zFrom the Senior Leadership Team

Congratulations to our senior netball team who have finished in the top four in their grade at the UNISS tournament in Hamilton. Otamatea were seeded 13 so this is an outstanding result which will see them promoted to the B grade next year. Our boys basketball team are currently playing their tournament in Palmerston North and at the time of writing had won two from four, losing only to two of the top school teams in the country, as they continue to impress on the court. All the best to our two junior AIMS teams who head off to Tauranga for their basketball and netball tournaments this coming week. Hopefully they can emulate the success of the senior teams.

A huge congratulations to Denika Clooney who finished first overall in the Bay of Islands Beast Secondary Schools challenge last Friday, with a winning time of 28 minutes 43 seconds. The event is a 6km off-road, cross-country course filled with steep hills, treacherous terrain, and mud pits that push competitors to the limit. Well done to the nearly 80 students from Otamatea High School who participated - an outstanding effort. Well done also to our clay target shooting team of Aaron Harrison, Aaron Westlake, Kellan Antunovich, Connor Alcock and Matai Hartles who won the Open Teams Trophy at the Northland Championships event last Saturday. Aaron Harrison and Aaron Westlake were also the skeet pairs trophy winners.

Please support our amazing talent show, Olla Podriga, which is on Tuesday night here at school in the hall. This is one of the most popular evenings on our calendar and our students have been putting in many hours of practice getting ready for their performances. Students can also support Market Day on Thursday where senior students will be selling all sorts of delicious treats and other items in the hall as part of their business studies course. 

Nominations for 2024 prefect positions are now open, and close on Friday the 15th September. Students can collect their nomination forms from the main office. Shortlisted candidates for the head prefect positions will be filmed early next term answering questions on why students should vote for them, and these will be shown to all students during whānau time, before the whole school (and staff) vote. The only exception to this process is the selection of the student rep on the board of trustees. Voting for those nominated will be on Thursday the 14th September. All prefects will be announced at our senior prize-giving which is on Friday the 3rd November.

Recently, students of 9S and 9H were randomly selected to represent New Zealand in an international study to identify global trends in mathematics and science.  New Zealand has been participating in this study for 30 years now.  Yesterday, the students completed 2 assessments in the hall and filled out a questionnaire.  The maths and science teachers of these classes were also asked to complete a survey, as was our principal, Mr Smyth.

Whānau of Y10-12 students should have received an email about our option choice process, including a link to the 2024 Course Directory. The first round of option sheets will go out this Wednesday, where students are asked to rank their options. Please remember that we are also hosting an Option afternoon in our hall this Wednesday 6th September, which caregivers of Y10-12 students are encouraged to attend. You are welcome to visit at any of the times listed below, but the after school slots will be much less busy.  12:30-1pm      Year 12 students                                    1pm-1:30 Year 11 students                                  1:30-2pm Year 10 students 2pm-2:30pm   Any students/whānau welcome - Hall closes from 2:30 - 4:10pm.                                     4:10-4:50 Any students/whānau welcome.

The MCAT assessment is coming up fast for those students who are sitting it and should be putting in lots of revision. For all other senior students exams are in week 10 and revision should be well under way. The maths tutorials are still being offered at the first interval on Tuesdays and Thursdays in D1 and are open to all students. The mathematics department will be running an inter-iwi competition for years 7-10 students in week 2 of term 4. If students are interested in taking part in this they should see their iwi captains. More information will be available early in term 4. Congratulations to the Ngāpuhi debating team who have won the inter-iwi debating competition for 2023. The team (Asha Bridge, Aaron Harrison, Sophie Van Harlingen and Tayten Smart) beat Whātua (Charlotte Bygrave, Felix Le mesurier-Cowbourne, Bayden Puke and Margaret Dunn) by convincing the adjudicators that "Qualifications are far better than experience".  Debating increases confidence in public speaking and research skills and allows participants to see different perspectives as they often have to argue a point they might not necessarily agree with.  Opportunities to be part of Debating here at Otamatea High School come up regularly.  Students should keep an eye on the notices so they are aware when debating events come up.

If you have any concerns or queries about your child’s learning you are advised to email their teachers directly. All our teachers' email addresses are on our website in the 'Our Staff' section.

A reminder that it is illegal to vape at school or on the school buses. We take a very strict approach to students who breach this law, which could result in stand-downs, or suspensions for repeat offenders. Many vapes contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance that can harm brain development in teenagers, affecting memory, attention, and the ability to learn. Students who vape are putting themselves at risk of lifelong serious health issues, including the long-lasting effect of exposing their developing brains to nicotine. Please ensure that your child is not bringing vaping devices to school. For more information on vaping, please see this link.