Parent Information

School Donations

Omarama School has opted in to the Ministry of Education donation scheme.

Headstart

We run a “Head start” programme on a Thursday afternoon for any four year olds wishing to come and visit Omarama school. This will include social routines, organisational skills, manipulative skills, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, early language knowledge and numeracy knowledge. It is a wonderful opportunity for preschoolers to become immersed in school life, while meeting and playing with other children who have recently begun school.
Parents are given the option to stay and participate with their preschooler or leave allowing their child to build relationships and develop some independence.
Parents always are given time to chat with teachers, teacher aides and the Principal ahead of their transition to school.
Headstart activities include art and craft, music, science, story time and some movement outside activities.

Transition to Omarama School

In New Zealand children can start Primary School from five years of age. They are not required by law to attend until they are six years of age. This means there is some flexibility around when a child can start. From 1 January 2020 schools are able to enforce “cohort entry”, meaning there are now two ways for children to start school (on their 5th birthday or at an appointed cohort entry time given by the school). This is referred to as a Cohort Entry Policy, designed by the school. As Omarama is a small rural school, we have not felt the need to implement a cohort policy as yet.

The transition from pre-school to Omarama school will be assisted by ongoing liaison between pre-school organisations and Omarama School. Names are requested from the pre-school organisations with parent contact details up to six prior to school entry.
Parents / Caregivers will be contacted by the school one term before pre-school visits are due to begin (if school is aware). An invitation will then be sent directly to the family, prior to the start of their school visits, informing them of days, dates and times.
Children will make visits once per week for six weeks prior to entry on a predetermined day.

Timeline and expectations of school visits:

Parents / Care-givers will be given the opportunity to discuss school routines and procedures at the orientation meeting with the Principal.
Stationary requirements, uniform information and other enrolment information will be given at the time of enrolment. Parents will also receive a school information handbook on enrolment.
‘Headstart’ - Thursday 2-3pm for any 4 year olds wishing to come and visit Omarama School.

Enrolment

Prior to enrolling your child on or after their 5th birthday, you and your child are invited to attend pre-entry visits to the junior classroom. Please ring the office six weeks prior to the actual enrolment. We can be very flexible with these visits. School visits aid your child’s transition to school.

On enrolment day, you are asked to bring with you a copy of your child’s birth, immunisation certificates and any relevant medical details and emergency contact numbers. It is helpful if students enrolling from another school have some transfer information and any books from their previous school. Omarama School will request their full records from their last school after enrolment.

Enrolment Enquiry

Uniform

Omarama School has a compulsory school uniform. Second hand uniform pieces are available. Please contact the office for more information.

New uniforms can be ordered through the office.

Stationery

Each child is charged $25 per term for printing and consumables. Stationery supplies are available at the school office

Transportation

GoBus provides 2 school bus runs for Omarama School. The buses travel north and south of Omarama school.

Reporting to Parents

Term 1

Parent evening

Progress & Values report

Term 2

Conference meetings for goal setting

Seesaw reporting

Term 3

Seesaw reporting

Term 4

End of Year written report

Sports Programme

Specialist sport coaches visit the school to work with our children on skills development. The school sports programme is based on the Upper Waitaki Schools annual programme of events.

Term 1

Swimming Sports

Term 2

Winter Sports

Term 3

Skiing, Cross Country

Term 4

Athletics

Children and parents involved in hockey, rugby and athletics groups are able to use the school Van to get to training.

Omarama Play Group

The Omarama playgroup is on Wednesday morning at 9:30. It is located in the Omarama community centre.

4 year old's from Playgroup have the opportunity to visit Omarama School on a Wednesday afternoon (starting in Term 2, 2024).

Technology

Year 7 and Year 8 students from Omarama School travel the short distance to Twizel Area School every week, to participate in Technology lessons. Lessons include hard technology, foods and fabric, with a celebration of project achievements at the end of each term.

School Amenities

Omarama School is lucky enough to have their very own swimming pool for school swimming lessons. The parent community also has the opportunity to use the school pool, after school hours for a small payment of $50.

The school is fortunate to have a wonderful tunnel house also, and with parent help we are able to offer Garden Club to those garden enthusiasts. This group meets weekly and shows pride in the produce that is grown in the tunnel house.