TREK 2025

Ōtūmoetai College STAFF 2025

Board Members

Chairperson Matthew King

Deputy Chairperson Lisa Adams / Rick Hopcroft

Parent Rep

Iwi Rep

Parent Rep

Emma Henderson (co-opted)

Kylie Heke

Kristen Matthews

Principal Russell Gordon

Staff Representative Vanessa Hays

Student Representatives

Senior Leadership

Principal

Liam Smythe (Finished Sep 2025)

Milly Simon (Started Oct 2025)

Russell Gordon

MEd Ldrship (Hons), BPA, Dip Tch

Deputy Principal Pip Woodward MEdLdrship (Hons), BEd, Dip Sport Mngmt, Dip Tch

Deputy Principal

Deputy Principal

Deputy Principal/Kaitiaki

Assistant Principal

Stephen Tisch

BSc, Dip Tch

Dave Cleland B.ESc, B.Ed

Jo’el Komene MA, BIT, BMVA, Dip Tch

Richard Brown

BEd, Dip Tch

Assistant Principal Ashleigh Lack BA, Dip Tch

H

Art

Business

Careers / Gateway

Dance / Drama

English

ESOL

Wellness

International Department

David Henderson (Actg) BFA, Dip Tch

Sarah-Jane Smith BA (Hons), PGCE

Martenette Strauss BComm, Dip Tch

Stacey Shefferd BA, PGDipTch, DipMktg, Dip.Career Guidance

Jane Harnett BEd, Dip Tch

David Shefferd BA, Dip Tch

Rocio Serrati

Julie Sutton

LLB, PGDip Tch

BA Couns. PG Cert HSc, NZAC, DAPAANZ

Hayley Russell GradCertTEAL,GradDipTch, PGDipPsych, BSocSc

Languages

Learning Centre

Library

Mathematics

Te Whare Māori

Music

Physical Education/Health

Te Whakatipuranga (Teen Parent Unit)

Science

Social Science

Special Needs

Sports Director

Supported Learning

Technology (Hard Materials) & Graphics

Technology (Soft Materials) & Hospitality

Deans 2025

Year 9

Year 10

Year 11

Year 12

Year 13

Leo Wilson BA, Dip Tch

Vicky Jeffares

Carolyn Harrowfield

Neil McDermid

Maria Veronese

BMu, LTCL, Dip Tch

NZLC

BSc (Hons), PGCE, Dip Tch

Dip Tch, BMāori Perf Arts, Dip Te Reo Maori

Matt Bodman MusB, Dip Tch

Jamie Davis

Cynthia Wikohika

Holly Wilson

Nick Page

Caly Pillay

Ian Ridgway

Paula Purser

Kevin Meyer

Lauren May

Arden Carter

Mary-Ann Braddock

Leo Wilson

BPhEd, Dip Tch

BEd, Dip Tch

BSc, PGDip Tch

BSc, Dip Tch

BEd, Dip Tch

BEd (Hons)

BEd, Dip Tch

Dip Tch, Adv Trade Cert, Dip Spec subjects

BMS, Dip Tch

BSR, GradDip Tch

BA, Dip Tch

BA, Dip Tch

Stevie-Jane Mutu BA, GradDip Tch

Andrew Rapley

Dip Spec Subjects, Dip Tch

Jessie Fauntleroy BEd

Craig Grant

Vanessa Hays

Caroline Reynolds

Mark Williams

BA, GradDip Tch

BLS, Dip Tch

BSc, GradDipTch

BSoc Sc (Hons), Dip Tch

Teaching Staff 2025

ALDCROFT Mark

ATVARS Guntis

GradDip Tch, NZCert Joiner Craftsman

Dip Fine Arts, Dip Tch

BALLANTYNE Maramena DipTTP, GradDip Tch

BENSON Megan

BINNS Stephen

BIRCHAM Sanet

BLAKE Shane

BA, GradDip Tch

PhD Mathematics, GradDipTch

BComm, GradDipTch

BPh.Ed. Dip Tch, TTC

BLAKEMORE Susan BEd, DipTch

BOUBEE Sandra MEd (Hons), BPh.Ed, Dip Tch

BRADDOCK Adam BA, Dip Tch

BRUCE Tracey BA, Dip Tch

BUXTON Joshua

CARNEIRO Vitor

BMedia Art, Dip Tch

BPhysEd, Dip Tch

CHANG Seong BCA, Dip Tch

CHRISTIE Naomi BTchg, MEdLeadership

CLARK Eleanor BA, Dip Tch

COLLIS David BA, Dip Tch

COTTER Maree BA, Dip Tch, QTS (University of Hertfordshire)

CRAVEN Laura BA, PGDip Tch

CRAWFORD Jason Itinerant Music Teacher

CURD, Natasha BA, Dip Tch

CURNOW Hiriwa

BMED -Tāpiri -TPMM, Dip Tchg., Dip.T.M.Māori, TT.Cert

CURRY Sherie Dip PE, Dip Tch

DANIELL Stephen BA, GradDip in Philosophy

DEE Meghann

DENNEY Debbie

DWIGHT Carolyn

DWIGHT Shane

ENEFER Steven

FAHEY Juanita

FAREY Nathan

FAUNTLEROY Jessie

FERREIRA Sophia

FRITSCH Megan

BSc, PGDip Tch

BEd, BLS, DipTch, Dip Sport and Rec

BEd, BA, Dip Tch

BEd, Dip Tch

BA (Hons), PG Cert in Education

BAgSc, GradDip Tch

BSR, PGDip Tch

BEd (Sec)

BPhEd, PGDip Tch

BSc, GradDip Tch

GADSBEY Anthony BEd, Dip Tch

GALLOWAY Claire MA (Hons) PE

GARDINER Robert

GERAGHTY Monique

GILVEAR Steve

BSoc Sci (Hons), Dip Tch

BPhysio, GradDip Tch

BA, Dip Tch

GRACE Laura BA, Dip Tch

GRANT Peter

GRAY Hannah

GOUGH Kendall

HADCROFT David

HANSEN Kaine

HAWKES Nicola

HAYWARD Bevin

HILLS Kathryn

HITCHCOCK Corisha

MEd Ldrship (Hons), BSc, Dip Tch

BDI, GradDip Tch

BPh.Ed, Dip Tch

BSportHPE, GradDip Tch

BSoc Sci, Dip Env. Mgt, Dip Tch

BSc, Dip Tch

Itinerant Music Teacher

BMA, GradDip Tch

MMus, BA, Dip Tch

HOLFORD Sarah BA, Dip Tch

HUDSPITH Sarah BA, Dip Tch

KING Nicola

KIRK Suzanne

BLS, PGDip Tch

BA (Hons), Dip Tch

KOOPMAN Ralph Dip Tch

LANCE Kristy

LANDER Claire

LIGHT Hannah

LOUDEN Sam

LOWE Imogen

MCADAM Frances

BSc, GradDip Tch

BA, Dip.Tch

BSc, GradDip Tch

BBS, Dip Sp St, Dip Tch

Music Itinerant

CELTA, BCS, Dip Tch

MCCAUGHAN Jackie Music Itinerant

MCCREARY Joc

MCCULLOCH Nuala

MCMAHON Patrick

MCNAMARA Kelly

MENZIES Caitlin

BSc, PGDip Tch, GDip.Career Development

PGCE Design and Technology, MA

BA, Dip Tch

B Music, Dip Tch

BA, GradDip Tch

MERRITT Phil

MIKA Tapene

MOORE Lana

NEWTON, Phil

NGAWATI Tiana

NORQUAY Carolyn

NORTHFIELD Sian

O’MALLEY Ian

ORCHARD Michelle

PARKER Tracy

PARSONS Selina

PENGELLY Marisol

PETRIE Amy

PRASAD Ashika

PRICE Sally

PURSER, Paula

QUARTERMAIN Bernice

QUATRINI Andrea

QUIN Simon

RADFORD Ben

RAPLEY Andrew

RAYNER Michael

RICHARDSON Lara

RIDEALGH Alesha

ROBERTS Geoff

BSc, Dip Tch, Dip Bus Admin

BSR, Dip Tch

BA, Dip Tch

BA, Dip Tch

BSport HPE, GradDip Tch

Dip Tch, BEd, Post Dip Sc

BA, GradDip Comms, GradDip Tch

BMus, PGDip Tch

BSocSc, GradDip Tch

BA, DipTch

ATCL College of London

BPSA, Dip Tch, Dip DMT

GradDip Design, GradDip Tch

BSc, PGDip in Maths, GDP Tch

BSc, GradDip Tch

B.Ed, Dip Tch

BSc, Dip Tch

BEd, CELTA Cert

BPh.Ed, Dip Tch

BEd (Tch)

Dip Spec Subjects, Dip Tch

GradDip Engineering, Adv Trade Cert, GradDip Tch

BA, Dip Tch

BA, GradDip Tch

BSc Applied Dip Tch

ROBINSON Sarah BComm, Dip Tch

ROE Chris

ROHS Margrit

ROMBOUTS Ellen

SADAYAN Asokan

SCHUMACHER Kimberley

SECKER Julie

SHEPPARD Simon

SIMPSON Mark

SMITH Brent

SMITH Emma

SMITH Megan

SMITH Michael

SMITH Vaughan

SMYTHE Sarah

STEPHEN Eloise

SUSHAMES Lisa

TAIWO Cordula

TAYLOR Charrissa

THOMAS Mark

TISCH Nicola

TOWNSEND Stephanie

WALKER Harriet

WATSON Ian

WEAVER Lisa

WELLENHOFER Dominik

WESSELLS Deon

WHALEY Will

WILLIAMS Dave

WHYTE Kim

WILLIS Avon

WOLKEN Nicola

WOODFORD Ashley

YOUNG Ashleigh

Ancillary Staff 2025

ALLAN Jim

ANDERSON Elizabeth

BEd, Dip Tch

BA, PGDip Arts, Dip Tch

BA, Dip Tch

BSc, PGCertEd

BBus, Dip Tch

BA, Dip Tch

BSc, BBus (Hons), Dip Tch

BSc, Dip Tch

BSc, PGDip Tch

BSpEx, Dip Tch

BSc, Dip Tch

B.Ed. Senior and FET

BBus, PGCertEd

BA, MMS, PG Dip Com, Dip Tch

BA, PGDipTch

GradDip Arts, BA, GradDip Tch

MA, Post GradDip Tch

BA, Dip Tch

MGCD Dip, BA(Hons), PGCE Tech

Nat Dip Business Education, Dip Tch

BA, Dip Tch

BCS, Dip Tch

BEd, Dip Spec Subjects, NZCE, Trade Cert, Dip Tch,

MHSc, PGD, BHSc, Dip Tch

MSc, MA

BSc, Dip Tch

BSc, GradDip Tch

BPh.Ed, Dip Tch

BA, Dip Tch

BDes, GradDip Tch

BA, GradDip Tch

BSc, PGCert in Health Sci, PGDip Tch

BA, Dip Tch

Property Manager

International Office Manager

ANDERSON Roy Gardener

ANDREWS Kiwa

AULDING Jaymie

BATTERMANN Marie

BIDOIS Deanne

Teacher Aide

Teacher Aide

Wellness Centre

Teacher Aide – Okohanga

BLAIR Debbie

Attendance Officer

BLUETT Kathryn Teacher Aide

BOTHA Melinda

Student Database

BOYD Victoria Teacher Aide – ESOL

BROATCH Andrea Teacher Aide

BROMILOW Keagan

Teacher Aide

BROWN Andrew Property

BROWN Donna Teacher Aide

CARLSON Patty Teacher Aide

CARTER Adrienne Canteen Manager

DARKES Tracy Payroll

DUNN Reta

EDHOUSE Kristy

FORD Viv

FORSTER James

Career’s Administrator

Student Fees Administrator

Principal’s PA

Sports Foundation

GIBB Vanessa Library Assistant

GILLBANKS Nadia Counsellor

GLENVILE Deb

GODFREY Emmeline

Physio

Teacher Aide

GRAVES Wayne Cleaner

GREGORY Melissa Teacher Aide

HEMINGWAY Lorena Teacher Aide

HENDERSON Emma

Sports Coordinator

HENDERSON-JONES Vanessa Teacher Aide

HENRICKS Kirsty Teacher Aide

HIGGINS Raewyn Counsellor

HUMAN Wilna

Finance Assistant

HYNE Darryl Teacher Aide

IRVINE Gary Cleaner

JOHNSTON Leigh

Ancillary – Music/PE/Art, Attendance

KAIAWE Tamson Cleaner

KENWORTHY David Cleaner

KIRSTEIN Paul IT

KNOX Stevee

Teacher Aide – Te Whare Māori

KOTZE Annemarie Canteen Assistant

LACK Matthew

Classroom Administrator – Learning Centre

LARAMAN Brent Property

LEE Ros IT Manager

LIVINGSTON Gwen Receptionist / Relief Coordinator

LONGLEY Margot Canteen Assistant

LUCAS Norman TPU Driver

LUNJEVICH Mark Student Welfare Officer / Cleaning Supervisor / Security

LYRA Douglas Teacher Aide

MACPHERSON Joe Property

MAISIRI Dan Teacher Aide

MATHESON Christine Sports Administrator

MATTHEWS Kristen Tu’oe Pasifika (Pasifika Coordinator)

MATTSON Cindy Teacher Aide

MCBRIDE Debbie Uniform

MCCALL Harriette Teacher Aide

MCCLYMONT Christine Teacher Aide

MCFIE Deirdre Teacher Aide

MCPHAIL Penny Nurse

MERRY Leo Van Driver (TPU)

MEZA Jeanette Teacher Aide

NGATA Debbie Teacher Aide

PALMER Pip Business Manager

PEAKE John Science Technician

PEEK David Counsellor

PLAYFORD Dennis Sports Coordinator

PLAYFORD Fionne International Office Manager

RAIKES Karen Administration and Communications Coordinator

RAINFORD Peter IT

REAY Sharlene Food Technology Technician

REDWARD Lesley Ancillary Support - Technology

RIMMER Chrissy Teacher Aide – ESOL

RIRINUI Trent Teacher Aide

ROY Aiden Teacher Aide

SOLE Neroli

School Administrator / Enrolment Officer

SPENCE Jason Teacher Aide

STEVENS Sarah Homestay Manager

TATLEY Mary Canteen Assistant

THERON Anna Careers Assistant

TURNER Martin Cleaner

VAAULU Kate PHO Nurse

WALTERS Susa First Aid Assistant

WEBB Emma Gateway Co-ordinator

WILLIAMS Lisa Counsellor

ZDRAVKOVIC Jelena Science Technician

P rin c ip a l ’ s

R eport Principal’s Report

Tihei Mauri Ora!

E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā manuhiri tuārangi, tēnā koutou katoa.

As we look back on another year of growth, courage, and connection, I am reminded of the words of New Zealand mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary: “It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves. This sentiment captures the essence of 2025 at Ōtūmoetai College, a year where our students, staff, and community have continued to climb, to strive, and to discover what they are truly capable of.

This year, our students have demonstrated excellence not only in what they achieved, but in how they achieved it, through teamwork, humility, and heart. In the creative arts, courage has taken centre stage. Whether through music, drama, dance, our stage production of Mamma Mia, robotics, or visual art, our students have been unafraid to show who they are, to create something real, bold, and uniquely theirs. As our Creative Arts Awards reminded us, creativity is an act of bravery; it asks us to be seen, to take risks, and to bring our stories to life.

In sport, our athletes have once again represented our school — and our country — with pride. From the Girls’ Futsal team and Girls’ 1st XI finishing as national runners-up in their respective premier tournaments, to the Boys’ 1st XI showing true determination throughout Winter Tournament Week, our teams have demonstrated excellence, teamwork, and perseverance.

We also celebrate our student athletes who have represented New Zealand on the world stage: Grace Duncan – NZ Under-17 Football Team

Cadence Grant – ITTF Oceania Para Table Tennis Championships

Kaitlyn Hoare – NZ Tenpin Bowling Representative

Hannah Lines – NZ Representative, Asian Roller Games (Korea)

Paige Martley – Wildwater Canoeing World Championships (Slovenia)

Hannah Mason – Oceania BMX Continental Championships

Levi Shepherd – NZ Under-17 Flag Football Team

Erin Wyllie – Trans Tasman Secondary Schools Series / World Junior Squash Championships (Cairo, Egypt)

Together, our athletes have embodied the spirit of excellence, resilience, and camaraderie that defines our community. Behind every achievement stands a network of coaches, whānau, and supporters whose dedication and belief continue to inspire.

The heart of our school continues to beat strongly through our cultural celebrations. This year, for the first time, we celebrated our Pasifika Awards, a vibrant and moving evening that reminded us of the power of connection, heritage, and faith. The phrase “E so’o le fau i le fau”; one hibiscus fibre bound to another, captures what we witnessed, a community woven together through shared values and vision.

At the Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Awards, we honoured our Māori students who embody Kotahitanga, the strength that comes from paddling together, united by purpose and rhythm. Their achievements reflect not just individual success but collective pride.

These events reflect the growing diversity and strength of Ōtūmoetai College. They show that success is not defined by competition alone, but by collaboration, identity, and belonging.

Academic success remains a cornerstone of our purpose. This year, our students have continued to perform strongly across NCEA levels, a testament to their discipline and the tireless support of our teachers.

Special acknowledgement goes to Zoe Quarmby - our Science / Technology Dux and to our joint Proxime Accessit recipients Tasmin Jacka and Emily Parkes. Our Arts Dux for 2025 is Elia Friis and the Proxime Accessit is Isabella Stenhouse.

Congratulations to our academic champions! These awards celebrate not just knowledge, but curiosity, creativity, and a commitment to excellence that extends well beyond the classroom.

None of what we celebrate would be possible without our incredible staff, the teachers and support staff who give so much of themselves to guide, inspire, and care for our young people.

To our Board, with a special acknowledgement to those members who concluded their term in 2025Emma Henderson, Kristen Matthews and Liam Smythe (our student board representative), thank you all for your leadership and dedication to our students’ growth.

To our parents and caregivers, your partnership strengthens everything we do. And to our students, you are the reason we do this work. Your energy, resilience, and optimism are what make this community so special.

As 2025 draws to a close, I feel immense gratitude and pride. Together, we have faced challenges, celebrated achievements, and grown stronger as one school community, a waka moving forward with shared purpose and direction.

To our Year 13 leavers, as you begin your new journeys, remember that true strength lies not in standing alone but in the connections you build and the way you move forward alongside others.

To those returning in 2026, I look forward to the new opportunities, discoveries, and stories that await us.

Ngā mihi aroha ki a koutou katoa

Have a safe and relaxing holiday season.

Russell Gordon

HEAD STUDENTS 2025

Our year as Head Students has been one of the most unexpectedly rewarding parts of our time at Ōtūmoetai College. When we first walked into this place back in 2021, we were just four of hundreds of nervous Year 9s, more focused on finding our classes than imagining we’d ever be standing in front of the school as leaders. But over the years—and especially this one—we started to see our kura differently.

Being Head Students meant seeing Ōtūmoetai from both the outside and the inside. We got to see the little things that make this place feel like home: the daily debates over what was actually worth our money at the canteen, the mysterious “quote page” owner, the banter we had with those teachers we grew so close with.

And then there were the moments that made us proud to represent this year group. Watching our classmates head off to tournaments and trips—whether it was a week away with a sports team, hoping to bring back silverware, or students performing and competing across Aotearoa and even overseas. Moments that stood out to us throughout the year included the incredible performances in Mamma Mia alongside girls football scoring second in the country twice this year to top off five great years. Our year was full of quiet achievers and loud, unforgettable characters, and we got to see all of it up close.

We also saw how much work goes on behind the scenes: teachers staying late, coaches organising early training we all pretended to hate, staff constantly putting in effort that most don’t get to see. As Head Students, we became a bridge between all those people and our cohort—and it made us appreciate this place in a way we never expected.

More than anything, the role made our final year feel personal. It pushed us to grow, to speak for others, to laugh at ourselves, and to realise how far we’ve come from the kids who walked through the gates on Day One. Leading this year's group wasn’t just a responsibility—it was a privilege, and it’s become one of the parts of Ōtūmoetai we’ll carry with us long after we leave. We wish everyone the best with their future, stay strong to yourself, say yes to new experiences and don’t forget where you came from.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

STUDENT REP REPORT

As we stand at the end of our journey at Ōtūmoetai College, it’s hard not to reflect on how much we’ve grown, individually and as a year group. For thirteen years — five of them here in the senior school — we’ve learned, adapted, stumbled, rebuilt, and discovered who we’re becoming. Now we find ourselves at the moment where our paths begin to spread out in different directions.

Looking at this cohort, I see a group that has shown real resilience. You’ve navigated the full weight of NZQA assessments, survived internals and externals, balanced school with part-time jobs, sports, cultural responsibilities, and the everyday challenges of being a teenager in a world that moves far too fast. Some of you headed into the workforce early, others continued right through to the end — but each of you has earned your place here. Serving as your Student Representative on the Board of Trustees has been an honour. Sitting at that table gave me a clearer view of how much thought goes into supporting your learning and wellbeing, and it made me even prouder to represent such a capable and diverse group of students.

Of course, our journey wouldn’t have been possible without the people who guided us along the way. To Ms Lack, Mr Williams, and Mrs Reynolds — thank you for your patience, consistency, and support. And to Mr Gordon — thank you for leading our school with clarity, and for delivering speeches that none of us could ever quite predict, but all of us will remember.

These final years have also been personally important for me. Like many of you, I’ve faced challenges — and I’m grateful to have come out the other side stronger, clearer, and ready for what comes next. Year 13 is no easy task, and the fact that you’re here now is a testament to your determination and your growth. As a group, you’ve achieved so much. You’ve excelled in sports, cultural activities, the arts, academics, service, competitions, leadership opportunities, and countless events that have shaped the spirit of our school. Whether it was on the field, on stage, in classrooms, in workshops, or out in the community, each of you has contributed something unique to our final year.

To the Class of 2025: you should be proud of everything you’ve accomplished. As you step into the next stage—whether that’s university, trades, work, travel, or something entirely different—I hope you carry your confidence, your resilience, and the lessons you’ve learned here with you. Back yourselves. Trust the people around you. And know that the friendships and memories from these years will stay with you far beyond our time at Ōtūmoetai College. Thank you for allowing me to represent you this year. I wish each of you the very best for whatever comes next.

By Liam Smythe

PRIZE GIVING 2025

Top Academic Award Winners

Elia Friis - DUX 2025 Arts / Humanities

Zoe Quarmby - DUX 2025 Science / Technology

Isabella Stenhouse - PROXIME ACCESSIT TO DUX Arts / Humanities

Emily Parkes - PROXIME ACCESSIT TO DUX Science / Technology (Joint Award)

Tasmin Jacka - PROXIME ACCESSIT TO DUX Science / Technology (Joint Award)

Ava Harsant-Brown - 3rd Aggregate in Year 13 - Arts / Humanities

From left: Ava Harsant-Brown, Isabella Stenhouse, Elia Friis, Zoe

Year 12 Academic Awards

Quarmby, Emily Parkes, Tasmin Jacka

PRIZE GIVING 2025

Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Awards

Back row from left to right: Ava Wills, Marcus Harman, Pania Attwood, Hinetuahiahi Attwood, Clara-Ann Hapuku-Te Nahu

Front row: Devlin Langton, Alena Cabemaiwai , Nadia Gates, Maia Solomona, Kaena John, Stevee Knox (absent)

Recognition of CREATIVE ARTS AWARDS

NEW WORLD BROOKFIELD CULINARY ARTS CUP

Outstanding Excellence in the Culinary Arts Aaliyah Murphy

BERNINA AWARD

Outstanding Technical Skills in Soft Materials Loralei Feist

BIDFOOD HOSPITALITY AWARD - JOINT

Outstanding Commitment and Dedication in Hospitality Cam Slako Sophie Vanderpoel

DMS PROGROWERS AWARD

Extra Curricular Commitment to the Visual Arts Lillie Allen

NONA COOK TROPHY

Outstanding Excellence in Creative Arts Liam Smythe

HERRING TROPHY FOR PERFORMING ARTS

Outstanding Commitment in Performing Arts Tiana Guy

LEE FAMILY TROPHY

Contribution to extra-curricular Drama throughout College life Elliot Watts

GASKELL TROPHY - JOINT

Outstanding Contribution to Dance during College life Simone Coldrick Eddie Couston

HELEN GREG MEMORIAL TROPHY

Excellence in Creative Writing Kaena John

JACK MOYLE TROPHY

Outstanding Contribution to Percussion Zen Miyanami

ERIC ISLES TROPHY

Public Speaking ..................................................................................................................................... Stevie Newton

MEDIA STUDIES TROPHY

Commitment to producing quality media during their senior years ....................................................... Sequoia Trass

MARY ROBERTS TROPHY

Instrumental Music .................................................................................................................................. Liliana Smith

SPARKS TROPHY

Service and Achievement in Music ....................................................................................................... Rachel Stevens

CHRIS CHECK MEMORIAL CUP

Perseverance and Achievement in a Musical Instrument .................................................................................. Ivy Liu

ROBOTICS TROPHY

Design, Build, Amaze Award

Outstanding Commitment and Contribution to Robotics .................................................................. Tom Van de Pol

BUSINESS AWARD FOR YOUNG ENTERPRISE

Most Innovative Student .................................................................................................................. Bradley Wiessing

BUSINESS AWARD FOR YOUNG ENTERPRISE

Most Outstanding Student Stevie Newton

Recognition of SPORTS AWARDS

GLEN JACKSON SUPREME SERVICE TO SPORT AWARD - JOINT ......................................... Gian Asi

..................................................................................................................................... Kaylee Cattley

PRINCIPAL’S AWARD - 2025 New Zealand Representation in Year 13

Football ...................................................................................................................... Grace Duncan

Para Table Tennis ...................................................................................................... Cadence Grant

Tenpin Bowling ........................................................................................................... Kaitlyn Hoare

Roller Skating .............................................................................................................. Hannah Lines

Canoe Slalom .............................................................................................................. Paige Martley

BMX ........................................................................................................................... Hannah Mason

Flag Football ............................................................................................................... Levi Shepherd

Squash .............................................................................................................................. Erin Wyllie

BOB ADDISON CUP - JOINT For Individual Sporting Achievement – Female ........................................................ Grace Duncan ......................................................................................................................................... Erin Wyllie

CROWTHER CUP - JOINT For Individual Sporting Achievement – Male ........................................................ Arthur Crimmins ................................................................................................................................ Luca Henderson 2025 SPORTS GIRL OF THE YEAR Grace Duncan For All-round Ability

2025 SPORTS BOY OF THE YEAR ........................................................................ Luca

For All-round Ability

Recognition of SUPREME MᾹORI AWARDS

FIRST IN TE REO MᾹORI YEAR 13 ...............................................................................................

