O.I.S Newsletter - 13 March 2026
Tēnā koutou katoa, Malo e lelei, Talofa lava, Bula vinaka
The first two groups of Year 8 students have returned from camp and thoroughly enjoyed their experience. A sincere thank you to everyone who supported our students in attending the camp. This experience is a lifetime memory, and it’s wonderful to hear the stories and see the smiles on the students' faces already.
Congratulations to all our North Otago swimmers who competed for OIS on Wednesday; we were so proud of your efforts. Thank you for being great ambassadors for our school.
Today we had 154 students at a Rippa Rugby Tournament, and on Sunday we have a number of students in a Chess tournament at WBHS. It is wonderful that our students have these opportunities. Thank you to our staff and parents who support these events.
Board Update
Following our last board meeting, Ben Stratford resigned from his role as Board Chair. A huge thank you to Ben for your commitment, support, and leadership throughout your time at O.I.S. Your dedication to the school has been invaluable, and we appreciate the support under your guidance. Sahra Swarts is stepping into this role. We look forward to working with her.
Social Media Reminder
Many of our students use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat, most of which have an age restriction of 13 and up. As adults, we have a responsibility to set boundaries and educate our children about how to navigate the internet and social media platforms.
It is up to us to protect our children and model appropriate use of social media and digital devices. Our children look to us for guidance in these areas.
If your child has access to a social media platform, interacts with others when gaming, or goes online, here are some key ideas to discuss:
Keep private information private. Do not share passwords, even with close friends.
Be respectful and expect respect. Respect for oneself and others is crucial in all relationships, including online interactions.
Use respectful language and words.
Avoid being a "keyboard warrior." If you wouldn't say something face-to-face, don't say it online. Consider what your digital footprint says about you.
Be cautious about "friending" and talking to people online. Not everyone online is genuine or has your child's best interests at heart.
We also strongly discourage students from joining large group chats that involve more than five students. We know our students are active online, and I believe the best approach is to educate them while ensuring that we, as parents, have measures in place to keep our children safe.
While students are not permitted to use social media during school hours, a number of issues arising from online interactions often flow into our classrooms and playground, resulting in staff intervention.
Rebecca Meek
Principal