Ōtaki College Newsletter

June 26

From the Principal:

Key information for parents/whānau ... read here.

News and Events

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SGCNZ University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival Success

Huge congratulations to Matthew Brooker and Helen Koenig who won the Sheilah Winn Festival Cup for their five minute student directed scene at the regional festival. This year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, all entries were submitted by video. This can be viewed above. Matthew and Helen were thrilled to learn that their piece had been selected for the National festival, which takes place later in the month. All participants in the National event are eligible for selection for a trip to England to perform at the Globe Theatre in 2021 – travel restrictions permitting.

Their piece was from the Taming of the Shrew (Act II, scene i) and was directed by Matthew and Helen. In this scene Petruchio meets Katherine for the first time and attempts to woo her to be his wife. Katherine objects to this but he turns Kate's insults and objections into sweet words and compliance by completely reversing their meaning. The students' interpretation of this scene takes influence from the Italian physical theatre form of Commedia dell'Arte, which they studied in Drama class.

Talking of their experience Matthew and Helen said: "Putting this together was a lot of fun and filming the final performance made it all seem very professional. We learnt a lot about Elizabethan theatre and Shakespeare's language while putting the piece together and we are very excited that our piece has made it to the national competition! Through this experience we feel we have improved both our knowledge of this style of theatre and our performance skills. We feel it is a great experience and encourage more students to enter the competition next year. "

A screening of the scene will be shown at the Variety Concert next term.

The College has a long history of successful Sheilah Winn Shakespeare entries. This is the second consecutive year in which Ōtaki College students have gone through to the National festival. In 2019 Pare Finlay, after performing at nationals, was selected to perform at the Globe and we are currently waiting to hear when her trip, postponed due to COVID-19, will take place.

Term Two Outdoor Education

With COVID-19 restrictions lifted there was nothing stopping ODE2 and ODE3 (maybe the weather?!) from getting out into the outdoors. ODE3 were the first to strike with the Survival Trip. This was a 3 day trip based on survival in the bush focusing on skills such as off track navigation, identifying edible flora, water collection, outdoor first aid, constructing emergency shelters by using only what the forest provides and safe fire lighting. Students enjoyed the challenge of fashioning spears out of wood to spear eels (they speared one which was later cooked over an open fire, which most students took part in eating). This outdoor experience gave the students an appreciation of surviving the bush in its raw form; shelter, fire, water and food. The idea of living a sustainable life is becoming more apparent, there is so much to be gained from the outdoors, fresh water, fresh food and a way of living that will definitely benefit the mind, body and soul.

From survival trips and sleeping under ferns to the luxury of a lodge and heated rooms. ODE2 spent 5 days in Tongariro National Park. This is one of the highlights on the ODE2 calendar based on the variety of outdoor experiences it provides; caving, rock climbing (indoors and outdoors), abseiling and tramping. See a selection of photos above. We managed to dodge any sign of inclement weather and all activities were completed with determination and enthusiasm! Highlights were most probably rock climbing and abseiling on the shores of Lake Taupo and caving through the Okupata Caves. A massive thank you to Ben and Kylie Tuck at the Taylor Lodge for hosting such an amazing group of students and Emily Kell and Howard Manins for their help and support.

Term Two Outdoor Education

With COVID-19 restrictions lifted there was nothing stopping ODE2 and ODE3 (maybe the weather?!) from getting out into the outdoors. ODE3 were the first to strike with the Survival Trip. This was a 3 day trip based on survival in the bush focusing on skills such as off track navigation, identifying edible flora, water collection, outdoor first aid, constructing emergency shelters by using only what the forest provides and safe fire lighting. Students enjoyed the challenge of fashioning spears out of wood to spear eels (they speared one which was later cooked over an open fire, which most students took part in eating). This outdoor experience gave the students an appreciation of surviving the bush in its raw form; shelter, fire, water and food. The idea of living a sustainable life is becoming more apparent, there is so much to be gained from the outdoors, fresh water, fresh food and a way of living that will definitely benefit the mind, body and soul.

