Orewa college

Attending high school at Orewa College feels like a constant battle for your sanity. The administration completely ignores student mental health, operating with zero logic or empathy. It’s also a nightmare to find a private spot; you can’t even trust the bathrooms to be safe from random acts, and being vulnerable enough to use one might put you at risk of assault from other students.

I’m writing this from my desk at Orewa College, procrastinating on my I.L.T and realizing just how much I dislike this place. The culture here feels off. I remember back in Year 7, my teacher would emotionally manipulate students into performing; if you were too nervous to present, she’d yell at you for being weak or force you to speak while you were crying. The discipline also seems arbitrary. After a fight broke out on the field last year, no one really faced consequences, yet I got a detention just for calling someone a snitch. The staff dynamic is weird too—half the male teachers seem off-putting, and the female staff are incredibly strict. I’m only in Year 8 and I’m done with this. The only bright spot is my friends.

As an 8th grader at Orewa College, I feel compelled to share my unvarnished truth: this school is frankly a nightmare. To cut to the chase, the environment has deteriorated significantly. Last year, a student who remains anonymous due to privacy concerns brought two pocket knives to school. He would threaten my classmates and me almost daily until we finally spoke up. The administration often let him get away with it, justifying his behavior with an "Autism" label, but honestly, his actions were erratic and disturbing. He physically attacked one of my friends every time he felt threatened. Add to that the constant vaping in the bathrooms. I know the school has limited power, but installing smoke detectors seems like a basic step. The bullying is rampant and well-documented on platforms like School Parrot, Twitter, and TikTok. It’s shocking how toxic things have become in a place branded as "bully-free." The administration tries to cover it up by offering guidance, but the response time is agonizingly slow—2 to 4 weeks for an email. When kids finally build enough trust to see a counselor, the school often emails their parents anyway, which explains why students don't trust the system. Instead of encouraging us to speak out about harassment, they seem more focused on protecting their reputation, telling us to keep a low profile on social media. And let’s be real, their reputation is shaky, sitting at a dismal 1.5, rivaling some of the worst schools in the area. Some teachers are also part of the problem. They belittle students or tell blatant lies. For instance, girls are sometimes denied permission to use the bathroom under the pretense that they should have waited for break. If a girl mentions her period, a female teacher might show some leniency, but male teachers often just shrug and say, "Hold it in." It’s incredibly immature for a grown man to say that to a young girl. You’ve lived through enough to understand biology; perhaps you should refresh your knowledge. Overall, the school feels broken. While I give some credit to the new principal for potentially trying to make changes, there are many issues teachers could fix immediately. It feels like many students leave here with issues ranging from nicotine addiction to drug use or mental health struggles. Coming from someone who has needed psychiatric support herself, I can say school used to be enjoyable, but now it feels like a daily chore and a genuine hazard. Parents reading this should seriously reconsider sending their children to Orewa College.

Stepped out of Orewa College in AUK after a rather awkward encounter. The teacher casually mentioned her cheeks clap when she walks and actually demonstrated it right in front of me. Just a weird moment that made me question the school's environment. #cancelorewacollege

Attending Orewa College feels like a step backward. My friend’s sister dealt with a stalker situation there, and reading through the other reviews confirms that this isn't an isolated issue—it’s a pattern at a school that seems to have significant problems. I’m at a different local high school, and honestly, the difference is night and day. I can’t figure out why my friend decided to transfer; they really should have stuck with our school. While I’ll admit that some of our teachers are lovely and our college isn't a total disaster, the student body leaves a lot to be desired. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise. Given the complaints about safety and the general vibe, it’s definitely better to look elsewhere. Keep your kids away from Orewa College.

I spent seven years at Orewa College, and I can honestly say I hated it from year seven right through to my final year. The experience was exhausting. Even something small like wearing a taonga required me to book an appointment with the principal just to get a "permanent pass," which I had to carry with me at all times. It felt like I was constantly being watched; teachers would give me side-eye if I didn’t have that pass on me. The racism I faced was real and often ignored by staff. In year eight, I got into a fight with a girl who was hurling racial slurs at me, yet I ended up taking most of the blame while she was pitied by the teaching team. That lack of support continued into year nine and ten. In year ten, the schedule was brutal—five subjects a day with multiple classes for key subjects. Te Reo was only once a week, and that structure wrecked the mental health of me, my friends, and even the teachers, many of whom left after that year. By year eleven, things got worse. I had teachers who were openly racist, picking on brown kids or calling me dumb in front of the class. One teacher would sneak up on me and yell in my ear just to "check if I was working," which triggered genuine PTSD. I’d have breakdowns just sitting in class and eventually stopped showing up altogether. We were treated like lab rats, and when we struggled, the blame was always on us, with staff telling us we’d amount to nothing. They cared more about strict uniform rules than our actual well-being. I cried almost every day on the bus ride here. Honestly, even Westlake is better than this place. Do not send your kid to Orewa College.

