Mālō e lelei - Happy Tongan Language Week!

This week I wish to encourage all parents to check on their accounts payments for school donations and activity fees. As a state school, we are dependent on payment of school donations to provide the rich opportunities and extensive co-curricular programmes that we have. Many people and prospective families visiting the school are surprised when we say it is a publicly-funded state school as they are amazed at the facilities, opportunities and exemplary academic achievement that our students enjoy here. Thank you to all of the families who have paid these donations and fees already. 

In tandem with that, the huge range of things going on and the achievement in these is profiled generously on our social media by Mrs Cheree Henderson in our office. Please alert Mrs Henderson when students have success and provide her with high quality photographs and information at hd@otagogirls.school.nz. Our enrolment numbers are high and this is in part due to spreading the word via these social media channels. We would appreciate if students could get at least three more members of their friend group and family to follow these pages and add to our extensive reach in the community. This is especially important where there are younger students who may attend our school in the coming years. The website, Facebook page and Instagram are our most common and useful interfaces.

W: otagogirls.school.nz

F: otagogirlshighschool

I: otagogirlshigh

With our new Board about to be elected, please get all votes in by 4pm on Wednesday 10th September. Our new strategic planning cycle runs 2025-2028 and we would appreciate if you would complete the parent and community survey attached in this newsletter by Monday 15th September. This guides where we put our priorities and energy in the next three years. As always, we welcome parent input at any stage in this cycle. 

Please support teachers in this difficult time of contract negotiation and industrial action. I see first-hand what teachers do and achieve here and they deserve the best of conditions and pay. Their work is often the positive difference between good and poor outcomes for children in their care. Valuing and appreciating our teachers is important and a thank you after camp or a sports practice goes a long way. 

‘Oua lau e kafo kae lau e lava ~ Stay positive and count your blessings

Ngā mihi nui