Ōtaki College News

June 2023

From Principal Andy Fraser

Masquerade Ball

Our Ōtaki College Ball, held on 13 May, was definitely a night to remember! With a Masquerade theme, attendees showed up with dazzling masks and awesome rides. First up on the red carpet was our beloved school cat, Ed. Our guests were greeted on their way in by Principal Matua Andy, and Ngā Kākākura Hannah Thompson and Caleb Smith. After a brief pause for a photo under the balloon arch, attendees made their way through a sparkling tunnel and into the main attraction. The school hall was transformed into a brilliant ballroom with gold and white embellishments pulling it all together.

The photobooth was up and running; DJ Ra was playing crowd favourites; and the dance floor was full until the very end. Among our guests were Head Students from Paraparaumu College, Kāpiti College, Waiopehu College, and Horowhenua College.

Drinks were served by our skillful Year 10 wait staff, and our kitchen staff set out a brilliant supper that everyone thoroughly enjoyed. Many thanks to Anne Hagan, Christine Ferron, Kirsten Heenan, Genna McAlpine, Shayla Puketapu, Jordan Thompson and Karen Hamilton for their hard work with the food preparation. As the night came to an end, the votes were in and results were as follows:

Year 13 Royalty: Hannah Thompson & Caleb Smith

Year 12 Royalty: Boston Pollock & Spencer Martin

Best Dress: Neve Jarnell

Best Suit: Ollie Moyle

Best Couple: Sam Georgetti & Forest Glanville Hall www.otakicollege.school.nz

Best Ride: Skye Heenan & Tama Porter with their shopping-cart entry!

All in all, the 2023 Ōtaki College Ball was a great success. Thanks to this year’s Ball Committee for their efforts and mahi; thank you to all college staff that helped out on the night; and many thanks again to Anne Hagan for making this wonderful night possible.

Variety Concert

On Wednesday 17 May, Ōtaki College hosted an extravaganza of talent at the annual Variety Concert. It was a wonderful time with music, dance, drama and fire poi! Students from Year 7 to 13 were involved. We were entertained by our MCs Te Akau Epiha and Sam Georgetti with some great jokes and a game of Simon Says!

The evening started and ended with dance and there were five bands in the middle. We had Hayley Boyer who performed two dances, and Charlee Allan and Rakapa Epiha-Hall who charmed us with their ballet and hip-hop dancing. Our two Smokefreerockquest bands gained valuable performing experience before the heats on Sunday; and our Year 7 and 8 band gave their first performance ever! The other two firsts were a barbershop group with five senior music students singing Sh’Boom by the Chords and a fire-poi performance by Isabel Hogan. It was an exciting night and the audience loved it.

Comments from performers included: “Awesome that people were able to come and enjoy a concert post Covid. Full House!!! – Freddy ; “Fun to perform for the first time” – Henry ; I wanted to do Elvis dance moves” – Turanga ; and “It was fun and scary” – Taleah

Pink Shirt Day

On Friday 19 May we participated in our annual Pink Shirt Day. NZ Bullying-Free Week culminates in Pink Shirt Day. The messages students promote reflect the theme, “Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora –Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying”.

Particular emphasis was placed on the kōrero: See someone being bullied? Be an upstander, not a bystander. Call it out. Stand with them. Get help.

The Ngā Ringa Whero team of student leaders promoted the day through an assembly presentation. There were a range of activities on the day including a colouring competition, best dressed kaiārahi class, sausage sizzle and bake sale. ZEAL supported the day with a karaoke lunch hour. Koha from Pink Shirt Day will be donated to the Mental Health Foundation.

Outdoor Education in Term One by Tara Pantel , German International Student

As international students, when it came to choosing which school we wanted to attend for our exchange year, we were faced with many different options. One key point for Ōtaki College was the greatly advertised Outdoor Education Program, listed as one of the best in the Wellington and Kāpiti Coast area.

For our Year 13 ODE3 class this year we have already been on two trips (during Term 1) which proved to be a great advertisement for the programme and certainly lived up to our expectations. The first trip was a 5-day sea-kayaking trip in the Marlborough Sounds. For the whole week we had double- seated sea kayaks which we spent the days in, kayaking along beautiful shorelines. As international students we don't have any subjects at home that are even remotely similar to Outdoor Education, so that trip was an amazing start to our stay at Ōtaki College. It was both challenging and a great experience, also giving us the opportunity to see the beautiful and famous nature of the South Island, which we might not have been able to travel to on our own.

We also have to say a great thank you to Howard Manins who joined us on that trip, keeping an eye on us and educating us on various interesting facts regarding New Zealand. He also accompanied and helped us on the next trip we went on, just before the Easter Holidays. It was 2 days of white-water kayaking on the Rangitikei River: much more challenging and exciting than the first kayaking trip as this time we had single-seated kayaks and we went down rapids as well. Luckily we were well prepared for the challenges that would await us on the trip due to great lessons beforehand. Aside from the afternoon lesson on the Ōtaki River, most of us had never been in a kayak on water moving at that speed before, let alone whitewater. Some parts were quite scary, but we all managed due to great teaching, supervision and support and mentoring from Mr Pollard and Mr Manins throughout the whole trip, as well as during the preparation in class.

Both trips were really fun and a great – for most of us unique – experience, making our stay in New Zealand unforgettable.