School News

Year 10 Camp

The Year 10 Camp will take place in Term 4, from the 2nd to the 5th of December, at the beautiful Kai Iwi Lakes. This stunning location provides the perfect setting for a range of outdoor activities, including kayaking, swimming, paddle boarding, and team challenges.

The cost of the camp is $150 per student. Payments can be made in instalments through the school office; however, please note that full payment must be completed prior to camp.

We are also seeking parent helpers to join us on this exciting adventure. If you are interested in being part of this memorable experience, please contact Adrian Cooling at adrian.cooling@otamatea.school.nz

 

Long skirts and Lavalava are now available!

Long skirts and Lavalavas are now an option for students to wear as part of their school uniform.
They can be purchased directly from Bethells uniform shop in Whangarei in store as well as online; following the link below:
https://www.bethellsuniforms.co.nz/product/plain-black-box-pleat-ankle-length-skirt-by-bethells-uniforms/ 

Providing a new warm option for students. Any student can purchase a long skirt and lavalava however there are limited sizes available at this stage. 
Long skirts can also be purchased from Skelton's drapery in Paparoa. 

            Lavalava                         Long skirt 

Year 11 Spanish – Visit to the Latin Market

On Saturday 27 July, our Year 11 Spanish students attended the Latin Market at La Pachamama Store Latino. The event was full of flavour, colour, and culture. Students enjoyed tasting traditional foods from across Latin America, including Colombian arepas, Argentinian asado, Chilean empanadas, Mexican tacos, and Peruvian ceviche. They also had the chance to buy products from different cultures, listen to traditional music, and even dance along.

A special highlight was when the organizer gifted the students a packet of ‘yerba mate’, reinforcing their knowledge of this iconic drink and its cultural significance in South America.

We were delighted to share the experience with students from Whangārei Boys High School, making it a lively and collaborative intercultural encounter. The day was a fantastic opportunity for our students to engage with the language in context, while celebrating the diversity and richness of Latin American culture.

 

It has been a very busy term for the Library and in the Library. 

Thanks to sponsorship from the "Kaipara District Public Library" we were able to host author Des Hunt to come speak to the Y9's and most of the Y8's. Des' visit has been something that has been subsequently discussed as he melds the science into his presentations. Not to be left out, the Year 12's, Year 7's ( and the last Year 8 class) and several other groups had visits by Jane Arthur, Racheal Craw, Apirana Taylor and Kanapu Rangitauria which was sponsored by the " Storylines Tour".  

12 Year 7's and Year 8's participated in the Te Tai Tokerau Book Battle 2025 in Whangārei on the 12th September. The Book Battle is a combination of questions about 7 prescribed reads and general literacy questions. It was run by the NZ Literacy Association. Our Teams, Grace, Solomea, Senuthmi, Amelia, Kaushik, Petra, Delphine, Rosina, Zene, Harper, Lucy and Charlie have been very dedicated over the last few months attending the practices, reading and certainly did their best. Thanks to Mrs Linnel for all her support. 

This term the library has been swathed in yellow ( there are more books with yellow covers than you think) to help raise awareness for Daffodil day and we celebrated the Aotearoa School Libraries Week. With approximately 2/3's of schools NOT having the dedicated services and access to a school library due to the Government not allocating funds for school libraries  we are very fortunate that the Board of Trustees and the Senior Leadership Team have prioritised having a library at Ōtamatea. 

Ending the term, we are celebrating Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori. Due to exams we have postponed the Inter-iwi chess till Term 4 Week 1. 

Collegiate Hockey 2025 Season

The Collegiate Hockey 2025 Season came to a close with a resounding victory, with the final goal being a result of great teamwork between Percy McLeod, Lienair Atkins and Ethan Cato as they were crowded by the opposing team. The spectators' cheers couldn't have been louder when the ball hit the back of the goal! Well Done! 

It has been a rather challenging season with several new to hockey players, a few rounds of sickness, and some rather horrible Monday night weather. The team has stuck together, with Felix Le Mesurier - Cowboue being a great exemplar of what a captain is. He, together with vice - captain Paige Berghan, has cheered, corralled and trained the team into a cohesive unit.  Goalie Max Senior has stopped some gnarly goals, Cooper Massey, with his fantastic long hits getting the ball back to the forwards, along with Teela Knight have been pivotal to the back line of defense. Liam Hosford has turned up every week with unbridled enthusiasm, Luke Rout with diligence and great ball techniques, and Lucy Ward with her experience and calm. Sophie Dale, Chloe Henley and Alyanna Hodgson have shuck the newbie mantle, with their confidence on the field improving and really showing through in their later games. A big thank you to Coach Mr Jarvis for his time during breaks and at the games. 

Next Year is going to be an exciting year and the Summer Season is going to be fun to watch! 

 

My Journey at the RYPEN Leadership Camp

On the 22nd of August, I went down to the Shakespear Open Sanctuary in Whangaparaoa to participate in a rotary organised RYPEN leadership camp for year 11 & 12 students. The area was beautiful and we stayed at the YMCA lodge, which is right in the middle of a predator free sanctuary. Over the weekend, I participated in many activities such as team building, adventure based learning, leadership activities, community service, and raft building. We went on an amazing sunrise hike and spent a lot of time out in the sun. This is such a special opportunity to have been offered, expanding the diversity and experience within the students and bringing in a unique perspective. It was truly worth it. Going to this camp gave me the opportunity to talk to other students who are hoping to be prefects and/or student leaders and we shared goals and compared aspirations for what we want to accomplish in our remaining schooling years. There are many amazing opportunities open to me from this experience, and connections that I’ve made with interesting people that I’d never have met otherwise. The camp was definitely a step outside of my comfort zone, but it benefited me in so many ways. I learnt valuable leadership skills, interpersonal and communication skills along with the want to push myself and take up more opportunities.

By Amy Weber

From Farm to Feast: Year 7 & 8 Science

To celebrate the end of our Science on the Farm unit, Year 7 and 8 students rolled up their sleeves and got hands-on with a fun and delicious activity. After weeks of learning about forces, different kinds of farms and the products they produce, and how raw materials from the farm are turned into everyday items, it was time to put that knowledge into action — in the kitchen!

Students worked together to make fry bread and tu cream into real butter. As they took tus shaking a jar full of cream, they explored how physical changes — like agitation and temperature — can transform cream into butter. Watching the cream thicken and separate into edible butter was definitely a highlight!

Making fry bread also helped students understand how heat and rising agents cause chemical changes — and the tasty results made all the effort worth it.

The lesson ended with a shared feast, full of laughter, teamwork, and a real sense of achievement. A perfect way to round out the term!

Year 7 Social Studies: Polynesian and British Migration to Aotearoa.

This term, our Year 7 Social Studies students have been on an incredible leaing jouey, exploring the rich history of Polynesian and British migration to Aotearoa. The students have truly shown what they're capable of, putting in some amazing hard work on their recent assessment!

The assessment had two parts: a detailed timeline and a 3D model. For the timeline, students presented their understanding of the early migrations, starting with Kupe's discovery of Aotearoa and leading up to British settlement in Aotearoa. 

The students also created fantastic 3D models! These models were based on either Polynesian and British navigation or settlement. Many chose to build waka hourua while others recreated James Cook's ship, the Endeavour. We also had some amazing settlement models, including a detailed recreation of a marae. 

We are so incredibly proud of the dedication and creativity our students have shown. Their amazing assignments are a testament to their hard mahi and their new understanding of the incredible voyages that shaped Aotearoa's history. Ka pai, Year 7’s!

A Day of Fun at Rainbow's End!

On Sunday, September 14th, 40 of our Year 7 and 8 students had an absolute blast at Rainbow's End, thanks to a special event organized by Blue Light.

Blue Light is a fantastic charity that works in partnership with the New Zealand Police to create fun, community-based programs for our youth. This event was a wonderful opportunity for our students to let loose and have a well-deserved day of fun.

From the thrilling rides to the delicious food, our students had an unforgettable time. It was so great to see them laughing, making memories with their friends, and enjoying the day. We are so grateful to Blue Light for giving our students this amazing experience.

Duke Of Edinburgh's Hillary Award Gold Ceremony Saturday September 6th Otago Boys High School, Dunedin

Sophie Lawson, Analiese Allen and Alicia Moir received their Gold Awards from Peter Hillary at a formal ceremony held at Otago Boys High School.
This was the culmination of four years of extra curricular activities from bronze, silver and gold levels. The activities consisted of adventurous joueys, skills, recreation, community service and an extra residential section at the gold level.The girls now join a select few who have completed their DOE Gold Award. It was a very proud moment for Mrs Bruce (Award Leader), Ken Hames (DOE National Chairperson) and Sophie's parents who were at the ceremony to support them.
Following are the girls' citations as found in the ceremony programme:

Analiese Allen: Taking part in the Award helped me build confidence, resilience and leadership skills through real-world challenges. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me the value of teamwork and commitment.

