News Roundup 12 September 2025

SVA Thank You – Free Pizza Celebration

Some of the SVA Committee Members pictured above:  Abbey Muspratt, Scarlett Minshall, Hannah Richards, Jaymin Corn, Zoe Armit (SVA Committee Leader) Anae Garratt and Matt Smith.

On Wednesday, 3rd September, our SVA volunteers enthusiastically set up in the School Quad and hosted a Free Pizza Giveaway to celebrate and thank our incredible student volunteers. With 80 pizzas and tables full of cheese, beef and onion, pepperoni, and gluten-free pizza, there was something for everyone to enjoy. 

A huge thank you goes to the Sports Department and Leadership Committee for sponsoring this event.

In 2025, Ōtūmoetai College proudly has 260 active volunteers logging their hours.  They have contributed over 9,600 hours in various areas, including coaching, environmental care, babysitting, lifeguarding, Salvation Army, and animal care. This year, we welcomed 120 new members into the SVA group, and were honoured to present 75 Bronze, 10 Silver, and 3 Gold Awards.

Wow — what a strong culture of service we are building! Truly, a few slices of pizza were well deserved.

THANK YOU to all of our volunteers, including those who give their time outside of the SVA system — your contribution makes a real difference.

Smokefree Rockquest National Finals Success!

Congratulations to Aisha Scott & Bebe Campbell.

They came 2nd in the National Final of the Solo/Duo Smokefree Rockquest category last night at Big Fan Studios in Auckland. 

They also won the ZM Award for best song!

Circability Trust Bay of Plenty

On Monday 8th September, our school held a community event at Okohanga for all to experience and enjoy circus entertainment.

It was a fun event for all and we’d like to thank Rowan Ford Dawson for offering such an incredible service for our community.

We look forward to hosting this again next year!

VEX Robotics Competition – 13 September

This Saturday 13th September – Ōtūmoetai College Robotics Club are hosting a VEX Robotics competition tournament.

There are over 15 teams from across the North Island coming to Ōtūmoetai College to compete. Come along and support us! There will be a sausage sizzle and bake sale to raise funds for the Robotics trip to Nationals later in the year.

All are welcome to come and watch, between 10am and 3pm, in the Performing Arts Centre.

A photo from last years event that was hosted at Ōtūmoetai College.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough) – Public Health Message

Aotearoa New Zealand is at high risk of a pertussis (whooping cough) outbreak due to increased numbers of cases across the motu.  

What is whooping cough?
Whooping cough is an infectious disease caused by bacteria and is spread through the community by coughing and sneezing, in the same way as colds and influenza. Young children, especially babies under six months, can become very ill from whooping cough.  Older children and adults get whooping cough too, which if not diagnosed and treated, may spread to young children.

What are the symptoms?
Whooping cough starts with a runny nose and dry cough. The cough gets worse over the next few weeks, often developing into very long coughing attacks. In babies and children these coughing attacks may end with a ‘whoop’ sound when breathing in, or end with vomiting.

What should be done to help prevent whooping cough?

• Immunisation is the best prevention – Parents should ensure that their children are up to date with their free routine childhood immunisations which include the immunisations against whooping cough. Children are further protected with booster vaccinations at four years and 11 years of age.
• Whooping cough immunisation is also recommended and free for women during pregnancy from 16 weeks gestation as this helps protect their baby from getting whooping cough when they are very young and before they can get their own routine immunisations starting at six weeks of age.
• A free dose of Pertussis vaccine (which also covers Tetanus and Diphtheria) is recommended for adults at age 45 and 65 years.
• Good hand hygiene is always beneficial, and it is important to remember to cover your cough and not to cough on, or near, babies.

If anyone has symptoms of whooping cough they should stay away from work and see their doctor for assessment and advice.

If a you are diagnosed with whooping cough you need to remain away from work/school/Kura until:

• You have completed two days of the antibiotic Azithromycin, or
• Five days of other appropriate antibiotics (including Erythromycin), or
• Three weeks from onset of cough if no antibiotics given.

Further information on whooping cough:  Whooping Cough | KidsHealth NZ

Advice of Partial Strikes from Monday 15 September to Thursday 18 September 2025

Communication has been emailed to parents/whānau regarding the notification of partial strikes by PPTA Te Wehengarua members from Monday 15 September to Thursday 18 September 2025.

View the letter here.

If there are any updates or changes we will notify you via email as soon as possible.

Flag Day – Thursday 18 September

Flag day is coming up, students and kaiako are encouraged to come in cultural dress (or part thereof along with their uniform, or their uniform with a flag). Maunga points are awarded to anyone in cultural dress. Prizes will be awarded for best dressed students AND kaiako!

Frequently asked questions:

• I’m from New Zealand only. Can I wear kiwiana (gumboots, swanndri, All Blacks kit)? Yes, absolutely!
• I have family from multiple places, can I bring/wear multiple flags? Yes, of course! 
• I just want to wear my lavalava. What should I wear on top? You’re allowed to wear partial cultural dress. Wear your lavalava and wear your uniform shirt/sweatshirt on top.
• My family is British. Can I come dressed as Winston Churchill? Sure, fill your boots.
• My mum is American and I was born in New York. Can I dress up like the Statue of Liberty? Go ahead.
• I have no links to Scandinavia but I’d love to come as a viking. Can I? No. If you aren’t Scandinavian and you dress up like a viking, that’s cultural appropriation. Someone’s culture is NOT your costume. Rule of thumb: Unless you can whakapapa back to it, don’t do it.
• I have an idea but I’m not sure if it’s appropriate. Second rule of thumb: If you have to ask, then it probably isn’t. Remember school rules apply. No drug or alcohol references. If your outfit might offend someone, don’t wear it. 
• Can I just wear regular clothes? No, this is NOT a mufti day. You wear cultural dress or your uniform. You don’t have to take part but it would be neat if you did.

If you have any questions or queries around Flag Day or you want to check a costume idea please email Ms Moore lmoore@otc.school.nz

Violet Club Disco – 18 September

The Violet Club has organised a disco party scheduled for Thursday, 18th September 2025, from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at Ōtūmoetai College. 

This event will celebrate and support our rainbow community.

If you have any questions please email Ms Ferreira sferreira@otc.school.nz

Young Driver Workshop FREE Registrations – 1 & 2 October

Get the Tools to Guide Your Teen Driver – 16 October