Nadia Gates

TOP FEMALE ALL ROUND STUDENT Alena Cabemaiwai

Awarded for all-round academic, sporting and cultural achievement and contribution to the school community

TOP MALE ALL ROUND STUDENT ......................................................................................... Devlin Langton

Awarded for all-round academic, sporting and cultural achievement and contribution to the school community

HINE-TE-IWAIWA .................................................................................................................. Maia Solomona

Awarded for consistent and exceptional contribution school -wide and commitment in their chosen craft of the Arts. This student is a tohunga in the making.

TE KAHA O MURIWAI .................................................................................................................

Stevee Knox

Awarded for overarching leadership, vision, action and kaitiakitanga for the benefit of others.

TIKANGA MᾹORI TAONGA - TŪTARA WᾹNANGA ...................................................................

Awarded for outstanding contribution, leadership, high achievement and commitment to Tikanga Māori and Te Reo Māori.

TE TAONGA MAUMAHARA A KAY GATFIELD

Awarded to a student who has overcome many obstacles to reach his or her success thus far, emanates resilience and perseverance, and is enrolled in tertiary study from next year.

MATAHAUARIKI TAONGA

Awarded for full involvement and contribution to school life, outstanding academic record, leadership qualities and excellent role model.

TE MOANANUI-A-KIWA

Awarded for all rounded mana culturally, through sport, academically, as well as strong representation of their own heritage from within the Pacific ocean.

Stevee Knox

Ava Wills

Kaena John

Marcus Harman

NGᾹI TAMARᾹWAHO TAONGA - JOINT ................................................................... Hinetuahiahi Attwood

Awarded for all round excellence and leadership and contribution Pania Attwood to school, the wider community & local iwi.

KUA NANAIORA – THE ENDEAVOUR TROPHY .................................................. Clara-Ann Hapuku-Te Nahu

HIGHEST ACHIEVER IN SENIOR TE AO HAKA AWARD ........................................................... Karah Pikimaui

HIGHEST ACHIEVER IN SENIOR TE AO MĀORI AWARD Manaia Saunders

BEST KAPAHAKA PERFORMER AWARD Mikaere Wilson

YEAR 9

9AMB 9ANQ

Back Row: Elsie Bell, Lachlan Murray, Fergus Moore, Poppy Smith

3 rd Row: Nikita Hennessey, Mickey Mead-Ryan, William Barnes, G uillermo Bejarano Valdazo, Hannah Hope, Mehakpreet Kaler, A lyssa Weeks

2 nd Row: Zion Davies, Jakin Brickell, Jess Wishart, Zoe Nicols, J essica Luther, Jazmin Whyte, Taylor McClenaghan, Adam B raddock (Teacher)

F ront Row: Harleen Kaur, Gaia Ling, Georgia Limmer, Maddison M cMillan, Madison Holmes, Avah Rowling, Fox Sattler

Absent: Briearn Egan, Lucas Hosking, Sammy Mason

Back Row: Sam Reed, Elise Fairweather, Ellie Thompson, Toby R eynolds, Micah Overbye

3 rd Row: Anya Brittain-Freemantle, Amelia Nicholson, Amy-Lynn B otha, Isla Thomas, Amaeli Mcfarlane, Braxton Roberts

2 nd Row: Vinnie Stedman, Jorado Bryll, William Larking, Eli R oose, Casey Emberton, Lachie Mills, Andrea Quatrini (Teacher)

F ront Row: Heidi Brittain-Freemantle, Angelica Pineda, Heidi Y oung, Portia Costello, Emily Brown, Katie Palmer

A bsent: Wayne Kohu, Kaida Logan, Luka Peña-Stevens, Eternity Moke

9CSR 9DMW

Back Row: Taaj Paul, Corban Tonks, Alyssa Robinson, Ash Ceelen, J ackson Clark, Willow Grant, Owen Pillay, Duncan Mead-Ryan

2 nd Row: Daniel Bold, Sj Simeona, Gabby Dingle, Oskar Haskett, G rayson Tutbury, Izzy Ross, Jorja Donaldson

F ront Row: Lexi Hoebers, Leila Ewart, Pippa Jarratt, Rebecca J ury, Pearl Morris, Harmony Matthews, Tilly Sykes, Holly Pringle

A bsent: Daniel Antcliff, Hayleigh Puhipuhi, Maggie Roden, Ilona Sano, Isabelle Saunders, Amelia Scripps, Chris Roe (Teacher)

Back Row: Carter Murphy, Coen Kramers, Jack Alderson, Nate

D awson, Zane van Tonder, Thomas Lambert

3 rd Row: Ryan Anderson, Logan Nesdale, Oliver Page, Saskia H enderson, Ashton Edwards, Nate Farquhar, Jack Culver, Makai B rooker

2 nd Row: Leah Jenkins, Liam McGinn, Lauren McConnochie, C arter van Vliet, Ava Wilson, Molly Wilkinson, Benji Lucca, D ominik Wellenhofer (Teacher)

F ront Row: Katy Woo, Daisy Ruthe, Megan Louw, Rinnon Dong, C harlotte Cook, Flora Simonsen, Annie Locke, Huhana HekeN epia

Absent: Effie Fleming, Mason Langdon

Back Row: Jac Church, Amelia Carter, Lucas Gage-Brown, Ruby

B ell

3 rd Row: Sophia Neems, Natalia Gibbs, Jessie Keenan, Raiden H ales, Stella Cording, Belle Buxton, Ava Owen

2 nd Row: Alex Rowe, Charlie Sullivan, Mia Nicols, Hadley Webb, R ei Van Niekerk, Kalev Ranasinghe Arachchige, David Williams ( Teacher)

F ront Row: Mikayla Vellekoop, Bernice Jansen Van Rensburg, K atryn Nel, Page Wilson, Isabelle Saunders, Kyra Collins, M arisha Schabrun

A bsent: Mia Goodhew, Willow Scott, Madi Staessens, Whai Te

A ke Ake

9DVW 9EMS 9JSB 9KMS

Back Row: Garuka Edirisinghe Arachchige, Georgia Macdonald, E ffie Fleming, Summer Sterne, Isla O'Donoghue, Carter M ontgomery

3 rd Row: Jack Rooney, Thomas Hyde, Anna Kappel, Alex Mulgrew, H azel Blair, Max Stuart, Mila Edwards

2 nd Row: Ethan Giffard, Julian Castaneda Gereda, Amalia

A rmstrong, Matej Zdravkovic, Lilla Sutherland, Avana Leemans, L eila Cook, Joshua Buxton (Teacher)

F ront Row: Chenara Weerasinghe, Tiku Siku Codlin, Alejandra

P ericon Zurita, Matilda Prouse, Ella Higgins, Kate Hoare, Leah

C unningham

Absent: Corrie Koekemoer

Back Row: Eli Reid, Blake Alford, Cody Mattson, Sandew A beywickrama Kulappu Liyanaarachchige, Ares Boldarini

3 rd Row: Vien Miguel, Lucas Chen, Mackenzie Bolton, Frankie B ailey, Barinder Singh, Tristyn Feldberg-Robinson

2 nd Row: Dakota Kirkham, Izzy Kendrick, Tom Balmer, Eli M anuel-Ruawai, Alfred Keys Flores, Azahlea Skov, Emma Smith ( Teacher)

F ront Row: Faith Peni, Ashley Wheatcroft, Piper Johnstone, Myah N ottingham, Nia Tremlett, Jess Brown

A bsent: Conrad Armstrong, Brinae De Roles, Niveah Poka, Kwinton Te Whata

Back Row: Tyler Becker, Larissa Rawlinson, Vinnie Wantenaar, J ack Grogan, Renaia Husna, Eli Whitney

3 rd Row: Rico Numa, Caleb Campbell, Aurora Jackson, Izzy L lewellyn-Evans, Jorja Mortimer, Bailey Wiles, Cohen Godsmark

2 nd Row: Sadie Lawler, Gus Austin, Lorelei Hartley, Ben Le

B reton, Roye Langdon, Payton Kruze, Kimberley Schumacher ( Teacher)

F ront Row: Leah Turner, Nahla Tihema, Marriann Lawford

P rendeville, Inas Bachari, Charli Christiansen, Julz Beauchamp, L ily Wratt

Absent: Ollie Holtom, Lee Osborne, Piper Wright

9KRL 9KTH

Back Row: Jacob van Veen, Reco McRae, Addi Dekker, Buautoa

B akeua, Aiden Kelsall

3 rd Row: Winter Poole-Brough, Kaden Chetty, Indie William, M ilaan Goddard, Haylee Killgour, Daniel Ryland

2 nd Row: Brooklynn Whitaker, Toby Collins, Jimin Park, Hannah

S tafford, Tyler Scott, Blake McKay, Kristy Lance (Teacher)

F ront Row: Jayda Shippey, Elysia Saienni, Liv Greenland, M arshella Mason-Steele, Bailey Scholes, Ella Wade

Absent: Yerim Choi, Klem Hewett, Yoojun Shin, Anugrah Shrestha

Back Row: Zac Toms, Lilah Fierro, Mia McGowan, Luke Watkins, T rae Pakes

3 rd Row: Paige Ngakuru, Eli Wantenaar, Mahaylia Ballantyne, M illy Langley, Beau Stewart, Kyla Foiakau

2 nd Row: Hayden Finch, Jackson Kururangi, Emelia Evans, Karter

B rown, Riico Angell, Xavier Keti, Kate Hills (Teacher)

F ront Row: Peyton Gwatkin, Izzie Butterworth, Georgia Gardiner, J ade Inns Bates, Alyssa Delicata, Eva Bould

A bsent: Navarah Gregory, Lewellyn Koortzen, Kash Ngakuru

9MCS 9MKT

Back Row: Bronson Hutton, Amelie Cook, Keira Harding, Sienna

V eale, Jack Hollamby

3 rd Row: Jett Harvey, Alexanda Sun, Tamara McChesney, Alfie

A dams, Julian Cousins, Chloe Rayner

2 nd Row: Emma Hesmondhalgh, Isabel Woller, Nathaniel Black, R achel Harris, Shaniqua Abraham, Michael Smith (Teacher)

F ront Row: Kyrah Clark, Kare Codlin, Ella Moore, Nevaeh Te

W aaka, Eden Smylie, Sammy Hodgson

A bsent: Graham Appleton, Blade Barnett, Amber Clarke, Aaliyah Hunt, Mia Taljaardt

Back Row: Isaac Crawshaw, Mustafa Ghoneim, Sam Stringer, D arci Simons, Oscar du Bern

3 rd Row: Sam Reddy, Olive Pearce, Lola Weir, Charlie

T oomalatai-Meredith, Theo Pritchard, Aidan Rentz-Piggott, H arper Mills, Marlow Tangata

2 nd Row: Presley Mcfarlane, Aradia Benge, Clive Crimmins, S imone Flannery, Charlotte Hansen, Cassidy Wright, Alex Van W yk, Brooke Ireland, Mark Thomas (Teacher)

F ront Row: Olive Thompson, Misha Williams, Olivia Hubbard, A melia Shaw, Darci Lander, Dylan Tutbury, Aria Hattingh, M ackenzie Hetherington

Absent: Tim Ford

9MRC 9PTM

Back Row: Tej Patel, Tye Belcher, Tom Hodgson, Will Darmody, Z ak Dixon, Flynn Koppens

3 rd Row: Tarn Harrop, Jordan Wilce, Perth Chareenchit, A lexander Berry, Michael Young, Elissa Berry, Jaxon Desmond

2 nd Row: Eli Cuttriss, Will Hodgson, Oscar Lawrence, Ethan P ercy, Asher Putty, Kieran Hutchison, Caelyn Thompson, Maree C otter (Teacher)

F ront Row: Heidi Fowler, Ella Simeon, Isla Jonas, Iris Holden, O livia Whitwell, Poppy Hinde, Holly Carson Absent: Lucy Crowther-Cook, Izzy Hunt, Emily Robinson

9SRS

Back Row: Hayze Matkovich-Piripi, Malakai Peauafi, AhzayahK atreece Sharland, Wiremu Hay, Isla Mears-McIntyre, Andy B idois

3 rd Row: Ngakumama Te Mete, Seranae Tarawa, Hendrix Davies, T e Arai Angell, Tiah Parakuka, Paige Holloway, Maikaya Stewart

2 nd Row: Sarah Smythe (Teacher), Maddi Dowman, Olivia Finau, B enji Ngatoko, Finn Pearson, Jaxon Ratana, Charm Marshall, D eirdre McFie (Teacher Aide)

F ront Row: Milan Cook, Layla Heke-Rahiri, Elissa Jade Takamore

E lliott, Azaylea Mareroa, Layla Khalifa, Paula Lesa, Marama

S avage

Absent: Reef Thompson, Lexie White, Khorus Puke

Back Row: Khush Kaur, Luca Holmes, Eliza Dunn, Jordan Taki, G eorgia Duske, Jamie Simon

3 rd Row: Joe Burgess, Bianca Moran, Lemuel Tablac, Dante B urne, Taylor Hines, Spring Lee, Zai Borman

2 nd Row: Luka Radovanovich, Tyree Hudson-Nuku, Ava Goodhue, A dam Bostock, Roman Wain, Hazel Mellor, Patrick McMahon ( Teacher)

F ront Row: Eliana Giacon, Hritika Sajwan, Emma Christie, Ruby T hompson, Emily McAnulty-Smith, Liv Langkjaer, Laura Zhong Absent: Isaac Gray, Koby Pritchard, Summer Smith

YEAR 10

Back Row: Kane Whitwell, Abby Devoy, Grace Dixon, Orrin W adsworth

3 rd Row: Emy Greaves, Max Waring, Charlie Downard, Hosea G arcinez, Lewis Park, Summa Thompson, Sophie McLennan

2 nd Row: Nathaniel Saotui, Nirvana Hartley, Mauricio Juliani, I saac Knudsen, Luke Dickinson, Charlie Shipton-Mannington, A shleigh Young (Teacher)

F ront Row: Cyrille Royo, Keira Mears, Mia Barnard, Poppy Weeks, L avigna Obiay, Scarlett Minshall, Katie Wood

A bsent: Lydian Hayward, Sara Hudson, Hurleen Kaur, Abbey Muspratt, David Partridge, Blake Spencer

Back Row: Amore Oschman, Tom Parkes, Arapata Te Moana, H arper Lee, Finn Abbott

3 rd Row: Chloe Gilmour, Rosa Fernandez, Alafair Korohina-Wall, E velyn Hawke, Jaslyn Monaghan, Brynne Reaves

2 nd Row: Terauriki Gates, Brydee Hammond-Hume, Toby Bryson, T e Awa Korohina-Maude, Sammy Macpherson, Ari Ermens

F ront Row: Freya Parkes, Abby Lavin, Glint Asi, Lilly Antonovich, E mma Henderson, Zoe Guy

A bsent: Octavia Batt, Joe Burgess, Sofian Elmahdy, Aj Ireland, E lla Kennedy, Deon Wessels (Teacher)

Back Row: Alexander Cain, Ruan Botha, Cooper Campbell, Zoe G riffin, Matthew Collyns, Flint Sanders

3 rd Row: Nick Stewart, Will Langley, Toby Fairweather, Jack H esketh, Layla Mace, Nika Pankratova, Rishan Pratap

2 nd Row: Kallan Prince, Blake Cashman, Aiden Hannah, Kaleb H olloway, Mackay Bennett, Cory Aldridge-Burgess, Claire G alloway (Teacher)

F ront Row: Lara Poulton, Georgia Bellamy, Anika Keen, Isabella E nefer, Ella Evans, Taylor Corbett, Sophie Stevenson

A bsent: Ben Anderson, Ellie Brown, Mitchell Johnston

10DNW 10DVH

Back Row: Harpar Rountree, Jessie Forster, Leni Russell

3 rd Row: Aden Stephens, Leo Hickey, Lewis Jamieson, Liam H oward, Julz Rodgers, Katie Smith

B agga, Meah Boyd, Eric Huang, David Hadcroft (Teacher)

A bsent: Owen Bopf, Korey Feldberg-Robinson, Talia Hester, Dee Truesdale 10ASY 10CLG

2 nd Row: Lucian Maheno, Millie Hathaway, Greyson Stewart, Arsh

F ront Row: Izzy Barrow, Olivia McMillin, Georgia Neill, Claudia W estrupp, Mia Ward, Phoebe Roberts

Back Row: Amelia Henderson, Esther Cabemaiwai, Lauren

T emara, Reg Currin

3 rd Row: Izaiah Martin, Autumn Taingahue, Suzie Heke, Takara

S mith, Dellas Mareroa, Isaac Heke-kaiawha, Lucius Rangitakatu

2 nd Row: Hemi Falwasser-Kipa, Leah Tarawa-Luatua, Kymani

T awa, Reco Ward-Levao, Harlan Reid, Francella Nafoi-Seumalo,

L ana Moore (Teacher)

F ront Row: Nemesia Bush, Sophia Mason, Genevieve Pearson, J aime Rivers, Leah Maaloga, Rebecca Smith, Awhi Keelan-Lawson

Absent: Johnny Filipo

10LNM 10MCO 10MGF 10MRA

Back Row: Kiziah Ramsden, Ruby Hodge, Nicole Hensberg, Bonnie J ennings, Charlotte Potter, Jade Robinson

3 rd Row: Izayah Wielders, Ryan Smith, Brodie Heaney-Annan, A ydin Hawkins, Brody Winter, Lee Neilson, Casey Miller

2 nd Row: Jet-Floyd Whipp-Barlow, Caris Heaney-Thomas, Liam P retorius, Daniel Churchman, Bailey Rae, Luke Smuts, Megan F ritsch (Teacher)

F ront Row: Feathers Howard, Ari Harrop, Holly Rynex, Keisha

M acapagal, Claire Baker, Charlotte Whelan, Kourtney Robertson

Absent: Luella Baillie, Nevaeh Hill, Makai Palmer

Back Row: Caleb Blyde, Bailey Old, Kamai Ashford, Arina

A nisimova, Maisie Young

3 rd Row: Brooke Andrews, Ryan Ferguson, Brodie CaltonH arrison, Blake Evans, Aliana Lucca, Lucas Russell Damasceno

2 nd Row: Adam Bayliss, Liam Helnes, Xavier Waylen, Riley

C omeskey, Macklin Whale, Michelle Orchard (Teacher)

F ront Row: Ella Acton, Amani McDonald, Daniella Pugh, Mia

T ukaki, Caitlyn Grice, Lia Dameg

A bsent: Marlee Bowman, Zara Groves, River McIntyre, Ari MiruSaunders

Back Row: Alice Whitehead, Cooper Forrest, Davin Patel, Lochlan

I vimey, Devon Knill

2 nd Row: Petra Moriarty-Rae, Benjamin Goddard, Lino Deckers, D uke Pikimaui, Riley Fenwick, Chloe Whittington

F ront Row: Bella Slattery, Maddison Wilton, Baljit Kaur, Anya

S teele, Paige Phillips

A bsent: Renee Armit, Brae Burgess, Addison Davies, Alex Foot, L ushy Johnstone Ruthe, Riley Marriott, Rikaia Piripi, Liam Rood, Anika Te Nana, Mark Aldcroft (Teacher)

Back Row: Phoebe Macniven, Hynes Ngatai, Myana Grant, Piper

H arvey

3 rd Row: Xavier Louwies, Max Murphy, Cruz Newton, Daniel P oultney, Clayton Schoeman, Blake Johnson, Brodie Bailey

2 nd Row: Marisol Pengelly (Teacher), Seaton Crump, Levi Roper, J hordyl Grant, Zane Thompson, Oksana Kostiuk, Vinnie

M cDonald, Donna Brown (Teacher Aide), Max Fitzgerald

F ront Row: Georgia Macniven, Emma Mackie, Kaylee Swift, C aitlin Bennett, Sophie Smith, Teagan McKenzie-Potter, Becky

J opson

Absent: Kloe Eden, Paige Yates

10MRP 10MRS 10NCK 10NCT

Back Row: Mackenzie Henley, Harlow Stojanovic, Eli O'Donnell, M ariette Anderson, Katie Bloxham

3 rd Row: Ashtyn Biddick, Stella Kibur, Phoebe Donnelly, Josh H ale, Sven Van der Wagt, Caitlyn Potts, Lochy Hart

2 nd Row: Austin Fisken, Logan Chappell, Ryan Baveystock, Daniel

S mythe, Brian Corn, Fergus Quin

F ront Row: Sciennaj Belcher, Caitlyn Ayres, Bella Chopra, Katelyn B urt, Olivia Shefferd, Neve Partner, Anahera Smith

A bsent: Layla McGill, Charlie-Rose Pilkington, Nicola King (Teacher)

Back Row: Ihaka Moeke Schou-Ake, Vans Gasapo, Divan Kemp, K han Cooney, Tyson Pearson

2 nd Row: Jack Ratima, Ty Barnes, Cameron Reinsfield, Liam M arks, Anishek Prasad, Flynn Anastasia, Eli Johnston, Mark S impson (Teacher)

F ront Row: Emma Hunt, Imogen Knights, Alana Gage-Brown, M arya Masud, Alana Brown, Kyleia Eketone, Emma Rastrick

A bsent: Quinn Deane, Gabriella Korewha Andres, Isla O'Connell, T ayla Roberts

Back Row: Derich van Niekerk, Miané Le Roux, Caylius HekeR ahiri, Elizabeth van Veen, Baxter Tangata

2 nd Row: Lyla Protheroe, Caleb McSeveney, Louis Thomson, Jack P ick, Grayson O'Reilly, Mila Page, Ronan Reilly, Nicola Tisch ( Teacher)

F ront Row: Christiana Byrne, Ella Bayer, Zoe Bruce, Cheyenne H ill, Tristan Alberts, Samantha Neilson, Kea Bogue

A bsent: Ferran De Pujadas Vicencio, Hugo Joyce, Will Martins, Chloe Massey

Back Row: Niki-Marie Andrews, Layla Tuck, Nathaniel Young

3 rd Row: Kyle Aldueza, Bella McDonald, Jack Rastrick, Eva N eedham, Noah McMechan, Nixon Gill

2 nd Row: Praveer Oberoi, Georgia Bailey, Teyo McChlery, P hoenix Robertson, Isabella Attwood, Ashley Hayson, Nathan

F arey (Teacher)

F ront Row: Georgia Jones, Sienna Yoo, Eden Barnard, Addy

W allace, Chloe Waugh, Ruby Young

Absent: Narni Poki, Alyssa Riddell

Back Row: Liam Blackstock, Lucy Henderson, Keegan Emmett, R yan Van Staden, Austin King

3 rd Row: Scarlett Marshall, Mehrab Singh, Karauria Anaru Clark, F inn Lane, Sam O'Sullivan, Sienna Ponton

2 nd Row: Elsie Rice, Abby O'Brien, Gian Claasen, Harry

D elamere, Riwhi Kenney, Riley Cornor, Simon Sheppard (Teacher)

F ront Row: Ava Beauchamp, Tylah Moses, Katya Alekseeva, Lily

A llison, Isabella Smith, James Laugesen

Absent: Ashley Barnes, Freya Longman

Absent: Claudia Ryland, Stephen Binns (Teacher) 10NTF 10PHN 10SMS 10STB

Back Row: Willow Elliott-Lowe, Elisse Lightfoot, Evie MildonW right, Benji Marsden, Sarang Lim

3 rd Row: Darius Kemp, Grace Miles, Cara de Monchy, Emma H ellberg, Eli Shorter, Mila Taylor, Rhys Hopcroft, Alice Martins

2 nd Row: Austin Fearon, Hettie MacLean, Tanner White, Tai G ilmor, Erik Helnes, Sam Calderwood, Zavier Burne, Phillip N ewton (Teacher)

