3rd September 2025 by Kris Simpson

Wednesday

Pair Challenge the Competition

Aryan (left) and Kalya competed in the TronSoc Engineering Competition on Saturday 23rd August. This ran from 9am to 5pm on a Saturday, so it meant giving up their entire day and learning a variety of new skills.

The competitors were given the challenge of working out a home security system which involved researching ideas and problem solving!

Most teams were larger, but these students were very determined and completed the challenge and submitted their work. They have won a spot prize for this!

Keeping your details updated

Just a reminder that if you have moved or your contact details have changed, please update this at the office. This enable us to send emails with student progress information, or for sporting and learning opportunities. It is important that we have your correct details in case of an emergency, as we would use our student management system to contact large numbers of families/ whanau at once.

Having the correct details also makes using the new Kindo app easier, as it is linked to the email address supplied on Kamar.

Please contact the office on 03 417 8620 or by email on office@tokohigh.school.nz

Create a Kindo account by 19th September, shop the free Prize Draw Promotion, and be in the draw to win 1 of 5 $50 NZ Uniform Vouchers!! Over half of our families have signed up already!! Be in to win!!

Daffodil Day Thanks…

A big thank you to the many people who contributed to our very successful Daffodil Day fundraiser last Friday. We made $252.00 which will go towards support services that the Cancer Society provides in our area.

Dates to Remember

2nd-4th September Common Assessment Activities 10th September Senior Course Selection Evening Friday 12th September School Ball

15th - 19th September Te Wiki o te reo Maori Friday 19th September End of Term 3

Tena koutou katoa

Tokomairiro High School Newsletter...

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

A new month has begun, and if spring isn’t here, it will be soon!

Polyfest

We are SO excited and proud that 30 Tokomairiro High School students will be performing at this year’s Ōtakou Polyfest. It promises to be an absolutely unique and enriching experience that goes beyond the classroom. The festival is a celebration of culture, identity, and community, providing students with an invaluable opportunity to connect with their heritage and showcase their talents. The fact that such a substantial proportion of our student population is keen to be involved speaks volumes. Kei ōu ringaringa te ao: The world is yours - go get it!

Our performance will be happening Wednesday evening at about 6:45 at the More FM Arena, Edgar Centre. The livestream link is https://vimeo.com/event/5350079 , and will be posted on our facebook page closer to the time.

Senior Course Selection Evening and Course Selection Process

Choosing the right courses for NCEA is a vital step in shaping future opportunities. The subjects students will select in the coming weeks will influence not only their learning next year but also the pathways available to them for apprenticeships, tertiary study, and future careers.

To support these important decisions, we invite all students entering Years 11–13 (this includes current year 10 students ) in 2026, along with their caregivers, to attend our Course Selection Evening on Tuesday 10th September from 6 pm in the school hall.

The evening will begin with an introductory presentation about NCEA, including upcoming changes to the qualification, followed by the chance to learn more about the wide range of courses on offer, speak directly with subject teachers about content, expectations, and assessments, ask questions about how each subject can support future study or career plans and get advice on how to keep options open while planning ahead.

This event is a valuable opportunity to make informed choices together. With the right guidance and understanding, students will be best positioned to set themselves up for success.

Derived Grade Exams

Our derived grade exam experience last week was immensely successful. Students took the exams very seriously. It has been an invaluable opportunity to practice exam attack strategies, organising a study programme, and learning about prioritising and the importance of planning, and putting these lessons into practice. On top of this, it has been a chance for students to make mistakes in a relatively (compared to the ‘real’ exams in November) low consequence situation. Making mistakes now is vitally important. It’s even encouraged. On condition that students learn from them and do not repeat them when the chips are down!

CAAs

2025’s second round of Common Assessment Activities are now in full swing. Once again, Tokomairiro High School students have made us proud by turning up prepared and serious for these important online exams. Results for the Reading standard will be released at 3pm Thursday 9th October. Results for the Writing and Numeracy standards will be released at 3pm Monday 20th October. We look forward to celebrating more success then!

