Together We Grow – Ka Tupu Kotāhi ai Tātou- Week 4
Kia ora OVS whanau and caregivers,
Hot off the press is Budget 2025 and within it, a much needed boost to vote education. As educators we have long been lobbying for increased support for early years learning support and it would seem there is a significant increase in this area. I can only hope it equates to more ‘hands on’ support at the chalk face! However, budgets are always bittersweet and it is with sorrow that we see the Government axe the Kahui Ako collaborative schools initiative. OVS staff and students have benefitted hugely from this initiative, and in my opinion it will be a significant loss to our educational landscape. As fo rthe rest , as they say “the devil is in the detail ” and we will be watching as more operational information comes to hand.
Literacy – How to help at home ‘Have a go’
4 new ideas for whanau to try at home to help students with their writing and reading. Check out the ideas below and try one you fancy!
- Help me see that words can be organised in different ways on a page by helping me to read bus timetables, maps and recipes.
- Talk to me about interesting new words and what they mean. Have turns with me to find a new word to discuss each day.
- Help me to write for different purposes – for example, ask me to write a shopping list, a menu for a special dinner, or thank you messages.
- Talk to me about the books I am reading and the authors I like. It would be great if you could take me to join the local library to find more books by the authors I like.
A huge thnak you to the whanau that were able to make our Literacy PIE Evening last week. It was a good turn out and we hope you went away more informed about how we are implementing structured literacy at OVS,, If you missed it we have included the video and all the supporting resources for whanau here
Star Spot – Student Learning @ OVS
RURU Awards
Every week at assembly we celebrate super OVS students, and this week’s shout out is to say a huge congratulations to our R.U.R.U award winner from our last two assemblies .
Week 3: Jnr- ZOE Snr – CAELEN Week 4: Jnr – Sasha Snr – Nolan
New Student Shout Out!
A very warm OVS welcome and a shout out to our new students over the past 2 weeks.
Welcome Shardn, Kupe, Kiannah and Fei.
Class Attendance: New ‘Ruru Rockstar’ Award
Each week at assembly we are acknowledging the class with the best attendance for the week…and they win the new ‘Ruru Rockstar’ Award.
This weeks winner is (drum roll please) …Room 3 !
Ōtaika Kapa Haka Festival
Our kapa haka festival is approaching quickly so please keep Thursday 5th June free. It will run on much the same format as last year from 9.45 to 12pm. Ōtaika is hosting 3 schools, Waiotira, Maungakaramea and Portland. Each school will be sharing a 10-20 minute performance.
Parents and whanau are welcome to attend and the OVS PTA have organised a sausage sizzle, cake stall, Hangi and a Coffee Cart.
9:15 – 9.45 Assemble /Gather
9.45 – 10:00 Powhiri/Mihi Whakatau – Official opening
10:00 – 10:15 Portland Primary
10.15 – 10:30 Maungakaramea School
10.30 – 11.00 MTEA
11:15 – 11:30 Waiotira Primary
11:30 – 11.40 Otaika Valley School
11.40 – 12.00 Presentations, karakia whakamutunga
Our OVS PTA will have their world famous sausage sizzle, drinks and home baking available to purchase.
Note: Cash only
The Coffee Girl will also be there to keep the caffeine levels up.
We are asking families to please bring in some home baking on the day.
We also need helpers on the day, if you can lend a hand please let a committee member know or email pta@otaika.school.nz
So…come along, bring a folding chair and enjoy the performances!
Please note all timings are approximate.
Support our OVS Support Staff – Update
We did it! Over 22,000 signatures were gathered for the open letter that demanded the Government invest in essential school staff, including teacher aides, therapists, science technicians, librarians, kaiārahi i te reo and administrators. This has shifted the Government, and a new verbal offer to the support staff bargaining team is on the table. Thank you to evryong who dressed in green and showed their support. Watch this space!
Our tractor in Action!
Ladies and Gentlemen…..our tractor has entered the playground!
We haven’t named him/her yet but will be running a naming comp soon. The students are having all ball and a big shout out to Mr T for getting it safe, ready towed into position. It will be an OVS icon for many years to come!
Student absences
With the colder mornings and change of season, a lot of our tamariki have been away with gastroenteritis, colds/flu and fevers at the moment. Thank you for keeping your children at home when they aren’t feeling well. Just a reminder to please inform the school office when your child will be absent from school.
Bus Bay – URGENT
Please keep our bus bay free– this is a no parking area. The bus cannot back up safely and we have had some recent close calls.
We appreciate your attention to this issue.
Dates for your diary
WPSSA Yr 5/6 Winter Sports – 28 May
King’s Birthday – SCHOOL CLOSED – 2 June
OVS Kapahaka Festival – 5 June
Morningside Kapahaka Festival – 16 June
Term Dates
| Terms |
Start |
Finish |
| Term 1: |
4 Feb |
11 April |
| Term 2: |
28 April |
27 June |
| Term 3: |
14 July |
19 Sept |
| term 4: |
6 Oct |
16 Dec |
c
. 
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