3rd December 2026

Tokomairiro High School Newsletter & Community Noticeboard

Wednesday 3rd December 2025

Genesis Genesis

238 Union Street MILTON T: 03 417 4483

E: genesis@tokohigh.school.nz

Talent + Fun = One Fantastic Production!

On Monday, the te Kaika Hub (Year 7 and 8 students), performed their first ever production; Aladdin: Trouble.

We set our story in local Milton businesses and explored themes of belonging, identity, friendship, a touch of magic, and - of course the triumph of good over evil!

The children were amazing, we are so proud of them!

It was a great night!

School Magazine 2025

This year’s Tokomairiro High School Magazine is at the printers!!

Uniform Donations The Tokomairiro High School PTA welcome donations of any uniform items that are no longer needed. Any items in a clean and tidy condition can be dropped to the main office before Friday 19th December. Thank you!

Chock full of over 80 pages of the events, activities and achievements that shaped our school in 2025.

Dates to Remember Wednesday 3rd - Friday 5th December Activity and Community Days Monday 8th December School Finishes 12:30 6:30pm Students arrive / 7pm Prizegiving

Copies are $15. Order via Kindo or call in to the school office.

Magazines will be available for collection from Monday 8th December.

Crutching For all your Dagging & Crutching requirements

Tuesday 20th & Thursday 22nd January Course Confirmation Years 9 - 13 Friday 23rd & Monday 26th January Teacher Only Days Tuesday 27th January First Day for Year 7 &13 students Wednesday 28th January - First Day for Whole School

Lambs and Ewes MG Shearing

Mobile trailers with generator available for remote locations

Contact Mike Gorinski

MG Shearing

Lice & Fly Control Precision Jetter available MG 12 weeks protection Shearing

027 201 6300

Tokomairiro High School Newsletter...

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

Tena koutou katoa We are now into our final full week of the year and looking ahead to Prizegiving on Monday, which is the culmination of the school year. This final stretch is always a balance of celebration and steady effort as we bring everything to a close before a well earned break from school. Students and staff are working hard to finish well as we move toward the events that round off the year.

Te Kāika Hub Presents: Aladdin Monday night the hall was full with support for the Te Kāika Hub production of Aladdin. As someone from the UK, a classic pantomime feels like part of the Christmas season and last night’s performance certainly embraced that tradition with plenty of cheesy jokes. It was wonderful to see all our Year 7 and 8 students working together to bring the show to life and end the year with something joyful. A huge thank you to Erica Milligan, Natasha Freeman and Sophie Giggins-Brown for the hours of work they put into making this production happen.

End-of-Year Activity Days • Rāapa/Wednesday: A day of giving back. Ākonga will spend time supporting our wider Milton community, acknowledging the support we receive throughout the year.

• Rāpare/Thursday: Students will take part in a scavenger hunt around the school in the morning working in teams to complete a range of challenges. In the afternoon there will be a variety of sports.

• Rāmere/Friday: Students have signed up for a range of activities to finish the year with something fun and engaging.

Our School Values For many years our three school values, Whakaute / Respect, Haepapa / Responsibility and Hiringa / Excellence, have guided the way we work and learn together. In the recent Year 9 and 10 writing tests one of the topics focused on these values. Trish Eames shared several responses with me and I was genuinely proud of the insight and maturity shown by our students. Below are some excerpts that speak strongly to what these values mean in everyday school life: “Tokomairiro has done an amazing job at trying to show students that this is a way of life that students should always follow as it will help them with the rest of their life.”

“Using these values in school and while learning can benefit yourself and others in ways that you don’t even notice.”

“The values of respect, responsibility and excellence are very important for learning at Tokomairiro High School. They keep us strong as a community, keep the relationships between friends, teachers and peers strong, and keep us all doing our best in everything we do.”

“Overall, I believe that this school is a great place and I'm proud to be a part of it.

Also respect, responsibility and excellence is a huge part of Tokomairiro High School and that without these simple guidelines this school wouldn’t be such a great place for learning.”

“All the time that I have been at Tokomairiro High School the teachers and the students have shown me how to show respect, responsibility and excellence; ever since I have felt like a part of this school. I can already say that Tokomairiro High School is the best school that I have ever been to.”

Reports End-of-year reports will be sent out by Friday 5 December. These will give an overview of each student’s progress across the year along with any key recommendations for 2026. We encourage whānau to take some time to read through these carefully and discuss them with their young person. If you do not receive a report please contact the school office after checking your spam folder.

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

Crumbed Cutlets $17.95 kg Rump Steak $25.95 kg Cheese & Onion Sausages $15.95 kg Check us out! www.miltonbutchery.co.nz or our Facebook page!

Prizegiving - The Last School day Our end-of-year Prizegiving will be held on Monday 8 December beginning at 7.00 pm.

