Opotiki College


Ōpōtiki College is a state secondary school located in Ōpōtiki, in the Bay of Plenty, North Island, New Zealand.

History

The first secondary schooling available in Ōpōtiki was at the Opotiki District High School, which was established in 1922.
The name was changed in 1953 when Opotiki College opened as a separate secondary school.
When Opotiki College came into being in 1953, a new crest was decided on.  At the top is a burning lamp.  Underneath is a cogged wheel and key.  The fern and the mere were added later.
The first motto was in Latin – UT MENS ITA HOMO; “as the mind is, so is the man”.  This was later changed to te reo Māori – TE HINENGARO TE TOHU; meaning “The mind is the measure of the man”.
A new logo has recently been developed that has at its centre the Koru.

Kura Ki Uta

The school marae was opened in 1981, complete with a dedicated wharenui, given the name Kura Ki Uta. The school kapa haka roopu has taken this name too. The wharenui building burned down accidentally in 2014. The reconstructed wharenui was rededicated in 2016. The photographs of the House Leaders that had been on display in the original wharenui were saved from the fire, but the original tukutuku panels were tragically lost. The carvings on the outside were restored, the original carvings from 1981 had already been replaced. The new maihe represent the local iwi, Whakatōhea, Tūhoe, Ngāitai and Te Whānau-ā-Apanui. The twelve heavens and ten Atua are represented on each sidearm and the centre piece, Io, has representations for the three kete of knowledge, the influence of the Church and the influence of Maoridom.
School functions are held on the marae ātea, including formal powhiri for guests, orientation for new students and celebrations of student successes.

School Houses