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

Pork Belly -Whole or Strips-

$18.95kg

Beef Stir Fry

$22.95kg

Crumbed Sausages

$14.95kg

Book in your Homekill!

Want your meat ready for Christmas?

Secure your spot! Call or email us, or send a pm via Facebook.

Winter

Tournament Week

We are very happy to see the return of students and staff who were involved with Winter Tournament Week. It’s an initiative that brings thousands of students together across the country to compete in a wide range of sports. For our students, it’s a chance to test themselves against strong competition, build resilience, and put into practice valuable lessons around the concepts of teamwork, leadership, and fair play. Representing our school on this stage is a source of pride, and students have the chance to create lasting memories alongside their teammates. We acknowledge and thank the coaches, managers and back up crews who make all of it possible!

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

Foodwraps Still Available

There are still a limited number of items available for sale to support our Senior Netball girls.

Foil:

44cm x 150m $38

44cm x 90m $30

30cm x 150m $28

Cling wrap: 45cm x 600m $38

33cm x 600m $26

33cm x 300m $15

Baking Paper: 30cm x 100m $30

Please email clare.healey@tokohigh.school.nz to order. Get in quick!!

Elder Care Group Still Going Strong!

Milton Elder Care has recently had a Birthday. We are 31 years old, and for all of those years we have provided much needed support in the community. Getting older can be challenging and lonely at times. Our aim is to ensure that all adults can join our programme. Whether it be companionship, physical activities, singalongs, outings, recreation or craft, we offer something for everyone.

Our co-ordinator, volunteers and trust are dedicated to making our group an integral part of our community. We have spaces available so give us a call .

We are open on Tuesday and Thursday From 10.30 to 4pm. A cooked lunch is provided and we can also provide transport to and from the rooms at 185 Union Street Milton.

For more information please call : Colleen on 02108666054

Bible Reading for the Week

‘Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?’ . - Matthew 6:27

Congratulations to:

 Lucas Stevenson (left) for making the Otago Blue U15 Hockey team.

Leon Healey (right) for making the U14 Otago Country rugby team.

Good luck boys for your upcoming tournaments!

Dominic Dobson, Will Allan, Ollie Foster, Moss Cookson, Ayson Wardell, Matthew Greer, Thomas Clark, Taya Robinson, and Ty Fraser for making the Year 8 South Otago representative teams.

Glass showers Glass splash backs

SISS Tournament Week

The Senior A team competed in Dunedin for their tournament. It was a great few days with some very close games and good convincing wins. Team building highlights were the escape room, swim at the beach and ten pin bowling. The girls finished 4th in

Alec Murray (left) competed in the South Otago Senior boys hockey 9th overall. Well done 70th overall in his motorcross event. Well done Billy!

Tremaine, Niko, Andrew and Tukahia competed in the South Otago U15 rugby team. They played their tournament in Oamaru. They had some great wins and finished 7th overall. Congratulations

Our Toko Jacks Indoor bowls team have had quite the experience this week, playing in their first ever national tournament in

Thursday was singles, where each player had a win. Special mention to Dylan Carr who won four from four, qualifying for post section play. Jackson played a stellar game on the TV rink and nabbed a win: nerves of steel! Friday was pairs. Two of our teams played each other in the plate section, unfortunately knocking one of our own out. Hunter and Marcus made quarters while Dylan and

We were fortunate enough to win the Bayleys team spirit award, taking home $200 petrol money!

Clutha Panel Repairs

A special mention to our major sponsors, Rotary and Lions for making this 3 year dream a reality!

• Chassis Straightening

• Structural Repair Centre

• Panel/Paint Repairs

• Plastic Welding

• Free Quotes/ Loan Cars

• Latest technology equipment & training for late model vehicles Insurance work for all major insurance companies

NOVUS agents for all vehicle glass requirements

8 Frances Street, Balclutha Ph 03 418 0192

Waihola/Clarendon Women`s Institute Report

Dave & Carolyn McDiarmid admin@cluthapanelrepairs.nz

We have been busy going out and about in both July and August. A group of us went to TOITU in Dunedin to view the Eden Hore collection of Haute Couture dresses. This was fascinating and was followed by lunch in the cafe there. For our August meeting we held a quick meeting in the Waihola Hall, before travelling into the Milton Museum to view the history of The Milton Potteries on a video and to see some of their Pottery collection. Lunch in Milton followed. Our September meeting includes a bottle auction and a book exchange. We meet in the Waihola Hall at 10.30am and all are welcome to attend.

