Due to the rewriting of the New Zealand Curriculum for reading, writing and mathematics we are unable to provide comparative data this year - our English and mathematics end of year results based on the elevated year level expectations from the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum saw 74% of students achieving at or above expected levels for mathematics, 84% of students achieving at or above expected levels for reading and 73% of students achieving at or above expected levels for writing. Please note that lower reported achievement does not mean children’s learning has declined; it means the standard they are being measured against has been raised. This data will provide a baseline for subsequent years.
97% of students achieving at or above expected levels for social studies focused inquiries
Continued production of the Otatara School News broadcasts planned and filmed by the very talented Mānuka roving reporters
10 students attended the one day gifted and talented school - enrich@ILT
10 students participated in the Chess Power NZ chess tournament at Salford School
5 students participated in the Chess Power tournament at our school
Mana Missions earned this year – 14 bronze, 14 silver, 6 gold and 7 teal
Strengthening our connection with our local environment through weekly visits to the reserve, nature journaling and utilising opportunities to be involved with and contribute to our local area such as Mānuka school planting in conjunction with the Otatara Landcare at Bushy Point
Eight Year 5 and 6 students competing in the EIS Technology Challenge
Our own environmental educator Bronwyn Graham working with all classes across the school to inspire ongoing exploration and appreciation of the Otatara Scenic Reserve
Sporting and Cultural Highlights
Year 6 Beach Education safety day at Oreti Beach
Whole school Matariki Celebration with our community – classrooms opened for us to share ngā toi, kemu and pūrākau with whanau
Whole school performed in Murihiku Polyfest at ILT Stadium Southland
Choir performance in the ILT Sing Out show at the Civic Theatre with our 41 choir members and at the Invercargill Central Mall
6 students represented the school at the Southland Orienteering championships at Fosbender Park
Otatara Orcas Year 4-6 Waterpolo team who won the C-grade competition and the Otatara Seals Year 1-3 Waterpolo team who won the Junior competition
Classes took part in Te Pōhā programme developed by 4 local rūnaka to explore mātauranga Māori with a focus on nga toi and purakau. Ponga enjoyed linking this to the National Earthquake Shake Out drill and learning all about Earthquakes and how they form mountains like Aoraki.
Pōkākā and Tarata participation in NZ authors Books Alive event for the New Zealand Book Award Tour
Lunch clubs with dance, drama, art, drawing, waiata as some of the options
School cross country with 38 students qualifying for the Kiwi Zones and 7 going on to participate in the Southland Cross Country
Senior School Athletics – 57 students qualified for the Kiwi Zone with 19 of these students representing Kiwi Zone at the Southland Athletics
5 students competed in the Southland Swimming Champs
6 students represented our kura at the Top Bike competition
Senior school triathlon
Physical Activity Leaders Programme (PALs) involving leaders from Years 4-6
Whole school aquatics - seniors at Splash Palace and juniors in our swimming pool
Music lessons were again offered by the Kennedy School of Music
17 different sporting codes were offered across the school for after school sport, coached and managed by parents and some secondary students or older students
Kahikatea learning about bugs and creating a bug hotel to attract insects to our kura
Junior Sports Day
Dance and music learning for juniors with Miss Williams and dance for seniors with Mrs Haig
Other School Highlights
Planting out of the western boundary with each of our class trees
Establishment of a perceptual motor programme (PMP) to support coordination skills
Kāpuka students conducted litter surveys of Noki Kaik beach, collecting 1317 pieces in a 100 metre length area. An alarming 1128 of that rubbish was plastic
Donation of $750 to the school by Dr Johri, ex parent of the school
Our Year 6 students who support the school in myriad of ways - before school reading, road patrol, sports shed, librarians, peer mediation
Year 5/6 Leadership programme with 15 Level 1 leaders, 11 Level 2 Leader and 4 Level 3 Leaders
Weekly outdoor classroom time in the reserve with kaiako
Mrs Scott and Tōtara’s mahi with the school vegetable garden
Support with our inquiries and investigations from Maurice Rodway, Bronwyn Graham, Jason Whyte (ILT e-learning facilitator), Ben Febery, Lloyd Esler,
Digital safety sessions with each class facilitated by John Parsons
Ti Kōuka raising and releasing salmon and Kahikatea chicken and quail hatching
Working with Senior Constable Rosie, our Police Education Officer
Participated in the National Earthquake Shake Out drill
Another successful Scholastic Book Fair with $5459.90 raised for library resources
Mufti day for Chatbus raising $437.60, and Kavahna organised a sports themed mufti day and raised $393.60 for Starship Hospital. Max MacKenzie also completed this challenge through fundraising as an individual
Visit from Harold and the Life Education Trust for the junior school
Parent Support Group involvement in a range of initiatives, kai for special assemblies, Year 6 camp, Grocery Grab, hot cross buns, sausage sizzles, calendar art, school uniform sales, school discos, playground upgrade fundraising
Community support with before school reading, classroom help, road patrol, school trips etc
St John’s educator working in classes exploring first aid responses including the stable side position - previously known as the recovery position
All teachers and classes continued to engage in mathematics learning supported by ongoing professional development facilitated by Rob Profitt-White
School wide Outreach Singing and visits again to rest homes
Miles, our Chatbus counsellor, visiting our school once a week
All classes engaged in the Sir John Kirwan Foundation mental wellbeing programme Mitey
School haka competition - Ponga and Kāpuka the winners!
