23rd August 2024 Newsletter |
Kia Ora Tatou 2025 planning I have found myself sounding increasingly old this week. Having told students I remember the first episode of Eastenders being screened as a child, where I was at the turn of the millennium and “imagine a world without mobile phones!” It’s hard to believe that we are already planning for 2025. Students in Years 10, 11 and 12 need to have their option choices completed by the end of next week on Friday 30th and ideally sooner. One of the parts of my job I enjoy the most is talking to students about their option choices and what they want to do next year and beyond. We have big range of subjects and both students and parents have course books emailed to them containing all the information of what their options are. To support students we have had representatives from Otago University on school, Otago Polytechnic will be in shortly and a large number of students have gone to look at SIT as an example of tertiary study. We are very keen to see students say in education, either with us, or once they have left to keep learning. Meeting deadlines Term 3 has a significant number of assessments due for senior students. In assembly this week I encouraged students to be ready to meet these deadlines by being organised. The theme was “you will get about what you expect provided you do the work”. By this I expect you to do your best and strive for your own level of personal excellence and aim high. Work hard, seek feedback, and ensure that you understand what the assessment is asking you to do.
If you do not meet a deadline for a piece of work to be handed in the teacher has no choice but to give a Not Achieved grade. If you have a legitimate reason you can ask for an extension , for example, a medical issue. Being disorganised or unjustified absent is not a legitimate reason. In particular Year 11 students need to be aware of the deadlines they have to meet. As part of the changes to NCEA as a school we have to send work away to be marked externally. To be able to send the work away it needs to be handed in and uploaded in time. These particular assessments for Y11 in term 3 do not give the opportunity for derived grades even in the event of illness. Attendance Reminder Please use the Attendance Line or the Appointment Line to record your child’s absence by calling 418 0517. Do not use the staff emails or office emails as these can get overlooked resulting in an incorrect entry and text home. And finally….. As advanced notice on Tuesday 27th the Old Gym car park will be unavailable for use. We are having an event about road safety that day. We need the space and to make sure that the emergency vehicles involved are able to leave should an emergency occur while they are here. Ka kite ano Nigel Scarth – Acting Principal |
Recent News
Wellbeing and Employment Service in Schools
There are a number of supports for students (and parents/whanau ) as they transition out of school. | | |
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Young Enterprise
The South Otago high School Young Enterprise company this year is producing a range of sustainable candles. | | |
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SOPSSA Football Tournament
Many thanks to these ten superstars, that today refereed at the SOPSSA Football Tournament. | | |
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ODE Y12 Snow Caving
The year 12 outdoor education have just been away in Wanaka at the snow farm which is the biggest in the southern hemisphere. | | |
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Science Year 9
Year 9 students made and launched hot air balloons this week as part of learning about ‘Air’ and flight in science. | | |
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Physics of Flight 2024
Last Friday a small group of our Physics of Flight students got to take to the air in a Cessna 172, thanks to the South Otago Aeroclub and Mainland Air. | | |
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Biscuit and Cake Making
In Year 12 and 13 this week we have been baking and decorating cakes. They had less than an hour to design and decorate their cakes. | | |
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Clay Target Shooting
Today we hosted our annual clay bird tournament. Many thanks to the South Otago gunclub, Greg Hayes, Glen May and Chris Murray for running the shoot for us. | | |
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Vietnam Fundraiser Jarred Fell
The time is nearing!! Join Us For An Unforgettable Night With Jarred Fell! | | |
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Youth Search and Rescue NZ
Applications for the Youth Search and Rescue program are now open for students aged 14 to 16, with the deadline for applications being 30 September. | | |
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Cups and Trophies
Cups and Trophies from 2023 prize giving must be returned to the school office as soon as possible. | | |
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