Orewa College feels more obsessed with its own image than with the well-being of its students. It seems like reputation management takes priority over actually caring about the people in the school.

The care I received from Orewa College was fantastic. The staff was incredibly compassionate and attentive. I am thankful for their services and would highly recommend them.

Rating: 1.0/5.0 My experience at Orewa College in Orewa was deeply disappointing. The school has effectively hindered students' ability to learn rather than helping them grow. During Year 9, we were unfairly forced to juggle three subjects simultaneously with redundant sessions like Mai time and Ako time, which ruined our academic progress. The teaching staff is largely ineffective, often relying on outdated slides created by former staff. Since 2020, the school has constantly shuffled systems and criteria without clear benefit. Discipline is practically nonexistent; "Eshays" roam freely, bullying is common, and bathrooms are frequently vandalized and flooded with waste because the groundkeepers can't keep up with the mess. Worst of all, the school’s honesty is questionable. We were told a recent wellbeing survey was confidential, yet many of us were singled out and called to the guidance counselor for answering truthfully. This blatant lie proved that the system is broken. Orewa College doesn't prepare students for NCEA or critical thinking; it just trains them to obey. I would strongly advise against sending your children here.

Orewa High School has been a really negative experience for me. I’ve encountered teachers who are quite aggressive and rude, which adds to the stressful environment. The bullying is constant and feels personal; I’ve had students call me names regularly, making me feel genuinely unsafe. With hostility coming from both peers and staff, I wouldn’t recommend this school to anyone.

One star for Orewa College. We were ready to play rugby under proper supervision, but Mrs. G____n blocked it anyway. It was confusing because another teacher, Mr. G_____S, actually overruled her decision and said we could go ahead.

Dropped a star from Orewa College because the provided winter jackets were pretty much useless during the cold months. I had to bring my own proper winter gear because the school issue didn't cut it.

onhlhomehealth.com provided me with excellent care. The team was responsive, professional, and always ready to assist. I am grateful for their services and highly recommend them.

Having spent time at Orewa College in Orewa, I can confidently say it’s easily the worst educational experience I’ve encountered. The teaching staff are mediocre at best, and the general student body isn’t much better. Honestly, the whole place is a letdown.

I had an amazing experience with Orewa College. They are always there for me whenever I need help. The staff is friendly, and the services are exceptional. Highly recommended!

I was extremely satisfied with the services provided by Orewa College. They went above and beyond to ensure my well-being. The staff was friendly and caring. 👍

I am extremely happy with the services provided by onhlhomehealth.com. The team was professional, kind, and considerate. I would definitely choose them again.

I attended Orewa College in Orewa, but I’m quite disappointed. They spent too much time drilling us on grammar, which felt tedious. To make matters worse, I found myself using the bathroom just to vape, and my USB drive kept getting stuck in my pockets during those breaks. It wasn't a great experience.

After years at Orewa College in Auckland, I can confidently say this place has earned its tarnished reputation. As a current student, the atmosphere feels toxic. The staff and student body alike seem to be struggling with mental health issues. If you check other reviews, you’ll see many of us feel trapped here. The social dynamic is exhausting. The girls tend to be self-absorbed and mean, while the boys are obsessed with their image, status, and drugs. Vaping is everywhere, but that’s just the surface. The safety issues are far more serious. We deal with daily fights and threats, and assaults happen constantly across all age groups, often with no consequences. Sexual harassment and assault are common, yet the administration dismisses it with comments like "he just likes you." That’s not how you prepare girls for the real world; it teaches them to tolerate abusers. Ultimately, the college cares more about protecting its already-damaged image than its students. They neglect our well-being. I am desperate to transfer out. For your child’s safety and sanity, think twice before enrolling them here.

I received top-notch care from the team at onhlhomehealth.com. They took care of all my needs and made sure I was comfortable throughout. I would recommend their services without hesitation.

Terrible experience at Orewa College. I can't believe a teacher actually licked my behind while I was misbehaving in the bathroom. On top of that, I caught another teacher from the Year 12 cohort vaping and stealing his weed right there in the stall. Pretty disgraceful behavior for educators. The school is only fun if you're looking to get licked in the bum, otherwise you should just go to Whanga.

As a dad of a Year 9 student at Orewa College, I’m sharing an honest take: the school feels chaotic. The administration seems overly focused on nitpicking and catching kids doing wrong rather than praising them. Even assemblies start with a litany of negatives, missing the positive moments. While I know the staff are trying to push students to succeed, the pressure feels excessive for such young learners, and they’re held to unrealistic standards. Discipline issues are also a problem—there are too many unresolved bullying incidents and fights. I’d recommend looking elsewhere for a safer environment where teachers truly listen to and care for their students. Given the leadership of Principal Gregory Pierce, I really expected better from Orewa College.

