From Variety Bash

Just before 2 o’clock we put on our variety club hats and went out to sit on the bank above the top field. The whole school came outside to watch. We waited and waited. Then finally along came the fun filled painted vehicles. They each hooted and tooted as they came racing across the field.

Wow! There were so many free giveaways. Stickers, bookmarks, popcorn and chocolate bars, plus more___________________

One machine squirted foam and wet people. Even Mr Barthow and Mrs van Dijk got soaking wet.

We clapped and cheered as the cameras filmed for the Prime TV show. It was a fun afternoon and raised money for those with needs.

Stayed tuned for more on the Variety Bash

From Variety Bash

From Variety Bash

Posted: March 31st, 2009 under School Events.
Comments: none

I have been teaching at Omokoroa No1 School for ten years, at first part time and now full time. I have three teenage boys and live locally.

I believe in creating a fun, stimulating environment which fosters in children a desire to learn whilst feeling safe and secure. Nurturing both their social and academic wellbeing is paramount.

Along with Chris Broadhurst and Rae O’Hara I am responsible for organizing our annual Pet Day and usually end up looking after anywhere between 50 and 120 day old chickens! I am also responsible for organizing the Peer Mediators within our school and coordinating our Values programme, both of which I feel add to the wonderful, positive and supportive feeling of our school.

Community contact is also an area I feel strongly about and, in this role, I am responsible for our articles in the Omokoroa Omelette, our foyer displays and other art displays. I am coordinator of our Gifted and Talented resources and am at present coordinating our whole school Whoppatunity Day as a lead in to enabling children with a passion and talent for visual arts to participate in an eight week extension drawing programme.

I am extremely interested in any way in which children’s learning can be enhanced. This has led me to having a very keen interest in our handwriting, reading and spelling programme THRASS, and becoming a resource person for this. I also coordinate our art supplies within the school.

Until this year, I have been teaching in the middle school here at Omokoroa No1, particularly in the Yr 6 area. This year I have had a change and have gone back to my previous area of experience, the New Entrant class. I believe that change is healthy for us all and provides the opportunity to revise and refresh our teaching. As much as I miss my relationships with the older children I am really enjoying the enthusiasm and ‘spongelike’ attitude of this age.

I think we are all very lucky to be involved in such a positive and dynamic school.

Posted: March 23rd, 2009 under Staff Profiles.
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From Camp Photos

On alternate years, Yr 7 & 8 pupils go to a lakeside camp to engage in water sports and a variety of other
interesting learning experiences. This year we went to Lake Rotoiti Holiday Holiday Park near Rotorua. At
this camp pupils strive to achieve new personal goals eg water skiing, wake boarding, kayaking and knee
boarding. Pupils work together in social groups to develop cooperation skills and a sense of responsibility.
Pupils work together in duty groups to learn the skills of food preparation and cleaning skills. Teachers
have quality time with pupils over an uninterrupted time allowing positive teacher/pupil relationships to de-
velop. Pupils explore and learn about the local environment around the lake examining the physical and
cultural features eg. Climbing Rainbow Mountain, a visit to Okere Falls and examine the new Ohau wall.
Pupils also visited the Te Puia Maori Arts and Carving centre for a cultural experience and view practical
activities such as flax weaving, wood carving and a Maori concert. They also visited the Wingspan Birds of
Prey which allows pupils to watch trained falcons perform. Overall it was a very popular camp that offers a
great range of activities for Yr 7 & 8 pupils to enjoy. A huge thank you to our wonderful parent helpers
who were on hand during the camp.

From Camp Photos

Posted: March 23rd, 2009 under Camps.
Comments: none

After a hectic but enjoyable camp we attended the Cluster sports at Katikati on Friday 13th. The weather was warm but cloudy which helped us enjoy the day.

Thank you parents for your support and help at the pool.

All the children swam well and the school achieved some great results. Each Year group won their relay. Well done to Georgie Ediker, Rosemary Cave, Ruben Clinton and Isaac Marshall in Year 6. Savannah Gammon, Patrick Neale, Hannah Bateman and Harry Bradford in Year 5.

The following were chosen to attend the North Cluster Swimming on Friday 20th:
Savannah Gammon, Patrick Neale, Harry Bradford, Isaac Marshall, Georgie Ediker, Rosemary Cave, Ruben Clinton, and Michael Dowd.

Posted: March 22nd, 2009 under Sport.
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Year 5/6 Camp – Keswick Christian Camp, Rotorua
9-12 March 2009

From Rotorua Camp 2009

Room 3, 4 and 5 had an amazing time on camp. We had a full itinerary and everyone helped, shared, participated and enjoyed in all our activities.

Monday – We travelled from school to Hell’s Gate and learnt a lot about the geothermal activity of the area. We also got to experience a sulphur spa – murky and yellow, but really warm! Arrived at Keswick camp, settled in and had an afternoon full of team-building activities such as tug-of-war, steal the bacon, knots, minefield, helium stick, stepping stones and one called the ‘Murray Smith!’

