Last week we held a welcome afternoon tea for the nine Year 8 students who have been awarded Year 9 scholarships for 2016. These talented students have already become role models at Otago Girls’ and I congratulate you again on receiving these Otago Girls’ High School Board Scholarships.

This week we have started our process of interviewing all the Year 9 students for next year. It is lovely to meet these students along with their parents. I have been impressed by their passion, enthusiasm, and talents and I am pleased that they have chosen to come to Otago Girls’. We look forward to getting to know these students over the years ahead and watch them grow and develop.

This week is Winter Sports week and to date we have had teams in basketball, football, hockey and netball representing Otago Girls’ High School, throughout the lower South Island. We are still awaiting some final results at this stage but huge congratulations go to our Football team that won the South Island final of the Gary Sowden tournament in Ashburton. We are also delighted to hear that our Senior A Netball team has maintained their position in A Grade. We wish our rock climbing team the best as they head to Christchurch today to compete in their competition.

Last weekend 90 students went on our annual ski trip to Coronet Peak. I was delighted to hear that they all continued to display our core values of respect, integrity and positivity outside the school setting. This made looking after the girls a much easier task for the staff who accompanied them.

In assembly this week I spoke to the students about the importance of the senior examinations being held next week. These examinations will be held under NCEA examination conditions and all senior students will be expected to abide by them. Senior students should by now have also made a revision timetable and if necessary have established their own reward system to encourage them to stick to it. The end of the school year is fast approaching for our senior students and they must turn their attention to their NCEA examinations. This may mean having to review hours spent in paid employment, socialising and on social media. It is a small sacrifice to pay for NCEA results which will be vital for your future plans.