Ōtaki College Te Kāreti o Ōtaki

Newsletter No 10, 12 December 2014

He iti, he iti kahikātoa Though little, it is still a mānuka tree

News and Events Congratulations to our 2014 Junior Prizewinners

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ur prizegivings were well supported by parents and caregivers and were a reflection of the outstanding talent that Ōtaki College has to offer. The prizegivings also signalled the end of an era, as in 2015 prizegivings will move to a Year 7-10 format and a whole-school Sports Prizegiving.

From the ­Principal I would like to to take this opportunity in our final newsletter to thank students and parents for such a good year. We have achieved a great deal over 2014 as outlined in the previous newsletter and it was a real pleasure to attend the recent prize givings to celebrate the many successes of our students.

Congratulations to Julia Carpenter and Michael ­McInerney-Heather who received the Ōtaki College Jubilee Scholarship. New scholarships this year were the KidzOwn Group Ltd PB4L Awards which went to Lauren Blakeley and Alex Lundie in Year 7&8 and Susannah Kyle and Phoebe Gray in Year 9&10.

Ōtaki College White Ribbon Event 2014

Please make sure that you have received and read the recent letter I sent home that outlines our intentions around Chromebooks, uniform and attendance next year. If you did not receive this please go to our website, or get in touch with the student centre in January. Can I also encourage you to make certain that if you have changed address, phone number/s or email address that you notify the office so we can go into 2015 having accurate contact details for your son or daughter.

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taki College supported White ­Ribbon Day on November 25th through a range of activities, including an opening address from Principal, Andy Fraser. Our Performing Arts department have spent 2 months rehearsing for a series of student dance and drama items where students are giving the message that any form of violencephysical, verbal or emotional should not be tolerated. The Year 10 Drama performance “Breaking the Cycle” written by teacher Anna Groves, involved a whole class drama that was very powerful for the audience including students, staff and whanau

to watch. The significant message, that it is OK to ask for help and to help others, was also reinforced through an address from Martin Bull (Horowhenua Domestic Violence Officer- Levin Police) and Sergeant Slade Sturmey (Ōtaki Police). The day also included a lunchtime sausage sizzle organised by a leadership team of Senior boys and male staff and an information desk with the availability of informative brochures and support options. Ōtaki College are very appreciative of the support offered from Kapiti Living Without Violence, Horowhenua Abuse Liaison Team and Ōtaki New World.

If your child has left school and has found that they do not have work or further study options please do not hesitate to get them to come back in to College to possibly re-enroll or to get further support. A reminder that start back details are in this newsletter and to keep your eye out on the College noticeboard for any updates. In closing I would like to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Have safe and enjoyable holidays and we look forward to seeing you back in the new year. Merry Xmas Andy Fraser Principal

Ōtaki College: Ph 06 364 8204. Email [email protected] Website www.otakicollege.school.nz

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News & Events

Class of 2014

Year 9 Outdoor Education Camp

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Unfortunately, missing from this list was the Sports Council. Erin McArley and Aisea Nelson-Latu will be heading this, extremely important, Council next year. We promise never to forget you again!

On the Sporting Calendar – Term 1 2015 Year 7 and 8

Higgins Work site visit - 26 November 2014

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s a student going up to the ­Higgins work site at Tararua Road in Levin, I found it was quite an eye opener. I found it very intriguing as to the amount of jobs one business could create and the diversity of the jobs: from truck drivers, to site managers, to digger operators. I was quite glad that I signed up for this Higgins trip as it showed me many of the jobs I could look at getting involved in as a career. A big thanks to Mrs Putt for organising this trip and for driving us, and also to Higgins for allowing us to have this experience. Connor Blair Year 10 Student

8 Feb 13 Feb 18 Feb 26 Feb-1 Mar 5 Mar 6 Mar 11 Mar 12 Mar 26-27 Mar

Manawatu Triathlon Club, Linton Athletics day, Ōtaki College Kapiti Interschool Triathlon, Waikanae Ocean Athletes NZ Champs, Mount Maunganui CSW Triathlon Champs, Wellington Swimming Sports, Ōtaki College Manawatu Interschool Tri Champs Kapiti Interschool Swimming Sports, Waikanae NZ Schools Triathlon Champs, Taupo

Years 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

31 Jan or 7 Feb-28 Mar Year 9 Cricket, weekly comp. 13 Feb Athletics day, Ōtaki College 13 Feb-27th Mar Senior Volleyball, weekly comp. 17, 24 Feb, 3 Mar Senior Touch, weekly comp. 18 Feb to 1 Apr Junior Volleyball, weekly comp. (year 10 and below) 26 Feb CSW Senior Touch Tournament, Fraser Park 4 Mar Athletics Te Rauparaha Shield 5 Mar CSW Triathlon Champs, Wellington 6 Mar Swimming Sports, Ōtaki College 6-7 Mar Senior Volleyball Tourn. ASB Sports Centre 10 Mar CSW Western Zone Athletics 12 Mar-15 Mar NZ Surf Lifesaving Nationals, Gisborne 14 Mar CSW Waka Ama 23 Mar-27 Mar NZSS Volleyball Champs, P North 26 Mar-27 Mar NZ Schools Triathlon Champs, Taupo 28 Mar CSW Senior Touch Central Qualifying, Palmerston North

REMINDER - UNIFORM 2015 I would like to remind all parents that as of next year the only items to be worn in college are “Ōtaki College” uniform items. To help us continue to build Ōtaki College Pride we would appreciate your support in this. If you have any queries please refer to the College website or ring me. Some reminders: • no facial piercings • leather shoes - not canvas • dress trousers for boys - not jeans • skirts are worn knee length. The 2014

Ōtaki College Yearbook

is now on sale. For the first time it is in full colour. Don’t miss out on this stunning record of our students’ accomplishments. $15.00 per copy from the Student Centre.

