He Pito Mata
He Pito Mata
10 September 2024
10 September 2024
Embedded Files
From the Principal
From the Principal
Ko te ahurei o te tamaiti arahia o tātou mahi
Ko te ahurei o te tamaiti arahia o tātou mahi
Let the uniqueness of the child guide our mahi
Let the uniqueness of the child guide our mahi
Community Generosity
Community Generosity
I have always been incredibly grateful for the ongoing generosity of our community in respect to the support that is offered to the College and our students. This is particularly true at this time of year, as many local businesses and individuals contribute Senior Prizegiving scholarships to support our leavers in their ongoing career pathways and provide leadership opportunities for those who are staying.
Generosity can take many forms and I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank one particular individual, Dorien Forster. Dorien has recently moved to Ōtaki and as part of her desire to contribute to the Ōtaki Community she has gifted a motor vehicle (Toyota March) to the College to enable students to learn to drive. Getting a driver's licence is always a significant step for young people as it not only allows them to gain independence but also is often a prerequisite for employment. Once again, our sincere thanks to Dorien for this incredible act of kindness and generosity.
Dorien, standing with Andy Fraser, in front of the vehicle she has donated to the College.
Student Leadership
Student Leadership
This time of year is always exciting as we run elections for a number of significant roles in the College. I am incredibly proud to acknowledge that we have 3 students standing for the role of student board representative and a total of 18 students who are applying to become our 2025 Ngā Ringa Whero team who will be announced at our Senior Prizegiving.
Along with this we will announce our Everiss Scholar who will travel to Robert Gordon's College in Aberdeen, Scotland, in January next year and we are looking forward to completing these interviews this week.
Student Academic Progress
Student Academic Progress
I would like to continue to urge you to make sure that your children are attending school regularly. This is particularly important at this time of year for senior students to enable them to complete assessments for internal NCEA recognition and get ready for external exams. A reminder that you can discuss your child's academic progress at the Year 11-13 Student/Whānau/Teacher interviews on Wednesday 25 September between 2:00pm - 8:00pm. Booking instructions can be found below.
Prizegiving Celebrations
Prizegiving Celebrations
A big reminder that we would love to see you celebrating student success at the College at our Sports Prizegiving on Thursday 24 October and Senior Prizegiving on Tuesday 29 October. It would be great to have everyone seated by 6.50pm at these gatherings so that we can commence promptly at 7.00pm. I would like to take this opportunity to mark the passing of Murray Easton, who has for many years provided pre Senior Prizegiving musical entertainment and has piped the official party in and out of this event.
Ngā mihi nui
Andy Fraser, Principal
College Notices:
College Notices:
Important Dates to Diary
Important Dates to Diary
Wed 25 Sep - Yr 11-13 Student/Whānau/Teacher Conferences Early finish at 1.35pm
Fri 27 Sep - Last Day of Term 3
Mon 14 Oct - First Day of Term 4
Thu 24 Oct - Sports Prizegiving, 7.00pm
Mon 28 Oct - Labour Day, College Closed
Tue 29 Oct Senior Prizegiving, 7.00pm
Fri 1 Nov - last day for Seniors before study leave begins (NCEA exam slips will be handed out on this day)
Fri 15 Nov - Teacher Only Day - Curriculum Refresh, College Closed
Booking Instructions for Year 11/12/13 Student/Whānau/Teacher Interviews
Booking Instructions for Year 11/12/13 Student/Whānau/Teacher Interviews
When: Wednesday 25 September 2024 2:00pm - 8:00pm
Where: College hall
To Book go to: https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz
and enter the code: j2fyr
If you have any problems, please contact the Office staff and they will make the booking for you.
Congratulations to our PB4L Prize Draw winners:
Congratulations to our PB4L Prize Draw winners:
Week beginning 12 August
Kauri: Aimee Heenan
Mataī: Te Aria Carkeek
Rimu: Jesse Cosgrove
Tōtara: Samuel Auld
Week beginning 19 August
Kauri: Maleah Edwards
Mataī: Bailey Gilbert- Spicer
Rimu: Jayden Collins
Tōtara: Ronald Henare
Week beginning 26 August
Kauri: Nardin Tumanako
Mataī: Emelia Fulford
Rimu: Arlo Matheson
Tōtara: Sam Auld
Week beginning 2 September
Kauri: Witana Cameron
Mataī: Taylor Maihi
Rimu: Eddy Vidulich
Tōtara: Jayden Saul
Week beginning 9 September
Kauri: Ronan Cornelius
Mataī: Lily-Anne Wood
Rimu: Painia Edwards
Tōtara: Braeden Butters
Sports Person of the Year Nominations
Sports Person of the Year Nominations
As we get ever closer to our end of year Sports Prizegiving, we need to ensure that we have all relevant information about your children's sporting achievements. Please let us know of any sporting achievements that we might not be aware of - in particular, regional, national or international honours.
