Wednesday 12 August, 2015

Issue 11 2015

VOTE FOR OUR

SCHOOL!!!

Vector is running a

competition for the

month of August.

The top 30 schools

that get the most

votes will win a

solar system to use

for 10 years. Votes

cost nothing. You

simply need an

email address—or

addresses! So tell

everyone you

know to vote.

Select ‘share on

facebook’ link.

vectorfutureof

energy.co.nz

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGES

PASIFIKA DAY—3 SEPTEMBER

Many of our Pasifika community

would have received a notice home to

see if you could help on our school

Pasifika celebration day on 3

September. We can only go ahead with

your help. Please fill in the form and

return this with your child. Our aim is

to have 25 workshops happening on

the day. If you know anything Pasifika

that you can share please let us know,

whether it be song, dance, art or

cooking.

Lets all make this a great day.

More forms are available at the office.

Inside this issue:

Principals Messages

Visible Learning

PTA News

Room 21

Room 25

Coming Events

BEST CROSS COUNTRY YET

Reports back from teachers in year 7 and 8 was that this year

they felt students put 110% into preparing for the final run

last Friday, 7 August. The top 10 in each of the 4 categories

will represent the school at the North Counties competition

this Friday. We wish them the best of luck. Below you can see

the top 3 in each category. Top Left: Year 7 Boys - 1st: Connor G, 2nd: Taine C, 3rd: Hatepe W Top Right:

Year 7 Girls - 1st: Ayla R, 2nd: Yamaia E,3rd: Kayla H Bottom Left: Year 8

Boys - 1st: Vaka S, 2nd: Benjamin W, 3rd: Dion T Bottom Right: Year 8 Girls

- 1st: Amelia C, 2nd: Paige J, 3rd: Areana B.

MICROSOFT NZ AND MINISTER

Last week we had a visit from National

Minister, Chris Bishop, The CEO of

Microsoft NZ and another Microsoft

Executive. It is not by chance that they

visited our school. They were all here to see

the amazing work that the school is doing

with e-Learning, particularly using

Microsoft products such as Office 365. It is

great to see so many students in Year 5, 6, 7

and 8 maximising this benefit by bringing

devices from home.

MATHS WHIZZES FANTASTIC

A total of 24 Opaheke School

students competed in the

Papakura Mathex Competition at

Papakura Normal School on

Wednesday 5 August. The

students did well against some stiff competition.

The Year 6 2B Team did particularly well coming

second

after a

tie

break

for

first.

PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOUR CHILDREN

ARE NOT LATE FOR SCHOOL

STUDENTS MUST BE IN CLASS BEFORE 8.25AM

office@opaheke.school.nz

www.opaheke.school.nz

Fax 2980739

Tasman Drive

Papakura 2113

Phone (09) 2985410

Year 8 Year 7 Year 6

Team 1A Team 1A Team 1A

Kevin W Sukhleen K Samuel J

Ella R Kayla H Rachael B

Amelia C Hatepe W Matthew D

Marija M Imogen H Xander B

Team 2B Team 2B Team 2B

Timothy J Owen N Campbell M

Rhiannon W Ethan P Fazeel Q

Phillip L Kieran B Rio W

Hayden H Taryn M Hilke L

CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES GALORE

You may not be aware of just how many

extra curricular clubs and activities there

are running at our school, most of them at

lunch time and most of them run by staff.

Construction Club Y3/4

Kids for Kids Choir Y3-5

Art Club Y2

Sports Academy x2 Y7/8

Sports Y5/6

Young Engineers Y5-8

Gymnastics Y7/8

Rugby Y5/6

Environmental Club Y6

Chess Y5-8

Digital Tech Y2

Minecraft Y3-8

Rugby Y7/8

Heroclix Y4-8

Kapa Haka x3 Y1-8

Coding Club Y4—8

REQUEST

Please note

that teachers

are very busy

in the

morning. If

you need to

talk to a

teacher about

an issue please

make an

appointment

through the

office.

