National Young Performers Awards
Recently eight talented Ōtūmoetai College students travelled to Palmerston North to take part in the National Young Performer Awards.
Congratulations to the following students on their nominations and representing our college at this national event:
- Tiana Guy – Speech and Drama
- Elliot Watts – Speech and Drama, Musical Theatre
- Connor Rowan – Speech and Drama
- Indie-Rose Dwyer-Vianello – Musical Theatre
- Alec von Bultzingslowen Newington – Musical Theatre, Speech and Drama
- Sammy Irwin – Solo Dance (Contemporary and Jazz)
- Willow Elliott-Lowe – Solo Dance (Contemporary and Jazz)
- Aadit Tandon – Musical Theatre, Speech and Drama
A special mention to Year 10 student Willow Elliott-Lowe, the youngest from our school this year to be nominated for this prestigious event — an incredible accomplishment!
Extra congratulations to Aadit Tandon, who reached the finals in both of his categories — placing 1st in Speech and Drama and 3rd in Musical Theatre — and also received the People’s Choice Award for Speech and Drama!
Important Information Relating to Exam Leave (Years 11, 12 & 13)
NCEA Exams are well underway and our Senior students have been emailed the following important information relating to Exam Leave:
Mōrena e ngā senior ākonga,
Firstly, I want to thank you for all your hard work and diligence throughout the year. You are now officially on exam leave, with exams beginning on Tuesday, the 4th of November, for Year 12 and 13s, and Monday, the 11th of November, for Year 11s.
The exam timetable is attached for your reference here.
As you prepare for your exams, I would like to reiterate a couple of important reminders regarding coming to school over the next few weeks:
- School Uniform: If you are coming to school for a tutorial, catch-up session, or an exam, you must be in full and correct school uniform.
- Cell Phone Policy: Our school’s cell phone policy remains in effect when you are on-site. Regardless of being on exam leave, cell phones are not to be used on the school grounds. Please ensure they remain in your bag when you arrive.
We appreciate your support in helping to ensure the smooth running of our kura during the exam period.
All the best with your final preparations!
Miss Lack
Student Microwaves & Hot Water Plan
Tēnā koutou,
With reduced demand now that our senior students have finished, the student microwaves and hot water will pause after Friday 7th November and restart in Term 1, 2026.
A huge thank you to our dedicated SVA students, especially Zoe Armit, who organised a roster of students and ensured the initiative ran like clockwork. This has been a great example of students supporting students.
My thanks to our Youth Workers, Patty and Gerardine, to Sandy Boubee, and to the PE Department and teachers of PAV 1 and 2 for their support in keeping everything running smoothly.
We also acknowledge the Tauranga Charitable Trust for donating the microwaves.
Ngā mihi nui – Ms Hawkes
Measles Cases in Aotearoa
Recent measles cases linked to overseas travel have been reported in Te Tai Tokerau and Queenstown. Cases were active in the community while infectious and there is a risk of measles circulating there, and more widely in Aotearoa.
- Measles is very contagious and can make people of any age very sick.
- Watch for measles symptoms – fever, cough, runny nose, sore eyes and a blotchy rash.
Measles: Locations of interest in Aotearoa New Zealand – Health New Zealand
- If anyone in your whānau has measles symptoms keep them home and contact a doctor or Healthline urgently on 0800 611 116.
- Vaccination is the best protection from measles. Check all whānau are immunised.
Measles immunity – Health New Zealand
Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine – Health New Zealand
- Anyone closely exposed to measles who has not received two MMR vaccinations cannot attend their school | kura for at least eight days.
