Search Results

Friends of the School Notification HOW TO DONATE Otamatea Christian School is a small, rural based Northland private Christian school which relies on donations to operate. We are passionate about providing the opportunity for children in our area to receive a sound Biblically based education. We are aiming to provide an education system that works alongside parents in the education of their children and that creates opportunities for all children to attend and flourish no matter what their socio economic background or education level is. Regular donations, lump sum donations or bequests, will be warmly accepted as a blessing and will go toward the day to day running of the school, staffing, meeting the the educational, and learning needs of our students. It will also be put towards development of the giftings some students show as well as to help fund families that struggle financially with fees, uniform, school trips, workbooks and other school related costs. If you wish to donate you can donate by pressing the icon above through Friends of the School.

2023 school terms and Term 1 Monday 3rd February -School Starts/New Entrant Intake Thursday 6th February - Waitangi Day Friday 7th February - Day off for long weekend. Friday 28th March - Tentative Date for Athletics Day Thursday 10th April - Tentative Date for Honour Roll Friday 11th April - End of Term/ End of Term Working Bee Friday/Saturday SCHOOL HOLIDAY DATES Friday 18th April - Good Friday Monday 21st April - Easter Monday Friday 25th April - Anzac Day Term 2 Friday, 28th April: School begins Thursday 21st June - Tentative Date School Cross Country Friday, 27 June - Tentative Date for Honour Roll Term 2 ends/End of Term Working Bee Friday/Saturday. Term 3 Monday, 14 July: School begins. Friday 2nd August all work to be uploaded for Student Convention including Early Entry Submissions. Friday 9th August Registration closes for Student Convention/Early Entry Submissions Final Day/Visitors Registration Final Day Monday 1st September to Friday 5th September Student Convention Week Tuesday 2nd September Student Convention ATHLETICS DAY -9:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Bring Your Goofy Hat! Friday 19th September Term 3 ends. Term 4 Monday 6th October - School Starts Pet Day to be advised. Term 4 will finish no later than Friday 19th December. SCHOOL TERM DATES 2025

HISTORY Background In 1986, the pastor of the Maungaturoto Congregational Church, Robert Steedman was experiencing the struggles of raising a family who attended the local school. Dissatisfied, he and his wife Lynelle figured there must be a better way to educate children to think and live Christianly. They searched and discovered schools starting up around the country using Accelerated Christian Education. Together with Malcolm Cullen, also of the Congregational Church, they met and were inspired by Ross Davies, Ken Francis and Dick Gordon who were operating a school at Kamo and Alan O’Neil at Dargaville. They decided to do the same. During the first term of 1987, Debra Windsor, who would be the first senior supervisor, lived at Kamo and worked with Ken Francis to learn all about how ACE operated. They proceeded to set up a school board under the church elders and began planning a school to operate at the church. In due course they opened Otamatea Christian School on April 22, 1987. The initial student body consisted of 14 primary school aged children, mostly from the Maungatoroto Congregational Church and the Assemblies of God. In the following year there were 28 students in the school. Gradually they extended the top age of the student body up into the secondary school. The Accelerated Christian education style was working well for them. There was a real sense that school was an extension of family life as parents were integrally involved in the running of the school. Additional Buildings In 1991 a building was brought in and attached to the back of the church to provide additional classroom space. In 2004 an attractive purpose built school building was constructed at the back of the property freeing up the church building. School Staffing The Steedmans left at the end of 1991 at which time Les Gribben became the principal. Les faithfully continued in this role until he handed the baton to Lynette Bell in 2009. Lynette Bell continued to ‘Stay the Course’ and grow the school to 43 students during her time as principal. She believed in releasing the talents and gifts students had been blessed with and opened the school to those that would not be able to afford Christian Education through the introduction of Scholarships and Sponsorship. She served in this role for 6 years until 2015 where she handed over the leadership of the school to her husband, Mark Bell. Mark Bell has been working in the school since 2011. Both Lynette and Mark are called to the Mission Field of providing a strong Bible based Christian Education in our area. They work as a team and hold a passionate vision for Christian Education in which all core subjects are infused with scripture and guided by the word of God. School Community During the time the school has been open, there has been a cross-section of Christian families and non-Christian families and children that have participated fully in the school community. Notably there have been families while based at the Youth With a Mission base at Paparoa contributing to the school community. There is a continuing warm and supportive relationship built up with the other churches in the district. The school has been a valuable contributor to the fellowship of ACE schools and home educators, being actively involved with conferences and conventions, and the local NZACS regional events. Teachers and volunteers from parents, to grandparents, to friends of the school, willingly give of their time and are a blessing to those lives they touch. Conclusion Otamatea Christian School still remains an independent school. Faith and Trust in God are paramount to its smooth running spiritually, physically and financially. Since the early days many students have passed through our school and have achieved outstanding results in their chosen paths including tertiary education. In recent years students that have been through our school have ended up studying medicine, law, physiotherapy, genetics. Some students have gone on to be teachers, nurses or linguists. Other occupations that our students are called to include engineering, building, architecture, social work and building. Otamatea Christian School has been a wonderful example of a community of faithful families educating their children in the knowledge of the Lord and a shining light to those members of the community that have come through its doors in times of storm and uncertainty. Especially in recent years non Christian children and families that have joined our school community have given their lives to Christ. Thus the school has transitioned from a school essentially focused on discipleship to a school also focused on evangelism of those that do not know Christ.

