WHS Newsletter | Issue 1.06 | 07 March 2025

Principal's Message

Kia ora and welcome to the end of another really good week at WHS in which our great all-round education was on full display. 

On Monday, we held an assembly with Jazz and Gen from ‘Voices of Hope’ launching our school-wide Wellbeing programme. Jazz and Gen had some important insights and messages for students including: asking for help when needed, being kind and inclusive, and proactively managing mental wellbeing. Following the assembly, students were asked to reflect on their wellbeing and create a wellbeing plan for the term. See below for more information regarding the school-wide wellbeing programme, and a reminder to Year 10 parents that next week, all Year 10 students will be asked to complete the GoodSpace survey. 

Our Musical rehearsals are ramping up with the opening night of Mamma Mia!’ on Wednesday, April 2. Tickets are selling fast so be sure to get yours now through our website or you can click here to purchase. A reminder that this year, we’re running a matinee show on Saturday, April 5. 

Summer sport is heading towards the business end of their season and last weekend, our Volleyballers had one of their best results ever at the Mainland champs and this weekend our rowers head to Twizel to defend the Bell Trophy, aiming to once again be the top rowing school in the South Island. Be sure to have a look through the Arts and Sports sections below for a full-wrap.  

Our Year 9 Greenstone Camps have got off to a great start with Arthur House returning and Duncan heading into camp yesterday. Students have been great, demonstrating our key values of inclusion, responsibility and resilience. I also need to mention all the Year 12 and Year 13 Stars Peer Mentors, who have been supporting students on the Camp. We really appreciate their active citizenship and their contribution to a great school-wide culture. A huge thank you to the owners of Greenstone Station who allow us to stay on their land for nearly two weeks. The camp couldn’t run without the support of our staff and contractors, who ensure students are safe both physically and emotionally. This year, the Greenstone Camp is also being well supported by AJ Hackett, Les Hutchins Community Foundation and upcycled outdoor attire has been donated by Skyline Queenstown, with support from QLDC, Tikki Studio, and Impact. A huge thanks to all those who support the camp, and be sure to see below for photos from Arthur and Duncan House camps.

A few weeks ago, invoices for the 2025 School year were sent out to all families. This year, we have tried to load the full cost of activities for the year to ensure that parents and families don’t get surprised by last minute costs. A huge thank you to everyone who pays their school fees, every contribution makes a big difference. 

Lastly, as we look towards the last five weeks of term, it’s really important that students are planned and organised, especially as senior students will be balancing their internal assessments with the aforementioned extracurricular activities. Spending some time mapping out busy periods of the year can really support students with their overall wellbeing in what is sure to be a busy and dynamic next few weeks. 

A great and full newsletter follows, including our new NCEA information website and some outstanding achievements in the sports and arts, so be sure to have a read through to hear more about WHS’ great all-round education.

Ngā mihi nui, 

Oded Nathan
Principal/Tumuaki

WHS Guide to NCEA

The WHS Google Site for all things NCEA is live! Our assessment team has been working hard to curate all the key information students and whānau need to know when it comes to New Zealand's NCEA qualification.   You can find it here:

https://sites.google.com/wakatipu.school.nz/nceaguide/home

On this site you can find the live assessment calendars for all three levels of NCEA, key NCEA dates, information on how NCEA works here at WHS, and links to key NZQA resources that will help students prepare for their assessments.   

A direct link is also available on our curriculum page: https://www.wakatipu.school.nz/curriculum-and-timetable.html.

This is a valuable page to bookmark for quick access.  Any further NCEA questions you may have can be directed to our Principals Nominee, Mr. Dax Richards, at nzqa@wakatipu.school.nz

Update from Student Leaders

Greenstone Camp

This week, our Year 9 students are off on an awesome adventure to Greenstone Camp! They will spend three days and two nights camping on the Greenstone Flats near Glenorchy. This camp will be a major highlight for their first year at Wakatipu High School.

At camp, students stay in tents, go on a day tramp around Lake Rere, and take part in a range of hands-on activities that build on their Health and PE learning. A big highlight is the ‘Be Riversafe’ programme, where they learn key water safety skills like river crossing, survival swimming, and kayaking.

