Wednesday 5th May 2021 Dear parents, caregivers, students and friends of the school. Tena koutou katoa. Nga mihi nui ki a koutou katoa. Welcome back to all our students and a warm welcome to new families who are joining the school for Term Two. Our major fundraiser for the year gets underway this term in the form of our Knowledgeathon. We look forward to your support of this activity and encourage you to take this opportunity to get involved in your son or daughter’s learning. We appreciate the support of parents and caregivers in ensuring that all our students arrive at school in correct school uniform and ready to learn. We are looking forward to a busy and productive term. Winter sports are getting underway and sincere thanks to all parents and caregivers who have volunteered their time to coach and manage school teams. The focus this term continues on achieving high levels of attainment in reading, writing and mathematics whilst developing our students’ skills for lifelong learning. This means each student will be encouraged to actively engage in their learning by asking four key questions in each area of study. These are: 1. Why am I doing this task? 2. How am I going to be assessed on how successful I have been? 3. How have I achieved this task? 4. If that’s how I have done, where to next? Parents and caregivers are encouraged to actively participate in their child’s learning through discussion at home and through parent interviews in July or as needed. Emphasis will continue on encouragement, positive attitudes and consideration of others. Manners will be reinforced, particularly in the way students speak to each other and adults. Families are invited to assist us by also focusing on these at home. Our school is committed to guiding our students towards good citizenship, the development of high levels of interpersonal skills and powerful thinking. This includes enabling all students to use digital technology as an integral part of their learning at our school. Ngā Mihi Nui Henk Popping PRINCIPAL Proud sponsors of Ōtūmoetai Intermediate School Ōtūmoetai Intermediate School Newsletter: Volume 5 2021 Wednesday 5th May 2021 CONTENTS Page Knowledgeathon 2021 1 PTA News 2 Absentees or Late Students 4 Developing Well-Rounded, Independent and Resourceful Young People 5 Year 7 Rutherford Science – Marine Biology Has Begun 9 Hon Simon Bridges MP for Tauranga – Congratulates our Student Leaders 10 Design Your Own Helmet Competition – Winner Emma Hurley 11 Mid-Year Parent-Teacher Conferences 12 School Cross Country 12 Term 2 Bus Passes 12 Wet Weather After School Arrangements 12 School Sickbay 13 Astroturf Hire 13 Sports News 13 Picking Up and Dropping Off Students 14 Parents and Other Visitors to Our School 15 School Lunch Orders 15 Communicating With Parents 15 Entertainment Book 16 Community Notices 18 Ōtūmoetai Intermediate School Newsletter: Volume 5 2021 Wednesday 5th May 2021 KNOWLEDGEATHON 2021 Overall Target - $10,000.00 We appreciate our families support for this and hope each student will raise at least $10.00. The money raised this year will be used to upgrade sports equipment across the school. Each student has been given a 2021 ID card and sponsorship form for when they are collecting their sponsorship monies. Students are now busy learning the answers to 100 questions. During week 7, they will be tested on these 100 questions. The aim of this Knowledgeathon is for the students to learn the answers and get sponsorship per question answered correctly or a donation. The staff will mark the Knowledgeathon test and the students will receive their marked tests the following day. Money collection can begin as soon as they have received their score. To be considered for individual prize draws and class prizes all money must be in by Friday 2nd July 2021 (week 9). Please ensure you have ‘Knowledgeathon’, the student’s name, room number and the amount clearly written on the outside of the envelope. This will ensure the amount collected is put against the correct student. Prizes are awarded as below: Individual Prizes • 1st Prize of $150.00 • 2nd Prize of $100.00 • 3rd Prize of $50.00 Class Prizes • 1st Prize of $150.00 • 2nd Prize of $100.00 • 3rd Prize of $50.00 Family Prize • $150.00 All businesses and personal sponsorship can be receipted as a donation. Please contact Barbara at the school office for more details on 07-576 5105. Ōtūmoetai Intermediate School Newsletter: Volume 5 2021 Page 1 Wednesday 5th May 2021 PTA NEWS Our next meeting is on Tuesday 11th May in the Library at 7.00 pm This will be a short meeting followed by a presentation by John Parsons. John is from Simulate2educate and will speak to parents around cyber safety at 7.30 pm in the hall. John Parsons Cyber Safety and Risk Assessment Consultant John is an Internet Safety and Risk Assessment Consultant working with schools, the private sector and the health sector, providing specialist advice and direction on the safe and ethical use of Digital Communication Technology. He is a published author and a social commentator