WHS Newsletter | Issue 2.08 | 16 June | 2023

Principal's Message

Kia ora and welcome to the end of Week 8,

This week many Year 10 students completed the corequisite exams in Literacy (reading and writing) and Numeracy, which are part of the NCEA changes. From next year, all students will be required to pass these corequisites to achieve an NCEA qualification. It was great to see so many of our students focused and doing their very best with these important exams.

You may have seen in yesterday’s Mountain Scene that the Hugo Charitable Trust has generously donated $100,000 to the Wakatipu High School Foundation to support WHS with the delivery of literacy. An increasing number of students are coming to school with literacy levels lower than what is required but literacy levels can be improved. This generous donation will enable us to increase the number of students who will receive targeted literacy support to accelerate student's literacy skills. A reminder that all junior students have access to Reading Plus and/or Power Up and should be doing at least 30 minutes of literacy learning on these programs per week during Ako time or at home. A huge thanks to the Hugo Charitable Trust, and also to everyone who supported last weeks Gala Dinner (see below for more details) - we are very grateful for the support we get from the community. 

Last week, we held our Community Adventure Day as part of our STARS Peer Mentoring programme. This was a great opportunity for our Year 9 students to hear about the range of community groups and support available to students and families in the basin. A big thanks to all the community groups and volunteers that came to school to share with our students. Be sure to see below for photos and more details.  

Another recent highlight was the conclusion of the House debating competition, which has been running for several weeks now. I had the pleasure of judging the final which was a great debate on whether or not to lower the voting age in NZ. Congratulations to Fox House on winning the debate and the competition. Houses have this week turned their attention to learning the school’s Haka and Waiata, which culminates with our Matatū assembly on the last day of term. 

As you know, the nationwide industrial action involving the rostering home of multiple year levels has made for a challenging week of teaching and learning. All students should have completed an individual planner with specifics from each of their classes, outlining the work they will be completing at school and the work they will need to complete when rostered home, over the next couple of weeks.  It is really important that students endeavour to self-manage when they are rostered home and included in the planning document (click here) are some simple tips that can assist students with their studies. If you haven’t yet done so, be sure to ask to see your student’s individualised planning document.

PPTA has more rostering home planned for the remainder of Term 2 (see below). We hope that a settlement is quickly reached between the MoE and PPTA.

With international travel coming back into play, we are reinstating some of our international trips and exchanges. We have 28 students who are currently studying French getting ready to travel to Noumea in the October holidays. Last week, we held a parent information evening for the World Challenge, which will go to the Himalayas in the summer of 2024/2025. See below for more details as it’s definitely not too late to get on board. 

A reminder that our annual Open Evening, where we welcome our new entrant students (and their parents/caregivers) to enrol and have a tour of the school is being held next Tuesday, 20 June. School finishes at 1:50 pm with buses running at this time. 

It has been a great day today with all students at school, culminating what has been a disruptive week. We hope that everyone has a fantastic weekend.

Ngā mihi nui,

Oded Nathan
Principal

PPTA Industrial Action - Rostering Home Schedule

The following is the rostering home schedule for the last two weeks of term. This means there will be no school and no classes for that year level on that day. All other year levels are expected to attend school on that day.

Please click below to see the Planning document that was shared with all students to complete.

WHS Foundation Fundraising Dinner

Thank you to all the generous businesses and locals that supported our Winter Feast Fundraising dinner and auction held last Thursday night! This event could not have happened without the incredible generosity of our Title Sponsors Matt Rose and Anna Boland at Jarden and our venue hosts Chris Hogan, Executive Chef Chris Scott and the entire Flame Bar & Grill team. With your support, we raised $66,778!

These funds will go towards the $450,000 in programmes the WHS Foundation is supporting at Wakatipu High School Queenstown this year!

Junior Prizegiving & Year Level Ad Alta/Excellence

Parents: save the date for Junior Prizegiving and the next Excellence/Ad Alta assemblies. These assemblies will be held on Monday 24th July. Students receiving an award (and their parents/caregivers) will be emailed in the first week of Term 3.

Ngā Manu Kōrero

A rōpū from Wakatipu High School has made their way to Dunedin this week for the annual Ngā Manu Kōrero secondary school regional speech competition. Each year the competition brings together the best secondary school kaikōrero/speakers from around the rohe. This kaupapa is a significant event on the Māori education calendar for nurturing the oratory skills of students, particularly those who whakapapa Māori. The speech contests are intended to encourage the development of skills and confidence of Māori students in spoken English and te reo Māori. However, the Māori section is open to all students as part of a strategy to support everyone to learn and to speak in te reo Māori. Good luck to our kaikōrero Mez Watson, and we hope other rangatahi who are there to experience and support the kaupapa find this a really inspiring event. Kia kaha te reo Māori! | Make the Māori language strong!

