Tokomairiro High School Newsletter & Community Noticeboard
Wednesday 22nd January 2025
Start of Year 2025
School starts on Monday 27th January all year 7 and 13 students. The day will start with a Mihi whakatau starting at 8:40am. Children and parents to please meet outside the hall area to be welcomed on. Following this, students will head to their classrooms to meet their teachers and collaborate with Year 13 students. At 2.30pm we warmly invite parents to come back to school for a bbq to meet other families and staff. Year 7 students only need to bring a pen or pencil for this day.
If you have any further questions please email Erica Milligan, Year 7 & 8 Dean, erica@tokohigh.school.nz
The entire school will return on Tuesday, 28th January, starting with a whole school assembly at 8:40am.
Stationery lists can be found on the following link through Office Max. Click on your student’s year group option. https:// www.myschool.co.nz/TokoHigh
2025 SCHOOL START DATE
We welcome all children, parents and whānau back to school.
Term 1, 2025, starts on Wednesday 29th January at 9am.
Our office will be open on Monday 27th January 1pm to 3pm
Wanting to Enrol?
For any enquiries or enrolments please phone 03-4178720 or email office@milton.school.nz
Crutching
Tokyo Fundraiser Grocery Grab
Congratulations Darlene Adams who won the Tokomairiro 4Square Grocery grab just before Christmas.
Thank you to all who supported this raffle and a special thanks to Mike and Sonia Jago for donating this very generous prize.
First Day of School for 2025 is Monday 27th January.
WEDNESDAYS1pm-4pm. Vegetable Plants Ready for Planting Now!
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 Thursday 6th February
Waitangi Day
Wednesday 5th February
Itinerant Music Teachers Concert (for all Y7-10 students)
Monday 10th February School Photos
Tuesday 18th February
Athletics Day
Tuesday 4th March Swimming Sports
For all your Dagging & Crutching requirements
Tena koutou katoa
Tokomairiro High School Newsletter...
SCHOOL MISSION: Inspiring Excellence in Education, in Character and in Life.
Happy New Year! 2025 is already shaping up to be an exciting and transformative year for our kura. As we closed out last year, we embarked on some long-awaited upgrades around the school. We’re thrilled with the progress made over the break, especially the enhancements to our buildings and the opportunity to utilise the newly installed state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment in the hall.
One of the highlights this year will be the much-anticipated trip to Japan, with nearly a quarter of our students participating in this incredible adventure.
Principal’s Update
Unfortunately, I will be away at the start of the school year due to an urgent family matter in the UK. In my absence, Bill McClure will step in as Acting Principal, ensuring everything runs smoothly.
Property Update
If you’ve passed by the school recently, you may have noticed the extensive work underway. Despite a few weather-related setbacks and unexpected surprises, we are nearing the completion of major projects:
The new roof on B Block is almost done.
All carpeting is completed.
The hall and canteen roofs have received a fresh coat of paint.
New windows and doors are installed in the science labs.
While we await the arrival of some custom cabinets for the science labs, the internal finishing touches are progressing well. Additionally, we’ll be rolling out some new signage across the campus this week, marking the beginning of a comprehensive update to our school’s visual identity.
One major project ahead of us is replacing the school’s turf, which was destroyed in a windstorm last year. This will be a significant undertaking, and we will need to raise a substantial amount of money to fund this replacement. We look forward to your support in upcoming fundraising efforts to restore this important facility for our students.
School Contact Details
Staffing Update
We are delighted to announce that Kris Simpson has been permanently appointed as Assistant Principal.
Kris’s outstanding contribution as Acting Assistant Principal last year has been invaluable, and we look forward to his continued leadership.
We also welcome two fantastic new teachers to our Tokomairiro whānau:
Sophie Giggins-Brown in Homeroom
Ravneet Sandhu Kaur in Science and Math
We are excited about the fresh energy and ideas they will bring to our school community.
BYOD and Chromebooks
A reminder to all students in Years 9-13 that there is now an expectation to bring your own devices (BYOD) to school. If you are unable to bring a device then please speak to your house group teacher.
If you have a Chromebook that belongs to the school, please return it promptly. All school Chromebooks have now been locked and can no longer be used.
