We are now very much in the final sprint for home with our senior students. I would urge all whānau to be encouraging their children to be focusing on the completion of all outstanding work for final assessments and readying themselves for any externals that they are entered for.
I would like to sincerely thank all whānau who took the opportunity to come in and meet with our teachers on 19 October. Having these face to face meetings is really important in sharing student achievement and formulating next steps to improve opportunities as we move forward.
A reminder that our Senior Prizegiving will be held on 2 November at 7.00pm and I look forward to seeing you there, celebrating the outstanding achievements of our young people. Prior to this event, another reminder is the Sports Awards evening, to be held at 7.00pm on 26 October. This event celebrates the successes of all our young athletes. This is a great evening and I would encourage you to come along. I have to say that it is quite exciting to again feel like we are back to normal and under no restrictions when celebrating student success.
I would like to acknowledge Witana Cameron's recent achivements. Witana gained, for the second year in a row, The Most Outstanding UCOL Student Award, as part of our Secondary Tertiary Programme. His recognition was not just about his own efforts on his course, but also acknowledged the role that he played setting an example to others and supporting others. This is certainly an award to be proud of. On the same day that he was given his UCOL award, Witana competed in the Regional Evolocity Challenge and was acknowledged for his outstanding results, listed later in this Newsletter.
With our ongoing relationship with Robert Gordon's College, it was fantastic to be able to host ten RGC students and three staff members, including the Headmaster, Robin Macpherson. Having opportunities like this help us to continue to have that strength of relationshipthat will continue for many years to come (see article below for full details).
Sports Prizegiving - Thur 26 October, 7.00pm
Senior Prizegiving - Thur 2 November, 7.00pm
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
Last Day of Term 4 - Tue 12 Dec (this differs from the date previously advertised)
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 9 October
Kauri: Lachlan Byrne
Mataī: Mia Woodroofe
Rimu: Tama Royal
Tōtara: Giorgio Bevan
Week beginning 16 October
Kauri: Jessica Ngan
Mataī: Karen Dai
Rimu: Caleb Smith
Tōtara: Sam Georgetti
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You are warmly invited to celebrate student success at our annual Prizegivings:
Sports Prizegiving - Thursday 26 October
Senior Prizegiving - Thursday 2 November
Year 9&10 Prizegiving - Tuesday 12 December, 10.00am
Year 7&8 Prizegiving - Tuesday 12 December, 1.00pm
Inter-College tennis tournament
Huge thanks to Adam from the Ōtaki Sports Club and Jeanette from Waikanae Tennis for arranging the inaugural inter-college tennis tournament. A stunning day was had, we look forward to next year's event.
Sport Uniform
Please return your sport uniforms to Kirsty or the school office asap - senior sign outs are just around the corner so they need to come back to me urgently.
Planning for 2024
We are now planning for sport in 2024 - we are in desperate need of coaches, managers and helpers for 2024 - please get in contact if you are able to help - the more helpers we have the more opportunities for our students to participate.
Sports Prizegiving - Thursday 26th October, 7pm in our hall. Invitations to whanau have been sent for those receiving prizes. Everyone is welcome, come along and support. There will be a practice for students involved next week - day and time to be announced.
Sign ups - term 4 Sports
Year 7 and 8 - Touch Tournament Tuesday 31st October
Year 9 and 10 - Junior Golf - Wednesday 8 th November
Year 9 and 10 - Junior Touch - Thursday 9th November
Year 9 and 10 - Tennis Singles and Double Championships
Rugby 2024
We are building towards rugby 2023 with regular training and musters - any year 9 to 13 students who are keen to play in 2024 - please see me.
Please get in contact with Kirsty if you would like to know more about any of these opportunities
kdl@otakicollege.school.nz or see Kirsty
Congratulations to Witana Cameron for his success in the recent Lower North Island Evolocity Competition. Witana was placed:
In the trophy events;
1st - Electronic innovation
1st - Showstopper award (presentation of vehicle and overall design)
1st - Overall performance (taken from performance over all the races)
2nd - Engineering innovation
In the performance events;
1st - Endurance (quickest time to complete 6 laps)
1st - Efficiency (least energy used in 6 laps)
1st - Gymkhana (slalom, pick up and deliveries, water carrying)
2nd - Drag race
Two of our Ōtaki College staff members are former Black Ferns (1990/91). This photo of Seuga Frost and Jude Broughton was taken at a recent Black Ferns Rugby reunion. Whaea Jude said "We were treated like hero’s by the current Black Ferns who acknowledged us as the pioneers of the game, and thanked us for paving the way. We got to witness the jersey presentation for the game the following day. This was a great experience".
NPDL: New Pedagogies for Deep Learning Update…
Term 4 Deep Learning Projects
WHĀNAU AND STUDENTS HAVE RECEIVED EMAIL UPDATES AND WE ARE ON OUR WAY!
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
Ōtaki and Te Horo Tsunami Evacuation practice:
Saturday 28th October 10am-2pm
Starting from your house in the tsunami zone and heading to your local community emergency hub at Ōtaki Memorial Hall
"Long or Strong, Get Gone!" Join the Ōtaki and Te Horo community for a tsunami evacuation practice.
Have you ever wondered what it takes to get to safety after a long or strong earthquake? If you call the yellow tsunami zone home, it's time to make sure you have a tried and tested evacuation plan in place, and what better way to do that than with your neighbours and friends.
Combine preparedness with fun as your household and community come together to "get gone" with your grab bags. You can start at the beach end of Tasman Road or Te Horo Beach Road with us or make your own way from your home following your household evacuation plan! Every step you make is a step towards safety.
Afterwards, meet up with and celebrate at the Ōtaki or Te Horo Community Emergency Hub (Ōtaki Memorial Hall/Te Horo Hall) with other members of your community for refreshments.
Do you live, work, or play in the tsunami zone? Find out here: https://www.wremo.nz/hazards/tsunami/
(3) Ōtaki and Te Horo Community Tsunami Practice | Facebook