Otakiri School

Otakiri School
Location
Bay of Plenty Edgecumbe, New Zealand
Information
School type	Full primary
Motto	Our Best Always
Opened	1920
Ministry of Education Institution no.	1871
Years Offered	0-8
Gender	Both
Age	5-6 to 13-14
Age range	5-14
Pupils	171
Hours in school day	6
Classrooms	11
Houses	Te Kanawa, Hillary, Blake, Mahy, Kendall
Colour(s)	Navy Blue, Gold
Sports	Soccer, Hockey, Netball, Rugby, Touch Rugby
Socio-economic decile	6
Publication	Weekly newsletter, Otakiri Kids News
Website	otakiri.school.nz

Otakiri School is a primary school located just outside Edgecumbe, New Zealand. The school has a roll of about 170 pupils, and caters for years 0-8.

The School

Otakiri School is a full primary school located on the outskirts of Edgecumbe. The school was founded in 1920, and is still open today. The school has many facilities including a field, sports turf, computer suite, library, hard court and several playgrounds. The school also uses the Otakiri District Hall, which is located next to the school. The hall is mainly used for assemblies but is used occasionally for shows, fundraisng and other events. It is the primary place where the whole school meets.

Logo

The logo consists of Maori patterns and designs, and shows a pukeko in front of a triangle, which repersents Putauaki (Mt Edgecumbe), a nearby mountain.

Uniform

The uniform consists of a blue polo shirt, a blue and gold polo fleece, and a blue hat. The uniform is not compulsory to wear everyday (except the hat, which has to be worn during terms 1 and 4), but has to be worn on field trips and other occasions.

Events

Every year, around October, the school hosts the 'Country Fair'. This event is open to everyone in the region, and contains many activities, bands, and auctions. Each class manages a stall or game. They also hold an annual Calf-Club day, where students compete in multiple exercises with their calfs, lambs, and kid goats for ribbons, and trophies. Those who earned a ribbon, and/or trophy, can go on the Group Day, where other rural schools in the Rangitaiki Plains, compete together. Otakiri School also holds this event sometimes. On special events and days, such as Easter, the schools 90th year, and the Summer Olympics, the school holds some activities, games, and competitions for the students during school hours.

Student Council

While the school is ultimately managed by the admin staff, a group of students have a say in certain parts of the running of the school. These students, known as the student council, are elected by their fellow students at the start of each year. The student council's main objective is to help the students voices be heard in the running of the school. The student council runs the school assemblies, organizes and runs fundraising events and chooses what the money they raise can be spent on. They also have several other minor roles. There are different roles within the student council, such as Head Boy, Head Girl, Deputy Head Boy, Deputy Head Girl, Treasurer, Event Coordinator, Technology Manager and then representatives for each classroom. The students on the council have the opportunity to increase their leadership and speech skills. The student council is usually managed by a senior staff member.

School Houses

Otakiri School has 5 school houses, which are like teams within the school that compete. Each houses students has the opportunity to be awarded points for achievements, showing good virtues and for getting a placing in school sporting events. The houses are named after some New Zealand role models. The houses are: Te Kanawa (T.K.) - Named after New Zealand Opera Singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. The house colour for Te Kanawa is Purple. Kendall - Named after Barbara Kendall, a former New Zealand boardsailor. Kendall's house colour is Black. Blake - Named after Sir Peter Blake, who was a New Zealand yachtsman. Blake's house colour is red. Mahy - Named after New Zealand author, Margaret Mahy. Mahy's house colour is orange. Hillary - Named after Sir Edmund Hillary, a New Zealand mountaineer and explorer. Hillary's house colour is green. Each house has two students as House Captains, who are the leaders of their house. They are elected by their house members at the start of each year.

School Buildings and Classrooms

The school has many buildings which include 8 classrooms used for everyday teaching, a two story library and computer suite complex, a staffroom, offices for senior staff, the school office, several extra-learning and storage rooms and several toilets.

Everyday Learning

Otakiri School classes are taught the same subjects, just at different levels. English, Math, Topic Studies, Reading and Physical Education are some of the main subjects. Others include Spelling, Handwriting, Art and a Language. Students also have opportunities in Music, Science and Drama. As part of their learning classes also visit the library weekly to choose books to read. The Computer Suite is also visited weekly to assist other subjects and increase students computer skills. There is support for students who are struggling and plenty of opportunities for those who excel. A Self Directed Learning Program was introduced in 2010 for senior students who are excelling. The program allows students to be able to manage their day and make sure they get their work done by themselves, with little guidance from a teacher.

School Publications

The Otakiri School newsletter is published once every fortnight. It is prepared by the office staff and contains notices, acknowledgements, event details and information on the recent activity of the school. Every fortnight that the school newsletter isn't published there is another newsletter, The Otakiri Kids News. The Otakiri Kids News is organised and published by a different class every fortnight. The class writes stories and articles on their recent activities and publishes them in their newsletter. They may also put puzzles and jokes in the newsletter, and these are also found or made by the students. The School Newsletter is usually one-sided but has a term planner on the reverse side at the start of each term. The Term Planner is a calendar with all the school activities for one term marked on it. The Otakiri Kids News is usually double sided. Class teachers may also prepare newsletters occasionally, but these are only sent to the parents of that class, not the the whole school community. The school will also send home important notices, permission slips and questionnaires occasionally.

Blue and Gold Teams

Otakiri School is separated into the Junior School (New Entrants-Year 4) and the Senior School (Year 5-Year 8). The Junior School is known as Blue Team and the Senior School is known as Gold Team. They are called these as the school colours are blue and gold. The two different 'teams' are separated for different activities such as going to the nearby pools in Kawerau, going on trips, sport days and occasionally they will both have separate assemblies.

School Shows and Productions

Otakiri School host a School Show every 2 years and every alternate year they have a talent quest. The most recent school shows have been Snow White (2009) and A Big Green Adventure (2011). Student are able to audition for parts in the cast. They audition in front of a group of staff members and then those staff members choose what role each student should play. Each teacher also organises a class dance for the production, so the whole school is involved in the show. The talent quest is optional to enter, and students usually sing, dance or play an instrument. Both the talent quest and show are performed in the Otakiri District Hall.

External Links

• School Website
• Education Review Office School Reports