Oropi School - Culture

One of our musicals "world famous in Oropi"	Wearable Arts

Choir
When the school is not involved in producing its own musical during the year, children in the middle and upper school have the opportunity to be in the choir for the Tauranga Primary Schools Music Festival at Baycourt if staff are supportive for this to occur. Teacher in charge – Mr Robert Lewis assisted by Miss Liz Freeman.

Maori Culture
When practicable, and personnel is available, Kapa Haka will be offered once weekly. All teachers offer Taha Maori in their individual classrooms. Ms Liz Freeman is in charge of Maori culture.

Bible in Schools
Along the same lines as Maori Culture, Bible in School is offered to students once weekly from mid-late March to November, providing suitable personnel is available. Parents who wish to withdraw their children must write a letter to the Principal requesting the same.
We have an end of year mini-concert for children and parents. Parents/Caregivers are most welcome to attend weekly lessons. Currently Yrs 1–6 are provided with Bible in School. Teachers remain in class during this time.

Houses
Children are divided into four houses named after early pioneering families. Houses are: Seales (Red), McLean (Yellow), Gamman (Green) and Kensington (Blue).
Each House has a teacher in charge and 2 house captains. Houses compete for a school shield through a variety of activities.
e.g. Talent Quest entries, keeping our school tidy, tabloids, swimming and special day events.
At the end of each Term the winning house has a small reward during school time.

On occasion, Staff host an informal ‘meet the teachers’ after-noon tea.
A sun, surf, safety beach day is held every other year, as is the wonderful health programme life education. Music tuition in piano and guitar is offered each Tuesday afternoon. Tutor: Mrs Peg Southee. Miss Freeman offers an opportunity to learn the recorder and marimba in Term 4.

Speech involvement in the Tall Poppy Cluster of schools (8), is available for our Year 7/8 children in Term 3; plus our Year 5/6 children compete in the Kaimai Rural Schools' Cluster (4).

Spanish is the international language we have chosen to offer our Year 7/8 students as both of our main feeder colleges (TBC/TGC) provide the same.

Einstein Challenge
In 2007 Oropi's team of Year 5/6 children won the inaugural competition hosted at Omokoroa No. 1 School, with thirteen schools competing. In 2008 we won the Kaimai Rural School competition and then went on to win the West Cluster School event. We are very proud of the children's effort.

Elective
The senior school has an 8 week block of elective with superb parental involvement in Term 3. These electives are: cooking, photography, weaving, pottery, green printing, marimba music, scrapbook making and pet rock art creation. Room 6 has rebuilt old bicycles and upgraded and painted them as part of their technology elective.