Tēnā koutou

It is with pleasure that I can announce the appointment of Mrs Bridget Davidson to the role of Deputy Principal at Otago Girls’ High School. This appointment follows the resignation of Ms Rowan Taigel from the role at the end of 2019. Mrs Davidson is a long serving member of staff at the school and has been in the role of Assistant Principal since 2011. She is a popular and successful teacher and has led many successful initiatives in the school. I am delighted that she is stepping into this new and more senior role from the start of Term Two. This of course leaves a gap for an Assistant Principal and the Board will be embarking on an appointment process for this position over the next week.

It was wonderful to head out to Tirohanga Camp on Wednesday to meet up with Year 9 students and experience some of the activities they took part in during their two day camp. The students appeared to be having fun, getting to know each other and themselves better through the activities and challenges they were set. Year 13 Peer Support leaders were stepping up and helping staff to organise and support the younger students in their care. I would like to thank all the staff who have spent time away from home and their other classes over the past week to enable this opportunity to be available to our students. Particular mention should be made of Ms Nielson, Mrs Thomson and Mrs Watt who have spent the whole week at Tirohanga. It was also great to see the tents purchased in recent years by the Parent Teacher and Student Association (PTSA) in use.

The Annual General Meeting and first general meeting of the year for PTSA was held on Wednesday evening. This group provides enormous financial support to the school and to individual students throughout the year (in 2019 they paid out $29,000). They also provide a supportive and social environment for parents of the school who may like to play more of a role in their daughter’s education. On Wednesday evening Mrs Davidson gave a presentation on the Zayed Sustainability Awards held in Abu Dhabi in January which she attended along with students Lucy Davidson and Brynn McBurney as finalists in the secondary schools' award. Although they were not eventual winners, the experience was clearly life changing and provided insight into cutting edge environmentally sustainable practices and technologies.

Next Monday evening is our International Student BBQ for all international students and their host families. We look forward to seeing you all here.

We are continuing to monitor the Covid 19 coronavirus situation. At present we have just one international student who has not returned due to travel restrictions and two domestic students. With winter approaching, and the potential for Covid 19 to reach our shores, it is particularly important for all of us to ensure we are regularly and thoroughly washing our hands and ensuring that others are protected in the event of coughs and sneezes.

Ngā mihi