High Tide Newsletter

Tai Pari Niureta

06 March 2023

Kia ora koutou,

I trust you are well and enjoying this more settled period of weather.

Students' attitudes and attendance levels remain impressive as we continue to make pleasing progress at Orewa College.

This Friday at the ASB Polyfest, Whangaparaoa College and Orewa College Pasifika students are collectively performing on the 'Diversity' stage.  The College's Kapa Haka students will be there to tautoko this cultural performance which will be a first for the College.  The expectation is that in 2024, the college's Kapa Haka group will be performing on the 'Maori' stage.

On 1st April, between 11am and 2pm, Orewa College will be hosting an inaugural community day i.e. 'Te Ahu A Rea' (fostering cultural growth), which will involve food stalls, music, culture and a hangi.  The planned classroom building block will also be revealed in its latest design phase.

It was rewarding to acknowledge our highest performing students at NCEA Levels 1&2 last week at the 'Achievement Celebration' evening.

Please note that the college will be closed to students on site, on Thursday 16 March due to a National PPTA Industrial Action.  Students will be able to continue with their studies online but with no teachers being present or available to assist on this day.

If you have any queries at all, please let me know.

Ngā mihi

Greg Pierce
Principal

 

2023 Young Neurodiversity Champions

Congratulations to Maria Walker-Kinnell on her selection as as a member of the 2023 Young Neurodiversity Champions. The group has been assembled with help from the Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand and the New Zealand Centre for Gifted Education, with funding from the Cookie Time Trust. 
The group will travel to Parliament, Wellington on Thursday 16 March to meet with politicians to discuss ways to make education more accessible for neurodiverse New Zealanders. The trip will include emphasis on the need to strengthen the Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill which is currently before the Social Services and Community Select Committee and lobbying MPs in the lead up to this year's general election.
This is a fabulous opportunity for Maria to learn about parliamentary processes while making a positive difference in the lives of present and future neurodiverse rangitahi.  

 
 
 

Te Ahu a Rea - Saturday 01 April

All welcome to join us for this exciting community day.  For all details, please CLICK HERE.

 
 
 
 

NCEA Information Evening

Date: 15th March 2023
Where: Orewa Arts and Events Centre
Time: 7.00pm
Who is this event for? 
Year 11, Year 10 students taking NCEA subjects , parents/caregivers new to NCEA

 
 
 

House Party 2023!

 
 

Last Friday we had the annual ‘House Party’ previously called tabloids.
There are over 17 house events in the school year and this party kicks it off!
This is the only event where the whole school stops, all students and staff are involved and we have an amazing, fun and colourful competition over the day. 
The school breaks up into 6 groups and competes in a range of competitions such as wet n wild, bouncy blast, house pong, smash and stack and tug o war. They then finish with the very popular house relays.
This year's event was a huge success. The sun was out, energy was high and all students came out to give it their best shot but also have a whole lot of fun at the same time. It is a party so we encourage students to dress up and they didn't disappoint, such a fun atmosphere with music dancing and fun competition.
Another amazing house party to set us up for a great house year.
Congratulations McLaren house, winners of the 2023 House Party! The final results:

  • 1st McLaren
  • 2nd Batten
  • 3rd Nepia
  • 4th Blake
  • 5th Sheppard  
 
 
 

Level 1 History Trip - Bay of Islands

 

Last week, in between wild weather events, 27 level one history students visited New Zealand’s first capital (Kororāreka-Russell) to study the Northern Wars for their first NCEA internal standard.
Staff and students visited two major battle sites at Ōhaeawai and Kororāreka where they could walk the terrain of the conflicts, see musket ball holes in Christ Church and visit at the graves of the fallen. Students also gained a deeper understanding of how life on the high seas was for the Pākehā settlers and sailors of the era, with a trip around the beautiful Bay of Islands on the sailship R.Tucker-Thompson.
Students visited Waitangi too, walking the treaty grounds and house, visiting the museum and gaining great resources that should help them produce excellent work - the staff have our fingers crossed!
The drive home was just as exciting with slips across roads and flooding events at Mangawhai which saw us having to cancel the second group trip. Here’s hoping summer turns up soon!

