Newsletter ~ 7th August, 2014

From the Principal a wealth of experience as a leader in the business world and Firstly, as we head into August, a is currently involved with the reminder that Friday 22nd is a Christchurch rebuild. His talk was Teacher Only Day. On this day inspirational as he shared his staff will be in Rangiora working views on leadership and the some with teachers from our fellow of the key things involved in being Canterbury Area Schools. This is Oxford Early Learning a good leader. He also spoke to proving to be a very valuable day Yesterday weCentre hosted around 250 Year 13 students and other for us and has become a feature students from three other area groups in Years 5/6 and 7/8 of our collaboration with the other schools; Cheviot, Akaroa and during his visit. schools. It is a chance for us to Rangiora New Life at the CASA share the challenges we face We are looking forward to two kapa haka day. This day has across the whole school and productions this term. The Year become a regular feature of the discuss ideas as to how we can 7/8 performance on 21st August school year for these Area do the very best for all our and the senior drama class Schools and provides a real students. This is valuable presenting “Blood Brothers” opportunity for our kapa haka professional development for all on 23rd and 24th September. groups to share experiences and staff involved and has been ideas through workshops and The senior Social Studies class scheduled on the school calendar perform to each other. Thank you are organising a “Shave a Lid for all year. to Rob Innes and Rihari Walker a Brave Kid” campaign for later Congratulations to Henry Ward for their part in organising this and this term and we look forward to (Year 7) who had the honour of Paula Christensen and her that being a successful fundraiser speaking at the opening hospitality department along with for a great cause. ceremony of the new Mainpower the PTA who fed everyone on the complex in Rangiora last Friday. day. Henry welcomed the guests Over the first week of this term attending the event which staff acknowledged Maori featured all 41 primary schools in language week with greetings in the Waimakariri area. Mainpower the morning, using Te Reo over are very supportive of sport and Iron Technology Solutions Ltd the week in meetings and education in the area and 312 4324 021 237 2057 emphasis being given in classes. announced a new Citizenship Our Whanau met last week and Scholarship Award scheme for It was good to see the high helped plan the kapa haka day. Primary Schools. Each school will participation of students from We are also looking forward to receive $100 to be awarded to a Years 5 – 8 taking part in the our kapa haka group performing student/students who has/have Rakahuri Zone winter sports in the upcoming Christchurch displayed citizenship qualities tournament in Rangiora last Cultural Festival again this year throughout the year. th Friday. We have included a report on Thursday 4 September. later in this newsletter.

At our Y7 – 13 assembly last International visits are coming week April Jones spoke about thick and fast this term. Last week Quality stockfeed at competitive prices her wonderful experiences on the we hosted a group of Principals “Spirit of New Zealand” over the from schools in Japan who are holidays. We also welcomed Mr travelling around looking at NZ 679 Depot Road Richard Little, a speaker from schools and gathering information 033123354 0276970677 the Sir Peter Blake Trust and ideas they can take back and [email protected] Leadership organisation who has

Visit our internet sites; Facebook www.facebook.com/oxfordarea Full calendar of events: tinyurl.com/oascalendar use in their own schools in Japan. qualified and will bring new ideas and completing tasks set. They We were pleased to meet them to our library. We are grateful to need to have a comprehensive and proud to have been able to Sue Malins who once again revision programme in place show them around our school. stepped in to run our Library in with practice exams coming up the interim. in Week 8 from the 8th – 12th We also welcomed students from September. Hamasaka Junior High School Several groups have ski and this week. They are enjoying snowboard trips planned during We were surprised that only staying with the families hosting August. We hope there is enough around 25% of parents of them and once again thank you snow there for them. students in Years 9 – 13 took up for taking these students into your the opportunity to meet Students in Years 5 and 6 are homes. A group from Junten teachers over the last two weeks. planning camps later this term. High School, Tokyo arrive We keep emphasising the There are a number of Musical tomorrow for their visit. importance of these three way events on the horizon including conferences where students, their Congratulations to Rhiannon the ever popular Christchurch parents and teachers can meet to Moore, Fleur Sturdy and Denni Music Festival on 10th discuss progress and how Miller who have joined the September and a “Strum, Strike students are meeting their goals. Waimakariri Youth council and Blow” festival on There is a feedback sheet at the alongside Claire van der Veldt. It Wednesday 24th September, the end of this newsletter and we is great to see our young people last week of term. would appreciate your feedback taking on leadership roles within I reminded Year 11 – 13 about the processes we have in our community. students how important this term place for these conferences. We We welcome Rachel McCormick is for them with their studies would value ideas to improve the back from maternity leave. Rachel heading toward the end of their booking system if that is what is returns to us teaching health and school year. This term will pass needed and look at how we can science. We are very fortunate to very quickly and by the time you increase this percentage in the have appointed Sarina Barron, receive this newsletter we will future. who is currently working in the already be at the end of Week 3. Bob Norrish Law Library in Christchurch, as It is imperative that students Principal our new Librarian. She is well are working to their best ability ------

