Full details are available on the school website calendar. The following are important dates to note:
NCEA Information Evening: 24 February
Swimming Sports: Fri 5 Mar
SS Otaki Commemoration: Fri 12 March
Variety Concert: Thur 25 March, 7.00pm
Online Safety Information Evening: Fri 26 March
Teacher Only Day: Thur 1 Apr, School Closed
Good Friday: Fri 2 Apr, School Closed
Easter Monday: Mon 5 Apr, School Closed
Easter Tuesday NZ School Holiday: Tue 6 Apr, School Closed
Senior Ball: Sat 10 Apr
School Photo Day: Wed 14 Apr
Last Day of Term One: Thur 15 Apr
Teacher Only Day: Fri 16 Apr, School Closed
Start of Term 2: Mon 3 May
Our Newsletter has been named He Pito Mata.
The origins of the name come from the whakatauki - Iti noa ana, he pito mata. Although it is small, it has potential.
When a portion of kūmara is replanted a new kūmara vine is created. So metaphorically, the act of sending out pānui to whānau is likened to the aka kumara. When information is shared, opportunities can be created.
A lunchtime Knitting Club is being launched at College. If you have any yarn you no longer need, please send it along to the College Office.
We have booked an Online Safety information evening with the documentary makers of Our Kids Online for 26th March 2021
The evening is designed to help any adults with children in their lives gain a better understanding of some of the harms our children face in an online world. It will provide practical solutions to make children’s online experiences safer.
We will also have access to their full documentary “Our Kids Online: Porn, Predators & How to Keep Them Safe - The Documentary”, that we can show at a later date/s.
11 February 2021
Parents and Caregivers
Levin police are issuing a timely reminder about the safety and legal obligations of all those parents and caregivers bringing their children to school by car.
Roads around schools both before and after school can be extremely dangerous due to traffic volume and the number of students entering or exiting the grounds.
Recently, I am aware of an issue where a person driving a car was distracted and as a result ran into the road patrol sign which was out to stop traffic. Luckily no one was crossing the road and the child operating the sign was not hurt. I am using this incident as a chance to remind everyone that this type of accident can happen easily if we are complacent. The last thing anyone wants is for someone to be seriously hurt, so it is vital that you drive safely and pay attention to the road.
The school is trying to ensure the safety of your children at these times by operating school traffic safety teams (school patrols at crossings). To achieve this, they require your help by observing the traffic laws in relation to pedestrian crossing and driving in general.
When dropping off or picking up kids you should not be parking illegally. This includes in bus stops or anywhere with yellow lines. Police are committed to the safety of children around schools and as a result will be monitoring these locations at peak times.
Below is a list of offences that we will be actively policing with the help of schools.
Parked on broken yellow line $60 fine
Driver or passengers not wearing seatbelts $150 fine
Failed to stop or remain stopped for a school patrol $1000 fine
passed a vehicle stopped at a pedestrian crossing $1000 fine
Parked on or near a pedestrian crossing $60 fine
Your assistance in observing these laws is appreciated, and necessary to keep our children safe.
Yours faithfully
Constable
School Community Officer
2020 Ōtaki College Year 12 & 13 tauira Māori gained many skills and strategies from their participation in the Tūkaha programme last year and in previous years.
In 2021, we have decided to open our kaupapa out to year 11-13 students from each of the Colleges involved in this programme (Kāpiti College, Paraparaumu College and Ōtaki College).
Te Whakatipuranga o ngā Taonga o Kāpiti (The growing Treasures of Kapiti) - this kaupapa is run by Tukaha and supported by Tuia (a network of young Māori across Aotearoa contributing to their communities and whānau).
The focus of this kaupapa is to help rangatahi discover their capability as young leaders and strengthen their sense of self-worth and identity as young Māori by exploring what it means to be connected to whakapapa, whenua and community.
I guarantee there is learning for everyone who attends and a great opportunity to meet and make a new network of friends.
This year, Ōtaki College will host the first hui at Katihiku Marae.
Our first wānanga: rangatahi will explore the importance of whakapapa and help our taiohi understand where they come from and how it can help influence the decisions they make in the future.
Where: Katihiku Marae
When: Sat 4pm 27th - Mon 4pm 29th March
Transport: Transport to and from wānanga is to be sorted by the kura and parents.
