It has been a hard term for students, whānau and community following the sad loss of one of our students. The school holidays are coming up and we suggest checking in with your child/children to see how they are doing, support them manage and monitor device time, provide opportunities for some fun whānau activities and time together. If you have any concerns for your child's wellbeing the following is available over the school holiday period:
Kapti Youth Support (KYS) call free 0800 333 879 or 06 3647305
Child Adolescent Family Service (CAFS)- 06 366 0031 or Crisis number 0800 653357
If you suspect COVID, you will need to give them a RAT test and let us know if this is positive.
Full details are available on the school website calendar. The following are important dates to note:
Fri 8 July Last day of term - ordinary finish time
Mon 25 July First day of term three
Wed 27 July Rescheduled Whānau evening for students,
Yrs 9-13, considering joining the cast of
Jim Moriarty's production of The Battalion
6.00pm Staffroom
Thurs 28 July Student/Whānau/Teacher Interviews,
1.45pm- 8.00pm
EARLY FINISH at 12.05pm (after period 3)
Thurs 28 July Mike Styles presents info on dyslexia
7.00pm-8.00pm
Ōtaki College
is currently seeking fully registered teachers
for our relief pool.
Please contact Assistant Principal, Jarrad Porima,
at jpr@otakicollege.school.nz if you think this
may be you.
Ōtaki College is hosting a presentation and question and answer session by New Zealand authority on dyslexia - Mike Styles, an old boy of Ōtaki College. The session is entitled “What next for young people with dyslexia? The future is bright.”
Is it that time again when you need to upgrade uniform, or you have some uniform pieces which are no longer needed? We are always on the lookout for school jackets, ties, shirts, shorts, skirts and pants.
If your young person has grown out of their uniform or does not need it anymore, this is a great opportunity to pass it on to to someone who can use it. Please drop your uniform item(s) into the Student Office.
Nominations are now being taken for the ŌC Board of Trustees. The Board is composed of 5 elected positions, in addition to 1 student and 1 staff representative and the Principal. Nomination forms will be sent home to whānau week beginning 11 July. Further nomination forms will be available from the office after the holidays. You may nominate yourself or another person. Nominees do not have to have children at College. Nominations close on 5 August. Voting papers will be issued by 10 August with election day being 7 September. Post or email nomination forms to Returning Officer, Kirsty Doyle, Ōtaki College, PO Box 36, Ōtaki, kdl@otakicollege.school.nz
"Board members are entrusted by the community to ensure the success of our schools and a bright future for our children. We need an education system where all children are expected to succeed and one where we all take shared responsibility in ensuring this happens. As a member of a school board you can make things happen - you can make a difference."
- Lorraine Kerr, NZSTA President
If you are interested in learning more about what the Board does, please do not hesitate to contact Board Chair, Penny Gaylor, on penny.gaylor@hotmail.com to arrange a chat. Details on the role of a board member are available on the NZSTA website: https://www.schoolboardelections.org.nz/becoming-a-board-member/
Whether you’re interested in becoming a board member or you just want to know more about what school boards do, then why not come along to NZSTA's online Kōrari Question and Answers session?
In this triennial election, NZSTA is hosting an online Kōrari Question and Answers session. This will provide an opportunity for people to ask questions directly from our regional advisors.
This is a free event open to anyone in the community with interest in the work of school boards. Register online here.
Due to escalating costs of suppliers and transport, Marlan Trading have informed us that there will be an increase in uniform prices from 1st October. Please see the new pricelist on our website.
Please note Marlan's new opening time: Wednesdays 1.30-4.30pm. If you have any queries, please ring Marlan on (06) 364 8183.
This will take place on 3 September at the Racecourse. Tickets will be $50. More details will be emailed soon to all Year 12 and 13 students.
