WHS Foundation Quarterly Update 1/2023

A message from the WHS Foundation

Kia ora and welcome to this Wakatipu High School Foundation special newsletter edition. As the Chair of the Wakatipu High School Foundation, it gives me great pleasure to provide an update on our focus for 2023.

We have a vision for all WHS students to be enabled to meet their potential in a supportive and well-resourced environment. 

Our Foundation is dedicated to supporting the school in providing Aotearoa/New Zealand's best all-round education to its students. We are thrilled to support 11 key initiatives in 2023, totaling a record $450,000 donation. These initiatives include supporting the literacy and numeracy programmes, junior outdoor education, two teachers and a teacher aide position, as well as the important Awhi Support Fund which ensures equitable access to educational and extracurricular opportunities. You can read further details on each of these initiatives and others below.

We recognise that through education, young people can enrich their own lives and the community in which they live.

Since its inception nine years ago, the Foundation has raised and gifted over $1.6 million to the school. Our aim is to continue to fund $300 per student and with the school roll growing, this means that we need your ongoing support. 

In this newsletter, you will find information on how you can become a supporter of the Foundation, whether as a business partner, individual donor or volunteer. Additionally, we are always looking for new trustees to join our team. If you or someone you know has skills in finance, fundraising, marketing, or governance and is interested in joining us as a trustee, please click here or find more information below. 

We are grateful for your generosity and support, as it truly makes a difference to the students, the school, and the community. We look forward to another great year of supporting the school and its students.

Warm regards,

Charlie Phillips
Chair of the Wakatipu High School Foundation

Our Impact - 2023 Funding

Literacy and Numeracy Programme
There has been a nationwide decline in literacy and numeracy progress with a 2020 UNICEF report finding that only 64.6% of Aotearoa New Zealand fifteen year olds have basic proficiency in reading and maths. While we are seeing a world-wide downward trend in literacy levels, the decline in Aotearoa is greater than what is being observed in other comparable countries in the OECD, and WHS is not immune to this.

Evidence suggests that when students fall behind in literacy and numeracy, they may become disengaged from their educational experience, negatively impacting their academic success as well as future career opportunities. We believe literacy and numeracy skills are essential for achievement across the curriculum and are supporting WHS to ensure all students are set up for success both at high school and beyond. 

This funding will enable WHS to:

• employ a second literacy specialist,
• double the number of numeracy support classes,
• increase professional development for teachers,
• increase in targeted student interventions,
• provide additional support and information for families including webinars and newsletters.

Junior Outdoor Education Programme
Outdoor education is woven into the fabric of WHS school culture. We are fortunate to live, work, and play in a stunning natural environment and we recognise the importance outdoor education plays in the holistic development of WHS students. The junior outdoor education programme,  including the Year 9 Greenstone Camps and the Year 10 Branches Camp, have become an integral part of the WHS experience. The WHS Foundation provides financial support for this programme, reducing the cost to students and their families. We believe this programme is valuable to support as through these camps, students have the opportunity to learn about themselves, their peers, and the wider community while developing important skills such as personal growth, social development, and active citizenship.

Two Additional Teachers
WHS is funding a total of 11 additional teacher roles beyond the government staffing allowance in 2023 and the WHS Foundation is funding two of these positions. These additional roles significantly reduce average class sizes and enable the school to run classes that may not have been possible otherwise, as well as providing opportunities for strategic and leadership release.

Teacher Aides
Teacher aides are used in a variety of ways to support a range of students' with their learning, progress and achievement. The WHS Foundation is proud to contribute to this initiative by funding one of the six additional teacher aides above government entitlement that WHS is providing in 2023. These teacher aides play an important role in ensuring that all students are given the opportunity to reach their full potential.

