30 Jun 2026

Kia ora e te whānau,

 

We are sharing some health advice to whanau as we have students and staff unwell this week with a stomach bug. 

 

Please remember to keep your child home for the required 48 hours after vomiting or diarrhoea, so that we can limit the spread of these bugs.

 

If you need any more information or have any questions, please phone the school office - 06 3643071

 

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Ministry of Health (Health New Zealand) guidelines recommend managing stomach bugs (gastroenteritis) by prioritizing rest, preventing dehydration, and stopping the spread. Isolate until you have been symptom-free for 48 hours, as this is a highly effective way to protect your community. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Symptoms of Stomach Bugs

Gastro is usually caused by viruses (like norovirus) or bacteria and typically lasts 1 to 3 days. Common symptoms include: [1, 2]

• Nausea and vomiting
  Diarrhoea (runny poos)
  Stomach cramps and pain
  Low-grade fever, headache, or muscle aches [1, 2, 3]

At-Home Treatment & Hydration

There is no specific medicine for viral gastroenteritis; the goal is to manage symptoms and avoid dehydration. [1]

 

• Replenish fluids: Drink plenty of water. Avoid high-sugar drinks or colas, which can make diarrhoea worse.
• Oral rehydration: You can purchase rehydration fluids or sachets from your local pharmacy.
• Eating: Eat normally if you can, but avoid rich or high-fat foods.
• If you vomit: Wait 5 to 10 minutes after vomiting before trying to drink again, then take small sips (about one sip of water every two to three minutes). [1, 2]
  
  

Preventing the Spread

Stomach bugs are highly contagious. To protect your whānau and community: [1, 2]

• Handwashing: Wash hands with soap and dry thoroughly, especially after going to the toilet or changing nappies.
• Stay Home: Keep sick children or adults home from work, school, or daycare until at least 48 hours after vomiting or diarrhoea has completely stopped.
• Cleaning: Use household chlorine bleach mixed with water to disinfect surfaces.
• Food Preparation: Do not prepare food for others until you have been symptom-free for 48 hours.
• Swimming: Avoid swimming in public pools or spas for 2 weeks after your symptoms have stopped. [1, 2, 3, 4]
  
  
  

When to See a Doctor

Most cases resolve on their own, but dehydration can be dangerous. Seek medical help immediately if you or your child: [1]

• Are unable to keep liquids down
• Experience severe abdominal pain or have blood in your poo
• Show signs of severe dehydration (such as dry mouth, sunken eyes, drowsiness, or little to no urine output)
• Have a high fever [1, 2, 3]

For official guidance or to find a local pharmacy or GP, you can visit the Health New Zealand website.
 

If you would like more specific guidance, please tell me:

• Who is sick (e.g., an adult, young child, or elderly person)?
• How long the symptoms have been going on?
• Are there any severe symptoms (like high fever, blood, or inability to keep fluids down)?
  
  
  

Ngā mihi, 

 

Rachael Davies

Office Manager

 

25 Jun 2026

To celebrate and show our appreciation for all the skipping ropes given to the school by The Heart foundation we will be having a fun skipping afternoon this Friday. Go in the draw for a spot prize if you dress up!

Donations can also be made to our Heart Foundation Fundraising page here:

https://www.jumpingjune.org.nz/fundraisers/tehoroschool/te-horo

23 Jun 2026

Kia ora whānau,

Tomorrow (Wednesday 24th June) we have an Ice block & bake sale at morning tea 😋 If you would like to support this camp fundraiser please send your child with a gold coin.

Thank you in advance for your support!! 

Any questions please contact the school the office - Email [email protected] or phone 06 364 3071

Ngā mihi, 

 

Rachael Davies

Office Manager
 
124 School Road
RD 2
Otaki 5582
06 3643071

 

22 Jun 2026

General Reminders for the Week - Week 10 Term 2 2026

 

Library books - Can we please ask that all students return their library books by the end of this term. The annual Library stocktake is taking place early next term and it is important that we have all books returned by Friday 3rd of July.

Help!! Baking needed ASAP   We have only had one lot of baking dropped into the office this afternoon for the food stall being held at the Football tournament tomorrow at Haruatai Park. If you are a year 6,7 or 8 parent and are able to drop some baking or food for sale into the school office by tomorrow morning we would be very grateful.

 

Tuesday 23rd of June 

 

Otaki Football Tournament- Tomorrow (Tuesday 23rd of June - For those students that have signed up) Please remember your sports tops & some warm clothing, along with a drink bottle 🙂 

 

Please note **All students (That do not play Saturday sports) have been issued a sports top on loan, these tops must be returned by the end of the week. These are not to be kept and used for any other events - Please make Rachael happy by returning all outstanding sports tops by this Friday 26th of June (These include sports tops loaned for both Interschool Cross Country events recently)

 

Wednesday  24th of June 

 

* Subway Orders  - Subway Otaki is under new ownership and is once again providing us with yummy school lunches every Wednesday. 

 

Online orders - Exciting news, you can now order online   https://www.subwaylunches.co.nz/Profile/Login  

parents & caregivers need to register online & select Te Horo School (Otaki) - Please see below for the attached step by step guide for online ordering 🙂 

 

School based orders - Subway orders can be ordered at the school office before 9am every Wednesday (If you are ordering at the office, Cash please) Any questions please email [email protected]

 

* Pizza Orders - Pizza Friday's are back this week** Please get onboard and support this year's 6, 7 & 8 camp fundraiser. Please see attached flyer 🍕🍕🍕

Please remember - Orders need to be dropped to the school office before 2.50pm each Wednesday,  no late orders.

1 x piece $3 or 2 for $5 - Options are Hawaiian, Cheese, Ham & Cheese & Pepperoni - Cash Only 

Thursday 25th June 

School Board Meeting - Thursday 25th June at 7pm (To be held in the School Board Room)   If you would like any more information please contact Steve Gadsby, Presiding Member - [email protected]

 

Friday 26th of June

Assembly - 9am in the School Hall - All parents and caregivers are welcome to join us 🙂🙂

Other General Reminders & upcoming important dates for your calendar

 

 - Matariki Breakfast - Friday 3rd of July, whanau are invited to gather with us for Breakfast in the Hall ✨

 

- Last day of Term 2 - Friday 3rd of July (School ends at 2.50pm)

 

- First Day of Term 3 - Monday 20th of July (School starts at 8.55am)

 

Ngā mihi, 

22 Jun 2026

Kia ora whānau,

Help!! Baking needed ASAP 🙂🙂 We have only had one lot of baking dropped into the office this afternoon for the food stall being held at the Football tournament tomorrow at Haruatai Park. 

If you are able to help by dropping off some baking to the school office tomorrow morning, we would be most grateful

To help make this event a fantastic success, we'd love your support with donations of home baking, soup, and lollies. Every contribution helps us reach our fundraising goals for the school camp!

Please drop off any donations at the school office by 9am tomorrow morning. Your generosity is truly appreciated.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Lindsay Cowley at [email protected] or [email protected]chool.nz 

Thank you for your wonderful support!

 

Ngā mihi, 

Rachael Davies

Office Manager
 
124 School Road
RD 2
Otaki 5582
06 3643071