4th December 2024 by Kris Simpson

Tokomairiro High School Newsletter & Community Noticeboard

Wednesday 4th December 2024

Highlanders Visit Brings Excitement

Last Friday was an unforgettable day as the Highlanders rugby players visited our school. From skills training in the gym to casual chats with our students, the morning was brimming with energy and inspiration. What a privilege it was to host these amazing athletes!

Tokomairiro High School will be moving to a Bring Your Own

Year 7 and 8 students will still have access to a chromebook during the school day but it is recommended that all older students bring their own device to school. Details of appropriate devices are available on the school website and students will need to complete a BYOD agreement which is available on the website or at the office.

Our preferred supplier is Noel Leeming who has a selection of devices that meet the criteria. They have already let us know that they will be having some specials available over the coming weeks with Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.

A reminder

As we near the end of the school year, please remember to return any items you have borrowed or hired from school. This includes:

Blazers (must be drycleaned, with proof of receipt)

Chromebooks

Library Books

Sports Equipment

Musical Instruments

Text books

Genesis Office Hours

Tuesdays 8:30-3:30

Wednesdays 8:30-12 noon

New Guitars and Amps for the Music Department

Monday morning’s delivery included two brand-new electric guitars and amplifiers, courtesy of the Fern Energy Fuel for Schools scheme.

A huge thank you to Reece Winter, Rural Sales Manager for Fern Energy, for delivering them, and to the Fern Energy customers who nominated our school. These instruments will be a fantastic addition to our music programme!

Thursday 5th, Friday 6th & Monday 9th December Activity Days

Tuesday 10th December - End of School Year Prize Giving - 7pm in the School Hall

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

Tena koutou katoa

Tokomairiro High School Newsletter...

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

As we approach the final stretch of 2024, it’s shaping up to be an action-packed week at our kura! The last full week of school is here and we’re excited to end the year on a high note.

Exciting Developments Around the School

The building work in our science labs is progressing superbly, with the newly installed windows already transforming the space into a brighter, more inviting environment. Over in the hall, our new audio-visual equipment is almost ready to go. Scaffolding is going up as we prepare to refresh the hall with a fresh coat of paint during the holidays. To top it all off, this morning brought the arrival of exciting new digital technology and music equipment to set us up for 2025.

Outstanding Literacy and Numeracy Results

We are thrilled to share the results of the new Literacy and Numeracy Common Assessments, which were released last week. These results demonstrate the incredible progress our ākonga have made, reflecting the hard work of both kaiako and students this year. Our focused efforts in embedding structured literacy and numeracy into the curriculum have truly paid off. It’s a fantastic way to end the year and motivates us to keep striving for excellence in 2025!

Cups and Trophies Inventory

We’re updating our school’s inventory of cups and trophies from both the District and High School eras. If you have any at home, please return them to the school office. Your assistance is greatly appreciated in preserving this important part of our history.

Tiny’s Milton Butchery

112 Union Street, Milton Ph 417 8223

Honey Cured Pickled Pork (Great hot or cold)

Only $14.95kg

“Aged” Rump Steak (Great on the BBQ) Only $19.95kg

Marinated Lamb Chops

Only $17.95kg

Tasty Herb + Garlic Flavoured Sausages Only $13.95kg

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

End-of-Year Activity Days

We’re thrilled to offer three exciting activity days to wrap up what has been a fantastic year:

Rāpare/Thursday: Students will need their “boarding passes” in hand as they embark on The Amazing Race. With 16 destinations to conquer, teams will face challenges that test their problem-solving skills and teamwork.

Rāmere/Friday: A day of giving back! Ākonga will roll up their sleeves to support our wider Milton community, showing gratitude for their ongoing support.

Rāhina/Monday: Students have signed up for a variety of engaging activities, ensuring a fun-filled conclusion to the year.

Summer Reading Programmes

Encourage your tamariki to keep reading over the holidays! Year 9 & 10 Students: Sign up for our Read to Succeed programme at the school library. Borrow books to enjoy during the break and keep those literacy skills sharp. Treats included! Year 7 & 8 Students: Join the Clutha District Library’s Summer Reading Programme, which comes with chocolate rewards for participation. Class visits from librarians will provide all the details soon.

