Welcome to Tommy Russell who started in our new entrant class this week. We hope you and your whānau enjoy being part of our learning community.

Last week 12 students represented our school at a chess tournament at Waihopai School. A big thank you to the parents who supported this event - Toni Doyle, Praneeta Ramsay and Alister Pearce.  
We really appreciate parental support as this enables our students to participate in a wide range of events and activities.

As part of our health and safety processes we carry out regular evacuations.  If you are onsite during an evacuation please follow the voice prompt that will sound inside all buildings asking you to evacuate the building using the nearest exit.  Assemble with the school on the field to the north of Block A where we check off rolls and our visitor register to ensure  everyone has evacuated safely.

This week is road safety week and it is disappointing that we need to make this posting about being safe, respectful and considerate around our school.  
If you are parking on the Ziffs side of Dunns Road between the crossing and Vyner Road please take extra care and give way to pedestrians.
When using the drop off zone please pull as far forward as possible.  This not only enables other drivers to use this space but also reduces a queue forming on Dunns Road.  

School website  - this is our primary source of school information.  From here you can notify an absence, contact a staff member via email, see upcoming events and access the newsletters.  
Caregiver app - this year we have also made available the caregiver app from our student management system etap.  This allows you access to your child/ren's enrolment information, attendance data as well as another way to report an absence or access the newsletter plus some other features.  This app is not the most user friendly to get set up so if you would like to explore this please let Noelene (admin@otatara.school.nz) or Sharon (principal@otatara.school.nz) know.
ClassDojo - teachers use this for class communication to celebrate group or individual student learning and share notices etc for the class.  School events may be publicised through this as well.
Skool Loop - We continue to use this app for notices, permission forms, another way to report an absence or contact the school.  This app also links to our weekly newsletter.  Skool loop has aligned with Zero Data to provide free access to their app meaning accessing the newsletter etc through Skool Loop will not use any of your phone's data.  See the images below for how to do this.

Please note there is no postponement date. Senior races will go ahead regardless of the weather. 

Juniors (chase the rabbit)
12:00pm    Room 11/12
12:05pm    Room 1
12.10pm    Room 3
12.15pm    Room 4
12.20pm    Room 5

Junior races are held on the school field and will be weather dependent. All junior students need to run in ‘sensible’ footwear.  Please send along a change of clothes, especially shoes and socks.

Seniors (6-10 winning runners through to Zones excl 8 year olds)
1.30pm        9 year old girls (incl 8 year old girls from year 4)
1.40pm        9 year old boys (incl 8 year old boys from year 4)
1.50pm        10 year old girls
2.00pm        10 year old boys
2.10pm        11 year old girls
2.20pm        11 year old boys
 
All senior students must wear shoes. A change of clothes may be required for after the race and a warm jacket is advisable to wear whilst watching other races. Senior students race in age groups according to the age they will be on the 31st of December 2024. 

The Senior Syndicate need parent helpers on the day who are willing to act as course marshals around the Otatara Scenic Reserve. Course Marshals are given a place to stand to ensure children are safe and running the correct course. If you are able to help please email gillian@otatara.school.nz

Spectators are welcome to come and support on the day. Please note that race times are approximate and may vary slightly. 

Wai Ako- Te Reo Māori Kupu
Across our kura we are at different stages of our te reo Māori journey. Here is some new learning that our tamariki have been taking part in.  You might like to have a go with your tamariki at home.
Lesson ono
Ko te aha tēnei rā? What day is today?
Ko te ……...………….. tēnei rā Today is.....
Ngā rā o te wiki - The days of the week
Rāhina - Monday
Rātū - Tuesday
Rāapa - Wednesday
Rāpare - Thursday
Rāmere - Friday
Rāhoroi - Saturday
Rātapu - Sunday

Friday 24 May – 2:00pm Whole School Assembly

Friday 31 May No Assembly - Teacher Only Day

                          Morning                          Afternoon

Monday           Deidre Murphy               Deidre Murphy
Tuesday          Pip McIlwrick                  Pip McIlwrick
Wednesday    Sarah Hamilton              Sarah Hamilton
Thursday        Mandy Oosterbroek      Mandy Oosterbroek
Friday                                 Teacher Only Day

 

Parent helpers please be at school by 8.20am for the morning patrol and 2.40pm for the afternoon patrol. If for some reason you are unavailable on your rostered day please swap with another parent.