Issue No 5, 11th June 2021 - Owairoa Primary School
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Issue No 5, 11th June 2021
Student Attendance Policy
The Education and Training Act 2020 requires that all children six years old and over must attend school. Once
enrolled, it is compulsory for children to attend school regularly.
Owairoa Primary School encourages students to participate fully in school life. Students are expected to attend school
when required, and to be on time for classes. This policy applies for off-site activities as well, such as EOTC activities.
We monitor the daily attendance of students to:
• ensure their safety both in getting to school, and in accounting for them in an emergency
• identify students with achievement, engagement, or other issues
• meet our legal responsibilities.
Parents and guardians also have legal obligations to ensure their children attend school. The school expects parents
to:
• notify the school if their child is going to be absent by email [absent@owairoa.school.nz]
or via our Skoolbag App, by 8.45 am
• try to arrange appointments etc. outside school hours or in holidays
• work with the school to manage any attendance issues.
Absences are usually unjustified unless the student is too sick to attend school, or has suffered a bereavement.
Sometimes a student might be out of class but should still be marked present, such as when attending a medical
appointment.
Unacceptable levels of absence
Attendance is monitored through our student management system (SMS), and parents are notified of absences and/or
patterns of absences. The school follows up on unacceptable levels of absence (10 half-days per term) and may refer
the case to the Attendance Service.
Leaving school during the day
Students may not leave the school during school hours except by special arrangement – for example, a parent request
(verbal or written) for the student to attend a medical appointment. The student must sign out at the office.
We are currently experiencing a huge request from parents signing out students early, especially on a Friday
afternoon, so that people can get an early start to go to the beach or similar and beat the traffic rush.
This practice is not appropriate and needs to stop. Every minute that you withdraw your child earlier than the official
3pm dismissal time is a minute that you can never make up in their educational journey.
to our Owairoa “family”
• Anna Silveira • Jeremiah Lalahi • Katie Yin
• Jasmine Liu • Connor Collins • Madelyn Willoughby
• Coralie Pruvost • Damien Shi • Yuna Omura
• Emilie Pruvost • Claira Shi • Anjile Delposo-Smith
• Shahrad Shokouhi • Pita Maivalenisau • Dodo Yu
Trees For Survival After a week of heavy rain, 30 enthusiastic Kaitiaki awoke on Thursday 13th May to be greeted by bright blue skies - a simply perfect day to head out to the Ness Valley near Clevedon for their day of planting. As part of the Trees for Survival programme that our Green Gold Enviro school takes part in, it was time to plant the 800 native trees we had been looking after since September 2020. On an annual basis we receive hundreds of seedlings of Flax, Mahoe, Manuka, Karamu and Cabbage Trees. For many weeks the Kaitiaki, who are the caretakers of our environment, had spent two lunchtimes a week moving the little seedlings from their growing trays into much bigger growing bags. The warm summer months had encouraged the seedlings to grow to between 40-60cm, and it was now time to plant them in their countryside setting. The excited group of 30 Senior School students were joined by 8 parents, including two Board of Trustees members, and four members of staff, led by Mrs Babette Maas and Mrs Marjorie Parkes. Following a quick instruction and safety briefing, all were keen to get stuck in. We were very lucky that many of the holes had been pre-prepared by the land owner with an auger drill. In addition, the students were grateful to have proper hard-wearing gloves donated by Palmers Garden Centre in Pakuranga. All were very dedicated to the task, which meant that by late morning we had planted all of the plants. This meant that there was time to explore the property, run and roll around in the high grass and also check on the growth of the trees we had planted 2 years ago. Once we returned from our explorations, a very welcome lunch was served, as well as some delicious chocolate bars as a treat! Early afternoon the group got back on the bus, feeling very satisfied with the job they had completed. Later this year we will receive our next lot of seedlings, and the process will start all over again. Well done Kaitiaki - you did a great job helping with the regeneration of native trees and shrubs. Thank you also to the parents, for making themselves available to join us for the day.
Owairoa’s Kings and Queens of Chess
On Monday
24 May, eight
students
travelled to Point
View School
for the annual
East Auckland
Primary
Interschool
Chess
Championship.
In the lead up to
the tournament,
practise
sessions were
held weekly under the guidance and coaching of chess aficionado Tony Booth. After compiling results from practise
games, 8 students were selected, making up two teams, each consisting of four Year 5 and 6’s.
All players thoroughly enjoyed being able to compete against representatives from other schools and learnt many new
skills.