When asked about Greenstone Camp, Cooper Campbell (year 9) explained he was excited to take part in all of the activities with his groups and friends, especially the “room of doom”. Saskia Marriott (year 9) added "I am extremely excited for this year's Greenstone Camp. From what I have heard, it sounds like an action packed 3 days of adventure, pushing yourself, trying new things and making new friendships along the way. I can't wait for my camp this weekend.

This camp is an incredible opportunity for our Year 9s to make better connections, challenge themselves, and develop valuable outdoor skills. We wish all students and staff an amazing time at Greenstone! 🏕️🔥🌟🛶🪵

Dates for the remainder of the camps follow:
Duncan students - 6 to 8 March 
Fox students  - 8 to 10 March
Hay students  - 10 to 12 March      
Mackenzie students - 12 to 14 March

Leadership Series

Our Leadership Series is an exciting opportunity for students to hear from inspiring leaders who share their experiences and insights. Our first series kicked off with a fantastic presentation from Deputy Principal, Sarah Hill, who spoke about public speaking, body language, and social etiquette. It was a great session that got students excited to improve their presentation skills.

Looking ahead, we’re thrilled to welcome Johnny Quinn, a presentologist, to our next Leadership Series! Join us on Thursday, March 13th, at 8:00 AM in Matuitui for an inspiring talk about how to become a more effective and engaging presenter. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! 

Voices of Hope

We were incredibly fortunate on Tuesday to have Genevieve Mora and Jazz Thornton, co-founders of Voices of Hope, visit Wakatipu High School to speak with the students and share their powerful stories. This speech includes themes of resilience, hope, and mental wellbeing. Both Gen and Jazz’s speeches were deeply moving, as they spoke about their journeys, the importance of speaking up, and how we can support ourselves and others through tough times.

We caught up with Lily Pearson (year 13) after the speech, “I loved the message ‘it is not weak to speak’ because we need to remember that asking for help makes us stronger.” Jazz and Gen’s messages remind us that no one is alone and that hope is always within reach. A huge thank you to both ladies for their time and wisdom!  💖🌟🌍

Zia Dixon and Jack Kemp
Lead Prefects

Greenstone Camp

We're seeing some wonderful things happening at the Year 9 Greenstone Camps. Arthur House have already returned, and the positive experiences they're sharing highlight how these camps are helping students grow, connect, and build lasting relationships. More excited students are heading out this week to experience the challenges and camaraderie for themselves.

Arthur House

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 16

Next

Duncan House

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 12

Next

GoodSpace - A digital screening tool for monitoring student wellbeing

Throughout this year we will again be running a confidential survey with all of our students, one year level at a time, to gauge their wellbeing.

The survey is a youth-friendly, secure online survey, based on an evidence-based framework for schools to be able to identify students who may need targeted support.

We will start with our Yr 10s, during Ako Time on Monday 10 March, and then repeat the process for other year levels from Term 2 onwards.  The survey takes 10-15 minutes and results are known immediately to our Guidance Counsellors, who work within the bounds of confidentiality, and will be taking responsibility for the survey. 

Whole year-level data will be available to the Senior Leadership Team, to help determine what resourcing and support would most benefit the student body both in 2025 and moving forward.

If you for any reason you wish to opt your student out please complete this form.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email our Guidance Team: guidance@wakatipu.school.nz

Voices of Hope Presentations to Launch Student Wellbeing Programme

On Monday this week, Wakatipu High School students attended sessions run by two extraordinary individuals – Jazz Thornton and Genevieve Mora, co-founders of Voices of Hope. The duo visited to launch the school's new Wellbeing Programme, aimed at supporting mental health and wellbeing, and fostering resilience among students.

Jazz Thornton and Genevieve Mora are widely known for their advocacy in mental health awareness, having both experienced their own struggles with mental illness. Their nonprofit organisation, Voices of Hope, has been a powerful force in creating spaces for open, honest conversations about mental health, and their visit to Wakatipu High School was no exception.

"We believe that by opening up the conversation and showing students they are not alone, we can create a culture of kindness, support, and resilience,” said Jazz Thornton during the event.

