WHS Newsletter | Issue 2.01 | 28 April 2023

Principal's Message

Kia ora koutou,

The first week back at WHS began with the school’s ‘Grand Opening’ which celebrated the completion of our new school build. We had representatives from Ōraka Aparima Rūnaka and WHS whānau welcome us and this was followed by speeches from Julie Anderson, Director of Education Otago/Southland, Mayor Lewers and Elise Edmonds, Lead Prefect. It was wonderful to have so many members of the community with us to celebrate this important milestone. 

On Tuesday, Wakatipu High School students played a role at the ANZAC Day Commemorations with Zali Vaivars and Billie Carey speaking eloquently at the Queenstown and Arrowtown Service, respectively and Brian Yang was a stand out playing the ‘Last Post’. 

Today we held the first of our Excellence/Ad Alta/Ākonga Passport award assemblies for Arthur House. Students who achieved academic excellence in NCEA or demonstrated high levels of effort in all of their classes and/or exemplified engagement with WHS great all-round education, were acknowledged through a series of awards. Next week we will hold assemblies for the remaining houses and we will publish all award winners in next week’s newsletter. 

At the assembly, I gave students five tips for achieving their own level of personal Excellence, as follows, which may be useful in conversation with your student about Term 2:

1. Set Clear Goals: Determine what you want to achieve in terms of grades, extracurricular activities, and personal development, and make a plan to work towards those goals.
2. Develop Effective Habits: For school, this may involve creating a study schedule, finding a quiet and conducive study environment, taking notes, reviewing material regularly, and seeking help when needed.
3. Manage Your Time Wisely: This involves prioritizing tasks, avoiding distractions, and making the most of your time. Use a planner or a digital calendar to keep track of your commitments and deadlines.
4. Seek Out Opportunities for Growth: This may involve joining clubs or organizations, participating in extracurricular activities, or seeking out mentors or tutors.
5. Stay Motivated: Celebrate your successes, stay positive, and seek inspiration from others who have achieved similar goals (or ones you aspire to)

As has been in the news of late, unfortunately it looks as though nation-wide, teacher industrial action looms ahead this term. Planned industrial action includes rostering home of year levels (details of which can be found below) and a regional strike day on Tuesday 9 May. This will likely have an impact on the continuity of learning for students and with that in mind, we strongly encourage students to be at school every day that the school is open, and to be planned and organised. For Seniors, they will have lots of assessments throughout this term, and accordingly they should develop an assessment calendar (see below for the Internal Assessment Calendars). Juniors will also have their mid-year examinations in June.

Senior Next Steps are next Tuesday, and parents can make appointments now (see below for more details). A reminder that school will finish at 12:30pm with buses running at this time, and a note that we have tried to maximise teaching and learning in the morning, so it is important that all students are in attendance on the morning of Tuesday 2 May. 

With the weather changing and snow starting to top the mountains, a reminder that we use the WHS SZApp to notify parents and students of any changes to the school day. See below to add the WHS SZApp to your phone, including updates, and also below regarding how we will communicate with you in cases of adverse weather. 

Lastly, a huge congratulations to Marley King Smith on his rowing achievements. We wish him all the best as he prepares to head to France for the U19 World Rowing Championships. 

Have a great weekend and look forward to seeing many of you next week.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou,

Oded Nathan
Principal

Senior Next Steps - Tuesday 2 May

Our Senior Next Steps conferencing (teacher/parent/student) are on next Tuesday 2 May from 1:00pm - 4:30pm  at school. 

Next Steps bookings are now open - please click on the link below. Please note that we will be closing bookings at midday on Monday.

The Senior Next Steps provide parents with a valuable opportunity to meet face-to-face for five minutes with subject teachers, and we strongly recommend that students and parents are in attendance for these.  

When making your bookings, you’ll need to know your students' subjects and teacher. Please try to leave at least five minutes between each of your interviews, as this will give you time to move to the next teacher and will help prevent people running behind schedule.

School will finish at 12:30pm for all students on Tuesday 2 May, with buses running at this time. 

Internal Assessment Calendar

The 2023 internal assessment calendar provides the due dates for all internal assessments that students undertake throughout the year for each course in Years 11-13.  This calendar, when copied, enables students to create a calendar with just their internal assessments.  We highly recommend that parents ask their children to create their individual assessment calendar to better enable them to organise and plan so that they may ultimately achieve their academic goals. (NB. Students will also have external practice exams that can be added to the calendar. Ask to see the ‘Course Outline’ for each of their subjects).

