Ōtaki College Newsletter No 7, 16 August 2013

Te Kāreti o Ōtaki Ma te hau tonga e whiu ai au ki ngā puke iri mai o Kāpiti i waho rā. The south wind carries me to the hills of Kāpiti out there....

Ōtaki Scholar Visit

As Head Boy of Ōtaki College it was my duty and great honour

to host the 70th Ōtaki scholar, Craig Brownhill, from Robert Gordon’s Col-lege in Aberdeen.Craig was in Ōtaki for 4 days, during which time we were welcomed onto Raukawa Marae and visited Puke-karaka hill, where we laid wreaths to commemorate the 60th Korean War anniversary. We also spent some time at the Sander tie factory where we were shown the wide range of quality ties produced in Ōtaki . The high-light of the trip for me was our visit to Kapiti Island where we saw a kiwi up close in its natural habitat. This is something I have never seen in the wild before. A huge thanks to John Barrett and Kapiti Island Nature tours for this opportunity and for hosting us for the night. I also enjoyed going to Rangiatea church and learning the history behind this spectacular church

in Ōtaki and how it was rebuilt after being burnt down in 1995.I enjoyed getting to know Craig better and learning about his country and school. I look forward one day to go-ing and visiting him in Aberdeen.I’d like to thank the following people who were responsible for making this visit so enjoyable and full of historic activities: Colin Robertson from the RSA, Sander Ties, Kapiti Island Nature tours, Rupene Waaka and especially Andre Baker for his organi-sation and also for transporting Craig and I around Ōtaki during Craig’s visit. His passion and wealth of knowl-edge really helped make Craig’s visit memorable. Nick PuttHead Boy

Ōtaki College: Ph 06 364 8204. Email office@Ōtakicollege.school.nz Website www.Ōtakicollege.school.nz Page 1

News and Events

Japanese School Visit

Seven action packed days in Au-gust saw 18 Japanese students

experience a slice of life in Ōtaki . The students, accompanied by their teacher, Kunie Machida, and principal Tatsuhide Mizumura, were from the rural town of Tomioka, Gunma, two hours northwest of Tokyo. A group of students from Ōtaki College had vis-ited them earlier in the year and been hosted by them, so this was an oppor-tunity for Ōtaki College to reciprocate with some good old Kiwi hospitality.While in Ōtaki the students were able to be fully immersed in English speak-ing and listening by staying in Ōtaki homes and spending time in and around Ōtaki College with activities ranging from archery and rock climb-ing to making videos of themselves making speeches. Valuable interac-tion with Kiwi students took place when they spent a day in the Japa-nese languages classes, and again when they attended a traditional Kiwi BBQ with host families.They also enjoyed being tourists. A day was spent in Wellington, visiting Parliament, Te Papa and the Weta Workshops. Lindale Tourist Centre and Southwards Car Museum were

venues on another day. A tour of Ōtaki had them experienc-ing beach, bush and Rangi-atia Church in the space of two hours.The group were welcomed to Ōtaki College with a formal Māori powhiri which they re-sponded to with a waiata – the Tomioka school song, sung in beautiful two part harmony. Be-fore departing, a farewell func-tion was held where speeches were had, each student received a certificate and a final meal

with host families, teachers and buddies was shared. Japa-nese and Kiwi tears were shed as the group boarded their bus to go home. The final words uttered where “We’ll be back”.Howard ManinsDirector, International Students

Ōtaki College Uniform

Over the course of 2013 we have been working on a rationalisation

and rebranding plan for the Ōtaki Col-lege uniform. This has come about be-cause of the range of uniform options that have led to confusion around “what is the Ōtaki College uniform?”

In various newsletters this year we have encouraged parent feedback on this process and we would like to thank you for your contributions in re-lation to this. Students have also had input into the process. We have now reached a point where we can inform you about the planned phase in of our uniform. There are minimal changes so that the “change process” will be as simple and economical as possible.

A key feature of the change is that there will be both junior and senior uniforms. The reasons for this are: to develop a rite of passage into the sen-ior school, to signal a time for senior students to start setting an example for younger students and to empha-sise the leadership role of senior students in the life of the College.

