kia Ora!
As we move forward into 2023, our team would like to thank you for allowing the opportunity to provide quality on-site mobile dentistry to your child.

The Ministry of Health and DHB have an obligation to ensure all students under the age of 18 have access to FREE dental care. Our team of clinical experts take pride as we play our part, providing oral health services, helping to empower and improve the smiles and wellbeing of the adolescents of Onewhero Area School.
What is your child entitled to?
All students up until their 18th birthday (who are eligible and meet the criteria) can access FREE basic dental care. The dental care is provided on-site so your child's experience is as seamless and convenient as possible.

These services include:
Examinations
Radiographs (if required)
Preventative treatment such as fluoride application and fissure sealants
Scale and Polish
Restorative treatment (white fillings)
Increased awareness of good oral health practices including a FREE Oral Health Kit
How Do I Enrol my child?
Enrolling or declining the service is simple! Simply click the link here
Have you enrolled your child to our service already?
Great! We look forward to providing quality dentalcare to your child.

Want to learn more, have any questions?
email
admin@toothgroupdental.co.nz or contact our team 0800 854 556
website: www.toothgroupdental.co.nz
Thank you again on behalf of our team,
Tooth Group Dental

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 2023

Kia ora whaanau!
Onewhero Area School is getting ready to once again welcome short term International Student Groups to our school after three years of Covid.
This is an exciting opportunity for our students as well as for the whole community to learn about different cultures, games, food etc through connection and friendships. We host groups from 6 to 30 students at a time, from four days to 6 weeks.

For these exchanges to go ahead, we need host families that are wanting to open their hearts and homes to these students and show them our kiwi way of life. Homestay families will be compensated for their costs and effort ($280 per student per week or $40 per night). We try to host students 2 per family, but sometimes there might also be single placements.
If you are keen to host, you need to be able to offer them a room with a bed, desk etc and provide meals and transport to and from school. (School busses may be an option) You need to treat them as part of your family.

Interested families will need to be police vetted under the vulnerable children's act, and approved by the school. By hosting these students, you will be part of our homestay families group and be invited to cultural parties etc. It is a great way to connect with likeminded families and a fantastic way for your children to learn about other cultures. Most International students love interacting with young children and playing games with them.
Full support will be given from our International Student coordinator.

We are keen to hear from families, couples and singles who may be keen to be part of this!
If you are interested to find out more without any obligations whatsoever, please click on this link to request more information:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdU-b7h2E_iCO9ZGS3fMrX0s2D967JPTFztxr2_7dfq9WqSAw/viewform?usp=sf_link

New Uniform Available at School Office from Old Stock

Junior shorts – size 4 x 1 only $22.90
Junior culottes – sizes : 4/8/10/12/14 $26.60
Junior polar fleece vests – sizes : 8/10 $15.00
Skirts (can be worn from year 7) – sizes : 52/57/92/97 $39.20
Senior shorts (have button/zip) sizes : 10/12/14/76/96/100/104/108 $22.90
Senior trousers (have button/zip) sizes : 76/80 $30.70
Senior blue polo size medium x 2 only $25.90
Senior white boys shirt size 12 x 3 only $33.90

We also have the PE tops available in every house colour.
Sizing : 5-6/7-8/9-10/11-12/13-14/Small/Medium/Large $36.00
Please name every item of clothing so if it ends up in our lost property the office staff can return it to your child.
Please feel free to send your child up to the office to try anything on for sizing if you are unsure. Payment can be made online or at the office.
We also have a second hand uniform department which is run by Brenda McLean in Room 5. She is available for you to visit on Mondays only from 3pm. If you would like to know what is available please email her on : b.mclean@onewhero.school.nz

COMMUNITY

Rural Youth And Literacy Trust is a not for profit organization with our office based in Port Waikato.
We offer free reading and writing lessons for teenagers 13 years and older and adults that living in rural areas (or who are otherwise isolated) and cant get into a main Literacy centre for whatever reason. Tuition is free and our tutors can coach students over the phone or Zoom.
admin@adultliteracy.ac.nz 0800 891 339

Boost Your Learning

Does your child require further support, over and above what can be offered at school?
Would your child benefit from bespoke and nurturing learning sessions from a highly experienced teacher designed to accelerate learning and boost confidence? We would love to help. We are a team of dedicated teachers, specialising in English and Maths support, for primary, intermediate and college students.

Visit www.boostyourlearning.co.nz for more information or contact Jenny 021 223 3349 to book a free consultation.
Outdoor water opportunity for Girls & Boys aged 14 & 15 years old
Tuakau District Sea Scouts has a reputation for providing fun activities outdoors for our young people / rangatahi. With us, youth learn amazing life-skills and meet other like-minded young people from all over the region and the country.
We have a long list of ex-Venturers who have found that Scouting looks great on their CV's and provides glowing references. Most Venturers stay with us until they are 18.5 years.
Venturers meet on Thursday evenings during terms and there are often weekend activities that take them all over the place. Learn or get better at kayaking, sailing, rowing, camping, tramping.
We respect that these are busy years at school and we try to help our young people learn work-life balance.
I look forward to answering your questions or welcoming you along to try us out.

