Principal Bridget Davidson's welcome
We are proud and excited to show you, through this website, many of the wonderful opportunities Otago Girls' High School has to offer. For 150 years our school has provided a high quality girls’ education and we have consistently produced remarkable women who have gone on to achieve success in their chosen fields.
Our history and our heritage are two things of which we are immensely proud. These aspects, along with our core values of Respect (Kia Whakaute), Positivity (Kia Hihiri) and Integrity (Kia Pono), underpin all that we do as we work to achieve our vision: Whakaohoho ~ Whakamana ~ Werohia ~ Moemoeā, Inspire ~ Empower ~ Challenge ~ Dream.
Otago Girls' High School strives for academic excellence and our NCEA results at all levels exceed the National averages. In 2021 91% of our students achieved NCEA Level 1, 88% gained Level 2 and 91% obtained Level 3. In 2021 81% of our students obtained University Entrance. Sixteen Scholarships were gained by our students in 2021 and our Scholarship attainment is the best-performing in Otago for both girls’ schools and for girls in co-ed schools. Our 16 Scholarships also made us the third top-performing school over all of the 27 secondary schools in Otago. This builds on our wonderful success in 2020 where we had three Top Scholars in New Zealand, with our students coming top in the country with our students coming top in the country in French, Sculpture and Media Studies.
Our facilities, teaching approaches and curriculum have been designed to provide students with the skills, attitudes and knowledge they will need to be global citizens of the future, while the supportive and friendly environment encourages them to be the best that they can be. Complementing our excellent academic programmes is an exciting range of sporting, cultural and other opportunities to learn outside the classroom. All of these opportunities are supported by a sophisticated digital infrastructure and philosophy of teaching that increasingly allows you to learn anytime, anywhere.
Our school motto in Latin is Recti Cultus Pectora Roborant – The Right Education Makes the Heart as Strong as Oak.
The Māori parallel is Mā Te Matauraka Ka Tū Teitei Te Tōtara – Through Education the Totara Tree will Stand Tall.
It is our aim to ensure that every student who passes through our doors and under our pare, will indeed stand tall and be strong of heart.
If you require further information about the school please contact me on 474-0496. I would be happy to talk to you and answer any questions you may have.
Ngā mihi nui
Bridget Davidson, Tumuaki ~ Principal