As Year 13 is the ultimate year of leadership we want to have a uni-form for Year 13 students that they can be proud of wearing and that will give them the opportunity to set an

example for all other students in the college. The College staff and BOT support the move for year 13 students to wear College uniform in 2014.

The uniform items will not be compul-sory in 2014 but will be phased in over the year. By 2015 we would expect all students to be dressed completely in our College Uniform. The graphics of the College uniform will be placed onto the College website for parents to view.

Junior Uniform Year 7 to 10Optional items (junior and senior)Cap (OC design) Beanie (OC design) Scarf (College scarf or plain Navy Blue scarf) Polar fleece (Navy Blue with College Crest)Compulsory itemsCanterbury Jacket (College Crest) Jersey (new design – gold and white bands around V neck)Polo Shirt (boys in Blue polo/Girls in white polo)Tartan Skirt (to be at knee length – parents are encouraged to keep a good hem to enable this to be let down to allow for growth)Socks (girls white with gold and blue bands/boys navy blue with white and

gold bands)Stockings (girls – black)Black lace up or slip on school shoes with a heel (NO CANVAS SHOES)

Senior Uniform Years 11 to 13Formal Uniform (every day uniform and ALL formal events)College Blazer (as per male graphic on website – navy blue with gold trim with kowhaiwhai on top pocketJersey (worn optionally under Blazer)White shirt (Boys) or White Blouse (Girls)College tieCollege Tartan year 13 tie (year 13 and staff only)Black trousers (Boys only)Tartan Skirt Year 11 and 12 (to be at knee length – parents are encouraged to keep a good hem to enable this to be let down to allow for growth)Black Skirt Year 13 (to be at knee length)Stockings (Girls – black)Black lace up or slip on school shoes with a heel (NO CANVAS SHOES) (OR the choice of wearing junior uniform style as outlined above during summer but not at formal functions and events)

Note: there will not be a college PE uniform at this point

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St Bernards vs Ōtaki Soccer Game

This was an exciting match in which St Bernards were winning 3-0 at

half time. The Ōtaki team came back with 2 goals in the 2nd half to lose 3-2.

From the Principal

Senior Dance Update

This term the students are working with 3 different guest tutors. Two

are from Pump Dance Crew, which is based in Wellington - Libby and Esther. Libby worked with the students in Term 1, and both performed in the show in Wellington that the students went to in Term 2. These tutors are teaching a range of hip hop styles, including breaking, popping, locking and there will also be some aspects of Contemporary Dance included.

We are also lucky to have Tina Kaiawe come in on Mondays this Term. Tina is an expert in the field of Māori Per-

forming Arts and I am so grateful she is volunteering her time to come in and share her expertise. Tina began teaching the students a Haka in the last week of Term 2 which she created especially for the students.

At the end of the Term we will have a showing for whanau/family. The dance work will combine all the differ-ent genres and will give the students credits towards their New Maori Dance assessment.

I am delighted with the students participation and attitude towards their

class work. We have certainly become a tight knit class!

Events (continued) College Sport Wellington Swimming Champs

Three students completed in the Swimming Championships in June:

Yuri Taylor, Nicole Taylor and Cassie Lundie. Yuri, a Year 11 student, came 2nd in the Senior Boys 50m freestyle.

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Events (continued)

Peer Mediation Service

We have recently carried out further training of Peer Me-

diators. The students were trained in the skills of active listening, conflict resolution and the mediation process. Their attentiveness and willingness to learn the process was brilliant. These students will now be available to assist students in the school with resolving minor conflicts.The students are: Teeana Tawhiti-Watson, Alice Yung, Alyssa Kata, Lisa-Marie Turner, Shenee Nicholson, Anya George, Andre Kruk, Maikara Hanson-Hand, Stephanie Down, Ashley Tawharu, Kahurangi Sturmey,

James Mackie-Ritchie, Reon Puke-tapu, Zoe Matla, Zoe Thomson and Arahia Ngatai.

