Nau mai haere mai!

The end of the term has quickly arrived with students and staff ready for a well earned break. This has been another action packed term for us here at East Otago High School. It is at this time that we reflect on all that has happened so far this year and look forward to the remaining year. 

 At the start of the year we always get through the major sporting events such as Athletics and Swimming sports. Thank you to all of the volunteers that are required to make these events happen. We had a number of students break school records and go on and represent the school at regional events. We have a particularly strong group of throwing events such as the hammer, discus, shotput and javelin that our students are excelling at. Their success can be largely attributed to the expertise and time given by Noni Callander and Jim Blair who have put many hours into coaching and mentoring these students. Thank you!

This Term we have had a number of sports teams that have entered in Dunedin competitions. These sports include touch rugby, handball, futsal and volleyball. It has been great going around and seeing almost all of the teams play. I often get comments from coaches, parents and sports administrators that our teams display our school values to a high level and are a pleasure to play. A special mention must go to our senior girls touch team that placed third in the Otago Championships this year. The future of touch at EOHS is looking bright, thank you Mr Herewini!

Auditions for Footloose, the production, were held at the start of the year and multiple practices have been held. I am assured that the progress they are making will ensure that this will be a highlight of the social calendar when it is performed over three nights towards the end of Term 2.  A huge thank you must go to Mr Cummings and Ms Goodman who have put in great amounts of time already.

Unfortunately we have had interruptions to our learning programmes with Covid and 2 strike days affecting the students, staff and families. We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused and hope that there is a settlement in the future so the teachers can get back to what they love to do - teach.

Senior students have been working hard on their NCEA qualifications this term and progress reports will be available on Kamar today after 3pm. Parents can go on to the parent portal (www.eohs.school.nz right hand corner of the screen) enter the student email and password (ask your student for these if you don't know) and check out their progress. 

Property work is continuing to happen at the school with C Block and the boiler. The boiler should be ready for use at the start of Term two however further work is needing to be done on C Block so this work has been pushed out by an undetermined amount of time. This is frustrating but unfortunately this can happen when you peel back old buildings and refurbish them. The end product should be another amazing space for our students.

Well, that is probably enough for me at this time of the Term. Have a great break with your students and see you all back at the start of Term Two. A reminder that this will not be until the 26th of April as we have an NCEA teacher only day on the Monday and Anzac day on the Tuesday.

Nga mihi nui!

Marcus Cooper

Principal/Tumuaki

East Otago High School