Annual Prizegiving

Join us for the highlight and final event of the year, our Prizegiving Ceremony, on Tuesday, 10th December, at 7 pm in the school hall. Students should arrive by 6:30 pm, and the audience is kindly asked to be seated by 6:45 pm. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our students’ achievements and bring the year to a memorable close.

Nga mihi

Vicki Wish, Tumuaki/ Principal

The last Genesis for 2024 will be printed on Wednesday 18th December.

The office reopens on Tuesday 21st January and the first Genesis for the year will be printed on Wednesday 22nd January

Genesis Office Hours

Tuesdays 8:30-3:30 Wednesdays 8:30-12 noon

Public Health Nurse -Abby Brookland

Available Tuesdays at Tokomairiro High School in the Guidance Counsellor’s Office. Phone 027 241 1506 to make an appointment.

Tokomairiro High School

HORT SHOP OPEN

WEDNESDAYS1pm-4pm. Vegetable Plants Ready for Planting Now!

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

School Contact Details

School landline phone number 03 417 8620 School cellphone 027 268 3362

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

A

Gift that Keeps Giving!

Have you ever wished for a way to offer your children a wide variety of toys without the clutter and expense? Look no further – our local Toy Library is here to help! We’re always inviting families to join and take advantage of this wonderful community resource. You can find us on 9 Elderlee Street in the old Scout building on Thursdays and Saturdays from 10.30-11.30am.

What is a Toy Library? A Toy Library is a community-based service where anyone can borrow toys, games, and educational resources for their children from 0-8 years old. It's just like a regular library – but instead of books, we offer a variety of fun and stimulating toys! From building blocks and puzzles to role-play and ride-on toys, there’s something for every child to enjoy.

Why Join? Rather than purchasing new toys that will soon be outgrown, Toy Library members pay a small membership fee and can borrow a selection of toys.

Our collection is constantly expanding! Whether you’re looking for creative play materials, learning games, or outdoor toys, you can find them here. Our recent purchases include some magnetic Connetix and a new mini trampoline! By borrowing toys instead of buying them, you're helping reduce waste and promoting sustainability within our community.

Every toy donated or borrowed supports our mission to build a stronger, more connected community where we facilitate our children's physical, social, emotional and intellectual development.

How Does it Work?

Sign Up: Becoming a member is simple. Just visit us at the Toy Library Building on 9 Elderlee Street in Milton, visit our Facebook page, or check out our website: https:// tokomairirotoylibrary.mibase.co.nz/

Browse & Borrow: Once you’re a member, you can choose from our wide selection of toys. Take home up to 5 toys –whatever suits your family’s needs.

Play & Return: Enjoy the toys for up to 3 weeks (within our borrowing limits), and return them when you're ready for something new.

How You Can Help:

Donate Gently Used Toys: Do you have toys your children have outgrown? Consider donating them to our Toy Library! Your donations help us expand our collection and provide other families with the same joy and learning opportunities.

Gift a Membership: A Toy Library membership makes an excellent Christmas present! Get in touch to purchase a voucher for a term or even a full year of fun.

Let’s Play, Learn, and Grow Together – One Toy at a Time!

Bible Reading for the Week ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever’. Chronicles 16:34

Tokomairiro Historical Society Report

It is with pleasure I present this the 57th Annual Report of the Tokomairiro Historical Society

Visitor numbers have not increased much since Covid 19 but those who do visit are very generous with their praise of our collections.

The three Exhibitions mounted by the three members who undertook (and passed) the Museums Practice Course were well received by visitors, they were a credit to each of the members. Miss Ann MacMillan’s Paintings (Noeline), Medical Memorabilia (Victoria) and Milton Pottery (Wendy).

We have received a new computer funded by the Combined Museums funds, to run the Past Perfect program of the Museums contents, and allow other Museums to view our collection on-line.

Two Ann MacMillan paintings have been mounted and reframed, and the ornate frame of a photograph has been repaired by a descendant of the subject.

Other notes from the year include:

-Afternoon tea for members and volunteers (catered by Kelly’s Kitchen)

-A new Combined Museums Brochure printed

-Victoria has done some work on the photographic collection and a website has been created “miltonmuseum.nz”

-Book sale day takings were down on previous years.

-Judith Taylor – South Island museums liaison Officer for a number of years has sadly moved on to other opportunities.

-Memories of the Back Road by Colin Campbell has been reprinted on request and several copies have been sold.

We thank our donors for their donations this year:

-Artefacts with Milton connections (South Otago Museum).

