Last week, three of our students graduated from the Otago Secondary Tertiary College Carpentry Level 3 Course, and one from the Police Pathways Course. Congratulations to Lochie Dunbar, Ranui Jury and Kaden Crowie who completed the Carpentry Course, doing work experience at Big River Homes in Balclutha. They have been involved in building a whare for South Otago High School which had a unique design and a lot of cultural aspects to consider. A special mention goes to Ranui (right) who also received the Tutors Award.
Alec Murray completed the Police Pathways course, sadly this has been discontinued so he was fortunate to be a part of it in 2025.
Left: Kaden, Lochie, Ranui and Alec with Jamie the carpentry tutor at the OSTC Graduation.
2026 Enrolments
Enrolments are now being accepted for 2026. You are welcome to complete an enrolment form online, or drop into the school office with a copy. Please remember, we need to take a copy your child’s birth certificate or passport to verify their identity.
Enrolment Interviews: If you would like to book an enrolment interview, please email erica@tokohigh.school.nz or phone the office on 03 417 8620 to make a time. We look forward to seeing you.
SCHOOL BUS SAFETY
Students entering and exiting the bus are vulnerable to passing vehicles, and drivers must take great care when they encounter school buses.
• Reduce speed to 20km/h when passing a school bus and keep an eye out for children who may walk out onto the road.
• If you are dropping children off or collecting them from a bus stop, stand well back from the edge of the road and out of the way of the bus.
• Wait on the same side of the road to collect your child in a rural area so they don’t have to cross.
Dates to Remember
Tuesday 4th - Friday 28th November - NCEA Exams
Thursday 13th November - Yr 6 Orientation Morning Friday 14th November - Teacher Only Day
Wednesday 3rd - Friday 5th December - Activity Days Monday 8th December - Prizegiving
Tena koutou katoa
Tokomairiro High School Newsletter...
SCHOOL MISSION: Inspiring Excellence in Education, in Character and in Life.
Now that we are over halfway through the final term, the end of the school year is quickly coming into sight. There is still plenty happening around the school, and it’s great to see students continuing to work hard and make the most of every opportunity. We’re looking forward to welcoming our Year 6 students on Thursday for their Orientation Morning. It’s always a special day on the calendar; a chance for our future Year 7s to explore the school, meet staff, and begin to feel part of our community.
NCEA Updates
NCEA exams have started really well. Invigilators have commented on how focused and committed our students have been, a real credit to them. Students are welcome to email their teachers if they’d like extra support or guidance as they continue preparing for upcoming exams.
Touch Team Success
Our Touch team debuted their new uniforms at their first tournament of the season last weekend. These uniforms were purchased thanks to generous funding from the Milton Lions Club, we are extremely grateful for their support. The team performed really well, with one win and two narrow losses; a huge improvement from last season and an encouraging sign as they prepare for nationals.
End of Year
Our Activity Days will run from Wednesday 3 December to Friday 5 December, providing a great way for students to enjoy the end of the school year together. A wide range of activities will be on offer again this year.
One of the days will be a Community Day, where students will spend time giving back and helping out across the community. For day two, students have opted into a variety of activities from biking and fishing to Christmas baking and indoor projects. Students will be given more details very soon about which activities they will be taking part in. It promises to be a fun and positive way to finish the year.
The Final Junior Assembly and Prizegiving will be held on Monday 8 December, where we’ll celebrate the many achievements and efforts of our students throughout 2025.
Teacher Only Day
A reminder that Friday 14th November is a Teacher Only Day granted by the Ministry of Education. The school will be closed for instruction on this day.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
This year we introduced Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) across the school, and we will continue with this in 2026. Students are expected to bring a suitable device for learning.
Noel Leeming has a list of recommended models available. Please note that tablets are not suitable for classroom use at this level. With Black Friday sales coming up, this could be a great opportunity to purchase a suitable device at a discounted price.
112 Union Street, Milton
Ph 417 8223 butcherymilton@gmail.com
Beef Mince
$17.95kg
Porterhouse Steak
-Plain, garlic or peppered-
$39.95kg
Chicken Schnitzel
$19.95kg
Book in your Homekill!
Want your meat ready for Christmas?
Secure your spot!
Call or email us, or send a pm via Facebook.
Open Saturdays 9am 12pm
Measles Information
With more measles cases being reported around the country, it’s important we all remain alert. Please watch for symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, sore eyes, and a blotchy rash. If unwell, stay home and contact your doctor or Healthline on 0800 611 116. Vaccination is the best protection please check that everyone in your whānau is immunised. Anyone exposed to measles who has not received two MMR vaccinations cannot attend school for at least eight days.