F ront Row: Tamara Morris, Nav Kaur, Talloulah Woledge, Kate F aitl, Emily Baker, Ava Bryant, Ffiona Clarkson-Wall, Layla S wanson

Absent: Jensen Barrowcliffe, Vinnie Cairns, Milly Fives

Back Row: Sienna Rameka, Aliza Viduya, Emily Brooks, Sophie E dhouse, Nikita Lal

3 rd Row: Caleb Tombs, Ava Larsen, Rian Snow, Mehtaab Singh, J apjot Singh, James Vanderpoel, Michael Snow, Gurnoor Kaur

2 nd Row: Cartier Cook, Rijandre De Bruin, Isabelle Savage, Kyle W alters, Oli Roper, Jake Khull, Ella Mear

F ront Row: Ayla Mears, Poppy Neilsen, Jessica Marvin, Milla

S choles, Ella McCurdie, Ariannah Areli, Isla Diffey, Milla Reid

10WLW

Back Row: Bailee Rea, Devaani Adhikari, Kyah Wilson, Poppy

W allis, Hikaru Kawai

3 rd Row: Cloe Timoti-Maaka, Dane Wheatcroft, Travis

M itchinson, Jah Tera, Mason Fidler, Cole Peters

2 nd Row: Tama Matiu, Nora Guo, Luke Griffiths-Knight, Desmond

R eeves, Sam Kim, Will Whaley (Teacher)

F ront Row: Maddi Oughton, Harlow Stapleton, Zara Maultsaid,

S ierra-Jane Irwin, Kaylee Matiu, Addison Gear

Absent: Ty Davies, Maddy Hales, Justus Turner

YEAR 11

11AKS 11CTM

Back Row: Raffi Cimadom, Zoe Clark, Porter Patton, Josh Gilbert,

T eresa Li, Nate Whitewood

2 nd Row: Deonne Truesdale, Sofia Stenhouse, Ben Muspratt, Jai C ostello, Maddy Meadows, Ashley Mitchell, Asokan Sadayan ( Teacher)

F ront Row: Anaya Lawrence, Lacey Fisher, Paige Legae, Mia W alker, Stella Sale, Hannah Richards

A bsent: Tom Allen, Jaed Bowring, Blake Gadsby, Manahli Kingi, Paulina Polly, Ethan Retimana, Ayla Scott

Back Row: Lucy Salmon, Jude Putty, Cole McFarlane, Marley S ykes

3 rd Row: Ayla Parker, James Park, Jack Corbett, Oliver Reid, V ida Hancock, Benjamin Simpson, Lucas Kang

2 nd Row: Mylo Webb, Gabriella Woolright, Milla Sowman, Arthur C aibiran, Sophie Stocks, Hugh Robinson, Caitlin Menzies ( Teacher)

F ront Row: Saraya Nichols, Ruby Dowling, Maia Basile, Emma W ensor, Ella Mason, Scarlett Hinde, Amelie Woolright Absent: Kayla McCabe, Joey Sirohi, Toby Stephen

11ELC 11ELR

Back Row: Fynn Jacka, Zac Stewart, Riley Fagan, Carly Hines, S hania Rolls

3 rd Row: Toni Holubec, Reid Lyons, Aurora Hudson, Louie

S orenson, Jack Rodgers, Kate Griffin

2 nd Row: Reid Mannion, Clayton Grobler, Caspar Shaw, Aidan S winburne, Luka Wilmshurst, Toa Ronaki-Kissling, Eleanor Clark ( Teacher)

F ront Row: Cayla Louw, Cassie Tonkin, Isabella Fitt, Jasjane

T rujillo, Jennifer Lee, Varny Sun

A bsent: Cassia Bestel, Chelsea Irving, Hannah Manos, Kyotaro Miyata

Back Row: Jordan Jackson, Pounamu Temoana, Rico Rawlinson,

O liver Catt, Indie-Rose Dwyer-Vianello

3 rd Row: Caleb Armit, Tyler Lovell, Raynardt Botha, Guy

M cLauchlan, Harry Black, Jack Veale

2 nd Row: Beau Marsters, Ashton Jarratt, Jacob Ruka, Micah

B uxton, Sovann Thompson, Ellen Rombouts (Teacher)

F ront Row: Andrejka Bennett, Jesse Cairns, Brooke Zvagulis, Zoe

A bbott, Isabella Herd, Brie Ferguson

Absent: Indy Kapi, Charli McDonald, Jamie McKay

Back Row: Trinity Ponini, Justin Rose, Zoe Ross

3 rd Row: Keira Hamilton, Isabelle Duske, Danielle Wantenaar, B rooklyn Wantenaar, Genevieve Kiikoro, Shaista Khan

2 nd Row: Kieran Clark, Holly Feist, Jake Ritchie, Ethan Van Der H eijden, Adam Lewis, Connor Alexander, Geoff Roberts (Teacher)

F ront Row: Lisa Whitney, Kazuchan Matsunaga, Aaliyah Tana, L ucy Rout, Anika Bailey, Isla Beattie

A bsent: Xavier Bumby, Lola Kerrigan, Shane Marjoribanks

Back Row: Erin Moseley, Lachlan Perry, Liam MacLeod, Seth

S utton, Aiden Duvenhage, Theo Lange

2 nd Row: Charlotte Lander, Kirsty Henricks (Teacher Aide), S pencer Roebeck, Seth Willetts, Keegan Hodgetts, Jessica S tewart, Weylin Mellor, Lisa Weaver (Teacher)

F ront Row: Serenity Rice, Rylee Jamieson, Olivia Pelham, Kaia B urney, Taniqwa Timoti-Maaka, Joanne Park

A bsent: Charlotte Baur-Otto, Emily Cong, Minjin Ko, Yasukats u Sato, Cooper Sullivan, Philipp Wieting

Back Row: Ruby Gee, Paquita Newman, Camryn Gilmer

3 rd Row: Maddi Eden, Ryan Fletcher, Jack Loader, Prabh Singh, J oshua Watson, Jaylin Low

2 nd Row: Eva Golsby, Keith Chaudhari, Ari Franklin, Jack T hompson, Fenella Price, Holly Rudd, Lara Richardson (Teacher) F ront Row: Khimverly Gapuz, Audra Thorne, Abbi Luongo, Aleesa S tebbings, Pilar Bejarano Valdazo, Yadavi Singh

A bsent: Paula Ahrens, Daetyn Excell, Lenya Gerau, Lily McKane, O m Patel, Mahleigh Puhipuhi, Chaehyun Shin, Nathan Van Rooyen, Sophie Young

Back Row: Jade Willcox, Ngahaka Te Moni, Will Ham

3 rd Row: Unique Hauwaho, Maonga Harrison, Fern FreelandS mith, Milan Low, Ford Pearson, Lexi Time

2 nd Row: Dartagnan Witeri, Rongomai Angell-Kennedy, Wahiawa

A ndres Korewha, Draco Currin, Lola Lowry, Ngakau Redshaw, M aramena Ballantyne (Teacher)

F ront Row: Calleigh Wathey-Boot, Katie Rawson, Heaven-Lee P almer-Smith, Sahara Mackay, Karah Pikimaui, Ari Makai

A bsent: Willow Grey, Isaac McKerrow, Stevie Perry, Kallagher Puke, Anastasia Thompson, Bella White 11GRF 11LRR 11LSW 11MMB

Back Row: Ember Carroll, Lachlan Reid, Shae-Lee Dawson, Seth

A lderson, Elle Christy

3 rd Row: Talia Tipper, Georgia Cook, Diago Hopkins, Lachlan G reen, Maisie Crawford, Fianna Gardner

2 nd Row: Emily Silva-Delautour, Hunter Guo, Ari Bussenschutt, J acob Bostock, Jackson Mortimer, Finn Montgomery-Klein

F ront Row: Meg Beech, Larissa Nafoi-Seumalo, Kaitlyn Hoare, V arna Rookes, Greer Slako, Sarah Hamer

A bsent: Ayla Bain-Bluegum, Moritz Bangert, Carter Gillard, G eorgi Gregory, Jaxon Hamill, Koh Hirai, Carmen Xie, Monique Geraghty (Teacher)

Back Row: Alayla Van Niekerk, Joshua Scarfe, Bailee Sweetman, M ia Kururangi, Sophia Neale Reid, Faenza Ricardi

2 nd Row: Gurshaan Singh, Hamish King, Ollie Dixon-Saunders, T roy Ellerby, Oscar Sweetman, Aiden Taljaardt, Sally Price ( Teacher), Max Saienni

F ront Row: Leen Sehmi, Grace King, Caitlynn Armstrong, Elliott S wney, Paige Addison, Yukta Singh

A bsent: Zavier Adams, Michael Karavatt Jinoy, Tristan Sheldon, Mia Thomson

Back Row: Cooper Butterworth, Ethan Diaz, Abbey Alford, C adence Grant, Tylar Gibb

3 rd Row: Lachlan Frost, Ella Smith, Cooper Chapman-Taylor, D ean Cornwell, Bronté Edwards, Archie Roden

2 nd Row: Joshua Kim, Jonah Sargent, Maric Henderson, Jayden

P inkerton, Bryony Scandlyn, Sanet Bircham (Teacher)

F ront Row: Brylee Davis, Adele Kirkby-Sing, Harper Cave, India

K ing, Ellie Hennessey, Lara Beetz

A bsent: Ruby Allan, Yuya Miyamoto, Seitaro Nakamura, Paige van Dijk, Jaydah Walker

Back Row: Liam Jones, Ashley Orchard, Gurshant Singh, Zam R ivera, Charles Rollan

3 rd Row: Lily Grogan, Kevin Wang, Prince Mabini, Harry Scott, Y hancy Ali, Ella-May Chapman

2 nd Row: Tula Bowers, Justin Paterson, Bobo Yuan, Rainen KingM osen, Angus Morrison, Louis Kuhlmann, Simon Quin (Teacher)

F ront Row: Jessie Wilkinson, Grace McGrath, Elani Kinsella, C ynthia Forsman, Keisha Patel, Zaria St Clair

A bsent: Cam Bowman, Erica Chen, Lucas Davidson, Hinari Kubo, Diljodh Singh, Keira Torr 11MNG 11SAB 11SLP 11SMQ

11SNB 11STG

Back Row: Makena Daisley, Stella Harvey, Eri Takemoto

3 rd Row: Esther Stevens, Edward Moonjely, Tom Linney, Tyler

H astings, Ezra Tekotia, Jordan Meredith

2 nd Row: Carly Dunn, Seth Chow, Liam Old, Hunter Cole, Devlin D eetlefs, Francois Deysel, Sandra Boubee (Teacher)

F ront Row: Jasmine Credo, Danika Loots, Harper Woodcock, N ikita De Oliveira, Honor Whitaker, Annie Park

A bsent: Ryuma Noguchi, Willie Rossouw, Antonia Scoppetta, Buthmi Seyansa, Jazmine Tipene

Back Row: Kaylee Ludwig, Arthur Ryan-Beard, Zoe Conquer, H olly Arthur-Worsop, Sophie Pilkinton, Isis Rameka

3 rd Row: Alexia Rogers-Hibell, Kaito Bell, Leon Watkins, Ethan C ulver, Lauren West, Dylanne Dawson, Olive Reay

2 nd Row: Jackson Iva, Isla-Mai Booker, Dylan Green, Kyan F reeland-Smith, Kaze Borman, Jake Manning, Steven Gilvear ( Teacher)

F ront Row: Amelia Sinton, Katy McLeod, Lyla Cooper, Ella H oltom, Cambria Gear, Brooke O'Brien, Xaleah Conn

Absent: Charlotte Elsmore

11STT 11VNS

Back Row: Elijah More, Hayden Hall, Cleo Bentley

3 rd Row: Emily Mockford, Mason Crockford, Sam Robinson, Andre

v an Wyk, Noah Allen, Georgina Farrell

2 nd Row: Ava Wright, Sofiya Sykes, Rafael Percy, Jacob Lambert, J esse Shiells, Ella Wilce, Stephanie Townsend (Teacher)

F ront Row: Annabel Moon, Cerys Britton, Olivia Firth, Leia G iffard, Maelee Robbetze, Lila Wyatt

A bsent: Katja Claudy, Keyahn Cottam-Moore, Daniel Karavatt Jinoy, Rangi Kira, Cale Waite

Back Row: Trey Barker, Levi Weeks, Ryden Kawai

3 rd Row: Laila Elliott, Grace Clarke, Jaksyn Kuka, Ben Williams, H j Saunders-Tito, Jaylah Murray

2 nd Row: Hunter Smith, Vincent Fabert, Connor Nesdale, Chase A nderson, Adbhut Poddar, Finn Playford, Vaughan Smith ( Teacher)

F ront Row: Ayla Cutbush, Summer Evans-McLeod, Isla Larking, A lexis Matthews, Abbie Fagan, Summer Stowe

Absent: Izzy Campbell, Jun Lee, Aurora Tutbury

YEAR 12

12ALR 12AMP

Back Row: Blake Gerrish, Keann Ocao, Finn Taylor, Deklan

W aites, Lyla Botha

3 rd Row: Hunter Phillips, Ben Hawkes, Emmy Stocker, Francis

L ulu, Paddy Mita, Ashton Zhou

2 nd Row: Fabian Rhind, Joseph Vanko Aberde, Liam Oakes, Van

B ryant, Ben Scott, Margrit Rohs (Teacher)

F ront Row: Kiora Murray, Sienna Brewer, Ruby Stow, Priya

G amble, Anaiya Steyn, Alantra Cochrane

A bsent: Cody Bryan, Lily Follett, Kasey Harte, Larissa Simmonds, Byron Whitehead

Back Row: Izzy Iacono, Crystal Hanney, Arthena Caibiran

3 rd Row: Ethan Flowerday, Simon Usseglio, Jack Brown, Hayden

P ennell, Tay Strydom, Shaunav Kumar

2 nd Row: Derek Shin, Thom Jackett, Jonty Smith, Arthur C rimmins, Jack Pettengill, Justin Deetlefs, Amy Petrie (Teacher)

F ront Row: Ruby Lennox, Sasha Gill, Jess MacMurdo, Lucia

L ightfoot, Olivia Woods, Mezhy Mei Cabalhin

A bsent: Violet Bland, Keisha Canete, Andre Chisnall, Sean Dixon ,

A rianne Gaudfrin, Grace Spencer, Anania Woller

12AVW 12BNR

Back Row: Shay Heier, Saxon Poulton, Dylan Barnard, Imogen

F ord

3 rd Row: Anmol Singh, Holly Inglis-Collis, Tyler Luke, Jaxon

C larke, Carter Mills, Noah Lungen, Ryan Woodhouse

2 nd Row: Jay Kerr, Devyn Morris, Cruz Gonzalez, Oscar Bayer, A lexander Rinke-Mailman, Oskar Allen, Cooper Stewart, Avon W illis (Teacher)

F ront Row: Caoimhe Dobson, Charlotte Manhes, Nina Louw, I mogen Otto, Chaeeun Lee, Diaz Haig, Saffron Dennis

A bsent: Gracie Cooper-Reid, Vaibhavi Jamwal, Chris John, Savana Priestley, Summer Taruia

Back Row: Tyler Smith, Alisha Adie, Leonor Castaneda Gereda

3 rd Row: Isha Hays, Owen Hill, Emily Baker, Ash Forster, Sihwan Y oo, Laura Carr

2 nd Row Nathan Mohi, Tom Dunn, William Hofsteede, Josh B lackstock, Elissa Stocks, Ben Radford (Teacher)

F ront Row: Abbey Smith, Amélie Dougherty, Ella Cleaver, M adden Jamieson, Jenna Salgado, Shya Stapleton

A bsent: Paisley Hackett, Kirsten Orrick, Ines Perrot, Sadie Roolvink, Elliot Ryland

12BNS 12CRT

Back Row: Jesh Chalkadavil, Peyton Clode, Agnès Anderson

3 rd Row: Tobyn Harrison, Shaelyn Matthee, Franka Schneider, J ackson Ward, Kaleb Cairns, Drew Bryan

2 nd Row: Indie Minshall, Reef Chaffey, Ollie Joyce, Cean K orohina-Maude, Felix Wain, Brent Smith (Teacher)

F ront Row: Sophia Johnsson, Cathy Liu, Summer Desmond, Lillie H yde-Hills, Lauren Harris, Ella Mustard

A bsent: Xavier Groves, Jackson Jane, Felix Lange, Marc Rutland, A isha Scott, Luke Wyatt

Back Row: Carla Boxberger, Holly Sanders, Emma Hurley, Sammy A dams, Pauline Beetz

3 rd Row: Eden Hay, Bella Hall, Jorja Hosking, Aadit Tandon, M addie McCormack, Amelia Saotui

2 nd Row: Michael Hawkins, Alec von Bultzingslowen Newington, G eorge Cowan, Tyler Griffin, Jordan Hika, Jacob Potts, Cordula T aiwo (Teacher)

F ront Row: Ashley Moore, Catelyn Evans, Cosima Kobelt, Milly S imon, Sophie Walter, Flavia dos Passos de Lima

A bsent: Jayda Davies, Harlem Tihema, Jess Torrey, Nathaniel Walkerdine

12FRM 12GNA

Back Row: Chloe Cameron, Amber Corney, Kayla Stewart

3 rd Row: Cj Slattery, Anne-ley Grobler, Riley Castles, Jayden

G reen, Elisa Edwards, Caelan Sturch

2 nd Row: Zandru De Bruin, Shelby Pezelj, Levi Shepherd, F innegan Koch, Zach Pretorius, Frances McAdam (Teacher)

F ront Row: Lisa Hoggard, Rosie Hunt, Sophie Lane, Ruahn J agger, Willow Price, Tia Tane

A bsent: Marieke Burmeister, Jeongyun Kwak, Acacio Martinez, Paige Munro, Niki Pretorius, Mia Wieland

Back Row: Katie Page, Catarina Kingston, Aj Finch

3 rd Row: Ciaran Saundry, Aesir Horton, Samuel Bishop, Coby R ead, Cole Cairns, Joseph Camargo

2 nd Row: Michael Butts, Jude Chua, Kauri Bowman, Samuel W aylen, Jimmy Johnstone, Guntis Atvars (Teacher)

F ront Row: Ella Minshall, Ava Edwards, Leo Liu, Sebastien Percy, C aoimhe Conner, Griya Sale

A bsent: Jasmine Griffiths, Elliot Jamieson, David Smith, Bex Spinley

Back Row: Oscar Downard, Benjamin Hanrahan, Becky Doets,

S am Bettley, Lincoln Hodge, Taylah Boyd

2 nd Row: Sam Wadsworth, Lachy Hambleton, Kyan Te Nana, Cole

M aher, Dion Waddicor, Reuben Brewerton, Julie Secker (Teacher)

F ront Row: Esmee Newland, Citlali Keys Flores, Blossom Hubbard, E mily Finlay, Jasdeep Deol, Mischa Poddar

Absent: Izzy Donnelly, Jackson Reinsfield, Nicholas Wilson

12JLS 12LRC 12NAM 12NCH

Back Row: Dilsher Kaur, Rylee Brooker, Adelle King, Chae

J ohnson

3 rd Row: Danica Feek, Louis Edgecombe, Luna Poultney, Jaymin C orn, Karamveer Singh, Connor Mewis, Elia Speirs

2 nd Row: Ryder Drake, Oskar Gerhards, Ethan Kenworthy, Shaun

B radnock, Alex Wallis, Matthew Reade, Jay Ceelen, Nuala M cCulloch (Teacher)

F ront Row: Mattanja Kinley, Ember O'Donoghue, Anna Hays, M acey Sutherland, Sophia Brown, Ruby Fox, Pietra Robertson

Absent: Sam Gooderham

Back Row: Shadow Jack-Kino, Caylah-Marie Tapara, Manaia R olleston

2 nd Row: Marlene Karch, Delamare Langton, Chayn Tahau, Rico W hitewood, Laura Craven (Teacher)

F ront Row: Evelyn Bennett, Parepaora Falwasser-Kipa, Manaia

R eid, Jaime Ponton, Khyla Miller

Absent: Nate Ratana, Cj Reid, Messiah Tiopira, Lucia Poff

Back Row: Kiara Sternberg, Zen Miyanami, Eduarda Muller de S ouza

3 rd Row: Jayden Dent, Olivia Antcliff, Alex Lee, Benji Wallis, Sam G oddard, Luca Morris

2 nd Row: Ryan Adams, Iro Angell, Ted Rimmer, Caleb Friar, C harlie Pritchard

F ront Row: Maria Martins, Vaibhavi Jamwal, Hannah Lines, Holly W alpole, Anne Legaspi, Chelsea Brown

A bsent: Rose Brockelbank, Emearie Elliott-Warren, Abby Keen, Jazz Ormsby, Nicola Hawkes (Teacher)

Back Row: Michelle Young, Brandon Lightfoot, Alyssa Dines

3 rd Row: Jacob McSeveney, Daniel Ferguson, Hannah Brown, J asper Connor, Noah Muspratt, Kimber Foot

2 nd Row: Keagen Becker, Kiaan Kairuz, Travis Playford, Cooper G oodhew, Vitus Wandinger, Saige McDonnell, Paula Purser ( Teacher)

F ront Row: Syrienne Gasapo, Xanthe Brosnan, Jami Astill, Bella C laydon, Shanae Pennell, Mae Cunningham

A bsent: Reuben Bopf, Ellie Jones, Brooky Kenney, Seth Pike, A lena Sprunger, Laura Wallace, Tasha-Lee Whipp-Barlow, Troy Edhouse

12PLP 12SML 12SSB 12TNG

Back Row: Chelsey Joubert, Edward Webb, Max Halford, C helsea Turner

3 rd Row: Alexander Carratu, San Lee, Corben O'Riordan, Toby M iedema, Bernardo Vilela Torres, Harrison Miles, Harriet S pearman

2 nd Row: Alex Ironside, Damian Mazzutti, Charlie Adams, Matt S mith, Felix Pearmain, Shay Guise, Susan Blakemore (Teacher)

F ront Row: Isabella Burston, Miley Wreaks, Lize Terblanche, C helsea Williamson, Paige Osborne, Charli Hollis, Jennifer

E lton

A bsent: Finn Burgess, Yuvraj Keshwer, Noah Nicholson, Chelsea Olesen, Oliver Pearson

Back Row: Flemming Sander, Tara Crowther-Cook, Astyn W illiams, Marie Holtkemper

3 rd Row: Juhi Kansara, Izzy Peers, Harry Mills, Jacob Kale, Kane D ao, Amelia Peña Stevens, Charlee Walsh-Holmes

2 nd Row: Seadon White, Luke Mahon, Hamish Ogilvy MacLean, F rancois Nel, Osman Keenan, Luka Maaloga, Sam Loudon ( Teacher)

F ront Row: Mia Picard, Samara Irwin, Mia Proverbs, Edyn Tukaki, P aige Meikle, Caitlyn Johnston, Sammy Irwin Absent: Jacob Foster, Manroop Rai, Luca Sargent

Back Row: Corbyn Patterson, Gabi Bird, Mila Schlecht

3 rd Row: Adam Sushames, Max Scott, Zidan Elmahdy, Luca

P akes, Aj Hennessey, Jack Swift, Emilie Allan-Gemmell

2 nd Row: Kale Brooking, Lennon Hayward, Paxton Bryson, C ampbell Roberts, Justin McMechan, Jesse Jenner, Reweti Kohere

F ront Row: Chloe McMillin, Rhea Courtenay, Micah Christie, M arjolein Steyn, Jayme Savill, Luka Seffinga, Ava Burston

A bsent: Niall McDonagh, Izaiah Mercer, Leila Wilson, Tony Gadsbey (Teacher)

YEAR 13

13ASP 13ASW

Back Row: Christian Timms, Benjamin Paratene, Parker Lyons, A sher West

2 nd Row: Rj Jacobsen, Isaac Loye, Luca Henderson, Oleh Kostiuk, F reddie Holden, Ashika Prasad (Teacher)

F ront Row: Kaelyn Timms, Jo Lilley, Loralei Feist, Karma Parkes, J aimie Elrick, Rebecca Leonard

A bsent: Joshua Fenn-Garrett, Jade Honore, Layla MacKenzie, Dee

E lle Mackie, Chloe McGillan, Riley Morgan, Briahn Tuhura, Ruby Turner

Back Row: Melissa Phirun, Olivia Middleweek, Rosa Sharp

3 rd Row: Sophie Hooper, Ella Wilson, Miya Prescott, Estee

T aylor, Lidija Matic, Randell Pito

2 nd Row: Lochy Webb, Henning Muelder, Jordan Taylor, Harlem M atkovich-Piripi, Annika Kueck, Ashley Woodford (Teacher)

F ront Row: Indi Bussenschutt, Miranda Tran, Megan Louw, P hillipa Hurt, Sophie Garrett, Molly Boyd

A bsent: Hunter Fowler-Oates, Harman Singh Kalsi, Travis Knibbs, M ichi Nakai, Finn O'Sullivan, Thomas Vera Marchant, Oliver Wilson

13DVC 13KDG

Back Row: Kelly Chen, Poppy King, Rylee Bell, Tas Jacka, Emily

P otter

3 rd Row: Mia Bowles, Lizzi Dixon-Graham, Miah Smith, Tara

H ensberg, Piper Emery, Liliana Smith

2 nd Row: Hannah Mason, Gian Asi, Isaac Allan, Bradley Wiessing, C onrad McIntyre, Jacob Keen, David Collis (Teacher)

