We welcome Maddie Magennity &  Autumn Scott  who started school in Room 12 this week.
We hope you enjoy being part of our learning community.

Mrs Scott and her class along with a lunchtime gardening group look after our school garden.
It is a busy time for them, recently having our garden judged by the Invercargill Sunrise Rotary Club coupled with their harvesting.

Please take care when entering and exiting the Drop Off Zone and Community Centre and adhere to the signage to ensure that our community is safe.  This includes moving forward when dropping students off in the Drop Off Zone, driving one way through the car park from west to east, only parking in designated spots and not parking in the bus stops. We had a near miss this week when a child was encouraged to cross the road not at the monitored crossing, but in front of the line of cars entering the drop off zone at the end of the day.  Please use the crossing as this is the safest way to cross Dunns Road due to the greater visibility and the stopping of the traffic.  Please also encourage your children to wear their safety vests so that they can be seen regardless of the season.
It is important that we work together and model road safety as adults because children watch and learn from our example.  Thank you to those who use the safety measures in place.

We have had such fun this week with a visit from a new police puppy that we are helping to name.
On Tuesday the puppy and his handler, Constable Parsons, visited all classrooms so students could get to know the dog a little before selecting which of the two names they think he should have.  Voting then happened on Wednesday with Mānuka set up as the polling booth,  We look forward to hearing what his name will be once the results are counted.

Navigating the digital world can be tricky.  Netsafe  offer a range of materials and webinars for whānau to use.

Hector'sWorld - an online safety programme designed to help children learn about safe and responsible online behaviour.

Little Black Book of Scams - A booklet that includes some of the most common scams targeting New Zealanders, filled with tips and tricks on how to protect yourself and what to do if you get scammed.

Upcoming webinars

If you are having an early spring clean and have some Lego that you no longer need or want we would love to help you out and take it off your hands!  
Our students love using Lego as creative responses to their learning as well as just having a good play at wet break times.  
Any questions or wonderings please see Carla or email her on carla@otatara.school.nz

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 first Level 1 leader for 2026 - Lara Hindley

Manaakitanga - He aroha whakatō, he aroha ka puta mai
If kindness is shown, then kindness you shall receive
Max Tuliau

 

Whanaungatanga - E hara taku toa i te takatahi engari he toa takitini
Our biggest strength is not as individuals but as a group
Sydney Gamble
 

Friday 27 February - Junior School Assembly - 2.10pm
Friday 6 March - Whole School Assembly - 2pm
Friday 13 March - Junior School Assembly - 2.10pm
Friday 20 March - Whole School Assembly - 2pm
Friday 27 March - Junior School Assembly - 2.10pm 

Monday 2 March - Friday 6 March
                       Morning                              Afternoon
Monday          Lena Clinckett              Lena Clinckett
Tuesday         Jacqui Walker               Jacqui Walker
Wednesday   Mel Lindsay               Mel Lindsay
Thursday        Roshni Foster            Roshni Foster
Friday              Tracey McDowall        Tracey McDowall

Sunday 29th March - Splash Palace

Cost - $8 per event entered

The meet is open to any swimmer who can competently swim the required distance and is representing their Southland school. Click on the link below for information/registration details. Once you have registered your child with fastlane could you please email: sport@otatara.school.nz with your child's name and events entered, to assist with the relay team entry.  If you are not registered with a swim club please email the above email address with your child’s entry information. The team will also require a manager if you are able to assist with this please let me know. 

Further Information: https://www.swimsouthland.org.nz/asset/downloadasset?id=89705a1f-a08c-4a5b-b740-f9441922d818

Saturday 7th March

Colac Bay

Cost: $20 per division

Message sport@otatara.school.nz for further information