Welcome to Walter Boyle who started school this week. 
We hope you and your whānau enjoy being part of our learning community.

Harper McDowall - 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

 Kobe Nikora - Manaakitanga - “He aroha whakatō, he aroha ka puta mai”
If kindness is shown, then kindness you shall receive

 

Angus Prue and Cyraul Werder  - Kaitiakitanga | Manaaki whenua, manaaki tangata, haere whakamua
Care for the land, care for the people, go forward
 

 

Congratulations to the 57 students who competed at the Kiwi Zone Athletics event at Makarewa School yesterday.
A number of these students qualified in several events so had a busy day:
Competing in 7 events - Ada Naera and Toby Bradshaw
Competing in 6 events - Harper McDowall and Mae Ramsay
Competing in 5 events - Moss Killeen and Vinny Stewart
Competing in 4 events - Ben Holmes, Evy Shunfenthal, Francesca Clark-Macfie, Harper Thompson, Max Affleck, Max Affleck and Waimaarie Williams
Check out next week's newsletter for our results!

Our new school representation jackets look amazing!  A huge thanks to the Otatara Parent Group for purchasing these.

Across the country New Zealand schools have been offered access to a range of different resources to support tamariki's learning in mathematics. As a kura we decided to get our hands on the Numicon resources as we knew these resources would support and enhance our mathematics programmes. Throughout the school we are using the physical resources in our daily programmes so make sure you ask your child about the 'Numicon Shapes'.

Take a look below to see all the different ways these resources are supporting our ākongas' learning.

This week Nicky Young, the Hato Hone St John's facilitator has been working with our senior classes teaching the following modules:
Clued Up Camper - linked to camp and Outdoor Education preparation including identifying potential hazards and things students can do to keep themselves and their peers safe in outdoor environments
Emergency Responder - learning how to respond in an emergency including calling 111, assessing your own safety, knowing how to look for dangers, managing a severe bleed and positioning an unresponsive patient

Leicester had his last day driving our buses this week.  We are so grateful for his humour, communication and work within our community.

Shifted house, changed cellphone number or email address? Has your child's medical condition changed since they enrolled?

Contact Noelene at the office - 2131009 or admin@otatara.school.nz -  to update your child's records.

Orders are now being taken for the Otatara School navy merino jersey.  Jersey's cost $90 each and come in sizes 5/6, 7/8, 9/10, and 11/12.  If you require a jersey please place your order by Friday 21st March. 
To order please email deidre@otatara.school.nz with your child's name, size required and the payment details will be forwarded to you. 
Delivery of the jerseys will be early in Term 2.

We value the partnership between home and school and are very happy to talk with parents at mutually convenient times. 
We love to hear about the good things but recognise that there are times when you need to share concerns and/or complaints. For your information we have provided the link to our schools process - https://otatara.schooldocs.co.nz/ConcernsandComplaintsProcess.pdf
 

To register your child/ren for sport, 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 3rd April - 12th June

Cost - To be confirmed

Link to register - https://forms.gle/VkARSeqjehFHhvAR8

Registrations close Friday 14th March 9am

Term 2 - 1st May - 26th June

Term 3 - 17th July - 18th September

Cost - For both terms, to be confirmed

Link to register - https://forms.gle/PghdTZqpo6xtvEho6

Registrations close Friday 4th April 9am

Southland School Swimming Championships
Sunday 6th April - Splash Palace

Cost - $8 per event entered

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.  If you are not registered with a swim club please email the above email address with your child’s entry information. 

The team will require a manager, if you would like to take on the job please let me know on the sports@otatara.school.nz email.  

Further information

Friday 14 March - No Junior School Assembly

Friday 21 March - No Whole School Assembly
 
Friday 28 March - Junior School Assembly - 2.10pm

We hope you can join us to celebrate our learning.

                          Morning                                Afternoon

Monday          Tessa Thomas                   Deidre Murphy    
Tuesday          Tracey McDowall             Tracey McDowall
Wednesday    Mel Lindsay                      Mel Lindsay
Thursday        Tracey McDowall             Tracey McDowall
Friday              Sharon Livingstone          Mel Lindsay

 

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.