F ront Row: Tessa Taylor, Zoe Quarmby, Izzy Adams, Charlotte

O ehm, Nicole Vlok, Sophie Rutherford

A bsent: Stella Carmignani, Poppy-Flores Cowman, Sam Dominikovich, Elia Friis, Seokho Kang, Blake Stevenson

Back Row: Caprice Smith, Shiloh Pieters, Rachel Stevens, Larissa

R owe, Zainab Harmine

3 rd Row: Alena Cabemaiwai, Dominik Bennett, Riley Boryer, K aena John, Nikolaus Birkman, Alexia Thomas

2 nd Row: Joseph Marjoribanks, Dominic Absalom, Silas Scott, F innlay Reed, Anahera Hawke, Carolyn Norquay (Teacher)

F ront Row: Dhruvi Patel, Cait Perry, Georgie Miller, Isabella S tenhouse, Katie Muspratt, Tiana Guy

Absent: Ethan Coe, Kaden MacDonald, Layla Sutcliffe

Back Row: Tom Van de Pol, Annamaja Ankerstjerne, Felix Ford

3 rd Row: Angelo Muldong, Tonio Backhus, Carter Waters, Connor

R owan, Elliot Watts, Grace Duncan

2 nd Row: Bebe Campbell, Paul Lee, Lucas Thompson, Hayden

L ines, Marshall Flint, Tristan Tarawa, Kaine Hansen (Teacher)

F ront Row: Lucie Locke, Sami Wiles, Stevie Newton, Annabel

M cLean, Ella Griffin, Ivy Liu

A bsent: Ava Bastin, Jose Berger Pinto, Alliya Buchanan

Back Row: Cam Slako, Debora Hientz, Keira Mewis, Shaylah

K urth

3 rd Row: Kaia Needham, Zahrea Barkes, Dante Currin, Chelsea

F itt, Ava Harsant-Brown, Anae Garratt, Tony Tan

2 nd Row: Luca Mockford, Kaylee Cattley, Neeve Wilson, Liam

T aylor, Andrea Poggio, Ayden Gilbert, Sierra Dresner, Lisa

S ushames (Teacher)

F ront Row: Zoe Armit, Mya McLachlan, Lucy Mohi, Bridie Rickey, O cean Forward McGregor, Hollie Murray, Maia Greaves Absent: Sofia Bostock, Cai Evans, Ruby Exelby, Essence Soper

A bsent: Flynn Chapman-Taylor, Savannah Ireland, Ocean Keshwer 13KNH 13KTB 13LSS 13NCW

Back Row: Ava Wills, Manaia Saunders, Nadia Gates

2 nd Row: Marcus Harman, Mikaere Wilson, Devlin Langton, Levi

R etimana, Megan Smith (Teacher)

F ront Row: Maia Solomona, Lyric Angell, Marni Stowe, Clara K iikoro Haurua, Sammy Berwick

A bsent: Hinetuahiahi Attwood, Pania Attwood, Lykin Kaimoana, Makenzie Kamo, Stevee Knox, John Marwick, Tawhirirangi Porter

Back Row: Desire Te Huia, Brooke Jeffery, Lillie Allen

3 rd Row: Alice Gardner, Ava Stocks, Lucy King, Alice Giletta, E mily Parkes, Josephine Kluge

2 nd Row: Lachlan Shefferd, Jayden Reynolds, Liam Smythe, T homas O'Sullivan, James Richardson, Brook Campbell, Nicola W olken (Teacher)

F ront Row: Chloe Lee, Reilly McDermid, Renee Gledhill, Aleisha R eece, Maia Rout, Hannah Fidler

Back Row: Aaliyah Murphy, Deelai Brown, Benny Alberti

3 rd Row: Charlie Cole, Jacob Vivas, Hayley De Bruin, Jack

H alford, Leitisha Herk, Michael Espiritu

2 nd Row: Sean Kuba, Louis Cairns, Matthew Carter, Johnny H esketh, Anveer Singh, Peter Grant (Teacher)

F ront Row: Ava de Ridder, Laura Krebser, Aja Samuela, K atharina Teppner, Niki Terwey, Morgan-Mae Hodson

A bsent: Caley Angell, Nadia Bills, Charlotte Maguire, Jack Pearce, Jubae Taruia, Marlowe Thwaites, Inge Van Wyk

Absent: Kerr Campbell, Jj McGibbon 13PTG 13SHC

Back Row: Sahib Singh, Theresa Schmidt, Jamie-Lee Hayson,

D ayna Bennett, Abby Miller, Mackenzie Grant

2 nd Row: Chaz Stensness, Ryan Coombe, Andres Bejarano

V aldazo, Seb Newman, Quinn Cave, Connor Grobler, Meghann

D ee (Teacher), Charlotte Reid

F ront Row: Amber Beattie, Isabella Chaney, Charlie Murray,

A nika Mitchinson, Rachael Jury, Jaydene De Roles

13SNC

Back Row: Gen Kennerley, Simarjot Natt, Oliver Frost, Lucia K imi, Mackenna Ellis

3 rd Row: Holly O'Loan, Mordecai Simeona, Matthew Groves, E than Bramley, Isaac Moore, Paige Martley

2 nd Row: Caleb Griffiths-Knight, Jake Inggs, Ben Kerr, Felix von B rause, Noah Douglas, Cruz Stevenson, Seong Chang (Teacher)

F ront Row: Simone Coldrick, Bree Torr, Erin Wyllie, Madison

C ooper, Victoria Geck, Rhea Lal

A bsent: Aria Bannister, Sara Cassetti, Mya McKerrow

13STE

Back Row: Grace Puangpachang, Felipe Alegre Hernando, Hayley

A dams

3 rd Row: Isabella De Maudave Bestel, Ethan Cleave, Jensen

A rundel, Eddie Couston, Caitlin Gow, Madison Latto-Hansen

2 nd Row: Liam Stewart, Dominic Clarke, Adam McKay, Harry

Y oo, Macgregor Crockford, Steven Enefer (Teacher)

F ront Row: Tara Barnes, Ella Oehm, Olivia Parkes, Quinn Miller, K atie Legae, Millie Beech

A bsent: Cat Jones, Rihanna Lewis, Nina Snyman

13SZK

Back Row: Sequoia Trass, Noah Gillam, Sophie Heyward

3 rd Row: Terryn Lee, Christiana Firth, Hana Henderson, Caitlin

B eets, Erica Villacarlos, Lyla Britton

2 nd Row: Jersie Ottaway, Elle Jervis, Nico Bidois, Sophie

V anderpoel, Thomas Rollan, Suzanne Kirk (Teacher)

F ront Row: Eden Jeffery, Makenzie Owen, Irish Cabalfin, Saicy

M uldong, Asha Reid, Amariaj Miguel

A bsent: Ollie Oakley

13TRP

Back Row: Mel Gregory (Teacher Aide), Tracy Parker (Teacher)

F ront Row: Freddie Finch, Ocean Delves, Kayla Bonner

Absent: Teia Peddle, Hunter Sygrove, Clara-Ann Hapuku-Te Nahu

Special Needs Department International Students

Back Row: Caly Pillay (Head of Department), Raffi Cimadom, Xavier Louwies, Georgina Farrell, Lemuel Tablac, Nate Whitewood, Cleo Bentley, Kirsty Henricks (Teacher Aide), Trent Ririnui (Teacher Aide)

2nd Row Deonne Truesdale (Teacher Aide), Tracy Parker (Teacher), Jaymie Aulding (Teacher Aide), Vanessa HendersonJones (Teacher Aide), Freddie Finch, Koby Pritchard, Ocean Delves, Rico Whitewood, Emily Cong, Joe Burgess, Deidre McPhee (Teacher), Mel Gregory (Teache r Aide)

Front Row: Debbie Ngata (Teacher Aide), Andy Bidois, Kayla Bonner, Georgia Macniven, Bella Claydon, Phoebe Macniven, Charlotte Lander, Piper Harvey, Isaac Gray Absent: Louis Edgecombe, Clara-Ann Te Nahu, Lykin Kaimoana, Hunter Sygrove, Teia Peddle

Back Row: Bobo Yuan, Finnegan Koch, Alice Giletta, Junnosuke Hirai,Oskar gerhards,Vitus Wandinger, Henning Muelder, Oskar Allen, Moritz Bangert, Andrea Poggio, Noah Lungen, Pedro Costa, Yuya Miyamoto

4th Row: Louis Kuhlmann, Taeyoung Ham, Josephine Kluge, Toni Holubec, Nikolaus Birkman, Marlene Karch, Seungjun Lee, Emmy Stocker, Katharine Teppner, Tonio Bachus, Franka Schneider, Annika Kueck, Nikki Terwey, Dogyeom Kim.

3rd Row: Hayley Russell, Laura Krebser, Paula Ahrens, Juyoung Park, Kyotaro Miyata, Kosei Hirai, Thomas Vera Marchant, Philipp Weiting, Charlotte Manhes, Flemming Sander, Akira Shibata, Annamaja Ankerstjerne, Marie Holtkemper, Theresa Schmidt, Liz Anderson.

2nd Row: Rocio Serrati, Eri Takemoto, Mila Schlecht, Daichi Shimamura, Carla Boxberger, Katja Claudy, Yerim Choi, Yoojun Shin, Debora Heintz, Cosima Kobelt, Mia Wieland, Sara Cassetti, Seitaro Nakamura, Andrea Poggio.

1st Row: Kazusa Matsunaga, Flavia dos Passos de Lima, Sarang Lim, Jia-Ying Lee, Lenya Gerau, Charlotte Baur-Otto, Dogyeong Lee, Sophie Walter, Paulina Polly, Tu Minh Tran, Chaehyun Shin, Hsin-Tung Liu, Benedetta Alberti.

Poutama

Back Row: Jaime Rivers, Tiah Parakuka, Sahara Mackay, Seranae Tarawa, Isaac Heke-kaiawha, Leah

M aaloga, Shadow Jack-Kino, Genevieve Pearson, Te Arai Angell, Khyla Miller, Maikaya Stewart, Izaiah Martin

6 th Row: Manaia Reid, Autumn Taingahue, Maddi Dowman, Benji Ngatoko, Heaven-Lee Palmer-Smith, Unique H auwaho, Jade Willcox, Johnny Filipo, Jaxon Ratana, Hendrix Davies, Suzie Heke, Dellas Mareroa

5 th Row: Takara Smith, Francella Nafoi-Seumalo, Ford Pearson, Charm Marshall, Leah Tarawa-Luatua, R ongomai Angell-Kennedy, Ngakau Redshaw, Maonga Harrison, Olivia Finau, Ngahaka Te Moni, Hemi

F alwasser-Kipa, Lexi Time

4 th Row: Fern Freeland-Smith, Milan Low, Rico Whitewood, Harlan Reid, Isaac McKerrow, Draco Currin, Finn P earson, Reco Ward-Levao, Delamare Langton, Kymani Tawa, Marlene Karch, Mia Kururangi, Dartagnan W iteri, Ava Wills

3 rd Row: Reg Currin, Hayze Matkovich-Piripi, Lauren Temara, Willow Grey, Layla Khalifa, Elissa Jade

T akamore Elliott, Malakai Peauafi, Paula Lesa, Milan Cook, Esther Cabemaiwai, Isla Mears-McIntyre, Amelia H enderson, Layla Heke-Rahiri, Andy Bidois

2 nd Row: Manaia Saunders, Nadia Gates, Lyric Angell, Mikaere Wilson, Tawhirirangi Porter, Caylah-Marie

T apara, Devlin Langton, Stevee Knox, Maia Solomona, Evelyn Bennett, Parepaora Falwasser-Kipa, Clara

K iikoro Haurua, Sammy Berwick, Pania Attwood, Hinetuahiahi Attwood

F ront Row: Lucius Rangitakatu, Bella White, Rebecca Smith, Sophia Mason, Azaylea Mareroa, Paige Holloway, N gakumama Te Mete, Ahzayah-Katreece Sharland, Katie Rawson, Nemesia Bush, Calleigh Wathey-Boot, Ari Makai, Wiremu Hay

2025 Ōtūmoetai College Staff

Back Row: Pip Palmer, Viv Ford, Carolyn Norquay, Susan Blakemore, Laura Grace, Sandra Boubee, Shane Blake, Andrew Rapley, Lisa Weaver, David Williams, Jim Allan, Guntis Atvars, Joshua Buxton, Ellen Rombouts, Joc McCreary, Lana Moore, Jessie Fauntleroy, Nicola Wolken, Amy Petrie

4th Row: Phillip Newton, Megan Fritsch, Mark Thomas, Dominik Wellenhofer, Asokan Sadayan, Corisha Hitchcock, Wilna Human, Vanessa Hays, Peter Grant, Seong Chang, David Collis, Hannah Light, Suzanne Kirk, Ashleigh Young, Ben Radford, Caroline Reynolds, Megan Smith, Geoff Roberts, Will Whaley, Sanet Bircham, Mark Simpson

3rd Row: Chris Roe, Craig Grant, Ashika Prasad, Ashley Woodford, Sophia Ferreira, Adam Braddock, Kaine Hansen, Kim Whyte, Claire Lander, Martin Turner, Claire Galloway, Emma Smith, Michelle Orchard, Kelly McNamara, Kathryn Hills, Vaughan Smith, Lisa Sushames, Julie Secker, Nuala McCulloch, Maree Cotter

2nd Row: Debbie Blair, Laura Craven, Frances McAdam, Marisol Pengelly, Nathan Farey, Mary-Ann Braddock, Sarah Smythe, Eloise Stephen, Nicola Tisch, Kimberley Schumacher, Caitlin Menzies, Vicky Jeffares, Andrea Quatrini, Margrit Rohs, Tracy Parker, Caly Pillay, Michael Smith, Nilesh Lal, Andrea Broatch, Brent Smith

Front Row: Jamie Davis, Matt Bodman, Martenette Strauss, Jane Harnett, Stacey Shefferd, Kevin Meyer, David Shefferd, Stephen Tisch (Deputy Principal), Russell Gordon (Principal), Jo'el Komene (Tumuaki Kaitiaki-Deputy Principal), Richard Brown (Assistant Principal), Ashleigh Lack (Assistant Principal), Dave Cleland (Deputy Principal), Leo Wilson, Neil McDermid, Rocio Serrati, Lauren May, Tamson Kaiawe

Absent: Mark Aldcroft, Elizabeth Anderson, Roy Anderson, Kiwa Andrews, Luke Appel, Jaymie Aulding, Maramena Ballantyne, Deanne Bidois, Stephen Binns, Kathryn Bluett, Melinda Botha, Victoria Boyd, Andrew Brown, Donna Brown, Tracey Bruce, Patty Carlson, Adrienne Carter, Arden Carter, Eleanor Clark, Sherie Curry, Tracy Darkes, Debbie Denney, Retta Dunn, Carolyn Dwight, Kristy Edhouse, Steven Enefer, Tony Gadsbey, Monique Geraghty, Vanessa Gibb, Nadia Gillbanks, Steven Gilvear, Emmeline Godfery, Wayne Graves, Mel Gregory, David Hadcroft, Carolyn Harrowfield, Nicola Hawkes, Lorena Hemingway, David Henderson, Emma Henderson, Vanessa Henderson-Jones, Kirsty Henricks, Raewyn Higgins, Sarah Holford, Sarah Hudspith, Gerardine Hyauiason, Gary Irvine, Leigh Johnston, David Kenworthy, Nicola King, Paul Kirstein, Annemarie Kotze, Kristy Lance, Brent Laraman, Ros Lee, Gwen Livingston, Margot Longley, Sam Loudon, Mark Lunjevich, Joe MacPherson, Christine Matheson, Debbie McBride, Christine McClymont, Deirdre McFie, Patrick McMahon, Penny McPhail, Jeanette Meza, Tapene Mika, Stevie-Jane Mutu, Debbie Ngata, Nick Page, John Peake, David Peek, Dennis Playford, Sally Price, Paula Purser, Bernice Quartermain, Simon Quin, Karen Raikes, Peter Rainford, Michael Rayner, Sharlene Reay, Lesley Redward, Lara Richardson, Ian Ridgway, Chrissy Rimmer, Trent Ririnui, Hayley Russell, Simon Sheppard, Neroli Sole, Julie Sutton, Cordula Taiwo, Mary Tatley, Charrissa Taylor, Stephanie Townsend, Deonne Truesdale, Kate Vaaulu, Maria Veronese, Harriet Walker, Susa Walters, Ian Watson, Emma Webb, Deon Wessels, Lisa Williams, Mark Williams, Avon Willis, Holly Wilson, Phillipa Woodward (Deputy Principal), Jelena Zdravkovic

Retirements - Peter Grant

Celebrating Peter Grant – A Lifetime in Education

Peter Grant is retiring after 47 years in secondary education. He officially started teaching at Matamata College in 1979, after part time teaching the year before at St Paul’s College in Ponsonby, Auckland. In those days, schools did not have photocopiers nor whiteboards, so students had one maths textbook for the year.

He became Head of Maths at Hauraki Plains College after six years, and spent five years in this role, although he was the regional mathematics advisors in 1989 for the 65 secondary schools in the BoP and Waikato. His education journey next took him to Waiheke Island, where he was the deputy principal and then acting principal at the high school. Setting high expectations means hard work but then rewards. In one year, two of his students gained 100% in school certificate maths – one boy and one girl. Peter became principal at Tauhara College in Taupo in January 1995, and stayed in this role for over 12 years.

He was the second only principal in this relatively new high school, and remembers starting an international student department, as he had done previously at Waiheke High School. One spectacular day in 1996, Mt Ruapehu erupted and sent an ash cloud across Lake Taupo and over Tauhara College. Ash fell all over the school grounds, the temperature dropped and there was a strong smell of sulphur.

After leading this school for over a decade, Peter became involved in a Ministry of Education sponsored principals’ development programme based in Wellington, progressing to consultancy work with principals throughout Aotearoa NZ. He also was the manager of international students at BoP Polytechnic for a couple of years, pursuing his interest in globally connecting students and education. Having moved to Tauranga, he was asked to emergency teach at Aquinas College, discovered he liked being back in the classroom, and transitioned to Otumoetai College a decade ago to complete his teaching career.

From textbooks and chalkboards to student laptop devices, photocopying and AI generated material, the technology has changed but Mr Grant believes some aspects of teaching have remained the same. “Teachers try to cover a lot of key ideas in a limited time, often to students who view maths as a compulsory yet not popular subject”. “The thrill of seeing students suddenly connecting all the ideas and understanding some statistical or mathematical idea, is an experience that I will miss.” he said.

Retirements - Carolyn Norquay

Carolyn began teaching in Auckland where she spent a large portion of her career in the Technology Department at St Kentigern’s College. Late in Term 4, 2010 she moved to Tauranga joining the foundation staff of soon-to-open Pāpāmoa College (Technology Learning Area Coordinator) where she spent term 4 designing and planning a whole new learning area, ready for the grand opening in 2011.

In 2015 Carolyn moved to Melbourne, Australia where she worked in a few different schools as a short term relief teacher. But after a few years in Melbourne, Carolyn returned home to the Bay as Leader of Learning at Te Puke High School. In 2020 Carolyn joined the Technology whānau at Ōtūmoetai College –the year of the first lockdowns!

Throughout her career, Carolyn has been an active participant in professional development for teachers and was employed by the Ministry of Education as part of the Beacon Schools Project – one of the largest projects ever in Technology education in New Zealand! She was also employed as a Matanga/Mentor to support new and developing Technology teachers in Aotearoa.

Over the years, Carolyn and her students have had amazing success through various projects utilising her contacts within the Food Technology industry. She has had a number of students compete in the NZIFST Crest Product Design Challenge and has successfully brought industry into the classroom. Design thinking and authentic problem solving have sparked passion in her students to design with empathy, aroha and manākitanga. Carolyn has always been passionate about learning and has inspired so many students to be curious, innovative, and excited about what might be possible.

We thank Carolyn for all that she has contributed to Ōtūmoetai College and to the teaching profession throughout her career. Her passion and enthusiasm for learning through the Technology curriculum is an inspiration.

Retirements - Christine McClymont

It is with deep appreciation that we bid farewell to Christine McClymont as she begins retirement after 20 years of dedicated service as a teacher aide within our kura. Christine's work has positively impacted thousands of students and as she leaves, she maintains her unwavering belief in student potential.

Christine has always been excellent at embracing change and adapting to our ever-changing education environment. This year alone, she has worked one-on-one with a senior student to help them successfully achieve their literacy and numeracy CAAs while still providing constant Supported Learning classroom support. With our sincere thanks and good wishes Christine, enjoy the adventures ahead.

Itiiti rearea, teitei kahikatea ka taea

Although the rearea is small, it can ascend the lofty heights of the Kahikatea tree

Student Activities YEAR 2025

MATARIKI ART COMPETITION 2025

MARKET DAY

ROBOTICS

The Ōtūmoetai College Robotics Club has had an incredible year in 2025. The club has 25 student members from Years 9-13, who make up six teams.

At Vex Nationals, 2941H was a tournament semi-finalist and got the Build award, and 2941D got the Judges' award.

In May, the 2025/26 season game “push back” began.

The club has attended multiple scrimmages this year in Auckland, representing our school amazingly with one of our teams, 2941H, taking the winning two. 2941D won a skills award, and 2941E won a sportsmanship award.

Ōtūmoetai College also hosted a scrimmage in September, with teams from across the North Island coming to our school to compete. Currently, our six teams are in preparation for Vex Nationals, which are in February of next year, with the designers, builders, coders, and drivers working very hard to create their bots.

STARS & PROJECT K

The 2025 Stars Peer Mentor team has been truly exceptional! They’ve gone above and beyond to help Year 9 students settle into college life and have been readily available whenever support was needed.

The term saw the return of the Community Adventure Starsopoly event. This year we went bigger and better than ever. We had 16 organisations on the board, spot prizes up for grabs, a ‘People Choice Award’ for the Most Outstanding Peer Mentor. We also included a focus on speaking languages from around the world to bring everyone together and to stand as one! Throughout the day, the Peer Mentors showed fantastic leadership skills, working well supporting and guiding the Year 9’s as they raced around trying to get points and talk to as many organisations as possible.

The Project K graduation was truly inspiring. It was amazing to see students who started off so shy and uncertain now standing with confidence as everyone celebrated their Project K journey and achievements. Their transformation was a true testament to their hard work and growth!

Finally, Ōtūmoetai College would like to sincerely thank both Annaliese Arnold and Cindi Lett for their exceptional work. Amazing effort and best wishes for the future!

QUEENSTOWN EXPERIENCE

This year’s Year 13 Tourism and Hospitality students embarked on an incredible five-day educational experience in the South Island, combining academic exploration with high-octane adventure. Our journey began with an early Monday morning flight from Tauranga to Christchurch, where we started our educational immersion with an insightful tour of the University of Canterbury.

Our adventure soon took a dramatic turn as we drove to Tekapo for our first overnight stay. We were delighted to arrive to a magical blanket of fresh snow, a first-time experience for many students, and a truly beautiful way to kick off the trip. The following day, we travelled through the stunning region of the Lindis Pass to Wanaka (stopping for an incredible meal at the Stoaker Room) before driving across the Crown Range to Queenstown, to settle into our lake-front accommodation for three nights.

The time spent in Queenstown was packed with industry exposure and thrilling activities. A major highlight was visiting QRC (Queenstown Resort College), where we heard from several of our own past students. Their stories were incredibly inspirational, offering real-world insight into studying and working in this dynamic industry.

The action-packed schedule included a high-speed blast on the K-Jet across the Kawerau River, an exhilarating luging session at Skyline, and a tranquil cruise on the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Station. For the ultimate thrill, a few brave students took the plunge off the famous Kawerau Bridge at AJ Hackett Bungy! We finished our sightseeing with breathtaking views from Deer Park Heights.

The hospitality sector truly came alive through the food. We were fortunate to experience the diverse and high-quality cuisine at locations like Balls and Bangles, the spectacular Stratosphere, the luxurious Hilton Hotel, and the globally renowned Millbrook Resort. Our fantastic trip concluded on Friday, flying back to Tauranga via Auckland. The Queenstown experience was a massive success, leaving many students deeply inspired and motivated to pursue exciting careers within the tourism and hospitality industry.

Queenstown Experience

Photos

STUDENT VOLUNTEER ARMY

Student Volunteer Army – 2025: A Year of Service and Leadership

In 2025, the Student Volunteer Army (SVA) Committee continued its proud tradition of serving our Ōtūmoetai College community and the wider Tauranga region. Under the outstanding leadership of Zoe Armit and Quinn Miller, the committee — including Abbey Muspratt, Alliya Buchannan, Charlotte Potter, Hannah Richards, Loralei Feist, Matt Smith, Scarlett Minshall, Poppy Smith, Anae Garratt, Chelsea Fitt, Effie Fleming, Ella Wilce, Elsie Bell, Olivia Hubbard, and Jaymin Corn — remained focused, purposeful, and full of heart.