Opaheke School Newsletter

Visible Learning at Opaheke Primary School Parent Survey Part 2

During our student conferences last term we asked parents to

give their responses to the question ‘What makes a good learner?’

It was evident from reading some of the responses that some

families have had discussions about what successful learners do.

In the last newsletter we shared the information we had gathered

from the parent survey relating to the dispositions of a learner

e.g. being reflective, creative, collaborative, resilient etc. We are

now in the process of creating the school-wide shared language of

the dispositions of good learners. There was also a lot of feedback

about the curriculum and family support. You identified the need

to have a curriculum that engages and motivates students, that

is resourced well and allows for a range of hands on, practical and

technological activities. Many parents talked about the role that

families play in ensuring that their child is ready for learning e.g.

being well fed, well rested and on time for school.

Book Week – 24th-28th August 2015.

This is always a special week of celebration both at

Opaheke School and across Auckland. We have some

exciting things planned during the week. This year

our activities include a visit from authors Melinda

Szymanik and Steven Gannaway, lunch time

competitions, a performance by a mobile acting group

called ‘Perform!’ and a performance by our very own

librarians.

On Wednesday 26th August there will be a Book

Character Parade where students are encouraged to

arrive at school dressed as a book character. If the

weather is fine we will start our parade around the

block at 9.00am. Parents are very welcome to come

along and watch the procession of book characters

taking part in this parade.

Finally on Friday 28th Year 5 and 6 will attend

Vodafone Events Centre to meet various authors. The

fun doesn’t stop then. Over the weekend of 29th/30th

August there are events being held around Auckland

that you may want to visit: Saturday 29 August 11–

3pm, Mangere Arts Centre - Come and share the

excitement of reading NZ books with children, families

and the South Auckland community at this year’s

Storylines Family Day. This year’s authors,

illustrators and performers are: Fifi Colston, Melinda

Szymanik, Julie Noanoa, Philippa Werry, Sacha

Cotter, Norm Heke, Tim Tipene, Josh Morgan, Pacific

Mama’s, Jessica Ngatai.

Sunday 30 August 10am - 3pm Aotea Centre

Theme for the day: NZ Aotearoa – Wind, Waves &

Warriors! This year’s highlights include

performances by Variety Voices, The Toys in Chouchou

Corner, Perform! Education Musicals and

Performancenet, as well as local school groups. You

will also be entertained by storytellers and

performance poets, read to by your favourite Kiwi

authors, and can watch live presentations as well as

illustration demonstrations by leading artists like

Sandra Morris, Raymond McGrath and Paul Beavis.

You can event write your own poem with Elena de Roo

and Paula Green! These events are free and well

worth a visit.

Peace Week 2015: Last week was peace week and to

help celebrate our commitment to being a peaceful

school the peer mediators kept an eager eye out for

children being peaceful in the playground. Those

caught keeping the peace were given a small

certificate which entitled them to a face painting

during Friday lunchtime. We had HEAPS of faces to

paint. A huge thank you to all those who helped to

paint peace signs, hearts, happy faces and stars. Keep

thinking peaceful thoughts and help to make the world

a better place.

Parent Hui Group now has a name :

He Matapuna Ora – Meaning to be a

source of life, in this case a source of strength, of direction, of

shared knowledge.

Next Hui : Tuesday 25 August at 6.30pm

In the Staffroom. All Welcome.

Opaheke School Newsletter

Congratulations! INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS AND ASSESSMENTS FOR SCHOOLS (ICAS) All of our participating students in the science assessments gave their very best. We would like to commend them on the efforts they made in science. Some of our students achieved outstanding results and were rewarded with Certificates of Merit and Credit. Enclosed with the certificates was a message from Nick Connolly, Senior Manager Test Development at Educational Assessment Australia, UNSW Global - ‘The International Competitions and Assessments for Schools are independent evaluations of students’ skills and knowledge in core learning areas and provide insight into students’ understanding. The skills and understandings tested are important indicators of success in school and beyond. I would like to recognise the participation of students from Opaheke School with certificates and congratulate them on their efforts and achievements.’ A huge well done to the following students: Madison, Ella, Amelie, Dion, Phillip, Hayden, Kimberley (Year 8). Owen, Ethan, Pulkit, (Year 7).Hilke, Matthew, Fazeel, Olivia, Liam, Caitlin, Alexander, (Year 6 ). Carys, Quinlan (Year 5). Ana, Jacob, Brianna, Amelia (Year 4)

