South Otago High School News

11 April 2025 Newsletter

Kia Ora Tatou

This is the final newsletter for the term. We have done a lot during the term and there has been much to celebrate. For senior students, they will be nearly one third of the way through their course of study. For juniors it is slightly less as they will not have study leave at the end of the year.

The term break is a useful opportunity to reflect upon what has been achieved. Senior students should start to have credits appearing upon their records of learning towards their NCEA certificate.

Farewell to Thai students
This week has seen the departure of the Thai students who visited for nearly three weeks. They returned to the heat of Bangkok on Tuesday afternoon and were very sad to go home. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the buddies who supported them in school and the homestays who looked after them so well.

Vietnam Trip
Following the Thai students was a large group of our students who left for Vietnam on Thursday afternoon. They will be arriving at their destination now and the students will be experiencing a vastly different culture and environment as well as lot of heat!! I look forward to hearing about their adventure when they return to Balclutha in week 2 of the term break.

Pacific Voices
Last week I commented on the students who competed in the Pacific Voices competition hosted in Dunedin. Earlier this week I received the following feedback from the Presiding member of Kings High School Board of Trustees:

It was nice to see you at the recent Pacific Voices event and I was very impressed with the calibre and quality of speeches by your South Otago Students. I want to congratulate all those who participated, it warmed my heart and inspired me of their courage to get up on the stage and speak, especially those who spoke in their native Pasifika language. It was also warming to see how well supported this event was by the number of students you brought up to this event.

ANZAC Assembly
On Wednesday we hosted our annual ANZAC assembly in the school hall. In attendance was Anne-Marie Milne and Martin Ford from the RSA and Mayor Bryan Cadogan and Deputy Mayor, Ken Payne. I would also like to acknowledge Alex Anderson who played the Last Post and Reveille which are very challenging items to play.

Feedback from those that attended was extremely positive and I appreciate the formality and respect that was shown by students.

Uniform
Over the break please be prepared to return to the Autumn Term where the weather will be cooler and potentially wet. Please note the school uniform expectations as set by the Board of Trustees. Students who wish to wear a jersey over their shirt should have either a school fleece jersey that was approved two years ago or one of the older woollen jerseys with the school crest. In the past students have worn other jerseys such as the ‘Back Road’ type or hoody’s. Neither of these options are acceptable and students will be asked to remove them if worn at school. We also recommend that students have a plain Navy or black jacket. In wet weather being waterproof is an advantage.

We expect students to be looking smart and in the correct uniform from day one of next term

Finally
With the term break I expect both staff and students to take time to rest and pursue their interests away from school. For students, in particular, take time to put down your screen and spend time socialising with others face to face. Rather than scrolling through Instagram or Tik Tok pick up a book or magazine and read. Take some time to go for a walk or bike ride. There is good research which has been shared with students about the benefits of regular exercise. Use the break to start to develop a routine for regular exercise.

Ka kite ano

11 April 2025 Newsletter

Recent News

Peer Support: Student Support-Year 9 and Year 13 students

Cultural Feast

NZ Secondary School Open Water Swim