Together, our 600 student volunteers contributed and logged over 7000 volunteer hours, earning 7 Gold, 14 Silver, 58 Bronze, and 127 Membership Pins — an incredible display of community spirit and teamwork. (500 volunteer hours are required to gain the Gold Pin, 250hrs, 32hrs and 5hrs respectively)

The range of volunteer work this year was impressive, requiring communication, organisation, leadership, and empathy. From coordinating assembly promotions, assisting at the Baywide Special Olympics, and baking for Heart Kids NZ, to hands-on environmental action like beach and Waikareao estuary clean-ups, students demonstrated initiative and reliability. Managing the lunchtime gear shed, microwave, and hot water kitchen, and field signage required timely responsibility. Others represented the school at the Emergency Hub coordination meeting, led our school-wide Foodbank Drive, and organised a free pizza lunch to celebrate our volunteers of 2025.

The SVA also promoted the national volunteering scheme with enthusiasm and care, inspiring others to get involved.

We proudly welcome Jaymin Corn and Matt Smith as our 2026 SVA Leaders, ready to continue this culture of giving and growth.

STUDENT VOLUNTEER ARMY

OTEORA CAMP - YEAR 9 EMBRACES THE WILD!

What better way to kick off college life than to dive headfirst into the great outdoors? This year, all sixteen of our Year 9 form classes embraced a truly unique and enduring school tradition: the legendary overnight camp at Oteora Campsite. For four straight weeks, a steady stream of enthusiastic (and sometimes slightly nervous!) Year 9 students and staff made the annual trek to our beloved camp, nestled high in the beautiful native bush of the Kaimai Ranges.

A Legacy of Learning:

Oteora is not just any campsite. It was generously donated to the school back in 1973 by the Mackersey family and has served as a crucible for hands-on, meaningful learning ever since.

The Journey Begins: Up the Hill We Go!

The adventure began the moment students were dropped off, facing the initial challenge: an introductory 20 minute tramp through stunning Kaimai bush to reach the campsite. While not a long journey, for some students it was a test of endurance and teamwork, and a quick lesson in physics as they dealt with the consequences of an over-packed bag. Upon arrival, there was no time to rest! Tents were swiftly pitched, gear stowed, and energy was immediately channelled into a series of lively teambuilding games. Many of these were in the Adventure Based Learning (ABL) style, designed to challenge students both mentally and physically, requiring clever problem-solving and excellent communication.

From Predator to Prey: The Food Chain Game

The afternoon brought one of the camp's most memorable activities: the high-energy Food Chain game. Each student adopted the role of an animal—from herbivores to apex predators—and was sent into the huge fenced forest section. The mission? Search for "food" while desperately trying to avoid becoming someone else's! The forest became a thrilling, laughter-filled natural arena of strategy and pursuit. Camp Cuisine: Master Chefs (and Pot Noodle Fans!) As the sun began to dip, it was time for the culinary challenge. Working in prearranged cooking groups, students took responsibility for preparing the evening meal they had planned. For many, the entire process—from prep work to operating camp stoves and managing the full clean-up—was a brand-new experience!

The menus ranged from simple favourites like nachos, spaghetti bolognaise, sausages, burgers, and pot noodles (a classic!) to some seriously ambitious attempts. We saw curries, hearty stews, and a standout effort involving seared salmon fillet, roasted tomatoes, and sourdough bread! Clearly, the future of our school's culinary club is bright.

Campfire, Marshmallows, and the Burma Trail

The evening wrapped up with a hugely entertaining campfire talent show, filled with hilarious skits, group singing, and other humorous performances, all followed up by well-deserved roasted marshmallows over the campfire

The true test of courage came after dark. With the light almost completely gone, students ventured out along a guide rope for a challenging return trip along our legendary Burma Trail in complete darkness. To add to the thrill, our senior STARS mentors were strategically placed along the route, ready to offer a well-timed (and harmless!) scare!

The Final Dash: Waterfall and Farewells

The next morning kicked off with a student-cooked breakfast—where pancakes were a clear group favourite—followed by packing up all the overnight gear. The final main event was the one-hour tramp to the beautiful local waterfall and swimming hole.

It was a stunning natural spot for a snack and a rest, though only the most courageous few braved the truly frigid water for a quick dip!

Back at the campsite, the current group greeted the newly arriving form class. After a quick catch-up and exchange of tales, it was time to walk back down the hill to the buses. Tired, full of new stories, and smelling faintly of woodsmoke and bush, every student concluded their enjoyable overnight experience.

The Oteora camp was, once again, a hugely successful and memorable experience for every one of the 400+ students and all the dedicated staff involved!

OTEORA ODYSSEY

PASIFIKA AWARDS NIGHT

Our first ever Pasifika Awards Night at Ōtūmoetai College was a beautiful celebration of culture, identity and achievement for our Pasifika students and their aiga. The evening was about bringing together families, staff, and community to honour their academic successes. It was also a place to celebrate the leadership, service, and culture of our students and the wonderful things they have achieved this year.

The night opened with a karakia by our school’s Deputy Principal Jo’el Komene and the night was MC’d by one of our students' dads who is of Samoan descent. Our night continued on with cultural performances by our students that showcased the diversity of our Pasifika nations. Each award reflected values that are central to our Pasifika communities — excellence, service, resilience, and connection. Students were recognised not only for their achievements in the classroom, but also for their contributions to school life, leadership within their cultural groups, and the wider community.

A highlight of the evening was seeing our students embracing the night in front of their families, in a space that felt uniquely theirs. The atmosphere was filled with pride, emotion, and unity as we all supported one another and embraced other families alike.

The evening highlighted what makes our Pasifika community so strong: connection, identity, and collective success. This annual event marks the beginning of a tradition that will continue to support, celebrate, and empower Pasifika students at our college for many years to come.

Duke Of Edinburgh

COLOURS DAY

Student Committees YEAR 2025

CREATIVE ARTS COMMITTEE

2025 was a commendable year for the Creative Arts Committee, led with passion and creativity by Ella Griffin and Connor Rowan, with invaluable guidance from Mrs Pengelly and a dedicated team of student volunteers.

This year’s highlights began with the annual Creative Arts Week, a celebration of imagination and expression that brought the school community together. From the bold and hilarious Toilet Paper Fashion Show to the Creative Arts relay, the week's diverse range of activities truly showcased the vast range of creativity Ōtūmeotai College has to offer.

Another standout moment in the year was the Variety Show, an evening that perfectly captured the creative spirit of our school. From singers and dance performances to clever magicians and instrumental talent, the creativity was incredible.

One of the year’s defining moments was the Year 13 Dance. After three terms of practice, the Year 13 students wowed the school with their fun-filled ‘Mamma Mia’ themed performance on Colours Day. The energy, enthusiasm, and participation were outstanding, making it a lively and memorable way to celebrate the creativity of the Year 13 cohort.

The year also culminated in the Creative Arts Awards, a celebration of student dedication and achievement. The committee played a vital role in the meticulous organisation and presentation of this prestigious event. It was an honour to recognize and reward the outstanding contributions of our talented students.

As the curtain closes on 2025, we look forward to the new ideas and leadership that will shape the Creative Arts Committee in 2026.

HAUORA COMMITTEE

In 2025, the Hauora Committee tried a different approach when deciding on events this year. We tried to have a more well-rounded approach in order to reach many different students throughout the year.

Our Mental Health Awareness Week was a success, with a big uptake in the colouring-in competitions, stickers, and origami hearts. We also held a stall at the Year 9 STARSOPOLY event to educate about vaping. This was a massive success amongst students and teachers.

Hosting some lunchtime games in conjunction with the sports committees helped to improve students' taha tinana, and made use of a sunny lunchtime.

This year has been a wonderful year for the Hauora Committee, supported by the amazing committee members and teachers, Ms Braddock and Mr Braddock. The 2026 season will bring many more exciting events to Ōtūmoetai College, led by your new leaders, Milly Simon and Chelsea Brown, supported by Miss Orchard and Miss Galloway.

Written

by Maia Greaves and Paige Martley.

ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

The committee leaders this year were Rhea Lal and Alliya Buchanan. The active committee members numbered about 30 students, which included a large number of very keen Year 9 students.

We continued with our two major projects that we signed up for last year - Predator Free BOP and Trees for Survival. Throughout the year, over 25 students went down to the gully to check on the traps. Every few weeks, we caught one or two rats, mice or hedgehogs.

The main task for Trees for Survival was to go out to a farm and plant the nearly1000 trees. 21 students from the committee volunteered to help, and we had great support from Ailie Rundle, the Trees for Survival co-ordinator. We have just finished transplanting small seedlings into growing bags, ready for next year’s planting.

Space for Nature was launched around Ōtūmoetai this year. The aim of this initiative is to remove pest animals and plants, to allow our native flora and fauna to thrive. Rose Riley came to talk to the committee, and some students volunteered to drop promotion leaflets. We extended our pest removal to some plant pests – particularly moth plants. Another very keen group invested several lunchtimes to gather and get rid of as many seed pods as possible.

This year, we continued to fundraise for Project Jonah with a bake sale and Op Shop. As a result of the last two years, we were able to present Project Jonah with a $500 donation.

SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE

The 2025 Ōtūmoetai College School Ball was a memorable highlight of the year. Led by committee leaders Estee Taylor and Ella Oehm, months of planning came together to create an unforgettable evening for our senior students. Their organisation and leadership were instrumental in bringing the vision of this year’s theme, Mamma Mia, to life. The theme was revealed to Year 12 and 13 students through a light-hearted, Greekinspired video filmed on Mount Maunganui beach, which helped build excitement in the lead-up to the event.

On the night, the venue was filled with bright colours, upbeat music, and a lively atmosphere, reminiscent of a summer celebration on the islands. Students arrived in style and looked fantastic, bringing great energy to the night through dancing, laughing, and enjoying time with friends. A special thank you goes to the Ōtūmoetai College staff who supported the event and helped ensure the evening was safe, smooth, and enjoyable for everyone.

The night was a wonderful celebration of our senior cohort, and will no doubt be remembered fondly for years to come!

RUAMANO K Ō MITI

The Ruamano Kōmiti has had a fantastic year celebrating the diverse cultures and traditions in our kura.

Our annual Matariki art competition was a huge success, with over 30 entries ranging from sculptures to fashion design. Manaia Rolleston took out the top senior award with a poem, Leah Tarawa-Luatua won the junior section with her hue lamp, and Ella-May Chapman won the People's Choice award with her dress.

We celebrated Māhuru Māori, a month dedicated to Māori culture and language, including Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. We hosted a variety of maunga competitions, including whare whare (bingo), a scavenger hunt, a form class kahoot comp, and daily phrase challenges. These events encouraged students to engage with te reo Māori and Māori culture in a fun and interactive way.

During Māhuru Māori, we celebrated Flag Day, where students dress in traditional costumes or wear flags, creating a vibrant and culturally rich atmosphere. The wairua was strong, and it was truly inspiring to see the school community come together to celebrate our diversity.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all the kōmiti members for their hard mahi and dedication. Your passion and enthusiasm have made this year a resounding success and a real highlight for us as kōmiti leaders.

Written by Stevee and Pania.

MENTORING COMMITTEE

The Mentoring Committee, led by Rosa, Noah, and Kaena, has had an amazing year in 2025. With over 30 students in Year 12 and 13 joining the committee to help with mentoring and tutoring students from all year levels, they have been able to support countless peers at Otumoetai College through their exams for a wide range of subjects.

This year, workshops for the CAA exams were initiated too, helping students to get their basic qualifications for English and Mathematics.

Thank you to all the incredible members of the Mentoring Committee for the time and effort you put into giving back to our kura, and a warm welcome to Kane and Lauren who will be the leaders in 2026!

Back row from left: Noah, Dominik (Head Boy who oversaw the Mentoring Committee), Kaena and Kane. Front row: Rosa and Lauren.

PUBLICITY COMMITTEE

The Publicity Committee and their Shadow Committee minions have been busy again this year. Pointing cameras at things, flying drones, making Instagram posts, and gathering Vox Pops.

The all-girl Committee and— the ‘Charlie’ to their ‘angels’ —Head Boy Dominik Bennett were highly organised and independent, often six steps ahead of their mentor and considering all angles.

Of particular note was the revitalisation of the Leavers Magazine, which had been on hiatus since COVID-19. With Sequoia doing the design and Millie the organisation, ably supported by their team, it was a real success that will no doubt set the standard for years to come.

Meanwhile, the boy geniuses coming through in Year 9 and 10 made an exciting impact on the Shadow Committee. Always quick to offer help, many of these young men own their own drones and can recite the drone flight legislation off by heart. Many have taken home and mastered every bit of technology we have. It will be fascinating to see how well these boys do by the time they reach senior school.

Huge thanks to leaders, Sequoia Trass and Millie Beech, and their awesome team: Chelsea Fitt, Olivia Middleweek, Caitlin Perry, Shaylah Kurth, Catalena Jones, Layla Sutcliffe, Zainab Harmine, and Sierra Dresner.

SPORTS COMMITTEE

In 2025, Ōtūmoetai College expanded its Sports Leadership Team from two leaders to four, appointing Grace Duncan, Erin Wyllie, Luca Mockford, and Bradley Wiessing to guide student sport across the school. This expansion reflected both the growing demands of our sports programme and the outstanding calibre of our senior athletes.

With Grace representing New Zealand at the U17 Football World Cup in Morocco and Erin competing at the Squash World Championships in Egypt, it was essential to broaden our leadership group while these talented girls were away from school, and the four leaders formed a dynamic and committed team. Under their leadership, and with the support of their enthusiastic Sports Committee, the group invested considerable time and energy into boosting student participation across the college. Two major weekly events – ‘Have a Go Day’ and ‘The Maunga Games’ – were offered to students to try sports, build connections, and experience the joy of physical activity.

The leaders also played a key role in strengthening school culture through sport, increasing the number of Year 13 vs Staff games from seven in 2024 to nine in 2025. These events received extremely positive feedback from the school’s Senior Leadership Team, who praised the way the games foster friendly competition and build meaningful relationships between staff and students. Beyond the college grounds, our leaders coordinated committee volunteers to serve as marshals for the Bellevue Primary School Cross Country, reflecting their commitment to service and community engagement.

Finally, their professionalism and passion shone through in their speeches at both the Annual Sports Fundraiser and the Sports Awards Evening, exemplifying the leadership qualities that earned them their roles.

Ōtūmoetai College extends its heartfelt thanks to Grace, Erin, Luca, and Bradley for their dedication, initiative, and vision. Their contributions have strengthened the culture of sport within the college and created lasting opportunities for students across all year levels.

DEPARTMENTS YEAR 2025

2025 Art History Trek

2025 was another year of fabulous trips and learning experiences for Level 3 Art history. We had a two day road trip to Auckland to view some absolutely amazing artworks- the Robertson’s Gift; Paths Through Modernity exhibition at the Auckland Art Gallery as well as the Taimoana/Coastlines Art in Aotearoa. For the first time, we stayed overnight at a camp by the sea at the Eastern beaches and spent the second day in Parnell.

We had six dealer galleries in Parnell to support us with our Values assessment. This worked out amazing. The outcome for the students was an amazing experience, we now have a relationship with these Galleries-particularily with the International Arts Centre (Frances) in Parnell-Who has adopted Otumoetai College as their School.

We also learned about the Masters of Renaissance Art, such as Botticelli, Michelangelo, Titian, Bellini and Leonardo Da’Vinci.

Thanks to Mr Henderson for joining us on all our trips and to all the wonderful students in Art history this year. It has been a pleasure and I look forward to more learning adventures in 2026.

Ms Townsend

There was a range of high quality essays based on the student’s direct experiences as well as extensive research. They became the experts in the field of Curation and of the Value of their particular theme.

Visiting Artist Maraea Timutimu visited and answered interview questions from the Students. She presented the choice of materials she used (whenua) and the context and processes involved in her Mauao/Whenua series.

Jo’el Komene also presented and answered questions written by class members on his Waka Kotahi Pou/Whakairo projects.

JUNIOR ARTWORK

SENIOR ARTWORK

BUSINESS AND YES

This year we had 10 teams competing in the Young Enterprise Competition across the Level 2 and Level 3 Business Management classes.

Level 3

Wandering Kiwi - an interactive reusable road trip bingo game with Māori translations

Hopi Drop - individual use soap cubes designed for travellers

Nutic+ - sea moss gummies for an alternate source of nutrients

Snowball - individually crafted crocheted flowers and toys

Level 2

Nourish and Flourish - a completely organic hair oil to replenish dry and frizzy hair

Cook and Collaborate - a website that offers allergy-friendly recipes and encourages community and support.

Tydes - Treating Your Discomfort Every Summer with an innovative beach towel with an inflatable pillow, face shade cover and zip storage for your phone and keys.

Keep It Fresh - a seaweed based natural car freshener

Knock Out - a natural sleep spray

Helping Hand - a service-based business offering help around people’s homes and gardens

At regional awards, the top five teams in the Bay of Plenty region (after four challenges) presented their pitches to earn a place in the national finals. Wandering Kiwi and Nourish and Flourish presented their businesses outstandingly and were fantastic representations of Ōtūmoetai College. While we did not win the regional final, we were fortunate to be nominated and win the following awards on the night:

Best Product Presentation - Nourish and Flourish (Wandering Kiwi also nominated)

Best Financial Management - Wandering Kiwi

Best Team Work - Te Puke High School (Wandering Kiwi and Nourish and Flourish nominated)

Greatest Contributor to the Young Enterprise program - Nutric+

This year we had 10 teams competing in the Young Enterprise Competition across the Level 2 and Level 3 Business Management classes.

Level 3

Wandering Kiwi - an interactive reusable road trip bingo game with Māori translations

Hopi Drop - individual use soap cubes designed for travellers

Nutic+ - sea moss gummies for an alternate source of nutrients

Snowball - individually crafted crocheted flowers and toys

Level 2

Nourish and Flourish - a completely organic hair oil to replenish dry and frizzy hair

Cook and Collaborate - a website that offers allergy-friendly recipes and encourages community and support.

Tydes - Treating Your Discomfort Every Summer with an innovative beach towel with an inflatable pillow, face shade cover and zip storage for your phone and keys.

Keep It Fresh - a seaweed based natural car freshener

Knock Out - a natural sleep spray

Helping Hand - a service-based business offering help around people’s homes and gardens

At regional awards, the top five teams in the Bay of Plenty region (after four challenges) presented their pitches to earn a place in the national finals. Wandering Kiwi and Nourish and Flourish presented their businesses outstandingly and were fantastic representations of Ōtūmoetai College. While we did not win the regional final, we were fortunate to be nominated and win the following awards on the night:

Best Product Presentation - Nourish and Flourish (Wandering Kiwi also nominated)

Best Financial Management - Wandering Kiwi

Best Team Work - Te Puke High School (Wandering Kiwi and Nourish and Flourish nominated)

Greatest Contributor to the Young Enterprise program - Nutric+

Young Entrepreneur of the Year - Loralei Feist

This year we have also had individual student success with Citlali Keys-Flores attending the Entrepreneurs in Action weekend and Stevie Newton being selected to take part in the StandTall entrepreneur webinar series as well as presenting at the NZ Business Awards.

An outstanding year’s work from all of the students involved.

BUSINESS AND YES

Hi Team!

DANCE AND DRAMA

First up, we want to say a big well done to all of our Senior Drama, Dance, and EEVT students. You have truly impressed us this year with your hard work, commitment, and dedication. Your final public performances were amazing, and it’s been wonderful to see so many of you fulfilling your potential. We look forward to seeing many of you back in Drama, Dance, and EEVT next year!

To our Year 13s leaving us this year — we will be sad to see you go. However, we wish you all the success and happiness you deserve in the future. Don’t forget us, as we certainly won’t forget you! Just remember to be true to yourselves, share the love, stay positive, and live your best life!

This year started off with a bang on the extra-curricular front, with rehearsals for Mamma Mia! The Musical. The show was directed by Toni Henderson, with Ms Pengelly and Mrs Harnett sharing the choreography, Elise Rohde as Vocal Director, and Matt Bodman as Music Director. The show was performed at Baycourt Theatre from 19th–21st June to sold-out audiences. The talent was immense, and students outshone themselves after weeks and weeks of rehearsals—an incredible experience for everyone involved!

Our Dance Troupes were also working hard under the guidance of Ms Harnett, bringing their best to every performance and competition. They competed in various dance competitions across Tauranga, earning multiple placements in their categories. All troupes also competed in Dance NZ Made—an awesome achievement!

A huge thank you to all students who have given their time, commitment, and energy to these projects. You are amazing, and we have loved watching you grow! Finally, thank you for making our jobs so worthwhile. Enjoy the photos and your trip down memory lane…

Lovin’ ya work!

Ms Harnett, Ms Pengelly & Miss Bruce

Digital Technologies

ShadowTech Trip to Mercury

ShadowTech offers girls in Years 9 - 11 the chance to discover the exciting world of technology, ignite their curiosity, and explore a variety of career pathways. This year, ten Year 9 students visited the Tauranga Mercury office. There, the students met a panel of inspiring women working in digital technology. The panel members shared their career journeys, which spanned roles such as software developer, data analyst, and project lead. They explained what their jobs involve, discussed the highlights and challenges they face, and offered advice to those considering a similar career path.

KPMG

Students from the L2 and L3 Accounting for Management classes had the opportunity to visit KPMG and see accounting in practice. They met senior accountants, graduate accountants, and recruitment consultants, where they learnt about opportunities in accounting and where KPMG see accounting going in the future.

Weta Workshop

Digital Technologies - Creative Design students got the opportunity to visit Weta Workshop in Auckland. They were able to learn how digital creations come to life in movies and animations. Students also learnt about opportunities in the industry, and different educational pathways that lead staff to where they are today.

EARLY CHILDHOOD

2025 has continued to see tauira involved in placements across the local area from Ōmokoroa, Greerton, and Matua, continuing to form strong connections between the college, primary schools and early childhood centers in the Tauranga region. These are wonderful opportunities for our tauira to gain an insight into what early childhood teaching looks like. These placements are always a highlight and well organised by Emma Webb - so a huge thanks to her for all the hard mahi on setting up these opportunities for our tauira. We aim to continue to improve these relationships, and offer opportunities to those incoming tauira in 2026.

The Level 3 Early Childhood class has continued the relationship with Ōtūmoetai Kindergarten and, spending time with the tamariki and kaiko once a week, our tauira have created many activities and games for the tamariki to play while we are visiting them.

Another great opportunity for all of the Level 2 tauira was being able to partake in a two-day first aid course, which further strengthened tauira knowledge and expertise in dealing with minor injuries and more serious situations for tamariki.

ENGLISH

NZ Spelling Bee 2025

This year, we only had a small number of students progress through to the Regional NZ Spelling Bee in Hamilton in August. They were Sam Reddy (Year 9) and Davin Patel (Year 10).

Both did extremely well, however Davin managed to make it through to the National Finals in Wellington, held on the 1st November. Attending with his family, and with a load of practice under his belt, Davin represented himself and our college admirably. However, it was not to be, and Davin got out just before the end.

We are so very proud of Davin and his efforts - and what a great achievement and experience! See pics attached.

The Ōtūmoetai College Junior Speech Competition on the 26th of November was a huge success!

Ākonga from both Years 9 and 10 captivated the audience with their engaging speeches. The competition was an impressive display of their oratory skills as well as their original and insightful thinking. They were also put under a bit of pressure with an impromptu speech category, where they had to think quick on their feet!

We would like to congratulate the following ākonga on their outstanding achievements:

Winner: Cassidy Wright

Runner up: Heidi Fowler

Well done to everyone who took part. I can't wait to see you there again next year!

50 Word Creative Writing

Dance

As soon as the music started I hit the stage. The lights beaming in my face. My legs are moving to the beat. With every step or move I do I get a high I can't explain. As the music ends I hit my finishing pose. I live for the applause.

By Anya Steele Tora the cat

The lime green grass swayed softly in the wind, her body was sleek with shiny white and amber orange fur. Her eyes were sharp with concentration, her whiskers tingling, she pounced, claws digging into soil, underneath her small paws caught a miniature mouse, squeaking in terror. What a delicious meal.

By Hikaru Kawai

Wednesday

Wednesday, the worst day of the week. Wednesday, the hump day, a school day, an exhausting day, a sad day. Why, oh why are there Wednesdays? On Wednesdays you are tired and drowsy and done. On Wednesdays the weekend hasn't just passed. On Wednesdays the weekend isn't coming very fast.

By Ari Harrop

A Quiet Christmas Night

The Christmas lights flickered, darkness crowded the room. A loud bang rang from the chimney. A large figure fell from the ceiling, a black bag slamming his back. Presents gathered around the tree all waiting to be picked. The bright morning sun rose and Santa was home. Children waited patiently.

By Becky

Haunted

House

Gertrude skipped through the street. Halloween was here. A bucket of lollies swinging. She neared a house on a hill. With a knock, the door opened with an eerie breeze. She stared into the darkness, all of a sudden a hand tugged her inside. With a slam, the door shut.

By Brydee Hulme

Time Capsule

My heavy eyes met the light spilling through my car window. I greeted my family with a drowsy, “are we there yet?” Hidden beneath a loud yawn. “Almost,” dad said, “We should be able to see the ocean soon.” I rolled down the window and the sharp, salty air rushed through my lungs, carrying with it the familiar welcome of Jeffrey’s Bay and its vast blue horizon. Every December, this was the moment that made the twelve-hour journey, crammed in our little car, worth it.

