Despite the current Covid-19 restrictions, our students have still managed to participate and excel in a range of activities over the past week. Last weekend was particularly busy with the OBs/OGs Jazz Band All Blues coming second in the Big Band section of the Dunedin Youth Jazz Festival and numerous aerobics groups and our hip hop crew winning medals at the Otago Southland Secondary Schools' championships held in Invercargill. These activities have only been possible due to the planning and organisation of people who are committed to ensuring these events could go ahead, despite all the restrictions in place. In the case of the Jazz Festival our thanks must go to teachers Mr Eugene Shields, Dr Will Martin and Mr Simon Edmunds who were part of the organising committee while Miss Charlotte Hayward was not only teacher in charge of Aerobics for OGs but also helped with the ticketing for the Aerobics and Hip Hop Championships.
Last week Year 13 Physical Education students spent a week at the Wanaka Snow Farm learning to cross country ski. This is a trip that challenges students but provides great potential for learning and development. Thank you to Ms Ward and Mrs Boomer for their work in making this happen.
This week we enjoyed the junior production #I love you, written, directed and produced by our very own Ms Dick. While the audiences were limited due to Alert Level 2 restrictions, those who could attend thoroughly enjoyed the humour, the talent and the costumes on display. Well done to all involved.
Student work is currently on display at Otago Polytechnic Celebrate Art and Celebrate Design events. The art works can be viewed at the Dunedin School of Art Gallery and the Design work in The Hub over the next week. Congratulations to all students with work on display, and to their teachers.
Currently Miss Young and her team of ski trip helpers are putting in place all the details required to run the school ski trip under both Level 1 and Level 2 Alert Levels. Again, the amount of work and level of detail required is significant and is testament to how much the school values the benefits that come from these education outside the classroom opportunities.
Today our Year 12 students are participating in the “Loves Me Not” programme. This programme, run by the New Zealand Police in conjunction with the Sophie Elliot Foundation, supports students to recognise and develop healthy and respectful relationships and is an important part of our Health programme.
Senior (Years 11, 12, 13) reports were published on Tuesday and can be found through the parent or student portals on Edge (our student management system). If you have not been able to access these reports please contact the school office who can support you through this process. Following on from these reports were the second of our learning conferences for the year. These provided an important opportunity for students, families and mentors to look at progress and discuss any support that is required.
Senior students should now be preparing for the parallel examinations which get underway in Week 8. These provide an important opportunity for students to gauge their preparation in relation to the external examinations to be held at the end of the year. Please support your daughter to find a suitable study space and to spend time revising work for the externally assessed standards.