Kia ora tatou, 

This week’s newsletter is full of amazing events and activities. The range of opportunities here is huge. I encourage all whanau and parents to read the newsletter and also to look at the website for further examples of extra curricular activities. And, again, I thank staff, whanau, parents and students who all give their time freely to support such events. 

Today we held a Whakanoa - a blessing for an outdoor space.It was fantastic to have our contractors, the Ministry of Education, our planners/engineers, members of the Board of Trustees, staff and students to acknowledge and celebrate this new space.

A huge thank you to all those involved in this project. An interesting fact is that not only was there major work above ground but a total re-piping and earthworks below. This will decrease the amount of water in weather events.

In the wake of recent incidents at Orewa College, please remind your students that we have zero tolerance for bullying, physical violence and also any videoing and sharing of inappropriate behaviours.

Enjoy your well deserved Easter break.

Ngā mihi

Anna Kenny
Acting Principal

Events / Information

March 2024

** Friday 29 March to Tuesday 2 April (Easter Break) - No students to attend school **

April 2024

Saturday 6 April - School Ball
Monday 8 April - Year 8 HPV Vaccination
Monday 8 April to Friday 26 April - Dental Planet Visit Yr 9-13
Wednesday 10 April - Academic Conference Day
Thursday 11 April - International Festival
Friday 12 April - ANZAC Assembly

** Monday 15 April to Friday 26 April - Term 1 School Holidays **

Monday 29 April to Friday 7 June - Auckland Regional Dental Van Yr 7-8
Tuesday 30 April - Year 8 HPV Vaccination Catch Up

Polyfest 2024

Polyfest 2024 showcased a remarkable performance by Hibiscus Tuakana, the Orewa College and Whangaparaoa College combined Pasifika group. As eloquently described by their tutor, Marina Vaha, ‘It was an amazing opportunity, experience and performance.  My heart is still full of joy and happiness for our tamariki’.

The performance, titled "Na Raluve - The Princess," was a touching dedication to the late Joyous Talei Hennings, a former Orewa College student, crafted by her mother Leba. Jess from Whangaparaoa College and Samson Hennings from OC led the group. You can view the group’s performance HERE  (slider timeline 2.55.00-3.06.00).   I echo Marina's sentiments wholeheartedly. Our students truly made us proud.  Additionally, our kapahaka students, who performed the haka tautoko for Hibiscus Tuakana and Whangaparaoa College's kapa haka group Te Haumihi, showcased their support in full. Special thanks are due to Marina and her team for their unwavering support for our students, and a heartfelt acknowledgment goes to Leba Hennings for generously sharing her talent, her culture with us all.

Japanese Student Visitors

Orewa College has the pleasure of hosting students from Seiko Gakuin High School in Yokohama, Japan. Thirty of our visiting students had a great day out at Tree Adventures conquering the high ropes course.   Stunning weather enhanced an enjoyable day spent at the beach.

Spaceward Bound

On Wednesday, selected Year 7 and 8 students got to experience a session with Spaceward Bound. An organisation that brought a modern planetarium, equipped with the latest planetary data, to delve into the mysteries of the Solar System and beyond.

Additionally, they showcased a Mars Perseverance rover, offering insights into the ongoing search for life on Mars. 

This unique opportunity undoubtedly inspired curiosity and ignited a passion for space exploration among our students. 

Easter Break

A reminder that school will be closed from Friday 29 March to Tuesday 2 April for the Easter holiday.

Year 13 Food Technology Trip

Last Friday, the Careers Department sent eight Year 13 Food Technology students to a presentation and networking event run by the famous culinary school, Le Cordon Bleu. Amongst the food tastings (smoked salmon, soft cheeses and pastries) they learnt about the diploma and degree programs offered at the Wellington campus. The presentation shed light on the international prestige of the "Le Cordon Bleu" brand, offering insights into various opportunities abroad. The highlight of the day was the demonstration by skilled Patisserie Chef and alumni, Wendy Lau from Folds Patisserie. Cerys, Jack, and Morgan, participated in a live cooking demonstration and impressed the audience with their culinary talents. The afternoon concluded with a cheerful raffle, where many were fortunate enough to win prizes. Everyone left feeling inspired and motivated to try the recipes given to them in the Le Cordon Bleu recipe book.

Sports News - "Off the Bench"

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

Academic Conference Bookings - Wednesday 10 April

Bookings will start at 9.00am and the last booking will be at 6.45 pm. You will have a 15-
minute meeting with your student's ILT teacher to discuss all their subjects.

There are no classes on this day but students are required to attend their conference with
a parent/caregiver.  Click HERE for instructions on how to sign into Schoolbridge and book your Academic Conference.

Careers Hub

This week we have various people from the Health Industry in the OAEC on Wednesday in ILT for Year 11-13 students to hear what opportunities are available for students interested in Health. 

We have had a number of organisations approach us with opportunities for school leavers interested in going on working holidays. Students can look at their options on the Careers Google Classroom under Overseas Opportunities (code frapsx6).

Throughout the year students have opportunities from the universities to participate in various programmes. In January, Year 13 student Cailin Sargent was involved in the Wie CAN programme at Canterbury University.

WiE CAN is a 5 day/4 night Women in Engineering residential programme that features interactive workshops, inspiring presentations, and fun social activities. 

Please CLICK HERE to read her inspiring report.

Orewa College Year Book 2024

In addition to the traditional print version, this year, we are also producing our Yearbook in a digital edition that you can view on all devices.

CAN ALL PARENTS/CAREGIVERS PLEASE CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW.

International Festival - Thursday 11 April

The school looks forward to our International Festival. A celebration of the diverse cultures reflected in our school community.  Students may dress up to reflect your international links on that day! A reminder for students to bring cash to purchase the many delicious food offerings available. All the profits from the festival will go to a local charity organisation "Love Soup" and "Equity Brilliant School" which is a school for AIDS orphans and children in extreme poverty in a small village called Rusinga, in Kenya

Manaaki Greatness Nominations

Please nominate someone from the school community who has demonstrated exceptional manaaki. This can be a one off event or ongoing support and care shown by this person. You may nominate a student, staff member or member of the school community.

Nominations will close on the 10th April.  Winners announced Term 2, Week 1.
Nomination form HERE.

House Event - Pavement Art

Last week we had our annual Pavement Art house competition. Students were broken into two groups, years 7-10 and years 11-13, each consisting of about 5-10 students. Each group was given a brief, a couple of boxes of coloured chalk, a 1.5m square and three hours to create a pavement masterpiece.

This year, the middle school students' theme was the ocean in anime style.  The senior's theme was to create an Orewa postage stamp in the style of Shane Hansen. 

Both year groups did a fantastic job, over the years students have come up with new and creative ways to get the best out of their pieces of art. No longer do we just have chalk on concrete, these students have tape, water spray bottles, sponges, brushes and other tools to make their pieces of art pop out of the sidewalk. 

After three houses of drawing each house and year group delivered a stunning and colourful piece of art.

A big thank you to our judges Mary Ellis, Paula Friis, and Sandy Marshall.

1st  McLaren 21(J)     2nd = Nepia 18    2nd = Blake 18   4th Batten 17   5th Sheppard 16

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