Otahuhu College Newsletter
Friday 25 January 2019
From our Principal
Welcome back to Otahuhu College and the start of the 2019 academic year. I hope you have all had a safe and enjoyable Christmas, and have had valuable time to spend with family. With that said it has been great to see our students this week during course confirmation and meet some of our new families during the enrolment process.
Our NCEA results are out and congratulations to the many students who have done well. Some highlights are:
Best ever University Entrance Rate For the second year in a row our Level Three pass rate is above the national average for all schools. More students gain Merit and Excellence endorsed certificates than ever before.
As always there are areas where we need to improve and we will be working hard to do this, so that your children get the best possible opportunities and choices when they leave Otahuhu College at the end of Year 13.
We are looking forward to welcoming new students to Otahuhu College on Tuesday, as well as the new staff. I look forward to seeing you throughout the year, and working together to achieve the best possible future for the children you have entrusted in our care.
Kia Tamatane
Neil Watson Principal
Important Dates
Tuesday 29 January Years 9 and 13 only 8.30am Year 13 to be at school 8.40am Year 13 welcomed in the Hall 9.00am Year 13 meet Whanau Teachers 9.20am Year 13 to Hall for Powhiri preparation 10.00am Powhiri for new students and staff 10.30am Interval 11.00am Year 9 and 13 in the Hall and organised into House groups. Year 9 Orientation rotation (8x 15 minutes in Boy/Girl House groups). PE, Music, Art, Technology, Library, Computers, Cultural groups and Dance/Drama 1.20pm Lunch 1.50pm Haka‐Waiata 3.00pm Finish
Wednesday 30 January 8.30am all students to arrive 8.40am Year 10‐12 in Whanau classes. Year 9 and 13 in the Hall 9.00am Whanau classes 9.20am Period 1 10.15am Period 2 11.10am Interval 11.30am Period 3 12.10pm Period 4 12.50pm Period 5 1.30pm Lunch 2.00pm Haka‐Waiata practice 3.00pm Finish
Wednesday 6 February NO School ‐ Public Holiday Thursday 14 February Haka Waiata – Lower Fields
Our Commitments With the change from holidays back to school, it is important that students settle into the College's routines and expectations from the first day. Students at Otahuhu College have a commitment to be:
Respectful Engaged in their learning Supportive of others On Time
Your support in reminding your children of this is always welcomed.
Uniform
The uniform is available at NZ Uniforms in Manukau and also available online: http://otahuhucollege.nzuniforms.com/catalog/school-uniform-1103685.htmx
Students must be wearing completely black shoes, for health and safety reasons these must be enclosed shoes. Boys should be wearing the school socks, or as a minimum, plain black socks.
Correct school uniform is to be worn to and from school.
There are Otahuhu College hats available, non-uniform hats will be confiscated.
If students are wearing incorrect uniform, it is their responsibility to see the Dean first thing in the morning.
Students without a uniform pass will have items confiscated for the reminder of the term.
Attendance Matters
Regular attendance means attending school at least ninety percent of the time.
Like other top schools we expect all our students to be at school on time each day. Students who are late three times in a week will be given a detention.
Students should be at school by 8:30am and it is their responsibility to be seated in the correct places for assembly. Your support in making sure your child is at school on time is appreciated.
If your child is going to be late or absent please phone the office 9634000 or alternatively 0800 4 OTAHUHU to leave a message on the absence voice mail before 8:00 a.m. You can also email [email protected]
Traffic Safety for Students, Families and Visitors to OC
Visitors must park in the visitor carparks as directed by our Security guards.
If these car parks are full then you must park on the road.
Students are to be dropped of either on Mangere Road or Golf Avenue
The Golf Avenue gates will be closed from 8:30am to 3pm
It is important that we keep our students safe and your support in this matter is appreciated.
Welcome to New Staff
Ms Lawler is returning to Otahuhu College as the Health Centre Manager. She has most recently been the nurse educator for the Waitemata District Health Board. She has served on the Auckland School Nurses Executive and has an interest in Ocean swimming. A registered nurse she has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Auckland.
