Principal Message...
Our Purpose: To prepare students to be active participants who will contribute to their community.
Welcome to Term 2!
We are well underway with Term 2 and have already had a busy start. Congratulations to the approximately 240 students who completed the duathlon today! It was fantastic to see such great participation, especially from our competitive group, and a big thank you to the parents who got involved. Special thanks to Sharon and Miss Johnston for organising this successful annual event.
Winter sports training and games have now begun. We appreciate your efforts in ensuring your child is organised with the correct gear and gets to training and games on time.
At O.I.S., our staff consistently go above and beyond to provide a diverse range of opportunities for your child, and winter sports are a great example of this. We are also very grateful to the parents who have volunteered to manage and coach our teams.
We expect our students to uphold our IDEAL values at all times, and we ask that parents model these values while spectating. While we understand that disagreements with in-game decisions may occur, it is essential to remember that challenging the referee, coach, or players is not appropriate. Our students learn by observing the examples we set, so we must always model fair play and sportsmanship. If you have any concerns or feedback, please direct them to the school office rather than the people involved in the game.
The two years your child spends at Intermediate are a very special and important time in their education. It's an opportunity for them to discover their interests and, just as importantly, to identify areas where they may need extra support, all within a safe and secure environment. OIS offers a wide range of activities to help every child find and pursue their passions. We aim for our young people to achieve a balance between academic success, positive social interactions, and full involvement in sports, cultural activities, and the arts, while making sure they have some fun along the way!
Uniform and Weather
As the weather cools, particularly in the mornings, please ensure that students do not arrive at school before 8:30 am. Thank you for your continued support in making sure your child wears the correct school uniform. Students are allowed to wear a jacket during break times outside the classroom, provided they have their OIS blue jersey or polar fleece underneath. A non-compulsory OIS school jacket is available at the school office. On colder days, students are also permitted to wear long grey dress pants.
ANZAC Day Commemoration
On Saturday, Mrs Sim, along with a group of our students, will represent OIS at an ANZAC Day ceremony. Our prefects will lay a wreath as a mark of our school's respect and remembrance for the soldiers and the immense sacrifice they made for our freedom. A big thank you to Mrs Sim and the prefects for representing our school. Lest we forget.
Attendance
Regular school attendance is vital for both your child's academic achievement and their overall development. Consistent attendance ensures uninterrupted learning, providing students with the best opportunities to expand their knowledge, interact with peers, and engage with teachers. Moreover, regular attendance helps students build strong foundations, develop good habits, and prepare effectively for high school. Prioritising daily school attendance is the most effective way you can support your child's education this term. If you require support with your child's attendance, please contact their class teacher.
School starts at 8:45 am each morning. If your child is sick, you must contact the school office. If your child is going to be late for any reason, they must sign in when they arrive.
PTA Chocolate Fundraiser
Thank you for supporting our PTA's annual fundraiser! Yesterday, students were given a box of Cadbury chocolates. Please refer to the related article in this newsletter for more information.
Survey
We would appreciate your support by giving us feedback on the Oamaru Intermediate School Feedback form. Your input is vital and appreciated. Everyone who completes a form will go in the draw for a $100 New World voucher.
New 30km/h Speed Limits
New variable speed limits of 30km/h are now installed around our local schools. You will notice these changes at the following locations:
Outside Northside New World
Arundel Street, Pembroke Street and Harlech Street.
The main highway outside Waitaki Boys' High School (WBHS)
The variable speed limit will be active when students are travelling to and from school, at the beginning and end of each school day.
When operating, the variable speed limit will appear on a flashing electronic sign. If the sign is not turned on, the normal permanent speed limit applies.
Variable speed limits are legally enforceable.
Have a safe and enjoyable long weekend - Monday is a public holiday for ANZAC Day
Rebecca Meek