School Info
Pastoral Care
Central to a successful school such as South Otago, is a caring and supportive Pastoral Care Network.
Tutor Groups
All students at South Otago High School are in year level form classes with a designated Form Teacher. The classes meet each morning to complete administrative tasks and advise students of the many lunchtime and after school opportunities available. The Form Teacher’s role is to guide, encourage and meet the pastoral needs of each student.
Year Level Deans
Year Level Deans are key people in our Student Support Network. Under the guidance of Deputy Principal, Greg Heller, Deans monitor and mentor their students. Special awards assemblies, course selection meetings, advice and liaison with parents are all part of the Dean’s role at South Otago High School.
Deans of all year levels, the Senior Leadership Team and the school’s Guidance Counsellor meet once a week to check on the progress of students and plan support when they become aware of students who are having difficulties.
The Guidance Network
Our Guidance Counsellor has a unique role supporting both students and staff. The independent and confidential advice to students is valued by all.
Helping complete the team supporting students are: the Careers Advisor, the Health Nurse, visiting RTLB, Adventure Counselling, Whanau-based support, language therapists, occupational therapists and hearing and eyesight specialists, who are all accessible through the Deans’ referral.
Contacting School
When a student is having difficulties in a particular subject, we would encourage parents and caregivers to contact the classroom teacher in the first instance. If this fails to bring about a solution, Heads of Department can be contacted to help resolve any issues.
If you would like to talk to someone about your child, in relation to anything else, Form Teachers are the recommended first point of contact. If they are unable to help with your child’s problems, they will certainly be able to point you in the direction of someone who can.
Email addresses for all of these people can be found on the school contacts page.