On Wednesday 6 July the College held its annual Variety Concert. It was so nice to return back to normality. The students loved having an audience to perform live to. The concert was also live streamed so that the whole college community could watch it. The concert was in two parts, firstly dances from our senior and junior classes and Taleah singing a solo, and secondly, our bands were showcased. Hannah Thompson and Regan Crighton were the hosts and did a wonderful job. Regan was able to entertain the audience with his array of Dad jokes as the bands took time to set up. We had a wonderful backstage crew supervised by Anje Glindemann, dramatic lighting from Whaea Tamsin and a meaningful staff performance of Six60's Pepeha using NZ Sign Language. We look forward to having more nights like this in 2023.
Watch the Concert here ...
Major Rupert Randall kindly organised a gathering at the RSA on 22 June for some of our senior students who are interested in the Army as a career. A powerpoint presentation highlighted what their combat Driver trade does - but was universal for all life in the Army. Then over lunch the students were able to have conversations with the soldiers as to what their life is like in the army, what they get up to on a daily basis, qualifications they have achieved etc
Feedback from Max McHugo, who was one of the students that attended, was as follows:
"This was a great opportunity to see combat driving from a present soldier's point of view in a face-to-face environment where we were able to ask questions and listen to their experiences. it was also a great opportunity to get a real insight into how the army really is in the present".
Thanks to Major Rupert Randall for organising this opportunity for our students and to the RSA for supplying such a wonderful venue and lunch.
Year 10 Japan Trivia Quiz participants left to right: Kobain Tapkik, Oliver Kuresa, Fraser Martin, Cruise Lambert, Korbyn Tollison, Taleah Falamoe. In front: Mareikura Kaka.
Year 10 Japanese students attended the recent NZAJLT (NZ Association Of Japanese Language Teachers) Japan Trivia Quiz night hosted at IPU (International Pacific University) campus at Aokautere near Palmerston North on the evening of Friday 17 June.
What We're Watching
Te Mana Whakatau Classification Office
June 2022
Harmful content both online and offline is reaching New Zealanders and causing real concern, particularly for children and young people. This research asked people from around the country about what they're watching and what concerns they had about it.
What’s happening at Ngā Manu Nature Reserve?
Children’s Art & Nature Day with Harriet Bright – 12 July 2022 10am – 3pm
This workshop is strictly limited to 15 students between the ages of 7-12 years of age.
Children will need a packed lunch, drink and weather appropriate clothes including raincoat and gumboots.
Price: Friends of Ngā Manu members $55; Non-members $60
Golden Kiwi Egg Hunt – 9 – 24 July 2022 10am – 5pm
Find the locations of 8 Golden Kiwi Eggs hidden in the reserve and answer the questions to enter our weekly draw to win a Friends of Nga Manu Family Membership (valued at $100 and valid for 12 months). Existing members will have an additional 12 months added to their membership.
We will also be running two eel talks every day during the school holidays; one at 11am, the other at 2pm. The talks are free, but if you want to feed the eels it will be $2 per person. Tokens can be purchased at the Visitor Centre.
For more information about these events and others, check out our website.
Food Technology and Chemical Engineering Experience Day
Tuesday 12th July
You will get a taste for what Food Technology is, learn about how we treat drinking water, compete to design the most sustainable packaging, and get a tour around our facilities.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/364998639757
Mechatronics Engineering Experience Day
Wednesday 13th July
This is a great opportunity to learn about Mechatronics. Students will get to spend time in our workshop and advanced electronics lab. They will also hear about projects some of our students are working on and get a tour of our facilities.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/366092682067
Do you love to perform? Are you between the ages of 9 and 16?
Auditions for Frozen Jr at Otaki Players are on 2 August.
Email perform@popupmusicaltheatre.co.nz to get a full information pack and audition form.
Once we've received your completed audition form we'll send you music, lyrics and sides so that you can be super prepared for the audition!
Frozen Jr definitely isn't just for the girls! Lots of great parts for boys - you are needed!
Get in touch for the show and audition information!