Special Events 2025

Term 1

Nature Agents - Term 1 Science Inquiry
The “Nature Agents - Ngā Kaitaunaki Taiao” programme is an ecological education initiative designed to engage students and community groups in hands-on science related freshwater stream health. It’s an EOS ECology Programme that provides learning opportunities for students to undertake ecological surveys, collect data and contribute to the understanding and stewardship of local waterways. The programme aims to inspire participants to continue their engagement with Science and the environment throughout their education and lives.
Below are some photos that capture our morning with Nature Agents exploring the local Omarama Stream.

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Fuel for school reimbursement 
Just recently we got to spend $1000 on sports equipment for our physical education programme. This money came from the Fuel for School scheme and the team came along to school to present us with this equipment. How exciting and very much appreciated.
We purchased a parachute, pickleball set and a few other smaller items, which has been enjoyed by our students.
We appreciate our local families supporting this scheme!

Leadership Camp
In term 1 our Year 8 students attended an overnight camp at Camp Iona, along with approximately 70 students from the Waitaki Rural School network. Activities included a confidence course, a search and rescue event and many team building games. Our students really enjoyed the group activities and the opportunity to meet other Year 8 students.

Rippa Rugby Tournament
Several students from Omarama School represented Omarama School at the Rippa Rugby tournament in Oamaru. To form a team, we entered the competitive Year 7 and 8 grade. It was a challenging day, but the students played fairly and represented Omarama with great pride. They maintained a positive attitude and gave their best effort in every game, narrowly losing by only one or two tries. An outstanding effort—well done to all involved!

Term 2

Hangi visit - Omarama Station - Brief Visit to share Kai with locals

Once again this year we got an invite to Omarama Station to attend the local Hangi with Ecan and local community members. Unfortunately due to inclement weather the activities for our students organized by Nature Agents and the Ecology team were cancelled.
However we did walk along to the Hangi to receive the beautiful food for lunch which was well received by everyone. Many people there complimented our students on their behaviour and good manners, which was lovely to hear.

Emergency Services Inquiry Unit - Search and Rescue at Aoraki

In May we all took a trip up to Aoraki National park, as part of the school (ELC)
Enriching Local Curriculum programme. This trip supported our Emergency Services Inquiry unit for term 2.
We participated in a presentation about climate, weather and water in the mountains, then we moved around to the SAR base to learn about Search and Rescue procedures around Aoraki and undertake a role play. One senior took the role of being lost and injured very well and the other students had fun role playing their position and dressing up.
We also visited Aoraki School for lunch and a play.

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Local Artist support tamariki art work at Omarama School

Omarama School has been fortunate to have Kathy Kerr (local artist and parent) coming into school to undertake some Artwork with our senior students.
Kathy has been working with our Y7 and Y8 students to complete native bird paintings and reflect the beauty of our local area as part of our Local Curriculum Learning.
We appreciate Kathy sharing her expertise with our students and commend the quality of work that she has been able to help them produce.
Kathy is very talented and we are very lucky to have her share her expertise and passion for Art with our students who are very keen to learn and develop their own
skills.

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Pink Shirt day - Anti bullying acknowledgement

Omarama School students celebrated Pink Shirt Day (an anti - bullying campaign to focus on kindness).
We acknowledged this day by wearing mufti pink clothes. Throughout the day we participated in kindness activities and watched a video clip about being an upstander rather than a bystander and how to be a kind friend.
Students got together to write positive affirmations to one another and reiterate kindness inside and outside of the classrooms.

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