Team 1 captain Alvise Du Pisanie reflected that “I thought it was amazing and exhilarating because I could compete
against other school teams. I am a much better player than I was before due to this experience.”
Fun with Funds and Chocolate
Our School Management decided to have a Whittaker’s
Chocolate Fundraising to help the school get better
facilities for the students. As Whittaker’s is a wholly New
Zealand owned company, we are proud to be a part of our
nation building by promoting Whittaker’s.
The notice was sent to the parents on 10th May 2021
informing about the program of fundraising, with slips
for orders of chocolate packs to be returned latest by
13th May 2021. The enthusiasm seen in the students
was amazing. Each student got involved in the program
and wanted to order the chocolate packs at the earliest
and by the end of the last day for slips to be returned to
the office, we received a sea of slips requesting to issue
chocolate packs.
For the students, fundraising becomes a real fun-filled By bringing in these types of fundraising programmes,
exercise. The students get deeply involved in it and they it provides a practical training to the children under the
feel a sense of achievement and satisfaction in selling the supervision of parents, of how to manage cash, how to
chocolates to their neighbours, friends and members of convince people, make new friends, as well as bringing
their whanau. a sense of responsibility and feeling of involvement for
a great cause. They also get a good walk around the
neighbourhood with their parents, enjoying quality family
time.
We will be giving away some great prizes to the first
five students for the maximum number of chocolate
packs sold. The prizes are sponsored by The House of
Fundraising and include a Lenevo Tablet, Smart Trackers
and Bluetooth Speakers.
Thanks to our Owairoa Community for getting behind and
supporting this exciting promotion, to help raise valuable
funds for our school and for making it a big success.
Real Life Superheroes Visiting Our School
Our Junior School students were really privileged to be visited over
two consecutive weeks by the firefighters from the Howick Fire Brigade
and what an entertaining visit it was… The firemen turned up in their
spectacular red truck and they brought with them all their safety
equipment.
All the Junior classes have completed the ‘Get Firewise’ unit and have
learned what to do in the event of a fire at home or at school. Our
students were excited to talk about their learning with our special guests.
The firefighters congratulated the students on their knowledge, talked about
the numerous duties they perform (including saving kittens from tall trees)
and demonstrated what it means to get ready for a mission, putting on and
wearing all the safety equipment.
It is hard to describe in words the excitement and the fascination on the
children’s faces when they were invited, at the end of the visit, to climb one by
one through the huge fire truck. By the look on their faces, quite a few of them
decided, then and there, what they are they going to be when they grow up.
We wish to thank once again to the wonderful men and women from the
Howick Fire Brigade for finding all the time to come and teach and inspire our
learners.
Yaseen Saleh – Aotea House Leader
My name is Yaseen Saleh and I am 10 years old. I like music, I love science and I
always try to think outside the box. My focus is school. I like to play football and I like
making people happy and helping where I can.
What I love about Owairoa Primary School is that it’s such a great school. It has lots
of fun activities. It’s a place that you can learn, socialise and have lots of friends. At
Owairoa Primary School there are lots of positive opportunities to be a very good
student, you can be involved in different sport activities, house leader, mediators, wet
day monitors and road patrol.
My favourite memory so far was in Year 4. We were assigned to build a floating
boat using resources provided by our teacher. Our group constructed ours using milk cartons and paper. Once we
completed it we tested it at the pool to see if it floated. Ours won 1st place.
My advice for other students is to always set high standards for yourself and never let friends drag you down. If
someone tries to annoy you, ignore them and walk away.
I am grateful that I got chosen for House Leader, that I have a lot of jobs and that I’m in the best school in New
Zealand. I’m thankful I have good grades and to everyone that helped me on the way. Thank you to everyone at
Owairoa that let me be who I am today.
Olivia Dobson –Takitimu House Leader
My name is Olivia Dobson and I am 10 years old. I enjoy doing gymnastics and I train
for 10 hours a week. I like watching anime and drawing the characters. I also enjoy
spending time with friends and going away on family trips.
I love Owairoa as I have made good friends and I also have good teachers who
encourage and support me in my learning. I enjoy school and take pride in my house
leader and monitor jobs.
Owairoa has offered me many positive opportunities. I really enjoyed learning how to
sail. I’m so pleased I joined the choir, I’m looking forward to the performances. I have
also been given the opportunity to participate in many sporting activities. I enjoyed
representing the school at the Tip Top event, interschool athletics and gymnastics. I
have also really enjoyed studying more about technology and learning how to code.