We look forward to an exciting year ahead!
Nga mihi Vicki Wish, Tumuaki/ Principal
2025 Uniform Information
For 2025, school uniforms items that are able to be worn are:
• Navy vest, merino jersey, Back Road jersey or older style school jersey (available through PTA)
• Black skirt, shorts or pants
• Navy polo tee-shirt, short or long sleeved checked shirt. (Please remember, on colder days, students are able to wear navy, black or white thermal tops under these)
• PE top and shorts
• Soft shell, or CODE waterproof jacket. Or plain navy/ black
• Black shoes with black or white socks, or navy stockings New uniform items can be purchased from NZ Uniforms in Dunedin.
112 Union Street, Milton Ph 417 8223
Check us out! www.miltonbutchery.co.nz or our Facebook page!
School Office 03 417 8620
School Cellphone 027 268 3362
Available Tuesdays at Tokomairiro High School in the Guidance Counsellor’s Office. Phone 027 241 1506 to make an appointment.
Tokomairiro High School has its own second hand uniform page on Facebook. There are a range of uniform items available, and members are invited to buy or sell their own items. You can join this page by following the link (https:// www.facebook.com/groups/1056602061990214)
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 office@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
Around the school:
New signs for the office
Bible Reading for the Week
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. -Jeremiah 29:11
Student Attendance
Every day counts towards your child’s learning at school. Attending school gives your child the best opportunity to realise their full potential and do well in life.
Punctuality is Important
Arriving at school on time is important.
It is not surprising that if a child is late they will not know what is happening. Regular absence means gaps develop and learning becomes harder.
In secondary school some children will not go into class late, and miss the whole period this creates bigger problems.
SOUTH OTAGO’S TRAVEL PROFESSIONAL
Roof work on B Block
Christmas Tree Festival - December 2024
Milton Cottage Craft Group, again took out the People’s Choice Award in this year’s Christmas Tree Festival, but shared the honour with the residents of Ashlea Grove Resthome. Eva Evans came in third. Held in the Heritage Church, over six days, in the week leading up to Christmas we had a good number of folk come through the doors; both locals and travelling tourists taking time to have a look at the ten trees displayed and the Christmas Bible scene which greeted all who enter the front doors.
Handmade knitted, felt and beading decorations adorned the Milton Cottage Craft tree, crafted as Christmas stars and other Christmas themes. Ashlea Grove residents had also crafted stars and santa’s for their tree.
Milton Primary School handcrafted stars and snowmen on to the very popular wooden tree framework. Individual efforts included handcrafted knitted adornments, decorations created from pegs, paper, card displayed on Christmas tree frames of metal coat hangers and wood and the classic Christmas trees.
From a couple who dropped in; “All are very beautiful and soul touching. Really loved your work and efforts. Thanks for having us.” -Shailri and Shanbaz
A huge thank you to all the folk who put such great efforts into creating something for this festival and to those who helped as hosts when the dorrs opened. It was so cool to see the doors of our Heritage Church open and people flowing through. Our Christmas Day service was also held in the Church using the festival displays as a backdrop, which was very special. We raised over $80.00 for our Whanau Sunday Fun Day events for 2025. The Whanau Sunday Fun Days are held in our grounds from 4 – 6 pm every first Sunday of the month. Games, activities are wrapped around a Jesus time with a meal to finish. We encourage parents and caregivers to accompany their children and be part of the Whanau Funday ideal – all are welcome.
The Heritage Church will continue to be open on Saturday mornings as part of the Saturday Market event held in the church carpark and gym.
Toko Golf
Bisque Par 4th January 2025
Longest Putt #9, #18: P Scott Nett Eagle #7: M Moeahu
Two’s: T Condon, M Scott, R Curd
1st S Scott 8 up
2nd R Curd 7 up
3rd T Condon 5 up
Team Multi Stableford 11th January 2025
Matches:
J Good 3/1 Josh Day
G Sheath 1 up Lisa Day
M Scott AS Bradley Frost
1st F Taylor N Taylor 85
2nd M Cain B Sheath 76
3rd M Adam R Devlin 73
Longest Putt: G Sheath
Two’s: M Cain, D Matsopoulos Nett Eagle: #7
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
News from the Trenches...