I had a great experience with onhlhomehealth.com. They provided exceptional care and were always available to address any concerns I had. Highly recommended.

The services provided by onhlhomehealth.com were beyond my expectations. The staff was empathetic and caring. Highly impressed by their professionalism. 👍

I attended Orewa College for a year, and my experience has only deteriorated over time. Despite the school’s reputation, the environment is plagued by unaddressed sexual assaults and daily bullying, which feels ironic given their advertised "no-bullying" policy. Gossip spreads rapidly, creating a tense atmosphere where students feel constantly on guard. Disciplinary efforts seem superficial; instead of resolving conflicts, teachers often just mark the fields as out of bounds. The administration appears more concerned with protecting their external image and finances than fixing the underlying cultural issues that could easily lead to the school’s decline. This seems to be a regional problem, as nearby schools like Whangapara exhibit similar flaws. The mental health support is particularly disappointing—counselors lack confidentiality, often sharing details with parents without nuance, which can increase anxiety for the student. Academically, the approach feels punitive rather than supportive; teachers frequently shut down curiosity by reprimanding students for asking questions. I recently moved to a school outside the Hibiscus Coast area, and my mental well-being has improved significantly since leaving. It is a shame that most quality schools in this region are out of zone, but it is worth the expense to send your child somewhere they can truly thrive, or even consider homeschooling.

Orewa College provides excellent services. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly, and they go above and beyond to ensure the well-being of their clients. I highly recommend their services.

Attending Orewa College was a frustrating experience, largely due to a toxic mix of peer bullying and unreasonable behavior from the administration. The deans and deputies often felt more like adversaries than mentors. I was actually told by a dean to abandon my career aspirations simply because they claimed a woman had never done it before. Well, I proved them wrong and am now thriving in that field, but it’s a shame the school’s culture felt so dismissive. The deputy principals seemed to pick on students for no good reason, and the administration clearly prioritized rigid uniform compliance over the actual well-being of the students.

Orewa College is a complete letdown. The leadership and teaching staff are just as disappointing as the student experience. After seeing schools all over New Zealand and further afield, I can honestly say this is the worst one I have encountered. A truly poor start to secondary education in Auckland.

Attending Orewa College feels like an uphill battle, especially for students who need a bit of extra help. Despite being a high school in Orewa, the institution seems to lack proper support systems for those struggling academically, physically, or mentally. The overall experience is genuinely disappointing.

Orewa College is a truly dismal high school. The atmosphere can be quite volatile, with incidents ranging from severe to outright dangerous. I witnessed a knife fight right there in the school, which really captures the essence of the environment.

My experience at Orewa College in Auckland was a mix of genuine appreciation for the staff and sheer exhaustion from the social climate. While the education quality and the teachers themselves were highlights of my day, they were overshadowed by the general atmosphere. The administration didn’t do much to improve the situation, leaving the school environment feeling incredibly toxic. The student body often seemed disrespectful and overly critical of the staff, but the real issue was the relentless bullying and teasing from peers. By my final years, I had simply checked out emotionally because the daily drama became too much to handle.

Attending Orewa College in Auckland wasn’t a great ride for me, especially in those early years. The social environment was pretty toxic, with student drama becoming the main distraction. While there were some genuinely nice staff members, a lot of the issues happening in the halls seemed to go unnoticed by the administration. It felt like a mixed bag of teachers—some were easygoing if you kept to yourself and showed respect, but others seemed completely disengaged from their students’ well-being. That sense of apathy didn’t really shift over the years, which was honestly quite disheartening.

My experience at Orewa College was quite negative due to bullying that felt largely unaddressed, and it seems this issue persists today. While the school’s academic performance may have improved over time, its social environment has historically struggled. I do feel for the teachers, who are clearly doing their best with the resources available to them.

The care I received from onhlhomehealth.com was outstanding. They were attentive and provided personalized care that met all my needs. I would definitely recommend their services to everyone.

While Orewa College provided a solid foundation for my education, I found the support system lacking during my time there as a student.

My experience at Orewa College was truly awful, hitting a rock bottom with a 1-star rating. The student body feels like a chaotic mix of troublemakers similar to those in the Cooper and Jago era. I recall being trapped in a bathroom and having a soiled toilet dumped on me. The staff behavior was equally disappointing; there was a teacher who was openly flirting with students and would even steal vapes. In a particularly disturbing incident, another teacher wandered into the bathroom and took a whiff of the toilet right after I had used it.

I would strongly advise against enrolling at Orewa College. The social environment is filled with insincere and toxic behavior, including a fair amount of cyberbullying among the student body. On top of that, the staff at this high school seem indifferent to the issue; they don’t do enough to stop it and frequently overlook the students who are suffering.