It has been great to return to school after two and a half terms away. This will be my final term at Otago Girls’ after a decade here as principal. The presence of Covid-19 means that the term is not going to involve the celebrations I had anticipated. Disappointment is something we have all had to deal with over the past 18 months. The 150th jubilee celebrations were to be held this weekend and were much anticipated by so many ex-girls. One ex-girl, Margaret Morrison who was Head Prefect in 1942 did manage to visit the school today despite the cancellation of the event. Margaret, who spoke with a Year 10 Social Studies class and other students over lunch thoroughly enjoyed returning to her old school and it was a delight to host her.

The Delta outbreak and continued Alert Level 2 situation has meant that we have had to change many other events that were due to be held over the next few weeks. Some of these are detailed below.

Junior production will be going ahead, with a Covid plan in place to ensure numbers are within those allowable, social distancing, and tracking. Unfortunately this means that only immediate family members will be allowed to attend the evening performances.

Sports and Cultural Blues and awards will be presented during separate Junior and Senior assemblies. These dates are included in the calendar section.  A slideshow featuring all award winners and their achievements will be made available for parents to view.

A modified Celebration Service will be held during the school day on November 2nd and will only be for staff and students of the school. The highlight of the event is always the Year 13 Medley, which will be recorded and made available for viewing.

Prize giving is also a casualty and will be split into Junior and Senior ceremonies, that will be held here at school. Further information will be provided once logistics are finalised.

We are determined to ensure that Year 13 students, who missed out on their Year 12 formal last year due to Covid, get to have their Graduation Ball, even if it is in a revised format. Again plans for this are underway.

Congratulations to Teine Mai Le Moana and Wairua Pūhou who performed last night at Polyfest. This event was live streamed, rather than performed for a live audience, as usual.

The resilience of our students in dealing with the constant disappointments and changes occuring at present is really heartening. I am extremely grateful that we have been able to continue with face to face classes here at school, as the south has so far avoided Delta. To keep everyone safe, I do urge you to get yourself and your family vaccinated. Information about vaccination is available here.

Schools have been advised that we are required to keep a vaccination register of staff, students, and volunteers. Once the Health Order has made this requirement official we will be requesting information about your child’s Covid vaccination status. Information about privacy of this information can be found here.

Term four is an important term for all students, with NCEA examinations getting underway on November 22, junior assessment week and Year 10 Camp. Year 13 students are learning of scholarships, halls and courses and there is much nervous anticipation about their plans for next year. Please get in touch with the school if you have any concerns about your child’s progress or any questions about plans for the remainder of the year. As you will appreciate, the uncertainty of the current Covid environment makes planning a moveable feast.