We finally arrived at Ouma and Oupa’s beach house. Having trailed behind for most of the journey, my sister and I were surprised that they had managed to arrive before us. I pulled a bag twice my size out of the boot, lugging it towards the glass doors of the familiar brown brick house I loved so deeply. I let out a relieved sigh and pulled the heavy doors open. My gaze wandered through the room, taking in the cluttered treasures, each with its own history; The mismatched heirloom furniture, lace embellishments and cupboards filled with seashells and trinkets collected through many adventures. As always, Ouma was frantically stocking the kitchen with our favourite snacks and preparing tea. The house was stuffy and warm, as if it had just awoken, drowsy from a sunlit nap for the eleven months we had been away.

Memories of last summer rushed through my brain, growing my excitement for the next three weeks. This place was a time capsule, capturing our memories and cataloguing them each year. I loved the fact that no matter who or what was changing in my life, I would always have this capsule, consistent and safe. This house would always be there for me, and that brought me comfort.

Once everything was unpacked, we strolled down to the beach. It was a two-minute walk down the narrow pathway, hidden between two houses. Jumping from stepping stone to stepping stone tugging on my mother’s shirt. We finally reached the shore, fragments of colourful shells crunching beneath my Minnie Mouse sandals. I gazed at the milky waves and pink skies of dusk. In my mind, this view belonged only to me; it reminded me of who I was.

I sit upright in my seat, and although my body feels weary from jet lag, my mind is wide awake. The trip from Port Elizabeth Airport to Jeffreys Bay is shorter. Today, my first breath of ocean air, is exhaled in an anxious sigh of nostalgia. But the brown exterior from my childhood comforts me. So much has changed since my move to New Zealand, and I am eager to return to my safe place. Before I can even reach the glass doors, Ouma shuffles joyfully towards me, arms wide open. As always, she hugs me tightly and comments on how much I’ve grown. Oupa watches us quietly, trying to disguise his jubilant smile. I also notice our heights. My grandparents are smaller than I remember. Though she was hiding it through her excitement, I notice Ouma’s cough. My grandmother’s declining health is one of the reasons for our visit, and also why she and Oupa decided to move permanently to the coast.

I open the no longer heavy doors and step inside. The house smells like my family. Fragrances of my granny’s floral perfume and her delicious Frikkadelle fill the air. The warmth and sunlit peace remain, but it seems different somehow. The heirloom furniture has been moved to accommodate Ouma’s walker. The layer of dust on the bookshelf is not because of months away, but rather from Ouma’s inability to clean as diligently as she used to. The feeling of returning to my perfect time capsule is different too. Too much has changed in the many years I have been in New Zealand, and it is no longer my refuge. Ouma struggles to speak between her cough, and Oupa’s thickened prescription lenses magnify the lines of the time that has passed. I had missed them so much. I couldn't wait to see them, but now it is painful to see how much they have aged and changed. It hurts to witness the strong people you have always looked up to, struggle. Childhood memories tug my heart towards the past, whilst a frosted glass film blocks my view.

I trip over my plakkies as I flee down the narrow pathway and over the stepping stones I had happily hopped over so many times. I look at the warped sunset reflecting in the cold water as it sweeps around my ankles, and realise that although this is the view I remember, the colors have shifted, and although the sunset seems different, it is just as beautiful. I finally understand that although my time capsule has changed, it still holds my childhood so fondly, only now there is room for new memories for the precious time I have left with the grandparents I adore.

By Cayla Louw

EXTENDED LEARNING

On Tuesday 13th May, three Year 10 classes under the accelerated learning programme held a special day based at the Historic Village. Mr Grant organised the 90 students to undertake three workshops, led by local business leaders and staff from three fields:

Nuclear Medicine and Imaging - Tutors from Bay Radiology explained the background of nuclear medicine, showed students slides of different images from X rays and ultra sounds. Students were able to spot bone fractures and other interesting images such as tumours and bone curvatures. We are grateful for Ms Nicola Daisley, an OTC parent, for organising this special start to our day and connecting OTC to other possible contributors. A few students were chosen to have a guided tour around the new Bay Radiology suites over the road from the historic village, which were truly impressive.

Agri Nutrients - Ms Kate Davies from Ballance Agri Nutrients introduced students to the key industry that Ballance is involved in, connecting farmers to advice and products to compensate for nutrient deficiencies in farm soil. Students even had a chance to test various soil types and to use chart information to identify the remedies from Ballance products which were kind to the environment. Ms Davies was known to some students because of her involvement in House of Science.

Road Engineering. Finally, The Communications Manager from Fulton Hogan (NZ) Carmel LapwoodStevenson (another OTC parent), explained how the design work and construction of the new Takitimu North road was done. This road starts right next to the historic village, so students were able to walk out to the safety fence and observe the large crane that drove the new road piles up to 80m underground, before the road layers and bridges were constructed.

Learning Aims:

To expose students to expertise from within our community which is at a professional level. Many of our students may aspire to such vocations if they develop awareness of their existence.

To learn some theory behind chosen activities, related to but different from the school curriculum. To expose students to role models (such as interns, apprentices, junior practitioners) who can explain their careers journey from school until now.

To stimulate students’ curiosity about the world, and open possibilities for their future engagement

We are very grateful for the parents who willingly helped to organise this day and give our students such a rich opportunity, as well as Ms. Shefford from OTC Careers Dept for her financial support of the day. It is hoped that similar days could occur every year from now on.

A student said “The EL trip was a great experience for my classmates and I. We learned about the multiple career pathways in agriculture, how they develop the fertilizer, how the land works and the science behind it. One of the presenters from the roadworks agency showed us how important their role is in our community and how working in roadworks is a huge responsibility and an amazing job pathway. Not only did we learn about these opportunities, but we were able to do this trip with our friends and enjoy each other's time outside schoolgrounds. I believe it was a great experience and that if it was to continue next year, it would be really beneficial to us as students and the way we take things in.”

EXTENDED LEARNING

FOOD TECHNOLOGY

Hospitality and Café Operations

Our Hospitality and Cafe Operations students rose to the occasion, gaining real-world experience by executing a diverse range of service and delivery opportunities. They mastered the art of preparing and serving hot and cold beverages, delightful sweet and savoury treats, and, most importantly, providing quality customer service. These experiences are vital for students looking to pursue careers in the fast-paced hospitality industry.

Tourism and Hospitality Management

In Tourism and Hospitality Management, a new course from 2025, students stepped into the shoes of a professional Travel Planner. They tackled the challenge of putting together a complete travel package for a client, using their research and planning skills to design an itinerary. The focus was on showcasing the wonders of a chosen New Zealand location, allowing students to celebrate our country's unique beauty and develop key organizational and marketing skills.

HARD MATERIALS

Another exciting year for ŌTC’s Technology and Graphics department.

Perhaps the greatest strength of Technology at Ōtūmoetai College continues to be the range of courses and opportunities for students. These included Electronics, DVC (Design &Visual Communication), Technology Wood, Metal, Automotive, Building, and Mechanical Engineering.

The use of the school’s CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) router, vinyl cutter, laser cutter, and multi-colour 3D printers all helped to extend the realms of possibility with their precision.

Problem solving, design, and practical skills were everywhere in the workshops this year. From Year 9 to 13, students produced outstanding take-home projects and worked on some innovative community projects, such as a garden seat for a local lifecare rest home, made from recycled telephone poles.

There was a huge range of chairs, desks, barbeques, pizza ovens, and more, all produced by students in the workshops.

The team build Yr 13 EVolocity Electric Car entry won the overall performance award at the Waikato Schools’ competition, from a field of 37 schools.

The Electronics classes continued to spark with enthusiasm, with some amazing success stories of ex-students, now with degrees, gaining mechatronics careers at Rocket Lab, working with NASA and SpaceX.

The Robotics clubroom added to its trophy shelf with more national and international trophies, and there was even a battle bot display event where high-speed blades, power lifting wedges and spinning turbines fought it out inside an enclosed, transparent arena.

The Hard Tech/DVC teachers of 2025 were Mr Aldcroft, Mr Carneiro, Mr Enefer, Mrs Grey, Mrs Hills, Mr Rapley, Mr Rayner, Mr Thomas, Mr Watson, Mr Wessels, and Mr Meyer. Mr Gilvear retired at the end of Term 2 after many years’ dedication to the students at our school. What a guy!

To all the leaving Year 13’s, have a great life and good memories of your time here at ŌTC.

International Department

We’ve had another unforgettable year in the International Department at Ōtūmoetai College, welcoming students from around the world and giving them the chance to experience life in Aotearoa. One of the best parts of our work is showing off our beautiful country, and seeing New Zealand through the eyes of our international students as they dive into new adventures.

We kicked off the year with a dolphin cruise, the perfect introduction to our stunning backyard for our new arrivals. In Term 1, students travelled to Rotorua, where they enjoyed a cultural experience and delicious hāngī at Te Puia, before wandering through the breathtaking Redwoods Treetop Walk. Term 2 brought a classic Kiwi experience — a Chiefs rugby game in Hamilton — where our students did their best to understand the rules while joining in on the excitement. In Term 3, we ventured underground to the Waitomo Caves and visited the Ōtorohanga Kiwi House, which was a highlight for many. We also welcomed our Term 3 intake with an orientation trip on the Kewpie Cruise, followed by fish and chips at the Pilot Bay Fishing Club — a perfect Tauranga introduction!

Finally, in Term 4, some of our students travelled back to Rotorua to carve their own greenstone pendants at Rākai Jade, creating meaningful taonga to take home. While senior Kiwi students were busy with exams, our international seniors made the most of their time with a range of endof-year activities, including surfing, paddleboarding, an overnight camp in Raglan, Hobbiton, and tackling the challenges of Adrenalin Forest.

One of the most special parts of our programme is watching our students arrive, meet their Kiwi buddies, and form genuine friendships that often last long after they leave New Zealand. We know some of our Kiwi students have even travelled overseas to visit their international friends — a reminder that the connections made here often become lifelong. It’s moments like these that make life in the International Department feel truly magical.

We were incredibly proud to award our International Student of the Year to Miranda Tran, who has made a tremendous impact during her time with us. We wish her — and all of our amazing students — every success for the future.

Learning Centre

The Learning Centre is a vital academic hub supporting a diverse range of students across all year levels and abilities.  The Learning Centre also offers individualized intervention to support students' success. Services include support for additional courses, reader writers, and specialist teachers to maximize students academic and personal potential. Its effectiveness is driven by a team of experienced learning support coordinators, teachers, and aides who work both within the Centre and in mainstream classrooms. The centre also supports holistic development through supporting students in Education Outside The Classroom (EOTC) activities and vocational work placements. The diverse staff expertise enhances rapport, engagement, and student success.

The start of the year brings new faces, and we are delighted that our new staff have already undertaken supporting roles across a number of school sports programs.

We also acknowledge and are preparing to say goodbye to Christine McClymont, who has dedicated 20 years to working with our students. Christine has been a consistent and vital source of support for our vulnerable students. We wish Christine all the best for her retirement.

LIBRARY

What an eventful year we have had in the library this year. We started the year down in Prefab 2 & 3. It was a beautiful spot, watching the students playing on the field or the tennis courts. It was also hilarious watching some students playing in the water while the sprinklers were on. Hopefully their chromebooks weren’t in their bags!

The students enjoyed reading their books on the field, some lying on the mats and others… Well, we’re not sure if they were actually reading or not!

At lunchtime, the library was filled with students reading and playing card games ( including Poker!) Playing Minecraft was also very popular with a few students. There was a happy, friendly vibe with students and librarians getting to know each other.

During this time, Mrs Harrowfield had time off, returning back to the library in Term 4.

We moved back into the main library in Week 8 of Term 3. It was so nice coming back “home” to the new carpet. We are very spoiled. Even more so scoring Mr Gordon’s couch and chairs, making the senior area even more special. We also managed to replace the high tables in the nonfiction room with the old boardroom table. It’s nice being in one place with all the books. A big bonus, of course, is being closer to the coffee machine!

Quite a few students came in to do some pre-exam study during the month of November, which was good to see.

In the last week or two of November, the library had two water incidents; A ball was found blocking the spouting, causing a lot of water to flood into the kitchen area, then the kitchen sink sprung a leak! Our nice new carpet! Fortunately, not too much damage was done.

We look forward to another great year next year – bring on 2026!

Mathematics & Statistics

We have had another busy year with the roll out of the new NCEA curriculum changes, and continue to have large numbers of students studying Mathematics & Statistics at Year 13. It has been great to see the students rising to the challenges of Mathematics competitions as well as their regular learnings and, once again, Ōtūmoetai College has gained significant success.

In the Otago Junior Mathematics Competition, the following students gained Distinction Awards for being in the top 15% of entrants: Benjamin Goddard, Harper Lee, Macklin Whale and Ella Wilce (Year 10). Our juniors continued to excel in the Australian Maths Competition with Distinction Awards (top 20% of entrants) being awarded to Ava Bryant, Benjamin Goddard, Harper Lee, Davin Patel and Macklin Whale (Year 10). A special mention goes to Jaymin Corn (Year 12) for receiving a High Distinction (Top 3% of entrants).

Our senior success acknowledges the following students, studying Mathematics at the University of Canterbury, successfully passing their university papers whilst still at school. Congratulations to Jaymin Corn and Lauren Harris (Year 12) and Felix von Brause, Kaena John, Katie Muspratt, Mackenna Ellis, Millie Beech, Noah Douglas and Zoe Quarmby (Year 13).

In the BOP Mathsmind Competition, we had our Year 9 Teams of Jack Alderson, Will Darmody, Kieran Hutchinson, Kash Ngakuru, Tej Patel, Flora Simonsen, Eli Wantenaar and Katy Woo, and Year 10 Teams of Ruan Botha, Chloe Gilmour, Benjamin Goddard, Caitlyn Grice, Evelyn Hawke, Abby Lavin, Neve Partner and Davin Patel compete in this exciting competition.

We are excited to have a new Head of Department commencing in Term 2, and thank Mr Neil McDermid for his tenure as HOD. We are excited, though, that he will remain within the Mathematics Department. We would also like to acknowledge the contribution of Mr Vaughn Smith and Mr Stephen Binns, and wish them well on their future endeavours. A special acknowledgement goes to the formidable Mr Peter Grant, and his dedication to the department and his students over the last 10 years. We wish him all the best for his retirement.

MEDIA STUDIES

Media Studies is all about how stories are told and, this year, students told some amazing stories.

Year 12 students made short films and showed them at Village Cinema (in the Historic Village). The showing featured a range of documentaries, mockumentaries, horror and silent dystopian thrillers. It was a full house and there was something for everyone, with some impressive skills on display. Special mention should go to Adam Sushames who not only included a humorous cameo from Tom Sainsbury, but also went on to enter his film into the national ‘Onscreen’ film competition, coming away with ‘Best Styling’ and ‘Best Original Score’ in the documentary category.

Year 13 is much more about journalism and understanding Media Industries. Every year, we set the tone with the words of poet Robert Bly, “Where a man’s wound is, that is where his genius will be”. We ask students to find what they really care about, and challenge them to write with more authenticity, academic rigour, and a developed personal voice than they have ever done before. We are really proud of the work they did; they covered often vulnerable topics and were pushed out of their comfort zone, as well as interviewing people like New Zealand Actor, Karl Urban.

This Year 13 Cohort has been a particularly special group as they were the last students to take Level 1 Media Studies before it was discontinued, and many of them plan to study in media-related industries at universities across the country. There is so much to be said about the state of the ‘media’ in New Zealand at the moment, but with intelligent and empathetic storytellers like these students coming through, we can say the future looks bright.

MUSIC

2025 has been another great year for the Music Department. I must start by commending the success and perseverance of Aisha Scott and Bebe Campbell who achieved national success at the Smokefree Rockquest for a second year in a row, placing 2nd in the Solo/Duo Category.

Outside of this achievement, they have recorded and released singles with Dave Baxter (Avalanche City) and Neil Baldock, and performed at c oncerts with Georgia Lines. We wish these amazing young ladies all the best for a bright, creative future.

We enjoyed further national success with Rachel Stevens and George Cowan being national finalists in the Play It Strange songwriting competition. They were given the opportunity to record their song in a professional recording studio, the results of which can be found on the 2025 Ō t ū moetai College alb um.

Under the guidance of Mrs Corisha Hitchcock, the Ō t ū moetai College Choir has gone from strength to strength, receiving a Highly Commended at the Regional Final of the Big Sing and almost doubling its membership in the space of a year.

The Orchestra and String groups, led by Mr Ian O’Malley, Imogen Lowe, and Jackie McCaughan continue to be a place where students of all abilities can hone their instru mental skills, socialise with other like-minded students, and serve their

moetai College Music staff and students involved in the successful productions of Mamma Mia and the Tauranga Musical Theatre production of Jersey Boys.

All aspects of the Music Department continue to grow and thrive, owing to the dedication of Music

MUSIC

OKOHANGA - M Ā ORI DEPARTMENT

The Okohanga Department at Ōtūmoetai College has experienced a period of significant transition as we acknowledge the departure of Maria Veronese from her role as Head of Department. Maria’s leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the growth of Māori education within our kura have laid a strong foundation for the future. Her influence has shaped the direction of Okohanga for many years, and her contribution will be remembered with gratitude.

Looking ahead, we are pleased to welcome Awhina Mikaere, who will step into the role of Head of Okohanga at the beginning of 2026. Awhina brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and a clear vision for strengthening te reo Māori, tikanga, and kaupapa Māori across the college. Her arrival marks an exciting new chapter, with great things on the horizon for the department and our ākonga.

We also want to acknowledge and honour Stevie-Jane Mutu for her exceptional mahi as Teacher in Charge of Kapa Haka. Through her leadership, Ōtūmoetai College proudly returned to the Mātaatua Regional Kapa Haka Competition—our first appearance in nearly a decade. This achievement represents not only artistic excellence but also the resilience, pride, and hard work of our students and whānau.

While the past decade has brought considerable change, the future of Okohanga is marked by a renewed sense of consistency, stability, and focus. With new leadership, strong cultural pillars, and a clear commitment to uplifting Māori success, the department is well-positioned for a powerful and positive new era.

OKOHANGA - M Ā ORI DEPARTMENT

PHYSICAL E DUCATION & HEALTH

POUTAMA

He rangatahi, he rangatira.

Kia māramahia te ora e te akoranga.

Ka kitea, ka kitea, ka kitea!

Poutama is made up of form classes from Tau 9 - Tau 13, where ākonga have opportunities to develop their leadership skills within a whānau-based Māori and Pasifika environment.

Some of these leadership opportunities include serving on the Ruamano Cultural Executive

Kōmiti, and/or applying to be a Poutama Prefect, known as Tātāriki.

A special part of being in Poutama is the whānau environment that our ākonga experience. In Poutama, we often come together to hui and celebrate our successes as a whānau with special Poutama Assemblies and end of term celebrations.

Nā ngā kaiako o Poutama 2025

SCIENCE

This year in Science, our focus has been on growing scientific understanding while strengthening the literacy and numeracy skills that help students make sense of the data behind the discoveries. Across all levels, our budding scientists have mixed, measured, graphed, and questioned their way through a year that’s been anything but average.

Our Year 11 students mixed chemistry with mathematics as they investigated the law of conservation of mass. By carefully measuring the reactants and products of a baking soda and vinegar reaction, they used numerical data to support their written explanations, showing that good science adds up! Their precision in both weighing and wording their results was a true formula for understanding.

Year 9 students turned up the heat while exploring changes of state. They recorded temperature data as ice melted and water boiled, then constructed graphs to explain what was happening to the particles. This task strengthened their ability to read and interpret data visually, proof that graphs can really tell a cool story!

Meanwhile, Year 10 students used numbers and observation to investigate heart rate and exercise. By comparing pulse data and describing the biological processes involved, they combined quantitative reasoning with scientific writing that supports the style of explanation common in the Literacy and Numeracy CAAs they sat this year. Throughout the year, students have measured, analysed, and explained the world around them, showing that with curiosity and persistence, their understanding continues to expand at the speed of light.

Social Science

Social Science is all about studying people, societies and the world around us. Whether it's History, Geography, Economics, Sociology, Classical Studies, Tourism or Social Studies, this learning area is all about making sense of the decisions we make, and how we interact with others and our planet. This year, we travelled Aotearoa/New Zealand-wide to make learning come alive. We mummified bananas to bring the ancient world into the modern day and supported a number of initiatives that help to make our community and our local environment thrive.

If you want to learn about how diverse societies work or how social action can make a real difference in the lives of the people around you, then Social Science is the place for you!

Soft Materials and Processing

The Soft Materials and Processing Department has had an exciting and dynamic 2025, fostering creativity, innovation, and dedicated hands-on learning experiences for all its students. This year truly showcased the practical skills and ingenuity of our students across various disciplines.

Soft Materials Technology

Design and creation were major highlights this year, with students excelling in various fashion-focused events:

HETTANZ Fashion Awards: Students were given the fantastic opportunity to enter the HETTANZ Fashion Awards, designing and creating an exciting garment. While no places were gained this year, ākonga efforts and dedication were truly commendable.

Stitched - Enviro-hub Recycled Fashion Show: This spectacular new event provided a thrilling challenge where students utilized their design and development skills to create incredible upcycled outcomes from recycled clothing items they were given. This experience highlighted the importance of sustainable fashion and allowed students to create innovative garments while minimizing environmental impact.

2025 was a wonderful year defined by spectacular students who are creative, innovative, and dedicated to hands-on learning. The Soft Materials and Processing Department is immensely proud of everything our students have accomplished, and we look forward to another year of success and practical learning in 2026!

Soft Materials and Processing

Special Needs

MAUNGA

Mananui

2025 was a huge success for Manunui! Coming away in 1st place in 2024, this Maunga was hyped and strived for success this year!

Over the course of the year, Manunui was at the forefront of every event. We achieved numerous firstplace wins and had some incredible students finish in the top three in a wide range of events. We have had some awesome teachers who have been nothing but supportive, giving up their lunch breaks to help Manunui rise to the top. Special shoutout to Mr Newton for being the plank GOAT!

Manunui had an incredibly high participation this year, and everyone gave it their all, whether that be through competing or cheering on from the sideline. We also had some amazing Maunga assemblies this year. These were led by Chelsea and Randell, supported by the incredible committee. Each assembly was packed with fun and engaging content, encouraging participation and celebrating our successes. Colours Day was the true culmination of the Manunui spirit. While the athletes were succeeding in each of their events, the band of yellow supporters got behind them, which helped Manunui cap off an amazing year with a 2nd place finish.

A huge THANK YOU to Mrs King and everyone in the committee this year, and we are looking forward to next year, where Manunui will stay on top!

Pūwhenua

This year felt like a genuine turning point in my leadership journey. As leader of the Pūwhenua committee, my role was to organise engaging events, build participation across the green Maunga, and create a sense of belonging for everyone involved.

There were moments when the workload felt overwhelming, and coordinating a committee under pressure required a level of organisation and adaptabili ty I had not fully developed yet. However, it was also during this time that I began to recognise my own capability. Rather than stepping back, I stepped forward, and the reliable Pūwhenua committee consistently supported me. Their teamwork, commitment, and willingness to shoulder responsibility alongside me were the foundation that kept our Maunga running smoothly.

Our outstanding achievements of th e year were Athletics Day and Colours days. The organisation demanded detailed planning, clear communication, and a shared sense of purpose. Coming out trumps at Athletics day was a great start to the year and seeing Pūwhenua win the Colours day trophy was such a powerful moment. It represented not only the success of the events but also the collective effort, determination, and resilience of our com mittee. More personally, it marked a moment where I realised how much I had grown. I no longer saw myself as someone simply occupying a leadership role, but as a leader who could adapt, motivate others, and guide a team.

The absolute highlight was winning Colours Day, but the real achievement was the development of my confidence, capability, and leadership identity throughout the year.

By Piper Emery

Maunganui

This year has been a standout one for the Maunga system, marked by energy, teamwork, and a whole lot of fun. From our infamous Car-Jam Competition to the muchawaited Colours Day, every event was designed to bring our Maunga together -- and it worked. Participation soared, the cheering was loud, and our team spirit was stronger than ever. Behind the scenes, the committee worked hard to plan, organise, and hype each activity, and we’re proud of the success we achieved.

Thank you to everyone who showed up, got involved, and helped make this year unforgettable -- without you, Maunganui wouldn’t be engraved on the Taonga for the first, but certainly not the last, time!

Here’s to an even bigger and better year ahead with our upcoming leaders, Josh Blackstock and Ash Forster.

Otanewainuku

The spirit of unity, hard work, and school pride came alive in 2025 for not only Ōtanewainuku but every Maunga. This year, Dayna and I were privileged enough to have an extremely supportive committee, and the spirit from our Maunga classes really shone. Whether it was the athletic skill displayed on the sports field, the creativity shown in cultural and artistic events, or the spirit and enthusiasm demonstrated in the academic challenges, Ōtanewainuku had a stellar year.