 
 
 
 

Sports News - "Off the Bench"

Please CLICK HERE for all up and coming sports events, registrations, draws, results, tournaments and zone day information. 

 
 
 
 

Surf Lifesaving  Competitions

 

Left to Right: Mitchell Smith, Cassius Cox, Piri Pihema, Charlotte Henderson, Alex Smith, Arai Gardiner,  Eli Martin Dean,Otis Cox,
Macy Martin Dean, Emily Blanchard

 

The annual surf lifesaving national competition, Ocean's, returned to Mount Maunganui between 22nd and 25th February 2023 after a COVID-19 enforced absence. A number of year 7-10 Ōrewa College students, representing Red Beach and Ōrewa surf lifesaving clubs, competed over 4 days of tough competition against the best clubbies from around New Zealand. They participated in up to 12 events, with qualifying heats, semi-finals and finals for each.
These amazing future lifeguards faced huge waves and heavy surf on the water and soft, deep sand on the beach. All involved were outstanding competitors throughout the 4 days, and the following placed in finals: 

  • Maui Pihema - Silver in the U11-14 Mixed 2KM Beach Relay, Bronze in the U14 Mixed Beach Relay. 
  • Charlie White - Silver in the U11 Mixed Beach Relay, 6th in the U11 Male Run Swim Run, 7th in the U11 Male Beach Flags, 9th in the U11 Male Surf Race, 9th in the U11 Male Board Race.
  • Emily Blanchard -  Bronze in the U11 Mixed Beach Relay, 7th in the U11 Female Board race, and 14th in the U11 Female Diamond race. 
  • Mitchell Smith - Bronze in the U13/14 Male Board Relay, and 8th in the U13/14 Male Tube Rescue.
  • Cassius Cox - Bronze in the U13/14 Male Board Relay.
  • Macy Dean -  6th in the U11 Female Board race, 14th in the Female U11 Run-Swim-Run and 18th in the U11 Female Surf race. 
  • Charlotte Henderson - 7th in the U12 Mixed Beach Relay.
  • Otis Cox - 8th in the U12 Male Beach Sprints and 14th in the U11-12 Board Relay. 
  • Caden Smith - 8th in the U14 Male Board Race and 9th in the U13/14 Male Board Rescue.
  • Parker Radford - 13th in the U13 Male Diamond race, 17th in the U13 Male Run Swim Run, 19th U13 Male Surf race.

These students showed fantastic manaaki as representatives for both club and school. Congratulations to these students, and all that that participated

 
 
 

Polynesian Panther Presentation

 

On Wednesday Orewa College students had the privilege of listening to a kōrero from the Polynesian Panthers. It was a great chance for students and the staff who joined us to learn about a significant part of New Zealand’s History.
The group spoke well and passed on messages that will hopefully stay with the students as they continue their journey through life. Students had the opportunity to ask questions and the ones that did asked very good questions that showed we might have some students who are willing to go out and change the world.
The groups lived experiences from the Dawn Raids that occurred in the 1970s were evident when we were treated to a song from Tigilau Ness. Their main message was that change is possible and that our future generations are that change. The students were asked to remember that when the group started the Polyneisan Panthers they were their age- 16 to17.
Our Kapahaka group did a great Whakatau and Haka to welcome and farewell the group. We hope that they will be able to come back again one day and continue to share their knowledge and experiences.

 
 
 
 

Strike Day - 16 March 2023

Next Thursday, 16 March is a National PPTA Teacher Strike day.  
Students do not attend school on this day.

 
 
 
 

Assessment Calendar Reports

Assessment Calendar reports are now available on the web portal under 'Reports' for all students entered for NCEA this year.

 
 
 

Year 7 Life Education & Cycle Safety

 

Despite only being at Orewa College for five weeks, our Year 7s have been busy.
Students have worked in the Life Education caravan on resilience, part of the health curriculum. Most classes have also taken part in the Cycle Safety programme, run by Harbour Sport and funded by Auckland Transport. The course aims to improve students' cycling skills and confidence.