More information is available on the Health New Zealand website: Measles: Locations of Interest in Aotearoa New Zealand – Health New Zealand.
Ngā mihi nui
Vicki Wish, Principal | Tumuaki
School
Contact Details
School Office: 03 417 8620
School Cellphone: 027 268 3362
Office email: office@tokohigh.school.nz
Making an Appointment
If you would like to see a member of the Senior Leadership Team or your child's Dean or Teacher, please call or email the office to arrange an appointment at a mutually convenient time. Although we like to meet with parents/ whanau, we are not always available at short notice and may be teaching or working with students or other staff.
The office phone number is 03 417 8620 and the email address is thsoffice@tokohigh.school.nz
Genesis
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
Toko Stars for October
Congratulations to the following students who have put in the extra mahi and are showing our school values!
Fletcher Savage Digitech
Lily Taylor Junior English
Peter King Music
Kyle Livingstone - Drama
Jossel Lacson - Drama
Ivy Clarke - Art
Ava Mitchell - Junior Science
Senior A Touch
On 8th November the Tokomairiro Senior A touch team competed in a tournament in Balclutha. They played against Cromwell, South Otago development team and Taieri.
It was a great day for the team, with some excellent touch being played.
The players also looked great in their new touch tops, brought by the PTA with money donated by the Milton Lions Club. Thank you!
Bible Reading for the Week
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people
Learning from the Past
This term, our Year 9 and 10 Social Sciences students have been learning about how data from cemeteries can unveil stories of our town's past.
On November 7th, students visited Fairfax Cemetery and, working in pairs, recorded information from headstones, including names, dates of birth and death, and ages.
Back at school, this data will be analysed as part of their assessment, helping students uncover the rich histories of those who lived in our community.
The Rebus Club of Milton
At the October meeting our local librarian Barbara Lowery talked about her experience on The Great Nomad Expedition. This took place in July this year where she joined 12 other females and one brave male! They faced a 14-day, 945-km journey using horses, yaks, camels, and reindeer. Mongolia is a country not long out of communism. She watched a golden eagle used for hunting marmots, foxes and wolves to eat.
The start was in the Gobi Desert riding camels. Each rider was given a type of gown that the locals wore for warmth and protection. This was a new experience followed by a change to horses. Next it was on to yaks. These were skittery animals needing strength to control and were good on rough terrain. The pack yak following behind had trouble with such a wide load and kept on getting stuck in the trees. This forced it to stop and change direction to free itself and continue. Nights were spent with the locals in their yurts and partaking of the local food and especially milk. This could be from yaks, camels, horses or reindeer. It was even used to make vodka!
The horses were changed frequently and were ridden at pace. Each had its own personality, and the locals weren’t that keen to ride them. The last animal was reindeer which were raised and cared for by gentle local people. As there are no fences in Mongolia a good eye had to be kept on the herds.
Members were fascinated with Barbara’s story and had lots of questions to ask. She was thanked by Lex Adam and given a gift.
The next meeting is on Tuesday November 21st at 10am in the RSA Hall. The speaker is local Faola de Montgomery to talk about her life. Committee please meet at 9.30 am.
Articles and Reports
Genesis relies on articles and reports supplied by the community to fill our pages. Please email these to genesis@tokohigh.school.nz
News from the Trenches...
And finally the weather has calmed down after the carnage from fortnight ago. There was a member who tried to use microwave to cook tea while the power was off
The darts competition is almost full for entrants with only five spaces available from last Sunday afternoon. If you still want to enter, don’t mess around. Remember those entered contact Woody with your nickname and walk on music or else it will be chosen for you.
Our joker draw is steaming away rapidly which I predict only a few more weeks before it will have to be won.
The Xmas Ham draw has been won for the first time on Sunday. We still have 5 more hams to be won, just the perfect scenario for family Xmas.
My wee Portuguese Pigeon Lapo Alsi is overloaded on news this week. First up we have a new Power Couple of the RSA as they cleaned up on Melbourne Cup day. Not much use of the whip that day apparently. Another RSA member who is a prominent sports person picked the winning horse but forgot to claim his TAB voucher which disappeared. However another RSA member saved his bacon.
Looks like Milton is getting a new Cycle Pump track with the RSA looking at making use of this. We need to get members with good knees and available to get this swing going. Stay tuned.
