School News

Kerikeri Primary Industries Trip 2025

On Thursday 4th of September the Level 1 Primary Industries class left for a two day trip to Kerikeri to visit various primary industries. First up was a visit to a fruit packhouse and coolstore in Waipapa where we learned how kiwifruit and lemons are packed and stored for export. We then visited a lemon and kiwifruit orchard and learned all about the growing and harvesting of kiwifruit and lemons. The final stop for the day was at a large dairy farm close to Okaihau which farmed 1200 cows. We were able to see the large rotary cowshed in action and many of the students were even able to have a go at putting the cups on. One of the highlights of the day was seeing and interacting with the newborn calves. That night we stayed in Paihia at the Bay of Islands Holiday Park. The next morning we headed to Pāmu farms (Landcorp) where we saw a large avocado orchard and tasted some freshly harvested blueberries (a highlight for many) and a beef farm where they explained the use of the Halter virtual fencing technology. We then headed back to OHS after an enjoyable couple of days.

Thanks to Ladene for assisting on the trip and driving very carefully as always.

Bio Trip to the Zoo 

The Year 12 Biology classes had an awesome day out at the zoo Friday, October 17th, and the weather couldn't have been better! 

The main event was a super informative talk that tied directly into the upcoming Genetics and Variation external exam. We focused on concepts like genetic drift and the bottleneck effect, with a cool twist: applying it all to New Zealand's own endemic species. It was a genuinely interesting session that made those tricky terms much easier to grasp.

After the talk, we got free time to wander. Midday meant lots of sleepy animals, but that actually made for amazing photo ops! We had the tigers right up against the glass and the majestic lions totally chilled out, lazing in the sun. A surprise was seeing—and smelling—the rare Corpse Flower in bloom.

It was a brilliant trip—really useful, engaging, and a great way to link our classroom learning to the real world. 

Snowplanet Trip 

On the 17th of October myself and my Sport Leadership class visited Snowplanet as an engaging ‘outdoor’ activity. For many, balance and stamina were at times obsolete but laughs and curiosity were endless.

This experience at Snowplanet provided myself and my peers with the opportunity to challenge ourselves physically and for me, mentally. During our one hour guidance session with the instructors, we were given insights on balance, coordination and specific positions to stabilize ourselves if we were daring enough to go down the slopes; and we all did! Throughout the day, it was evident that everyone was both super excited to celebrate others' progress as well as determined to try new things such as going down a slope or even standing up confidently. There were numerous highlights from this experience which predominantly vary from watching the majority of my classmates attempt the biggest slope, Layla and Dion effortlessly landing a jump from the big slope and also Harrison attempting a jump but the snow having other plans. Overall, this experience was connection enhancing and I would definitely recommend it to others.

Gold DOE Training Tangihua

On the last weekend of the holidays six students completed their gold training in the Tangihuas. The students tramped into the Tangihua Hut and set up their tents. The rest of the afternoon was spent refreshing hut etiquette, food, clothing, map and compass to name a few topics covered. The group spent the next day tramping to the other side of the forest where they spent the afternoon building bivvys to sleep in. There was a heavy rain forecast,so they needed to work hard on their designs to make them watertight.
The rain was gone by morning and some had fared better than others...all part of the experience!
The morning was spent on map and compass skills. A stream was navigated along, a compass bearing set for the camp site and lots of bush bashing later..success...the campsite was reached!
This activity is always a highlight of a gold training weekend ,as it's so much more fun than following a marked track all the time. It really tests your belief in and accuracy of the compass bearing.
The group are now looking forward to their practice tramp to Mt Taranaki on Labour weekend and to their qualifying tramp to the Top Forks/Gillespie track in the South Island in December.
A HUGE thank you to our instructors, Ken Hames and Robyn Bruce. Thank you also to our helpers Sheryl Cullen and James Andrews. 

THANK YOU
This was Ken Hames' last association with the Otamatea High School DOE programme.
For the last thirteen years our DOE students have been lucky enough to have Ken freely give his time to help train, shadow, share his love and stories of the great outdoors.
We appreciate what Ken has done for the numerous groups he has worked with along the way and I know that it always gives him the greatest of pride to be present at the gold certificate ceremonies to see our students receive their awards in his capacity as DOE New Zealand Hillary Award Board Chair.
Your help, guidance, friendship and support has been very much valued over the years. Thank you, Ken.

