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Tokomairiro High School Newsletter & Community Noticeboard

Wednesday 20th August 2025

Yasuda Gakuen Students Visit

Tokomairiro High School recently hosted four students (Anna, Haruko, Ryutaro and Shiei) from Yasuda Gakuen in Tokyo. This was the school we visited on the THS trip to Tokyo in July. The Japanese students (aged between 14 and 15) did some learning in Year 9/10 classes and enjoyed the spacious grounds and small classes. Haruko particularly enjoyed playing basketball with THS students. Although they were only here for two weeks, the students squeezed in a field trip to Dunedin where they walked up Baldwin St and toured the Toitū Museum. They also enjoyed buying some souvenirs - kiwi in all materials and sizes were especially popular! In the second week, they had a wonderful experience of farm life at Kate and Duncan Woodhead’s farm, and were lucky enough to hold a newborn lamb and watch an expert shearer, Alan Newby, shear some sheep.

Meet the Candidates

7:00pm, Tuesday 2nd September at the Coronation Hall, Milton

On arrival in Milton, the Yasuda students found the weather extremely cold but, by the time they were leaving, they had mostly adapted. Perhaps some of that was due to the warm welcome extended to them by our students and staff.

A big ‘thank you’ to all those who supported the Yasuda students, especially the host families who welcomed the students into their homes and enabled them to feel comfortable in their new environment. We have already had an indication that we will have more Yasuda students to host at a similar time next year.

Mufti Day

Friday

29th August

Make your donation on our Kindo app! Scan the QR code or go to mykindo.co.nz to set up your account

Genesis Appeal

For those who are wanting to make a donation to the Genesis Appeal, account details are: Tokomairiro High School, account number 03 1736 0009803 000. Please use GENESIS DONATION as your reference. Alternatively you can drop an envelope in to the secure slot in the Genesis Office door.

Thank you

Organised by Milton Rotary Club

Dates to Remember

25th -29th August Derived Grade (Mock) Exams; SISS Tournaments Week

2nd-4th September Common Assessment Activities

10th September Senior Course Selection Evening Friday 12th September School Ball

Tena koutou katoa

Tokomairiro High School Newsletter...

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

We have already accomplished a great deal in Term 3, and even though it is more than halfway through, there is still so much to come!

Winter Sports Tournament Week

We are now in the middle of Winter Tournament Week. We have had students competing in SISS Motocross Cross Country; SISS Netball Senior A Tournament; SISS U15 Rugby Tournament; SISS Hockey Tournament; National Bowls Tournament (North Island). We know that our athletes will remember who they are, where they are from, be proud and make us proud, and we look forward to reporting excellent results in next week’s issue.

2026 Enrolments

If you were unable to come to last week’s very well attended Open Evening and would still like to look around the school, we would be happy to arrange a personalised tour for you. Please contact the school office to make an appointment. Enrolments are now well underway for 2026. Enrolment forms can be brought into the school office or completed online via our website. We also invite all caregivers of new students to Tokomairiro High School to book an enrolment appointment to allow us to learn a little about your child and answer any questions you may have. These appointments will run between September 8th and 19th and can be booked through the school office.

Derived Grade (Mock) Exam Week

These practice assessments are now well and truly underway. Students at NCEA Level 1, 2, or 3, and their teachers, are using these opportunities as practice for external exams in November. They also serve as a backup result should students be unable to sit the real thing. The week is also a chance to put good study habits into action, and see what works and what doesn’t. As a start, students can begin early and organise notes, make a revision timetable and stick to it, set targets and deadlines, summarise notes, use visual and auditory techniques, and test themselves and their study partners.

Common Assessment Activities

2025’s second round of Common Assessment Activities in Reading, Writing, and Numeracy will also be upon us next week. These online assessments, sat under exam conditions, offer students the opportunity to earn 10 co requisite NCEA credits in Numeracy and 5 credits each in Reading and Writing. We have a good number of Year 9 and 10 students attempting the exam this round, which is encouraging but potentially daunting. Students are encouraged to prepare well but not to get anxious. Students do not need to achieve literacy and numeracy at the same time. They can build their success step by step, and if success eludes them this time, they will have other assessment opportunities in 2026 and beyond if required.

Course Selection Evening

112 Union Street, Milton Ph 417 8223 butcherymilton@gmail.com

Pickled Pork

$15.95kg

Wiener Schnitzel -plain or crumbed-

$22.95kg

BBQ Lamb Chops

$16.95kg

Steak and Onion Sausages

$15.95kg

Check us out! www.miltonbutchery.co.nz or our Facebook page!

Choosing courses for NCEA is an important step in planning for the future. The subjects students take not only shape their next year at school but can also open up or close off pathways for apprenticeships, tertiary study, and careers. This year we will hold a Course Selection Evening on Tuesday 10th September in the school hall. It is a valuable opportunity for students and caregivers to find out more about the different courses we offer, talk directly with subject specialist teachers about what each course involves, ask questions about workload, assessments, and where the course can lead, and get advice about keeping options open for future plans. The evening will begin with a presentation about NCEA for any parents and students who would like more information about how the qualification works and what changes are coming. We strongly encourage all students entering Year 10 - 13 in 2026, along with their caregivers, to attend. Making course decisions together, with the right information, gives students the best chance to set themselves up for success.

