Kia ora Ōtaki College community

I am signing off as acting principal this week to resume my deputy principal role. Andy Fraser is returning in term 3. I want to thank the Ōtaki College staff team who have worked steadily over this second term.  I will make a special mention to Marion Lumley and Keremihana Heke, thanking them for stepping into our senior leadership team this term. I wish all staff and students a well-deserved and restful holiday break. 

I want to start with the whakatauki "Ko te piko o te māhuri, tērā te tupu o te rākau. The way the sapling is shaped determines how the tree grows". At Ōtaki College we uphold and teach manaakitanga: respectful ways of relating and caring for one another. We believe that this value sets apart and elevates all individuals as it is desirable in all walks of life - whether in relationships, employment, culture or sport. As our rangatahi hear and see manaakitanga through respectful language and behaviours (at home and school), this value is entwined in their sense of identity. Manaakitanga grows our young ones into strong and confident adults. 

Yet, we also know that there are times where manaakitanga is not best displayed by our young ones. We have a variety of approaches that we use to support and strengthen better decision making.  Matua Jarrad Porima will be sharing some of these approaches with caregivers this year. I would like to encourage you to read these. 

On a sad note, after 27 years at Ōtaki College, Ian McMillan is retiring as Business Manager. He is stepping into retirement to enjoy fishing, flying model aeroplanes and support with grandparent duties. On behalf of Ōtaki College staff, I wish him all the best for this new season of life and thank him for his years of service. Noho ora mai. As we farewell Ian, we also welcome in Cindy Hall who is taking on this role as Business Manager. We also welcome Laurie Painter who joins Fiona Irvine in our student centre. Nau mai, haere mai..

My thanks go to Jo Andrews and all the volunteers who made the Matariki Night Market such a success. Thanks also go to Tamsin Dashfield-Speight and our senior Drama students for the production of Astroman.

Finally, Term 2 reports have been emailed out.  If you have not received a report, or you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Ngā mihi nui

Hamish Wood, Deputy & Acting Principal