Principal's Report

Tēnā koutou katoa

On Tuesday we formally welcomed our school leaders at assembly. Our Prefects are an important team in the school, with many diverse roles and they are led by our Head Girl, Rata Williams. Laura Allison is our Deputy Head Girl. Equally important are our Peer Support Leaders led by Grace Leckie-Zaharic. Peer Support leaders are vital support for our new Year 9 students settling into school. All Year 13 students are involved in the ‘Sisters’ Programme, with all Year 13 mentoring a Year 9 student in a tuakana-teina relationship. The ‘Sisters’ met for the first time in I-Time this week.

I stressed at assembly that we are all leaders. Here students could have roles like a junior House Leader, a sports coach or a librarian. But we can also lead just by being ourselves – picking up our rubbish after lunch, getting up to go to class on time, wearing our blazer with pride and showing exemplary behaviour in town, or simply getting involved and asking and answering questions in class. Every positive thing we do each day inspires others and empowers them to be better.

This Wednesday 14th February we welcome Māori student whānau and our whole school community to our first Whānau Hui of the year. This is a great opportunity to have a korero around maximising Māori student success and to meet and greet our new students and key staff. The hui will start at 5pm and kai is provided. Children are welcome.

We were delighted to host our International Students and their host families at a barbeque on Tuesday and we have 21 students with us currently. As we are expecting more arrivals during the year, please contact Rose Gilani rsg@otagogirls.school.nz if you would consider becoming a host parent for one of our amazing international students. Our Moana Fono for Pacific students and aiga at 6pm on Tuesday 5th March. Our very dynamic and fun PTSA holds their AGM in the library on Wednesday 21st February at 7pm. Please come and join this great group of people who meet twice a term (once a month). We welcome new members. We have our Yr 9 parent welcome on Monday 19th February 5-6.30pm and we look forward to seeing all of our new Year 9 families then.

Please remember to be sure you are checking our very exciting school Facebook page regularly and reading the school newsletter that arrives in your email inbox each Friday. Showing interest and engagement with your child’s schooling is a key indicator of success.

Finally I would like to express how grateful I am for the settled and happy start we have had to the year and the continued support of all of our families.

He aha te mea nui o te ao
What is the most important thing in the world?
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata
It is the people, it is the people, it is the people

Ngā mihi nui