From survival trips and sleeping under ferns to the luxury of a lodge and heated rooms. ODE2 spent 5 days in Tongariro National Park. This is one of the highlights on the ODE2 calendar based on the variety of outdoor experiences it provides; caving, rock climbing (indoors and outdoors), abseiling and tramping. See a selection of photos above. We managed to dodge any sign of inclement weather and all activities were completed with determination and enthusiasm! Highlights were most probably rock climbing and abseiling on the shores of Lake Taupo and caving through the Okupata Caves. A massive thank you to Ben and Kylie Tuck at the Taylor Lodge for hosting such an amazing group of students and Emily Kell and Howard Manins for their help and support.

College Notices:

Important Dates to Diary

Full details remain available on the school website calendar. However, all dates are subject to postponement/cancellation in line with the Government's COVID-19 Alert Level rules.

Student-Whānau-Teacher Interviews: Thur 2nd July

School Finishes at 12.40 on this day

End of Term: Friday 3rd July - school finishes at the normal time
First Day of Term 3: Mon 20 July
Class and Sports Photo Day: Wed 22 July
Variety Concert: Thurs 30 July, Start 7pm.
School Production: Wed 02 September and Thurs 03 September
College Ball: Sat Aug 15 - This is a change to the previously advertised date
End of Year Date: Monday 07 December
Years 7-11 will finish on Monday 07 December
Years 12&13 sitting Externals will finish on Wednesday 11th November, with External Examinations running from 16th November to 9th December. Normal classes will continue until 7th December for Years 12 & 13 who have no, or minimal, Externals.
Sports Prizegiving: Thurs 22 October at 7.00pm in the Hall
Year 12 & 13 Prizegiving: Wed 11 November at 7.00pm in the Hall
Year 7/8 and 9 Prizegiving will be on 3 Dec at 1.00pm-3.00pm in the Gym
Year 10 & 11 Prizegiving: 3 Dec 7.00pm in the Gym

Student-Whānau-Teacher Interviews and Early Finish on 2nd July

Student-Parent-Teacher Interviews

WHEN: Thursday 2nd of July

Bookings for appointments with teachers will be available from 1:45pm until 8:00pm

WHERE: Pūtahi Mātauranga (Library) Check in the library foyer for location of staff.

PLEASE NOTE:

School finishes at 12:40 on Thursday 2nd of July for all students.

If needed students can stay at school until 3:15pm (please advise the office if this is needed)

Buses: the Te Horo and Manakau buses will move forward to accommodate this change, the Waitohu and Ōtaki Beach Bus runs will not move.

Mrs Alison Tennant will not be present on Thursday night in the staffroom. Parents of Yr 7 & 8 ATN can book for Tuesday night to meet with Mrs Tennant.

BOOKING YOUR APPOINTMENT TIME ONLINE

To make an online booking go to:

www.schoolinterviews.co.nz. Simply enter the event code 7wstb and press "Go".

Bookings are open now.

You will be guided through three simple steps, and a few moments later you will get an email confirming your interview.

If you wish to book by phone please phone the office (06) 3648204 and the staff will be able to make the online booking for you.

Please be aware we have a few teachers who may be away on other commitments or for health reasons. Do not hesitate to make an appointment with these teachers for early next term to discuss your child’s progress.

Ngā mihi, Marion Lumley, Deputy Principal

Term Two Reports

These will be emailed home on Monday 29 June. If you do not have an email address, copies will be available for collection at Student-Whānau-Teacher Interviews on Thurs 2nd July.

Please Update Your Contact Details

Please make sure you have let the office know if you have recently changed your telephone, email or address details.

Volunteer Wanted

The College is looking for volunteers to do reading with some of our students.

We are looking for someone who will come in for an hour or two a week to read with a small group of year 7 and 8 students. If you are interested, please contact Natalie Cooper on ncp@otakicollege.school.nz.

Shinegirl Sponsorship

Thanks for those of you who have supported the Shinegirl Programme so far. Your financial contribution will directly help a Yr 9 girl to attend. Due to COVID-19 we have delayed the start of this programme til Term 3 and we are still looking for sponsorship. Thanks in advance for your consideration.