Mr Luo will be teaching Accounting. This is his first teaching position. He has worked as a Tutor at Victoria University. He has an interest in Chinese culture as well as music and signing being a member of the Acapella on Campus choir. Mr Luo has a Masters of Professional Accounting from the University of Victoria.
Mr Finau has been employed as an Education Navigator with particular responsibility for Year 13. He has previously worked for Odyssey House and has been heavily involved in Tongan Youth Associations. He has a passion for the creative arts and Rugby League. Mr Finau has a Bachelor of Human Service from the University of Auckland.
Dr Hardy will be teaching Science. She has previously taught at Durban High School and the University of Kwa Zulu. She has a strong interest in educational research and is an enthusiastic runner as well as being involved in athletics. She has a Doctorate from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences.
Ms Paea will be teaching Tongan and Dance. She is part of the Teach First New Zealand programme. She has previously worked as an ambassador for the University of Auckland and was also awarded the Chancellor’s Top Scholars Award. She also has a strong interest in Tongan cultural performance. Ms Paea has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Auckland.
Ms Beslic will be teaching music. She has previously taught at Mangere College and Michael Park School. Ms Beslic has a strong interest in Digital Learning. She has a Masters of Professional Practise from the University of Auckland.
Ms Butler will be teaching English for Term One. She has previously been Head of Department at Onowhero Area School. She is a keen netballer and has a talent for running. Ms Butler has a Masters of Teaching and Learning from Massey University.
Mr Duff will be teaching Physics. He has previously taught at Green Bay High School and has worked as an Environmental educator. He has a keen interest in sustainable energy and 3d printing. Mr Duff is an avid surfer. He has a Master of Science from the University of Otago.
Mr Srisawat will be the University Navigator. He has worked for Fonterra and Oranga Tamiriki. Mr Srisawat is a former Head Boy of Otahuhu College. A keen rugby player he was in the winning National sevens team for Waikato. He has a Bachelor of Sport, Health and Human Performance from the University of Waikato. Mr Williams will be Deputy Principal with responsibility for the Junior School. He has previously been Head of Faculty at One Tree Hill College and taught in Switzerland and England. He served as an army officer before starting teaching. In 2017 he was awarded a National Excellence in Teaching Award. Mr Williams has a Master of Professional Studies from the University of Auckland.
Curriculum and Study News
The start of the year is a good opportunity to explain the difference between Achieved, Merit and Excellence grades. Getting higher grades is not just a matter of getting more things right, though that does help. The key is the level of thinking which is demonstrated. There are some differences between subjects however in general, an Achieved grade means that you can describe the topic. To get a Merit you need to be able to explain, looking at reasons why something happens. While to get an Excellence you need to be able to analyse, make comparisons and draw links between different topics. One way of looking at it is if you can describe what a family member looks and acts like you get an achieved, if you can explain why they act that way then it’s a Merit, and if you can show how their actions affect the family and how the wider family responds then that is an Excellence.
University Entrance
2018 saw Otahuhu College achieve its best University Entrance rate and there are increasing numbers of students going on to successfully complete degree level study. The minimum requirement to get into university is:
10 Level One Numeracy credits 5 Level Two Reading credits and 5 Level Two writing credits 60 credits at Level Three Most importantly 14 Level Three credits in three university approved subjects (3U subjects)
To get into the best courses and to do well at University then your child needs to:
Do well in the external exams Have 80 credits in university approved subjects Gain wherever possible Merit and Excellence grades
How can we help our children to get there?
Every assessment counts, remember the key is to get 80 credits in university approved subjects. Working hard to get Merits is important, your child should be able to explain to you what they need to do to get Merit. Otahuhu College will be running tutorials before and after school and also during the holidays Nearly all our students need to work on improving their vocabulary and writing, Otahuhu College will run some extra classes to help. Study is very important. We recommend thirty minutes a day for each 3U subject every day. How well your child does will come down to the externals, every exam is important.
Thank you for coming and we look forward to working together to help your child earn entry into University.