South Otago High School News

1 November 2024 Newsletter

Kia Ora Tatou

This week we have farewelled most of our senior students as they start their study leave and move towards their final preparations for NCEA external assessments. Some students will have already secured their NCEA certificate through hard work on their internal assessments and external portfolios. For some this may mean that they are able to move to employment. Regardless of destination of senior students we wish them all well for the remainder of the year. I hope that students who are moving on from South Otago High School all the very best as they transition to permanent employment, training or tertiary study.

Final day for seniors
As has become the custom the departing Year 13 students did participate in some high jinx which were largely good natured. However, this was all finished by 9am and it was back to school as usual.

Senior Prize Giving
On Wednesday evening it was pleasure to host the annual senior prize giving and see nearly 160 students go across the stage to receive awards. Some students receiving special awards to acknowledge their significant contribution to our community or their achievement academically.

Our two head students, Ollie Shore and Jessie O’Hara both spoke about what it means to be a student at South Otago High School. They both described challenges they faced in their early years at high school but how they transformed to become the leaders of today and the future. Whilst they were the only students who had the opportunity to speak on behalf of the students, their story is indicative of so many of our students who share similar stories.

Every student that arrives at South Otago High School has the opportunity to create a future full of promise and fulfilment. I honestly believe that the leavers who are moving on from high school education with us are well equipped for their future and have the potential to be great leaders and contributors to our community and country.

Class Act
On Thursday I had the pleasure of attending the Class Act presentations. The South Otago High School recipients of Jessie O’Hara and Ollie Shore have worked hard and contributed so much to the school and wider community that they are worthy recipients and I was very proud to see them receive their awards from the Prime Minister, Christopher Luxton. Both students have the opportunity to receive a $7,000 scholarship towards fees at Otago University.

Senior exams
Senior exams commence on Tuesday. Students who may be sitting NCEA assessments are encouraged to prepare thoroughly and I would expect that whanau will support their child to prepare. Some strategies to help with study would include:

Clear tidy work space with minimal distractions (No cell phones!)
Good, natural light and fresh air
Focussed study for 25 to 30 minutes then a 5-10 minute break and then another focussed session
Taking adequate time to spread study and not ‘cram’ at the last minute
Whanau support by reducing demands on chores to be done. (This does not mean that students get a totally free pass!)
Healthy food and snacks such as fresh fruit, nuts etc and reduce caffeine intake.

Whanau, please be aware that senior students may well have gained their NCEA certificate through work completed during the year so may have ‘selected’ which exams to focus their attention. The days of a years work being assessed in one two or three hour exam have long gone and our students have been strategic. Furthermore if they have worked consistently throughout the year they may not have the same pressure and anxiety as they finish the year that we would have experienced when we went through school.

If you are concerned about your child’s achievement and sitting external exams please do make contact with the mentor to check in on how students are placed for their achievement.

Junior students and the end of the year
I have previously spoken to all Year 9 and 10 students and been very clear that for them it is business as usual. We have the same high expectations for them now as we had at the start of the year. There are just over five weeks until the end of the year and there is a lot to be completed before they celebrate the end of the year.

Finally
With the departure of the senior students we do offer the opportunity for Year 10 students to take on a leadership role as a junior student council leader. When making our selection for this council we do consider the student's pastoral record and how they have met the school values of respect, excellence and perseverance. The junior student council for the remainder of 2024 is:

Libby Campbell
Cooper Geary
Puna Aila Numia
Tallulah Omelvena-Flame
Hannah Madayag
Benji May
Daniel Dunlop
Ellie Olsen-Vetland
Erin Turner

Congratulations and I look forward to working with the junior student council for the final weeks of the year.

Ka kite ano

1 November 2024 Newsletter

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Senior Prizegiving 2024

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Junior Student Council Leaders

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