Otago Girls' High School has made a national first.

It's become the first all-girls state secondary school to win the New Zealand National School of Character Award.

The accolade is presented to schools and colleges that demonstrate outstanding character education initiatives.

Otago Girls' staff and pupils were presented with the award during a special assembly yesterday.

Two other Dunedin schools have been given the award.

Kings' High School and George Street Normal School received it last year.

And this week it's also being given to four other schools in Hamilton, Rotorua, Fielding and Masterton.