Volunteer Estuary Clean Up
On Saturday 22nd March, a large group of Student Volunteers from Ōtūmoetai College joined forces with other keen groups such as Youth Voices Action and Envirohub Bay of Plenty, to clean up rubbish from the Maxwells Road/Waikareao Estuary area.
Powerco supported this initiative and Envirohub BOP provided us with gloves and rubbish bags. It certainly was interesting (and a bit shocking) to see how many bags of rubbish we filled – 17 IN TOTAL! That did not take long to do either, so I am sure there will be more days like this in the future.
If you want to give back to your community and see a cleaner, greener Aotearoa, please look out for the notices and look for the posters on how to join SVA in your classroom. – By Hannah Richards (Year 11)
Below is the feedback from Erika Harvey at Youth Voices Action
Kia ora,
We just wanted to take a moment to say a HUGE thank you to Ōtūmoetai College’s Student Volunteer Programme for stepping up and being part of Clean It Up.
We know young people care about the environment, but showing up, getting your hands dirty, and actually making an impact? That’s next level. And that’s exactly what your students did.
Thanks to their effort, we collected 17 full bags of rubbish from our city, and some pretty wild finds too, like used syringes, a gas cooking element, and even a bail release form!
Your students didn’t just clean up Tauranga. They led by example. They proved that taking action beats just talking about it. And we couldn’t be prouder to have them as part of this movement.
We hope they had an awesome time, and we’d love to have them back at the next Clean It Up event.
School Value – Kia Whakaute – Respect for Self and All
As a kura we are focusing on the school value of Kia Whakaute – Respect for Self and All which also ties in nicely to our Te Muka Miro model, focusing on Value.
Please click to view our video here
A special thanks to Adam Sushames for his skills in creating our video and the head students for being our actors.
Women in Tech Event at the University of Waikato
On March 19 Mrs. Strauss and the senior female Software Development students attended the Women in Tech event at the University of Waikato. This inspiring event provided students with the opportunity to engage in hands-on workshops, explore cutting-edge technology, and gain insights into careers in the tech industry.
Students participated in three interactive workshops:
Workshop 1: Using Micro:bits, students combined coding, computational thinking, and electronics skills to create mini digital applications.
Workshop 2: Focused on social robotics, students programmed and communicated with robots, even teaching them dance moves.
Workshop 3: Students explored different algorithms, testing and optimizing them for improved performance and results.
After enjoying a delicious lunch, students attended a panel discussion featuring current university students and lecturers. The panellists shared insights into their courses, research projects, and the diverse career opportunities available for women in technology across New Zealand. Students also had the chance to ask questions and gain valuable advice on pathways into the industry.
This event was a fantastic opportunity for our students to experience the world of technology firsthand, inspiring them to explore the exciting possibilities that lie ahead in the field.
Early Childhood Students Help Out
On Friday, the level 3 Early Childhood class went up to Ōtūmoetai Primary to help Marshall their annual adventure run. This is a whole school event, where the children get wet, muddy, slimy and complete a course around the school with different activities.
Our class supported the children by giving encouragement, pointing in the right direction and were generous with allowing children to throw mud and water! With smiles on their faces.
National Junior Tall Blacks Selection
Congratulations to Luca Henderson, a year 13 student, who has been selected to attend the Junior Tall Blacks National Age Group Camp for Basketball in April.
Students Working with Ōtūmoetai Kindergarten
The Level 3 Early Childhood students are working hard with Ōtūmoetai Kindergarten children to build respectful, responsive and reciprocal relationships. Our students are learning what these look like in real- life situations.
The students and children are having a wonderful time fostering these relationships as we continue our visits this term.
Ōtūmoetai College School Reunion Registration – Closes 31 March
The registration deadline is 31 March – Register Here.
Partners are welcome to register and participate in all events.
Te Ara Mārama Programme – Bay of Plenty Young Carers
Unseen Heroes currently have 25 spaces available in the Te Ara Mārama programme, designed for young carers aged 13-24 from the Bay of plenty region. The young people do not need to be providing full personal cares to be considered a young carer—they could be supporting their loved ones emotionally, simply being present in the home, helping with siblings, or taking on additional household responsibilities.
Many young carers face mental health challenges (anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicidal ideation), struggle to keep up at school, and often have low attendance rates due to caregiving responsibilities. They often feel lost and uncertain about their future.
The programme starts with a free camp at Tui Ridge Park 25th-27th of July 2025, where young carers connect with others who understand their daily challenges. Following the camp, we provide ongoing support for mental health, develop their self-love, self-worth, and confidence, as well as providing tutoring and mentoring to support them in school. Through Unseen Heroes, participants connect with peers who understand, develop the self-worth to dream, and build the confidence to reach their goals and discover their true path.
Special Olympics Athletics
Recently most of your Special Needs students participated in an inter-school athletics event. We had a great day out at Tauranga Domain. The following students received awards:
Girls –
Outstanding Performance
Clara-Ann Te Nahu – Shot Put
Georgia McNiven- Long jump
Bella Claydon- Mini-javelin
Georgie Farrell – Softball throw
Georgia McNiven- Track
Outstanding Effort
Charlotte Lander, Phoebe McNiven – Track
Piper Harvey, Phoebe McNiven – Field
Fair Play Awards
Georgie Farrell, Emily Cong
Boys –
Outstanding Performance
Andy Bidois – Mini Javelin
Louis Edgecombe – Softball Throw
Track – Rico Whitewood, Louis Edgecombe, Freddie Finch
Outstanding Effort
Track – Raffi Cimadom
Field – Koby Pritchard, Xavier Louwries
Fair Play
Lemuel Tablac, Joe Burgess
K-Valley Family Friendly Scavenger Hunt – 27 April
Get the kids out and active during the April holidays in support of restoring K Valley to its natural state. Join our family-friendly scavenger hunt by bike in the Kopurererua Valley on Sunday 27th April. Meet at the bottom of 17th Avenue from 10am (rolling start until 12 noon). Prizes (including a bike) will be awarded at 2.30 pm.
Click here to sign up a team of up to six for just $40 (Organised by Tauranga Sunrise Rotary).
AFS is Coming to Tauranga
Interested in finding out more about AFS?
Please see below for two information sessions.
Young Driver Workshop Registrations are Open
This is a free workshop. Improve your knowledge, confidence and skills. Aimed at young road users, aged between 16 and 24, who hold a current learner or restricted driver licence.
Each workshop includes:
- driver behaviour (speed, impairment, restraints, distraction and fatigue awareness)
- a 60-minute one-on-one driving lesson with a certified instructor
- Waka Kotahi NZTA skills to ensure your vehicle is safe and roadworthy
- sharing the road with heavy vehicles and vulnerable road users.
- importance of star safety ratings
For more information contact the Travel Safe School Coordinator travelsafeschools@tauranga.govt.nz.
Register below using the link for either of the next workshops on Wednesday 16th April at Papamoa Sports & Recreation Centre (Gordon Spratt Reserve), 80 Alice Way, Papamoa Beach, Papamoa and on Thursday 17th April at Te Wharekura o Mauao, 1 Westmorland Rise, Bethlehem, Tauranga.