In a heartfelt presentation, Jazz and Genevieve shared their personal journeys and discussed the importance of reaching out for help when needed. Their stories resonated deeply with the students, as they spoke candidly about overcoming struggles and the crucial role of hope, support, and self-care in mental health recovery. The visit was not only about raising awareness but also about empowering students to take charge of their own wellbeing.

The launch of the Wellbeing Programme is a significant milestone for Wakatipu High School, as it provides students with resources, tools, and guidance to assess their own wellbeing and put strategies into place as protective factors. We encourage parents to talk with their children about their personal wellbeing plans and the coping strategies they are developing for when times get tough. By fostering open communication at home, parents can play an essential role in reinforcing the importance of mental health and supporting their children in navigating any challenges they may face. 

Find out more about Jazz and Gen's work at The Voices of Hope
Further resources / support can be found here: https://findahelpline.com/

High Quality Teaching and Learning

At Wakatipu High School one of our key strategic priorities is to deliver high quality teaching and learning to every student - so that they engage, learn, progress and achieve in all their classes. The WHS teaching and learning model outlines the guiding principles for high quality teaching and learning at our school, and It is underpinned by current research on what matters most for learners and their learning.

At the centre of the model is our Ākonga Profile. The three areas work interdependently to support learners to develop their capabilities for lifelong learning, their holistic development, and to leave with their best possible qualification.

While today’s article is an overview of the model, subsequent articles will provide more detailed information about each of the areas in the model.

In these first few weeks of the school year, teachers have been focused on developing Whakawhanaungatanga to establish a class climate that is conducive to learning. This involves developing:

Care and Connectedness: inclusion, belonging, relationships of mutual respect.
Challenge: rigour and high expectations.
Consistency: predictable interactions and predictable expectations.

In our classes this looks like:

- Collaborative goal setting for the year for our subject, our qualification, and our personal growth
- Inclusive group work with diverse perspectives valued and are able to be shared
- Open and honest communication, with students feeling safe to express their ideas and concerns
- Visible signs of strong student-teacher relationships, such as friendly greetings and informal conversations
- Students displaying a sense of pride in their school and class
- Students actively participating in school events and activities
- Teachers setting high expectations for student performance and providing constructive feedback.  Students are willing to persevere through difficult tasks
- Clear and consistent classroom routines and procedures which results in students knowing what is expected of them and feeling confident in their ability to meet those expectations
- Fair and equitable treatment of all students with clear and consistent communication of expectations
- A calm and orderly classroom environment with students feeling safe and secure in their learning environment

Craig Morrison
Deputy Principal Curriculum

2025 Student Councils

The following is a revised list of Student Council appointments. We apologise for the error in our previous announcement. Congratulations again to the following dedicated ākonga on their appointments to the Student Councils! We look forward to seeing the positive contributions you will make to WHS this year. 

Join the World's Largest Math Event!

Inspired by the AMT’s Australian Mathematics Competition, Kangourou sans Frontières (KSF) is now the largest maths competitions in the world, with more than 6 million participants each year. Held online in March, the KSF is a great opportunity for students to experience maths in a competition environment prior to the AMC in August.

Topics: 

• Basic arithmetic
• Fractions and ratios
• Algebra and pre-algebra
• Geometry
• Measurement
• Statistics and probability
• Problem-solving

(More information can be found at https://www.amt.edu.au/ksf)

Registrations (via this form) are required by Wednesday, 12 March. 
Payment of $6.00 on Portal required by Monday, 17 March. 
Test will be after school on Thursday, 27 March in BY8.

Mr Logan Rae
Gifted Coordinator

Geography Fieldwork and River Studies

A key component of our Geography courses is to get outside our classrooms and collect primary data from the field. Our group of 38 Year 11 Geography students were given the opportunity last week to carry out their data collection. On Thursday last week, students travelled to the Sam Summers track where they waded in and investigated and measured aspects of the 12 Mile Creek and Delta. The purpose of this research was to consider how a local awa changes between its upper, middle and lower course. The field trip also gives them the opportunity to create context to the course content they have been learning in class.

On Friday students then had the optional opportunity to explore the awa by going canyoning. Canyon Explorers accommodated our students on this experience. This was an action-packed day in and out of the water. Students descend and explore the canyon by zip line, abseiling, waterfalls, slides, plunging into natural pools, floating down narrow passageways and cascading down chutes – all in stunning natural surroundings. The students enjoyed the dynamic classroom environment. 

