Nau mai haere mai!

Nga mihi nui

It has been another full on couple of weeks here at East Otago High School. On Monday the 31st of July we had our annual Open Day/Evening. 45 students from our contributing schools and beyond were welcomed into the school to engage in a day of fun and learning at the kura. Later that evening we hosted the parents of these students for a walk around the school (tour guides were our Head students) and discuss what the school has to offer. This proved to be an excellent marketing tool for the school with great numbers of parents and positive feedback.

Over the weekend I had the privilege of attending the Otago Netball Year 7/8 Development Tournament in Dunedin. It was great to see eleven of our students representing the school. We had 6 students playing and 5 others umpiring or coaching. This can be attributed to the fantastic work that Rua Hagan is doing coaching and mentoring our young people in this sport.

On Tuesday we had our Year 7/8 students participating in the 3 Peaks Cross Country event at the Eastern Rugby Club. Our students performed well placing in all divisions. Congratulations to all the students that entered and gave their best.

All of these events and accomplishments for our school and students gave me a great sense of pride. Last year a survey went out looking at adding pride as a value at school and overwhelmingly (81%) there was support for this to be included with our current values. We did have some whanau members that had strong opinions against including pride so I have included below how we would interpret pride in East Otago High School and how this would interweave and compliment our current values..

Pride, as a school value, refers to a sense of accomplishment, self-respect, and satisfaction that comes from achieving personal or collective goals, demonstrating excellence, and maintaining high standards. It's about taking ownership of one's work, actions, and responsibilities, and feeling a sense of fulfillment in doing so.

When pride is embraced as a school value, it can have several positive effects on students, teachers, and the overall school community:

1. Motivation: When students take pride in their work and achievements, they are more likely to put in the effort to excel. They strive to produce quality work and push their own boundaries.

2. Self-Esteem: Pride fosters a healthy sense of self-esteem. Students who take pride in their accomplishments tend to have higher self-confidence and a positive self-image.

3. Responsibility: Encouraging pride in one's work promotes a sense of responsibility. Students are more likely to complete tasks thoroughly and on time, recognizing the importance of their contributions.

4. Community Building: A school where pride is valued can foster a sense of unity and camaraderie. Students take pride in being part of their school community and work together to achieve common goals.

5. Character Development: Instilling pride as a value can contribute to character development. Students learn the importance of integrity, perseverance, and dedication to their goals.

6. Respect for Others: When pride is tied to accomplishment rather than arrogance, it encourages students to respect the efforts and achievements of their peers. They learn to appreciate the diversity of talents and skills within the school community.

7. Positive Learning Environment: A pride-driven culture can create a positive and encouraging learning environment. Students and teachers alike celebrate each other's successes and support one another in their endeavors.

8. Long-Term Success: Students who learn to take pride in their work and accomplishments at a young age are likely to carry this mindset into their future endeavors, contributing to their long-term success.

It's important to differentiate between positive pride and arrogance. Positive pride is about acknowledging one's achievements and qualities without belittling or demeaning others. Arrogance, on the other hand, involves an inflated sense of self-importance and a disregard for others' feelings and contributions.

To promote pride as a school value, our community can;

• Recognize and celebrate students' achievements, both big and small.
• Encourage self-reflection and goal-setting to help students take ownership of their learning.
• Foster a growth mindset that values effort and improvement.
• Provide constructive feedback that focuses on strengths and areas for improvement.
• Create opportunities for collaboration, teamwork, and sharing successes within the school community.

By promoting positive pride as a school value, we can help students develop into well-rounded individuals who are motivated, responsible, and respectful of others.

Nga mihi nui

Marcus Cooper

Principal/Tumuaki

East Otago High School