"I think the strength of this place lies in the school's ability to be able to do exactly that. There is an absolute acceptance here of one and all."
Principal Russell Gordon experienced this when he was welcomed as the new head of school about six months ago.
Gordon says he is honoured to work alongside Farthing and to be able to draw on his colleague's 30-plus years of knowledge.
"He is Ōtumoetai College," Gordon says.
"He has a mind like a steel trap."
The former principal of Mount Maunganui College says the school's students have made him feel at home.
"It just feels like this was where I was meant to be in a culture that is so closely aligned to my own. While I loved where I have come from, I am loving where I am being."
Students refer to themselves as "Ots" on the sports fields, but it's Ōtumoetai College at any other time.
"It is such a beautiful Māori word which means still waters," Farthing says.
"Still waters run deep," Gordon adds.
"What I have seen in my short while here, is a depth of character.
"There is something particular and peculiar to the culture at this school," Gordon says,
Head boy Thomas Chaney, 18, says Year 9 students are introduced to the culture from day one.
"It's one of those things that have been passed down the generations.
"You look up to those role models who are older than you, and you want to recreate what they are doing. It is a bit of a circle."
Head girl Saskia Brinkmann, 17, wears her school badge with pride. She flicks her hair back, so it is visible.
"To be the head student of any school, let alone Ōtumoetai College, is so cool," she says. "I am really proud of us."
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL?
Saskia Brinkmann, 17.
"Over my years at this amazing school I have been given the opportunity to develop my academic knowledge, my communicative attributes and I am working alongside other striving students while using my own knowledge to further improve myself."
Charlotte Dey, 18.
"I have been gifted endless opportunities at Ōtumoetai College, all of which have shaped me to be an all-rounded person. It has helped me to grow my communication skills, teaching me effectively how to interact with all sorts of people. I love this place."
Thomas Chaney, 18.
"There is a really positive environment with the students at Ōtumoetai College and as a result, I have met many lifelong friends here. The teachers are really supportive and encouraging and have pushed me to achieve my academic and sporting goals.
Redemption TeWiki, 17.
"The most significant factor to why I believe Ōtumoetai College is the best college is the instalment of what I like to call our Ōtumoetai culture, which is a culture of acceptance, diversity and overall caring of each other. That is why I think we are such a great school."
ŌTUMOETAI COLLEGE - ERO REPORT 2016
Conclusion:
Ōtumoetai College is a large, well-established secondary school providing comprehensive educational opportunities for students from a wide variety of backgrounds. The school has a positive and welcoming school culture in which teachers encourage students to participate and succeed at all levels. The school has strong links with the community including local iwi.
ERO is likely to carry out the next review in three years.
About the school:
Location: Tauranga
Ministry of Education profile number: 120
School type: Secondary (Years 9 to 13)
School roll: 1928
Number of international students: 79
Gender composition: Girls 56%, Boys 44%
Ethnic composition: Pākehā 53%, Māori 20%, Other European 6%, Asian 5%, Chinese 2%, Indian 1%, Pacific 1%, Other 12%
Review team on site: August 2016
Date of this report: October 26, 2016
