Welcome to Corban Kilby, Ruby Parsons, Hugo Campbell, Hudson Kent, Joey McLean and Heidi Dawson who started in our new entrant class this term, also to Keon Whiteman who has transferred to our school. We hope you and your whānau enjoy being part of our learning community.

Across our kura we are at different stages of our te reo Māori journey.  Last term each class took part in regular Wai Ako lessons. We are excited to continue on this journey this term and share our learning with you each fortnight. Here is a recap of some of the kupu we have learned so far. 
Have a go with your tamariki at home.
 
Ata mārie- Good Morning
Ahi ahi mārie- Good Afternoon
Pō mārie- Good night
Tēnā koe- Hello ( to one person)
Tēnā kōrua- Hello (to two people)
Tēnā koutou- Hello (to three or more)
Mā te wā- See you later
Haere rā- Goodbye to someone leaving
E noho rā- Goodbye to someone staying
Ko wai tō ingoa?- What is your name?
Ko _ _ _ _ taku ingoa- My name is _ _ _ _
Kei hea tō kāinga?- Where is your home ?
Kei ____ taku kāinga- My home is at _ _ _ _

A big thank you to Progressive Engineering for their sponsorship of our school safety vests over the last 2 years.  We really appreciate your contribution as the safety vests increase the visibility of our students not only as they are out and about and we do like to get out and about with our learning, but also on their way to and from school.

Thanks also to Creation Signs for their ongoing sponsorship of our roadside sign - this overview summarises the key events for the term and provides a little insight into the happenings at school for the wider community.

We are now offering Healthy Munch lunches for purchase every day -  https://schools.healthymunch.co.nz 
The menu changes each week.  Orders are made online - cut-off date for ordering is Sunday and meals cost $6-50.
The menu on the website lists all the ingredients and allergen information, please note students will need to bring their own cutlery to eat these. 
Once the order is placed online the website takes you to the payment page.
We had had really positive feedback from students that have had them and they look delicious!
Subway will still be available on a Friday.

We have been lucky to receive from Rotary 40 tickets to the Circus Quirkus Show.  These have been given out to children showing our school values of Manaakitanga, Kaitiakitanga, Ako and Whanaungatanga.  If your child brought some tickets home and you cannot use them, please send them back to school so that they can be redistributed.  You can find out further details about the show here:  https://circusquirkus.com/index.html

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

Whanaungatanga - “E hara taku toa i te takatahi engari he toa takitii”
Our biggest strength is not as individuals but as a group

Kaitiakitanga | Manaaki whenua, manaaki tangata, haere whakamua
Care for the land, care for the people, go forward

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 Eddie Hewett, Oliver McGee, Ari Coradine, Olivia Turner and Flynn Penniall and to Madeline Tiriaere and Jonty McCallum who have now both achieved Level 2. 

To register your child/ren for sport in Term 2, 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.

Sunday 19th May - Splash Palace

This event is for competitive swimmers. 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.  The team will also require a manager if you would like to take on the job please let me know.  If you are not registered with a swim club please email the above address with your child’s entry information. 

Tuesday 14th May - Waihopai School

Sunday 19th May -  Fosbender Park

Cost $10

For more information about this event click on the link below.

If you would like to enter your child please email sport@otatara.school.nz

Southland Orienteering has a Training Event on Sun 5th May - perfect for Schools Champs entrants.

Where: Donovan Park (meet at Waikiwi Rugby Clubrooms car park)

When: Sun 5th May, 10.30am training, then 2 courses to follow from 11.30am

Cost: Training is free but maps for the courses are $5

RSVP: Students to email southlandorienteeringclub@gmail.com if they are coming to training, to give an idea of map numbers

The Employer Responsibility policy and related procedures is up for review in our Schooldocs site.  The purpose of this review process is to ensure our policy and procedures align with legislative requirements and reflect our school practices and/or processes.
Please feel free to provide feedback as a part of this current Term 2 review cycle.
Visit the website https://otatara.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm
Enter the username (otatara) and password (9879)
Follow the link to the employer responsibility policy in the current review section.
Review the policy. Click the blue 'Start your review' button at the top right-hand corner of the page.
Select the reviewer type.  Enter your name (optional).
Follow the prompts to show that you've read the topic and enter any feedback or comments.
Agree to the privacy statement and click “Submit review”.

Friday 10 May – 2:00pm Whole School Assembly

Friday 17 May - 2:10pm Junior School Assembly

                          Morning                          Afternoon

Monday           Lizzie Stephenson          Sharon Livingstone
Tuesday          Kate Tiriaere                    Kate Tiriaere
Wednesday    Shelly Blackler               Carla Werder
Thursday        Lea Melrose                    Lea Melrose
Friday              Sonja Cowan                  Carla Werder

 

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.