“The Geography field trip was awesome. I loved being out of school and really connecting with nature and measuring the width, depth and velocity of the river. I also really enjoyed canyoning and seeing the river from a different viewpoint.” - stated by one of our geographers. Another said it was a “great experience and nice to get out of the classroom”.

A special thanks to our additional staff, John Obermeir and to the Canyon Explorers team for a great day out and awesome experience outside of the classroom. 

Michael LaPierre and Meg Mackie 
Teachers of Level One Geography

Duke of Edinburgh Tramp

On Friday last week, a group of WHS students traveled down to Fiordland National Park to begin the Routeburn Track. We tramped for two hours through beautiful native forest before reaching the Flats Hut, where we set up camp. In the afternoon, we took a short walk up the North Branch before returning for a swim and dinner.

The next morning, some of us woke up before sunrise to hike to the Routeburn Falls Hut, while the rest packed up camp. The walk back to the car park was just as stunning as the day before—though by then, our legs were definitely feeling it!

A huge thank you to Ms. File and Ms. Holst, and especially Miss Hone, for organising and leading this incredible experience.

Ruby Thornburgh
Year 10 Student

LEAPing into the Future: Exploring Civil Construction at Base Contracting

As part of an exciting initiative under the Learning, Employment, and Achievement Programme (LEAP), a group of 15 Year 11 pupils recently had the fantastic opportunity to explore the world of civil construction at Base Contracting. Led by General Manager Scott Sutherland, this immersive experience provided our pupils with invaluable insights into a thriving industry.

The day began with a comprehensive 360-degree tour of Base Contracting’s latest site, located in Park Ridge, near Hanleys. Pupils were introduced to the fascinating processes of civil construction, including excavation, earth-moving, road structures, and water systems. Scott and his team shared their expertise, illustrating the critical roles that each component plays in building our communities.

Scott emphasised the importance of education as a foundation for success in any field, particularly in civil construction, which offers diverse pathways for career advancement. He shared essential pre-work ready skills that are crucial for any job, such as communication, problem solving, good time management, adaptability, teamwork and a strong work ethic. Health and safety were also highlighted as top priorities on the work site, demonstrating to pupils the importance of safeguarding themselves and their colleagues.

The interactive nature of the visit allowed pupils to ask questions and engage directly with industry professionals, making the experience truly valuable. It sparked discussions about future career aspirations and the different avenues available within the field.

A huge thank you to Scott Sutherland and the entire Base Contracting team for dedicating their time and resources to showcase this incredible industry to our pupils. Experiences like this are invaluable as they provide practical insights and motivate our young minds to explore their options and interests.

This partnership between local businesses and our school underscores the importance of real-world learning opportunities that prepare our pupils for their future careers.

If you are an employer and would like to get involved in the LEAP programme—whether by offering a visit to your worksite or providing a work placement for a LEAP or Gateway pupil—please contact Lea Lawniczak, LEAP Facilitator, at llawniczak@wakatipu.school.nz. 

Creative Workshops: Students Engaging in Samoan Art

As part of her Return to Paradise NZ Tour, we welcomed Samoan artist Ana Teofilo to WHS last Friday. Students were invited to engage through art and culture in two amazing workshops. Students each created a frangipani inspired piece of artwork. Fa'afetai lava Ana Teofilo and Creative New Zealand for making these workshops possible, and for the staff that supported on the day. Keep an eye out for one of Ana Teofilo's artworks, which will soon be displayed in our kura!

Arts Department News

Musical Rehearsal Updates: 

The cast and band have been rehearsing weekly since late January, and have been absolutely smashing it with their singing, acting and dancing alike. This show is shaping up to become an unbelievable adventure of drama, love, chaos, and Abba! So if you’re interested in coming along to watch, get your tickets quickly, as they’re selling out fast! 

Come and watch Mamma Mia! 

Tickets available through iTicket for five shows! Wednesday, April 2 through Saturday, April 5, including a matinee.