New Zealand Business Week

Karly Richardson and Morgan Allan, Ōtaki College Year 13 students

were selected to attend NZBW in Palmerston North during the first week of the Term Two holidays. Sincere thanks to Ōtaki Rotary, Ōtaki First National and Ōtaki College Home & School Association who sponsored the students. By completing the Business Week course both students have been awarded a $1,000 scholarship, should they wish to pursue a business degree

at Massey University.Karly said “The main activity that ran throughout Business Week was a business simulation that meant we had to make decisions on advertising budgets, ordering and pricing stock, paying dividends and repaying loans.” Morgan added “throughout the week we also competed in our groups in team building activities such as the confidence course at Linton Army camp, Daytona (go carting) and thea-tre sports. We were visited by many

CEO’s of large companies such as Toyota who talked to us about their ex-periences in business, as well as own-ers of locally owned companies. We visited Massey University and listened to Vice Chancellor Steve Maharey who gave an inspirational speech about the university and where he sees business heading in the future.”Both girls thoroughly enjoyed the experience and recommended Busi-ness Week to any student interested in pursuing a career in business.

Girls 1st Xl

The Girls won the finals for the region 2-1. They are now in the

finals for Wellington. In the words of a parent “It was a great, tough game against Tawa College, but the girls held out and never gave up right to the end when they scored the 2nd goal, which was well deserved. John [Heenan] their coach is just fantastic and all the parents are very proud of him and the girls.”

Why I joined the Navy

I joined the Navy for a multitude of reasons, mainly for the qualifications

and travel opportunities offered. I also

joined due to family tradition.

My experience in the RNZNI have recently completed the Navy’s Basic Common Training (BCT) course, which is thirteen weeks of constant, controlled stress, where my-self and eighty other young men and women from all over New Zealand were taught everything that a sailor must know, for example:Weapons handling and shooting, sail-ing, ropework, first aid, sea survival skills, parade drill training, an intro-duction to damage control, Naval his-tory, OSH, security of belongings etc., discipline, Naval terms and slang, uni-form maintenance, and much more. We were also taught about teamwork, the Navy’s three core values; Cour-age, Comradeship and Commitment, and to be self-reliant and disciplined

sailors.The course is full of challenges, rang-ing from the Confidence Course at Whangaparaoa’s Tamaki Leadership Centre to the seven metre jump off of a jetty, and the ever-rewarding Physi-cal Training sessions.My next stepThe next step for me is a thirteen-month long Basic Branch Training (BBT) course, which is my initial ap-prenticeship for my chosen trade (Ma-rine Technician), where I learn about the machinery onboard the Ships and improve my basic machining skills.I highly recommend a career in the Navy, and the New Zealand Defence Force to anyone wishing to pursue one.Tyrone BowlerEx-Ōtaki College Student

Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre

In the last school holidays I went to Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre in the Wairarapa. I did a taster course to see what it would be like to go there as a

student. I found out about it at the Careers Day at Te Takere in Levin. On the course we tried all the different kinds of farming and jobs that you might do on a farm. It was a good experience, you make heaps of mates. I would recom-mend it! Pat Morrissey, Year 10 Student

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College Notices

Community Notices Check out our website www.otakicollege.school.nz for Term 3 Events

Ōtaki Beach Clean-up Day

Kapiti Pak’nSave are organising a Kapiti Coastline clean-up day on

Tuesday September 3. Our college has been given the time slot of 11.30-1.30. The school on the coast which collects the most Pac’n Save bags of rubbish will win $1000 of Kapiti Pak n Save vouchers.The Home and School Association and Student Council are supporting this event in the hope success may kick start our gala fundraising for 2013.We are allowed a total of 50 students and adults (combined) for the clean-up. If you are keen to be involved on the day please contact Jo McInerney (Guidance Counsellor) at college on extension 716.

Teacher Only DayCollege will be closed on Monday 2nd September for a professional development day. Please ring the Main Office - 364 8204 - if you wish to make arrangements for your children to be supervised on this day.

Kapiti Coast – Kapi Mana0800 822 673

Budget Cars from $35* *(11days +)Family and Business Cars from $50 day12 Seater Jumbo Vans from $105 dayFurniture Moving Trucks from$105 day

Depots at Paraparaumu RailParaparaumu AirportKenepuru Porirua

WOT TO WEAR & NOT TO WEAR - Hosted by Suzie Johnson of OoshBuy tickets now and go in the draw to win the CASH back!

