Kia ora koutou,

I enjoyed the 2 major events last week at the college, i.e. the 'Achievement Evening' which recognised students excelling in any of our main areas of school life and also the Year 7 'Information Evening'.  Anytime the college can engage positively with our community, we do our best to do so.  

There has been significant ongoing communications since the 'Academic Conferences' with the focus on developing strategies to support students in their academic endeavours.  This is a really important time of the term for all students to ensure that they are responding positively to any areas/subjects identified as requiring additional focus.

As you are aware, schools are facing challenges regarding students vaping and inappropriate use of digital devices, in particular phones.  Educating students about the negative effects/consequences of this behavior remains our focus, moving forward, however at the same time, students who do not adhere to the college's clear and fair rules need to realise what the disciplinary actions are for this. 

Please refer to the link regarding current rules and consequences: CLICK HERE. 
All year groups were presented with this information at assemblies last week and all staff were also reminded.  We continue to work hard collectively to ensure that a very supportive learning culture and environment exists at Orewa College.

I wish all the very best to our students participating in the 'National Winter Tournament ' which occurs next week throughout New Zealand.


Greg Pierce
Principal

Hosei Daini High School visit

Students from Hosei Daini High School, Tokyo, Japan have been visiting Orewa College for the last 2 weeks and staying in local homestays.

This school first visited us in 1990 and this year marked the 30th time they have come.
The visit included a whakatau welcome, lessons to learn about NZ, trips out, integration with Maori, Food tech, and PE classes, attending lessons with Orewa College students learning Japanese, Japan Day to celebrate and share their culture and our final farewell and 30th Anniversary Celebration.

It has been a most successful visit both for the students from Hosei and also enriching for all the Orewa College students who have come in contact with them. Many thanks to all involved, especially the student buddies and the local Homestay families who have welcomed these students. 

Next year two of our students have been selected as exchange students to visit Hosei High School for Term 2 to further their studies in Japanese.
Those selected are Year 11 students Teagan Erasmus and Ian Park.

Mr Joel Dickinson has been selected for our Teacher Exchange with Hosei High School and will spend three weeks in January experiencing teaching and learning in Japan. 

Te Hana Te Ao Marama Cultural Trip

This week students from 1YAS took a trip to Te Hana Te Ao Marama Marae Cultural Centre near Wellsford. Students have been learning about Tikanga Concepts, especially focusing on the roles and protocols associated with a pōwhiri. Visiting Te Hana was a fantastic opportunity for our students to take part and experience a pōwhiri, resulting in a valuable strengthening of their learning.

The students enjoyed the pōwhiri and a tour around the marae and also stopping for lunch at McDonalds on the way back to college.

Non Uniform Day

There will be a non-uniform day to raise funds for the Hawaii Fire relief on Tuesday 22 August.  Gold coin will be collected during form time and Block 1.

Level 3 Biology Zoo Trip

As part of looking at Human Evolution we went to explore the zoo to check out some other primates. Year 13 got to see these monkeys and apes in action. It was great for them to see the real life version of the different traits we have been talking about in class. As part of the workshop we attended, they were asked to identify which ape or monkey matched with each skull. A lot of the skulls are the real skulls from previously deceased animals from the zoo, so they felt honored to be able to work with these animals.

They also experienced working with replica skulls of previous human ancestor species, such as Neanderthal and Erectus. The students showed they had picked up many skills over this Term and were able to place them in chronological order based on the features they observed. This opportunity to feel and hold the skulls that they have been learning about was invaluable.

As well as looking at Human Evolution, the students were also able to brush up on their ability to explain animal responses and behaviours. They enjoyed observing the hierarchical nature of the baboons, the parenting style of the orangutans and the feeding behaviours and processes of the spider monkeys.

It was a fantastic day and, as always, the students showed great manaaki towards the animals and themselves. I am sure this experience will aid them towards their appreciation of Biology as well as their upcoming assessments.
Mr Holmes
HoD Science

Education Review Office (ERO) Update

Please click HERE for the addition of Te Ara Huarau / School Profile Report, available on the school website.

Sign up to support Te Wiki O Te Reo Māori 

Te Wiki O Te Reo Māori week is from 11-17 Hepetema (September) 2023. Calling all students, whanau and friends to show your support for Māori Language week by clicking on this LINK.  Not only are you supporting this wonderful event but every entry goes towards the school winning the amazing neon sign, picture below. Karawhiua! Kia kaha te reo Māori!

Bus News - Year 11-13 Students Travelling on 050 / 040 buses

Auckland Transport has confirmed we will not be able to have an additional bus for the Silverdale and Millwater area.

Year 11-13 students are no longer eligible to use the 050 or 040 bus from the bus bay in the afternoons, they need walk across the Rainbow Bridge to the Bus Stops on Centreway Road or Moana Avenue to catch the bus home.  