Tuesday – Boarded the Lakeland Queen Paddle-steamer at Lake Rotorua, and cruised leisurely to Mokoia Island. The three classes went off with their different guides and each learnt a varied and enormous amount about the history of the island and the abundant birdlife that lives there.

Wednesday – Headed to the Buried Village and explored the history and events of the Mount Tarawera eruption. We were astounded at the damage it caused and learnt a lot, especially in the museum area. For lunch we went down to the Blue Lake, and had a swim in the clear, crisp water. Then we walked the track around the lake, back to the playground. That night we had our camp concert – packed fill of comedy and entertainment – Omokoroa’s Next Top Model, singing, dancing, puppet shows and tricks!

Thursday – We packed up all our cabins, cleaned up and hopped on the bus for the trip home. Last stop was the Rotorua Aquatic Centre and we swam in both the warm inside pool and cold outside one! Some children even practised for swimming sports on Friday!

Overall, we had an awesome time and would definitely do it again. The campground itself was brilliant and expansive with yummy meals and great staff. A huge thanks must go out to our wonderful parents – David Tredinnick, Ian Butler, Lisa Edmonds, Murray Smith, Kevin Lauder, Sara Tipper, Sandra Garratt, Marion Archer-Smith, Andrew Cave, Murray Sievers, Steve Neale and our bus driver/photographer/and extra hand – Chris Broadhurst.

Leanne Sarjant, Natalie van Dijk and Liz Webster

From Rotorua Camp 2009

From Rotorua Camp 2009

Posted: March 22nd, 2009 under Camps.
Comments: none

From Camp Photos

We had a great two day one night camp filled with wonderful experiences for each of the children. It was gratifying to have such a great large group of parents who gave their time and willingly provided supervision and transport for the activities over the two days. Thank you to our terrific bus driver, Mr Broadhurst who ensured we were safely driven to Hamilton Zoo. We really appreciated all those who stayed the Thursday night at school, braving the weather and bunking down with the children. It was great to have Megan Pakes and her band of helpers coordinating all the food, and we appreciated all those salads and desserts for the barbeque tea. Thank you to you all for having your child well organised for camp with all their gear. We were thrilled with their behaviour and how the whole camp worked. The ten pin bowling, the visits to the Mount Police station and Hot Pools were all great events enjoyed by everyone. We hope the children all have fond memories of these early ‘Education Outside the Classroom Experiences’.
Thank you from John Barthow, Sue Morgan-French and Carmen Richter.

From Camp Photos

Posted: March 22nd, 2009 under Camps.
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The Year Threes and Fours have just returned from a wonderful three day camp based at Papamoa. They had many fantastic learning experiences, including learning more about bees and hiking to the top of the Papamoa Hills, but the highlight had to be the jet boat trip down the Kaituna River. We are very grateful for the marvellous parent helpers who accompanied us. We could not have done it without them. Thanks to Andrew Watchorn, Anna Smith, Shane Armstrong, Mike Recoules, Richard Addison, Angela Marshall, Janine Henderson, Maree Dawson, Rod Douglas, Julie Domett,Caroline Banyard, Chris Miles,Jaap Korver, Anne-Marie Clinton, Glen James, Adam Finlayson, Megan Pakes, Duarne Lankshear and last but not least our amazing cook Shonagh Harris.

From Camp Photos

Posted: March 19th, 2009 under Camps.
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Bridget Broadhurst has been our sports co-ordinator for the past few years. Her job entails the likes of advertising sports options and events, making up teams, entering teams in competitions, organising coaches and managers, going to courses and coaching various sports teams, liaising with sporting organisations such as Sport Bay of Plenty, timetabling practices, class sessions etc.

As you can see it is a very demanding role especially as the beginning of each term, when various sports teams need to be organised in short periods of time.

Bridget currently coaches the Year 7 and 8 volleyball team and looks after the school house leaders and house points.

This term we have eight kiwitag teams, one water polo team, one flippa ball and four volleyball teams entered in local competitions.  Next term we will be moving onto the winter codes and offering netball, basketball, mini-ball and possibly hockey.  Omokoroa No 1 School prides itself on being very competitive in the local sporting arena.

If you wish to discuss any sporting matters or have any enquires you will find Bridget in Room 2 or email her at room2@omokoroa.school.nz.

Our next staff profile will feature Mrs Morgan-French.

Posted: March 16th, 2009 under Staff Profiles.
Comments: none

Our whole school have recently been on school camps.  Our Year 1 and 2 classes had an overnight camp at school and visited the Hamilton Zoo.  The Year 3 and 4 classes stayed in Papamoa for 2 nights and our Year 5 and 6 children were away in Rotorua for four days.  Our Year 7 and 8 children had a week at Lake Rotoiti having lots on the water.  Stay tuned for some stories and photos from these camps.

Posted: March 16th, 2009 under Camps.
Comments: none