Our Story
Our Story
Ōtūmoetai Primary School is a Decile 6 contributing primary school catering for academic, social, emotional, cultural and physical needs of Y1-6 children in the Ōtūmoetai area.
Our roll grows to approximately 580 - 600 by the end of each year. Ōtūmoetai Primary School was established in 1895 and continues to play an integral part in the Ōtūmoetai community.
Our children represent a range of ethnicities and they bring a rich diversity to our school. We recognise the very important part parents play as their children’s first teachers and for their continuing support of their children’s learning. Our school’s special qualities include: PB4L (Positive Behaviour for Learning), School Houses, The Code of Practice for International Students, a focus on Wellbeing, Reading, Writing, Maths and The Arts, high quality physical education including many opportunities for children to be involved in school sports teams and activities.
Ōtūmoetai Primary School is a very well-resourced school with a strong connectedness to our local community through participation with the Ōtūmoetai community and stakeholders.
Our School Pepeha
Ko Mauao te maunga.
Ko Tamatea-pōkai-whenua te tangata.
Ko Tauranga te moana.
Ko Tākitimu te waka.
Ko Ngāti Ranginui te iwi.
Ko Huria te marae
Ko Ngāi Tamarāwaho te hapū.
Ko Kopurereroa te awa.
Ko Waikareao te kete kai.
Ko Motuopae te urupā tapu.
Ko Ōtūmoetai te kura.
Learn about the Ōtūmoetai Primary History, Vision, Logo and Values
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Check out our awesome school book that tells the story of our school history, local legends, and link to Ngāi Tamarāwaho!
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Our Vision for the young people of Ōtūmoetai Primary School is that we are ‘Actively Involved Learners.’
Our school logo symbolises the oak tree situated on the corner of Ōtūmoetai Road and Sherwood Street which was planted when our school opened on this site in 1895. The logo also shows representation of Ōtūmoetai hill - the puke or hill that we travel up each day to reach our school. The koru within the hill represents the waters of the sleeping tide of the Ōtūmoetai harbour.
Ōtūmoetai has a special meaning.
‘O’ - means the place of, ‘tu’ - means standing still, ‘moe’- means sleeping And ‘tai' - means tide - So...Ōtūmoetai means 'the place of the sleeping tide.'
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Our CARE Values are Confident, Adventurous, Respectful and Encouraging.
Confident - Māia
Adventurous - Manawanui
Respectful - Manaaki
Encouraging – Whakamana
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We acknowledge Ngāti Ranginui Iwi and Ngaī Tamarāwaho hapū as Tangata Whenua, and are committed to maintaining a close working reciprocal relationship. We recognise and value the unique position of Maori in Aotearoa, and the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Te Ao, Te Reo and Tikanga Māori are authentically interwowen throughout the school as a normal part of what happens every day. This complimentary approach acknowledges and respects the values, traditions and histories of both Māori and Pakeha.
Building close relationships with whānau is a priority. Whānau are a significant component of the partnership relationship, which ensures Māori students are able to learn as Māori, and achieve at the highest levels.
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Positive Behaviour for Learning School-Wide is a long-term approach that supports schools to create a culture where positive behaviour and learning thrive. Students are taught in very specific terms what behaviours are expected of them. There is a consistent response to these behaviours across the school.
After consultation with the community, staff and children, the following 'positively worded expectations' were finalised.
Confident, Adventurous, Respectful, & Encouraging
How do we prevent inappropriate behaviour continuing?
Children need to be taught how to behave just like they are taught how to read and write. Some children require extra time and practice to behave in the way we would like them to at OPS. It does take time, but we are committed to ensuring all children at OPS learn how to be Confident, Adventurous, Respectful and Encouraging students.
Teachers regularly pre correct and remind children of the school behavioural expectations. The children are rewarded for modelling the correct behaviour by way of House points.
Positive Behaviour for Learning
We are Actively Involved Learners