 | Newsletter No. 05ONEWHERO AREA SCHOOL - 5th May 2023 |
|
| | | | Principal's Message: Welcome back to term 2. Welcome to all our new students and whaanau, we hope you enjoy your journey through our school.
|
This term started with a Teacher Only Day that took place at Pukekohe Race course. Approximately 600 teachers from our area all joined together to learn about the curriculum refresh and the changes we will be making in education over the next couple of years. The main difference is the removal of the curriculum levels which have been replaced with 5 phases or progress check points across Years 1-13. Another difference is the introduction of understand, know, do; which moves teaching away from students knowing information to students being able to apply and create new knowledge. The new curriculum will see a change to the way we report to whaanau, however our work with seesaw in the juniors has put us in a good position to implement these changes.
|
Our Head students Joe and Cordelia represented the school at our local ANZAC day celebration. It is always a privilege for our students to speak at these events. The poem Joe and Cordelia read was well received by the crowd. We also had students as part of the sea scouts and part of the haka with the Tuakau Youth Centre.
|
We continue to see disruption due to strike action in this term. You may have seen many of the articles in the media that share the issues and the conditions educators are seeking to improve. We do our best to get information to you quickly, but please be aware we only get 3 days notice from the unions when action is occurring. The best way to stay up to date is following the school facebook page and/or the school app. Please ensure the notifications are turned on. Below are the latest actions taking place this term.
|
This term is the first of our winter terms and we generally see an increase in non uniform items being worn to school. Hoodies are not part of our school uniform and students should not wear them to school. Students can wear long sleeved white tops under the white shirts and navy blue or black under the blue polos. We also have a school jacket and polar fleece to help keep students warm. If for any reason the uniform is unable to be worn e.g. it is wet, please send a note so that a uniform pass can be issued.
|
Our international student coordinator has been working hard to reestablish our international students program this year. Next term we will start to see groups of students coming to our school. The relationships we build with these groups provide our students with new experiences and understandings of other cultures. The learning that happens for all those involved is valuable. The revenue the school gains from these visits also enables the school to provide resources that we are unable to get with our other funding. This week I met with the principal of a Korean school that is looking to bring students to us, and he commented on how friendly our students were. We are excited to have these opportunities back in our school.
|
Lastly it is unfortunate we say goodbye to Mrs Kennedy-Smith who heads off to work with the RTLB. Mrs Sheryl Wright will be joining us in the English department at the end of the term. Mr Clifford Slough is also joining us this term as the new technology teacher. We also welcomed Ngaire Law to our Teacher Aide team this term. Ngaire has come from Tuakau College and has extensive knowledge and experience in supporting student learning.
|
| | Strike Action In Term 2, Years 9-13: | | Week 2 : Thursday 4th May - Year 11 |
| Week 3 : Tuesday 9th May - Year 12, Thursday 11th May - Year 13 |
| Week 4 : Tuesday 16th May - Year 9, Wednesday 17th May - Year 10 |
| Week 5 : Thursday 25th May - Year 11 |
| Week 6 : Tuesday 30th May - Year 13, Thursday 1st June - Year 12 |
| Week 7 : Tuesday 6th June - Year 10, Thursday 8th June - Year 9 |
| | Message from the Board: We hope you have all enjoyed a lovely break and are gearing up for a fun and busy term ahead.
|
At our April Board meeting, we listened to a presentation from Mr Digby Cameron (Head of Department for Science) about the sabbatical he undertook in term 4 of 2022. His sabbatical focused on his “Maatauranga Maaori Journey”. In completing his sabbatical, Mr Cameron hoped to expand his knowledge of Maatauranga Maaori, discover contexts and examples to include in his departmental courses and units and strengthen connections that will lead to a local supportive community of teachers.
|
| Mr Cameron’s sabbatical is an important study for our school, as it will help our school develop the year 11 NCEA standards, that are being introduced in 2024, as they will include Maatauranga Maaori examples and contexts. Mr Cameron’s sabbatical also highlighted the fabulous Puuhoro program we have here at Onewhero Area School. It is a program designed to encourage Maaori students to take STEMM subjects to L3 and encourage our students to think about careers involving science or health. |
We would like to thank Mr Cameron for presenting to us and providing insight into his sabbatical.
|
At our meeting we also discussed our current mobile phone policy. Some of you may have seen in the media recently that a number of schools here in New Zealand and also in Australia, are changing their policies to ban the use of mobile phones during school hours. We thought it was a timely reminder to review our policy and ensure we were comfortable with the rules around mobile phone use.
|
After a lengthy discussion, the Board has decided to keep our current mobile phone policy in place with no changes at this stage. You are more than welcome to review the policy as well. Here is the link to access school policies: https://onewhero.school.nz/oas-policies/
|
We would also like to thank the community for your continued support with the strike actions. We understand that it can be unsettling and disruptive for our students. We hope that the parties can reach an agreement soon.
|
|
|
| | 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.
|
| |
|
| Tooth Group DentalAt OAS Week 1 & 2 in Term 2 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.
|
| Radiographs (if required) |
| Preventative treatment such as fluoride application and fissure sealants |
| 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.
|
Thank you again on behalf of our team,
Tooth Group Dental |
|
|
| | INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 2023| 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:
|
|
|
| | New Uniform Available at School Office from Old Stock| 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 white boys shirt size 12 x 2 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 |
|
|
| | | | | Rural & Port Waikato Community Board Rural and Port Waikato Community Board, would like to notify the public that our next meeting will be held @ Glen Murray Hall, Thurs 11th May 6.30pm. There is a public forum segment within the agenda, you are also welcome to stay and listen to the rest of the meeting. We are all accessible via Facebook pm & have our own FB page Rural and Port Waikato Community Board. If you wish to discuss issues prior to or post meetings NB/ We highly recommend all roading issues/concerns are logged via the WDC service request link & in light of recent weather events issues regarding blocked drains and culverts can also be logged (use link below) Regards Bruce Cameron (Chairperson) & Flee Coker-Grey South Division Rural-Port Waikato Rosemarie Costar & Leah Fry North Division Rural & Port Waikato https://www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz/your-council/council-committees-boards/community-boards-and-committees/rural-port-waikato-community-board---north-and-south
|
| |
|
| Canteen Register and pay online for your student's lunch: www.lunchorders.co.nz
|
|  |
|
| | | | Download The Onewhero Area School App |
|
| | |
|
