Otago Rippa Finals

What a Rippa of a day we had at Forsyth Barr Stadium today. All our students made us so proud, on and off the field. All our games were very close indeed with some awesome skills displayed and stunning tries scored! We all look forward to the fabulous movies our supporters are making of the Rippa Journey. There was great team spirit and school pride flowing in abundance. Thank you to all the parents and grandparents who were there to support us and to George our number one supporter! Well done 
Warepa!

Week two at Warepa term 3

Welcome the lengthening days with spring like weather. 

The staff and many of our parents enjoyed an inspiring Friday night's entertainment with Lisa O'Neil; a great tonic for a Friday, after a busy first week. 

Monday night saw Mr Hyslop, Mrs Bissett and I attend a meeting with all the local schools Board and staff reps to share and discuss  where to from here with digital learning. It is a very exciting time for us all and we look forward to sharing with our parent community. On Monday and Tuesday of week four Mrs Bissett, Mrs Puna and Mrs Hyslop will visit schools in Auckland to visit schools and see programmes in action and see where Education is heading for our 21st century learners. We have a Board Meeting on Thursday this week at 7.30pm  where we will set a date for a parent information evening which will happen before I head off for my op.

We are part of the Big River Learning and Change Network which has been on a journey together for over two years. The main focus is on raising student achieviement with a focus on engagement in learning for all including  self regulated learning.  The aim will be to create connected learners who learn anywhere, anytime, any place. E learning play a big part in the learning process. 

The Board is investigating our infrastructure to ensure we have robust systems. We will soon be SNUPPED, which means we will be involved in a School Network Upgrade process, we are in the process of securing robust technical support and purchasing more devices for the children. 

All these changes will be developed around sound teaching and learning pedagogy and practises.  So please look out for more information soon about a parent information and consultation evening so we can all move forward on this exciting journey together.

The Senior Class is heading to Dunedin tomorrow to support our Year 5 and 6 Rippa Team in the Orago Finals. The supporters will be engaged in a range if activities as they support our team. All the best to our 'Warepa Winners' team.

Mrs Adcock

Welcome to Term 3

I hope everyone had a wonderful and refreshing break and are ready for a very busy term three! The weather has played it's part today with a chilly welcome to our week. Those of us who were lucky to have fun in the sun and warmth will sure be feeling it today with the bite if snow!

Some of the features of our term are:

Firewise, Cross Country, Otago Rippa Finals, Speeches, Swimming and a Marae Visit. I am of course off for part of the term to have my knee op, not really looking forward to all that it brings and will be glad to have it behind me. We look forward to hearing about all your wonderful holidays. Here are a few snippets of our South Island tour and our beautiful country.

The Kaikoura Coastline.

  Mount Cook.

    

The Southern Alps, near Tekapo.

          

Ready for the Highlanders Crusaders game in Christchurch, not the best result but heaps of fun with family and friends.

Nigel and the far North

Snippets of Thursday in beautiful Paihia .

As always a presentation from Nigel Latta yesterday was stimulating, thought provoking and entertaining.

View at breakfast, so breath taking,

Flag pole on the Waitangi grounds.

Hobson house on the treaty grounds.

The meeting house at Waitangi.

Two of New Zealand's oldest buildings are situated in the Kerikeri Basin. Kemp House and the Stone Store.

Kemp house

Built by Maori sawyers and missionary carpenters from the London-based Church Missionary Society in 1820-21, Kemp House predates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi by almost 20 years.

Lunch at the Workd famous fish and chip shop, VERY nice!

Mission accomplished, we made it on our afternoon off to Ninety Mile Beach in the far north.

A stunning welcome

Come together, reignite the       passion- the conference theme.

The conference began with a welcome. It was held at the Treaty Grounds at the site  Hobsons Beach in front of the Waka House  where the Waka are launched every Waitangi Day. 

           Another stunning day in Paihia.

One of the highlights of day one for me was listening to Doctor Lance Sullivan, who was recognised as the New Zealander of the year for his work in the far north in Health Education.

He was told

'You can't treat people that don't have money', that was the ignite to start his own practice.  

He now has the opportunity to provide fairness in the system-he can break the barriers, with a focus on access to care for Maori who are 95% of his patients.

He said- ' Schools not just venue for learning but health as well. 

Healthy children-optimal learning.'

He set up school based health service two years ago. It's exciting! '

He spoke about his current initiatives in schools to identify and treat children who are sick. He spoke about the correlations between the Health and Education Sectors and the use of digital tools to facilitate change.

The passion for him has been reignited!

We arrived safely in Northland at Keri Keri airport.

Hi all from Paihia, beautiful place for Principal's conference.

The South Otago Principals travelled to Paihia via Auckland today to the Rural Principal's conference, leaving behind a very chilly Balclutha. After a perfect flight to Auckland we boarded a 'pencil plane' anyone who knows me will understand my trepidation, it was amplified when I discovered I was in the back seat!! Well, I was stoked to have a wonderful flight with the amazing views below soothing my nerves. Here is a taste 

We travelled by ferry to Russell to explore and take in the amazing tranquil sites, what a beautiful country we live in! Did I mention it was 17 degrees?

After a stunning sunset and some delicious chocolates we had a scrumptious meal at the Duke of Marlborough Hotel.

A very elegant hotel with amazing food and service. We were delivered home to our hotel by water taxi as we soaked in the views under a  starry night.

Good night all, bring on the conference!