Otamatea Christian School is an independent Christian, co-educational school with a warm family atmosphere and an emphasis on character training, values education and high academic standards. Our school has a fine record of providing opportunities for all students who are determined to succeed and who wish to achieve to their full potential. Our senior students strive to achieve a variety of certificates including our High School Advanced Certificate and our Certificate of Achievement with Level 3 endorsements which are both accepted as university entrance for Universities and Tertiary Institutes throughout New Zealand. We aim to assist our students to take full responsibility for their learning and behaviour and we know that quality learning comes from a close partnership between home and school. As a school we encourage parents and caregivers to be an integral part of the school. We have qualified caring staff who encourage all students: • To aim for excellence • To work towards achieving their God-given potential in all areas including the arts, sports and academics. • To have enquiring minds, a sense of discipline, co-operation and responsibility. • To develop an appreciation of their cultural background, a capacity for leadership, concern and respect for others. • To demonstrate high standards of honesty, integrity, courtesy, tolerance and loyalty. • To prepare for future tertiary and vocational opportunities and to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for their chosen career. I look forward to meeting students who join our school family and have chosen OCS as their educational provider whether you are a day student, an international visitor or working from home as a distance learner. I know that your association with Otamatea Christian School will be challenging, stimulating and rewarding throughout your educational journey.

Our Point of Difference Excellence! Excellence! Excellence! Psalm 121:1-2 King James Version (KJV) I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, From whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, Which made heaven and earth. What is the point of difference of Otamatea Christian Schools Distance Learning? The answer is....Excellence! Excellence in Growing our Christian Faith, Excellence in Growing Academically, Excellence in Growing our Giftings to serve the Kingdom. . Why do all things with excellence? “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men …” Colossians 3:23. Such a simple scripture – yet with such an incredible, liberating message! When I do everything heartily (i.e. from the heart) for the Lord, this overrides all ambitions of wanting to make a good impression on other people. What is God's standard of excellence? On graduation it is God's desire that students be meek, humble, gentle, patient, peacemakers, seekers of justice, righteous, examples of integrity, compassionate, forgiving, faithful in marriage, loving, other- directed, and fishers of men. Citizenship, ethics training, academic knowledge, understanding wisdom. We are not a home schooling agency that specialises in administration or a hub where students engage when they choose. We are offering a specialist, private, distance learning school, with the resources, expertise, and expectations to generate success and excellence in all areas. We aim to enable all students to reach their full potential and to discover their God given talents. Our fees are set to provide the staff and resources needed to provide students with what they need to become the leaders of the future in their chosen fields. If you are looking for a top notch education from the comfort of your home join our school family. Our distance learning is not a replacement for those who are enjoying home schooling but an opportunity for those who are looking to Accelerate their child learning to its full potential regardless of their ability. For more information contact the school: otamateachristianschool@gmail.com

International Student Testimony "Please believe that Otamatea Christian School is the start to your dreams and aspirations" - Fiona Yue My name is Fiona, and I’m a freshman in high school. When I was just 8 years old (Year 3), my family moved to New Zealand from China. I took the diagnostic test of the Otamatea Christian School when I first started. I was startled by the fact that I couldn’t even read the term “brother” correctly. My principal, Mr. Bell, at that time told me that it would take me six months to learn English and a year to be able to speak with others without a language barrier, and sure enough, his predictions were true. For five years at Otamatea Christian School, I learned to comprehend, read, and write and excel in all of them. I was a top-class student when I entered secondary school (Epsom Girls Grammar School). My teachers thought highly of the talks and presentations I presented. Excellent and really engaged, according to my report. These were all only made possible with the assistance of Mr. and Mrs. Bell. My foundation was so strong that my Math teacher, English teacher and classmates all inquired as to whether I attended a prestigious school. They all questioned me about my school’s name. I am very proud to have studied at Otamatea Christian School. The school has helped me adjust to high school successfully. Over the course of my five years at Otamatea Christian School, I also have learned appropriate behaviour and manners. My family was significantly helped by the school as well. My family and I adapted well to life in New Zealand thanks to the principal’s wife and his kind invitations to parties and fishing trips. My family is really appreciative of what they have done. I’d like to express my brother Eric’s gratitude on his behalf to Mrs. Bell, the wife of the principal, and Director of International Students. She worked one-on-one with my brother to help him adjust to school life. She also helped him with social skills while supporting him with a positive outlook. Overall, I’m very appreciative of a school that feels like a family. Please believe that Otamatea Christian School is the start to your dreams and aspirations. Fiona Yue.