Sophie Lawson: The Award taught me to appreciate the beauty in the world around me and pushed me out of my comfort zone on many occasions. It made me appreciate how much I am capable of if I put my mind to it.

Alicia Moir: The Award positively impacted all aspects of wellbeing (physical,mental/emotional and social). It also helped me with university, getting a job, scholarships and learning life long skills.

Congratulations to you all ! I know that through your journey there have been moments of doubt, challenge and even thoughts of giving up....but you didn't ! That's what makes this award so special and very meaningful.
Thank you to the bushcraft instructors, mentors, shadow parties, parents, the school  and our wider community for supporting these young people through their Award journey.

Robyn Bruce
Award Leader

 

AIMS GAMES

Riley Kemp travelled to the AIMS games and played golf. Riley can be really proud of himself as he placed 22nd overall in the 9 hole competition out of 70 competitors from all around the Country.

Denika Clooney Representing NZ at the 2025 School Sport Australia All Schools Cross Country.

Denika competed in the individual race for 16/17 year old girls and placed 8th overall out of 32 competitors from NZ and Australia with a time of 14.50. Denika was then a member of the Under 20s Girls team (5 team members) who won gold for this division.

ESOL Trip 

On Thursday 24 July, our ESOL students had the opportunity to explore some important places of local culture and history. We began with a visit to the Kauri Museum, where students learned about the history of the kauri tree, the people who worked with it, and its role in shaping the region. The exhibits and stories gave them a deeper understanding of New Zealand’s heritage.

In the afternoon, we travelled to Whangārei to the Hundertwasser Art Centre & Wairau Māori Art Gallery. Our guide, Geva, welcomed us warmly and led us through an inspiring tour. Students explored the ideas behind Hundertwasser’s art and visited the special exhibition of a New Zealand artist featuring a bouncing castle. Everyone joined in to play, sketch their impressions, and reflect on the connections between art and fun. We also enjoyed the gardens with native plants and the stunning views of Whangārei. 

The day ended with a relaxed shared lunch, bringing everyone together to enjoy good food and conversation. It was a wonderful day of learning, art, and connection.

Hidden in Hollywood: A Night to Remember!

On Saturday, the 16th of August, our Year 11-13 students were transported to the golden age of cinema for the 2025 School Ball, themed "Hidden in Hollywood." Even a rainy evening couldn't dampen the spirits for what was a truly spectacular night.

For the first time, the ball was held off the school site at the stunning Matakana Stables. The venue was beautifully decorated with masks and photos from classic Hollywood and golden stars with the Year 13’s names on lined the red carpet entrance, creating a mysterious and glamorous atmosphere.

Our students looked absolutely amazing in their formal attire, and their behaviour was exceptional throughout the evening. The dancefloor was pumping all night long thanks to a fantastic DJ, with everyone celebrating and making wonderful memories.

A highlight of the evening is always the announcement of the ball awards. A big congratulations to this year's winners:

• King: Isaiah Pere
• Queen: Tennessee Brewer
• Prince: Dion Sheppard
• Princess: Olivia Alcock
• Cutest Couple: Emily Downs and Josh Scheepers
• Best Dressed: O'shana Crane-Lima
• Life of the Party: Maggie Burke

Thank you to all the staff, organisers, and students who made the night such a resounding success.  A huge congratulations must go to our dedicated Ball Committee, led by the incredible O’shana and Shania, who did a wonderful job organising the event and ensuring every detail was perfect. It was a fantastic evening of fun, friendship, and Hollywood glamour!

 

Northland Mathex: A Night of Success!

What an amazing Thursday night at the Northland Mathex competition! We were incredibly proud to enter six teams this year—three from Year 7 and three from Year 8. All 22 students represented our school with fantastic sportsmanship and enthusiasm.

One of our Year 7 teams had a particularly exciting night, earning a very close second place! The competition was fierce, with the top three teams answering every single question correctly. First and second place came down to a tie-breaker based on the number of attempts to answer questions. Our team had an impressive 35 attempts, coming in just behind the winning team's 34.

Every student demonstrated our school values throughout the evening, and we celebrated their hard work and success with a well-deserved stop at McDonald's on the way home.

Otamatea Year 8s Shine at Blue Light PCT Challenge

Congratulations to Otamatea's Year 8 students—Lloyd Puckey, Avani Nathan, Pippa Hanna, and Koia Kingi—who proudly represented their school at the North Rodney Blue Light PCT team challenge! This was a momentous occasion, marking the first time the event has been held in our area in 13 years.