• Level 1 Internal Assessment Calendar
• Level 2 Internal Assessment Calendar
• Level 3 Internal Assessment Calendar

PPTA Industrial Action - Planned Dates

On Tuesday 9 May is the planned PPTA strike day. There is no school on this day.

The following is the rostering home plan by year level which means there will be no school and no classes for  that year level on that day.

• Thursday 4 May - Year 11
• Thursday 11 May - Year 13
• Tuesday 16 May - Year 9
• Wednesday 17 May - Year 10
• Thursday 25 May - Year 11
• Tuesday 30 May - Year 13
• Thursday 1 June - Year 12
• Tuesday 6 June - Year 10
• Thursday 8 June - Year 9

Adverse Weather

With winter fast approaching this piece is regarding ‘adverse weather’. The most important point to note is that again this winter in the case of adverse weather we will communicate through the following channels: 

• To parents - via the WHS SZApp (see below if you don't have it on your device) and the WHS website
• To students - via normal school email

On a morning with adverse weather (which particularly includes snow and/or ice on the roads) we liaise with QLDC’s roading contractor and the school bus coordinator and make a decision regarding school for that day. If it is not a normal school day, the common options are either a delayed start or school closed, in which case we will communicate through the channels above, endeavouring to do so by 7:15am. 

Please note that if we do get adverse weather during the day we will not normally close the school - this is primarily because school buses are not normally able to run early. However we do monitor adverse weather and conditions very carefully and make decisions and communicate accordingly.

Please also note that we do liaise with the other schools in the basin and decisions are generally coordinated. Although sometimes conditions vary for different schools and some primary schools do not have school buses - which are a key consideration, and ultimately each school will need to make its own decision.

WHS Schoolzine App

There is a new version of WHS SZapp available for Android and IOS Devices. Please ensure that you have updated to this version to assure you receive communications from the school. Click here for more details.

Please ensure you (all parents, caregivers and students) have download the WHS Schoolzine App to your device as this is how we will communicate important school alerts, student notices and our weekly newsletter.  The app also features an absence form, the online school cafe shop, a calendar and some handy links! 

Top tips and helpful information at this link: www.schoolzine.com/szapp-installation

A reminder also for students to also check the Student Noticeboard regularly.

Web Portal Updates

The vendor of our portal software has introduced some changes to the password complexity rules for added security. This update forces caregivers to change their passwords on first logon. On first logon you will be taken to the "Change Password" screen and enter a new password of your choosing.

Students will now also have a change password feature but will not be required to change it.

Anzac Day

ANZAC day is a time to pause and remember all those that have served. One of the most moving moments in an ANZAC service is when the bugler plays the Last Post and Reveille. In both the Queenstown dawn service, and the Arrowtown service this was played by a Year 9 student, Brian Yang. The RSA emailed to comment how impressed the public had been and that these “were played with a skill beyond his years”. Brian was among a group of students who participated in the services on Tuesday. Here is link to the article from Otago Daily Times and a video from the Mountain Scene.

Billie Carey and Zali Vaivars presented their winning RSA Competition speeches at the Arrowtown and Queenstown ceremonies, respectively. Both students spoke beautifully about the changing face of New Zealand veterans and the significance of their contribution to the identity of Aotearoa. 

In addition, the two students were presented with a trophy each and a significant $500 prize, generously donated by the Arrowtown and Queenstown RSA's and local sponsors. 

Marley King Smith read the poem “In Flanders Fields” by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, at the Queenstown Memorial Centre. This is the poem that was the inspiration for the red poppies that symbolise ANZAC day. 

At the Glenorchy service Matthias Breitenberger did a great job as one of the main speakers in a service which specifically acknowledged some of the veterans in the local community. 

Many other students represented the school and supported our students at the services. It is so important that history and the tragedy of conflict is remembered, and it is really encouraging that so many young people were present. 

Arrowtown RSA has sent a heartfelt message expressing their gratitude, "On behalf of the Arrowtown RSA I would like to extend our thanks to the Students and staff of Wakatipu High School who took part in our Anzac Day Service in Arrowtown yesterday. The students are a credit to their families and the school. Firstly Billie Carey - the speech she gave was well received by all - it was thought provoking and relevant for the times we live in. We have had numerous comments from the public re her presentation all very positive. Brian Yang - well what can we say he has a brilliant future with his music. His rendition of the Last Post and Reveille were played with a skill beyond his years, again members of the public were so impressed. I have already booked him to come and play at our Armistice Day service in November. I also had the privilege of speaking with Lachlan Boniface one of your Head Students - what an articulate and respectful young man. All the students in attendance were a delight."

