The Okaihau Breeze 2014/37 The Okaihau College Newsletter 5 DECEMBER 2014

Principal’s Panui

I have just finished signing letters to parents/caregivers of students who have been in our Literacy Extension Program. Basically the letters are celebrating the advances the students have made this year working with Ms Adams.

A personal plea is that over the holidays you keep our students reading; what they read does not matter, it is keeping the reading habit that is important.

Enjoy some quality holiday time with your whanau.

Okaihau College

Prizegivings

Tuesday 9 December 2014

Senior Prizegiving Years 11 to 13 at 7.00 p.m.

All senior students are required to

wear a high standard of dress.

Please bring a plate of food for a

shared supper.

Wednesday 10 December 2014

Junior Prizegivings Years 7 and 8 at 12.30 p.m.

Years 9 and 10 at 2.00 p.m.

All junior students are required to

wear full uniform.

Parents/Caregivers/Whanau

All Welcome

2014 School Magazine $15.00 each

Our school magazine will be available next week.

If wish to purchase one and have not already paid with your school fees please pay at the Student Centre.

Good Luck to the Bowls Team

Good Luck to Te Raureti Wharewaka and Liam Richards who are representing Okaihau College at the Bowls New Zealand National Secondary Schools Championships being held in Auckland on the 14th - 16th December.

2015 Start Dates The Main Office will be open for

enrolments and enquiries 8.30 am – 4.00 pm,

Tuesday 20 January onwards. We have limited places available for

out-of-zone enrolments; please contact us for more information

or to make an appointment to enrol your student.

The Student Centre will be open

for uniform and stationery 9.00 am – 3.30 pm,

Tuesday 20 January onwards and a late night 5.00 pm - 7.00 pm,

Thursday 22 January.

Student Start Dates Wednesday 28 January

Students in Years 7, 11, 12 and 13 We also expect all new students to

attend school on this day to assist with their transition / orientation. There will be a powhiri in the

school marae at 8.40 am; all new students, parents and

whanau are welcome to attend.

Monday 2 February

Students in Years 8, 9 and 10 (whole school attends)

58 Settlers Way, RD1, Okaihau, 0475

Phone: (09) 401 9030 Email: admin@okaihau-college.school.nz

Billy Graham Motivational Speaker

On Tuesday this week we were lucky enough to have Mr Billy Graham from Wellington speak to our Year 8-10 students. Billy has overcome difficulties in his life, was a Champion boxer and now runs a boxing Gym for youth in Naenae. He talked about making the most of all opportunities in your life, listening to what people have to tell you and making positive choices. His message is presented in a humorous way which was enjoyed by the students. Thank you to Fuji Xerox for this opportunity. We hope to get Billy back to talk to Senior Students in 2015.

College Calendar

Monday 8-9 December - Peer Support Training for 2015 Tuesday 9 December - Senior Prizegiving Evening Wednesday 10 December - Junior Prizegivings - Last Day for Students Thursday 11 December - Teacher Only Day

Graduates

Congratulations to these former students of Okaihau College who have graduated from the University of Auckland this year.

Reuben Hindriksen, Bachelor of Arts.

Amokura Matiu, Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences.

Cathal Gorman, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours).

Lydia Vujcich, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.

Linda White, Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences.

Thank you to Sponsors

Each year Barry’s Newsletters Services provides our “Breeze” newsletter covers. They provide these to us at no cost by seeking sponsorship from businesses in our local community.

Many thanks to all these businesses (as listed on the back page of the newsletters) – we appreciate your continued assistance.

Please support our sponsors as they

continue to support us.

Exciting Opportunity for 2015

Our PE Department has been successful in a Kiwisport Funding Application to run 2 blocks of Fitness sessions targeting our female students to promote fitness as an important part of overall health and wellbeing. We will be using Qualified Fitness Instructors and the sessions will be held during lunchtime and run along the lines of the popular “Bootcamp” sessions. There will be a small charge for participants to help cover the costs, equipment etc and there will be the opportunity to continue the sessions after the courses. There could be positions available for female members of the school community to join these sessions in a supporting role with their students. More details will be available in the New Year . Please contact Philippa Moor Sports Coordinator at the Gym office for more details.

Year 9 & 10 Touch

Last Friday the Okaihau College Year 9 and 10 Mixed Touch Team (Northland Secondary School Division 2 Winners) challenged the Kerikeri High School (NSS Division 1 winners) to a game which was held at the College. In slightly raining and slippery conditions Kerikeri High School scored the first point very close to the start of the game. This was to be their only venture past the try line as Okaihau College dominated the game from then on to come out winners 6-1. The game was played in good spirits and the teams enjoyed a wind down in the pool after the game. Thank you to Hoani Hippolite and Bodean Rogers from Kaikohe Touch who came across to officiate the game.

Seasons Greetings from The PE and Sports Department

Thank you to all the coaches and parents who have supported our students in 2014. We wish you all a safe, happy and active festive season. Our sporting activities will kick off early in 2015 so anyone willing to help with coaching, managing teams please get in touch in the New Year. Regards, PE and Sports Department.

Year 8 Field Trips

Last week Year 8 students spent 3 days exploring the local area by bike, tramping and a day at Forest Pools.

Year 7 Activities

Year 7 students are doing two days of fun activities this week. They have been candle making, baking and decorating Christmas cakes, creating Christmas decorations and screen printing a design on a T- shirt.

These are some photos of the first day’s action.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday. All the best to those who are leaving Okaihau College this year.

We look forward to seeing everyone else in 2015. From the Staff of Okaihau College