Nga mihi nui, Bridget
Group Leader / Venturer Leader
Tuakau Districts Sea Scouts
09 2328250 / 022 6011615

Dates ahead:
26 Feb - Kayak Leader Certificate - Leaders & Vents 16+
10-12 Mar - Northland Regatta - Scouts & Venturers
26 Mar - Sailing training day - Scouts & Vents
7-10 Apr - Auckland Regatta - Scouts & Venturers
11-15 Apr - ATLAS - Scouts - LOOK OUT FOR REGISTRATIONS
21-23 Apr - Camp @ Waikaretu - Cubs
30 Dec-7 Jan - Jamboree - Scouts (11-15yrs on 30 Dec)

Free Junior Chess Coaching Days

Counties Chess Club is hosting 5 FREE open Junior Chess Coaching Days for all levels of player
Free days start this Saturday the 11th February and will continue on the 25th February, the 11th March, and 1st and 15th April to be held at the Counties Chess Club rooms at the Mauku Victory Hall at 430 Union Road Mauku ,they all start at 10am and finish at 12pm (midday) these are opportunities to learn how to play or improve anyone’s Chess ability.
This invitation also means that if anyone just wants to come and checkout our setup, they are more than Welcome to do so. Tea, coffee and biscuits provided.
We look forward to introducing or improving the great game of Chess to anyone that is keen to learn.
Regards
Ron Lanning
President Counties Chess Club
ron-lanning@xtra.co.nz
Mobile 0272128232
Our Club website is www.pukekohechess.co.nz.
Our Facebook Group Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/1081781205362596/
Tuesday & Thursday @ 7pm at Tuakau Town Hall - just a gold coin donation!
Mary Poppins Jr
14 Apr – 22 Apr 2023
Bert, a jack-of-all-trades, invites us into the dysfunctional home of the Banks family. Jane and Michael, the young Banks children, have sent yet another nanny packing.
Then the magical Mary Poppins flies in on the wind, bringing with her a combination of whimsy, magic, and disciplined common sense to the children’s lives. Together, they go on magical adventures! Mary Poppins’ transformational influence does not stop with the children — eventually, she teaches the grown-ups, as well, to open up and realize that “anything can happen if you let it”.
Tickets available at trybooking.com from 17 March.
59th Waimai Bush Sports
Easter Monday April 10th 2023
Held in Reeves' paddock, Waimai Valley Road, Te Akau. 9.30am is warm up time.
Come to the tent to fill in your entry form and the Entry fee is a donation.
Food for sale on the day is a sausage sizzle
Spectators – please bring along some gold coins as we are running a collection for the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter!
Strictly NO DOGS!
This is a fun, true country equestrian event, with a mixture of games and jumping events covering all age levels (from those little ones who can sit on a pony to the oldies who can still stay on!). No posh gears needed – just a riding helmet and riding boots! We appreciate help at pack up time 😊.
For further information contact: Kate Babington 07 8254590 or Sue Easther 07 8254433.

KIDS OFF THE COUCH OBSTACLE COURSE – NOT A RACE : BIGGER AND BETTER

Because of Covid we have not run this event for 3 years we would like you to show your interest by emailing me asap on bob16b@xtra.co.nz or txt me on 021 179 7245 with the number of entries as I need time to arrange sponsors. It will be on a Sunday mid to late April We require at least 100 entries to make the event viable.
Once again Presented by the Tuakau Lions Club Location : Tuakau Pony Club, River Rd., Tuakau ( Behind the Tuakau Sea Scouts Building ) THIS IS A FREE EVENT and is restricted to entries from within the perimeter of Tuakau, Harrisville, Pukekawa, Glen Murray, Onewhero, Wairamarama, Port Waikato and TeKohanga. All entries receive a Gold medal, a mini bar of chocolate and a 600ml bottle of water on completion. The 8 to 11 year olds run a shorter course as previous years and the 12 to 15 girls run a slightly longer course and the 12 to 15 year olds boys a longer and more challenging course, all have extra “new novelty fun obstacles” We use the Pony Club Cross Country jumps and there a more new exciting obstacles we construct on the day. All obstacle are well within the ability of the kids, there are no dangerous obstacles, although we do have a “St John’s Ambulance Personnel” available on site . Foot wear : Sneakers or similar must be worn. For the competitors there is also many prizes from Burger King, McDonalds and Cinema 3 vouchers
For safety reasons we require parent assistance as stewards on each obstacle

Dandelions and Dragonflies Childcare

and Early Learning Centre

We provide:
  • High teacher to child ratios
  • All meals, nappies, wipes
  • Free play and structure
  • Preparation for school programme
  • Individual Learning portfolios
  • Primary caregivers for infants
  • Support for children with allergies
  • Participation in school activities like Ag Day
  • A recently renovated fresh and homely environment
  • A very large outdoor space to explore
  • Extended operating hours of Mon-Fri 7:30am-5:30pm
  • Care from 3 months to 5 years
The Centre was initially operating on a standard Probationary Licence as a newly re-opened Centre, but in November 2022 easily passed its Ministry of Education Full Licencing Review. Enrolments have continued to grow steadily and the Centre is now fully staffed and bustling.

To find out more or to arrange a Centre Visit, please contact:

Dandelions and Dragonflies
Centre Manager, Kerryn Smith
(09)242-9100
info@dandelionsanddragronflies.co.nz
www.dandelionsanddragonflies.co.nz
www.facebook.com/DandelionsAndDragonfliesOnewhero

Canteen

Register and pay online for your student's lunch: www.lunchorders.co.nz

Download The Onewhero Area School App