My warm and sincere congratulations go out to all the students who were acknowledged at our recent Prizegivings. It is a real highlight of my year to be able to recognise student contributions to the College and once again they were certainly outstanding. I would like to take this opportunity to thank whānau for their attendance. The sense of support and community that is generated at this event is always commented upon by our invited guests.
Sincere thanks to Pounamu MacKay, guest speaker at Sports Prizegiving, and to Constable Lucy Fleming who was our keynote speaker at Senior Prizegiving this year. It is always exciting to have past students picking up this opportunity to share ideas and thoughts with our students that will help them transition successfully into their own future lives and careers.
I now look forward to our Year 7&8 and Year 9&10 Prizegivings which will happen on our last day of school - Tuesday 12 December. I am sure I can again look forward to all our whānau being present to support our young people.
As I mentioned at Senior Prizegiving, the Board of Trustees are currently in the process of reviewing our Strategic Plan to make sure that it is fit for purpose and meets the aspirations of whānau and our wider College community. Your feedback would be hugely appreciated so if you have a little time, please click on this link and complete the survey: https://forms.gle/1vckTbKX3X9GF7m57
The survey will close on Monday 20 November.
Teacher Only Day: College Closed (NCEA Exams will run as usual) - Fri 17 November
Teacher Only Day: College Closed (NCEA Exams will run as usual) - Mon 20 November
Leavers' Dinner - Thur 7 Dec, Riverstone Cafe
Last Day of Term 4 - Tue 12 Dec
Year 9& 10 Prizegiving - Tue 12 Dec, 10.00am
(Yr 9&10 students may leave after prizegiving)
Year 7&8 Prizegiving - Tue 12 Dec, 1.00pm
College finishes at 2.30pm
2024
Thur 1 Feb
Yr 11-13 Course Counselling/Yr 7-9 meet their Homeroom/HMT/Kaiārahi teachers
Mon 5 Feb
Pōwhiri and full school return (at different times according to Year Level)
Week beginning 6 November
Kauri: Rylee Evans
Mataī: Lucy Rasmussen
Rimu: Mahaki Hill
Tōtara: Te Awa Mouton
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The College is currently allocating International students to homestay families for 2024. Next year we are expecting students from Brazil, Japan and Europe. Homestays range from one Term right through to a full year. Expenses are covered. If you or someone you know have a spare room and are interested in finding out more about joining our growing list of host families, please get in touch with Andre Kneepkens (email: akk@otakicollege.school.nz) or contact the school office.
On 28th October 2023, the unclaimed medals of 75 World War II 28th Māori Battalion A Company soldiers were awarded to their surviving descendants at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
Peneti Pumipi attended this ceremony with his grandmother, grand aunt and uncles. They were presented with the medals of his late great grandfather, Te Akau Peneti Pumipi.
The medals were:
The 1939 - 45 Star
The Africa Star & 8th Army clasp
The Defence Medal
The War Medal 1939 - 1945
The NZ War Service Medal
Peniti was enormously proud and honoured to have had the opportunity to attend this significant event.
NPDL: New Pedagogies for Deep Learning Update…
Neill-E are offering new clients – a MASSIVE 15% off any work, they just need to quote SCHOOL when contacting us.
Pricing for Students:
The Half Marathon @ $45 (as opposed to $80)
The 10k @ $35
The 5k @ $25
The 2k @ $20
Does your child require further support or extension, over and above what can be offered at school?
Would your child benefit from bespoke and nurturing learning sessions from a highly experienced teacher designed to accelerate learning and boost confidence? We would love to help. We are a team of dedicated teachers, specialising in English, Maths and Science for intermediate and college students. Visit www.boostyourlearning.co.nz for more information or contact Anna on 020 4031 6035 to book a free consultation.