Kia ora tatou, 

One cannot deny how successful our House Party Day was, last Friday.  Students were fully engaged in all the activities. Congratulations to Nepia House, first house event winners of the year.

We are now in the seventh week, of an eleven week term. Last week you would have received the Progress Reports with Engagement grades for all subjects. I encourage you to read through them with your student(s). Take some time to discuss any issues or concerns they might have. Connect with teachers if you have any queries. Later in the term (10th April) there is Academic Conference Day. This will provide more opportunities for your student(s) to share overall progress and next steps.

We all know the importance of attending school every day. As parents/caregivers, whānau, you play an important role. Student wellbeing is a priority for our education system. The Ministry of Education and our own experiences here, show that attending school regularly is, on average, associated with more positive well being outcomes. Attendance is also linked to student attainment.  In 2023 research in New Zealand Secondary schools showed a strong correlation between attendance and NCEA credits gained.

I have been in contact with several schools who have already introduced the Government's no phones at school policy. In all cases they have reported that students, parents and caregivers have responded well. We have since last year, already had a no phone policy in the classroom (exceptions and exemptions acknowledged). When the policy comes into effect, phones will need to be in student bags and turned off. Consequences for failing to do this will be finalised and communicated next week. For now, another opportunity for you to talk to your student(s) on what that might look like for them during the school day.

I do hope your week has started well and continues to be so. Please let us know if there are any concerns you have around your student(s) wellbeing and learning. We have a large pastoral care team who are available to help and support.


Ngā mihi

Anna Kenny
Acting Principal

Events / Information

March 2024

Thursday 14 March - Pasifika Fono Evening
Wednesday 20 to Saturday 23 March - Polyfest

** 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
Friday 12 April - ANZAC Assembly

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

House Party 2024 - Nepia, Winners on the Day

Orewa College hosted its annual House Party last Friday, kicking off the house system for 2024, marking a vibrant celebration of school spirit and friendly competition. The event, which brought together all five houses in a colourful display of unity, featured an array of exciting activities. Among the highlights were classic favourites like "House Pong" and "Bouncy Blast," alongside the introduction of the thrilling new event, "Snake Drag." Students from each house enthusiastically participated, showcasing their teamwork and determination as they vied for victory.

The atmosphere was electric as house members, adorned in their distinctive colours, filled the field, adding to the spectacle of the occasion. 

After a day filled with laughter, cheering, and spirited performances, Nepia House emerged triumphant, clinching the top spot. Sheppard and Batten followed closely behind, securing second and third place respectively. 

The House Party not only served as a platform for friendly rivalry but also as a testament to the strength and spirit within Orewa College and the House System. It provided students with an opportunity to showcase their talents, forge lasting friendships, and create cherished memories that will be fondly recalled for years to come. Great way to start the competition!

School Photo Orders

Parents/Caregivers have been emailed their child’s unique Key Code to go online to view
and purchase 2024 School Photos. Please check your trash/spam folders if you have not
received it.

PhotoLife Website.   Parent Queries, please email: [email protected]

 ***FREE DELIVERY EXPIRES Midnight Sunday 24^th March *** 

NCEA Information 

Missed Assessment / Extension Application

NZQA Website: 

History Trip to the Bay of Islands

The second Level 1 history trip to the Bay of Islands saw more than thirty students explore the key sites of the Northern Wars of 1845, beginning with the innovative Māori trench systems at Ruapekapeka designed by legendary warrior, Kawiti. The blue skies beckoned the group to climb Flagstaff Hill to view the place of Hone Heke’s famous flag felling feats and then onto the harbour on the R.Tucker-Thompson, where many climbed the rigging or sailed the ship.

A big meal, plenty of games, quizzes about what we had learned plus a few splashes in the pool, finished our day before we ventured onto Waitangi. Here we studied the causes and the Northern Wars battle itself, whilst looking more broadly at the long term impacts of the events seen at Waitangi.

Here is hoping that the students will be able to use all that information in the soon to be completed NCEA internal.

Dental Planet Visit - Years 9-13 (Monday 8 April to Friday 26 April)

Dental Planet will have their van onsite to see students.  The majority of the visits will take place over the school holidays (15 April - 26 April). 

Dental Planet will be in contact with parents/caregivers to schedule student appointments.
Contact Details:  Call 0800 262 2022 or email [email protected] 

North Harbour Athletics

Sports News - "Off the Bench"

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

Careers Hub

Year 13 career conversations are well underway. Each student has the opportunity to speak with a Careers Advisor and put together an Action Plan for what they can/should do this year so that they are prepared for next year's first step out of school. 

Next Wednesday during Block 1 ILT, Year 13 students who are interested in potentially having a GAP year, will have the chance to see a presentation on possible opportunities that they may wish to pursue.

CASE Space School - Visit Nasa!  Middle and Senior Students

All Orewa College students are invited to join CASE Space School International Study Program and visit NASA in the USA in July 2025. This immersive, engaging and inspiring learning experience is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn beyond the classroom and be inspired by the opportunities that lie ahead!

For further information click HERE.
Information Evening - 6:00pm, Thursday 4 April 2024, via Zoom or contact:
Samantha Barkla: [email protected]

Information for Years 8-10         Zoom 6.00pm
Information for Years 11-13       Zoom 7.00pm

Tag Zone Day

On Tuesday, 5 March, the Year 7 and 8 Tag girls’ and boys’ teams competed in the North Harbour TAG Zone Day.  What a fantastic group of young people we have! 

Showing mana, sportsmanship, competitiveness, and FUN throughout the day!  In the pool games, the boys lost two and drew one, and the girls won two and lost one.  Due to the three-pool structure, the semi-finals were decided on percentages.  This put the girls into the 5-8 semi-finals, and the boys in the 9-12 semi-finals. 

Our girls showed fantastic focus, winning their semis and then playing off against MBI2 for 5th spot.  A really positive, fun game saw a draw, and their coming 5th= overall.  The boys had a hard-fought semi, winning this, and going through to the 9-10 final.  This one was very much a game of two halves, the second being their power play, and in the end losing by just one point.  

The best part of the day, though, was their whakatauke and manaaki.  They represented Orewa College proudly, and I was equally proud to take them all for the day!  Many thanks to our coaches, Ian, Julius, and Millan.  As well as our various parents for helping with transport.
- Mrs Ward Able, TIC TAG.

Health Notice - Year 8 HPV Vaccination

Consent forms have been sent home to parents/caregivers.  Please complete and return them to the school by Friday 15 March (whether consent or non-consent).  The second vaccination is scheduled for Monday 21 October 2024.

Flights and one night’s accommodation at The Bolton Hotel will be provided for students who come from outside the Greater Wellington region to attend the masterclass.

Click HERE to enter.

Community Notices

World Oral Health Day

World Oral Health Day (WOHD) serves as a vital reminder that a healthy mouth is integral to our overall health, well-being, and quality of life.  
Competitions and more information HERE.

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