TERM THREE CALENDAR August Fri 5th Senior Speech Competition Fri 1st – Fri 8th Hamasaka Junior High Visit Mon 8th – Fri 12th Senior Practice Exams Fri 8th – Mon 25th Junten High School visit Mon 8th – Tue 9th Year 5 Camp Fri 8th Y1-6 Assembly Tue 9th Y3-4 Girls Football Festival Wed 13th Senior Ski/Snowboard Day Wed 10th Christchurch Music Festival NCEA Fees due Y5-6 Girls Football Festival Thu 21st Year 7/8 Performance Thu 11th Year 3 – 4 Trip to Rangiora Fri 22nd Teacher Only Day Fri 12th Y7-8 Girls Football Festival Mon 25th – Fri 29th Book Week Y1-6 Assembly OUM/PE Snow Skills Trip Sun 14th – Wed 17th GEO Queenstown trip Tue 26th “Shave a lid for a brave kid” Mon 15th – Tue 16th Y6 Camp to Hanmer Thu 28th CPSSA Winter Tournament Fri 19th Cluster Winter Tournament September Mufti Day Mon 1st – Fri 5th Cultural Festival Tue 23rd – Wed 24th Senior Drama Presentation Mon 1st – Thu 4th SISS Netball Tournament Wed 24th Strum/Strike/Blow Festival Thu 4th Chch Cultural Festival Fri 26th End of Term 3 ------A large green/grey water container which was lent to us for Casafest at the end of Term 1 is missing. If anyone has this or knows where it may be can you please return it to the school office. The owner would like it returned. Thank you. ------PTA Reminder The PTA would like all parents to go on to the School Website and complete the survey for the PTA’s Fundraising Project. This is an opportunity to have your say. Nikki Warwick (President)

Visit our internet sites; Facebook www.facebook.com/oxfordarea Full calendar of events: tinyurl.com/oascalendar Canterbury Primary Schools Year 5/6 Basketball Tournament

On Tuesday 1st July, ten Y5/6 students played in the Canterbury Primary Schools Tournament held at Pioneer Stadium. Players were Ashley Riley, Becky Hewitt, Eva Kuzniarski, Tom Erceg, Ollie Graham, Shaugn Kilgour, Cameron Rowe, Kody Stubbs, Doug Graydon and Jackson Hill.

As we were a mixed team we had to play in the boy’s grade which had 20 teams. The players were very nervous in the first game against Paparoa Street School but improved over the 11 minutes, the length of each game. After a chat with Mrs Evans and watching some games they went out more confident in their second game against Christ the King and won it. Next they played Clearview and Somerfield who were both very well drilled teams but in both games they played to the final whistle and kept working on the things that Mrs Evans and Ms Welch had spoken about.

After having a break and enjoying getting outside into the sunshine to eat and play in the playground, their playoff game was against Elmwood which they lost 10 - 6 but it was a great game. Players then sat and watched the finals. Both the boys and girls grades finals were between Cotswold and Kaiapoi North teams and Cotswold won both grades. They were great to watch as to see what Year 5/6 players can achieve with plenty of practice!!

We thanked the many mums who came with us and did the score bench after each of our games, Emily Evans who was our referee for the day and the coaches Julie Evans and Julie Welch. Keen to play next year now! ------Rakahuri and Pegasus Winter Tournament 2014

The Years 5 - 8 Rakahuri and Pegasus Zones Winter Tournament was held Last Friday, 1st August on a rather warm winter’s days at various venues in Rangiora.

Oxford sent over 150 competitors and competed in over 100 games on the day in the various sports Netball, Football, Rugby and Hockey. We came away with a better than 60% winning record.

