Charlie Colquhoun, 12, Zoe Chapman, 13, Sukhleen Kaur, 13, and Benjamin Louie, 12 enjoy their school. Photo/Zoe Hunter
Charlie Colquhoun, 12, Zoe Chapman, 13, Sukhleen Kaur, 13, and Benjamin Louie, 12 enjoy their school. Photo/Zoe Hunter
The view from Otumoetai Intermediate principal Henk Popping's office window is pure serenity.
"Often you see tuis in the trees," Popping said.
Sometimes wood pigeons and shining cuckoos also take residence in the trees. Popping said the shining cuckoos signified summer - and it sure felt like it arrived.
Maori statues decorate the native garden outside Popping's office, surrounded by trees which the children use for shade. It looks peaceful - the idea was to create a feeling of serenity," Popping says.
But when the bell rings for interval, the serenity is broken with play time. Popping said children crowd the area to eat their lunch, chat to friends and climb trees, which was a favourite student activity.
"The children are allowed to climb 3m up the trees," Popping said.
"Most of them in bare feet."
Apparently it is teaching the students to be active and free, and the children love it. They jumped at the chance to be photographed in their favourite climbing tree.
Inside the principal's office are two All Blacks jerseys signed by the 2016 squad, one of which hangs on the wall. Apparently it's not just because Popping is a big fan, but because the daughter of All Blacks' conditioning coach Nic Gill goes to the school.
Popping said Gill donated the signed shirts to the intermediate to fundraise for school resources.
"One recently went on Trade Me for about $700," he said.
He was still deciding whether to auction or keep the second one.
Popping is proud of his students both past and present. There are newspaper articles of former pupil and Black Cap Kane Williamson in the library, as well as articles on New Zealand slalom canoeist Luuka Jones.
"They give the kids someone to look up to and inspire to be," Popping said.
In the classrooms, Popping said the school had maintained a relenting focus on excellence at all levels since winning the Prime Minister's Education Excellence Supreme Award a few years ago.
"This is shown by our academic achievements and success in various local, national and international competitions across sporting, cultural and academic disciplines."
He said classes and learning were organised to build student resilience, self-awareness and independence.
"We understand our young people are going through significant neurological change along with rapid physical growth," he said.
"As a result we endeavour to offer a wide range of opportunities and encourage students to give everything a go to realise their full potential."
What do you love about your school?
Benjamin Louie, 12.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Rutherford programme – extension maths and science. I also enjoyed Wearable Arts, which I won awards in this year and last year. Last year I made a dragon costume and this year I made a firefly with a butt that lights up. I used a solar light.
Benjamin Louie, 12, Year 8
Zoe Chapman, 13.
I love all the opportunities this school has given me. The teachers are always encouraging everybody and brings out the best in you. Otumoetai Intermediate has prepared me really well for college next year. I love the Rutherford programme, especially the science. We've been doing marine biology and my favourite is the fish dissection.
I love all the opportunities here that having so much to do means you can't just ever get bored. I also like all the leadership opportunities on offer. I have been doing the Mansfield programme for the last two years and I love it. It's English-based and all about history, philosophy and writing. It's really fun. Also AIMS Games was really fun.
Sukhleen Kaur, 13, Year 8
Charlie Colquhoun, 12.
I love the range of opportunities and how everyone can fit in really well here. No one needs to feel left out because there are so many different things to do. School camp last year was really fun. We went to Ngatuhoa Lodge. Also I really enjoy the teachers and how much they help you.
Charlie Colquhoun, 12, Year 8
Education Review Office Report - October 21, 2014: Conclusion: Otumoetai Intermediate provides high-quality, inclusive education within a well-designed curriculum. Students achieve very well and carefully designed programmes respond to identified student needs and abilities. Respectful and reciprocal relationships among staff and students foster settled, purposeful classrooms where students benefit from highly effective teaching and learning practices.
About the School: Location: Tauranga Ministry of Education profile number: 1878 School type: Intermediate (Years 7 and 8) School roll: 767 Number of international students: 18 Gender composition: Girls 51%, Boys 49% Ethnic composition: NZ European/Pakeha 64%, Maori 19%, Asian 4%, Pacific 1%, Other 12% Most recent ERO report: August 2010, August 2007, August 2004 School motto: Hope, Strive, Achieve Highlights: - School triathlon - Student-led gala and cultural festival which the school uses to donate proceeds to various charities and fund school resources - School production involving over 200 students - Anchor Aims Games with 350 Otumoetai Intermediate students competing in 21 different sporting codes
