Hello everybody

Last Friday Mrs Stephenson, Mrs Boomer and I took our 21 international students out for lunch to Papa Chou’s restaurant in lower Stuart Street. We had a lot of hilarity when we spoke about how the school was ‘shouting’ - as in ‘paying’. This was a small gesture by the school to show how much we appreciate the contribution that our international students make to our school - economically, socially, culturally, linguistically, musically, artistically, gastronomically and in many other ways.

Joyce Wang selected the food for the menu and this allowed us to step outside what we would perhaps ordinarily order and try new things. The radish cakes and egg tarts were particularly popular. I would like to acknowledge the immense resilience and generosity of spirit that all of our international students have shown over the past 20 months as they have faced the reality of being unable to return to their home countries to see their families. They have also faced uncertainty and concern about situations with COVID-19 around the world, as well as increased rates of discrimination globally following the COVID-19 pandemic outbreaks. Hermione Hai, our International Prefect, and all of our Year 13 leaders have been wonderful in organising activities and keeping everyone’s spirits up.

Particularly I would like to acknowledge the tireless work of Mrs Stephenson, our International Student Manager, who has wrapped pastoral care and support around all of the students and dealt with the fluctuations in both international student income and numbers. We are also deeply indebted to all of our host families and parents who are truly amazing in their care of our international students. The ongoing relationship the girls and the school have with these people over many years is remarkable. We hope that it will not be too long before borders can re-open and we can once again invite students from around the world to our school.

Coming up is our Cultural Day on Monday. At lunchtime there will be cultural performances from several groups and parents are welcome to attend in the school hall from 1.15-2.15pm. This will be followed by an all-female Cultural Evening hosted by the cross-town Former Refugee Cluster in the hall starting at 5pm. All girls are invited to come along and share in this event. There will be several performances followed by shared food and entertainment. Again, this is a valuable chance for girls and their mothers to come along, make new friends, broaden cultural understanding and experience new things. Thanks to Mrs Boomer, Ms Brown, Mr Te Ngahue and Mrs Matthews who are our PIMS Deans and to Ms Dick who supports both our Pasifika and former refugee students. We are truly blessed with our diverse community at Otago Girls’ High School.