All students are expected to be at school in full uniform by 6.30 pm. This is an important occasion on our school calendar and we look forward to celebrating the achievements of our students with their whānau.

To allow us to prepare the hall students will be released at 12.30pm on the day. Our final junior assembly will take place at 10.30 am.

BYOD in 2026 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. If you are considering purchasing a device over the summer break this can be a good time to look out for end of year and back to school specials.

Tokomairiro High School Library – Summer Reading Programme 2025–26 Get set up for summer with one of our Library Book Bags! Students can choose their own books, or let Mr Daniels put together a selection for them. Each bag also includes a few small treats and surprises to make summer reading even more enjoyable. Whether you want something relaxing for those long holiday afternoons, or you’re keen to keep building your literacy skills over the break, the Summer Reading Programme is a great way to stay engaged.

Book Bags can be collected during Activities Week and returned in Term One 2026.

If you would like to take part, Please sign up with Mr Daniels.

Ngā mihi nui Vicki Wish, Principal | Tumuaki

Have You Signed Up for Kindo?

Kindo makes it easy for you to: make full or part payments, register for school sports and support fundraisers.

New to Kindo?

Kindo is easy to set up and use. Just visit our website or use the QR code to join.

Use the ‘create account’ option to set up an account.

Have Questions?

Call in to the school office, or visit support.mykindo.co.nz and search key words, email hello@mykindo.co.nz or phone (09) 869 5200 or 0508 454 636 for assistance - Available 8am-4pm on school days.

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.

Bible Reading for the Week

“ Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail ”- Lamentations 3:22

The Rebus Club of Milton

Faola de Montgomery believes that life offers opportunity and she certainly took that as a teenager. At the age of 16 she went off on her own to spend her last year of schooling in India. This was the start of her interest in travel. She knew little about India and was not prepared to the freezing cold at night. There was only 6 weeks until the holidays when she spent time travelling north up near Kasmir and then near Calcutta.

She spent the summer holidays in Canada, America and Guyana before travelling back to India where she found she was not welcome but stayed on as an art teacher.

Back in NZ she went to university, still travelling overseas at any opportunity before completing a BSc. She has seen the positive sides of people all over the world which has helped her shape her own life and contributing to society. The next project is becoming a primary school teacher.

Her final message was to have a positive attitude and give back! Lex Adam thanked her and gave her a gift.

The December (Monday 8th) meeting is a trip to Waitahuna for lunch. Please meet at the RSA at 11.15 am to organise transport and leave at 11.30am.

SOUTH OTAGO’S TRAVEL PROFESSIONAL

Genesis Deadline 12 Noon Monday New aluminium windows & doors Retrofit double glazing Glass & aluminium balustrades Conservatories Glass showers Glass splash backs

49 Tokoiti Road, Milton

News from the Trenches...

We are getting closer to the Jolly Fella in the Santa suit appearance with only a couple of weeks left before our RSA members can fully relax and not be prone to having their activities revealed. We are selling real Xmas Trees and taking orders. Contact the RSA to secure your load. There may be Santa who's there as well. He just needs to be confirmed!!!

This coming Friday the Handle Club is having its Xmas function with specials and raffles coming to fruition so this will be a good night. Last Friday we had the Patriots MC visit, they do an awesome job in the community.

The Joker Draw is getting closer to the maximum level and there are still plenty of cards left so looks like a bumper Xmas present could be struck. Speaking of being struck, a lucky RSA member has won TWO Xmas Hams and with only two left you had better be in quick. Speaking of raffles our last Thursday night will be held on 18 December which is rapidly approaching.

Our Darts Comp draw on Thursday 11 December is rapidly approaching, to see which battles will be drawn on. Due to a conflict of bookings our Darts Comp has been brought forward to the 10 January. I understand there are many costumes already lined up.

Just a public safety announcement, if you are purchasing raffles at the RSA make sure put money in the correct container.

My boss told me to have a good day, so I went home!!!!

- Private Spike Pike

Waihola/ Clarendon Women’s Institute

Our last meeting for the year was held on 17th November 2025 with a good attendance of members. It was great to have Carol Dalton along as well.

We reminisced on Jan Taylor`s membership and held a moment`s silence. We will miss her.

Two members were able to attend her funeral as some of us attended Mid Otago Federation 90th birthday celebrations at Glenfalloch on the same day. Members were asked to consider going onto the Mid Otago Federation committee. Our speaker was Roger Leslie, who told us about his walking trip from Bluff to Cape Reinga to raise money for Mental health. Mrs Leslie accompanied him with their campervan. His book about the journey was bought by most members. The motto given was " Never under any circumstance, take a laxative and a sleeping pill on the same night" Isobel Michelle reported on the 90th celebrations held by South Otago WI`s at Balclutha. Our December meeting will be a lunch at the Black Swan and will include a gift exchange.