KAPAHAKA We involve the whole school in our Kapahaka group, so we have a fairly large group (currently 30 students approx.) from 5 yrs old up to 16 years. Our school Kapahaka group has only been going for a little while, despite this, the students have embraced their cultural learning and are performing extremely well, with a lot of great comments and feedback from our audiences. Over the last few years, we have performed at various places, and every year at our school prize giving. We teach waiata (songs) that support our schools' ethics and values, and our aim is to impute Wairua Tapu (God's Holy Spirit) and God's message through our performances.

SENIOR PROGRAM OF STUDY Year 11 to Year 13 Levels 1,2 and 3 Pre-Requisites: Core Mathematics, Core English, Core Word Building and Core Literature, Core Science and Core Social Studies (Paces 1085-1096) English: Etymology, Word Building, Speech, The Art of Story telling, English I, II, III, IV and V, English Composition I and 2, Mathematics: Business Math, Algebra I and II, Senior Mathematics 1 and 2, Geometry, Trigonometry, College Math and Accounting Social Sciences: Modern History, History of Civilisation, Collectivism, American Government, American History, World History Projects, World History, World Geography, New Zealand Social Studies Science: Earth Science, Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Bible and Science Health: Nutrition Science, Health Business Studies: General Business, Keyboard Skills, Economics, Business Mathematics, Accounting The Arts: Visual Art, Music Christian Studies: Christian Counselling Christian World View Biographies of Christians Missions Christian Growth Life of Christ NT Church History OT Survey Successful Living Other Curriculum Offered: (Additional charges will apply) Languages: (Rosetta Stone) Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Dutch, English (American), English(British), Filipino (Tagalog), French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Persian(Farsi), Polish, Portuguese(Brazil), Russian, Spanish (Latin America), Spanish (Spain), Swedish, Turkish and Vietnamese The Arts: Singing (Trinity College Exams) Drama (Trinity College Exams) Guitar Lessons Te Kura: New Zealand Correspondence School (Choice Manual 2017) http://www.tekura.school.nz/subjects-and-courses/ http://www.tekura.school.nz/assets/Publications-non-curriculum/Choice.pdf Note: There is no Christian Content in these subjects. The school does not take responsibility for the curriculum content. It is up to parents to discern whether the subjects are suitable for their child/children. If content in some subjects is not suitable to the character of the school, then the content will not be admissible at school. Students enrolled under the correspondence school are counted as ‘Dual Enrolement” students. This is supplementary to the A.C.E program. Students can study things we cannot offer at a senior level, for example – Te Reo, New Zealand Accounting and Business Studies, Home Economics, Legal Studies, Media Studies, Primary Production, Performing Arts etc. Please look online if you are interested and then let the school know for enrolement purposes. It is best to enroll at the end of each school year for the following year. Be aware that not all subjects can be or will be credited towards an A.C.E certificate as this needs to be applied for, however, they can be added to your child’s Academic Record and used as part of their Curriculum Vitae.

Please complete the online application below, or click here for the printable version. Application for Enrollment - Distance Learning Student's First Name: Student's Last Name: Student's preferred name: Address & Postcode: Postal Address (if different): Home Phone: Mobile Phone: Birth date: Age: Ethnicity: Iwi: Male/Female: Present Year Level: Last early childhood centre or school attended: Father's name: Occupation: Email: Personal Mobile: Address & Postcode: Mother's name: Occupation: Email: Personal Mobile: Address & Postcode: Person responsible for student at home: Previous experience using A.C.E Pace's (Yes/No) Father, Christian Y/N Mother, Christian Y/N When: Level: Church Attended: Does student have special needs / medical conditions: Please indicate general academic acheivement of student's previous work: Has your child ever been suspended, dismissed, or refused enrollment to any other school: Reason for choosing Otamatea Christian School's Distance Learning Programme: I agree that if my child is admitted for enrolment to Otamatea Christian School’s Distance Learning Programme, I will insist that he / She complies to the programme, discipline, and other requirements of the school. Signed Caregiver 1 (Father) Clear Date Signed Caregiver 2 (Mother) Clear Date Where did you hear about OCS Distance learning Send Your enrollment form has been successfully sent.

S1SStudent Convention 2025

Distance learning fees for the 2023 As an independent school, OCS is a non-profit organisation that operates independently of the government. Operating costs of the school are covered by tuition fees and donations. All fees are in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax of 15%. The School reserves the right to change fees at any time. Where possible, one term’s notice of the expected increase will be provided. Distance Learning: $6,250.00 per annum $1,562.25 per quarter Curriculum Resources and Stationery: $600.00 per annum $150.00 per quarter

Newsletters: Please click here for the latest newsletter. 2022 Latest News: Pet Day We had a wonderful day, with lots of fun, friends and fellowship! Everyone worked hard, and our students did great in their entered events! Thank you to all the helpers, organisers and judges on the day! See photos below... ATHLETICS & CROSS COUNTRY DAYS This year we had the privilege of hosting our annual sports days joined with the local home-schoolers! We had fantastic weather and great competition. Children got to catch up with friends, and create new friendships. Below are a few photos from the events. Athletics: Cross Country 2021: