He Pito Mata

7 June 2024

Anyone willing to help with the Night Market, our annual College fundraiser, please call Jo Andrews on 027 247 8121, or email her - jojowyeth@gmail.com

From the Acting Principal

Kia ora Ōtaki College Community.

It continues to be my privilege to be Acting Principal until Andy Fraser returns in Term 3. My thanks go to all the people who have stopped in to greet me and/or introduce yourself. Ngā mihi nui.

I was recently reminded of the whakataukī "Kei hopu tōu ringa ki te aka tāepa, engari kia mau ki te aka matua". The main vine is strong and has secure foundations, whereas the loose vine can be buffeted by the wind, so anyone climbing it can not reach the top.

In the context of education, the main vine of knowledge is the treasure gained through hard work and problem-solving. It provides a strong base for students (and adults) to launch forth from. But sometimes, when we do not have appropriate knowledge, we do not find it easy to reach our destination. Again, my encouragement to our Ōtaki College students is to develop perseverance and endurance to reach your goals. Aim high and work diligently in all areas of school life - education, sport, being kind and embodying Raukawatanga. Kia kaha.

At our recent school assembly, Jaybe Ackerman was acknowledged for showing these values and was welcomed onto the Ngā Ringa Whero team (student heads of school). Jaybe has shown leadership skills through supporting various lunchtime events, and being an active member of the student council. The existing Ngā Ringa Whero members asked for Jaybe to be included into their team as they wanted to acknowledge his commitment and effort to school-wide activities. Our congratulations go to Jaybe Ackerman.

Finally, we have entered into the second half of term two and the temperature has dropped considerably. Students attending Ōtaki College are still expected to wear our uniform in these cold months. We do have a supply of clean uniform at school if students are not wearing our uniform. Please do let us know if having the correct uniform is not possible and we can offer support with this.

Ngā mihi nui

Hamish Wood, Acting Principal

College Notices:

Important Dates to Diary

Wed 12 & Thur 13 June - Drama Production, 7.00pm
Sat June 29 - Matariki Night Market
Fri 21 June - Diversity Day
Fri 5 July - Last Day of Term Two
Mon 22 July - First Day of Term Three

Uniform Shop Has Moved

The College Uniform Shop has moved from Marlan Trading and will now be sold through McAndrews Menswear, 212 Main Highway, Ōtaki. Their Uniform Shop hours will be Tuesdays from 1pm to 4:30pm and then on Saturdays from 1pm to 4pm, starting from Tuesday 21 May. If you are unable to purchase uniform at these times, you may make an appointment outside these hours by ringing the shop on (06) 210 2509.

Congratulations to our PB4L Prize Draw winners:

Week beginning 6 May

Kauri: Jordan Blakeley

Mataī: Bijou Austin

Rimu: Violet Frey

Tōtara: Harriet Georgetti

Week beginning 13 May

Kauri: Tamihana Anderson

Mataī: Mia Woodroofe

Rimu: Rylee Francis

Tōtara: Kahu Hawea-Winiata

Week beginning 20 May

Kauri: Kayla Hayward

Mataī: Leah Shipp

Rimu: Noa Murray

Tōtara: Wyeth Andrews

Week beginning 27 May

Kauri: Mason Turnbull

Mataī: Karhn Albert

Rimu: Emily Delaney

Tōtara: Moana Blackler

Diversity Day - 21 June

It is NZ Schools' Pride Week from June 17-21.This is an annual event which celebrates rainbow students, staff and whānau. We will be holding a non uniform diversity day on Friday June 21 to highlight the importance of inclusion, diversity and acceptance. Money raised will support the organisation Inside Out.

ZEAL are also coming in to support this event and we will be having a sausage sizzle and bake sale. Diversity Day coincides with our World Vision 40 hour challenge week end. Our kai sales will support the Ōtaki College World Vision effort.

World Vision Fundraiser

Ōtaki College has a student World Vision team who are promoting the World Vision 40 hour challenge on the weekend of June 21-23.

Jeana Bevan, Finn Butler and Carol Luu attended the World Vision conference in the Hutt Valley recently and listened to some inspirational speakers. The remainder of the team- Yilin Lyu, Keita Broughton Alp, Arnyah McLeod, Saul Ward and Jaybe Ackerman participated in a leadership workshop at college to assist them in promoting the challenge. The money raised will be used to support Timor-Leste in responding to the climate crisis.

To donate online just head to our OC link World Vision challenge

News and Events

2024 Senior Ball

Rex Kerr, MNZM

Interschool Cross Country

24 year 7 and 8 students attend the interschool cross country running event at Haruatai Park on a lovely winter morning. A huge thank you to Peter Ellis who continues to run this event for our local schools.

Congratulations to the following students who have been invited to run at the Kāpiti Inter-School Cross Country on Tuesday 18th June:

Ihaka Cameron, Tama Edwards, Mahaki Hill, Tumaka Martin, Tyson Riggs, Rereahu Schneider, Connor Thomas, Ari Ward, Hape Wiki and Te Akau Williams.

Congratulations to ...

Edith Tahere (year 7) who attended the Global Dance + Cheer Games in Hawaii recently. Her squad were thrilled to come away with a bronze medal in their division.