Euchre 19th November 2025 Winner: Wendy Loser: Steve Raffle: -

26th November 2025 Winner: Bruce Loser: Joan

St Mary’s School

would like to invite the local community to their Major Production

“Joseph” to be held at the Coronation Hall on Wednesday 10th December at 10 am.

Entry: A gold coin donation.

Contact the Genesis Office for more information about

advertising. Just email genesis@tokohigh.school.nz

Clutha Panel Repairs • Chassis Straightening • Structural Repair Centre • Panel/Paint Repairs • Plastic Welding • Free Quotes/ Loan Cars • Latest technology equipment & training for late model vehicles

Genesis Classifieds ...

Church Notices

Church Notices

Tokomairiro Co-Operating Parish Sunday 7th December - Advent 2 10am Worship Service - Milton Church Hall 2:30pm Recovery Church - Milton Church Hall 4pm-6pm Whanau Funday (final for the year) All welcome!

Insurance work for all major insurance companies

We are a Christian Faith Bible based Church

NOVUS agents for all vehicle glass requirements

Sunday Service—10am 110 Union Street All Welcome!

For more information, follow us on Facebook

8 Frances Street, Balclutha Ph 03 418 0192 Dave & Carolyn McDiarmid

E: admin@cluthapanelrepairs.nz

Free pick up and delivery from Milton and surrounding areas.

Youth United meets fortnightly on Saturdays in term time for ages 10-18.

Check out our Facebook page for events & times.

Genesis Classifieds ...

Public Notices

Public Notices

Public Notices

Public Notices

Genesis Classifieds ...

To Rent

To Rent One bedroom flat 62a Ajax St, Milton Heat pump, car port, $285pw Ph 027 671 2262

Public Notices

Toko Golf Twilight Golf 9 Holes Wednesday Evenings 5:15 - 5:45pm tee off time $2 All Welcome!

Toko Golf Club, Back Rd.

Show off your Pets!

Hi everyone don't forget to enter your pets for the Toko A&P Show!

We have a wee obstacle course for the pet lambs and calves and a drinking competition for the lambs.

You can bring along any kind of pet for the Any Pet and the fancy dress competition.

You can enter on the day and the entries are FREE. We are situated down by the cattle judging ring.

Hope to see you there!

In Memoriam

In Memoriam

AGNEW, TINY. (Robert Graham) 5th December 2024 A year ago today our hearts broke in two. It’s so hard to believe how fast life can change. One day we were planning things together and the next day that all changed. Our world turned upside down in that moment.

To say we miss you is hard, but to say we love and remember you is easy. We are so grateful for our memories and the loved we shared, but they are not the same as we wish you were still here with us again.

We miss you so much, you live on in our hearts so you are never far away.

Love and miss you, Wendy, Laura, Craig Courtney & Armelle, James Abby Ollie & Jack. xx

Trades & Services

Trades & Services

Tokomairiro High School

HORT SHOP

OPEN WEDNESDAYS 1pm-4pm.

Variety of Plants & Shrubs Ready for Planting Now!

Trailers for Hire ATV/Motorbike Trailer/ Flat Deck 8x5 General Purpose Trailer with Cage 16x6 Car Transporter Phone: 03 417 8727 Email:tokotrailers@xtra.co.nz

Renovations • New Builds • Farm buildings • Decks •

Nigel O’Leary 027 430 2535 Zane O'Leary 022 6754184 njobuilders@gmail.com

Genesis Classifieds ...

Pet Services

Shaggy to SLEEK Dog Grooming Service Phone Robyn 027 359 1144 to book an appointment or email: shaggytosleek@gmail.com

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

Phone 03 418 0777 For an appointment.

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 so we can share what is happening in our area.

Trades & Services

Trades & Services

Dr. Fix-IT TV’s, PC’s, WiFi & HiFi Service, Installs & Repairs, Farm Gate Alarms & Cameras Affordable Rates, Cash Discounts Call 022 516 7729

Genesis Classifieds ...

Trades & Services

Trades & Services

Health Services

Health Services

YES!!!

We are still happy to treat your ACC injuries.

Co-payment charges only $20.

For appt: 03 417 7066

Trades & Services

Storage Units Available

Located in Milton From 14.4 m³ to 19.2 m³ From $35 per week.

Phone 027 364 6237

Trades & Services

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

CALTEX MILTON Genesis Deadline 12 Noon Monday

For all your fuel and lubricant Requirements -LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED -

LPG Bottle Refills & Swap a Bottle Caltex StarCash Gift Cards & MTA Vouchers

Open 7 days to 9pm 12 Seater Van for Hire

Stihl Shop Milton 03 417 8959 101 Union Street, Milton

- Phone 021 532 104

General Engineering - Hydraulics - Mowers Chainsaw Sales and Service