Colours Day, being one of our most thrilling moments for the Maunga, where our incredible creativity and dedication were reflected in not only their outfits but their collaboration. Although everything great doesn't come without its challenges. Leadership can always be stressful at times, whether it be organising assemblies in short spaces of time, or embarrassing yourself to make others laugh (especially in the Tinky Winky teletubbies costume). However, in retrospect, every challenge is worth it in the end. I believe all of us Maunga leaders can agree that this year was one of great innovation and spark, and it definitely went out with a bang. Catch ya later, Stevie :)

It has truly been a privilege to serve as one of the Ōtanewainuku leaders alongside Stevie this year. With the support of our dedicated and passionate committee, as well as our teacher in charge, Ms Weaver, we began the year strong and carried that momentum right through to the end. It has been one busy year, running and participating in various events that ranged from Colours Day to the Car Jam to Maths Week, as well as ongoing assemblies throughout the year, each one bringing its own excitement and challenges. What made these events so special was seeing so many students get involved, show their Maunga pride, and contribute to the energy and spirit of Ōtanewainuku. From this, we’ve realised that while winning may seem like the ultimate goal, what matters far more is seeing everyone come together and sharing smiles and fun along the way.

I am beyond grateful for this leadership opportunity and for the lessons, skills, and memories. We are now signing out and handing over the position to the 2026 leaders, Edward Webb and Chelsea Williamson, and we can’t wait to see them absolutely thrive. Dayna Bennett

Karewa

Despite our final overall standing, Karewa had an epic year! Millie and Reilly and the committee were uber organised with assemblies and meetings. Assemblies were always fun and filled with games and of course the chant practice! We didn't do so well in the big early events, such as Athletics Day and Swimming Sports. However, we made up for this with strong performances in the Plank comp. and Bottle Flip comp. early on. Some highlights for the year were winning the SVA Foodbank Drive and Colours Day.

On Colours Day - thanks to Hamish Ogilvy MacLean - we won the competitive relays and the chant competition and were coming first for a time. Unfortunately, our efforts in the tug of war let us down.

Next year we welcome Holly Inglis-Collis, Mia Picard, and Harry Mills as our leaders. So, I say watch out to every other Maunga as we are coming for the top spot!

Maunga Challenges

SPORTS YEAR 2025

SPORT / OTUMOETAI COLLEGE

Words from the Director of Sport Ian Ridgway

Ōtūmoetai College Sport 2025 — A Year of Growth, Grit, and Pride

This year has been another exceptional chapter for sport at Ōtūmoetai College, with our student athletes once again showcasing their talent, resilience, and determination across an impressive array of codes. Their achievements continue to reflect our core values: Respect for self and All –Kia Whakaute, Strive for personal excellence – Kia Rangatira, Working Together – Kia Kotahi, and Standing Strong – Kia Kaha. These values have remained at the heart of every training session, competition, and celebration that has occurred throughout 2025.

Our success is the result of a truly collective effort. The dedication of our school staff, the tireless contributions of volunteer coaches and managers, to the unwavering support of parents and whānau, and the commitment of our Sports Department — Chris Matheson, Emma Henderson, Dennis Playford, and Deb McBride — have all played a vital role in shaping another remarkable year.

A major feature of 2025 was the continued strengthening of the Te Pou Tū Ki Te Rangi sports exchange with Hillcrest High School. Now firmly embedded in our sporting calendar, this exchange once again brought together hundreds of athletes in a celebration of competition, connection, and kotahitanga. The event continues to grow in prestige and remains a highlight for students and staff alike.

None of this success would be possible without the passion, energy, and aroha of our community. We extend our sincere thanks to every coach, manager, parent, and supporter who stands alongside our student athletes, helping them reach their potential both in sport and in life.

As we look ahead to 2026, we do so with both excitement and optimism. This year has reinforced what makes sport at Ōtūmoetai College so special: a commitment to excellence, a spirit of togetherness, and a belief in the power of young people to achieve extraordinary things. Together, we celebrate another year of pride in the green, black, and white — and the countless stories of character, teamwork, and triumph that make Ōtūmoetai College sport what it is!

We had 18 students attend the Go412 Adventure Race in Haumoana/Napier. These students competed in either a 6 hour or 12 hour race involving kayaking, mountain biking, orienteering, coasteering, canyoning and mystery activities. Congratulations to all our students who raced.

Our school achieved the following placings: Cooper Chapman-Taylor, Maric Henderson and Harry Black came 2nd in the 6 hour male division. Austin Fisken, Max Fitzgerald and Tom Parkes came 3rd in the 6 hour male division. Emily Baker, Sam Calderwood and Kate Faitl came 2nd in the 6 hour female division.

ADVENTURE RACING

In the Term 3 'Get2Go' challenge, we had two teams - one Year 9 team of four girls and four boys, and one Year 10 team. Both teams competed extremely well, gaining our highest placing ever of 3rd equal. With some more rock-climbing and orienteering training, we have a chance of winning in 2026.

Next year, one of the focuses for our senior racers will be the Hillary Challenge, a fun but demanding group challenge in the Central North Island.

ATHLETICS

In February, our girls’ team made school history by winning the Dianne Rodgers Trophy in the Secondary Schools 1500m at the Porritt Meet in Hamilton. It’s the first time we’ve ever won it! Here’s how our team did:

Kate Faitl: 4:48.30 (Personal Best, 3rd overall), Daisy Ruthe: 4:48.64 (4th overall), Mackenzie Hetherington: 5:04.30 (Personal Best, 9th), Ava Bryant: 5:24.06 (Personal Best, 15th)

Additionally, Kate smashed it in the 800m at the Porritt Youth Meet earlier in the morning, clocking a personal best of 2:18.41 and grabbing 2nd place!

2025 Geneva Wellbeing NZ Road Relay Champs

Huge congrats to our awesome ŌTC girls — Mackenzie Hetherington, Ava Bryant, Kate Faitl, and Daisy Ruthe — who represented Athletics Tauranga at the 2025 Geneva Wellbeing NZ Road Relay Champs in Feilding. Racing in the U16 four-person relay, they absolutely smashed it, taking GOLD ahead of Pakuranga (2nd) and Feilding Moa (3rd).

We had eight students compete at WAIBOP Athletics Champs in Hamilton, with six gaining the following placings:

Cassidy Wright - 2nd Girls’ High Jump Junior

Daisy Ruthe - 1st Girls’ 1500m Junior & 2nd Girls 800m Junior

Eliza Dunn - 2nd Girls’ 300m Junior

Isabelle Duske - 2nd Girls’ 400m Intermediate

Mackenzie Hetherington - 2nd Girls’ 1500m Junior & 2nd Girls 3000m Junior

Sophia Mason - 1st Girls’ Javelin 500g Intermediate

We also had eight students compete at North Island Secondary School Athletics Champs in Hamilton, with two gaining the following placings:

Daisy Ruthe - 2nd Girls’ 1500m Junior & 3rd Girls 800m Junior

Mackenzie Hetherington - 2nd Girls’ 3000m Junior

School Athletics Day – February 2025

Our annual School Athletics Day, held in February, was an outstanding celebration of sporting spirit, participation, and talent. With a record number of students competing, the atmosphere was electric as athletes pushed themselves to new heights. The day was marked by exceptional performances, numerous school records broken, and an abundance of fun and Maunga pride.

New Records – Junior Girls

800m: Daisy Ruthe – 2m 26.49s

1500m: Daisy Ruthe – 5m 01.94s

80m Hurdles: Whai Te Ake Ake – 17.45s

New Records – Intermediate Girls

400m: Isabelle Duske – 1m 02.23s

800m: Kate Faitl – 2m 20.43s

1500m: Kate Faitl – 5m 04.34s

Athletics Champions

Junior Boys Champion: Tim Ford

Junior Girls Champion: Eliza Dunn

Intermediate Boys Champion: Willie Rossouw

Intermediate Girls Champions: Maia Basile & Isabelle Duske

Badminton

The 2025 Badminton season was Ōtūmoetai’s biggest and best yet, reflecting remarkable growth and impressive results. With over 100 players participating, we had three competitive squads alongside two social groups, demonstrating its immense popularity. Ōtūmoetai was lucky enough to see the return of the ever-popular Coach John, whose dedication and enthusiasm for his work are endless (much like his lunge drills!)

The Highlights

Bay of Plenty Championships: Our teams achieved outstanding success at the Bay of Plenty (BOP) Senior and Junior Championships.

Six senior teams qualified for the BOP Senior Champs, with five teams medalling, including one gaining 3rd in Girls’ Division 1.

Five junior teams qualified for the BOP Junior Champs, with four teams medalling - including one winning the Junior Girls’ Division 1 title.

National Secondary Schools Championships in Wellington: This year, both our Girls’ team –composed of Jasdeep Deol, Neeve Wilson, Olivia Shefferd, Daniella Pugh and Gemma Peake –and our Boys’ team – Lachlan Shefferd, Ryan Baveystock, Sven Van der Wagt, Seb Percy, and Seth Sutton – were selected to attend Nationals, recording our best ever finishes at the National Secondary School Championships:

The Girls team placed 12th overall.

The Boys team placed 18th overall.

Badminton

The annual School Championships were exceptionally well attended, showcasing the depth of talent and enthusiasm within the school. The results:

Junior Boys Champion - Ryan Baveystock

Junior Girls Champion - Olivia Shefferd

Senior Boys Champion - Lachlan Shefferd

Senior Girls Champion - Jasdeep Deol

This year sets a new benchmark for Badminton, combining incredible participation numbers with recordbreaking competitive achievements.

Basketball

The 2025 basketball season kicked off with the BOPSS 3x3 Championships in March, where our college was proudly represented by five teams competing across five divisions. Congratulations to our Junior A Boys, who went through the round-robin stage undefeated, narrowly missing the championship title after an intense final that ended 19–21 on the buzzer. Further congratulations to our Junior B Boys, who secured third place in Division 2.

Our Senior A Boys travelled to Whanganui for the HoopNation Junior Showcase. In this pre-season tournament, they represented 3D Basketball and impressively reached the final, finishing runners-up to a strong Wellington side. Special recognition goes to Nate Ratana for his selection in the Rising Stars Squad, and to Luca Henderson and Travis Playford for being named in the All Stars 5

This year saw remarkable growth in basketball participation, with five Junior Boys teams, eight Senior Boys teams, and one All-Age Girls team. Player numbers have soared from just over 50 in 2023 to more than 130 in 2025, reflecting the growing enthusiasm and development of the sport within our college.

At the BOPSS Junior Championships in August, our Junior Boys B team went undefeated to claim the Division 3 title — a fantastic achievement. Meanwhile, at the BOPSS Senior Championships, our Senior Boys topped their pool and were crowned Baywide Champions.

A special mention must go to our Girls team and their dedicated coaches, Henry and Candy Luatua. Through their passion and commitment, our girls’ skills developed significantly throughout the season, and they represented the college at the Regional Championships in Tauranga — the first time in many years that our school has competed at this level. The experience gained will provide a strong foundation and renewed confidence heading into 2026. Congratulations also to the following players for their selection into the Tauranga City Basketball Association Representative Teams:

Luca Henderson – U18A

Beau Marsters – U18B

Travis Playford – U18B

Cory Aldridge-Burgess – U16B

Sovann Thompson – U16A

Indie-Rose Dwyer-Vianello – U16B

We also extend our sincere thanks and congratulations to our Year 13 leavers — Jack Pearce, Luca Henderson, Randell Pito, Luca Mockford, and Conrad McIntyre — for their five years of service and dedication to basketball. Their leadership has helped elevate the sport and set a strong foundation for future players.

BEACH VOLLEYBALL

BOPSS Year 9 Beach Volleyball Champs - Term 4 2024

What an incredible day of action at the BOPSS Year 9 Beach Volleyball Champs. Our school sent THREE talented teams to compete, and they brought their Agame, dominating the sand in style. Acknowledgements go to:

Maisie Young and Talia Hester, who battled their way to a well-earned Bronze in Division 1!

Phoenix Robertson and Cameron Reinsfield, who also stormed to a Bronze in Division 1!

Te Awa Korohina-Maude and Louis Thomson, who topped the podium and took home the Gold in Division 2!

BOPSS Year 10 Beach Volleyball Champs - Term 4 2024

What an electrifying day of beach volleyball at the BOPSS Y10 Beach Volleyball Champs! Our athletes put on a spectacular show, with five girls’ teams and three boys’ teams giving it their all on the sand. Here’s the rundown of the thrilling action: Boys’ Side: A Day of Victories and Close Calls!

Division 1: Huge congratulations to Aiden Taljaardt and Ari Bussenschutt for an outstanding silver medal finish! They fought hard and came up just short in an epic final, but their performance was nothing short of stellar.

Division 2: Our two boys’ teams were on fire! Both teams won their quarter-final matches, setting up an all-ŌTC semi-final. In a nail-biting face-off, Willie Rossouw and Lachlan Green came out on top, then powering through the final to take gold!

Finn Playford and Ashton Jarratt showed incredible resilience, bouncing back from the loss in the semifinal to claim bronze.

BEACH VOLLEYBALL

Girls’ Side: ŌTC Dominates the Sand!

Division 1: Sophie Stocks and Ava Wright fought hard but lost a tight quarter-final. Despite the setback, they showed grit and determination, finishing a respectable 5th overall. Well played, girls!

Division 2: Our girls’ teams absolutely dominated, with all four teams securing victories to set up an allŌTC semi-final showdown! The competition was fierce, but Makena Daisley and Annie Park took the gold with an impressive performance, proving that they are a force to be reckoned with on the sand!

Big shout-outs to our other teams who made it all the way to the semi-finals: Georgia Cook & Indie-Rose Dwyer-Vianello, Fianna Gardner & Ayla Parker, and Fenella Price & Charli McDonald. You all played with heart and skill, and we couldn’t be prouder!

New Zealand Secondary Schools Beach Volleyball Championships

We had seven girls teams and four boys teams competing at the New Zealand Secondary School Beach Volleyball Championships at Mount Maunganui in February. The weather was hot and the action was scorching!

CANOE SLALOM

Individual Results

Paige Martley

1st – C2 U18 Women

2nd – Kayak Cross Women

2nd – C2 Teams (BOP Composite Tea

3rd – K1 U18 Women

3rd – C1 U18 Women

3rd – Freestyle U18 Women

Ella Wilce

3rd – K1 U16 Women

5th – C2 U16 Mixed (with Marley)

5th – C2 U16 Men (with Marley)

Marley Sykes

4th – C1 U16 Men

5th – K1 U16 Men

5th – C2 U16 Mixed (with Ella)

During the April school holidays, our Canoe Slalom athletes delivered an outstanding set of performances at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Canoe Slalom Nationals, held in Tekapo. Competing against schools from across the country, the Ōtūmoetai College team demonstrated exceptional skill, determination, and teamwork.

Represented by Paige Martley, Marley Sykes, and Ella Wilce, Ōtūmoetai College achieved remarkable success, placing 3rd overall in the Small Schools category (for schools with six or fewer athletes) and an impressive 5th overall out of all 23 participating schools.

5th – C2 U16 Men (with Ella)

Team Events – Ōtūmoetai College

(Paige, Ella, Marley)

3rd – K1 Teams U18 Men

3rd – C1 Teams U18 Men

Cricket

What a sensational year it has been for cricket at Ōtūmoetai College! Our 2024/2025 season will undoubtedly be remembered as a landmark year, highlighted by both our Boys’ First XI and Girls’ First XI qualifying for the prestigious Northern Districts Finals in March. This incredible joint achievement is a testament to a great group of players, parents, and coaches’ dedication to cricket.

The success of the Boys’ First XI was particularly historic, as their qualification for the Northern Districts Finals marked the first time the boys' side had reached this stage in 18 years. This milestone demonstrates the exciting progress and bright future of boys' cricket at the school.

The Girls’ First XI enjoyed a truly exceptional year that saw them competing at the highest level nationally. In December 2024, the team travelled to the National Finals at Lincoln, gaining incredible experience playing on some of the best wickets in the country. They carried this elite experience forward, returning to the Northern Districts Finals in March 2025 and successfully qualifying to represent Northern Districts at the National Finals for the second consecutive year—an outstanding accomplishment!

Cricket

Individual brilliance also shone brightly, especially with Grace Duncan’s magnificent century in a T20 fixture against Aquinas College. It was a spectacular display of batting.

Adding to the list of successes, both the boys' and girls' teams secured wins against Hillcrest High School in the inaugural summer sports exchange, setting a fantastic precedent for this new inter-school competition.

As the season wraps up, we must also bid a heartfelt farewell to an outstanding group of Year 13 students who have shown incredible commitment to Ōtūmoetai College cricket. A massive thank you to Luca Mockford, Issac Loye, Marshall Flint, Grace Duncan, Miah Smith, and Mackenzie Grant—all of whom have worn the Ōtūmoetai College colours for an impressive five years. Your dedication has been instrumental in shaping the culture and success of the teams.

We look forward to building on this historic momentum next season!

CROSS COUNTRY

In June of this year, 10 runners went to the NZSS Cross Country Championships, held in Whangarei. Ultimately, what they achieved was s omething far beyond what they had expected, winning the gold medal in t he Year 9 Girls’ Cross-Country six-person-team event. It was quite an i ncredible achievement, given that Ō t ū moetai College hasn’t won a t eam’s gold medal at the National Championships in 35 years. The team

w as made up of Mackenzie Heatherington, Eliza Dunn, Daisy Ruthe, H eidi Young, Georgia Duske and Poppy Hinde. The three person team of D aisy, Mackenzie and Eliza also secured a silver medal.

W e’re immensely proud of the girls for the performance they put in, and t he way they represented our school at the highest level, taking out this N ZSS Championship. Also of note was Kate Fatil in the Under 16 Girls,

w here she finished sixth place. Given the 800 school students competing

a t these National Championships and the prestige that a New Zealand

t itle is held in, we wish to congratulate these girls on their performances.

W e also had quite the day at the BOPSS Cross Country Champs at W aipuna Park in May. Massive shoutout to our 16 incredible runners who

g ave it their all across four age groups!

Year 9 Girls: 1st – Daisy Ruthe (11:24), 3rd – Mackenzie Hetherington ( 12:00)

Junior Girls: 1st – Kate Faitl (11:39), 2nd – Ava Bryant (12:32)

Under 17 Girls: 1st – Maia Basile (18:07), 3rd – Isabelle Duske (19:09)

Senior Girls: 3rd – Sophie Garrett (17:44)

P roud of every single one of our athletes – you represented Ō TC with h eart, determination, and pride!

O ur distance runners hit Waipuna Park again in August for the Waikato Bay of Plenty Secondary Schools Cross Country Champs – and they a bsolutely delivered!

I n the Year 9 Girls 3000m, Daisy Ruthe dominated the field with a p owerful run to take 1st place, with Mackenzie Hetherington not far b ehind claiming 2nd – a 1-2 punch for Ō TC!

I n the Junior Girls 3000m, Kate Faitl stormed home to a 2nd place p odium finish, with Ava Bryant showing serious grit to secure 4th. F inally, in the Senior Girls 4000m, A lightning-fast race saw Sophie G arrett finish strong in 4th, closely followed by Maia Basile in 5th – a fierce effort from both girls!

FOOTBALL

It has been another exceptional year for football at Ōtūmoetai College, with both our Boys’ and Girls’ 1st XI teams achieving outstanding success and showcasing the strength of our football programme.

Our Boys’ 1st XI had an incredible season, going unbeaten in the Baywide Youth Premier Division with nine wins and one draw, earning them the title of League Champions. Their strong form continued into the Malcolm Cowie Cup, where they maintained their unbeaten run through the group stages before falling narrowly in the semi-finals to the eventual winners, Liston College, finishing with a welldeserved 3rd place overall.

Our Girls’ 1st XI also enjoyed an unforgettable season, highlighted by a remarkable 2nd-place finish at the NZ Secondary Schools National Tournament in Taupō. The team produced a series of outstanding performances throughout the week, ultimately going down to a very strong Mount Albert Grammar School in the final. This incredible achievement is a testament to the team’s skill, resilience, and unity — something they can be immensely proud of.

It has been so pleasing to see our 1st teams performing at such a high level, and with growing participation in football across the school, the future of the game at Ōtūmoetai College looks brighter than ever. Congratulations to all players and coaches on a truly outstanding season!

FUSTAL

Our Senior Girls Futsal Team delivered a spectacular performance at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Futsal Tournament, held during Summer Tournament Week in Wellington. Demonstrating outstanding teamwork, determination, and skill, the team fought their way to the grand final, ultimately securing an incredible 2nd place in New Zealand. This is a phenomenal achievement and a testament to the dedication of both players and staff.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Caitlin Byrne (Coach), Kyly Duncan (Manager), Kelly Griffiths (Physio), and everyone who supported the team throughout the tournament; Your guidance and encouragement made this success possible.

Further congratulations are also in order for our Junior Girls, Junior Boys, and Senior Boys Futsal Teams, who all achieved 2nd place at the Futsal Northern Regional Tournament here in Tauranga. Their efforts, sportsmanship, and consistency across the competition were outstanding.

Thank you to Jack Boland, Joe Dixon, Lara Rickey, Nathan Farey, Nic King, Chris Matheson, and the entire support crew for your commitment to preparing our athletes, and contributing to another successful campaign on the futsal court.

The college is immensely proud of all our futsal teams and their remarkable achievements this season.

Golf

In March of this year, six of our talented golfers proudly represented our college at the Bay of Plenty Secondary Schools Golf Championships in Ōpōtiki. The team displayed excellent composure and sportsmanship on a challenging course, rising to the occasion amongst strong regional competition.

In addition to the championship event, our golfers also had the opportunity to enjoy a fantastic day out on the beautiful Kawerau course, making the most of the fine weather and valuable game experience.

GYMNASTICS

Huge congratulations to our talented Ō TC gymnasts who competed at the Gymnastics

NZ Nationals in Auckland during the first week of the school holidays!

Andrejka Bennett, Adelle King, Elisa Edwards, and Mila Edwards represented us with amazing skill and dedication.

Results

Mila Edwards (Level 6) – 3rd place in Ball

Andrejka Bennett (Level 9) –3rd in Hoop and 4th in Clubs

Elisa Edwards (Level 9) –2nd Overall, 1st in Ball, 2nd in Ribbon, and 4th in Hoop

Incredible results, girls –we’re so proud of your hard work and success!

HILLCREST SUMMER EXCHANGE

The Te Pou Tū Ki Te Rangi was established in 2024 and was created to acknowledge the initiation of a biannual sports exchange (Summer and Winter) between Hillcrest High School (Hamilton) and Ōtūmoetai College.

On Tuesday 4th of March, Ōtūmoetai College hosted the first Summer sports exchange with Hillcrest High School – two games of cricket, four games of futsal, and four games of volleyball. Congratulations to Ōtūmoetai College for winning six of the ten games and retaining the Te Pou Tū Ki Te Rangi.

A special thank you to the student athletes from Hillcrest High School and Ōtūmoetai College. Your sportsmanship throughout the day was outstanding, and a testament to your school values!

These exchanges are incredible opportunities for our student-athletes, not just to compete, but to represent ŌTC with pride as they strive to be victorious in securing the Te Pou Tū Ki Te Rangi.

Thursday, 14th of August, will be remembered as a huge day for Ōtūmoetai College sport! Over 200 of our student athletes, along with coaches, managers, and staff, hit the road bright and early—departing at 6:30am—to cross the Kaimais for our first AWAY sports exchange with Hillcrest High School for decades.

We were welcomed with a moving pōwhiri that set the tone for a day filled with fierce competition, school pride, and unforgettable moments. From the first whistle to the last, every match was hard-fought, with sportsmanship shining both on and off the field/court — a true reflection of our school values.

Playing on Hillcrest’s home turf/courts during school hours, with shoulder-to-shoulder spectators, gave our athletes a taste of high-intensity sport in a packed atmosphere. And just like last year, the exchange came down to the wire… but Ōtūmoetai College claimed victory, winning the Te Pou Tū Ki Te Rangi 11–9!

A massive thank you to the Sports Departments of both schools, and to every coach, manager, and staff member who helped create a day our student athletes will never forget.

HILLCREST WINTER EXCHANGE

Hockey - Boys

The 2025 season was a successful one for boys’ hockey at Ōtūmoetai College, with both the 1st and 2nd XI teams achieving strong results and showing solid development. The 2nd XI made great progress throughout the year, earning promotion from the Championship 2 to the Championship 1 Division midway through the season, and recording several impressive wins as they adjusted to the higher level of competition. Their improvement reflected the hard work put in at training, and sets a strong foundation for future seasons.

The 1st XI also had an impressive year, finishing runners-up in the local Tauranga competition after a strong run of results against local schools, such as wins over Tauranga Boys’ College, Mount College, Aquinas College, Te Puke High School and Papamoa College. They carried that momentum into the Regional Midlands Secondary Schools Competition, where they went on to win Division 2, defeating an unbeaten St Peter’s Cambridge 1st XI in the final.

At the Tier 3 Mayhill Cup Tournament, the team faced both eventual finalists, Trident High School and Westlake Boys’ High, in closely contested 2-1 defeats, before rebounding to finish 11th at the tournament. Overall, it was a season of solid performances and excellent results for Ōtūmoetai College boys’ hockey, highlighting the strength of the programme and the talent and commitment of the players, with both teams showing growth and achieving success.

Hockey - Girls

This year, the structure of our girls' hockey program underwent a bit of a change, and the success was highlighted in our fantastic local-round competition and Winter Tournament results.

Our girls’ 1st XI finished 1st in the Senior Premier League and 6th in the Tier 2 tournament in Wellington.

Our 2nd XI White and Teal teams all made the finals of their local competitions, and the 2nd XI won their respective tournament in Whangārei.