Strategic Planning

Our current Strategic Plan finishes at the end of this year. We are now beginning the process of shaping a new plan to guide us from 2026 - 2028. To ensure this plan reflects the aspirations of our community, we would love to hear your thoughts. A short survey will be available via the QR code. We’d be grateful if you could take a few minutes to complete it.

Ngā mihi nui

Bill McClure, Acting Principal

Open Evening for New Students

Last Tuesday we welcomed many families to Tokomairirio High School's Open Evening for 2025. Students and their families moved around the classes, playing different games, creating art, learning French and dissecting a cow's eyeball in Science! It was such a fun evening. We can't wait to welcome our families to our school in 2026. Enrolments are open, please contact the office if you need a

Bible Reading for the Week

‘The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. - Psalms 19:1

Using Your Kindo Account

Create a Kindo account by 19th September, shop the Prize Draw Promotion, and be in the draw to win 1 of 5 $50 NZ Uniform Vouchers!!

Rotary Speech Competition

On Monday 18th August Dahara Williams (below left) and Nathan Senada represented Tokomairiro at the South Otago Rotary Speech Competition. Dahara's topic was 'Should we support unethical on-line shopping venues?' and Nathan's topic was 'From street cleaner to brain surgeon - people should be paid the same regardless of the job they do'. Both students spoke extremely well and should be very proud of their efforts. Ka Pai!

Junior Players in Finals

Congratulations to Netball Reps

Congratulations to Natalie Dobson (left) and Shilah Milligan and who were selected for the South Otago Year 10 Rep Netball team. They competed at two tournaments recently, Winton and Invercargill.

Well done girls!

Students Visit SIT

Last Friday, some of our students visited the SIT Secondary Schools Open Day in Invercargill, which was an excellent opportunity for ākonga to find out about study pathways and explore SIT's great facilities.

Students experienced an ‘Expo Hub’ in Te Rau O Te Huia SIT Centre for Creative Industries, music and kai at Te Rau O Te Huia, plus a BBQ at the Student Services Centre.

Milton Sub Assn Indoor Bowls

Last week, the South Otago Junior Blue rugby team played in the finals against John McGlashan at the Bayfield Park grounds. It was a beautiful day, with plenty of supporters cheering the boys on.

Although they were defeated, the team showed great determination and kept fighting right to the end.

Waihola Playgroup For Lots of Fun!

Looking for a welcoming space for you and your little ones to connect and play?

Join us at Waihola Playgroup, located on the corner of Greenhithe and Nore Street. We run on Tuesdays 9:00am –12:00pm, for children aged 0–5 years and their parents or caregivers

The last Championship Event was held last week when clubs competed for the Alec Philip Fours. One team from each club won their way to compete in the final. Teams playing were Milton Country Club Peter Grant, Gary Foster, Raymond Perry, Carol Rutherford. Glenledi, Murray Scott, Allan Philip, Russell Copland and Maree Hill. Moneymore Alistair Allison, Elizabeth Read, Stephen Woodhead, Judith Hand.

The semi final saw Glenledi with one life defeat two-lifer Moneymore so another game was played and again Glenledi beat Moneymore.

The South Otago Champion Triples were played at the weekend, 6 teams qualified for post section play. In the first round Robert Wilson beat Christine King and Alanna Moffit beat Gordon Duthie. In the semi final Robert beat Peter Grant, Laura Laughton, Richard Ray and Chris Moffit beat Alanna Moffit, Shona Preddy, Clayton Sheppard.

The final witnessed Robert Wilson, Jane Wintringham and Paul McNab 9 Chris Moffit, Hannah Botting and Reilly Paterson 6.

The plate section was won by Nola Anderson, Ian Bennett and Graeme Greer.

Enjoy a vibrant, well-resourced indoor and outdoor play area where little ones can explore, create, and make new friends while grown-ups connect over a cuppa and conversation. Come along and be part of a warm, community-focused morning of fun and friendship!

Milton’s closing Snowball and Prize giving will be held this week.

Milton’s Coronation Hall

The Coronation Hall in Union Street, Milton, was built in 1902 to mark the coronation of King Edward VII, at a cost of $3500. It was reported by the NZ Herald of the day to be “the finest provincial hall in Otago”.

The hall was once the home of the Milton Borough Council and its offices. In the 1980s, the Borough amalgamated with the Bruce County Council which later became part of the Clutha District Council.

In the late 1990's, a community group led by retired Milton builder, the late Earle Pringle, took over the running of the hall and overseeing of a massive refurbishment programme, saving it from possible demolition. Today, the hall is operated and maintained by the Coronation Hall Society - a group of local volunteers.

In recent years numerous projects have been completed to maintain and improve the hall. These include the replacement of diesel boiler heating system, an upgrade of the sound system, renovation of toilets, the south wall being membrane-sealed and replastered, installation of LED lighting throughout the building, replastering and painting one of the front meeting rooms, and currently a rear room is being lined, plastered and painted to add to the rooms available for hire. This spring/summer, the exterior of the building will be repainted, and in the future the roof will be replaced.