Please email this information to kdl@otakicollege.school.nz or give me a call on 06 364 8204 x 734
Duke of Edinburgh's Award
Duke of Edinburgh's Award
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award equips rangatahi for promising futures by challenging young people to develop skills and tools to improve themselves – and their communities.
For information about the Duke of Edinburgh's Award at College contact Carrie Yaxley on carrieyaxley@gmail.com or Kent Pollard on kpl@otakicollege.school.nz.
Our Board of Trustees Student Representative Election is underway
Our Board of Trustees Student Representative Election is underway
We have three candidates for this position. Voting by the student body will open on Monday 16 September and close at 4.00pm on Thursday 19 September.
News and Events
News and Events
Our thanks to ...
Our thanks to ...
Max Lutz as he steps down as Chair of the XŌtaki Alumni Trust. In this role Max has been an invaluable supporter of the College and has been instrumental in many of the Trust’s fundraising projects. Max will continue on as a Trustee but the role of Chair will be taken by Scott Wylie.
Our thanks also to Janice Brown and Kim Cook who have retired as Trustees. They have both worked tirelessly over past years in promoting the College and in raising scholarship funds for our students.
Merchant Navy Day
Merchant Navy Day
On September 3rd Maddie Simpson and Witana Cameron accompanied Matua Andy to the the National Commemoration for Merchant Navy Day, 2024, at the Hall of Memories at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington. Maddie delivered a reading at the commemoration and Witana laid a wreath on behalf of all young people in New Zealand.
Together they placed the medals of the Unknown Soldier at the foot of the bronze statue, Mother and Children, in the Hall of Memories. The statue represents the families left behind and those who suffered the loss of those who died in conflicts.
Tangata Moana students whakahonoga with Mana MP, Barbara Fatimataaniuaana Edmonds
Tangata Moana students whakahonoga with Mana MP, Barbara Fatimataaniuaana Edmonds
Congratulations to ...
Congratulations to ...
Pippa King, Carlos Walden and Anahera Williams who have received over 50 Kia Kaha cards in 2024, earning Principal's Awards for consistently demonstrating our RŌAR values.
They will be attending a Principal's Award lunch later in the year.
Ihnia Graham attended the onbeingbold Dreaming Big Event in Wellington
Ihnia Graham attended the onbeingbold Dreaming Big Event in Wellington
Published in MegaJobs, August 2024
Te Ahu o te Reo Māori
Te Ahu o te Reo Māori
Every Thursday for the past 18 weeks about 30 staff and whānau enrolled on the Te Ahu o te Reo Māori course to help with growing the reo amongst staff and whānau members. Te Ahu o te Reo Māori first appeared in Ōtaki in 2019 and has since grown nationwide for teachers, educators, admin staff and whānau. We needed 30 members per level to have this course at our college and we are all at Level 1. The core values that come through each week are whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, kotahitanga and whakaute to embrace and foster the language no matter what level we are all at. He waka eke noa. We are certainly all in this together.
Community Notices
Community Notices
Sailing Trust.pdf
Checking measles immunity
Aotearoa is at very high risk of a measles outbreak and not enough of us are immune.
To be immune, you must have had measles before OR at least two doses of a measles vaccine after the age of 12 months.
Local childhood immunisation rates are declining. Low immunity and the close contact nature of education settings means one infected person could quickly expose and spread measles to many others, starting an outbreak that could be hard to control.
People can be infectious before they develop measles symptoms and know they’re sick. Being immune is important for everyone’s safety – it’s the only way to make sure you won’t get or spread measles, even if you’ve been exposed.
It’s a good idea for all staff to check their immunity to measles. See information on checking immunity here:
Measles immunity – Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
My Health Record – Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
If you aren’t immune, or you’re not sure, two doses of the measles mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is your best protection. You can book a vaccine online:
For suspected or confirmed measles cases at your facility, contact your local public health service urgently.
Teens.pdfRainbow Journey 2024.pdf
Repair Cafe Sep 24 vB (1).pngSLP A3 Poster - Sep 24.pdf
Children’s Hospital Annual Street Appeal – Saturday, 5th October
When a child needs hospital care, it can be one of the most frightening times for any family. Our Annual Street Appeal is a key fundraiser and helps ensure that tamariki across our region continue to receive the best possible care - when they need it most.
We need Volunteer Collectors across Wellington City, Lower Hutt, Petone, Porirua, and Kapiti.
If you can spare just 2 hours of your time on Saturday, 5th October, please consider joining us. Sign up to your preferred location here: https://signup.com/go/WCHStreetAppeal
This is also a great opportunity to involve kids in a meaningful holiday activity that benefits their community - younger children (16 years and under) are welcome to volunteer with an adult. Older students (Year 13 and beyond) can earn valuable volunteer hours for their CV; and it’s a wonderful chance for community or corporate groups to participate in a worthwhile event.
For more information, please contact: streetappeal@whf.org.nz
SKI SQUADS.pdfSnowboarding Squad.pdfYSAR POSTER_2024.pdf
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