South Otago High School News

2025 Newsletter

Dear Whanau

Kia Ora Tatou

Two weeks into the term and it has been very busy already! The week started with Year 13 students on a history trip to Arrowtown and the Māruawai Interchange (Formerly Gore High School) Then on Thursday we hosted our open night. More details of these activities are below. However, all these activities which are provided to students and to ensure that South Otago High School is the first choice for education come at a cost. This is newsletter is my way of acknowledging the contribution not just of teachers who give up their time for these events but also all the volunteer coaches, managers, parents, students and Board members who support the school and in so doing promote the school and what we have to offer.

Thank you for your help!

Wifi, phones and canteen
Next week the internet access at South Otago High School is being upgraded as part of a national roll out to schools. This has the potential to cause some issues during the week for short periods of time.
The issues that may arise:
No internet access for teaching: Teachers are prepared and have alternative resources so that teaching and learning can continue
No access to EFTPOS for canteen payments: Although we have asked that this be a priority access for lunchtime and interval it would be wise for students to have cash available, just in case.
No phone access: If there is an urgent message please email: [email protected]

We anticipate that we will still be able to access that email address if the phones are not working and it will be checked regularly.

Arrowtown History Trip
Thank you to Ms McLellan and Mr Beeby for organising this trip for the Y13 students. Whilst I there will be a more detailed report of this trip in this newsletter I understand the trip was very successful and the students who participated had a great time.

Māruawai Interchange
On Tuesday we had students playing in Gore as well as playing here. I watched some of the games and the school spirit and support was great. It was also so good to see so many of our students spectating the different games. I also appreciate the willingness to return to class straight after the games finished with minimal disruption.

I am pleased to report that South Otago High School won the overall competition and a more detailed report of the games and photos is in this newsletter.

Open Night
On Thursday we hosted our Open Night and welcomed a large group of parents and prospective students to the school to have a look at what we have to offer. I enjoyed talking to parents and students during the evening.

For this event we rely upon both Y9 and Y13 students to be guides and also students from other year groups to facilitate demonstrations in classrooms. Te feedback received on the night was extremely positive. Thank you to everyone who contributed towards the success of the evening.

International students
With the new term we also welcome two new international students to school. They are:
Pann Tantivattanapanich in Year 9 from Thailand
Asa Azuma in Year 10 from Japan
Thank you to their host families for looking after them whilst they are here and I know the they will be made to feel welcome in our community.

Road users
In the school assembly this week I raised concerns that have been shared with the school around road use.

Firstly pedestrians: There has been concern about students crossing the road. I have been clear that students leaving school should be using the pedestrian crossing opposite the bus bay when they cross the road at the start or end of the day. Similarly crossing roads elsewhere students need to be attentive and be able to look and hear traffic. That means they should remove headphones and ear pods when they are crossing the road.

Secondly, student drivers: The police are being vigilant and checking on student driver license status, seat belts and also speed. As a reminder, Frances Street has a speed limit of 50kph but passing parked school buses that drops to 20kph.

With regard to seatbelts, students are reminded that if they are passengers in school vehicles they are required to wear seatbelts. If the driver is pulled over and a student is not wearing a seatbelt and over the age of 14 the student is liable for the fine that THEY are issued with by the police.

If students refuse to comply with the instruction to wear a seat belt they may be removed from a school trip and this may be treated as a discipline matter. Our aim is to ensure the safety of students who travel in school vehicles.

Finally
With the colder days this week it has been good to see so many student dressing in warm school jackets that comply with the school expectations. A very small minority are wearing non uniform clothing and will be warned. If they continue to wear non uniform items this may be treated as continual defiance. The school does have some new jackets to assist families who may be financial hardship. Once again we do want to support students and whanau.

Have a good weekend

Ka kite ano

NCEA Option Evening

We will be holding our annual NCEA option evening on Wednesday August 6th from 6pm to 7pm in the school hall. Anyone is welcome to attend. However, it is designed for parents and students who are currently in Year 10 and will be starting NCEA level 1 in 2026. The purpose of the evening is to explain an overview of how NCEA works and in particular for parents who are new to NCEA. I will explain the option choices available for Year 11 students and how this fits in with our Fridays.
There will be teachers from each department that will be delighted to answer any questions that you have regarding their subject.

Nigel Scarth - Deputy Principal.

2025 Newsletter

NCEA Option Evening

Recent News

Upcoming Dates

Open Night

Year 10 Dean Awards

Year 13 History Trip

Senior Hospitality Food Trip

Welcome to Pann Tantivattanapanich and Asa Azuma

Wellbeing student support