Uniform

Kia ora koutou,

Wearing our uniform correctly is an expectation of students attending WHS and a way in which students can demonstrate their pride for themselves and for our school. 

Over the course of next week we'll be checking the key items of uniform for all students.  

Please check that your son or daughter has the full complement of uniform items needed and provide them with a note if they need a temporary uniform pass while you source any items required. We thank parents and caregivers for their ongoing support of our uniform expectations. 

A breakdown of the uniform requirements can be found on our school website: https://www.wakatipu.school.nz/uniform.html.

Ngā mihi
Ryan Gilbertson
Deputy Principal l Kaihāpai Māori

Kapa Haka - Breakfast Get Together

Nau mai, haere mai - a warm welcome to all students (and their whānau) interested in kapa haka this year to a breakfast get together over at Mana Tāhuna, Te Hoeroa, based at the Toru Apartments in Remarkables Park. Students will make their way over to Te Hoeroa after Ako time on Wednesday for a 9:30am start and we'll be all finished by 10:30am so that they can return for break one and period two. Whānau are very welcome to attend. We'll have some kai, recognise the mahi and tautoko of Callum and Sydney, and introduce students and whānau to our new kapa haka tutors - Ata and Te Kopa. Hei tērā wiki, see you all next week. 

Ryan Gilbertson
Deputy Principal l Kaihāpai Māori

Sports and Active Recreation News

New Zealand U19 and South Island U18 Rowing Selections
The great results for Wakatipu High School rowers have continued with some amazing achievements over the holidays. A huge congratulations to Year 13 student Marley King Smith for his selection into the New Zealand U19 Mens 4x crew to compete at the U19 World Champs in Paris in early September. An incredible achievement, well done Marley! Olivia Key also trialed for the NZ U19 crew, a huge achievement in itself. Year 12 student Ashton White was selected to represent the South Island U18 team against the North Island last week along with super coach John Morrison. A huge well done to these two! We are incredibly proud of these student athletes and their achievements! https://rowingnz.kiwi/Story?Action=View&Story_id=1016

MotoCross
There are a handful of students at WHS who compete in motocross and have achieved some great results of late. The Southland Motocross Champs were held in Invercargill at the end of March and were followed by the New Zealand Junior Motocross Champs also in Invercargill in mid April. Below are the results for our students, well done to Alex and Paige for top 10 finishes in the country!
Southland Motocross Champs:
Alex Garland: MX2 – 3rd overall
Paige Meikle: Junior Ladies class – 4th overall
Jack Forbes: 12-16yrs 85cc – 25th overall
New Zealand Junior Motocross Champs:
Paige Meikle: 9th Junior Womens 12yrs – 16yrs 125cc/250cc class 
Alex Garland: 3rd 15-16yrs 125cc class

Central Otago Sports Awards Finalists
A number of WHS students have been selected as finalists for the upcoming Central Otago Sports Awards. These are being held in Wanaka on Friday 12 May. It is great to see so many of our students recognised at this level. Congratulations to all! Finalists are:
Marley King Smith - Junior Sportsman of the Year and Team of the Year - U18 Double Sculls
Kai Milburn - Junior Sportsman of the Year
Siena Mackley- Junior Sportswoman of the Year
Mackenzi Jackson - Junior Sportswoman of the Year
Xavier Small - Team of the Year - U18 Double Sculls
John Morrison - Coach of the Year

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu No-Gi Nationals
Congratulations to Indy Deavoll who won gold at last weekend's Jiu Jistu No-Gi Nationals in the Teen Girls Grey Belt Division <56kg.

Sports Hoody Order Term 2
If you missed the first round of hoody orders in Term 1 and still wish to purchase one, please complete the form below by 9am Monday 8 May. Hoodies cost $95.00 and must be paid for on completion of the form. Hoodies take approximately 4 weeks to arrive. Term 2 Order Form:  https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/234511

US Sports Scholarship Information - Kiwi Athlete Agency Webinar
Some of our students consider the option of going to university in the United States and explore the possibility of sports scholarships. WHS has a relationship with the Kiwi Athlete Agency who will be running an online webinar on Wednesday 17 May at 6pm for anyone wanting to find out more information about this possible pathway. There is a flyer below and the event link can be found here:
https://events.humanitix.com/recruiting-101-b94x3pnj
Part of studying abroad in the US is also participating in SAT’s, the standardised test for secondary school students looking to go to university in America. WHS hosts these exams throughout the year. If you wish to participate in the SAT’s following the webinar you will need to go to the College Board website, create an account and register for the date you want to take the test. The College Board websites here: https://www.collegeboard.org/. The remaining dates for SAT’s this year are 26 August and 2 December 2023. 

