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Opoho School Newsletter 11 February 2020.
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Kia ora whanau

Week 2 already and when out and about I frequently overhear the comment that 'the holidays are a distant memory' now that the busyness of work and school has begun. Apart from more time with family, what lingers about the change of pace for me was the opportunity to read more, listen to more radio interviews and podcasts, watch the occasional movie..... and best of all, be outside and spend more time in the garden. 

I hope memories of the opportunities that matter most to you and your children beyond work and school linger awhile too, and you can look forward to other similar opportunities in the future. Perhaps we should all try to schedule more of these opportunities into our regular weeks and weekends rather than wait for those longer holidays so we can perhaps keep that elusive 'work/life balance' more in focus. 

As we work to further strengthen Ōpoho School, we reflect on the experiences that we know are highly engaging for children, provide rich opportunities for gaining knowledge and skills through meaningful and authentic topics, and that build those more-difficult-to-measure but super important competencies of relating to others, participating and contributing, and managing self. 

We aim to continue with more opportunities to work, learn and play in the outdoors, increase learning about tikanga and te reo, and deepen our knowledge of our local history and how this has shaped what and who we are as members of our local communities, area (and country).

Our overall inquiry topic for 2020 is 'Our Story - Pakiwaitara Tātou'.  An inquiry has a 'big question' that progressively is revealed/answered as the layers of learning the children will be engaged in, add to their kete of knowledge (at their appropriate level).This inquiry aims to discover 'our kura’s story'.

Over time the children will gain a richer understanding of the history of our local environment, the migration of Māori, the gold rush era, the significance of natural land features - maunga, awa, and investigate local ecosystems and learn about the interdependence of living organisms between humans, plants and other animals, to name some of the potential focuses for 2020. 

If you have expertise and knowledge related to these topics, that you think would benefit the learners at Ōpoho School please be in touch with your child's teacher/kaiako.


Reminder: Meet the Teacher Opportunities
On Thursday the 13th February, an opportunity to meet the teachers and hear a general overview of how learning works in your child's learning environment is scheduled.

Weather permitting: 5.30 Picnic tea on the banks outside Papakāinga 1 & 2
6 p.m. Introduction to all teachers
6.05 - 6.25 p.m Senior class teachers talk with parents in Poutama (junior class teachers oversee children playing).
6.30 - 7 p.m. Junior class teachers talk with parents in their respective classrooms (senior teachers oversee children playing).

If the weather is inclement:
No picnic or group introduction
6 - 6.25 p.m. Senior class teachers talk with parents in Poutama. 
6.30 - 7 p.m. Junior class teachers talk with parents in their child's respective classrooms. 
I will be in Papakāinga 3 to mind any children that come along. I have another meeting at 7.30 p.m. so lingering behind in classes might mean your children get to come along to my next appointment which is off-site. This is not an invitation for all-night child minding rather a friendly request that parents are prompt to gather up their children from P3 :-)
 

2020 Opoho School Information Booklet

The 2020 Information Booklet is now on the new website. Special thanks for Sándor Tóth for his hours of work to revamp the website and give it the much needed facelift. Go to http://www.opoho.school.nz and view for yourselves. 


Newsletters and Information evenings - what would you value? If you have suggestions of topics you would appreciate either for newsletters or for parent information evenings, please send me an email at principal@opoho.school.nz
 

A thought to ponder....... 'Confidence, like art, never comes from having all the answers, it comes from being open to all the questions'   Earl Gray Stevens

Nga mihi nui

Jenny Clarke (Tumuaki/Principal)
Day 3 - 2020

Getting to know our buddy and whanau group at the amazing Orokanui Sanctuary...... 
Social Skills Focus for Term 1 2020......
Wise words from Wilson.......

 'Successes easily gained are easily forgotten; those achieved with great effort become memorable experiences that elevate the spirit'. 
 
Items to Action
Planning ahead......

Plan for the Teacher Only day to be held on the 6th March 2020 when the teachers are joining kaiako and tumuaki of 16 kura for an evening (5th March) and a day of knowledge gathering about our local history at Otakou Marae, Toitū and Otago museums. 
 
Dates to Remember:


11 February 7 p.m. Board of Trustees Meeting

11 February Newsletter - thereafter fortnightly

14 February Junior Discovery

21 February Senior Discovery
 
24 - 28th February Walk 'n' Wheel Week

24 February 2.15 Whole School Assembly in Poutama

23rd March Otago Anniversary Day - School Closed

31st March - 9 April Swimming for all classes (details at a later date)

 
School Notices
Scholastic book orders have been distributed this week. Orders are due back by 20th February 2020. 

Request to borrow:
At school, we want to move a piano from one classroom to another. If you have a piano barrow that you would be willing to lend us, please contact Jenny or Helen on 4738 019. Thank you. 

PTA Notices:

Naseby Family Weekend

Opoho School Naseby Families and Friends weekend is to be on the 21st - 23rd February - it is a fun and informal weekend for children and parents to enjoy themselves in a safe
and friendly environment. Cabins and tent sites are available, for bookings call 03 444 9904 Larchview Holiday Park, Naseby.
This has become an ‘Opoho School’ community tradition - new families are very welcome.
Come for as little or as much of the weekend as you like - walks, biking and relaxing in the quaint and historic village of Naseby is a lovely way to get to know each other more.
 
Magic Kids Club
After School Care is provided by Magic Kids Club and can be contacted at the following numbers:

Tracy Administration Leader     022 466 5227

Or     Bridgette Business Leader     022 466 5226

Copyright © 2020 Opoho School, All rights reserved.


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