-Air Force Uniforms and memorabilia (family of the late Les McLeod)

-Wedding dress of the late Jessie Sinclair (Mrs Clark).

A number of genealogical queries throughout the year, most of which we have been able to help in some way.

My thanks to the volunteers who help man the front desk, to secretary Noeline and Treasurer Wendy for your assistance and help in running the organisation, you are all invaluable. President – Nancie Allison

Genesis Deadline 12 Noon Monday

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

Insurance work for all major insurance companies

NOVUS agents for all vehicle glass requirements

8 Frances Street, Balclutha Ph 03 418 0192

Dave & Carolyn McDiarmid admin@cluthapanelrepairs.nz

Free pick up and delivery from Milton and surrounding areas.

Quadrathon for Year 7 and 8’s

Last Tuesday some Year 7 & 8 students participated in the annual Waiwera South School Quadrathon. This is an event that is looked forward to every year.

The quadrathon consists of 100m swim, 60m run to the bike change over area, a 2km bike, a 1.5km cross country run and a 1.2km road run. We had three students compete as individuals and six teams. All our teams competed very well with the highlights being Toko Blue winning the Year 8 Boys teams, Toko Black coming second in the Year 7 Boys team (only by five seconds) and two of our individual Year 7's coming in the top four.

Milton Angling Club

Sunday 1st December -Toko River Factor Fish

T Carr 3 trout

.800 kg factor 38 .880 kg factor 35 .885 kg factor 35

Factor calculated on length and weight

And just like that December has arrived with Xmas bearing down in a great rate of knots. You can now put your Xmas Tree and decorations up. A certain member of staff has been dying to put these up for ages. We're just looking at getting right size tree so Norm can balance up top!!!

Last Saturday we hosted another 60th party with plenty of good feedback which just reinforces our standing as the premium social venue to book for your parties.

Rebus Club of Milton

At the November meeting, Helen Ryan (nee Forde) gave a very interesting talk and power point presentation of her trip to Peru. She travelled with Intrepid Travel Co and recommended them!

Everything was planned and the trip began in Lima. This is a city of morning fogs, very little rain, humidity and warm days. Unfinished buildings were everywhere - on purpose so they didn’t have to pay taxes on them. It is a corrupt country with wealth from gold and minerals. Cooking classes were fun, learning to enjoy the local food, especially the fruit. Next stop was Arequipa, a dry arid place where the national dish of guinea pig was tasted. The history of the monastery there was interesting with a black Jesus to encourage the locals to become Christian. There was a lot of gold decoration – real gold. Altitude sickness was common here, so medication was given to overcome that. We learned that there are 6,000 varieties of potato in Peru! Who knew?

Colca Valley was the next stop where health checks were done twice a day. Terraced farming was seen here, as was the condor, a bird with a wing span of 2.4 to 2.7 metres. Lake Titicaca was visited and Cusco was where the bus took them to Machu Pichu, the site of an ancient civilisation. Last was a boat ride into the Amazon to see capybaras, tarantulas, ants, brazil nuts, walking plants, termites and black river otters (nasty creatures!)

Helen was thanked and given a gift.

The December meeting is early – on Wednesday 11th at the Waihola Tavern for lunch. Please be there by 11.30 am for the General Meeting before the meal. The speaker is Craig Scott, the Head of Exhibitions and Creative Services.

your legal requirements, contact our friendly team at (03) 417-8004 or email milton@sumptermoore.co.nz

We have now had confirmed our inaugural Darts Tournament so are looking for 16 entries. This will take place over three weeks in January next year and there will be walk on music and nicknames allocated for each competitor. First round draw will take place Thursday 19 December. There has been lots of interest, so secure your spot.

Our Xmas Ham raffles are steaming out the door with 5 out of 6 already sold so not many left. On behalf of a very generous sponsor we have four more to be won so get in ASAP to find out who these can be won. Also our Joker Draw is reaching an eye watering amount which is perfect for this time of year in your back pocket.

Our world famous Spud Dig only has three bags left so you better get on quick in order to partake in one of the best days of the year on 15 March 2025.

Finally it has come to my attention of someone was caught doing 137kmh down Saddle Hill, 4 more kms and instant lost of licence. Driver claimed it was as cruise control!!! Only if driven by Lewis Hamilton!!!!

- Private Spike Pike