 
 
 
 

Fundraiser - Student Tour to France & Italy

 
 

European Tiki Tour Fundraiser - Quiz
This evening of entertainment and trivial trivia takes place on Friday March 10th, beginning from 7pm (doors open at 6:30pm) in the OAEC, right here at the Orewa College campus.
Your Quiz masters - Messers Genge and Tucker - endeavour to have the evening all wrapped up by 9:30pm. 
Tables are more than welcome to bring along their own food and drink supplies. 
There will be soft drinks, crisps and sweets plus an outstanding array of hamper prizes up for grabs on the night so bring along some extra cash to help our students have the best possible trip to France and Italy.
If you are in need of extra tickets (they are $10 each) there are a limited number available, so please get in touch with Paul Tucker at [email protected]

 
 
 
 

Health Notice

Year 8 students will be viewing a video about the HPV1 vaccination coming up on 04 April 2023. Consent forms have been sent home with students. Can parents and caregivers please complete this form and return whether it is a consent or non-consent by Friday 17 March.

 
 
 
 

Careers Hub

Last week Year 13 appointments began, creating Action Plans to assist with planning this year in order to be prepared as they leave school.
Alongside this, our first presentations to Year 9 classes regarding the world of work began, where we covered the opportunities that they can look forward to when they leave school and why & how it is important that students begin their journey this year.
They can do this by getting involved in some of the many extra-curricular activities on offer at school as well as reflecting on their experiences both in and out of school to increase their self-awareness.
High School Exchanges!
If you want to know more about overseas High School Exchanges from Your Education, register your interest for their next online Information session on Tuesday, 7th March at 7.00pm OR Wednesday, 22nd March at 6.00pm.  
All interested parents and students Y10–Y13 welcome.   An experienced staff member and returnee will share information about the destinations they are offering in 2023. RSVP on their website www.youreducation.co.nz/next-steps
Year 12 students - Scholarship:
There is a scholarship that has just opened that students may be eligible to apply for.
First Foundation scholarship applicants must meet ALL of the criteria which can be found here: 
https://firstfoundation.org.nz/students-schools/application-criteria/ along with the application link (this will become live 7th March).
Applications close 20th March. For more information please go to https://firstfoundation.org.nz/

 
 
 
 

Public Health Nurse

The Public Health nurse, Mrs El Mann is available to see students about any health issues, including physical, emotional, and sexual health. 
Parents can contact El directly Mon to Wed – 8a.m – 4.30pm
waea pūkoro: +64 21 870841 [email protected]
Private Bag 29, Red Beach 0945.

 
 
 
 

Mathematics Tutorials

These will start on Tuesday 28th February in S18 .  
(Please note this is a change from the past Wednesday after school tutorials.)
All year 9 to 13s are welcome to drop in with  a mathematical problem, to complete work from class or set homework. 
Students may leave when they have completed the work they want to do.  Generally the tutorials will end approximately at 415pm.
Tutorials will end Week 5 of Term 4 

 
 

Study Hub

Kia Ora Koutou, 2023’s team of academic leaders are excited to announce that STUDYHUB will start up again on Tuesday March 14th. This initiative allows fellow students to access a quiet place to study amongst like-minded students.
Regardless of your academic abilities, our team of exceptional leaders are devoted to supporting you all and your academic endeavours!
These sessions will run from 3:20pm till 4:20pm every Tuesday in the library. Bring a friend, and some work and we’ll provide the sweets. See you all then. 

 
 
 
 

Community Notices

 
Coast Youth Community Trust
 

Upside Mentoring is a volunteer mentoring programme, where we match young people who live on the Hibiscus Coast who have been referred to us from social workers, counsellors, psychologists and police, with incredible adults from our community who have a heart to journey alongside a young person.

Supporters breakfast on Tuesday 14th March. This is a chance for anyone who may be interested in learning more about mentoring, or any of the work that CYC Trust does, to come along and hear more about our heart for the young people in our community.
Contact: [email protected]   Phone: 09 972 5759  

 
Silverdale United Rugby Club

Junior rugby registration - CLICK HERE for details.