If you would like further info on any of these events, please contact Kirsty Doyle at College or email kdl@otakicollege. school.nz

Host Families Needed Our International Programme is thriving and we need more host families. Host families receive a weekly remuneration in 2015 of $210 per week. If you think you may be interested in hosting a student please contact Bev Kata [email protected] or Howard Manins [email protected]

Apology In the printed version of the ­November Newsletter we listed the Student Councils and their 2015 student leaders.

ongratulations to our ­graduating class of 2014. Students, parents and staff celebrated at the Leavers’ Dinner on 3rd December. Students are stepping out into a wide range of tertiary education and employment roles. These include university study, military careers, trades apprenticeships and work with local businesses. We wish you all well as you embark on this next stage of your journey.

he Year 9 Outdoor Education classes had their end of term camp in November. The classes were based at the Mansell’s Farm on Ōtaki Gorge Road. Students participated in a hike and overnight stay under survival shelters in the Ōtaki Forks area as well as; cooking, kayaking, rock climbing, abseiling, fire lighting, archery, orienteering and eeling. The eeling was a class favourite as the students got to enjoy a feed of eel on the last night of camp. The success of the camp was mainly due to the parent support the Outdoor Education department received. The department thanks; Shelly Warwick & Michael Braddock, Lisa & Joseph Te Wiata, Eugene Rewi, Lindsay Dougherty and teacher Chris Georgetti for giving their time to help. Ōtaki College would also like to thank the Mansell family for again letting us use their farm for the camp.

Nine International students, representing Germany, Japan, Chile and Uruguay spent 5 days in the Kenepuru Sound on a sea kayaking trip. The adventure took the students to 4 different DOC camp sites and involved over 40km of paddling. It was hard work at times but lots of fun. Jan, Yuliana, David, Peer, Lisa, Clemens, Yannick, Danieru, and Catalina were accompanied by Howard Manins and Daniel Riggs. Page 2

Learn Design at YOOBEE January Holiday ­Programmes 2015: • Digital Graphic Design • Film Production • Web Design Kickstart • 3D Modelling & Animation contact blair.willems@ yoobee.ac.nz

Songs about Trains

@ Loco Miniature Railway

featuring the

Andrew London Trio with special guest Neil Billington on harmonica

SH1 Otaki 5.30 Saturday 13 December

Numbers limited, book early Bring your own rug & picnic pre-order wood-Þred pizzas Tickets $20.00 at: Loco, Waitohu School, i-SITE Otaki Gate opens 5.00pm for 5.30 start

Loco is 2 kms North of Otaki on State Highway One

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ŌTAKI COLLEGE YEAR 2015 INFORMATION 2015 STUDENT RETURN DATES Tuesday 3rd February 9.00am – 1:00pm

TRANSITION DAY Year 7 and new Year 8, 9 and 10 students who have preenrolled will be receive an appointment time (posted in January) to meet their teacher and the Principal during the morning. Uniform is not required.

9.00am – 1:00pm

Year 12 and 13 course counselling – individual appointment times will be posted mid-January. N.B. Year 11s who wish to discuss or change their course may come in and do so at this time.

2.00-3.30pm

Any new enrolments from years 7-13 who have not received a confirmation letter (posted out by 17th December) need to come in to the College Hall and enrol. All Year Level Deans will be available at this time.

Wednesday 4th Feb

YEARS 7, 8, New Yr9 & New Yr10, 11, 12 & 13 – correct uniform to be worn

9.00am

Returning Year 8s and ALL Seniors (optional for Year 9s and 10s to attend) Returning Yr 8s and Seniors, and any returning Yr 9s and Yr 10s who have elected to attend, line up in form groups for powhiri line up outside hall in year groups by staffroom

9.00am

All Yr 7 and new students/staff assemble on Tennis Courts. Parents are welcome.

9.15am

Powhiri

11.00am

New students and parents are invited for light refreshments.

11:30 -1:00pm

Years 11-13

11:30 - 3:10pm

Years 7, 8, New Yr 9 & New Yr 10, Form Classes

5:00 - 6:30pm

Whanau Pool Picnic, Sausage sizzle

Form Classes then finish at 1.00pm

(buses will run as for a normal school day) Thursday 5th Feb

All year levels full school day

Buses will run from Wednesday 4th February. Any enquiries please phone the school 06 364-8204 before 12th December or after 19th January. UNIFORM The Student Centre will be open for uniform before College starts as follows:  Every day in the week beginning 26th January: 9.00am-12.00 midday and 1.00-3.30pm (closed for lunch from 12.00-1.00pm)  From Mon 2nd February normal office hours will resume: 08.30am - 03.30pm Student Centre staff will be available to assist you.