About

Otago Girls' High School, founded in 1870, was the first state secondary school for girls in New Zealand and reputed to be the sixth oldest in the world. Many school families have an association with the school that spans over four generations. Because of our long history, traditions such as the Celebration Service and Prize-Giving are regarded as highlights of the school year.

The school's fundamental aim is to provide a high tech education for the twenty-first century. The school has always promoted the highest standards of achievement for all young women in every field: academic, sporting and cultural. A warm, welcoming and secure environment is provided to all our students, their whanau, staff and the community. An extensive guidance network provides personal, social, educational and vocational support.

Otago Girls' High School has a high academic success rate in National qualifications. Most students leave school with NCEA Level Three and University Entrance. Otago Girls' High School maintains a high participation rate in sport; many of our teams have success in local, regional and national competitions. Approximately two thirds of our students play organised sport, coached by staff, senior students and supportive members of the school community. Co-curricular music involves a third of the school in choir, orchestra and musical tuition. A number of our music groups are in combination with Otago Boys' High School. Our competition choirs have established a national reputation for quality over a period of years. Drama involves over half of our pupils annually in productions ranging from the Shakespeare Festival, Stage Challenge and Junior Production to the combined OBHS-OGHS annual senior show. A love of the arts is fostered by the school. Student work adorns the walls and students are encouraged to take part in wearable arts, photography, painting and set design. They are given regular opportunities to exhibit their work.

Otago Girls' High School continues to foster understanding of the needs of students from all cultural backgrounds. The Board of Trustees provides appropriate support and tuition so that there is equal opportunity for all students. The Board wants all students to develop the appropriate skills and understanding so they can effectively take their place in the global community. The school welcomes students from all around the world and we provide many opportunities for our students to experience the world.

Otago Girls' High School values the success of Wairua Puhou which has achieved regular national and regional success over a period of years. The school celebrates the achievements of our young Maori. The Board of Trustees continues to develop policies and practices that reflect New Zealand 's cultural diversity, and the unique position of Maori. The Board is committed to ensuring that instruction in Te Reo Maori and Tikaka is provided and encouraged. The Board is also committed to ensuring that Maori values, perspectives and language are promoted throughout the school.

Otago Girls' High School has an inner city location that gives easy access to the Moana Pool, the Public Library, the Art Gallery, the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, the Otago Polytechnic and the University of Otago. It is situated on a compact site with six tennis or netball courts and pleasant recreation areas. Our school campus is attractive and inviting. The buildings consist of two large well-equipped teaching blocks, which were remodelled and refurbished in the early 1990s. Part of this process was the restoration of the historic Anscombe building. In 2002 a new gymnasium complex was built on the Stuart Street site. In 2004 the old gymnasium was converted into a performing arts space, complete with an 80 seat theatre. In 2010 the Ministry of Education added the land in Upper Tennyson Street to our property occupancy document. In 2016 a new state-of-the-art music suite was completed along with an access tower giving alternative lift access to different levels of the school. This year we opened out 'Classroom by the Sea' situated on the waterfront of Otago Harbour.