This was an outstanding result for all our teams and shows what a strong pool of players we have here at Ōtūmoetai College.

It is exciting to see what the future of girls’ hockey holds at ŌTC.

Indoor Bowls

BOPSS Indoor Bowls

June marked a remarkable moment for our Indoor Bowls programme, as Ōtūmoetai College celebrated the first time in several years that two of our teams advanced at the Bay of Plenty Secondary Schools Indoor Bowls Championships. This achievement reflects the growing strength and depth of talent within our squad.

A special congratulations goes to Keira Mewis and Anae Garratt, who delivered an exceptional performance to secure 2nd place. Their consistency, focus, and teamwork were clear standouts on the day.

NZSS Indoor Bowls

We are also incredibly proud of our students’ achievements at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Indoor Bowls Championships. Anae Garratt impressed on the national stage, placing 5th in the Plate event and 5th in the Pairs Plate alongside Keira Mewis. With more than 40 competitors from across the country, this is a truly outstanding result and a testament to their dedication to the sport.

This tournament also marked a bittersweet milestone, as it was the final time Anae Garratt and Keira Mewis would compete together after many years as a remarkable pairing. Their partnership, sportsmanship, and shared journey have been nothing short of inspiring.

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Our Ōtūmoetai College Mountain Biking team has enjoyed an action-packed and highly successful year on the trails. We extend a huge congratulations to all riders who represented the College with determination, courage, and pride across regional and national events.

North Island and National Championships

A big commendation goes to our athletes who took on the North Island MTB Championships, showcasing impressive talent against strong competition.

We also give a special acknowledgement to Abby Miller, Zandru De Bruin, and Rijandre De Bruin, who proudly represented Ōtūmoetai College at the Mountain Biking Nationals in Nelson. Despite battling some challenging weather conditions, these riders demonstrated resilience and dedication, tackling demanding trails with exceptional effort. An outstanding accomplishment — well done team!

BOPSS Mountain Biking Championships

On Friday 16 and Saturday 17 May, our riders delivered a phenomenal performance at the Bay of Plenty Secondary Schools MTB Championships, held at the picturesque Summerhill Mountainbike Park in Pāpāmoa. The team showcased superb skill across Technical Testing, Cross Country, and Enduro disciplines, earning multiple podium finishes.

Podium Results

Technical Testing

U16: Rijandre De Bruin – 1st

U17: Zandru De Bruin – 1st

U15: Carter van Vliet – 3rd

U16: Emily Baker– 1st

U16: Sam Calderwood – 2nd

Cross Country

U16: Sam Calderwood – 1st, Emily Baker – 2nd

U16: Austin Fisken – 2nd

U20: Zach Pretorius – 2nd

Enduro

U15: Jessie Forster – 3rd

U16: Austin Fisken – 3rd

U16: Sam Calderwood – 1st, Emily Baker – 2nd

U20: Abby Miller – 1st

N e t b a l l

What a spectacular season of action on the netball courts! With eighteen teams proudly representing our school, it has been immensely rewarding to witness our entire netball community—players, coaches, umpires, and managers—working together. Their shared passion and energy were central to building an inclusive program that provided meaningful opportunities for athletes of all abilities.

The Heart of the Program: Dedication and Aroha

The success of the 2025 season rests on the shoulders of our tireless volunteers. A huge shoutout to our exceptional student coaches, who served as outstanding role models for our younger athletes: Victoria Geck, Maia Greaves, Saige McDonald, Chelsea Williamson, Olive Reay, Holly Fiest, Cadence Grant, Carly Dunn, and Olivia Antcliff.

We also extend our deepest gratitude to our teacher coaches, Kim Schumacher and Emma Smith, and our dedicated parent coaches: Jo-Marie Baker, Olivia Young, Cusla Loomb, Sarah Te Mete, David Brown, Kyla Schols, Ana and Jordan Andrews, Susan and Craig Grant, Emma Henderson, and Louvaine Wreaks. Without their generous gift of time, energy, and aroha, our rangatahi would not have had the chance to grow their skills and play the game they love. Thank you for your invaluable contributions, both on and off the court.

Season Highlights: When the Pressure Was On

This season saw a remarkable series of achievements across the grades, with the majority of our teams successfully earning a place in the semi-finals. Our collective ‘team spirit’ shone through in every match. Premier 1 Grit: The Premier 1 team competed strongly throughout the season, culminating in a brilliant display of grit and flair at the UNISS Tournament. Unfortunately, they were narrowly knocked out of contention for the Top Four by a crucial two-point margin.

The Premier 3 (Junior 1) team triumphed in a thrilling final against Te Puke Senior A, winning by a single, heart-stopping one-point advantage.

Our Premier 4 (9A) team competed strongly against a number of Senior A teams and were commendable Runners-Up in the Senior A grade.

The 9B team absolutely dominated their grade all season and convincingly won the Year 9 - A Grade.

Senior White Triumph: The Senior White team dominated their grade and clinched the final with impressive flair.

The Y9 Red team won their grade with fantastic team camaraderie.

National and Regional Recognition

We are incredibly proud of the numerous players who were selected for representative teams this year, demonstrating their dedication and passion at a higher level:

U18 Representative: Georgie Miller and Lize Terblanche

U16 Representative: Chelsea Williamson, Kaia Burney, Milla Scholes, and Georgia Bailey

U14 Representative: Millie Hathaway, Aza Maeroa, and Cassidy Wright

A massive congratulations also goes to Nathaniel Young for his selection into the Waikato Men’s team that competed in the Nationals—an incredible achievement!

Magic in the Making

A huge shout-out is due to Chelsea Williamson and Lize Terblanche, who were selected for the prestigious Magic in the Making camp. Both athletes displayed excellent ability, competing against the best in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty region. Chelsea’s hard work saw her advance to the final twenty, who will head to the Netball NZ camp. We are tremendously proud of these hardworking and diligent players.

A special mention and immense gratitude goes to Chris Matheson for her dedication to the weekly coordination of our umpires. Her efforts are essential to the smooth running of every game, and we are hugely appreciative.

Thank you to every member of our netball community whose support and hard mahi made all the difference. This season has contributed immensely to the well-being of our tamariki.

Together, we are stronger. Bring on 2026!

NOT-SO SPORTS CLUB BOYS

In Term 4, Ōtūmoetai College has officially launched its new Not So Sports Club for Boys, an inclusive initiative designed to get students active in a fun, low-pressure environment. The club provides an alternative for those who may not typically participate in competitive sport but still want to move, connect, and have a good time.

Each session focuses on participation, friendship, and enjoyment, with a variety of games and challenges that emphasise teamwork and laughter over scoreboards and results. From dodgeball and ultimate frisbee to obstacle courses and team relays, the club celebrates movement in all its forms.

The initiative aims to build confidence, promote well-being, and encourage positive attitudes towards physical activity. It’s about showing that sport doesn’t have to be serious to be valuable — sometimes, the best wins are the smiles and shared moments along the way.

The Not So Sports Club for Boys will be back in 2026 and is open to all students who want to give something new a go — no experience needed, just a willingness to join in and have fun. A huge thank you to the amazing staff members who have supported these young men; Dave Williams, Ian Ridgway and Vaughan Smith.

NOT-SO SPORTS CLUB GIRLS

An alternative sports group for wahine to join at ŌTC to gain confidence and experience in new activities with like-minded tauira, without the pressure of competition.

This year has seen a variety of activities available to this group, including surfing, skateboarding, mini golf, bowling, archery, rock climbing, yoga, waka ama, Golf 360, Nia dance, judo, seal spotting while walking around Mauao, soaking in the hot pools, or hydroslides at Baywave - lots of opportunities!

This year, the group has had a lot of fun, overcome fears, challenged themselves, and supported their peers in the activities. Our thanks go to Forward Foundation, who sponsor this group, and Mrs Price, for her support this year. Bring on 2026!

RACQUET SPORTS

2025 has been another positive year for Racquet Sports at Ōtūmoetai College. The highlight of the year would be our girls’ Squash team, who again placed third in New Zealand at their National event in Wellington. The team was strongly led by Year 13 student Erin Wyllie, who was also selected for the National team. Erin played in the annual TransTasman challenge, as well as the World Junior Squash Championships held in Egypt. She has been a fantastic leader throughout her 5 years here at school.

Tennis has continued to grow this year, with a good number of students competing in the BOP Tennis Championships. Congratulations to Koh Hirai (Boys) and Chelsea Olesen (Girls), who won our Senior Tennis Championships.

The rise of Pickleball at ŌTC has continued with 24 very keen students regularly attending lunchtime sessions in the school gym during Terms 2 and 3. After a hotly contested junior boys’ school championship, Brian Corn and Erik Helnes came through in a play-off to defend their title. Credit also

ROCK CLIMBING

On Friday 13th of June, Ōtūmoetai College was proudly represented by 13 talented climbers at the Bay of Plenty Secondary Schools Rock Climbing Championships, held in Mount Maunganui. Our athletes tackled a range of challenging routes with determination, strength, and impressive skill, making for a fantastic day of competition. A huge congratulations to:

Vans Gasapo, who secured an exceptional 2nd place in the Junior Boys, and

Paquita Newman, who climbed brilliantly to achieve 3rd place in the Senior Girls.

Both climbers demonstrated outstanding technique and composure on the wall, and we are immensely proud of their achievements.

Well done to the entire team for representing Ōtūmoetai College with energy, focus, and school pride!

ROWING

A Season of Dedication and Triumphs

The Ōtūmoetai College rowing season was marked by incredible commitment and standout achievements at every level of competition. The row season was defined by the relentless dedication of our student-athletes who committed to training sessions on and off the water, pushing their physical and mental limits to improve technique, endurance, and speed. This hard work paid off, as several crews secured places in prestigious A-finals at both the North Island Secondary School Regatta and the Maadi Cup, the national secondary school championship.

Their results are a testament not only to the rowers' perseverance but also to the strategic guidance of our highly capable rowing coaches and James Forster, the ŌTC Strength & Conditioning coach.

Beyond the medals and competitive success, the 2025 season truly solidified the squad's vibrant culture, emphasising teamwork, discipline, and friendship.

The 2025 school season finished on an undeniable high, giving both returning and new rowers an exciting foundation of success and spirit to build upon for the coming season, with our eye already on Maadi 2026 in Twizel.

R O W I N G

A special mention goes to the rowers who received awards this year.

Most Improved Novice Girl: Hettie MacLean

Most Improved Novice Boy: Ollie Dixon-Saunders, Jayden Pinkerton

Outstanding Coxswain: Olivia Shefferd

Attitude & Sportsmanship: Ollie Dixon-Saunders

Sportsmanship & Ability: Kaia Burney

Most Improved Rower: Evelyn Hawke

Best Performed Rower: Arthur Crimmins

Commitment & Longevity: Asha Reid

Rowing Honours Awards for Outstanding performance in attitude and contribution to Rowing, as well as the Crew of the Year:

Evelyn Hawke, Kaia Burney, Ruby Dowling, Paige van Dijk, Olivia Shefferd (coxswain)

Rowing Blues Award for Excellence Achievement, Representative Honours, Attitude and Contribution to Rowing:

Arthur Crimmins

Asha Reid

Tasmin Jacka

Anahera Hawke

Crowther Cup - Excellence in an individual sport (male): Arthur Crimmins

Supreme Service to Sport Award - Coaching: Kaylee Cattley

RUIGBY

Building for the Future: The 2025 Barbarians Rugby Programme

The Barbarians Rugby programme has continued to thrive in 2025, embodying the spirit of teamwork, resilience, and connection that defines rugby at Ōtūmoetai College. This year has seen remarkable growth across all teams, from the junior girls to the senior boys, supported by an exceptional group of coaches, managers, and support staff whose commitment has shaped a season to remember.

A Year of Development and Determination

Our Junior Girls’ squad, led by the supportive guidance of James Henderson and Claire Galloway, made huge strides this season. Sophia Mason, Suzie Heke, and Hayleigh Puhipuhi shone throughout the year, earning recognition for their consistency, grit, and positive influence both on and off the field. The girls’ programme continues to provide a strong foundation for future senior success — a testament to the leadership and inclusive culture being built at the grassroots level.

The U14 Boys showed what passion and teamwork can achieve. Under the guidance of Takawai Edwards, Andrew Hutchison, Logan Brown, Morgan Holtom, and Lance Macdonald, the team demonstrated both skill development and unity, culminating in outstanding performances across the season. Jacob Macdonald was named Most Improved, Judah Matautia received the Barbarians Award, and Hemi Falwasser-Kipa earned Player of the Year, while Keiran Hutchison proudly claimed the prestigious Excellence in Rugby – Black Family Trophy.

Rising Through the Ranks

Our U16s exemplified the Barbarians’ spirit of hard work and humility. Guided by Andy Bartrum, Sōme, and James Black, with essential physio support from Blair Jarratt (Bureta Physiotherapy), the squad’s development was evident in their discipline and determination. Cooper Chapman-Taylor earned Most Improved, Sam Pacey was recognised with the Barbarians Award, and Zandru De Bruin took out Player of the Year. These young men have set a powerful example for those who follow.

RUIGBY

The 1st XV – Setting the Standard

At the pinnacle of our programme, the 1st XV continued to demonstrate the culture of excellence and brotherhood that makes Barbarians Rugby unique. With Jason Shepard, Francois Nel, and Wayne Becker providing strategic and pastoral leadership, and Field Technician Joe ensuring the team had the best on-field preparation, the players stepped up across all fronts. Ryan Adams claimed Most Improved, Harry Mills received the Barbarians Award, and Frederick Goodson was named Player of the Year, rounding off a stellar campaign marked by determination and pride.

Gratitude and Acknowledgement

The success of Barbarians Rugby is never achieved alone. Our thanks go to the wider community of parents, sponsors, and partners who make this programme possible, including Bethlehem College, ACG, and Ōtūmoetai College, whose collaboration has helped create a high-quality environment for development. A special thank you goes to Joe Macpherson, Richard Brown, and Bryce Lawrence, whose leadership and vision continue to shape the identity and future of the Barbarians.

We would also like to recognise the ongoing support from our sponsors — Marshalls Innovations, Pak’nSave Cameron Road, and Bower Real Estate — as well as our well-established partnerships with Bureta Physiotherapy and Becker Signs. Their commitment to the programme ensures our players and coaches are supported both on and off the field.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 season has been about more than results — it’s been about building for the future. Every player, coach, and volunteer has played their part in strengthening the foundation of a programme that continues to produce skilled athletes and strong young people. The Barbarians Rugby Programme stands as a symbol of what can be achieved when passion meets purpose, and the best is yet to come.

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING

The Strength & Conditioning (S&C) programme at Ōtūmoetai College has experienced exceptional growth over the past year, expanding from 156 student-athletes in 2024 to over 560 in 2025. This growth reflects the increasing engagement and recognition of S&C as a core component of athlete development across the college.

A key driver of this expansion has been the introduction of sport-specific and sports academy sessions, which have provided targeted training opportunities, aligned with the needs of different sporting codes and performance levels. These structured pathways have not only enhanced athlete preparation and physical literacy, but also created a clear development framework that connects junior participants through to senior performance athletes.

This growth highlights the strengthening of collaboration between coaches, TiCs, and the S&C department, reinforcing ŌTC’s commitment to long-term athlete development and sports performance excellence.

Students vs. Staff

2025 marked a record-breaking year for our Year 13 vs Staff sporting clashes, with an impressive nine sports contested across all four terms. The action kicked off in February with beach volleyball, where the staff set the tone early with a hard-fought victory. The competition heated up quickly with futsal, basketball, and badminton. Our Year 13s claimed two of these three encounters—an outstanding achievement, especially with our girls’ futsal squad competing as NZ finalists and the Year 13 basketball team featuring a New Zealand Junior Tall Black squad member.

Next came the crowd favourite: volleyball. In one of the most thrilling matches of the year, the staff edged out a nail-biting 35–33 win, much to the delight of the packed gym.

As Summer approached, the battles moved outdoors. Touch rugby went the way of the staff, followed by a fiercely contested netball fixture that ended in a rare and well-deserved draw. Football and hockey wrapped up the series, with the staff securing wins in both.

A small disclaimer: on the occasions when the staff were short a player, an exceptional student—or two— may have stepped in to keep the competition alive!

More Than Just Games

These events have become a beloved highlight on our school calendar, bringing energy, camaraderie, and plenty of entertainment for participants and spectators alike. The opportunity for students to challenge their teachers on the field or court creates memorable moments of laughter, teamwork, and spirited rivalry. Most importantly, these games strengthen the bond within our kura community. They help break down barriers, build mutual respect, and foster a sense of unity and belonging—both in and

Here’s to another year of competition, connection, and school spirit. Bring on 2026!

SWIMMING/SWIMMING SPORTS

Swimming Sports - May 2025

Swimming Sports took place at Ōtūmoetai Pools in May and showcased another impressive display of determination and school spirit. Students dove into their events with energy and commitment.

A big thank-you goes to our dedicated timekeepers, staff, and volunteers whose support ensures the success of this school event.

Swimming Champions

Junior Boys Champion: Kieran Hutchison

Junior Girls Champion: Georgia Duske

Intermediate Boys Champion: Ryan Baveystock

Intermediate Girls Champion: Chloe Whittington

Senior Boys Champion: Andres Bejarano Valdazo

Senior Girls Champion: Paige Martley

Special Education Boys Champion: Lemuel Tablac

Special Education Girls Champion: Georgia Macniven

Congratulations to Georgia Duske who competed in the Division II National Swimming Competition in Auckland! She came away from the national meet with 2nd places in 100Fly and 400IM and 3rd in 100Back and 50Back for her age group.

Tauranga Artistic Swimming proudly congratulates Nika Pankratova on her exceptional achievements at the New Zealand Artistic Swimming North Island Championships, held in Auckland over the weekend. Competing as part of the Tauranga team, Nika delivered outstanding performances — earning a gold medal in the youth team routine and a silver medal in the junior tech routine. Her hard work, dedication, and team spirit truly shone through. Nika also competed at the Oceania Open Artistic Swimming Championships and the 2025 New Zealand National Championships in Wellington.

Nika Pankratova

TRIATHLON

Well done to our six triathletes who completed the BOPSS Triathlon in Ōhope in March – an amazing effort by all.

Congratulations to Kate Faitl for taking home the U16 Gold Medal and Sophie Garrett for taking home the U19 Gold Medal. Both Kate and Sophie were trailing after the bike leg, but both put in impressive runs to take home the GOLD.

During the Summer Tournament week, Kate, Sophie, Ava Bryant and Louis Cairns made the trip down to Wānaka for Nationals, with Sophie crossing the finishing line in an impressive 4th place in the U19’s age group.

A special mention to Ava Bryant, who also competed in the Aquathon Nationals, and placed 5th in the U16’s age group.

ULTIMATE FRISBEE

Ōtūmoetai College students have had a strong year in Ultimate Frisbee, competing at the Bay of Plenty Championships; senior teams in Term 1, and junior teams in Term 4.

We fielded a Girls’ team and a Boys’ team at the BOPSS Senior Champs. The girls only had five players, and they played seven with their only defeat to Mount Maunganui College 3-4. What a fantastic effort with no subs! The boys had some tough games against teams heading to Ultimate Nationals, but played with a lot of enthusiasm! The spirit awards went to Grace and Lachlan.

On the field, they have demonstrated Kia Rangatira by striving for personal excellence in their throwing, catching, and fitness skills; Kia Kotahi by working together through smart team strategy and communication; Kia Whakaute by showing respect for teammates, opponents, and the spirit of fair play; and Kia Kaha by standing strong with focus, resilience, and a positive attitude, even under pressure.

VOLLEYBALL BOYS

Ōtūmoetai College junior volleyball had a remarkable 2024 season. The Year 9 team finished 10th at the Bay of Plenty Championships and emerged as the top Year 9 boys’ team in the North Island, with standout performances from Cameron Reinsfield and Te Awa Korohina-Maude. The Year 10 team secured 3rd place at the Bay of Plenty Championships and 10th at the North Island Secondary School Championships, narrowly missing a quarter-final berth. Exceptional contributions came from Willie Rossouw and Ashton Jarratt.

In Term 1 of 2025, the season continued with three teams competing in the BOP Senior Championships. The Senior A boys finished 5th, while the B and C teams gained valuable experience for their young talent. We then took two teams to the NZ Secondary School Nationals. The B side faced strong competition and made positive improvements throughout the week, under the leadership of Marcus Harman and Christian Timms. The A team entered the tournament with high hopes, but faced early challenges. However, by the end of the week, they played impressive volleyball, highlighted by a number of outstanding performances from Bradley Wiessing.

At the end of the 2024/25 season, Shane Blake concluded his remarkable competitive coaching career at Ōtūmoetai College. For over 30 years, Shane has been a cornerstone of the boys' program, playing a pivotal role in securing numerous National and North Island titles and medals. We express our deepest gratitude for all he has contributed to the Ōtūmoetai College boys’ volleyball program. His positive impact has influenced thousands of players over the years, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations. Thank you Blakey!

VOLLEYBALL GIRLS

What a huge year for our Girls Volleyball Program!

The highlight of the junior season was competing in the BOP Championships in Rotorua, and the North Island Secondary Schools (NISS) tournament in Auckland. For the 12th time, the Senior A team journeyed to the Gold Coast, where we went to the Australia Schools Cup. The girls achieved outstanding results, securing a fantastic 2nd place in the Open Honors competition.

Term 1 of 2025 kicked off with incredible participation, boasting 20 teams competing, showcasing the depth and enthusiasm across the school. The season built momentum, culminating at the New Zealand Secondary Schools (NZSS) tournament in Palmerston North, where both the Senior A and B teams performed admirably.

A massive thank you to all coaches and managers involved, the legend that is Stewart Henderson for all his efforts with volleyball in general, and especially our Senior A. Further thanks go to Steve Meredith, Sasha Solomona, Tim Solomona for their help with the Senior Girls’ teams and finally, all the coaches and managers who put in the time with the juniors in Term 4.

WATERPOLO

This year, Ōtūmoetai College Water Polo is truly making waves! We have an exciting, developing team packed with great players who are already showing huge promise in the pool.

Our juniors and seniors have been teaming up throughout the year, demonstrating incredible dedication and team spirit. This commitment saw us enter two teams in the local league in Term One, with one continuing to play this term. Together, they've been working hard to firmly establish water polo as a growing force at Ōtūmoetai College. The hard work is paying off!

Our Junior team is set to represent the college at the North Island Secondary Schools (NISS) Water Polo Championships in Auckland this November. Our success wouldn't be possible without the unwavering support of Manager Emma Henderson and Coach Taylor Svendson. Thank you!

WRESTLING

Ōtūmoetai College was proudly represented by two dedicated athletes at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Wrestling Nationals in Auckland, and both students delivered exceptional performances on the national stage.

Vincent Fabert showcased strength and skill throughout the tournament, earning a well-deserved bronze medal in the U17 71kg Division. This is an outstanding achievement in a highly competitive field.

Competing in his first-ever national tournament, Finn Playford demonstrated impressive determination and composure, finishing 4th in the U15 62kg Division—a remarkable debut effort.

Vincent continued his strong season by competing at the Club Nationals in Dunedin, where he achieved 2nd place in Greco and 4th in Freestyle, further cementing his status as a rising star in the sport.

Kia

ora e te whānau,

Design & Proofreading team

2025 was an amazing year here at Ōtūmoetai College! I was lucky enough to be at the helm of Trek magazine again. One of the best things about working on this publication has got to be seeing the amazing things our ākonga have achieved this year. There is so much variety - from successes in various sports, to crafting beautiful artwork, stories and poems, to running committees and activities that have enriched students' lives. There’s so much variety, it’s impossible to concentrate on just one thing. Speaking of TREK itself, this is the fourth year TREK has been distributed in a digital format. Our team of TREKKIES are wonderfully talented students with an incredible eye for design, and they brought their own flair and personalities to the magazine. We want TREK 2025 to reflect the vibrant and engaging community both here at school and out in the community. I am so impressed with what the incredible TREKKIES have done.

As always, putting together a publication of this size wouldn’t be possible without the help and input of some exceptional people at Ōtūmoetai College. We would like to thank the heads of departments, our teachers, our coaches, administrators, volunteers, and members of our wider school community for making sure all information was shared with us in a timely manner this year, allowing us more time to dedicate to the creative aspects of our magazine. We also need to thank our incredible librarians Carolyn Harrowfield and Vanessa Gibbs. As the TREK committee, we were huddled away at the back of the library, sitting and staring at our screens all day. These lovely ladies offered us support and help, not to mention the ‘secret’ biscuit stash we were allowed to eat every day! We would also like to thank the wonderful Adam Sushames, who gave many hours to this project, helping with proofreading.

Finally, the biggest thank you must go to the three outstanding Year 10 students who are the reason you are reading this publication today. Assembling more than 150 pages is a daunting task for anyone, but these three keen students did it with no complaints and with a smile on their faces. What an excellent group of students to work with! To Milla, Emily and Nixon - you have been true assets to the TREK committee and thank you again for all your hard work.

I am so proud of this publication and have learnt so much about the school from doing this - an added bonus. I wish everybody a safe and happy Christmas and New Year, and I’ll see you all back here in 2026!

2025 Committee:

Staff: Frances McAdam.

Students on design: Nixon Gill, Emily Brooks, Milla Reid.

Proofreader: Adam Sushames.