Te Pānui o Otamatea

School Notices 2 August 2024

Calendar of Events

 

Monday 5 August

Monday 5 August - Friday 9 August
EOTC Boys Vs Mahurangi Basketball
EOTC Collegiate Hockey
Inter iwi Fast 5 netball 
Tuesday 6 August   EOTC 3x3 Basketball Y9-10
Mathex Comp 
Wednesday 7 August EOTC Boys Midweek U15 Rugby
Board of Trustees Meeting
Thursday 8 August  EOTC Helping Paws Volunteering
EOTC Badminton Individual
EOTC NIWA Visit Ruakaka
EOTC Readers Cup Huanui College
Friday 9 August

Friday 9 August - Sunday 11 August
Graeme Dingle Foundation Launch
EOTC Northland Basketball Premier League
EOTC DOE Bronze Training
Sunday 11 August - Wednesday 13 August EOTC P Reporoa Trip
Monday 12 August  EOTC Collegiate Hockey
Inter iwi Fast 5 netball
Tuesday 13 August EOTC P Basketball Mixed Y7-8
Wednesday 14 August EOTC Boys Midweek U15 Rugby and 1st XV
Thursday 15 August EOTC Helping Paws Volunteering
Friday 16 August EOTC Northland Basketball Premier League


View our full School Calendar here

 

From the Senior Leadership Team

From Principal's desk

Tena Koutou Katoa

Once again, thank you to all the students, staff and parents for the wonderful welcome you have given me.
A big welcome back to all the students to Term 3, 'the engine room' of the academic year. 
Year 11-13 students will be busy completing internal assessments and preparing for the exams which are fast approaching in Term 4.
The enrolment process for 2025 is about to begin so let your friends and family know to keep an eye out on facebook and the OHS website for important information.
It has been pleasing to see most students responding to high expectations around uniform and attendance. We will be looking to continue to raise the bar around these in term 3. 
Please make sure the students leave for school ready to learn with all the equipment they need (e.g. Chromebooks and PE gear).
I will also be talking with the junior (7-10) year groups in the coming weeks about what is expected in the classroom around learning and behaviour. Students that continually disrupt the learning of others will be meeting with me for a principal's warning and contact home will be made so you are aware of the issue and what you can do to help.
Wednesday assemblies are an important opportunity to celebrate all the great things going on in our school and community. I will be giving senior students the chance to lead these assemblies, and we will be on the lookout for inspirational speakers who can make connections to the community and life after school. If you feel you have something to offer please get in touch with the school. 

Todd Malcolm
Principal


Y9-10 WORK EXPERIENCE DAY 29 AUGUST 2024

 

Year 9 and 10 students have a Work Experience Day on the 29th of August. This day is organised by parents for their children.

There are no Year 9-10 classes at school on this date. Work Experience can be pivotal to exploring possible careers and helping students to decide which options to choose going forward.
Often this solidifies students’ aspirations and acts as a motivator when their energy for school starts to flag. Sometimes it makes it clear to students that this pathway is not the one for them. Now is a great time to start talking to students about what they might want to do when they leave school and where they could visit to get a taste of it. They may be able to shadow a family member, friend or neighbour. Please watch this video about work shadowing that discusses seven steps, from deciding who to approach, how students should behave and what to do afterwards. Families are asked to complete the Google form on this link when they have secured a placement for the day. The photo is of our 2024 head girl on the work experience she did in Year 10.
If you have questions regarding this day, please get in contact with your child’s whānau teacher.

School ball

The School ball is coming up on September the 14th.  This year it will be held at school from 7pm until 11pm. Students in Year 11, 12 and 13 are allowed to attend.  
Only Year 13 students are permitted to bring a partner that does not attend Otamatea High School.  All outside partners will need the approval of the senior Leadership team to attend.  Year 13 students intending to bring an outside partner must complete an application for their partner.  These forms are available from the front office.

Tickets cost $90 and go on sale Monday the August 5 for year 12 and year 13 students.  Tickets for year 11 students go on sale on Monday August 12. Tickets can be purchased from the main school office.


