Cultural Activities at EOHS

Whakahoahoa ahurea

East Otago High School has a strong tradition of cultural activities carried out by the students and enjoyed by the community.

Kapahaka

At East Otago High School there is a thriving Kapa Haka group. They meet every Wednesday at form time to learn Waiata, poi, and taioha. Extra practices are negotiated near festival times. East Otago High school is the host school for the Kaupapa Festival. Seven local primary schools between Waitati and Palmerston, and inland to Macraes gathered to celebrate and perform waiata, haka, taioha, poi and legends.

  • All students have the opportunity to join. Our present Kapa Haka group is around 20 students.
  • Last year the group were outfitted in new performance uniforms.
  • Due to strong student commitment the Kapa Haka group continues to improve.
  • The group are involved in formal occasions at the school. An annual formal welcome is extended to our visiting Japanese students.
  • All training has the support of the local marae.

East Otago High school is the host school for the Kaupapa Festival. Seven local primary schools between Waitati and Palmerston, and inland to Macraes gathered to celebrate and perform waiata, haka, taioha, poi and legends.

East Otago High school Kapa Haka group welcomed the students and their supports and also performed at the festival.

The DG Murray hall was packed to capacity with enthusiastic and talented performers and their proud supporters.

Find out more information about each group below.

For Seniors, Juniors and Intermediates – these are held annually and the winners of each section receive a trophy at the end of year Prize-giving.

Held by organisations such as the Otago District Council, Rotary and Lions’ in which individual students from East Otago High School compete.

Held annually where all students engage in either a musical/dramatic/artistic performance before a large audience of parents/caregivers and members of the community.

Weekly sessions are held in the music room during afternoon form-times and are available to all students who enjoy singing. Students gain the opportunity to perform at various events throughout the year, including the Secondary Schools Music Festival. A vocal performance is put on at the Prize-giving and thoroughly enjoyed by the audience.

Students of all levels can learn a musical instrument of any description. Students can join music interest groups when they have reached a sufficiently high standard.

The orchestra is currently made up of East Otago High School students that learn and play orchestral instruments. It is conducted by Mr. Brusse. It is held every Wednesday in the music room.

The music department is set up with 2 practice room that students can utilise during their intervals, lunches, and free periods. Students have the opportunity to perform at events including the Smokefree Rockquest. Rockband mentoring is available.

This is held during lunchtime and is available to all students who enjoy dancing.

Students enter pieces of work in local and regional competitions, with a good degree of success. Class groups often perform in front of other classes, local primary school children, the elderly of the community, and parents/caregivers. These are usually dramatic performances that have been well-rehearsed.

This group meets once a week to practice routines, and the students perform to audiences on occasions throughout the year.

Our Cultural Gallery

Students in a stage production