What to bring: Baking and fruit, bedding, changes of clothes, toiletries.
Parents: We will need lots of hands in the kitchen to help with our preparing kai through out the duration of the hui.
Please let me know if you can come out and give a hand. Please complete the attached EOTC forms and return them to me ASAP.
Noho 2: Paraparaumu College will host this wānanga, Whakarongotai Marae
When: Sat 4pm, 31July - Mon 4pm, 2 August
Transport: Transport to and from wānanga is to be sorted by the kura and parents.
What to bring: $10 koha for the marae, bedding, changes of clothes, toiletries.
Noho 3: Kapiti College will host this wānanga, Kāpiti College Marae
When: Sat 4pm, 18 September - 4pm, 20th September
Transport: Transport to and from wānanga is to be sorted by the kura and parents.
What to bring: $10 koha for the marae, bedding, changes of clothes, toiletries.
Year 7 - Students will be tested for their distance vision (unless they present with glasses)
Year 8 - Students who have not previously been screened as a Year 7
If parents/caregivers do not wish their child to be checked, could they please inform the College office.
The Ministry of Health recommends that young people living in close together in places such as halls of residence be immunised against meningitis. Please find attached the Ministry of Health's brochure regarding meningitis and vaccines available to your child as they perhaps move on with their tertiary education and will be flatting or living in halls of residence.
https://www.healthed.govt.nz/resource/immunise-against-meningococcal-disease
Young people aged between 13 and 25 entering or living in a boarding school hostel, tertiary education hall of residence, military barracks are able to get one FREE dose of vaccine to protect against A,C,W and Y strains of Meningococcal disease. The availability has been extended until 30 November 2021.
Vaccinations for our Year 7 & 8 students are scheduled for Wednesday the 3rd of March. The Nurses from Public Health Services, MidCentral Health will be in school on this day to administer these to students who have returned signed permission to vaccinate forms.
Whether you wish your child to receive a vaccination or if you choose not to vaccinate or if you want your GP to deliver the vaccination, the Nurses will follow up if forms have not been returned to ensure you have received the information.
Please let the College office know if you need a form sent home.
Are you aged 15-30 years?
Become a Guardian of the Future by getting immunised against measles. Not only will you be protecting yourself against a disease that’s about 8 times more contagious than COVID-19, you’ll also be protecting your whānau, your community, and future generations from harm.
Measles is a serious disease that can make you very sick. Not everyone aged 15 to 30 years was immunised as a child. But it’s easy and free to get immunised now.
Protect the people you care about. Immunise to help stop the spread of measles. It’s free at GPs or participating pharmacies.
Not sure if you’re immunised against measles? It’s okay to get immunised again.
Congratulation to those students who gained Principal's Awards in 2020: Jeana Bevan, Kaylis Peneha, Toni Hawea, Neeko Hogervorst, Ella Carpenter, Dayna Wong and Taleah Falamoe.
Mr Fraser said "It was a pleasure to be able to take these students for lunch at the Riverstone Café recently to acknowledge their commitment to upholding the College expectations of Respect, Ōtaki College Pride, Active Learning and Responsibility (R.O.A.R). It was unfortunate that Jeana was unable to attend on the day, but I look forward to her joining our 2021 recipients later in the year. "
Our year 9-13 Te Reo Māori attended Rā Haka at ASB stadium in Wellington on 9 February. All Wellington Secondary schools and Kura Māori came together to learn waiata and haka, a group of approximately 500 students. An awesome experience for all who attended. A big thank you to all of the staff who lead the day, kei runga noa atu ō koutou mahi.
Do you know anyone born overseas who wants to improve their English?
Talk to us now about classes for next year.
We offer …
One-to-one help anywhere in Kapiti (1-2 hours a week)
Classes in Paraparaumu (2 hours a week)
Speaking, Listening, Reading, Writing
All levels (beginners to advanced)
Our tuition is …
For new arrivals and also those who have lived in New Zealand for years
FREE for permanent residents (for other visa holders charges apply)
To contact English Language Partners phone 0800 NEW KIWI or 0800 639 5494
horowhenua-kapiti@englishlanguage.org.nz