Parent Teacher Interviews

Thank you to the many whanau who attended our parent teacher interviews on Wednesday afternoon. It was lovely to engage with whanau and meet some new faces around the hall. 

You can always get hold of any of your child's teachers by emailing them directly or contacting the school. 
Here is the link to our website which lists all the teachers and support staff. https://www.otamatea.school.nz/our-school/staff

 

School news

 

Introducing our new staff

 

 

     

 

 

I am Laxmita Kumar from the beautiful Islands of Fiji.
A graduate from The University of the South Pacific. My area of expertise includes Education, Gender, Geography, Social science, English and Climate Change. I have more than ten years of experience in teaching and taught at all levels. I am an experienced wholehearted teacher who is committed to safeguarding, advocating education and well- being of children. Passionate about teaching, socialising with all and always available to support children with love and care. 

 

   

 

 

My name is Subashni Chandra Narayan, and I am thrilled to be joining Otamatea High School as the new Science teacher this year. I hold a Bachelors in Secondary Education from the University of the South Pacific and have spent the past 19 years teaching Science at various schools in Fiji.
My spouse is the Head of Finance in one of the banks in Vanuatu and we have two kids. My eldest daughter has joined Otamatea High School in year 12 and I have a 6-year-old son at Maungaturoto Primary School.
I am excited to bring my passion for science and my commitment to creating an engaging and supportive classroom environment to our students.
My goal is to foster a learning space where students feel encouraged and motivated to achieve their best. I’m eager to get to know all of you, so please feel free to reach out to me at with any questions or just to say hello. Here’s to a wonderful school year ahead!

   

 

I am Kim Xyril A. Dargantes. I am from the small town of Inopacan, located in Leyte in the Philippines. I have been teaching at Tinago National High School, Tinago Inopacan as a Health and Physical Education teacher for almost 5 years.
I firmly believe that every child is entitled to an enriching education, respect, and professionalism. With 4 years of experience in teaching Health and Physical Education to various students ranging from 9 to 16 years old. My goal is to motivate students in discovering their inner strengths, abilities and the activities that truly inspire them. I aim to provide a stimulating learning environment that fosters confidence and encourages children to reach their full potential.  
I am thrilled to be teaching at Otamatea High School.

   

THE GREAT MATH BAKE OFF

The  Annual Junior Syndicate Maths Bake Off is on Friday 16th August. As part of Maths Week, all Y7 and Y8 students are invited to take part in the Great Maths Bake Off. The theme is anything mathematical.
Let your imagination run wild and see what you can come up with. There are prizes up for grabs.  Students are expected to work independently at home and to clean and tidy up after themselves. They may enter into any of the 3 categories.

Cookie (s)
Muffins/Cupcakes
Cake-alicious

All Baking should be done at home and then should be brought to G1 before the start of school on  Friday 16th August. There will be an entry form to fill in when you drop your baking off.  Please label any containers so we can return them to you.

All baking is eaten as part of a shared morning tea for Y7 and Y8.

Mrs Cadman

Year 9 and 10 Get2Go

On Monday 29th July, seven Otamatea students headed to Whangarei to participate in the Hillary Outdoors annual Get2Go challenge.
The first event was mountain biking where the students goal was to complete as many laps of a designated course within a 45 minute time frame. The students got to challenge their biking skills on a track made muddy and slippery in parts by the recent rain.
The second challenge was paddle boarding. The challenge started with students completing a lap each of the course. Then they completed the course with 2 students on the board at a time. For the last ten minutes of the challenge extra points were given out for teams completing the lap with 3 students on a board. Our team was the only team to not fall off into the very chilly water.
The last challenge was orienteering at Barge Park. Each team was split into two groups. Each group needed to find as many markers around the course within an hour long period.
The students were a pleasure to take away and represented Otamatea with pride. The team placed 4th out of 8 teams which is a great result.

 
 


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

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

Enrolling now

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