Over the next couple of weeks, Mr Little will speak to Year 11-13 students and replace their bus stickers. If you think you are affected by this change and you'd like to discuss it further please email [email protected] or see Mr Little in room S10.

Careers Hub

We continue to have opportunities available for students to check out possibilities for their future pathway and encourage students to continue their own research, work experience and speak with people in industries that they have an interest in.

Recently we took 11 students to hear about 'Women in Construction' where they were able to hear of the variety of roles within construction and see the newly opened Silverdale School extension. The girls enjoyed their experience & were inspired around what they might be able to do in the future. Year 13 are reminded that scholarships are closing & in order to ensure that they get the best possible reference they need to fill in the OC Scholarship & Accommodation Form asap as well as applying to the halls & university directly.

For those heading to university, we have Course Planning coming up to assist students with enrolment and timetables amongst other things. All information is on the Year 13 Google Classroom.

Year 8s During Break Time

Due to the fields in the Year 7&8 area being unavailable (due to the ongoing wet weather), Year 8s will be permitted to use the Year 9-13 area and canteen during break time for the next two weeks. 
This will be constantly reviewed with any changes being communicated via student daily notices and staff notifications.

Asian and Oceanian High School Students’ Forum 2023

The Asian and Oceanian High School Students' Forum has been held in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan since 2015 with the aim of fostering leaders that can play active roles in the international society.

The forum offers opportunities for high school students from Asian and Oceanian countries/areas to give presentations and exchange opinions on global issues as well as introduce their own cultures.

This year Reya Rawat (Year 12) attended and has written an interesting article detailing her experiences whilst at the Forum.  Please CLICK HERE to read about her trip.

Netball Success Congratulations to Lara Ibbet (Year 7), a North Harbour Red Netball representative for placing 1st in the Rep season.

Fundraising Thank You

On the 24th February this year, the school held a Fundraiser to support those affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.  We were proud to support the NZ Red Cross Appeal.

Orewa College Music Bands - KBB Music Festival

Over the three days of 8th to 10th August, the Orewa College Music Department entered three bands to perform in the annual National and KBB music competitions.  Each year the festival welcomes 4,500 students in 145 groups from 50 schools across Auckland & beyond.
The aims of the Festival are:

• To promote growth in instrumental music and encourage performance by all groups – novice or highly experienced.
• To share ideas, techniques and a common interest in music.
  
• To expose students to different styles of music.
  
• To give students the opportunity to perform in professional venues.
  

Our two Concert Bands and the Senior Jazz Band were showing their skills. 
 All Bands performed very well with our Concert Band achieving Silver and High Commendation and the Senior Jazz Band received a Bronze award.

Blood Donor Day - Thursday 24 August

New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) will be holding a mobile blood drive at Orewa College, Arts and Events Centre on Thursday, 24th August.

Information for Parents, Guardians and Whānau from NZBS It is important that we encourage students into a lifetime habit of donating blood and making a worthwhile contribution to their community. The Care of Children Act 2004 allows people 16 years and over to make their own decisions about whether or not they wish to give blood. Students may choose to donate blood at this session. NZBS recommends that students discuss becoming a blood donor with their family. If families have a particular objection to the student choosing to donate blood, please make this known to the student and to the school before the blood drive date stated above. More information about blood donation will be available on the day of the blood drive.

NZBS respects the privacy of all donors and recommends conversations around blood donor eligibility is carried out sensitively.
If you require any further information please call 0800 GIVE BLOOD (0800 448 325) or visit www.nzblood.co.nz 
Students who wish to donate blood and who have not already signed up should go to the Careers Hub at either interval or lunchtime any day before Thursday, 24th August.

Senior Drama Trip "Things that Matter" Auckland Theatre Company

All senior Drama students ventured down to the ASB Waterfront Theatre on Thursday 17 August to watch the premiere of a new play based on the memoir of Dr David Galler, an ICU doctor at Middlemore Hospital, Things That Matter.

What we watched was an intensely moving and confronting piece of theatre, which posed the question: ‘what does a healthy New Zealand look like?’ Linking the need for compassion in a crumbling and desperately underfunded health system to wider political issues such as systemic racism and dehumanisation, students will use the performance as a basis for their NCEA exams.

E-Sports House Competition

Last Wednesday we introduced another house event to the competition. The latest addition is E-SPORTS! 

E-sports is a fast-growing sport worldwide, it has a huge following and is actually very entertaining to watch.  The house competition is designed for all ākonga to be able to find something that they can contribute towards and e-sport provides another platform for Orewa College students to get involved in. 

This year we went with a very popular and classic arcade game, Mario Karts. The tournament was simple, choose a character for your house, compete in a round-robin of 4 games and for each placing you achieved, represented points.
 
This was the most entertaining gaming I have ever seen. Two huge big projector screens, a roaring crowd, fast colourful lights and the rush of tossing virtual bananas and turtle shells.

This was a great event and will definitely make the calender list for 2024. 
Congratulations Blake house, winners of the first ever House E-Sport Tournament!