About Us


 

Our logo

The name Ōwhiro means "moonless night" which comes from Whiro, the first day of the lunar month. This is symbolised in our school logo by the shape of the letter 'O'. Also included is a stylised macron, denoting the change of name from Owhiro to Ōwhiro by the New Zealand Geographic Board in 2019. The graphic represents the bay and our proximity to Pariwhero, the Red Rocks.

Our ROCKS:

School wide consultation led to the development and adoption of these ROCKS as the concepts we most value. Our goal is to embed these into our daily living and learning for students, staff and parents alike.

  • Rangatiratanga
  • Open mindedness
  • Creativity
  • Kotahitanga
  • Success

School Organisation

We have three hubs, Harakeke, Whanake and Māhuri. Our hubs were named to follow on from the terms used by Ōwhiro Bay Kindergarten for their learning spaces. At OBK the under two's begin in tipu (bud) and move into puawai (flower/blossom). 
At Ōwhiro Bay School, new entrants join Harakeke, the flax bush which symbolises our school whānau/family. They then move into Whanake. Whanake is a verb meaning 'to grow'. Our Year 4 - 6 hub is named Māhuri and refers to a young tree/sapling.
Ōwhiro Bay School has six full time permanent teachers and our learning spaces are arranged as follows;

  • Māhuri -Years 4 - 6  
  • Whanake - Years 2 - 3
  • Harakeke - New Entrants / Year 1

We offer quality teaching for Years 0-6 in a country setting 10 minutes drive from central Wellington.
Our Principal is fully released to lead and manage the school.

The leadership team at Ōwhiro Bay School includes the Principal and the Deputy Principal.

School Hours

8:30am School opens for Students
8:55am School Starts
11:00am - 11:30am Morning Tea
12:40pm - 12:50pm Supervised Eating Time
12:50pm - 1:25pm Lunch Time
3:00pm School Finishes


The school is split into 3 blocks over the day - Block 1: 8:55am-11am, Block 2: 11:30am-12:40pm and Block 3: 1:25pm-3pm

Children should not arrive at school before 8.30am unless a special arrangement has been made with their teacher. This is to ensure that teachers have the opportunity to make the necessary preparations for the day.

Parents/whānau are also encouraged to make appointments to speak with teachers outside the 8.30-9.00am timeslot in order for teachers to be available to greet our tamariki as they arrive.

At 3.00pm children are to go straight home and then return to the school grounds if they wish to play. This is a safety measure to ensure that parents/caregivers know where their children are and what they are doing. At 3.15pm each day any children not yet collected come into the school foyer and parents or caregivers are contacted.

One Learning Community

Ōwhiro Bay School, in partnership with Ōwhiro Bay Kindergarten, forms a community of learners from birth onwards. Our One Learning Community fosters a sense of belonging that encourages life long learning. Through collaborative relationships we celebrate diversity and honour family and whānau aspirations.

This is the first of its kind in the region, where a kindergarten and school are not only located together but are also committed to working together focused on a 'community of learners' from infants onwards in a shared vision between the two services. The teachers collaborate on a regular basis to achieve their shared vision statement:

Our One Learning Community fosters a sense of belonging that encourages lifelong learning.  Through collaborative relationships we celebrate diversity and honour family and whānau aspirations.

The Ōwhiro Bay Learning Community enables the Kindergarten and School to facilitate a good start to school. This is achieved through reciprocal visits for developing familiarity with people and the environment. This includes kindergarten learners visiting the school on a regular basis so they can enjoy kapa haka, assembly, the library, playground and take part in the buddy reading programme with the school children. The Ōwhiro Bay Learning Community ensures that students start school with confidence and a sense of belonging. 

To find out more info about Ōwhiro Bay Kindergarten click here.  

ENJOY After School Care

Enjoy offers after-school care based at Ōwhiro Bay School. Parents/caregivers interested in using these services should contact Enjoy directly. 

Ōwhiro Bay Strategic Plan 2024/25

2024/25 Strategic Plan

Responsibilities

Ōwhiro Bay Learning Community fosters a sense of belonging that encourages a passion for lifelong learning. Through collaborative relationships we celebrate diversity and honour family and whānau aspirations.

Ōwhiro Bay School is obliged to fulfil the requirements set out in the Legislative Framework and New Zealand Curriculum.

Ōwhiro Bay School is committed to delivering a future focused curriculum for all ākonga in balanced programmes as outlined in the National Curriculum Statements.

Ōwhiro Bay School is committed to enabling all learners to attend school regularly, participate, engage and achieve - including those with Special Learning Needs.

Policies and Procedures

View Ōwhiro Bay School's Policies and Procedures.

(username: owhiro and password: happy)

ERO Reviews

National Curriculum

Health Education Delivery Statement 2023 - 2025

Supporters and Sponsors

Parents, please support our local businesses

Brendon Motors Capital Compost Brock Shute – The Mortgage Advice Company Arobake Greenco Electrical Duck Construction Ltd Fox Plan Wellington Family Fit Karate Living Planet South End Motors Island Bay Priced Right Glass Ltd Inspire Photography Capital Montessori School Paul Milne Roofing WashProz
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