Well 2025 has arrived with a huge bang!!
With what has gone on over last couple of weeks, it's been an astronomical start to the year.
We have launched our inaugural Darts Tournament over last two weeks with 16 entrants getting into swing of things with walk-on music and nicknames including The Mailman, Boom boom, through to Choc Thunder featuring which added to the whole atmosphere. Everyone comments on how well the nights have gone.
The final night will be held on Friday night at 6:30pm which promises to be epic. Great to see both supporters and entrants getting all dressed up. This is one night not to be missed. Thanks to Evan and Phil for the music, Paul for scoring and Lammy for coming up with the concept and organisation.
Another congratulations to Hoot who took away the the Joker Draw with a popular winner. The pot is now at a level where you need to be here when your name is drawn. Don't forget to ensure that your membership subs have been paid for 2025.
Finally a couple of public safety announcements to end the column:
care to be had for using a spud peeler especially if you are aged over 80
our President had a misfortune of a black eye received after a Bike Rally where he sustained injury from his own crash helmet.
and finally a local RSA member (who also happens to be a Maori Volunteer Firefighter) while helping out the community, managed to get himself locked in a room at the Prison. Took a while for him to be bailed.
And that's how the year has started. 2025 will be a fantastic year! - Private Spike Pike
Ear Micro-suction & Curettage Clinic
Toko Community Hub
Saturday25thJanuary
Phone 027-419-6463 for an appointment RuthO'Neill(RN)
Genesis Deadline 12 Noon Monday
At the Tokomairiro Community Hub 61 Union Street, Milton Pleasecalluson034781030 toarrangeanappointment.
Our upcoming clinics are: Tuesday 11th February and Tuesday 11th March ClinicsalsoavailableinMosgiel,BalcluthaandLawrence
Articles and Reports
The Genesis relies on articles and reports supplied by the community to fill our pages. Please email these to genesis@tokohigh.school.nz so we can share what is happening in our area.
Toko Golf Club
Club Opening Day and Kennard Memorial 12.30pm Saturday 25 January 2025
Special General Meeting 5.00pm (Financials and Constitution) All players a plate please Women's Division Opening Day 10.00am Tuesday 28th January 2025
Waitangi Day Tournament 12:30pm Thursday 6th February 2025
Sponsored by M R Clark Builder 2 Player Team - 4BBB (Men, Women, Mixed)
Inquiries/Apologies to: Lisa Day 027 697 4192 / tokogolf426@gmail.com
CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS GIFTS.
Thank you to the generous folk in this community who provided the gifts for children at Christmas.
Blessings for 2025
Genesis Office Hours
Tuesdays 8:30-3:30 Wednesdays 8:30-12 noon
Genesis Classifieds ...
Tokomairiro Co-Operating Parish
Sunday 26th January 10:45am in the Milton Church Hall (NoserviceatWaiholaChurch)
WeareaChristianFaithBiblebasedChurch 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.
Contact the Genesis Office for more information about advertising. Just email genesis@tokohigh.school.nz
Clutha Agricultural Development Board (CADB) Telford Scholarship
• Do you live in the Clutha District?
• Are you enrolled in a full year course at Te Pukenga Southern Institute of Technology Telford Campus? If so, consider applying for the Clutha Agricultural Development Board (CADB) Telford Scholarship. For application forms or more information go to: www.cluthafoundation.org.nz Or email givewhereyoulive@cluthafoundation.org.nz
Embark on your healing journey with our esteemed Kaihono, Rā-ana Gardner.
The Black Lotus, 83 Union Street, MILTON, Otago Book Your Journey today by visiting www.tupunahealingaotearoa.com Rediscover balance and harmony through the timeless traditions of Rongoā Māori.
We look forward to welcoming you at Tūpuna Healing Aotearoa.
Trades & Services
Trades & Services
Balclutha Windscreen N Glass
We are in Milton every Wednesday morning. For all your windscreen replacements, repairs and glazing requirements. We cover all insurance work. Dealers for
Genesis Classifieds ...
Trades & Services
Dr. Fix-IT
Trades & Services
TV’s, PC’s, WiFi & HiFi Service & Repairs, Security Cameras & Video Doorbells
