Enabling our ākonga

Honouring identity

Nau mai, haere mai, tauti mai ki te pae tukutuku o Te Kura Tuarua o Ngā Tama Toa o Ōtāgo. Otago Boys’ High School provides an environment that recognises te taha tinana, taha wairua, taha hinengaro and taha whānau as paramount to enable our ākonga (students) to flourish and succeed as Māori. We offer a wide range of academic and vocational subjects, as well sporting and cultural activities.

Te Whānau Aronui is the OBHS staff/student/whānau group that was set up to support student success as Māori, through:

Positive connection to people - students, staff, whānau, community and iwi (whakawhanaungatanga).

Positive connection to place – school, rohe, iwi, whenua (tūrangawaewae).

Positive sense of self in relation to others – to enjoy and achieve education success as Māori, equipped with the tools necessary to be a lifelong learner(piki ake).

Ako te Reo Māori: Classes in Te Reo Māori and tikanga are available from Year 9 to Year 13 and as level 1, 2 & 3 NCEA subjects.

Kapa Haka: The school kapa haka group, Wairua Pūhou, combines with Otago Girls’ High School and practices weekly, and performs at a number of school and community events as well as participating in the local Otago Polyfest competition.

Tuakana/Teina Whānau Class: Our student mentoring group allows ākonga from Year 10 - 13 to meet and contribute to a learning environment which supports whakawhanaungatanga (togetherness).

Mātauranga Māori: The library has range of language and information resources about Te Ao Māori available in our Taonga Māori Collection, as well as access to online and electronic resources.

Mana Pounamu: OBHS participates in the annual Mana Pounamu Young Achievers’ Awards which recognises the achievement of rakatahi Māori in secondary schools across Otago: 

Scholarships: There are a number of scholarships, grants and awards available at secondary school. Ask Mr Swan, our Careers Advisor, for more information.