Kia ora e te whānau,

As our nation faces a wave of educational and social change, Ōtaki College remains deeply committed to our learning philosophy: preparing rangatahi to be empowered citizens of Aotearoa and the world. This vision anchors not just what we teach, but how we teach and what we value as a learning community.

Recent government actions have altered the educational landscape: there’s a renewed focus on structured literacy and mathematics, extensive curriculum reforms, and proposed changes to NCEA. While developing strong foundational skills is important for our youth, these shifts have been paired with measures that undermine the presence of te reo Māori and the spirit of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in our classrooms and beyond.

Among these actions are:

• The banning of a book for instructional reading as it had to many Māori words along with the removal of Maori words from future planned books and the cessation of printing ones that already exist,

• The introduction of the Treaty Principles Bill and the Regulatory Standards Bill, 

• The disestablishment of Resource Teachers of Māori,

• The cutting of the Te Ahu o Te Reo Māori programme, designed to raise teacher fluency and use          of te reo,

•  Moves to prevent government departments from using Māori names, including “Aotearoa,”

•  The removal of Te Tiriti from dozens of pieces of legislation,

•  The dismantling of the Māori Health Authority,

•  Harsh measures taken against Te Pāti Māori MPs for defending the interests of their people.

 And many other examples that have not been stated here.

At Ōtaki College, these developments run contrary to everything we stand for. Our philosophy, shaped both by international research and our enduring commitment to the identity of Aotearoa, places the development of well-rounded, resilient, and empathetic young people at its core. We value collaboration, critical thinking, and above all - the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Raukawatanga.

The approaches we are developing ensure that learning is personal and relevant to every ākonga. We are increasingly able to tailor pathways to the distinct strengths and aspirations of each student, keeping learning strongly connected to real-world issues and to the unique character of Ōtaki. Our teachers reflect, adapt, and support each other, with confidence, and a sense of purpose at the heart of what we do here.

Ōtaki College will continue to honour te reo Māori, strengthening its presence in our classrooms and in the life of our kura. We are resolute in our stance to lift the identity and aspirations of all our rangatahi, regardless of the political climate.

 Ngā mihi nui,

Andy Fraser

Honouring the Service of the Merchant Navy

Every year, on September 3rd, Merchant Navy Day is observed worldwide, a solemn occasion that holds great significance. It is a day dedicated to honouring the brave men and women of the Merchant Navy, who are rightfully recognised as the "Fourth Service" for their vital role in supporting military efforts and maintaining supply lines during times of conflict.

This years’ service was a particularly poignant event, and our college was once again proud to be a part of the tribute. Thanks to the strong relationship built between our college and the Merchant Navy organisations through the SS Otaki Commemoration Services, we were once again invited to participate in this important national service.

We were especially honoured to have a senior student, Keita Broughton-Alp, selected to read the historical passage, a role she performed with great poise and respect. Furthermore, as representatives of the youth of New Zealand, Keita and fellow student Olivia Fogden were given the distinct honour of laying a wreath at the memorial.

This marks the third consecutive year our college has been requested to participate in this meaningful way, a testament to the respect and admiration we have earned from the wider Merchant Navy community. The students, as always, did us incredibly proud and received numerous compliments from those attending the service. This involvement is becoming a valued tradition for our college, one that we hope to continue for many years to come.