Kia ora koutou

We are having a wonderful start to the year with students settling into good patterns of learning, engaging in the vast offering of school activities, making and renewing their good friendships and establishing great routines for the year. Thank you to Phoebe Ashdown - Head Prefect, Emily Lokman - Deputy Head Prefect, Prefects and the Peer Support leaders, Year 13 ‘Sisters’ and all of the students for helping lead the school into a fabulous 2026 so far. 

Welcome to our new International Students from around the world. It takes courage to leave your home country, move across the world, start a new school and in many cases move into a new home. We value the experiences, knowledge, perspectives and cultural knowledge that these students bring to our school from their home countries. We continue to look for new homestay families and welcome enquiries at any time. Please contact Mrs Rose Gilani, Director of International Students, in the first instance: rsg@otagogirls.school.nz Homestay and International families are reminded that the Welcome BBQ takes place at school at 5.30pm on Thursday 12th February over by the Foods area. All students and their families are welcome to come and meet our new and returning overseas students and their families and homestay hosts. 

Welcome to our newest families joining us. The Otago Girls’ High School community is a rich network of students, staff, parents, grandparents, extended whānau and community. Partnerships and connections with families often extend far beyond the five years here. Feel very welcome and do get involved. The PTSA holds its AGM on Wednesday 11th March in the school library. This is a dynamic and social group of parents who drive many initiatives in the school. Likewise we value our sports and cultural coaches and tutors and parents are involved in the school in a myriad of other ways. Please continue to read the newsletter for further opportunities to get involved. 

Have a wonderful long Waitangi Weekend. Waitangi Day celebrates the founding of our bi-cultural partnership in our nation and remains important in guiding education and tikanga at this school. 

Whiria te tāngata ~ Weave the people together

Ngā mihi nui