Opportunity for parents to help

The Mamma Mia! set design includes a fair bit of construction and resourcing materials. We are reaching out to our wonderful parent community to check if there might be anyone interested to either help with the building/construction of the set or to support in supplying the set materials. If you are interested or have ideas to this please contact Mr Hansen  jhansen@wakatipu.school.nz

Toi Wearable Arts

The Toi Wearable Arts Group are in need of

* sewing materials, old curtains etc

* sewing mannequins -  if any has one they would like to sell or donate please let Mrs Brown know . 

* shop/fashion display mannequins to display the costumes on, ones that are damaged or have a limb missing are acceptable.

They can be brought into the school office but please make sure they are named so we can return them

ARTS TIME 

Wednesday morning Arts time is well underway running from 8.00am - 9.00am as we welcome any students to come and join us at that time.

The Jazz Combo is practising in the main band room.

Y13 students Baxter and Hunter are running sessions on Live Performance Sound and Lighting.

This week we welcomed Alex Fraser, an ex student who has been actively making music in the Qtn area for the past ten years. A superb lyric writer, singer and composer Alex shared some of his insights into his music composition process. This was a great opportunity for students to hear music created for bands in the heavy rock genre. 

The Dance studio is there for anyone to practice and the other band and practice rooms are also available.

Junior Singing is on with Mrs Fraser but it would be great to see more of the students who signed up for this there. 

Songwriting

Great to hear ex-students Alex Fraser and Sam Maxwell performing in the foyer at Break 2 on Wednesday. Both are regular performers in town and exceedingly accomplished musicians. Their half hour performance was very impressive and resonated with many of the students (and staff) who were there.

This followed on from Alex' session on songwriting at 8am that morning where he shared some of his tips for creating songs and working within a band group environment. These sessions provide students with valuable insights into the creative process from someone working in the industry. Next week we have Tom Maxwell to share his thoughts and work with the students. We would strongly encourage anyone wanting to develop their songwriting skills to attend these sessions, especially if they are intending on participating in the Rockquest and/or Play It Strange songwriting events. 

Links to Alex's band Subfunction can be heard on Spotify with the song Down ;  https://tinyurl.com/mr223ns4

Knitting & Crochet Club

If anyone has some wool lying around that they don't need anymore, we would love to have it for the new knitting/crochet group that's starting this term.

Wool donations can be dropped off at the office and would be gratefully received.  Thank you.

Extracurricular groups - all updates will be posted on the All Things Arts Classroom Group.  

• Junior Jazz / Jazz Full Band / Jazz Combo  

• Digital Music Production

• Songwriting Group

• Junior / Senior Singing

• Social Art Club

• Year 9 Band Hub

• Knitting & Crochet Club

Check each of the  Classroom Groups for more details and updates

Exciting visits in ART

Being able to access a visiting artist is an incredible opportunity for our students to get first hand input from established artists. We hope to welcome more artists and professionals in the arts space in the future. If you would like to share your experience and knowledge please get in touch with Arts Coordinator Stine Cooper scooper@wakatipu.school.nz.

Upcoming for Term 1 & 2 - 

NOW - Mamma Mia! Tickets on Sale!!!!

11 March - Year 9 Band Hub
12 March - Arts Time 8 am-9 am
2-5 April - Mamma Mia!  WHS Musical for 2025
30 April - Entries close - Play It Strange Junior Songwriting Competition (Yrs 9-11)
3-4 May - YAMI - held in Wānaka
11 May - Rockquest heats (if needed)
24 May - Big Break (Bands and solo/duo)
30 May - Entries close - Play It Strange - Peace Song Competition 
09 June - Toi/Showquest
14 June - Rockquest finals
20 June  - SIX
16 July - Entries close - Play It Strange - Lion Foundation National Songwriting Competition (Yrs 9-13)
31 July - Entries close - Play It Strange - Waiata Māori Competition

Te Atamira - is a multi-purpose arts and cultural space at Remarkables Park Town Centre - check out what is happening at Te Atamira here

Te Wahi Toi - Nau mai, haere mai, Te Wāhi Toi is the meeting place and online directory for Queenstown and Wānaka’s creative community.  Find them here

Let us Know
The Arts department would like to know about any artistic achievements that students have attained outside of school be it in Drama, Dance, Music or Visual Arts. Please send details and photos to scooper@wakatipu.school.nz

Support the Arts
We are always looking for local professional performing and visual artists to visit our school and run workshops for our students. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Mrs Cooper the Arts Coordinator at scooper@wakatipu.school.nz

Instagram Page
Follow our school’s Instagram page for recent successes or news within the school’s Arts Department at whsartdepartment.