Year 6 road patrol students participated in Orange Parade to celebrate their role in the School Patrol keeping us all safe!
Year 6 students participated in the Mitre 10 Mega Tough Kids day at Surrey Park
Second Year Otago University College of Education students visited to teach students in Tī Kōuka science
Mahi celebrated with Book Week, Maths Week, NZ Music Month and Te Reo Māori week
Hovercraft rides for our mathematics week winners
Junior school trip to the library, archives, ICC, Mīharo, He Waka Tuia and Mural walk
Nurses visits to the juniors
NZ House of Bricks Lego Days for the whole school
The magician visit
Stags visit with the Ranfurly Shield
Whānau Ropu led hangi, classes enjoyed being part of the preparation of this event
Whole school attended the George Begg Festival at Teretonga in April
Matai visited Gus at The Southland Mushroom Farm as part of their inquiry for the year
Kahikatea visited the Queens Park Aviary to donate their quails as a part of their inquiry
Freestyle NZ Motorbike Stunt Show for our end of year celebration
Spreading joy at the mall
On Wednesday our choir bused into town to the Invercargill Central Mall to spread Christmas cheer to all of the shoppers. A special thanks to Mrs Graham, Whaea Ange and Whaea Alexa who accompanied them.
Farewell and thanks to Mrs G, Miss Collie and Ms Maw
Today we presented Mrs Bronwyn Graham, Ms Maw and Mrs Collie a plant to thank them for all they have given our kura while they have been teaching with us this year. We wish Mrs Graham all the very best for the next step in her teaching career at Aparima College and thank her for her legacy of the west boundary planting project . Mrs Collie has supported our Literacy and Mathematics teaching and looks forward to reconnecting with our students who are attending James Hargest next year. Ms Maw has worked across the school with our PMP programme as well as mathematics and we look forward to having her work again with us next year when she relieves.
A BIG Thank You From The Parent Group
As the year draws to an end, we wish to thank everyone for their support throughout the year with our various fundraisers and events, from discos, hot cross buns and sausage sizzles, we have had a great time engaging with our school community. So thank you, and also a big shout out to all our parent group helpers! These events wouldn't be possible without you!
We will start the year off with a second hand uniform sale, date tbc.
Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas, happy holidays and stay safe.
Your friends, Otatara Parent Group
Otatara School Assembly
Friday 12 December - Whole School Celebration - 1.45pm Tuesday 16 December - 2025 Graduating Students Celebration - 9.30am
Road Patrol Roster
Monday 15 December 2025 to Tuesday 16 December 2025 Monday Lena Clinckett Lena Clinckett Tuesday Sharon Livingstone Sharon Livingstone
Parent helpers please be at school by 8.20am for the morning patrol and 2.40pm for the afternoon patrol. If for some reason you are unavailable on your rostered day please swap with another parent.
Thank you for helping to keep everyone safe.
Important Dates
Final Whole School Assembly
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Starting at the earlier time of 1:45pm this assembly will include the acknowledgement of a lot of hard mahi this year:
- Presentation of Mana Mission Awards
- Presentation of Science Badges
- Presentation of Road Patrol Certificates
- Acknowledgement of our Kapa Haka Year 6 Leavers
- Farewell to students not returning in 2026 (not in Year 6)
Last day of school for 2025
All Day
Year 6 leavers ceremony - 9.30am start in the Community Centre, concludes with morning tea for Y6 leavers and their whānau
Year 6 Leavers Ceremony
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The last day of school and our farewell to the Class of 2025. All students are to arrive at school at the usual time. Year 6 students are invited to dress for the occasion, all other students need to be in the correct school uniform. This assembly begins at 9:30am in the hall.
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