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Kia Ora Tatou
There have been a lot fewer students in school this week with most of the Year 10 students out for the annual camp at Tautuku. For those staff and students working in school it has been very busy with teachers covering for absent colleagues and students having to complete set work across all levels of the school. I am extremely grateful o all the staff and students who have supported the interruptions and made the week run so smoothly.
Year 10 Camp
As a change this year the camp was for a full week. I was fortunate to be able to visit on Thursday afternoon/evening and appreciated the very positive atmosphere. Despite the very unsettled weather at the start of the week students were participating fully in all of the activities and spirits were high. Talking to number of them they all had favourite activities and had had a great time.
School camps are a valuable opportunity for learning in a different environment. They promote social skills and support the development of strong friendships. They also improve team work and communication skills which are vital for students as they work towards independence.
The memories that students make on camp remain for a lifetime and I am sure that many of the students who have been away this week will look forward to returning as a Year 13 Link Student in a few years time.
Board of Trustee vacancy
Earlier this term a Parent Board Member stepped down and this has created a vacancy on the Board of Trustees. There is now a process to be followed to fill this vacancy which initially requires the publication of the notice below. If 10% of eligible voters request, an election will be held then this will take place after the 28 day notice period.
Anyone interested in being a parent representative should contact the Presiding Member of the Board at the email address in the notice below. If no election is called then the Board will select a replacement parent representative.
South Otago High School Board
Casual vacancy for a parent representative
A casual vacancy has occurred on the school board for an elected parent representative.
The board has decided to fill the vacancy by selection.
If 10% or more of eligible voters on the school roll ask the board, within 28 days of this notice being published, to hold a by-election to fill the vacancy, then a by-election will be held.
Request for a by-election should be sent to:
Bronwyn Campbell, Presiding Member, South Otago High School Board of Trustees [email protected]
OR
In writing and delivered to the South Otago High School office.
by: 3pm, Friday 4 April
SNOB Preparations
Next week letters will be going home to whanau regarding the SNOB which is due to be held on Friday 9 May. We will be highlighting for some whanau that their child’s attendance rate is below 80% which is the minimum required for students to be able to attend the SNOB. Obviously as there has only been 5 weeks of school, a few days off or a few lessons missed will have a significant impact upon student attendance percentage. This also means that students who are just above 80% are also at risk should they have time out of school in the coming weeks.
We will also be sending letters to whanau who have outstanding debts for the required payment items on their invoices. These need to be cleared before the school will consider selling a SNOB ticket. It is not too late for whanau to set up a regular payment plan to clear debts.
Uniform
Last week I encouraged whanau to support the school with wearing the correct uniform. This week I would like to remind whanau of the expectations regarding jewellery. They are:
Wrist-watch or medic-alert bracelet
One silver/gold stud or sleeper (12mm maximum)
Facial piercings are not to be visible
Taonga may be worn
We are also seeing a number of young men with facial hair. The school expectation is that boys should be clean shaven.
Once again I ask that whanau help the school by checking that your child is following these expectations.
Finally
This week I have seen two great examples where students have quietly got them selves organised and worked well together without any need to staff to say a word. The first was during a kapa haka practice I was supervising due to the usual teacher being absent. The tutor had been delayed by a few minutes and I was working with a contractor in the same room. In the meantime two students organised the large group of students so that by the time I turned to check on them they had started their rehearsal, all without a word from me! The second was at the year 10 camp, whilst the groups went to start activities after tea a group of the year 13, link students, set about washing up and tidying the kitchen and dining room without a member of staff having to do anything.
It is so good to see students from across the age range taking on leadership roles and taking the initiative by being independent and supporting the school.
Have a good weekend
Ka kite ano
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