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Kia Ora Tatou
Firstly, apologies for the late arrival of the newsletter last week which would not have arrived until Saturday morning. There was an issue beyond the schools control. Hopefully you receive this on Friday evening this week!
SNOB follow up
Last Friday we held our annual senior ball and it was a great night, thoroughly enjoyed by both staff and students. It was wonderful to see such a wide variety of cars and trucks arriving and our students looking so smart and grown up. For Miss Tuhega it was her first South Otago High School ball and she commented upon the positive attitude and also how different the event is compared to urban schools where we are a real community event.
Thank you to both the SNOB Committee for their organisation and also to whanau who supported our young people to be ready for this event.
Pink Shirt Day
Today has been the anti bullying, Pink Shirt Day. At South Otago High School we work hard to address bullying and unwanted behaviour. Ten years ago, when I first started senior students would regularly complain of the lack of respect from junior students. This is not a complaint that I have received for a number of years.
However, I am aware that some students are still the target of unwanted behaviour and we will do our best to support a change so that every individual remains safe here at school. We ask that whanau support their child to act and interact with other is a respectful manner. This includes being aware of their own child’s online interactions with others. Whilst we cannot deal with what happens on line, at home we do have to deal with any fall out that happens in school.
Common Assessment Activity (NCEA Literacy and Numeracy assessments)
Starting on Monday we will be running the NZQA CAA’s for literacy and numeracy which will provide students with the foundation qualification for the award of NCEA certificates. This is a significant assessment activity and students have been provided with information to prepare them for these tests. Most of the information is on their school email.
In order to provide the maximum time to complete the assessments the timetable for the Monday to Thursday is being changed. Each day will start with mentor time. Students not involved will be dismissed from Mentor time to their P1 class. The start and finish of the school day will remain unchanged.
More FM Breakfast Show broadcast
On Thursday morning the Board Room at school became the temporary radio studio as a former Head Student, Simon Edwards (2008) presented the Southland Breakfast radio programme. It was also an opportunity for Simon to meet some of his former teachers and also update on the achievements of some of his peers who have a variety of careers and have moved both within New Zealand and also internationally. To finish off the show our kapa haka group also performed the school waiata and haka which was awesome.
Attendance
Once again attendance is making the news headlines. For the last two years South Otago High School has held the contract for the attendance service and during that time we have seen a significant shift in attendance at school for our region. At South Otago High School I have shared that our attendance has had a 14% improvement over a twelve month period. A local primary school has also reported a similar 14% improvement which shows that our attendance service and school wide focus is making a difference.
Chronic truancy is described as an attendance rate below 10%. For South Otago High School this accounts for about 6% of the whole school. Further funding to assist with chronic truancy is appreciated and resources are already utilised to support this work students. Any future funding I would hope would be able to be used to access external resources to support students and whanau to improve attendance for these students.
Finally
Many winter sports codes are now well underway. It is always good to see so many students participating in sporting activities. Being active in sport, or cultural activities, is a good social experience and also helps students develop team work and communication skills. I wish all students the best for this weekends events.
Have a good weekend.
Ka kite ano |
Recent News
Pink Shirt Day
Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying - Friday 16 May 2025 | |  |
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SNOB 2025
We hosted the annual senior ball on the school grounds. The event was a great success and was one of the largest with the numbers attending greater than we have had for a number of years. | |  |
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Shuttle Trailers Needed
During tournament week (23rd to 30th of August) the school has a number of sports teams wanting to use a shuttle trailier. | |  |
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Loves Me Not Year 12
Loves Me Not Year 12 | |  |
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ODE Y12 Rock Climbing
ODE Y12 Rock Climbing | |  |
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