11th December 2024 by Kris Simpson

Wednesday 11th December 2024

Community Day 2025

Our students had the opportunity to give back to our community last week as they took part in our second Community Day.

Students were involved in:

• Cleaning toys at the toy library

• Framing and donating art to businesses/ groups

• Construting items for the dog park

• Hosting a free car wash

• Singing at Ashlea Grove

Visiting local Early Childhood centres.

To see them in action, follow the link to the video on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr7ISUvJjYA

Thank you to all in our community who have helped our

*IMPORTANT NOTICE

Dear School Community,

Scope Group (via Nailedit Building Limited) have been contracted to undertake asbestos removal at our school as part of the current B Block alterations. This is the second stage of work and involves the removal of the building paper from the roof cavity. They will be starting this on the 11th of December, and we understand this work will be completed by the 1st of February. Scope Group are an A & B Class licensed Asbestos Removal Company as is required by Worksafe.

Tokomairiro High School HORT SHOP

OPEN WEDNESDAYS 1pm

Vegetable Plants Ready for Closes18thDecember,reopens22ndJanuary

The last Genesis for 2024 will be printed on Wednesday 18th December.

The office reopens on Tuesday 21st January and the first Genesis for the year will be printed on Wednesday 22nd January

All removal work will be completed as per the following Acts and Regulations:

* Health and Safety at Work Act 2015

* Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016

* Approved Code of Practice for the Management and Removal of Asbestos

Signage and fencing will be in place to identify the area where the work is being undertaken. Please adhere to any signage and avoid the immediate area if possible.

If you have any questions, please contact Scope Group on 027 389 3294

Please Return Your Chromebook!

Please return your Chromebook to the school office immediately. These have now been disabled for all students. Thank you, PC Media

Dates to Remember

Tuesday 21st, Wednesday 22nd & Thursday 23rd January Course Confirmation Days

Monday 27th January 2025 First Day Term 1 (Year 7 and 13 students only)

Tuesday 28th January Whole School attends

Crutching

For all your Dagging & Crutching requirements

Tena koutou katoa

Tokomairiro High School Newsletter...

SCHOOL MISSION: Inspiring Excellence in Education, in Character and in Life.

As we prepare for Prize Giving on Tuesday evening, it’s hard to believe the year is already drawing to a close. It feels like just yesterday we welcomed our Year 7 students, and it has been a joy watching them grow. At the same time, we bid farewell to our Year 13 students, wishing them all the best as they take their next steps.

2024 has been a year of growth and success across all areas of school life. From the rugby team representing us with pride in their one game during the Blue Mountain sports exchange to the netball team competing at their South Island tournament, our students showed commitment and teamwork. Te Kapa Haka performed with mana at Polyfest and the Year 7 students made lasting memories, from their first day to their fun camp activities.

Our cultural competition prizewinners showcased the immense talent and diversity within our school, reflecting the vibrant community we continue to build together. We also celebrated Pink Shirt Day along with other significant occasions during the year, reinforcing our commitment to inclusivity. While our houses continued to foster school spirit and healthy competition.

Tiny’s Milton Butchery

112 Union Street Milton Ph 417 8223

We made good progress with improving our school facilities, including the installation of a new boiler, ensuring a better environment for learning, our new audio visual equipment in the hall and the building work that is currently happening in the science labs.

These are just a few of the special moments that have made 2024 such a memorable year. As I reflect on all we’ve accomplished, I’m reminded of the strength, resilience, and pride that define Tokomairiro High School. Below are some photos that capture these highlights.

Nga mihi

Vicki Wish, Tumuaki/ Principal

We will be closed on Friday 13th December to farewell Tiny. R.I.P

The Genesis is a free publication, delivered weekly to homes and businesses in Milton, and is available on the school website, Facebook or via email. The Genesis office is open Tuesday 8:30am - 3:30pm and Wednesday 8:30-12. If the office is unattended, any articles, advertising or payments can be taken to the school office or left in the secure box in the office door.

Genesis Deadlines: Advertising and Articles - Monday 12 noon. These can be emailed to the Editor at genesis@tokohigh.school.nz. Genesis is delivered FREE to your letterbox on Wednesday afternoons. Any payments or donations can be made to Tokomairiro High School, account number 03 1736 0009803 000. Please use GENESIS and your name as reference. - Carolyn Shanks, Genesis Editor

Mural Completed

The wall beside the staff room is looking very colourful now with the completion of the mural. Thank you to Mr Myburgh and his team of artists who have worked hard to get this finished in time for the end of the year.

The mural represents the school values and the images used highlight the culture of our school and the Tokomairiro area.

Tokomairiro Tokyo 2025 Trip Fundraiser

Raffle tickets $5 each, please see cards in store.

Drawn 18th December with the Grab happening on Saturday 21st December.

The Lucky Winner will Win:

- A 60 Second grocery grab prize up to the value of $1000, to be held at the Tokomairiro Four Square on Saturday 21st December @ 10am.

Thanks for your support!

Bible Reading for the Week

‘For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace’. –Isaiah 9:6

Christmas Tree Display

Venue: Heritage Church, Union Street, Milton.

Public Viewing Days:

Thursday 19th December 3pm - 6pm

Friday 20th December 3pm – 6pm

Saturday 21st December 9:30am – 12pm

Sunday 22nd December 1:30 – 3.30pm

Monday 23rd December 10am– 2pm

Gold Coin Donation to cover costs and any extras. Any monies remaining will be given to help with our Family Fun Days 2025.

Peoples’ Choice Award: There will be a Peoples’ Choice Award and all are able to vote for this.