The most outstanding results were our Year 7/8 Rugby A Grade team who won all but one of their games, the Year 5/6 Football A Grade Team who won all but one of their games and the Year 5/6 Netball A Grade Team who did well getting second place.

These three teams all qualified to compete at the Canterbury Winter Tournament in Christchurch on the 28th August. ------Kapa Haka Panui

Last Wednesday a small group of younger students performed at Karadean Court Lifecare as part of their Matariki / Maori language week celebrations and a I must say I was very impressed by the children, the organization and of course the delicious hangi. Our tamariki not only performed very well, they were also extremely well behaved, courteous and helpful. Many thanks to the parents / whanau who helped with transport / supervision; without you the day would not have happened.

Canterbury Area School’s Kapa Haka Day ~ Wednesday 6th August.

About 3 - 4 years ago the principals of the schools involved (Cheviot, Akaroa, Rangiora New Life and Oxford) decided on a strategy to elevate and foster the status and level of kapa haka in their respective schools. It was agreed that on one day a year the various kapa haka groups would get together to showcase their talents and learn from one another. For the past two years Rangiora New Life School has hosted this event and yesterday it was our turn.

It was a big day given that we not only had around 130 visitors, but all of our kapa haka students were involved. We catered for about 280 people (250 students and 30 adults). Everybody was provided with a free morning tea and lunch courtesy of the school. One added bonus is that Matua Rihari was with us for the whole day helping out in many different ways.

The day commenced with a powhiri followed by morning tea. After this the participating schools presented their respective items followed by lunch then afternoon workshop sessions. The day concluded at 1.45 with the visiting schools leaving at 2pm.

Robert Innes

Visit our internet sites; Facebook www.facebook.com/oxfordarea Full calendar of events: tinyurl.com/oascalendar NCEA CHARGES FOR 2014 Canterbury Primary Schools Cultural Reminder - Payment of Fees Due By: Friday August 15 Festival

National Certificate of Educational Achievement (Year 11 – 13) CBS Arena - $76.70 Thursday SCHOLARSHIP (Year 13) 4th September - Up to 3 Scholarship Subject Exam Fees are included in the $76.70 6.45 - 9pm Level 3 NCEA charge - Additional subjects $76.70 each. Discounts on tickets for adults and groups are Payment may be made by electronic payment available up until 15 Westpac Trust 03 0674 0109571 00 Oxford Area School BOT August 2014 by contacting NB. the FULL name of the student and ‘NCEA Fees’ are required as the school office. reference with electronic payments. Adults $10 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE (normally $15) - Financial Assistance Applications close on Friday August 15 and $8.00 child

Peter Cooper [NZQA Liaison Teacher] (13yrs and under).

The Oxford Community Trust has created a programme in conjunction with the DRIVE School, Police and other Community stakeholders to help young people in Oxford obtain their Drivers licence.

We are looking for Youth in our community who already hold a learners licence and need assistance to gain their restricted licence. We have approved mentors who are prepared to sit alongside you and help prepare you for the restricted test. It will involve one on one driving practice in our UDrive car, (a small contribution towards petrol will be required), theory and the opportunity of gaining unit standards. To apply to be part of this programme, please write a letter to Julia Ealam, email: [email protected] or mail to 37 Main Street Oxford, explaining why you would be suitable for this opportunity. Applications must be in by August 29th, Spaces are limited.

YOUTH GYM MEMBERSHIPS We have received some funding from The Social Isolation Fund to enable 8 young people over the age of 14 to have a three month gym membership for the Oxford Gym. There are some restrictions and requirements with these memberships.

To apply for this opportunity please contact Julia Ealam at 312 3006 or email [email protected]

------3 Way Conferences Parent Survey Please complete and return to the school office by the end of next week. Conferences were held on a Wednesday; Years 11 – 13 from 2.00 – 8.00 pm and Years 9 – 10 from 3.30 to 6.30 pm. Unhappy Very Happy (Please circle appropriate number)    The detail/information on reports 1 2 3 4 5 Communications to/from teachers throughout the year (to date) 1 2 3 4 5 Timing and day of the week 1 2 3 4 5 Booking system 1 2 3 4 5 General Comment: ______

Visit our internet sites; Facebook www.facebook.com/oxfordarea Full calendar of events: tinyurl.com/oascalendar