OTAMATEA HIGH SCHOOL

Te Pānui o Otamatea

School Notices 23 February 2024

Calendar of Events

 
Monday 26 February EOTC P DOE Silver Tongariro Circuit
PHOTOLIFE ID, Class and Portrait photos
Tuesday 27 & Wednesday 28 February EOTC P Bruce Scott Cricket 
Wednesday 28 February  Full Board of Trustees meeting
Friday 1 March  EOTC Northland Field Days
EOTC P Senior Touch Tournament
Monday 4 March EOTC L1 Art and L2/3 History Marae Trip
Tuesday 5 March EOTC P Senior Futsal (STH)
Wednesday 6 March  EOTC P Leaf Cup Girls Cricket 
EOTC P NSS Boys 7's Tournament 
Thursday 7 March  EOTC P Yr 9-10 Futsal 
Friday 8 March  EOTC P NSS Mountain Biking 
Good2Great Yr 10's
Friday 8 - 11 March  EOTC P DOE Gold Mt Taranaki 
   


View our full School Calendar here

From the Senior Leadership Team

 

Brynderwyn Closure - Alternative bus route

Due to the Brynderwyn closure from Monday 26th February, an alternative route has been confirmed with the bus company and Easy Bus. Students who have been traveling on the Glenmohr buses to Otamatea High School will be collected at the Waipu Monument. They will leave at 7.30am and will return there at 4.20pm. Please be there in plenty of time, as buses will leave promptly.

If you have any queries, contact Easy Bus - here is the link https://song.easybus.nz/contact-easybus/service-feedback/

NCEA

We have a number of students that have achieved some outstanding results in NCEA last year.  Click here to read a list of students that have gained Merit or Excellence Certificate Endorsements - this means they have achieved 50 credits or more at merit or above, or excellence respectively, across their courses last year.  There are also lists of students who have gained Excellence Course Endorsements.  These are awarded when a student achieves 14 or more credits at excellence level in one subject - three of these credits must be externally assessed, except when there are no external assessments in that subject area e.g. in Physical Education.  There were also 143 Merit Course Endorsements awarded to our students. We are very proud of all of these students and encourage our learners to strive for these awards. 

School uniform

It is great to see the majority of students are wearing the correct school uniform with pride.  If for any reason your child does not have the correct uniform, please send them to school with a note.  All students that do not have the correct uniform must go to the uniform exchange before Whanau time where they can exchange the non-uniform for uniform for the day.  The Uniform exchange is located in the back room of the hall.

Please remember school socks must be plain black.  Socks with colours, logos patterns or designs are not acceptable.  Footwear must be plain black, sandals must have a heel strap.  Crocs, slides or Birkenstock style sandals are not part of our uniform.

Year 13 students are allowed to wear mufti.  However, respectable clothing appropriate for school is expected. More details about the year 13 dress code can be found on the school website.

School news

Introducing some of our new staff

Greetings, Otamatea Community, my name is Kunal Singh.
I am thrilled to embark on this new chapter as a member of the esteemed Otamatea High School faculty. As a seasoned educator with 14 years of experience in Science and Biology, joining your vibrant community marks an exciting step in my journey.
Originally from Fiji, I bring with me a rich tapestry of cultural experiences and a passion for fostering cross-cultural understanding within the classroom. My approach to education is deeply rooted in fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.
I am deeply honoured to be a part of the Otamatea High School family and look forward to contributing to its legacy of excellence. Together, let us embark on a journey of discovery, growth,and achievement.

Paddle Boarding

On Monday 19th Feb we gave the students a chance to have a go and learn some basic skills. On Tuesday the 20th they had a chance to race each other in their age groups. We had two fantastic days with the weather and the students were outstanding. The students learnt a lot and had heaps of fun.
Thanks to  Helena Thompson from Sport Northland and Northland Paddle Boarding Bill and Sean for coming down for the 2 days. Thanks to Bruce Alison and Lana Parkinson for your help.

 

Equestrian

Otamatea fielded a team in the secondary school equestrian show jumping on Thursday. There was alot of learning opportunities for our younger riders and alot of teaching and support given from our older riders. The team came 16th overall. Stevie-Raye Rawaho-Ball and Million Dollar Bill managed a 1st placing. A big thanks to Kathy Troost and Tina Ball for picking up our team duties.

 

 

The Nook

Welcome to The Nook, Otamatea’s creative writing club.
Run by English teachers Mrs Poole and Mrs Barnes-Wright, students in The Nook gather once a
fortnight to work on their personal writing in a no-pressure, no deadlines, relaxed environment.
Cake included! Last year we had about 30 members and we would love to see some new faces join
us this year.
When students join The Nook, they each receive their own personal journal and aim to complete
fortnightly challenges to improve their personal writing. They also get the opportunity to attend the
Auckland writer’s festival in May.
What are you waiting for? Our first meeting is Friday 23 rd February but it is not too late if you missed
it.
Get hooked on The Nook.

 

 

Youth health nurses are back at Otamatea

Kia ora, Talofa, Fakalofa lahi atu
A bit about us – We are the youth health nurses in your school; we provide health services for years
9-13. We have a clinic at the student support centre every Thursday but can be contacted for advice
any day of the school week.
We also provide a range of medications under Standing Orders and as Nurse Prescribers such as
antibiotics for skin infections and strep throat infections and contraception for sexual health. Our
service is free and confidential.

Please feel free to contact us:
Maretta – 021619028
Kiel – 021485261

Friendly reminders about buses
Here are some reminders about behaviours on our school buses;

• Follow all instructions from the bus driver
• No eating, drinking, smoking, vaping or music on the bus.
• Once seated, stay seated.
• Keep your voice low so the driver is not distracted.
• Keep the inside of the bus clean and damage-free.

If there are any issues regarding behaviours on buses please email nyree.antunovich@otamatea.school.nz who will follow up. 

Due to roll growth, we will not be able to accommodate students moving between buses, especially on the routes from Mangawhai. Students must stay on the buses assigned to them. 

If a student needs to go home on another bus parents or caregivers must contact the school and a bus pass issued. For information on school bus routes please click this link https://www.otamatea.school.nz/our-school/bus-routes

For more information on safely getting to and from school on a school bus, please visit; https://www.nzta.govt.nz/safety/keeping-children-safe/bus-safety/

 

Community Notices