Milton and surrounding areas.

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

Free pick up and delivery from

News from the Trenches...

Boom!!! Did you hear that seismic boom last Friday night. That noise was the sound of Craig Irvine turning over the Joker and collecting the jackpot. Congratulations big fella, great night was had. In all competitions there are always tales of unfortunate tales which I understand could be Tony Allen who had the misfortune of picking the card one before the winning one. Also another member who shall remain nameless mentioned a number but the adjudicator thought they said the winning number, when asked to clarify mentioned a wrong number. As a result this member was so upset they may have fallen out of bed. This week the joker draw is open again with a brand new joker and also there will be prizes associated with certain numbers so get along and try to match Craig.

This week we have the AB vs South Africa test with Danny McKay winning the Corporate Couch and tickets are available to be purchased for the Bledisloe cup test. So don't forget the pick the scores which hasn't been struck since Super Max Taylor exhibited his superior wisdom. Speaking of rugby, our NPC Comp is starting to heat up with jokers being played. Just a reminder to make sure when the joker is played it is clearly noted as the scorer is going blind with a certain affliction. Also this week the first game is on Thursday so make sure your picks are in.

Yesterday we held a morning tea thanking the volunteers who did an amazing job with Poppy and Daffodil day which shows the fantastic contribution. Our community is so lucky for these volunteers. Massive thank you on behalf of RSA.

This week Whitebait season starts so let's keep everyone with nobody falling in and I understand we have a member who has a fishing license by the name of OMJ!!!!

Finally keep an eye out for the new courier who works for the local freight company. I think he goes by the name LJ so say gday to him!!!

- Private Spike Pike

Milton Sub Assn Indoor Bowls

The Closing Snowball and Prize Giving was held last week with only 16 present.

The team that came out victorious after two games was Gary Foster, Elizabeth Read, Dave Sutherland and Lynne Copland . They had two wins and 61 points.

Second place on a count back was Alistair Allison, Alex Benington, Maree Hill and Judith Hand with one win and 28 points. Russell Copland tried his hardest, but for various reasons you just can’t help bad luck!

Winners for the season were:

J.K.Clark shield: Glenledi.

2nd round cup: Glenledi.

Colin Tiffany Cup: Open Singles. Graeme Hill.

Grace Sanson Tray: Elizabeth Read.

Denise Lockhart Trophy - Champion ladies singles: Elizabeth Read.

Colin Tiffany Trophy, Men’s singles: Russell Copland.

Joan Brown Champion Pairs: Graeme and Maree Hill.

Alliance Triples: Graeme Hill, Russell and Lynne Copland.

Alec Philip Fours: Murray Scott, Allan Philip, Russell Copland and Maree Hill.

The final South Otago snowball was held at Balclutha last Saturday. Milton’s Peter Grant and Finegand’s Ivan Smithies were the winners, with the runners up being Waitepeka’s David Fenton, and Town and Country’s Barrie Keach.

The prize giving for South Otago is next week.

Anne Wai Chin Cheng for Lawrence-Tuapeka Ward Councillor

I believe Local Government is about engaging with, making decisions for, and delivering services to meet the needs of the community. Looking after community well-being is at the heart of Local Government.

I have lived in New Zealand since October 1988 and in Lawrence since October 2016.

Serving as a Ward Councillor is a full-time commitment – I have time; and I am fully committed.

I am:

 passionate about serving the community,

 knowledgeable about Local Government systems and processes, having worked in 8 different Local Councils for some 25 years

 hard-working,

 approachable,

 a good listener,

 a team player

 a good communicator

I promise to serve the community with integrity – I will explain to you what you need to hear, not tell you what you want to hear.

Authorised by Anne Wai Chin Cheng 0211883973