SOUTH OTAGO’S TRAVEL PROFESSIONAL

SPEC Newspaper Launched

Last week the SPEC class released their newspaper to the world. After studying all aspects of how newspapers are created, and a visit to the Genesis office, they set about creating their own SPEC News. Their publication includes interviews with different staff members, advertisements, photos and other articles. The students are very proud of their work, and it was so nice to see parents and whanau, and staff come along to celebrate and have a chat and a read after the launch.

Get Pets Ready for the A&P Show!

The show is this weekend! Have you got a lamb, calf, pet sheep or any other pet? Then why not enter it in the Children's Pet Section?

Entry is free and accepted on the day or online via showdayonline.

Don't forget there is also a section for the best dressed pet (any animal) and a section for the adults in your life to bring along their pet.

If you don't have a lamb or a calf enter in the Any Other Pet Class.

A few of the rules

• all calves MUST have a nait tag

• pet must be led by a child

What we are looking for is the care and attention you show towards your pet as you and your pet will need to complete a short obstacle course.

We also have a lamb and a calf drinking competition you will need to supply the bottle, teat and either water or milk (teats will be checked)

Judging is to be held in the Cattle Ring, pens are available.

Here are the classes

Class 2801 Pet Calf led by a child aged 7 and under

Class 2802 Pet Calf led by a child aged 8 - 14

CHAMPION PET CALF

Class 2803 Pet Lamb led by a chi[d aged 7 and under

Class 2804 Pet Lamb led by a child aged 8 14

CHAMPION PET LAMB

Class 2806 Pet Sheep

CHAMPION PET SHEEP

Class 2807 ANY OTHER PET

Class 2808 LAMB DRINKING COMPETITION

Class 2809 CALF DRINKING COMPETITION

Class 2810 PET FANCY DRESS ANY ANIMAL

To be held in the main ring at 1pm listen out over the loud speaker for exact time.

SECTION 28B ADULT'S PETS

Class 2811 Adult's Pet - any pet showing best care and attention

Judging for this class will start on completion of Children's pet section

$3 entry fee

Year 7 and 8 Social Science

Year 7/8 finished up the year by doing a 'Then and Now' Social Science investigation.

We started by looking at the history of Milton and what has changed and WHY? The students then chose a topic to investigate, for example; types of technology, bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms etc.

After writing an explanation about their chosen topic, their next step was decide how to present it, so we have a variety of great investigations shown through dioramas, scratch, Google, etc.

The students noted what has created the change and what impact this has had on society. They were able to make connections between 'Then and Now' by exploring the different concepts of time and change. Great mahi!

News from the Trenches...

Greetings from the RSA as we close in on Xmas and all it's festivities.

Firstly on behalf of the RSA I'd like to acknowledge the tragic passing of Milton icon Tiny Agnew. Not only was he a big man in stature, he was an absolute giant in terms of his generous support of not only the RSA, but countless others both individually and various community groups. No amount of thanks can come close to show appreciation for everything he has done. If you think of Milton, the name Tiny Agnew comes to mind. Thoughts are with Wendy and family.

RIP Tiny, never forgotten.

Our membership cards for 2025 have now arrived so get along to enjoy the benefits of being part of the most sought after social establishment in South Otago. Also on the 19th December is the final chance to win our Joker Draw before Xmas which would make a fabulous addition to the Xmas tree.

Also there has been unprecedented interest in our Darts Comp so ensure that your name is added to the list so we can do the draw on Thursday 19th December as well.

This is my final column for 2024 as President Evan Jenkins will be completing an overview of 2024 next week. So on a personal note, it's been a year with plenty of ups and downs but I have enjoyed doing this column and thank all those that have featured with some gentle ribbing. My legal team can have a rest for a few weeks.

Merry Xmas and lets go again in 2025!

- Private Spike Pike

Waihola/ Carendon Women’s Institute Report

We met in the Waihola Bowling Clubrooms for our November meeting. A good attendance was present and we had a Mexican theme plus each member bought their wedding frock or a photo taken on the day. One member bought the hat she wore at her son`s wedding and another had her mother`s frock. All were different but very beautiful.

The business included a submission in aid of retaining NZ Postal Delivery as it is now.

Two invitations were received from neighbouring WI`s to attend their Xmas luncheons.

A bottle Auction was held and this raised a sum of $228.

Our December meeting was organised - we will attend the Operatunity Xmas Concert in Mosgiel followed by lunch at the Village Green.

The meeting closed with a shared lunch of Mexican based lunch dishes.

Tokomairiro Co-Operating Parish

Sunday15thDecember Advent3

10:45amCombinedWorshipService atMiltonChurchHall

2:00pmRemembranceService atMiltonChurchHall ALLWELCOME

WeareaChristianFaithBiblebasedChurch

Sunday Service - 10am 110 Union Street All Welcome! For information, follow us on Facebook or call 021 249 6312

Youth United meets fortnightly on Saturdays in term time for ages 10-18. Check out our Facebook page for events & times.

Term 4 at Tokoiti School

One of the highlights of the term was our Food Truck Night. A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who joined us and supported this event. Your enthusiasm and involvement made it a memorable evening, it is always fantastic to see our community come together in such a vibrant way. Be sure to put the 28th February in your calendar for our next event!

This term, swimming lessons were a big focus, and it’s been wonderful to see our students grow in confidence and skill in the water. Our seniors had a fantastic week at Berwick camp, filled with adventure, challenges, and unforgettable memories. When the weather played nice, we also took every opportunity to get outdoors for sports and enjoy some active fun together.

The team at Tokoiti School wish everyone a safe, happy and restful holiday season. We look forward to seeing you in the new year!