Principal's Message...

Our Purpose: To prepare students to be active participants who will contribute to their community.

Tēnā koutou katoa, Malo e lelei, Talofa lava, Bula vinaka

We are in full swing in Term 2. Today, approximately 250 of our students completed the duathlon. Congratulations to everyone who participated, especially to our competitive group. It was awesome to see parents getting involved. Thank you, Sharon and Mrs Johnston, for organising this.

Winter sports training and games have started. Thank you for your support in organising your child with the correct gear and getting them to games and training on time.

At O.I.S. our teachers go above and beyond the core business to ensure that your child has a variety of opportunities. Winter sport is one of them. Thank you to all the parents who have volunteered to manage and coach teams.

With the weather cooling down, especially in the morning, it is important that students do not arrive at school before 8:30 am. Thank you for your support in ensuring your child wears the correct school uniform. Your child is permitted to wear a jacket outside during break times as long as they have an OIS blue jersey or polar fleece underneath. We do have a school jacket available at the school office; however, this is not compulsory. Students are also allowed to wear long grey dress pants on cold days.

I believe the two years that your child will spend at Intermediate are very special times in a child’s life and education. It is a time for them to discover what they enjoy and, perhaps more importantly, what they may need more support with, in a safe and secure environment. At OIS, we provide a wide range of activities so that every child can find and pursue their passions. We want our young people to experience a balance between academic success, positive social interactions, and full participation in sports, cultural activities, and the arts. We also want them to have a bit of fun along the way!  

ANZAC Day

Last Friday, Mrs Sim along with a group of students attended the ANZAC Day ceremony on behalf of our school. Quinn Dickson and Tilly Harnett laid a wreath to show that our school remembers our soldiers and recognises the incredible sacrifice they made to go and fight for our freedom.

A big thank you to Mrs Sim, Tilly Harnett, Quinn Dickson, Dristan Ala, Haylee Serong, Scarlett O'Brien, Isla Howie and Risha Lal for representing OIS -

Lest we forget

Attendance

Regular school attendance is crucial for both academic success and overall development. Consistent attendance ensures an uninterrupted flow of learning, which provides students with new opportunities to expand their knowledge, engage with peers, and interact with teachers. Furthermore, regular presence helps students build strong foundations, develop good habits, and prepare effectively for high school. As parents, the most effective way to support your child's education is by ensuring they attend school every day. We urge you to prioritise school attendance.

If you require any support with getting your child to school, please don't hesitate to contact their teacher. Our Public Health Nurse, Youthline Counsellor, Truancy Officer, and Learning Support Coordinators are all available and eager to support our students in attending school regularly.

If your child is sick, it is essential to contact the school office before 9am. If your child is late for any reason, they must sign in when they arrive. Just a reminder that school starts at 8:45 am each morning

Chocolates

Thank you for supporting our PTA's annual fundraiser! Yesterday, each child was given a box of Whittaker's chocolates. You can find more information in the related article in our newsletter.

Winter sport

It's wonderful to see so many of our students participating in team winter sports. We extend a huge thank you to the parents who are managing and supporting our teams. At OIS, our students are expected to uphold the IDEAL values at all times, and we also ask our parents to exemplify these values while spectating. While we may not always agree with every decision made during a game, it's important to remember that it is not our place to dispute them. Our students learn by example, and we must consistently model fair play and sportsmanship.

Have a great weekend!

Rebecca Meek

Principal