I think the sailing days are one of my favourite memories. We were taught how to sail, capsize and swim safely. We
were also taught about pulleys and how to tie different types of knots.
My advice to other students would be to try hard, do not give up and embrace every new opportunity you get. I am
grateful for the teachers who have encouraged me especially when I have doubted myself. My maths has really
improved and I feel really confident knowing I’m prepared for intermediate.
I have enjoyed all of my time at Owairoa so far, I hope I have the same great opportunities at Intermediate School next
year.
Blast Off! Pathway to the Future in Space
Owairoa Primary School has hundreds
of budding astronauts after our recent
Simultaneous Storytime. This is an annual event organised by the
Australian Library and Information Association, and supported by
Scholastic, to encourage reading aloud to children.
On Wednesday 19 May at 1pm NZ Time, over one million students in
Australian and New Zealand schools, libraries and preschools were totally
absorbed during a reading of “Give me Some Space!” by Philip Bunting.
This was a truly intergalactic event as NASA Space X Astronaut Shannon
Walker’s reading of the book was beamed into our classrooms from the
International Space Station.
In ISTEAM our learners have loved making all things space including
spacesuits and rockets. They have been investigating, reading, and
writing all about our Earth, the Sun and our Universe and space
exploration in all curriculum areas.
Teachers and students all agreed that this was the best Simultaneous
Storytime ever.
New World Howick Heroes
Supporting Owairoa Superheroes
at New World Howick
New World Howick is running an exciting
community giveback campaign for the month
of June, called ‘Howick Heroes’ and we were
delighted that they selected Owairoa Primary
School as one of three local schools to
support this month.
Every time a customer shops in-store at
New World Howick, they have an
opportunity to decide where funds are
allocated, by placing a token in the box
which they would like to support. At the end
of the month, New World weigh all the
tokens to determine how they will share the
$3,000 prize pool.
So please help support our school by heading
to New World Howick to do your grocery
shopping throughout June, and pop your
token in the ‘Owairoa Superheroes’ box.
Community Of Learning
Some exciting news for our local community – Te Ara
Bucklands Beach Kāhui Ako
We are thrilled to share that we have recently established the Te Ara
Bucklands Beach Kāhui Ako.
A Kāhui Ako is a Community of Learning which involves a number
of local schools working together to support learning pathways and
transitions through the schooling system, and help students achieve their
full potential. Our intent is to function as a collaborative and inclusive
community, powering wellbeing for all students, teachers and whānau.
We will provide a supported agile pathway to grow learner wellbeing by
drawing communities together, developing leadership and sharing expertise.
The following schools are members of Te Ara Bucklands Beach Kāhui Ako:
• Bucklands Beach Primary School
• Macleans Primary School
• Mellons Bay Primary School
• Owairoa Primary School
• Bucklands Beach Intermediate School
• Macleans College
Together, we have approximately 5,600 students.
Leadership
Schools within a Kāhui Ako are resourced to allow time for teachers to work together, drawing on each other’s skills,
knowledge and experience. Kāhui Ako also open up new career opportunities for principals and teachers.
Kelly Slater-Brown (Principal at BBPS) and Diane Parkinson (Principal at BBI) have been selected to co-lead our
Kāhui Ako. Mrs Slater-Brown and Mrs Parkinson will bring their wealth of experience, skills and leadership to build
productive collaboration within the Kāhui Ako. They will play a critical role in helping the group develop and meet its
shared goals.
Shared goals
Each Kāhui Ako identifies shared goals, or achievement challenges, based on the particular needs of its students.
Our goals have been formed using a wide range of data from our schools. They are focussed on growing hauora and
resilience in all students, building whānau and community connections to support positive student transitions between
schools, and improving achievement in writing. Once the Ministry of Education has endorsed them, we will work with
students, parents, whānau, iwi and our community to tackle these goals.
Congratulations to Mrs Slater-Brown and Mrs Parkinson! We look forward to working together to support our students
to achieve their full potential.
For more information about the role of Kāhui Ako,
see the Ministry of Education website,
https://www.education.govt.nz/communities-of-learning/
Leaves
Ombre flame
Waving, twirling, swirling
Roll in the leaves
Autumn
- Ivanka Vorster, Year 2
Shyness
Hazy, shadowy colours of purple, pink, blue and
green blurring and hiding from the spotlight
The faint flavour of blueberry
The bold scent of loneliness lurking behind a corner
An awkward conversation with mumbles and silence between two people
Silence and a quick goodbye shows that the person
doesn’t like socializing or doesn’t have the confidence
Shyness feels like sudden headaches, limbs freezing and a flame of embarrassment
when you muddle your words
- Moon Yap, Year 6
What Makes Me Happy?