Keep Us Informed
The sports department would love to hear from you if you know of any awesome achievements from our students so that we can celebrate these as a school. Please send through details and photos to lnathan@wakatipu.school.nz.

Support Sport at WHS
Jump on board and support the team by liking or following the Wakatipu High School Sports Facebook page. This is the best way to stay informed and up to date with the successes of our athletes and teams and help celebrate their great achievements. https://www.facebook.com/WakatipuHighSchoolSports/ 

Laura Nathan
Director of Sport

Winter Sports Academy Registration

If you are currently enrolled with, or planning to enrol with, a snowsports training provider (QAST, Coberger, HPC, RSSA) and would like to apply to join the WHS Winter Sports Academy, please complete the application form by Friday 5 May:

The Academy runs from 3:30 - 5:30 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (probably starting in Week 8), and offers a quiet space for students who are missing school during the day to catch up on their learning. Students are supervised and mentored to balance both their sporting and academic commitments, and guided to develop their self-management skills.

For more information on what the Academy offers and for pricing information, please click below:

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Heather Dixon
Academy Coordinator

SAT 2023 Test Dates

WHS is one of the New Zealand testing centres for students taking the SATs, the standardized test for college admission in the United States.  If you wish to take the test please register online at https://www.collegeboard.org/ and the test will be delivered here at the school.

2023 SAT dates are as follows:

• 6 May
• 26 August
• 2 December

If you need any further information, please contact Marcelo Carneiro: mcarneiro@wakatipu.school.nz

Marcelo Carneiro
Director of International Students

Arts Department News

Term 2 Events

Plenty happening on the Music front in Term 2 as we build up to the Jazz, Rock and Songwriting events/competitions.

These include:

• 11 May - Play it Strange Youthtown Songwriting Competition
• 20 May - Rockquest Heats 
• 27/28 May - Jazz Workshops
• June - NCEA Music Nights 
• 11 June - Big Break TBC
• 16 June - Play It Strange Songwriting Peace Song Competition
• 17 June - Rockquest Final
• Term two holidays - Jazz Practices

Big Break Update

We are looking to run a Big Break event for WHS bands and solo/duo acts on Sunday 11 June. At this stage, we are in the planning phase but it may include some workshops during the day with an event in the late afternoon/evening either in the school theatre or in Queenstown. More details to come but it would be great for all levels of musicians.

Riversdale Arts Emerging Artist Award 2023 - $1000 Prize 

• Artists between the ages of 13 and 25 (at 21 July 2023) 
• Riversdale Arts Incorporated’s definition of “Emerging Artist” is: An artist between the ages of 13 and 25 (at 21 July 2023) who has not exhibited their work in a commercial or public gallery (excluding exhibitions specifically for students or young and emerging artists). An artist who has not received awards, or commissions for their artwork.
• The Emerging Artist Award is a selected exhibition. There will be 10 shortlisted finalists - these will be judged by a selection committee of up to three people. The judging panel’s decisions will be final and no communication will be entered into. Artists’ images will be de-identified to support a blind and merit-based judging process, to the extent that this is achievable. The panel of three judges will view digital images of all eligible entries to shortlist works that will be included in the exhibition, and required for the second judging round. The selected entrants will be notified of their selection via email and given instructions for delivery of the artwork to Riversdale for the final judging and for display in the exhibition. Entrants who are not selected for the shortlist will also be notified of the outcome of the selection via email. Final judging of the exhibited artworks to select the award winner will take place prior to the opening of the exhibition. The award winner will be announced at the Gala Opening of the Exhibition on 21 July 2023. Artists who are selected will receive a complimentary ticket to opening night.

• Entry is by digital image (maximum 2MB or for larger files send via wesendit.com or a similar file transferring service - entry form is due to riversdalearts@gmail.com by 1 June 2023. All artwork must be original and ready to hang or display if selected
• The artwork that is selected is to be delivered by 1 July 2023 to Riversdale Arts, C/- Austin Bros., Newcastle Street, Riversdale
• Commission on sold artwork is 30%; unsold work will be returned freight free.

See Monica Parker in the Visual Arts Area (Kawarau) for a registration form or contact her at mparker@wakatipu.schoolnz.

1964 Mountain Culture Magazine Opportunity

Get your photo on the back cover of the 1964 Mountain Culture Magazine. This ad is created each season featuring a local artist or photographer. This is an opportunity for students to get their art or photography published on the back cover of 5000 copies of the Spring edition!

