Year 9's First Day 2023

The first day at school was full of excitement and nerves, as our new whānau members turned up to begin their secondary education journey at OTHC. On a beautiful Tuesday morning, a variety of faces were gathered at the front office, all looking ecstatic to be moving into a new chapter in their lives, but also nervous to be in a completely different environment. Groups of students were walking around with parents by their side as the college’s Prefects went around and welcomed everyone with warm smiles and kind faces. Some had butterflies in their stomachs as they looked at the huge crowd around them, but, the many anxious thoughts in the minds of the new students were quickly shut out by the kind faces of the teachers and older students that they met. The day officially started with both students and parents crowding through the doors of the Marilyn Wales Auditorium for the pōwhiri, an event enjoyed by both new and old OTHC whānau members. Mr Kimi who had organized the day said, “This pōwhiri is always a special moment for the school and unique to New Zealand. Events like the pōwhiri are always a highlight of my year and something I always treasure. This year was a return to pre-Covid days when we could invite whānau to join in the pōwhiri and it was even more special when a parent offered to be the kaikaranga for the manuhiri.” Ms Swanson-Terepo, who was this parent said that it was a humbling experience for her, “I came to support you toku ngakau, he ra tuatahi mo to Kura hou.

A great honour and privilege that our Kaikaranga can ready the people, our call weaves the people together, ka whiri ai nga tangata, and that we are able to embrace our tamariki me nga whānau in a korowai of aroha, manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga.” She also said that the powhiri was wonderful - “a beautiful way to welcome us all, tauira hou me nga whānau to your new Kura.” At the completion of the pōwhiri, teachers from each of the four whānau - Hīnau, Miro, Tawa and Kōwhai, read out the names of their students and were taken off to their whānau class. The whole Orientation Day was fun, and the students got to know each other and their way around the school. Friendships were quickly made. One of the Year Nine students, Vegas Lawler said, "I really looked forward to the first day starting, and with my friends around me it really made the whole experience so much better.”  OTHC is a very big school and many students were nervous because there were so many new people and faces around them. It was also hard getting to know where everything was.However, the prefects and teachers provided all the help and support that the students needed to feel comfortable in their new environment. Mr Kimi thought the day went exceptionally well and he wished to thank all the staff and prefect team for making the day such a success.

ANAHERA-JAYDE AFOA, DARREN PATI & EUROPA HAUITI
NEWS MEDIA TEAM