Supported by local police, the students tackled a variety of physical activities that mirrored the fitness test required for police officers. This challenge was a fantastic opportunity for them to not only test their physical abilities but also to strengthen their teamwork skills.

While they didn't advance to the National PCT finals in Auckland, their performance was truly inspiring. The students gained valuable skills, made lasting memories, and represented Otamatea with great pride. This is an exciting annual event, and we look forward to cheering on future students who take on the challenge!

Paige B Shines in Biology Olympiad Success

Paige B passed her biology olympiad exam!! This means she is now into the tutorial programme which has self directed tutorials, running from September - April. 
From there, she will need to sit another exam to get the chance to attend biology camp, and potentially be selected for the NZ team to compete in Lithuania
Here are some details
Very cool! 
 

Inter-iwi Mathex

We held our inter-iwi mathex recently. Two teams of 4 students from each iwi competed to race the clock and answer maths questions. Congratulations to Whatua for gaining the most points and winning the inter-iwi mathex! Thank you very much to our Year 13 Calculus students for being our markers for the event!

98 Students Tackle the Bay of Islands Beast

Perfect weather for a great day at the Bay of Island Beast. The students had a blast. Some very muddy and some a little to clean. We took around 98 students. They ran just under 6kms.

Moss Safari - Yr 9 Science

The year 9 scientists of Otamatea High School went on an insightful and enthralling adventure this term, not too far away, but one right under our feet. They embarked on a Moss Safari! Many students were in awe of the microscopic world they discovered. Many students exclaimed “Wow can we do this all year!” and also chose to stay in at lunch to continue their search for the enigmatic creatures. The students worked hard during this project to develop their skills in microscopy, making observations, drawing scientific diagrams and increasing their scientific literacy. They have been gaining knowledge on cytology (cell biology), microorganisms and adaptations that these resilient species have developed to survive in their microhabitat. A special thanks to Murray Emson, our incredible science technician for making this project possible and to the science department for all their support of our young tamariki. 

I am so proud of our students! Miss Lane.

A message from Josiah Kaleta about his experience this term:

This term we have been learning about microorganisms. If you don’t know what microorganisms are, they are basically living things you can’t see with the naked eye, but you can see them with a microscope. Before this term I was never excited about science class until the moss safari, when everyone goes outside to collect moss from different places and brings it back inside to look at it under a microscope. 

Reporoa Exchange

This was the 59th year for the long standing exchange. 

The results :

Futsal - Lost, thanks to Richard Westlake for reffing.

Basketball Boys and Girls - Win, thanks to Eli Pere for reffing

Rugby - Win, thanks to Llew Smart for reffing

Netball - Win, thanks Taira Phillips and Pyper Buxton for umpiring.

Volleyball - Lost, thanks Quentin Clough for reffing

Debate - Lost, thanks to our adjudicators Huia Cole, Grant McCallum and Deb Clapperton.

I would like to give a huge thanks to our wonderful umpires and refs for taking the time to help out. Also, thanks to Jane Warrington for the amazing dinner, which everyone loved.

Next year will mark the 60th exchange, which will be in Reporoa.

 

The Nook

The Nook is Otamatea’s space for writers to be inspired and to flex their creative prowess through words. No Chat GPT word salads here; we value our human experiences and bring them into our writing.

The group meets fortnightly in K6 and is run by two English teachers who love writing, Mrs Poole and Miss Barnes. The Nook started in 2023 and has grown to over 35 members this year. Students from across all year levels enjoy connecting with fellow like-minded creatives and, of course, partaking in the delicious baking brought in by volunteers each week. 

This term, The Nook is holding our annual Flash Fiction competition, where students enter a piece of writing that must be less than 300 words. Short pieces are often harder to write as each word counts - literally. This competition is open to all students at Otamatea High School (not just Nook members) and the details are as follows:

• Pieces must be submitted to rebecca.poole@otamatea.school.nz by midnight on Sunday 5 October (end of the holidays).
• The word count may not exceed 300 words (excluding the title). 
• If you are struggling to start - you could use this prompt: include a person from the past, train tracks, a domestic animal and the colour blue. These aspects can be a small part of your story and can be interpreted how you wish e.g. train tracks can appear in a dream, seen out the window as a character rides the bus, etc

4 prizes will be awarded for: Highly commended, 3rd, 2nd and 1st place, and will be a range of canteen vouchers and prezzy cards.

Everybody’s so creative! Get writing and be in it to win it