22nd September, 2023 Newsletter |
Kia Ora Tatou
This week seems to have been the definition of mixed weather. I hope that everyone has managed to avoid the worst of the rainfall and hasn’t suffered from flooding. Unfortunately the weather meant that we didn’t have out Interhouse Sports. But as you will see throughout the newsletter a significant number of other events did take place. These were a refreshing way to end the term with our students showing off their many and varied different talents.
Manu Kōrero
On Thursday the 21st of September Jorja Andrews competed in ngā Manu Kōrero nationals. The national competition saw student’s from all over New Zealand gather in Otipoti (Dunedin) to see who were the best orators. There were two categories, te reo Maori and te reo English, Jorja was in the te reo English category. In a heartfelt speech Jorja spoke about being unapologetically Maori and on her views on the future of wahine Maori. This is an exceptional performance by Jorja and we are very proud of her.
Cultural competition
Following Poly Fest and Manu Kōrero a well done to everyone that took part in the Cultural competition on Monday. We have come a long way with now being a student led competition where students perform the school Haka and waiata with pride. All the houses performed well and Sutherland earned themselves a substantial number of house points towards our annual totals.
Rotary Awards
I would like to thank the Rotary Balclutha for their continued support of our students. On Thursday evening we had Year 9, 10 and 11 students present their speeches. I have heard these were of an amazingly high standard and the teachers who went to hear them were glowing in their praise for these students. Rotary also provided support for the Transition to Tertiary Study awards. With Sarah Bloxham being presented the Academic award and Olivia Soper the vocational award.
Community survey
Thank you to those of you that have completed the community survey. This is your opportunity to have a voice in the future direction of South Otago High School. If you haven’t done so we would appreciate your input. I sent an email on September 15th with links to the surveys.
NCEA achievement
Students will have had their practice exams returned and received feedback from teachers. While the holidays are time to take a well deserved break they are also a time to reflect and make plans for the future. I would encourage all seniors to set goals for what they would like to achieve by the end of the year and make a plan so they can achieve them. Make these goals realistic and have small steps to work towards them. Have a goal of what you would like to achieve in each subject and together these will add up to big goals overall.
And finally
Thank you to staff, support staff and volunteers in the community for all your hard work. All of the events I have the pleasure of writing about and students gain so much from only happen because of the time, dedication and hours that you put into these events taking place. It is much appreciated.
Enjoy your time away from school, take time to reflect and plan, and I look forward to seeing you achieving great things in term 4.
Nigel Scarth - Acting Principal
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Recent News
Technology Department Exhibition
On Wednesday evening last the Technology Department hosted an exhibition in which work from students across all year levels and Technology classes were on display for the local whanau to come in and celebrate our students' success. | |  |
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Art House Trust Secondary School Art Awards
Congratulations to Ryan Williams, for being selected as a National Finalist in the Art House Trust Secondary School Art Awards for the 2nd year in a row. | |  |
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Rotary Speech Award Recipients
On Thursday evening Sarah Bloxham (Year 13), Annaliese Bisset (Year 11), Hannah Madayag (Year 9), Isabel Stirling (Year 10) and Olivia Soper (Year 13) attended the Balclutha Rotary Club meeting to present speeches as recipients of Rotary Club Prizes for Speaking and Tertiary Study Awards. | |  |
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Board of Trustee Elections
School Board of Trustee Elections 2023 | |  |
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Kōrari – Information for Community Members Webinar
A webinar for community members who want to join a school board. | |  |
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Boys Cricket
The team to contest the season-opening McCullum Cup on 21/22 October (Labour Weekend) is as follows | |  |
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Year 12 Leadership Training
On Wednesday 29th November current Year 12 students are expected to return to school (Library) from 10am-12 to learn about leadership opportunities in 2024 and an introduction to Peer Support. | |  |
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Week 10 Literacy Tip From the English Department
Last week teachers embraced Maori Language Week which is a wonderful celebration of te reo o te tangata whenua (the language of NZ's native people) and a fabulous literacy strategy. | |  |
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South Otago Careers Expo
South Otago High School have organised a career expo that will be running in the school hall on Monday 16th October. | |  |
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