who works throughout New Zealand and Internationally. Awards - Awarded a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International for his work in child protection online and in the community. Specialist Training - John works alongside Police and health professionals delivering training in child protection to attendees who come from a wide range of professions. The focus of this work is the reduction of child abuse in New Zealand. Presentations and Community Workshops - Presenting cyber safety workshops to those who work with young people in areas of health, education and safety. John also delivers parent/caregiver cyber safety workshops through school or community-based initiatives. Working with Children and Families - Helping individuals, young people and families who have become ensnared by predatory adults across digital networks, as well as those who have been cyber abused and children or youth who abuse others using online technologies. Teaching - A large part of Johns work is in class with Primary, Intermediate and College age students. The Rights of Children and Young People - Promoting the rights of children to be judged fairly and recognize their rights to use communication technology safely and with respect for themselves and others. This is the foundation upon which he delivers his classroom workshops to students of all ages. In Class with Students Age 5 to 18 Years - John works directly in class with teachers and students helping students to take ownership of their well- being and to become capable confident and connected within the “online world”. Teachers agree this inclusive approach helps them both personally and professionally. The goal is to leave teachers with knowledge that empowers them to expand, develop and work more confidently with students and the parent community. Ōtūmoetai Intermediate School Newsletter: Volume 5 2021 Page 2 Wednesday 5th May 2021 The PTA also held their annual meeting at the beginning of the year and the following executive members were elected: Chairperson: Jarrad Lewis Secretary: Angela Edwards Treasurer: Kathleen Williamson Committee Members: Andy Adams, Amanda Basile, Elke Beca, Wouter de Ridder, Guy Dobson, Laraine Jackett, Sheree Jarratt, Kate Lovell, Sanela Paris, Michelle Radley, Anthony Rowan, Lee Simeon, Sarah Sorenson, Vladimir Stojanovic, Henk Popping (Principal) and John Stanley (Deputy Principal). Involving parents and families in children’s education has been a priority for New Zealand PTA’s since they were founded over 50 years ago. Parent Teacher Associations or friends of the school groups are based on the philosophy: Parent and family involvement increases student success. There are six recognised types of effective parent involvement in schools world-wide. They are: • Communicating – Communication between home and school is regular, two-way and meaningful. • Parenting – Parenting skills are promoted and supported. • Student Learning – Parents play an integral role in assisting student learning. • Volunteering – Parents are welcome in the school and their support and assistance are sought. • School Decision-Making and Advocacy - Parents are full partners in the decisions that affect children and families. • Collaborating with the Community - Community resources are used to strengthen schools, families and student learning. Our children today face a world where the shape of the future is not clear; a world where values, lifestyles, concepts and attitudes are rapidly changing. Therefore, it is essential that parents and teachers work together to help our children grow into adults who can cope with the ever-changing world. Our Board and Community recognise this and have developed seven strategic goals for the school. The second school strategic goal “The school will foster the partnership between whanau (families) and school“ is the one where the Ōtūmoetai Intermediate School Parent Teacher Association plays an important role. Ōtūmoetai Intermediate School Newsletter: Volume 5 2021 Page 3 Wednesday 5th May 2021 The Parent Teacher Association at our school is made up of a committee comprising parents and members of staff whose focus is the achievement of this second school goal. This committee is supported by parents and caregivers who make themselves available to assist in the school when they can as the PTA Support Group. We would like to thank all those parents who have offered to assist in some way this year. Other meetings this year are planned for: • Tuesday 31st August 2021 • Tuesday 9th November 2021. ABSENTEES OR LATE STUDENTS If your child is not attending school or arriving late, please let the school know via the following options (please include your name and your child’s room number and a brief reason for their absence in your message): • Email: [email protected] • Phone: 07-576 5105, then dial 1 • Text: 027 291 4986 • Find Us App for your mobile phone - www.findus.co.nz Attendance: We expect all students to arrive to school on time, be at school every day and to be well prepared for their learning.