MATHEMATICS CHALLENGE FOR YOUNG AUSTRALIANS (MCYA) Earlier in the year, 11 students entered into the MCYA event. All students worked incredibly hard to answer questions, problem solve and investigate possible solutions. We would like to congratulate all of you who entered on your achievements. Well done to Quinlan and Joshua (Year 5). Rio, Samuel, Rachael, Matthew, Mikah (Year 6). Kayla in (Year 7). Phillip, Kimberley and Timothy (Year 8). You can be incredibly proud of the effort and hard work you put in. We certainly are! We would also like to acknowledge the support and encouragement given by family members.

PTA UPDATE Thanks to all of you who have been sending along donations for the

carnival! It has been

great to see so many soft toys and kids clothes come in! We will be asking for other items over the next weeks, but its not too late to send soft toys or clothing – we are happy to accept donations right up to carnival day! Planning is underway and going well. We have a great team but the more helpers we have the better, so if you would like to be involved in the carnival organisation contact Claire on 0275 888123 or candbhart@xtra.co.nz.

PLEASE VOTE FOR OPAHEKE SCHOOL TO HELP US BE ONE OF 30 SCHOOLS TO WIN 10 YEARS OF FREE SOLAR

PANELS. IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONE EMAIL YOU CAN VOTE MULIPLE TIMES. VOTE AT:

vectorfutureofeducation.co.nz

SCHOOL KARAKIA

With the support of He Matapuna Ora the school has adopted a Karakia. The children are learning this at our whole school

assemblies and in class. We will use this Karakia as a positive start to our week.

Tukua te wairua kia rere ki ngā taumata

Hai ārahi i ā tātou mahi

Me tā tātou whai i ngā tikanga a rātou mā

Kia mau kia ita

Kia kore ai e ngaro

Kia pupuri

Kia whakamaua

Kia tina! TINA! Hui e! TĀIKI E!

Allow one’s spirit to exercise its potential

To guide us in our work as well as in our pursuit of our

ancestral traditions

Take hold and preserve it

Ensure it is never lost

Hold fast.

Secure it.

Draw together! Affirm!

Room 21 - Year 3

In term two, science was a focus in Room 21. We investigated science

questions, completed research and did experiments to check our predictions.

We enjoyed sharing our experiments and explanations with the class. This

science topic has helped us become enthusiastic learners who are motivated to

find out more about why things happen.

Part of our science learning was rotating to different classes. We learnt about

different science topics including mixing and melting, flight, floating and

sinking and air pressure.

Room 26 - Year 4 - News

We learned more about science

when Jenn came and taught us

how to use microscopes. We

collected samples from around

the school and examined them.

We also learned about scientific

drawings.

We created biscuits to

show line and colour

symmetry. Then we had

a biscuit party to say

goodbye to Ms. Millar

who had been helping in

our room.

This is our class

Treaty. We have all

signed it to show that

we are going to follow

the class rules.

This is our class waka. When we are

all working as a team, the next

person from our class gets to add

their face to the picture. When we

have everybody ‘in the waka’ we

have a whole class reward.

This is Lily’s rooster,

Freddy. Ana and

Claire brought him to

Room 26 so he could

be a model for our

paintings.

Opaheke School Newsletter

Upcoming Events Thur 13 August Talent Quest Finals 10.30am.

Fri 14 August North Counties Cross Country Y7/8

Tues 18 August Junior Poetry Recital 1pm, BOT Meeting 7.30pm

Wed 19 August Subway starts, PTA Meeting 7pm.

