Nau mai haere mai! Happy Easter.

As we move quickly towards the end of the first term of 2021 it is time to reflect on what has been achieved in a very busy term.

This term we farewelled Loreen Bethel as HOD of Science as she moves onto further study in the area of counselling. We thank her for her contribution over the last two years and wish her all the best in her new career.

We welcomed Helen McIntyre (new HOD of Science) and Kylie Arnold (Teacher Aide) to our staff. They have both been great additions to the team and have settled in with great ease.

Our school roll is slowly growing with currently 174 students attending EOHS. It is heartening to see that our community is growing in confidence with what we are trying to achieve as we work hard to make this the best school we possibly can and the first choice for families in the East Otago district.

It has been a super busy term in our sports department with a large number of teams travelling into Dunedin to participate in a wide variety of sports including volleyball, touch, futsal, handball, athletics, triathlons, and even a game of cricket for our Year 7/8 students. A huge thank you to all our drivers (teachers, family members and others). This is a big commitment but absolutely necessary for us to continue to offer all the choices that we do at EOHS.

Our annual athletics and swimming sports have been completed with a number of school records being broken in the process. It is great to have the support of our parents as timekeepers and participants in teacher/parent relays.

On the learning front we have introduced half year options for the Year 9/10 students giving the students choice and agency over their learning. This has seen greater engagement levels from the students, improved attendance and seen a decline in pastoral entries.

Vertical form classes has enabled students to set goals for their learning and this will be shared with family members next Thursday. This is an opportunity for students to develop confidence in speaking about themselves in a safe environment. With your support we will see students taking more ownership for their journey at EOHS, become more organised and achieve to their personal excellence.

Senior students should have completed a number of internal assessments this term and will have 'Real Time' report comments available next week so you can track their progress. These will be available through the parent portal on Kamar.

Our teachers have been doing some learning also with our Teacher Only day last week focused on developing our understanding on restorative practices.  Having Richard Matla from the University of Waikato facilitating this day was invaluable and gave the teachers a number of positive strategies to manage student relationships to ensure they reach their potential.

Next Friday the Year 12 Physical Education students will be running the cross country and fun run event. Please feel free to come down on Friday afternoon to support your students as we close out the term.

Have a great break over the Term One holidays and see you in Term Two.

Nga mihi nui.

Marcus Cooper