The running of the hall is funded by income from rentals, along with a Council grant. The hall, meeting rooms and kitchens are all available for hire, and the upstairs studio is leased by two local martial arts groups.

This Thursday, 28 August at 7pm, the Annual General Meeting of the Coronation Hall Society Inc. will be held in the Chamber Room at the hall. A tour of the completed work will be included.

Please consider attending and being part of the committee keeping the hall current for coming generations. This beautiful building needs you!

Meetings are held 10 times per year and usually are only around an hour long. If you have any queries, please contact Jill McIntosh 027 7348716 or Noel Aitken 027 4324083

Bridge

Spring Pairs - 21st August

13th August 2025

Euchre

Winner: Maureen (Owaka)

Loser: Moira

Raffle: Di (Balclutha)

News from the Trenches...

As we just about kick winter into touch with the dawning of Spring which means baby lambs and daffodils popping up. This reminds me we are selling pots of daffodils for $5 with all funds going to the Cancer Society.

If anyone is looking for a cool job, and to find out all the gossip we are looking for volunteers to drive Courtesy Van on a Friday night between 5:30 and 8:30 so let the bar staff know if you are in a position to assist.

Our Corporate Couch has been won by Danny McKay for the test match on 6th September and the raffle is open for the next one on 27th September so get your tickets selected. Not surprisingly the Pick The Score was not struck this week so it jackpots to another week. Our NPC Comp has struck bigger bumps than skiing down Coronet Peak with plenty of reputations taking a battering.

You know we are a centre chocked full of high performance athletes and we have another occasion where a RSA member was cycling along and got the wobbly wheels and toppled into a transmission box.

This column is full of public service announcements and with white baiting season just around the corner, make sure none of your mates or family members fall in the water

And the final word of wisdom this week is: Life is Short, smile while you still have teeth!!!

- Private Spike Pike

Vacant

Part Time Position

Part time position available (minimum of 12 hours per week) for a senior waitress/waiter in our busy restaurant and public bar. Previous hospitality experience and full drivers license would be an advantage but not a necessity for the right applicant. The applicant would need to be flexible as the position does require day/evening/weekend work.

If you love giving great service, love people and are ready for a new challenge then call in to the Whitehorse Inn and grab an application or email whitehorseinn@clt-trust.co.nz

20th August 2025

Winner: Moira

Loser: Cath

Raffle: Loraine G

Bruce Community Calendar SEPTEMBER 2025

Wednesday 10th - Tokomairiro Historical Society Meeting, 2pm at the Museum

Thursdays 11th & 25th - Housie at Milton Country Club Saturday 27th - Blessed Box, 9am at Tokomairiro High Food Tech Room. Details on Facebook. Wednesdays WOMEN'S SPACE at the Toko Hub 2-4pm JP Service Desk at the Library, 3pm-5pm Thursdays MILTON COMMUNITY SHED behind the Showgrounds

BRIDGE at the Coronation Hall 7pm TAI CHI at the Milton RSA, 1pm, ph 027 279 1602

Fridays @ the Library CROCHET FOR BEGINNERS 10-11am

Friendship Group meets at 1:30pm at old Senior Citizens Rooms. Ph Christine 021 028 46101

Children&Youth

Every Wednesday 10am-11am –Lovell’s Flat Playgroup, Bryce Memorial Hall

Every Thursday 10:30-11:30 Toddler Time-Milton Library

Thursday and Fridays, term time. 9.15-12 Playgroup 0-5yrs, Free! @ Te Whare Puāwai, 34 Spenser Street. Just turn up. Morning tea provided. E: tess@tewharepuawai.co.nz

For the full calendar, visit www.projectbruce.org/community-calendar

Situation Vacant Situation

Tokomairiro Co-Operating Parish Sunday31stAugust

10amWorshipService&SundaySchool intheMiltonChurchHall Allwelcome!

WeareaChristianFaithBiblebasedChurch

Sunday Service 10am 110 Union Street All Welcome! For more information, follow us on Facebook

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

MILTON CORONATION HALL SOCIETY

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Thursday 28 August 2025 at 7pm Melville Room, Coronation Hall, 95 Union Street, Milton.

Contact - Jill McIntosh 027 7348716

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 2nd September, 2pm - 6pm Open to all community members. For appointment contact: Ph 03 417 7430 or 027 232 3769 or office@tokowaiora.co.nz

ProjectBruceCharitableTrust AGM

Monday1stSeptember2025

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

5:30pm@theTokomairiroCommunityHub ALLWELCOME! enquiries:brucecommunities@gmail.com www.projectbruce.org.nz Are you tired of the District Council overspending?

Vote Gaynor Finch for Waihola Bruce Ward

Experienced advocator for our rural communities. Practical, enthusiastic, Promoting reducing rates & debt level Authorised by Gaynor Finch 027 417 7021

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. For an appointment. Have a sewing problem? Now available for clothing alterations, mending and other sewing services. PhSharon0274161488