School news

Introducing our new staff

My name is Jerusha. I hail from Fiji and it is a privilege to join this vibrant school community, and I am looking forward to getting to know the children as I work to support their learning and growth. With 9 years of experience in education, I am passionate about creating a positive and engaging classroom environment where every student feels valued and encouraged to achieve their full potential. My goal is to not only teach the curriculum but also to inspire a love of learning that will stay with my students throughout their lives.

Rainbows end tickets

Blue Light Ventures are holding their annual Rainbows end trip for Year 7 & 8 students here at Otamatea Highschool on the 8th September. 

We have 40 tickets available at the discounted price of $40. The ticket includes a bus ride to and from Rainbows End, leaving Otamatea High School at 7.45am and returning to Otamatea High School at 5pm, a sausage sizzle and entry into the park. Tickets are limited to 40. 

On Thursday, August 22nd at 8.30am, Whaea Amy will be selling tickets outside A Common. It is a first-in, first-served situation, you can only purchase one ticket per student and you must have cash as there will be no change available. 

Northland Secondary School Moto X Champs

Six students from Otamatea attended the Champs event that was run over 2 days on the 2nd and 3rd August. Congratulations to the following riders Jaden Lambert - 6th in the 12-19 year, 125/250F Novice class Ava-Jade Morrison - 7th in the 12-19 year, womens 85cc-250F class Feinda Garton - 4th in the 12-16 year, 85cc/150F Competitive class Liam Lusty - 6th in the 12-16 year 85cc/150F Novice class Baylee Morrison - 3rd in the 12-14 year 85cc class

Read what the teachers are Reading…

Term 3 has seen the inaugural meeting of the Otamatea High School Staff Book Club. Reading, be it in written or audio form, has many benefits such as enhanced imagination, stress reduction, better analytical skills, improved vocabulary and entertainment. Book clubs help create a feeling of community and companionship.

Since the primary goal of the book club is to expand Otamatea’s Reading Culture, we are having the options of both a set read and individual choices.

The Set reads this term are NZ award winning, Debut author Micheal Bennetts 2023 ‘Better the Blood’ (senior read) and ‘We Deserve Monuments’ by Jas Hammond. Other highlighted fictional books were ‘A curse of Salt’ by Sarah Street, ‘Divine Rivals’ by Rebecca Ross, ‘Cuz’ by Liz Van Der Laarse and the latest release by Steph Matuku’s ‘Migration’.

Although reading for pleasure is mostly seen as reading fiction, Non-fiction can be a great alternative with books such as ‘Darwin comes to town’, ‘National dish’ and ‘Running up that hill’ (Schilthuizen, Bremzen and Alexander respectively).

All these books are currently available in the school library for students to borrow. We are always looking for suggestions, especially from local authors, and/or if you are interested in participating in the Book Club email the librarian imogen.mcleod@otamatea.school.nz

Readers Cup 2024

For the first time in many years, Otamatea has been able to field a team to participate in the Te Tai Tokerau/ Northland heat of the Reader’s Cup which is a reading competition for Year 9 students. Teams of four
students (plus one reserve) together read a set of six books, and then compete with other school teams at an event to answer quiz questions from these books. Students are expected to organise and run their own
teams with minimal support from the Librarian. The Reader’s Cup is organised and run by the National Library of NZ in conjunction with SLANZA, The School Libraries Association.

Percy McLeod, Scarlett Stephenson, Tyler Lorenzen, Kierra Hastie and Maui Hawken all performed well. The questions required precise recalling of the books topics, characters and plot points. The winning
team – Kerikeri High, will be going to compete in the National event on the 24 th of September 2024.

‘Impossible Creatures’ by Katherine Rundell (new), ‘Tomo’ by Mary-Anne Scott, ‘White Bird’ by R J Palacio and Jonathon Stroud’s ‘The Outlaws Scarlett and Brown’ are all available at the school library to issue.
The other two interesting reads for the Readers Cup 2024 ‘Kidnap at Mystery Island’ by Carol Garden and ‘Tyger’ by S F Said are available at the Kaipara/Community Libraries.

Annual Sports Exchange

On Thursday the 25th July we did our annual sports exchange with Bream Bay College (Year 7 and 8) . It was held at Otamatea this year. The students had a fantastic time. Bream Bay won the Netball, Football and Turbo Touch and Otamatea won the Basketball.

Pet Day 2024

This year Pet Day will be Saturday October 19th to tie in with the Maungaturoto Primary School 150th celebrations.  Otamatea students are invited to compete with a lamb, calf or chicken.  
For entries and a copy of the rules please register with Pepe ewenequine@gmail.com

Olla Podriga

Olla Podriga is right around the corner! Come to Otamatea High School on Thursday 22nd August to witness the outstanding talent of our students, from singing to dancing, bands and solo acts. We have fantastic judges alongside prizes to be won for the students and an exceptional raffle to enter for the whānau. Aside from the performers, so many of our students have stepped up to help with this event, from operating lights and media to photography, stage management, and refreshments provided by the DOE group. 

Please bring along your loose change and support the DOE groups with their fundraising for their Adventurous Journeys. Thank you.

Drinks $3
Chocolate Bars $3
Wonka  Bars $2
Juicies $1

School Ball Update

Year 12 students can now apply to bring an outside partner to the school ball.  If you are in year 12 and would like to bring a partner that does not attend Otamatea High School please complete an outside partner form which is available from the front office.  Please remember the school reserves the right to decline outside partner applications.

A PLEA FOR DOE GEAR TO BE RETURNED PLEASE

Could ALL DOE students (past students) and their families please have a thorough look at home for any compasses, pots, cooker tops, raincoats, backpacks or any other gear borrowed from the school for DOE adventurous journeys over the years.
If any is found, can you please return it to the school office, as we have other groups needing to use the gear.
Thankyou,
Robyn Bruce
Award Leader

PRIZEGIVING CUPS

If you received a trophy/cup at senior prizegiving in 2023, can you please return to the main office. If one of your siblings received and are no longer at school can you please return on their behalf.

Thank you in advance

Report an absence

You can notify the school of an absence using the portal, by phone at 0800 682 628, option 1, or by email at absence@otamatea.school.nz.
The old google form is no longer in use, our school website will take you to the portal if you click on 'Report an Absence'.
Our school portal has been updated and the new address is https://otamatea.school.kiwi/
If you need help with accessing this please email Mrs Cadman alison.cadman@otamatea.school.nz

For any bus passes, after school arrangements, student needs or requests, please email studentcentre@otamatea.school.nz

Open Day 29 August - click here to register

Pre-Enrolling now