- Private Spike Pike
Waihola/
Clarendon Women’s Institute Report
Our October meeting was attended by all members, bar one who was in the UK
Our President welcomed us and we stood for a moments silence for a long time member of the Mid Otago Federation who has died, Heather Fisher Business included arrangements for the Mid Otago 90th birthday which is to be held at Glenfalloch and which eight will attend.
The South Otago WI is also marking their 90th birthday this month and we have two members attending. The motto was "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit".
Our guest speaker was Mrs Fay Taylor who gave us a full report of the history of the Rural Women`s group, who are also celebrating a milestone birthday this year. Starting out as a Women`s Union of Federated Farmers, then as the Women`s Division of Federated Farmers and are now known as Rural Women.
The speaker at our November meeting is to be Roger Leslie.
Special Meeting
A special meeting of the Tokomairiro A&P Society will be held on Wednesday 12th November at 7pm at the Whitehorse Inn, to pass the new constitution, all members welcome to attend.
email tokomairiroap123@gmail.com to request a copy of this new constitution.
To Rent To Rent
3 bedroom, fully furnished house
Available December for Long Term rent
Phone 022 402 4016
Public Notices
Public Notices
TOKO JUNIOR RUGBY CLUB AGM
Date: Wednesday 19th November
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: Toko Rugby Club Milton
TOKO RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB INC
Annual General Meeting Monday 17th November 2025 7pm at the Club Rooms
1.Present/Apologies
2.Confirm minutes last AGM
3.Matters arising last AGM
4.President’s report
5.Treasurer’s report
6.Bar Report
7.Election of office bearers
8.Confirmation of Club Patron
9.Life members
Apologies to: Secretary at committeetrfc@gmail.com
Toko Rugby Football Club P.O. Box 177 MILTON
Tokomairiro Waiora Inc.
4 Shakespeare St Milton Free Nurse Clinics 2025
The Nurse Clinics provide a range of services including:
• Rangatahi checks
• CERVICAL SCREENING SELF TEST available
• Sexual health checks and contraception advice including emergency contraception
• Pregnancy testing
• Weight monitoring
• Blood sugar and blood pressure checks
• Heart, diabetes and breathing checks to identify risk of illness
• Chronic disease maintenance
• Access to Podiatrists
• Access to Dietitians
• Helping develop health plans to meet health goals
• Advice on who and what is available to meet people’s health needs.
Next clinic Tuesday 18th November, 10am-2pm
Open to all community members. For appointment contact: Ph 03 417 7430 or 027 232 3769 or office@tokowaiora.co.nz
Tokomairiro High School HORT SHOP OPEN
WEDNESDAYS1pm-4pm.
Variety of Plants & Shrubs
Ready for Planting Now!
Toko Golf
Twilight Golf
9 Holes
Wednesday Evenings 5:15 - 5:45pm tee off time $2
All Welcome!
Toko Golf Club, Back Rd.
TOKO GOLF CLUB INC
SATURDAY 22nd NOVEMBER 2025 5.00pm at Clubrooms
1. Present/Apologies
2. Confirm Minutes last AGM 23rd November 2024
3. Matters Arising last AGM
4. Presidents Report
5. Treasurers Report
6. Election of Office Bearers
7. Setting of Subscriptions
Copies are on noticeboard at clubhouse, you can also contact the Secretary for a copy to be emailed. Changes noted in red.
Apologies to Secretary: Lisa Day 027 697 4192
Followed by Prize-giving, please bring a plate and join in the social evening meal.
ALL WELCOME
St Mary’s School Board of Trustees 2026 Enrolments
The Board of Trustees invites applications from parents who wish to enrol their children at St Mary’s School for next year – 2026. Applications can be made by contacting the School Office – Phone 4178585.
7 Chaucer Street Milton
The Tokomairiro Waiora Incorporated AGM
Will be held at 6:00pm Wednesday 26th November 2025 At 4 Shakespeare St, Milton All welcome
Super will be served at the conclusion of the meeting
RSVP by: Friday 21st November 2025 to: office@tokowaiora.co.nz or ph. 03 417 7430
Keep Moving Tuesdays at 2:30pm, $3
Mums with Bubs welcome 10am-2pm
Body Composition - find out what’s underneath $18 each or $150 for 10 concession
Genesis Advertising
Contact the Genesis Office for more information about advertising.
Advertisements start at just $12, and can be run weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Email genesis@tokohigh.school.nz
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