Entries are due by end of day Friday 5 May 2023. Not only will the selected artist feature their named work, but they will also win a $100 dinner voucher, a 1964 subscription and trucker cap.

 Please feel free to contact Mackenzie Brownlee on 027 284 2973 or email your entry to pa.alty@nzsir.com.

You can find more details on the Facebook page – www.facebook.com/thealtys.

New Drama Group Alert 🚨 🔔 

On Tuesday, break two in the Drama Area (ŌTe ROTU), we are starting a new, totally awesome (cringe, I know) group. The purpose of this super, totally awesome group is to bring the "DRAMA NERDS" together and do what we do best. Be DRAMATIC. Tell your friends, family and even the bus driver and come along, each Tuesday break 2 or when you can.

But Jake, what will we do at Drama Nerds? 
Great question! Drama Nerds will be a place to flex your drama muscles with improv games ( think James Scoles), warm-ups, and all the fun stuff you love about Drama. This is a place to get support for your own Drama work in and out of school, have a cry or whatever you need on that day. Slay. 

So if this sounds like you, or you want it to be something that you want to do, join a humble classroom.

See you there or else...

Year 13 Outdoor Education Clutha River Kayaking Trip

During the last week of Term 1, 8OED students headed South to test their kayaking skills on the grade two rapids of the Clutha River (near Beaumont) and the surf at Kaka Point. Mr Regan made his debut as an OED teacher and showed his kayaking prowess! The students performed well in the surf and in the boils and rapids, including the renowned Big Swirly Whirlpool which claimed a number of students!

Jess Dredge finishes the Te Araroa Trail!

Former WHS student, Jess Dredge (2022) finished her tramping journey from the top of the North Island - Cape Reinga, to Bluff during the week. A tremendous effort by Jess as she battled the North Island floods and long physically and mentally challenging days. Well done Jess - Ad Alta!

Gifted Education

Curious Minds Classroom

The Curious Minds classroom is a Google classroom where teachers from all departments post about competitions, trips and other opportunities for any student to get involved with.  In the past this has included ICAS assessments, Biology field trips, writing competitions and university trips to Dunedin to name a few. 
To ensure your student has access to all of the exciting extracurricular opportunities, make sure they are signed up to Google Classroom using this code: bmrwxjo

ICAS 2023

This year ICAS are offering assessments in English, Maths, Science and Writing to Years 9-11. They have stopped offering assessments in Year 12 and 13 students as well as changed the DIT assessment to be only available up to Year 8. 

If you are interested in registering for any of the assessments visit the site and use the code below to purchase the assessments you are interested in. 
Website: https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps
Code: NXD213

You need to have ordered your test before the 31st July to sit these assessments in 2023 and you can see the assessment windows by following this link.

University of Canterbury Junior Kiwi Assessments

Calling all Junior students looking to flex their academic might in Maths, Science and or English. 

The annual Kiwi English, Mathematics and Science competitions are skills-based and closely aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum. The tests are designed by New Zealand teachers for New Zealand students. Results are provided to schools in Term 3. All participating students will receive a certificate and a prize will be awarded to the top student nationally in each competition. The competition will provide parents/caregivers with an Individual Pupil Report of the student's performance in that subject. 

Fill out the form below to register for the tests - which must be completed by 10 May. 
Each test cost $9.90 and this must be paid before the sitting window of the 12th June - 21st July to be able to sit the assessment.  Click here for more information.

Ngā mihi nui,

Kyle Jackson
Gifted Coordinator

Careers

Click link below to view latest job listings.

School Photos

Reminder, school photos are still available to order via the PhotoLife website.
Students would have received a set of instructions, including how to order online, and their own unique code for ordering.

Any queries, please email office@wakatipu.school.nz

WHS Foundation

Community Notices

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Your purchase of an Entertainment Membership contributes to our fundraising. Help us achieve our goal by sharing this link with your friends and family. Thanks for your support!

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LEARNER & INTERMEDIATE DRIVING LESSONS

Dan Gerard Driving Instruction has professional male and female driving instructors, and members of the New Zealand Institute of Driver Educators. We offer high quality friendly driver training covering a range of driving lessons.

• Learner lessons for beginners
• Assessment for Learner drivers who have been taught by family and need their skills polished before sitting their Restricted Test
• Refresher lessons to brush up before sitting the Full Test
• Street Talk defensive driving courses

http://www.drivinginstruction.co.nz/ , E: info@drivinginstruction.co.nz

Rach Gerard: 027 273 9610,  Dan Gerard: 027 349 2447