Ōpiki School is part of the Fitzherbert Cluster of Schools: Tokomaru, Linton Camp, Linton Country, Turitea and Aokautere. We work together as a cluster in a range of ways including Teacher Professional Development, and Student sports events. Details and guidelines for these competitive events are as follows:
Cluster Swimming
Who: Year 4-8
When: Generally Term 1
Where: Kupe Pool, Linton
Participants: Teachers will observe swimmers during our practise swims. This, combined with school swimming races will help staff determine the fastest swimmers for each event. Children who are unable to swim 50m will not be invited (for safety reasons).
Cluster Chess
Who: Year -8
When: Term 2
Where: Ōpiki School
Participants: The strongest chess players in each year level, as displayed during our weekly chess club. The same selection process will apply for entries into the Manawatū competition.
Cluster Cross Country
Who: Year 1-8
When: Term 2
Where: Location TBC. Previously the Stewart’s Farm, Tokomaru
Participants: Teachers will observe the fastest runners during our practise runs. This, combined with a school race will help staff determine the fastest runners (up to 5 per year/gender will be eligible). Children who are unable to run the whole of the school course will not be invited to participate in the cluster event (even if they finish in the top 5). The same selection process will apply for entries into the Manawatū competition (Year 5-8 only)
Cluster Speech
Who: Year 5-8
When: Term 3
Where: Turitea School
Participants: The top 2 Year 5&6s, and Top 2 Year 7&8s as decided at our school speech competition.
Senior Athletics
Who: Year 4-8
When: Term 4
Where: Massey Athletics Track
Participants: Anyone who places in the top 3 for any school event. Children who are absent on the day of the school competition will be invited to attend the cluster event if staff have noted that the child performed well during practise days and they would have placed in the top 3.
Junior Athletics
Who: Year 1-3
When: Term 4
Where: Tokomaru School
Participants: Everyone
Cluster Touch
Who: Year 1-8
When: Term 4
Where: Monrad Park
Participants: The top 9-10 touch players (4 girls, 5 or 6 boys) in each age grade will be selected based on:
Their request to participate
That they play touch for the school or a club in the current year or recently
If too many apply, a trial will be held, with at least 2 staff members acting as selectors. Parent coaches may also be called upon to select teams.
Ki o rahi (Traditional Māori Game)
Who: Year 5-8
When: Term 3
Where: Varying locations
Participants: As a senior school we do ki o rahi as part of our sports rotations. The best participants will be selected by teachers. Selection will be based on;
Athletic ability
Ability to work well in a team
Previous experience in a ki o rahi team
Sports Teams
At Ōpiki we currently offer children the opportunity to represent the school in Football (4 teams), Hockey (3 teams), Touch (8 teams) and Basketball (1 team). If we are short we try to combine with other cluster schools to create teams, eg in 2022 where we combined with Tokomaru to make a netball team. Any child may participate, providing they show our school values of:
Respect. Show respect to their coach, team-mates and opposition
Communication: Communicate appropriately
Life Long Learning: Are organised and ready to play.
Contribution: Attend trainings
Self Worth: Try their best
EPro8 (Engineering, Problem Solving and Innovation)
Who: Year 5-8
When: Term 2
Where: Various locations
Participants: Each class will hold their own ePro8 competition. The best 4 participants will be selected by teachers. Selection will be based on;
Ability to work well in a team
Skills to work with hands on equipment
Ability to think creatively, especially with a focus on engineering and electronics
Mathematics ability
Previous experience in an ePro8 team
Mathex (Maths)
Who: Year 5-8
When: Term 3
Where: Awapuni Racecourse
Participants: Each class will hold their own Mathex competition. The best participants will be selected by teachers. Selection will be based on;
Mathematical ability
Ability to work well in a team
Previous experience in a Mathex team