Te Awamutu College’s 2025 cohort of Year 9 students was welcomed with a pōwhiri at Ōtawhao Marae on Tuesday.
Year 13 students welcome the Year 9s onto Ōtawhao Marae with a haka. Photo:Jesse Wood
A chunk of the 326 Year 9 students at Te Awamutu College in 2025. Photo / Jesse Wood
Year 13 students patiently wait for the pōwhiri to get underway. Photo: Jesse Wood
Enrolment numbers are subject to change but as of 10am that day there were 326 students in their first year of college.
These new additions were former pupils of neighbouring schools – Kihikihi, Korakonui, Ngāhinapōuri, Ngutunui Enviro School, Ōhaupō, Pāterangi, Pirongia, Pukeatua, St Patrick’s, Te Awamutu Intermediate, Te Pahū, Waipā Christian School and Wharepapa South.
Te Awamutu College is at full capacity with a roll of 1472.
Seven international students have enrolled – four from Japan, one from Cambodia, one from Austria and one from Italy.
Eleven fresh staff members have started in 2025.
Teacher Daniel Powell shows his new Year 9 form class around Te Awamutu College. Photo: Jesse Wood
Deputy principal Neil Bauernfeind said bigger year groups are moving through the school compared to last year.
“Year 9 is slightly bigger but overall, the Year 12 group going into Year 13 is a bigger year group than the one that has just left.
“Naturally your numbers will be high.”
A sea of Year 9 students during their first day at Te Awamutu College. Photo: Jesse Wood
On the first day of the first term, principal Tony Membery addressed the new attendees in an assembly prior to the pōwhiri.
“A warm welcome to Te Awamutu College. We all remember our first day of high school or college,” Membery said.
‘You were worried about getting lost, you wanted to get there on time, you listened for your name and what class you were going to be in.
“You were waiting to hear if you got into a class with your best friend in the world. Today is all about you.
“Our goal is to welcome you, make you feel comfortable, you’re part of us now.”
Te Awamutu College Year 9 students await the start of the pōwhiri at Ōtawhao Marae. Photo: Jesse Wood
The welcoming ceremony at the college’s onsite marae involved the year 13 students.
The focused, well-dressed senior students set an example for their new college family members, challenging them to fill their shoes in five years’ time.
Waiata were sung, and a haka performed, inducting the tamariki to the whenua.
Teacher Wayne McNamara takes his Year 9 class on a tour of Te Awamutu College at the beginning of their first day. Photo: Jesse Wood
Parents, grandparents and significant others watched on as their loved ones took the next big step in their lives.
Membery said their aim was to help make “good citizens of Te Awamutu and indeed, the world”.
Year 11 and 12 students returned yesterday with all year levels back on board today.
There are many events to look forward to on the school calendar. One of these is on April 27, marking 40 years since the opening of Ōtawhao Marae.
Te Awamutu College Year 13 students sing waiata during the 2025 Year 9 pōwhiri. Photo: Jesse Wood