Gazing at butterflies fluttering around.
Staring at the waterfalls sparkling in the sun.
Riding my scooter around the whole area.
My friends playing with me when I’m bored or heartbroken.
Petting my adorable kitten with silky fur and clear blue eyes.
Splashing in a water park.
- Olivia Wang, Year 2
What Makes Me Happy?
Biking very fast down a humongous hill.
Reading fabulous facts about the olden days.
Drawing some very cute animals at home.
Swimming in the depths of a glorious blue swimming pool.
Trying new things during my maths lessons.
Writing about fabulous things.
My Mum and Dad telling me hilarious jokes and making me giggle.
- Angus Gilchrist, Year 2
Out of our New World
Once again our local business, Howick New World Supermarket, has shown its generosity to our school with a recent
donation delivered by staff members Alex and Vincent of three huge baskets of goodies for our school.
The baskets included all sorts of useful items that we can use for our school administration and for student learning
opportunities e.g. pens, pencils, wrapping paper, lined refills, balloons, candles, exercise books, plates, medicine
cups etc.
This kind support from New World has been ongoing over the years with lots of donations to our school gala activities
and hot prices on other supplies that we need as a school.
I would like to think that as a school community we could in return for New World, Howicks generosity, support their
business so that we all have a win win situation.
Thank you NEW WORLD, HOWICK
Creating our own Master Pieces
This term our inquiry focus has been Aotearoa: How New
Zealand is Unique.
The Year 1 students have been learning about native
animals through Science, Literacy and Isteam. On
Thursday 20th, Friday 21st and Friday the 28th of May
the Year 1 students travelled to Te Tuhi Art Gallery in
Pakuranga.
The aim of our trip was to provide our students with
opportunity to learn print making techniques while creating
an art piece that visually expressed their ideas on New
Zealand.
The day started with a bus ride to Te Tuhi. Once we arrived, we were greeted by Bree, the lovely art teacher. Bree
took us to the art studio where all the equipment was ready and waiting for us. We popped on our aprons and got
straight to the fun part, painting! We used black paint to cover our transparent sheets. We then used a pencil to sketch
our designs before using our etching tools to create our designs. We placed coloured paper behind our art so that our
designs could be clearly seen.
All the students loved creating their art pieces. A huge thank you to the parents who came along to help us make the
trip an exciting, memorable learning experience for our students.
Feedback from Te Tuhi
I’m so thrilled to hear that positive feedback on behalf of the teachers and students.
I can honestly say it’s been such a pleasure to meet the junior community of Owairoa.
I’ve really enjoyed the past few sessions with all teachers and students. The teaching staff have been highly
enthusiastic, supportive and so personable.
Your juniors are fantastic learners, whos artistic abilities are high and I can see their future in Owairoa is bright!Positive Puberty Plus Another successful programme has been delivered to our Year 5 and 6 students this week. Our school engaged Nest Consultancy to undertake this important programme for us. Thank you to our fine Board of Trustees who approved of the course and funded the programme for the students. The programme includes health and wellbeing puberty education looking at self esteem, body image, media awareness, critical thinking skills and more. The programme is delivered through the lens of the World Health Organisation recognised Hauora approach – a unique kiwi tool focusing on achieving wellness through the balance of all our parts – our body, our mind, our spirituality, our social and physical environment. The programme started with a Parent Information Evening last week and over 100 parents attended to engage with the educators and to understand what topics the programme would cover. These topics included; – Changes are normal in body & mind – understanding Hauora. – Changes happen at different times for different people. – Understanding glands. Naming hormones and changes. – Particular changes in male & female anatomy. Physical, social & emotional. – How to manage changes. – Personal Hygiene, Nutrition, Hydration, Exercise, Sleep. – Body acceptance. – Diversity / feelings / expression of self. – Greater responsibility. Building trust. Emotional Intelligence. – Safe choices for handling changing emotions/feelings. – Techniques for good decision making. Critical thinking skills. – Self Esteem. Individuality. Body Wonderment. – Media influence: ‘what’s real’ . Examples of image tweaking. – Accurate information. Correct words for parts of the body. – Simple diagrams of anatomy. Age appropriate