Otago Boys' High School, Dunedin

Key facts

About Otago Boys' High School

Otago Boys' High School is a state secondary school for young men located in Otago, New Zealand. The school operates a boarding facility called School House hostel and also enrols international students.

The school places emphasis on participation across both academic and co-curricular activities. It describes its approach as combining established school traditions with a contemporary curriculum.

Curriculum

Otago Boys' High School covers Years 9 to 13, with senior students assessed through NCEA. In Years 9 and 10, all students study across eight learning areas. Year 9 students select 7 option subjects alongside core courses; Year 10 students select 4 option subjects. From Years 11 to 13, students choose courses from within each learning area. Some language courses — including French, German, Te Reo Māori, and Drama — are delivered in combination with Otago Girls' High School or via Correspondence School where numbers require it.

The curriculum is organised across seven learning areas, with the following subjects available across year levels:

• Languages and Literacy: English, French, German, Te Reo Māori, ESOL, Advanced Literacy (Year 9 only)
• Mathematics: Mathematics; senior options include Algebraic Mathematics, General Mathematics, Internal Mathematics, Calculus, and Statistics
• Science: Science, Agriculture/Horticulture, Sustainability (Year 10); senior options include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Space Science, and Applied Senior Science
• Social Studies: Social Studies, Economics/Business, Classical Studies, Media Studies, Geography, History, Commerce, Accounting, Tourism, Business Studies
• Health and Physical Education: Health, Physical Education, High Performance Sports, Food and Nutrition, Mental Fitness (Year 10), Outdoor Education, Sport Education
• The Arts: Art, Music, Drama, Māori Performing Arts
• Technology: Robotics (Year 9), Design & Visual Communication, Computer Aided Design (CAD) (Year 9), Digital Technology, Wood Technology, Metal Technology

Post-school pathways supported through the school include university, polytechnic, Gateway, and the Trades Academy. A learning support team operates alongside extension opportunities for senior students, including the ability to achieve NCEA standards ahead of the standard year level.

Student Support and Pastoral Care

Otago Boys' High School organises its pastoral care around a named team of staff, each with a defined role in supporting students.

• House Deans (Scott Manson, Kelvin McCrone, Mark Alderton, and Dave Thomas): provide daily guidance and mentorship, and serve as a consistent point of contact for students inside and outside the classroom.
• School Counsellors (James Howey and Rob Wither): offer free, confidential emotional and psychological support, covering areas including stress and anxiety, peer relationships, bullying, grief, and family transitions. Where more specialised care is needed, they connect students and families with external services.
• SENCo – Special Educational Needs Coordinator (Lindy Marr): coordinates learning support for students with learning differences, high needs, and disabilities. She liaises with students, families, teachers, and external agencies, gathers information from previous schools and specialist reports, and develops personalised strategies to support access to the curriculum.
• Form Teachers: act as a familiar daily point of contact for students throughout their time at the school.
• Stymie: an encrypted, anonymous online platform through which students can confidentially report concerns such as bullying, self-harm, or harassment. Reports generate real-time alerts to designated staff.
• Deputy Rector (Nic Sullivan): holds oversight of school culture and the pastoral team.