Steph Putt Retires

Steph Putt retires at the end of 2025.  She leaves behind a legacy of dedication and vision.

Prior to commencing at Ōtaki College Steph trained as a Physical Education Teacher and climbed the ranks in her chosen curriculum area to become HOD of PE at Wellington Girls College. When her oldest boy Kieran was 3 months old Steph and husband Wayne moved up to Ōtaki to live in a school house here so Wayne could commence as HOD PE and Outdoor Education at Otaki College. Steph enjoyed time being a mum and after 18 months in Ōtaki they moved into their home in Te Horo. Another two boys appeared on the scene – Jared and Nick.  Steph was not just looking after her own boys she had a keen interest in supporting other whānau and was a founding member and now life member of the Ōtaki Toy library.  As time went on Steph got back into teaching via full time relief work at Horowhenua College. It should be noted that Steph and Wayne clearly have done a great job as parents with all three boys taking up the position of Head Boy here at OC.

Steph’s journey at our college has been one of innovation and dedication, fundamentally shaping the pathways available to our students.

Steph took on the new role of Gateway Teacher and Coordinator in 2006, commencing this with a single class of 17 students. This was the foundation for an essential programme that has since blossomed into three thriving classes today.

Her scope rapidly expanded, taking on the crucial roles of Careers Advisor and STAR Programme Coordinator in 2008, and later serving as the Year 13 Dean in 2012.

In recognition of her vital work, I had the pleasure of appointing her as Coordinator of Transition Programmes in 2014, leading to the formal designation of Secondary Tertiary Programmes Coordinator in 2015. The College was one of the early adopters of Secondary Tertiary Programmes which has proved a vital pathway into a wide range of careers for students and it is because Steph has embraced this that we now have over a third of senior students engaged in Secondary Tertiary Programmes in the college.

The heart of Steph's success is her passion to see every student succeed. She is an exemplary professional who is renowned for being extremely well organised and incredibly dedicated to her work. Her drive has always been centred on a singular goal: ensuring all students have the best pathways and opportunities to gain the best outcomes, both while in college and when they are leaving.

Steph has fostered deep respect across our community, known for being highly relational and highly respected by students, staff, and whānau alike. Her ability to build meaningful connections has been a cornerstone of the department's success.

Steph has established a big reputation far beyond our gates amongst her fellow colleagues in other schools, as well as with the many businesses and external organisations she has worked with. This network of trust and professional respect has created numerous opportunities for our students. This professional respect was acknowledged at the recent Work Ready 2025 Prize Giving where she accepted the award for the College that has shown the greatest engagement in the Work Ready programme streams and UCOL Awards ceremony. Both organisations spoke about their high levels of respect that they have for Steph and the work that she has undertaken.

Steph will leave behind a very strong department which she has  built over the years. It is a department founded on commitment and sheer refusal to let any student slip through the cracks.

We thank Steph for her professionalism and for building an incredibly strong department which leaves behind a legacy of opportunities for students at the college. We wish her all the very best for a long, happy, and fulfilling retirement where she will be enjoying her whanau, mokos and a number of other things on her bucket list that she will now have the time to pursue.

Go well Steph.

Andy Fraser, Principal