Orewa College embraces a strong start to Term 1, welcoming new staff and prefects, reinforcing student attendance and engagement, and fostering leadership and community connections for a successful year ahead.

Term 1 2025

Week 3

Tēnā koutou e te whānau o te kāreti o Orewa,

Nau mai haere mai ki te wiki tuatoru. Kei te tūmanako au kua pai i ō koutou wikini, kua whakanui i te Rā o Waitangi i ō whānau hoki. 

(Kia ora, welcome to week 3. I hope you are had a great weekend, celebrating Waitangi Day with your families).

Over the past week, we have not only celebrated the return of our students but also welcomed our new staff to Orewa College. While teacher shortages remain a national crisis, we are fortunate and proud to have recruited many outstanding professionals to our school, many of whom are stepping into leadership roles to help guide our community.

Additionally, we had the pleasure of launching the Manukura (prefect) camp, where these student leaders came together to strengthen their connections with one another, as well as with our school and community. A wise person once told me, “Strong leadership empowers schools, and empowered schools can inspire the community”. Here is to welcoming both our new staff and the Manukura for 2025.

I shared a story last year to the community in reference to my time playing sport as an ex-student of Orewa College. I was never the best, or most talented, but I loved getting involved in as many sports as possible. I remember I would have something on every night, and I am sure it would have soaked up many hours of my parent’s lives (and their petrol).  One Sunday night, I remember saying to Mum and Dad, “can I have a rest day tomorrow”. Mum and Dad would look at each other, look at me, and say “Son, if you want to participate in all these activities, we will support you… but you are going to school tomorrow, there are no days off son”. Attending school and ‘showing up’ mattered in our house-hold, even when times were challenging, we showed up. Thus, I want to acknowledge all our students who have made a great start to the year. 

The evidence is clear that regular attendance is really important for sustained learning and student wellbeing, and it is important to note that the support of our whānau and community regarding attendance can make a huge difference to our students' progress at school. Research shows that regular attendance is directly related to increased achievement and excellent outcomes. The more learners attend, the more opportunities they can experience and attain higher levels of success.

Kia pai tō wiki.

(Have a great week).

Nāku noa, nā,

Wiri Warriner

Tumuaki | Principal

Orewa College