information about the biology of changes occurring at puberty in the reproductive region (production/release of reproductive cell(s), menstruation in girls and erection/ejaculation (wet dream) in boys – Sharing the good things & fears about becoming a grown up. – Look at disposable & washable pads, period undies, cups & tampons (including environmental options). School policy for disposal. (Girls only). – Where to go for answers to questions and or fears: People you trust and have the knowledge. Resources. – An opportunity for questions (we encourage the use of a sealed question box). The feedback from the Parent meeting was very positive and included the following email comments; “As a parent I just wanted to say that I think it is great we are taking on this important learning at school to support what is talked about at home.” “I was impressed with how well the younger girl spoke last night considering it was her first time speaking to parents. As a mother or two boys, I was pleased to hear that the boys are introduced to the changes that also happen to girls – this is important in creating respectful young men of the future.” “There were some aspects that I thought were aimed a little older than what I think xxx is emotionally ready for however I also understand that children develop at such different rates and speeds so will trust the professionals!” “I would just like to say thank you to the ladies that came in and all the Owairoa staff for the puberty talk that was held at school tonight. It was very informative and gave me a lot of clarity as to what my children need to know. I’m looking forward to xxx attending the lessons on Monday or Tuesday next week. He might be a little quiet and shocked but I rather him know the correct terms and knowledge than be in the dark or know too much information.”
Welcoming Matariki
This Term we will see Matariki setting in the
west with the sun, and then rising again at
dawn to signify the start of the Māori New Year.
Matariki is a significant time when we can
reflect on the previous year, spend quality time
with whānau and friends, and plan for the year
ahead. The next few months give us a valuable
opportunity to deepen learning about Matariki,
and the Maramataka (Māori lunar calendar).
Matariki is the Māori name for a cluster of stars,
which is visible in our night sky at a specific
time of the year. In June/July, Matariki will
re-appear in the dawn sky – signalling the start
of the Māori New Year.
It is a time to celebrate new life, to remember
those who’ve passed and to plan for the future.
And it’s a time to spend with whānau and friends – to enjoy kai (food), waiata (song), tākaro (games) and haka.
Our tūpuna (ancestors) would look to Matariki for help with their harvesting. When Matariki disappeared in April/May,
it was time to preserve crops for the winter season. When it re-appeared in June/July, tūpuna would read the stars to
predict the upcoming season – clear and bright stars promised a warm and abundant winter while hazy stars warned
of a bleak winter.
Because Māori follow the Māori lunar calendar, not the European calendar, the dates for Matariki change every year.
For further information you may go to this link
https://www.twoa.ac.nz/hononga-stay-connected/te-iwa-o-matariki
June
15th Board of Trustees
Meeting 7.00pm
21st Shortest Day
22th PTA Meeting 7.30 pm
Special Thanks to our 28/29th Music Festival
Newsletter Supporters July
9th End of Term Two
We are so grateful for the support of some local Howick 26th Start of Term Three
people and businesses, who are committed to helping
support Owairoa Primary School, by sponsoring this
newsletter.
These fantastic supporters of our school can be
seen at the end of this newsletter. Please remember
to support them, as a thank you for their generous
support of our school!! With kind regards
We are so grateful for all the people and companies from your “family”
who help make Owairoa Primary School the great
educational establishment it is, for our young learners.
Alan McIntyre
PRINCIPALBEFORE SCHOOL CARE: 7.00AM - 8.30AM
AFTER SCHOOL CARE: 3.00PM - 6.00PM
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS: 7.30AM - 6.00PM
ENROL VIA OUR WEBSITE OR POP INTO THE PROGRAMME,
IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUERIES
CALL OUR OFFICE: 09 530 9020 OR THE PROGRAMME: 021 837 051
Special Cakes for Special Occasions
Call
Now
274 7744 /thegateauhouse
www.gateauhouse.co.nz
HOWICK & ST HELIERS ACADEMY OF JUDO
TEACHING DISCIPLINE,
CONTROL AND CONFIDENCE
THROUGH JUDO
B.D.S., M.D.S.(OTAGO).
Specialist Orthodontics for Children and Adults Contact Lester Harris
4 Bleakhouse Rd, Howick, Auckland 2014 021583654
W: www.derekbarwoodorthodontist.co.nz office@howickjudo.com
P: (09) 535 4311 | E: reception@dbo.co.nz www.howickjudo.com
100 Picton Street, Howick
Ph 534 5565
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