This week’s Senior Assembly offered variety and interest aplenty. To celebrate International Week, year 13 students Kehan Jiang and Morry Moriyama spoke to us about what they had learned and gained from their experiences as international students. It was great to hear about how much they had grown in confidence over the years.

This was also our cultural assembly where a large number of students got to show off their talents. The combined OBHS-OGHS jazz band, led by Dr Will Martin, entertained us with a lively rendition of a couple of swing numbers. Then the choir performed two of the songs which gained them a Distinction Award at last weekend’s Big Sing South Island Finale in Timaru.

Ahead of this weekend’s trip to Invercargill for the Te Hautonga Competition, the OBHS-OGHS Kapa Haka group performed three numbers. Among them was a wonderful tribute to Whaea Lynn Vare, our librarian whose last day at OBHS is today. We wish her all the best for her new job at Dunedin Public Library. We also offer our best wishes for the competition this weekend to the Kapa Haka group.

The assembly ended in our traditional manner with an amusing “Last Word” by Sam Hewson and the reading of names from the Book of Remembrance.

The polished musical performances and interesting speeches were a testament to hours of hard work put in by both students and staff. Congratulations to all those who contributed to what was a thoroughly enjoyable assembly.