Sat 22 August Netball Prizegiving

Tues 25 August Book Week, He Matapuna Ora Hui 6.30pm

TERM DATES FOR 2015

TERM 3: Monday 20 July - Friday 25 September

TERM 4: Monday 12 October - 16 December (Monday 26 Oct - Labour Day)

TERM 1 2016 BEGINS TUESDAY 2ND FEBRUARY

ACHIEVEMENT (This is the focus

for STAR certificates this term)

Assembly Certificates:

Achievement :

3 August 10 August

R1 Erica C. Haley H.

R2 Junaid R. Prashant C.

R3 Tyrese K. Desmond T.

R4 Talia R. Rachel S.

R5 Lily M. James H.

R6 Mikayla B. Zyon F.

R7 Emma J. Jacob T.

R8 Jaymian B. Hilke L.

R9 Ashley M. Alyesha S.

R10 Finn B. Ben F.

R11 Jamie N. Jahtoya S.

R12 Jack S. Nikita W.

R13 Kesaia S. Alteezah H.

R14 Sahib S. Ceasar J.

R15 Katie H. Blake M.

R16 Danielle G. Dylan V.

R17 Mustafa K. Liam B.

R19 Ella R. Yamaia E.

R20 Lily P. Richard K.

R21 Alyssa A. Luke L.

R22 Ruby R.

R23 Madelline E. Isabella N.

R24 Zane S. Elaina T.

R25 Kayla S. Sienna-ri T.

R26 Kian F. Kian F.

OUT OF ZONE ENROLMENTS 2016—Opaheke

School Board of Trustees is likely to have 35 New Entrant places for out of zone enrolments for 2016. If you live out of our school zone and have a child who will be starting with us next year, but already have other children already attending Opaheke School, you still need to make an Out of Zone application for your child. Application forms are available at the school office or on our website www.opaheke.school.nz (for parents, enrolments). Applications close Wednesday 16 September 2015 and the ballot will be held on Wednesday 23 September 2015. The following priorities apply: Priority One: Not applicable to Opaheke Priority Two: Siblings of current students Priority Three: Siblings of former students Priority Four: Child of former student Priority Five: Children of Board employees or members Priority Six: Other applicants. All pupils living within the school zone will be

Welcome to new students: Callum R1, Autumn R6,

Maddison R7, Jahmin R13, Joel R14. Jodie R25

Opaheke Netball Club Results: 18/7 Opaheke Diamonds vs Marlins – won 5-3 Player of the day Madelline E 25/7 Opaheke Diamonds vs Hillpark – lost 11-1 Player of the day Persaeus K 1/8 Opaheke Diamonds vs TG Blossom – lost 8-6 Player of the day Riley R

8/8 Opaheke Diamonds vs Drury won 11-2 Players of the day Madelline E & Persaeus K 27/6/15 Opaheke Stars vs St. Annes Garnet won 6-4. Player of the Day: Amelia T.

4/7/15 Opaheke Stars vs Rewa FF2 lost 6-8. Player of the Day: Charlotte E. 18/7/15 Opaheke Stars vs Takanini 7 won 10-1. Player of the Day: Shyah D. 25/7/17 Opaheke Stars vs CG Pearl won 14-3. Player of the Day: Jamie L. 1/8/15 Opaheke Stars vs Alfriston Pink won 16-8. Player of the Day: Eta S. 8/8/15 Opaheke Stars vs St. Annes Garnet won 10-3. Player of the Day Natalia M-W.

KEEPING STUDENTS SAFE

The back gate on Short Street is

now patrolled with lollipops.

Students must cross Short Street

at the crossing. Please contact

the office if you can help on a day

to supervise the crossing.

Subway is coming to Opaheke

School. This is a School

Councillor initiative. This will

begin next Wednesday. Order

envelopes can be picked up from

the office by children or parents

on Monday and the order must

be placed on Tuesday morning.

Delivery will be Wednesday.

The menu has been altered for

children.

More information is in a

separate letter.