Cultural Activities

Arts Directory

Our comprehensive arts directory can be viewed here. Check out the wide range of Arts activities available at Otago Girls'.

Choral Music

Our school is highly acclaimed throughout New Zealand for its choirs. There are always places in these choirs for new students. Rehearsals and performances continue throughout the year.

Instrumental Music : Orchestra

Otago Girls' High School and Otago Boys' High School have a large combined orchestra that plays at school and civic functions.

Symphonic Band

A number of students from Otago Girls' High School go to the Otago Boys' High School each week to rehearse for the symphonic band which gives concerts and tours on occasions to other South Island centres.

Other Musical Opportunities

Chamber music groups, string quartets, jazz bands, rock bands and a junior band are all part of the music scene at Otago Girls' High School. Lessons are available for individual students and small groups in brass instruments, strings, woodwind, piano, drums, guitar and singing.

Senior Production

During the second term of each year Otago Girls' High School and Otago Boys' High School produce a musical. The most recent productions were "Hairspray", "High School Musical", "Pop Stars",and "Fiddler on the Roof".

Junior Production

During the third term of each year 80 to 90 junior students put on an entertaining show for parents, friends, teachers and neighbouring schools.

Shakespeare Festival

Students from Otago Girls' High School regularly compete in the annual SGCNZ University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival in the first term, performing in five or fifteen minute scenes.

Wairua Puhou

The school is well known for its strong Kapa Haka group, Wairua Puhou. This group welcomes visiting groups to the school and performs at provincial and national events. Wairua Puhou have been selected to attend the national kapa haka championships this year. Check out the Wairua Puhou website here.

Tagata Pasifika

The school has a strong Pacific Islands group that meets regularly and performs each year at school functions and at local festivals.

Public Speaking and Debating

Otago Girls' High School plays an enthusiastic and successful role in debating and public speaking competitions locally and nationally. All students take part in public speaking and interclass debating. The debating team meets during Terms 1, 2 and 3, while the public speaking group meets all year round. Speech lessons are available for individual students.

Creative Writing

There are many opportunities for young writers to join the publishing club, enter competitions, or write articles for the school magazine or newsletter.

Art and Photography

Our school has always experienced success in local and national art competitions including the Ilford Shield for Photography, the Smoke Free Art Awards, the Telecom Awards and the National Portrait Competition. Each year senior art students hold an art exhibition "Portfolio" at the Dunedin Community Gallery.