Sport and Active Recreation News

Gymnastics

A huge congratulations to Year 12 gymnast Rosa Dawson who has recently competed for New Zealand at the WOGA Classic in Texas, USA. At her first international competition, Rosa placed an impressive 3rd Overall, with apparatus placings of 1st on uneven bars, 6th on balance beam and vault, and 7th on floor. The New Zealand team placed 2nd in the team competition. Incredible work Rosa!

Tennis

Congratulations to the WHS Boys Tennis teams who finished first and third at last weeks Southland Secondary Schools Tennis Champs.  Haruya Higuchi and Justin-Li Moroney defeated the number one seeded team from Southland Boys High School in the final to win the title. Ryuya Higuchi and Kaien Lennon finished 3rd place after losing to Haruya and Justin-Li in the semifinal bouncing back to beat the team from Fiordland College for the Bronze medal. Special thanks to Li Ying Zhong for giving her time to take the teams to Invercargill and for running the "Get into Tennis Program" on Mondays afterschool. Well done to all it is exciting to have Tennis back on the map here at Wakatipu High School.

Ice Hockey

Best of luck to Blake Campbell, Oliver Carian, Liam Rasmussen and Jake Hutchins who are representing the New Zealand Under 18 Men's Ice Hockey team at the IIHF Division IIIA Tournament in Mexico City. You can follow along the team’s results via the Facebook page below.

https://www.facebook.com/NZU18M

Volleyball

The WHS Senior Volleyball teams headed to Christchurch for the Mainland Volleyball Champs, held from Friday 28th February to Sunday 2nd March. It was a big three days of volleyball, held across 4 venues in Christchurch.

The Senior A Girls earned the top Southland spot following their top finish at the Seeding event held in early February to play in Division 2. The team finished 3rd after pool play with 2 strong wins against Logan Park High School and Columba College and some close sets, just missing out on semi finals. They went down to Villa Maria in the 5th/6th playoff to finish 6th overall in Division 2.

The Senior B Girls had a strong start in Division 4 to finish top of their pool with wins against Rolleston High School and Rangiora New Life. Sadly Hornby took out the win in their quarter final match up. A tough final game saw the team go down 3-2 to Central Southland College B to finish 7th=.

The Senior A Boys had a competitive tournament in Division 3 but were unfortunately unable to secure a win. The team had a number of close match ups with many sets going down by just 2 points. Final placing 10th.

A huge thank you to Steve Henderson, Ksena Muddle, Jo Leiva, Gigi Hollyer, Aroha Solomon, Sian Horn and Conner Hamlin for their support of the teams.

Triathlon

Year 10 student Rilee Young has had a busy triathlon season. The Southland Secondary School Champs were held on Friday 21st February in a wet and windy Winton. Rilee showed great resilience in challenging conditions to complete the course in 6th place. Rillee went on to compete at the South Island Secondary School Champs last weekend. Oamaru put on a glorious Sunday for the event and Rilee finished with a PB of 5th place in the U16 Individual Girls.

Hockey

It has been great to see so many students at the pre-season hockey sessions. A reminder that there is one more on Tuesday 11th March from 4:45pm-5:45pm all students interested in hockey are welcome to attend.

WHS and the Wakatipu Hockey Club (WHC) are excited to get the 2025 Hockey trials underway. The dates for the hockey trials are Thurs 20th March, Thurs 27th March, and Thurs 3rd April at the Queenstown Event Centre Turf from 4pm-6:30pm. Students, please fill in the form below.

