School news

Introducing some of our new staff
My name is Paddy Hallissey.  I was here in 2002 as a classroom teacher and then did 5 years as Headmaster at Westmount (now One School Global). In 2012 I returned to Rosmini College in Takapuna where I was Senior Teacher of Religious Studies, Associate Head of Dept and various deaning roles. I "came home" last year with the intention of doing some relieving and now find myself in the Learning Support role. I've got to say it's good to be back - only a very few "old faces" from my 1st Tour but everyone has been really helpful and supportive.		Kia ora all, my name is Samantha Harrison-Howe. I am teaching Level 1 Commerce and year 10 social studies at Otamatea this year. I worked as an accountant for 10 years prior to beginning teaching in 2022. My husband Sam (yes, we have the same name!) works in civil drainage and my 2 daughters, Thea and Evie, attend local schools. I am very much looking forward to getting to know all the students this year, supporting their learning and encouraging them to strive for excellence.
My name is Elmar Koch. I am very excited to join the math department at Otamatea High School. I have 18 years experience in the education sector and it is a passion of mine to see learners become all that they are destined to be, both academically and socially.  Each learner has an unique calling and role in the world, and it is my joy to help learners to develop and live out that calling. I am looking forward to the new journey here at Otamatea High School.

 

 

Swim sports 2024

What a great swim sports day we have just had, and what a way to start the school year! I am so proud of our school. Students got into the pool en masse representing their iwi and swimming with great passion. There was a new record time posted in the 25m breaststroke by Noah Martin and each race was very close. The relay races were a highlight with very close finishes and inter-iwi rivalry is still going strong in a very healthy and respectful way. I am Looking forward to the 60th Swim sports in 2025, that will be a great celebration, so if you are an ex Otamatea pupil and you want to come along we would love to have you down at the pool for the day - bring your tog's and relive the glory days! 

North Island IRB Champs

The North Island IRB Champs were held at Waipu on the weekend.
Head Girl Leayah Buxton and her team took home a silver medal on Saturday in the Assembly Race and on Sunday took home a Silver medal including her brother Jakob Buxton (patient) in the Mass Rescue race. This was an awesome achievement.

Year 7s camp at Otamatea Marae

The Year 7s have started 2024 with some great team building activities at our overnight camp at Otamatea Marae last week. The camp ran smoothly with the help and impressive enthusiasm of our Year 13 prefects. We had a range of fun activities including: ki o rahi, mau rakau, sports, collaborative problem solving, and even came up with some creative skits to round out the evening. Not much sleeping happened in the whare but we loved the kai as well as fishing and swimming in the Kaipara.   We would like to extend a big thank you to all the kaiako, kaiawhina, and whanau helpers who supported our trip as well as Otamatea Marae for making us feel so welcome. 

Youth health nurses are back at Otamatea

Kia ora, Talofa, Fakalofa lahi atu
A bit about us – We are the youth health nurses in your school; we provide health services for years
9-13. We have a clinic at the student support centre every Thursday but can be contacted for advice
any day of the school week.
We also provide a range of medications under Standing Orders and as Nurse Prescribers such as
antibiotics for skin infections and strep throat infections and contraception for sexual health. Our
service is free and confidential.

Please feel free to contact us:
Maretta – 021619028
Kiel – 021485261

Friendly reminders about buses
Here are some reminders about behaviours on our school buses;

• Follow all instructions from the bus driver
• No eating, drinking, smoking, vaping or music on the bus.
• Once seated, stay seated.
• Keep your voice low so the driver is not distracted.
• Keep the inside of the bus clean and damage-free.

If there are any issues regarding behaviours on buses please email nyree.antunovich@otamatea.school.nz who will follow up. 

Due to roll growth, we will not be able to accommodate students moving between buses, especially on the routes from Mangawhai. Students must stay on the buses assigned to them. 

If a student needs to go home on another bus parents or caregivers must contact the school and a bus pass issued. For information on school bus routes please click this link https://www.otamatea.school.nz/our-school/bus-routes

For more information on safely getting to and from school on a school bus, please visit; https://www.nzta.govt.nz/safety/keeping-children-safe/bus-safety/