Ōtaki Montessori Pre School present an evening of fun and fashion. Wednesday 21st August 2013 at Ōtaki Racecourse, Te Roto Road, Ōtaki.

Doors open at 7.30pm, show starts at 8pm Get a group of your friends and come along to this wonderful show!

Ticket price $25

Heaps of great raffle and spot prizes, cash bar and great stalls selling wonderful gear on the evening.Checkout our FaceBook page Ōtaki Montessori Pre School Inc or our website

www.otakimontessori.co.nzContact Ōtaki Montessori Pre School 3647500, Sala 021751 679 or Vanessa 021 745 903

Cobwebs trust would appreciate any second hand uniform and used clothing. Please leave at the shop on Main St or ring Rod Graham 0274 457545.If nothing has gone in re breakfast clubs….BREAKFAST CLUBS. Schools and the local churches have established breakfast clubs for all students in Ōtaki. Recently Morena Café has opened in the Presbyterian Church on Mill Rd and is open on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. For students living in the plateau area the breakfast club operates out of the Baptist Church Hall from 8.15am Monday to Friday. The breakfast club at Ōtaki school has been operat-ing successfully for some years. Breakfast clubs in our area are supported Fonterra, Sanitarium and Cobwebs Trust Ōtaki.

Scrap metal drive Fundraiser for : Cameron Lafrentz.

Contact Sonya or Gavin Lafrentz

Ph 3647119 Ph\ txt 021 563919 E son.gav@xtra.co.n

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Cameron is raising funds to take part in the Ro-tary Australia exchange next year, this consists of a student coming to stay with us for a term starting in April and then Cameron returning to Australia with that student for a term in July. Any scrap metal you have, you would be happy to donate we will come and collect it at a time that suits. The money raised will go towards the costs in-volved, it is estimated he will need around $5000.00 Any amount will help. Thank you.

“Rockmybaby™ is one the largest Nanny agencies and leading childcare recruitment experts! Rockmybaby™ is an innovative nanny and babysitting agency providing families with professional, high quality babysitters and Nannies. Our aim is to make finding a trustworthy nanny or babysit-ter simple and straightforward. We have an extensive database of professional caregivers that are AVAILABLE NOW. Whether your family needs afterschool care, a full time Nanny or a babysitter, we can cater for your needs visit our website www.rockmybaby.co.nz or email Welling-ton@rockmybaby.co.nz ”

Otaki Pony Club enrolment day Saturday 31st August 3.00pm. (un-mounted). Te Roto Road, Ōtaki Race Course. For further details please call Angela (06) 3647048. Ōtaki Pony Club is committed to youth equine knowledge and skills in a fun environment.

Singing and Violin LessonsExperienced teacher offering after school lessons. Mondays and Thursdays Ōtaki ; Wednes-days Paraparaumu and Rau-mati. Rachel: Mobile 021 936 749, Email rachel@rachelmor-gan.net

NZQA fees are now overdue. $76.70 per person or $20.00 if student is eligible for financial assistance. All applications for assistance, together with pay-ment must be in by Friday 23rd August.

Friends of the Sander ScholarPremier Sponsor:Sander TiesPlatinum Sponsors:Rotary Club of Ōtaki McAndrews MenswearGold Sponsors:Castle Rock Foundation Trust - Marlan TradingGarrett FamilySilver Sponsor: Kapiti Communications LtdBronze Sponsors:Equine and Farm Veteri-nary Services LtdSuper Liquor Ōtaki

BoT Policy ReviewThe BoT policy currently under review is Person-nel. If you would like to view and comment on this policy please contact Viv White on vwt@otakicollege.school.nz for a copy.

Dance into Spring with Wu Tao - 8 Week Beginners CourseSTART DATE - Wednesday 4th Sept TIME: 6.30 – 7.30pmVENUE - Soul Essence Studio Paraparaumu COST - $100 for the 8 week course (or pay as you go )TO BOOK YOUR PLACE - Phone 027 472 4727 or 04 298 3194 a/h or e-mail wutaodance@hotmail.comBring a friend and you receive your first lessonFREE