School Vans
We are proud to have funded the purchase of two school vans in 2022 and 2023, which will be used primarily to support extra and co-curricular activities for students, including outdoor education. This initiative, sponsored by our friends at the Hugo Trust and donor Jack McPherson, will  reduce the cost of transport, assisting families and making it easier for students to participate in these activities. The purchase of the school vans is an investment in the school's commitment to providing a great all-round education and experiences for its students.

Awhi Support Fund
More than 1 in 10 students and their families access the WHS Awhi Support Fund.

The Awhi Support Fund aims to provide every student with an equal opportunity to access the exceptional education offered at Wakatipu High School. Its goal is to remove financial barriers that may prevent students and families from fully participating in all aspects of school life, including curricular, extracurricular activities, uniforms, laptops, and more. By supporting the Awhi Fund, the WHS Foundation ensures all students have the chance to benefit from the wide range of opportunities provided by the school.

Peer Support STARS Programme
We proudly support the STARS Peer Mentoring programme, which is designed and also supported by the Graeme Dingle Foundation. This year long programme focuses on developing senior student leadership skills to support the transition of new entrants and ensure a positive experience. Our Year 12 and 13 peer mentors complete two days of induction and training to equip them with the skills to encourage and motivate our new entrant Year 9 students. 

Wellbeing Programme
As concerns around the wellbeing of New Zealand teenagers continue to grow, it's become increasingly important for schools to prioritise wellbeing initiatives. To support this, the WHS Foundation has funded the release of a staff member to serve as the school-wide Wellbeing Coordinator, who is responsible for the development and delivery of a comprehensive wellbeing programme for both students and staff at WHS. This programme is designed to promote positive mental health, foster resilience, and provide support to those in need.

Dux Scholarship
The WHS Dux Award, which recognizes academic excellence, is generously sponsored by Colliers, a valued partner of the WHS Foundation. The Dux Award is one of the most prestigious awards given to students at WHS, and it is presented annually to the student with the highest academic achievement at NCEA Level 3. We are grateful to Colliers for their continued support of this award and their commitment to the education and success of WHS students.

Leadership Programme
Outward Bound courses offer an immersive outdoor experience that challenges participants both physically and mentally, promoting personal growth, resilience, leadership, and teamwork. These courses provide an opportunity for young people to step out of their comfort zone and develop important life skills that will benefit them in their academic and personal lives. We are grateful to work with WHS Foundation partners Colliers to enable the WHS Head Boy and Girl to participate in this life-changing experience and return to WHS with new perspectives and skills that they can share with their peers.

Extracurricular Support
WHS’ vision to provide a great all-round education is made possible by the dedicated efforts of coaches, managers, teachers-in-charge, volunteers and staff who facilitate opportunities in Sport, Arts, Culture, Leadership and the outdoors. This funding enables WHS to acknowledge and appreciate the valuable contributions of these individuals.

Support Us

The WHS Foundation is the vehicle by which the school and our community can contribute to a vibrant, and great all-round education for Wakatipu youth. 

As a Foundation, we are dedicated to ensuring that the school continues to provide New Zealand's best all-round education to its students. But we can't do it alone - we need the support of our community to continue funding the important programmes and initiatives that make a real difference to WHS students. Becoming a supporter of the Wakatipu High School Foundation is a great way to help us achieve our vision, whether as a business partner, individual donor or volunteer. With your help, we can continue to provide the resources and support our students need to succeed.

Our Business Partner Programme:
Our business partner programme brings together a dynamic group of companies that recognise that through education, young people can enrich both their own lives and the community in which they live.

• Make a Difference
  Make an annual donation at a level that suits you and your business. Your contribution will help provide funding for $450,000 in school-wide programmes.
• Connect & Engage
  You will join a network of businesses that connect with the school and each other. We provide opportunities to network, attend exclusive events and engage with the school community.
• Recognition
  We value the support of our partners and proudly recognise them on social media, website, Impact Report, WHS and Foundation newsletters, wall of recognition and exclusive events.

Trustee Position

Our Business Partners