Hockey Trials: https://forms.gle/uUdPzkgoHGdpMapQA

We are also on the lookout for some hockey coaches for the 2025 season. If you are interested in coaching or managing a team please get in contact with Bel Strano at sportscoordinator@wakatipu.school.nz

Cricket - Girls 1st XI v Columba College

Last Sunday & Monday the Wakatipu Girls Cricket team played their inaugural exchange with Columba College. We were excited to get this event on the calendar, as it’s the first time we've had an exchange with one of the big Dunedin teams.  The games also marked the beginning or a new era in players for the Wakatipu side with 7 debutants which included Evie Clark, Rose Gallie, Pippa Julian, Milla Walker, Millie Stringer, Penny Little & Taylah Miller. On Sunday the team played in Luggage on a very hot afternoon. Wakatipu batted first scoring 97 with stand out performances from Audrey Austin & Petra Rhind - both top scoring with 24 runs. Columba won the game by 6 wickets. Monday morning was a lot colder but thankfully the rain cleared to allow our game at the Events Centre to go ahead. Columba batted first scoring 135 from their 20 overs. In reply we scored 91 before the rain returned. Top score again belonged to Petra Rhind with 18 not out.  Overall it was a great couple days of cricket and a nice way to start off the exchange. The WHS side will be  a lot better off for the experience heading into the Bates cup at the end of this month. A big thank you to Greg Trounce and Jason Rhind for coaching and managing the team.

Judo

Lisa Bouvet, demonstrated exceptional skill and determination to win a silver medal in the fiercely contested Cadet Category of the Sydney International Judo Competition held just last week. Well done Lisa!

Forward Foundation

Congratulations to Imogen Olliver who has been selected as a 2025 Forward Foundation Ambassador. The Forward Foundation strives to assist young female athletes by creating development and leadership opportunities in a sporting environment, empowering and inspiring girls to lead active and healthy lifestyles. From a large applicant base nationwide only 16 ambassadors were selected for 2025. Imogen was also selected as part of the programme in 2024. Awesome work!

Opportunities to Get Involved

• Athletics - Southland Champs

The Southland Secondary Schools Athletics Champs are coming up on Saturday 15th March in Invercargill. This is an open event and there are no qualification requirements for students to participate. For more information please email Simon at sboland@wakatipu.school.nz. Entries close Monday 10th March.

• Golf - Southland Champs

The Southland Secondary Schools Golf Championships are coming up Monday 24th March at Winton Golf Club. This will be the qualifying event for the New Zealand Secondary Schools Championships to be held in late August.  If you are interested in playing in this event please fill in the form  linked before Friday 14th March.

Sport Central Regional Coach Development Workshops

Holistic development and growth of all coaches. Aimed at any coach across every sporting code. Clubs, schools, etc. all welcome. Our focus is to develop and grow all our coaches from all codes on a range of professional, personal, and community development skills, through the power of holistic coaching. In these workshops, we will connect through coaching experiences to empower, develop, and grow all coaches across our Otago region. Queenstown: Monday 28th April, 6pm-7:30pm at the Queenstown Event Centre (upstairs meeting room). Register here

Skeggs Funding

Applications are open and close on 20th March. This fund is for aspiring elite athletes, coaches, and officials. Contact Jo Knight (jknight@sportotago.co.nz) or Tane at skeggs@sportotago.co.nz for more details.

Keep Us Informed

The Sports Department would love to hear from you if you know of any awesome sporting achievements from our students! Please send through details/results and photos to Sian at shorn@wakatipu.school.nz so we can share and celebrate these as a school.

Support Sport at WHS

Support the team by liking the Wakatipu High School Sports Facebook page. This is the best way to stay up to date with the successes of our athletes and teams and celebrate their great achievements!

https://www.facebook.com/WakatipuHighSchoolSports/ 

Sian Horn
Director of Sport

WHS Foundation

Community Notices

💖 Give a Little, Get a Lot! 💖

This Valentine’s, fall in love with savings AND giving back! 😍

When you purchase an Entertainment Membership, here’s what’s waiting for you:

💝 A FREE $20 Woolworths eGift Card (yes, free!)
💘 A chance to win a dream holiday in Bali
🌹 Up to 50% off dining, shopping, and travel across Australia, New Zealand, and Bali
💕 20% of every Membership goes towards supporting our fundraiser

💌 Don’t let this sweet deal slip away! Grab yours before it’s gone!

👉Support us today: https://subscribe.entertainmentnz.com/fundraiser/260506v