Welcome to Kenzie Muir who started school and Kiyahn Singh who has transferred to the Otatara area.
We hope you and your whānau enjoy being part of our learning community.

Join us this World Restart a Heart Day on 16 October 2025, a day to promote CPR awareness. It only takes two hands to save a life!

We are inviting all tamariki to learn basic CPR skills by getting hands-on practice with a favourite teddy or cushion and then celebrating with a Teddy Bear's Picnic at lunchtime where we invite whānau to bring their teddy and lunch along as well at 1:15pm - 1:30pm.

Building children's awareness of the actions to take in a cardiac arrest saves lives, through practice and sharing their learning with whānau.

Tamariki will need to bring a teddy bear or cushion to school to practice CPR and we welcome whānau to join us for a teddy bear's picnic at 1:15pm - 1:30pm on the field.

On Monday (juniors) and Tuesday (seniors) next week, all classes will be involved in a day of creative learning with Lego House of Bricks teachers.  
We are extremely appreciative of the Otatara Parent Group for their support with sharing the cost of these 2 days for our students and look forward to showing some of our creative learning in next week's newsletter.

At the end of last term we had a celebrating colour mufti day to raise money for our Chatbus Counselling service.  As you can see in the images below our kura was awash with colour.
Thank you for your generosity and support of this mufti day which raised $437.60 to support the ongoing costs associated with providing Chatbus Counselling to schools.

We’re inviting all students for a wonder-filled evening where creativity takes centre stage!
Whether your child dreams of cozy PJ adventures, wild fantasy worlds, or mysterious tales, this is their night to shine and celebrate at our last disco for the year.

Friday 17 October – Otatara Community Hall
Junior Disco: 6.00 pm – 6.45 pm
Senior Disco: 7.00 pm - 8.00 pm

Entry Fee: Canned food or non-perishable item for donation
Polaroid Photos: $2, cash on the night

Disco Packs: $5 Pre-order via MyKindo to secure your pack or cash on the night (while stocks last)

Spot Prizes: Disco attendees getting into the spirit of the night might claim one of three spot prizes (per disco). We’re looking for our non-stop dancers, creative costumes, and others who are spotted with all-around good vibes!

Dress Up Theme: Come in your PJs, dress up as your favourite dream character, or let your imagination run wild. Dragons, superheroes, or onesies - whether it is magical or mysterious, all interpretations are welcome!

Parent help: Events like these only happen with parent support. If you're able to help on the night or have suitable items to donate (spot prizes, decorations, disco pack items), please text Holly - 027 954 1021

Our Year 5/6 leadership system is made up of 3 levels based on our school’s graduate profile.

Students write a letter outlining the service they are providing, the responsibilities they have and how they are managing themselves in relation to our school values of ako, manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and kaitiakitanga.  
 

Congratulations to our latest Level 1 leaders Daisy Branks and Dara Sales.

 Ako - “Te manu e kai ana i te miro, nōna te ngahere; te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga nōna te ao.”
 The person who takes on learning can do anything they choose

Mereana Chalmers, Emma Beardsmore, Viliame Tagicakibau, Greia O'Sullivan, Max Affleck, Ollie Shuttleworth

Manaakitanga - “He aroha whakatō, he aroha ka puta mai”
If kindness is shown, then kindness you shall receive
Xavier Price, Charlotte Rain

 

Whanaungatanga - “E hara taku toa i te takatahi engari he toa takitini”
Our biggest strength is not as individuals but as a group
Ruby Parsons, Amelia Febery

 
 

Friday 10 October - Junior School Assembly 2.10pm
Friday 17 October - Whole School Assembly 2.00pm
Friday 24 October - Junior School Assembly 2.10pm
Friday 31 October - Whole School Assembly 2.00pm

To register your child/ren for sport in Term 4, click on the links below for further information. Please note registration closing dates, late entries will not be accepted. All payments are to be made to the Otatara School bank account: 030855 0560871 000.

After registrations have closed and teams have been organised, team information will be emailed out to parents/caregivers.

Thursday 30th October

Queens Park Golf Club

8.45am - 3pm

Cost - $5

Link to register - https://forms.gle/jNnaDcuYrgf8fAu16

Wednesday 5th November - Wednesday 10th December

4pm - 5pm

Queens Park Cricket Club

Cost - $25

Link to register - https://forms.gle/tm75k5dCEmMtPK6y7

                          Morning                                Afternoon

Monday         Tessa Thomas               Deidre Murphy
Tuesday         Emma/Hamish Lindsay     Emma/Hamish Lindsay          
Wednesday  Jeremy Holmes                Deidre Murphy
Thursday      Carla Werder                   Carla Werder
Friday             Oliver Mortensen          Oliver Mortensen   

 

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.