Robyn Bruce
Award Leader

DOE Mt Taranaki Practice Tramp

On Friday 23rd October Lilly, Chanelle, Denika, Olive, Mosese,Josh and their shadow party travelled to Dawson Falls Carpark (904m), Mt Taranaki to complete their gold practice tramp.
The group tramped up to Kapuni Lodge (1400m). They got their daypacks ready to explore the scree slopes and climb up to Syme Hut (1966m) The mountain was beautiful with its icy coating of snow glistening in the late afternoon sun.
Saturday morning saw the group tramp to Holly Hut via the upper track crossing an amazing new swing bridge that spanned the Manganui Gorge.
 On Sunday,the weather had broken overnight and mountain views were lost as the group crossed the Ahukawakawa Swamp and climbed up to the brand new Pouakai Hut. The wind and rain set in during the afternoon and a very competitive game of five crowns was played.
Monday saw the group tramping in very strong winds past the famous reflective tarn, Maude Peak and up over Henry Peak (1224m) to the North Egmont visitor centre for lunch.
We then headed for Maketawa Hut as the rain set in.
That night there was an amazing mountain storm with wind and rain buffeting the hut.
It had cleared by morning and we climbed up the puffer in strong gusty winds to Tahurangi Lodge (1500m).  The temperature dropped quickly as we left for Dawson Falls with soft snow flakes falling, followed by steady rain.
We were drenched and cold, but had had an exhilarating five days tramping. Hundreds of steps had been climbed up and down for km.
The group are now looking forward to their South Island qualifier to the Top Forks/Gillespie Tracks.

Thank you very much to our shadow party of Sheryl Cullen, James Andrews and Robyn Bruce.

WAIPU ART IN MOTION - WAM!

Congratulations to our amazing "Best of the Bunch" winner 15 year old Kyla Mansell  (Ara 5) with her awesome costume "Tied Together" Kyla also won the award for Creative Impact.
Our wonderful Charlie Kate Brown (Ara 2)- 11 years old - was awarded the special "Young Designer" prize for her entry "The Voice that Cannot Speak"

Senior Prizegiving

Congratulations to all of our prizewinners at last Friday's Senior Prizegiving for 2025.
Well done to our top academic award winners for 2025.

First in Year 11 Kyla Mansell
First in Year 12 Amy Weber
Proxime Accessit Jade Fox
Dux Tennessee Brewer

Congratulations to the 2026 Head Prefects.

Head Girl - Miah Fraser
Head Boy - Joshua Scheepers
Deputy Head Girl - Olivia Alcock
Deputy Head Boy - Allistair Martin

Thank you to Felix Le-Mesurier Cowbourne (2025 Head Boy) and Maggie Burke (2025 Head Girl), pictured below with Principal Todd Malcolm, for their wonderfully inspiring speeches and for their contributions throughout the year.
We farewelled the graduating Y13 class of 2025 - good luck, don't be strangers, and go confidently in the directions of your dreams.

Huge Congrats to Nathan Allan - Gingy

Taking out Best Back and NZ Vikings U17 Player of the Year 2025. Huge Achievement!

Brynderwyn Closure - Glenmohr Bus route and time amendment (13th, 14th, 20th and 21st November)

Arrangements for the Glenmohr Rd bus, for Thursday 13th November, Thursday 20th and Friday 21st November. On Friday, 14th November, OHS is having a teacher-only day, so all buses will not be running on this day.
NZTA’s contractors have permitted Leabournes to travel on Cove Road, towards Mangawhai, to get to OHS on these dates. No other heavy vehicles are allowed to travel on this road during these times. 
Thursday 13th November - the school bus will; leave in the morning at the normal time from Glenmohr Road stop. Arrive at OHS in the morning, approximately 45 minutes later than usual.  
Thursday 13th November - at the end of the school day, leave at normal time (3.35ish) and arrive approximately 45 minutes later than usual at the drop off for Glenmohr Rd. 
This will be the same for the morning and afternoon runs on Thursday, 20th and Friday 21st November. 

NZTA has indicated that the detour on Cove Road is for light vehicles only; however, they have agreed to the school bus using this route for these 3 days.

Boys basketball training sessions

Leading up to the 2026 team selections in 2026. Open to all year 9 - 13 boys.
When - Every Wednesday during term 4
Time 2.15pm - 4.15pm
What to bring - Mouth guard, indoor sports shoes, sports clothing. Food for snacks and plenty of water.
Please email tina.holst@otamatea.school.nz to confirm your attendance.