Ryan Gilbertson
Deputy Principal l Kaihāpai Māori

World Challenge 2024 - Nepal

Thanks to everyone that came along to the information night. Great to see there’s been so much interest in this expedition and already applications coming in.

If you couldn’t make it and are interested in more information, the recording is linked below (1.5x playback recommended).

If you are interested in signing up, the link is also below. The closing date for applications is the 7 July. We highly encourage students keen to attend to be proactive in raising the funds themselves to really immerse themselves in the full experience.

If you have any questions you weren’t able to ask on the night or any from here on please feel free to get in touch with our support team who can be emailed at support@myworldchallenge.com or called on 0800 456 134. Or contact the teachers in charge Miss Heather Dixon and Miss Noni Gabb. 

40 Hour Famine Challenge

Junior School Reading Plus Acknowledgements

STARS Community Adventure 2023

Last week our Year 9 students enjoyed the STARS Community Adventure event.  Listed are the 14 amazing local organisations who kindly volunteered their time to participate this year:

Mana Tahuna - Taiao, Te Hoeroa, Wakatipu Youth Trust, Salvation Army, Volunteer South, Department of Conservation, QLDC Libraries and Sport and Recreation, Land Search and Rescue, WHS School Counselling Guidance Services, Te Atamira Arts, Wakatipu Reforestation Trust, Rotary Youth Services, Pivotal Point neurodiversity services, Wakatipu High School Foundation.

Y9 students rotated across the services, guided by their peer mentors and teachers, listening and engaging in a variety of creative and fun activities.  QLDC Libraries offered virtual reality headsets, whilst Land Search and Rescue teams re-enacted the hyperthermic TACO method, inviting students to play the role of the casualty.  There was something for everyone, a truly inclusive and diverse event.  A great opportunity for students to ask questions and learn how to get involved with those organisations that resonated with them the most.

This event seamlessly reinforced parts of the broader WHS wellbeing curriculum utilising all five ways to wellbeing framework:  give, connect, take notice, be active, keep learning. 

Huge thanks to all the generous organisations that participated this year, our awesome peer mentors, our amazing WHS teachers supporting STARS program implementation, including Miss Jermy who does an amazing job assisting the program.  Well done everyone!  I couldn't be more delighted with these outcomes.  We're really doing the Graeme Dingle Foudation proud.

Melisse Hareer
STARS Coordinator

Ski Passes - Student Discount

Historically, NZSki and Cardrona have asked all the local schools to provide them with a list of students and their dates of birth which they use to validate purchases of student ski passes. Unfortunately, Privacy Legislation prohibits us sharing this detail with outside organisations without your express permission and with over 1300 students, collecting and collating parental permission for non-school related events just isn't feasible.

Therefore, in order to purchase ski passes at the student rate you will need to visit the NZSki and/or Cardrona Office and present the student ID cards that all students have been issued with.

You can purchase the tickets online here, but will need to present the Student ID's in order to pick up the pass at the ski office(s).

Purchase NZ Ski passes here.

Purchase Cardrona passes here.

Sports and Active Recreation News

Otago Netball Champs
Our 9A, 10A, Senior A and Senior B netball teams all competed at the annual Otago Secondary School Netball Champs in Dunedin on Sunday and Monday of this week. A huge congratulations to our 9A team who won their division beating St Hilda’s comfortably in the final, putting Wakatipu High School's name on this trophy for the first time! This is a wonderful result and the team enjoyed four solid wins to take the tournament out. Our 10A team had three wins and two losses to finish 7th out of 16 teams in the competitive Year 10 grade while the Senior B's had one win and three losses to finish 6th in their division and the Senior A's finished up 8th out of 12 teams in section one after one win and three losses. A huge thank you to our awesome group of coaches, umpires and parent helpers who attended this tournament and a massive well done to all of our players!

Otago Cross Country Results
The Otago Secondary Schools Cross Country Champs were held last Thursday in Dunedin and a number of WHS students competed in this event as part of their lead up to the National Secondary School Champs this weekend.
James Weber - 1st Under 15 Boys 4km
Jude Deaker - 3rd Senior Boys 7km 
Siena Mackley - 3rd Senior Girls 4km
Keira Redden - 3rd Year 9 Girls 3km 
We wish Sammy Fookes, Jude Deaker, Siena Mackley, James Weber and Keira Redden all the very best as they compete at the NZSS Cross Country Champs in Palmerston North this weekend. Go well!

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Pacific Open
The NZBJJF Pacific Open Gi and No-Gi competition was held in Mount Maunganui last and the following three WHS students did well. Congratulations!
Bailee Ellison - Gi Bronze, No-Gi Bronze
Tayla Ellison - Gi Gold, No-Gi Gold
Jamie Baker - Gi Silver, No-Gi Gold

Sports Hoody Order
There will be another hoody order placed before the end of Term 2 that will arrive approximately Week 3 of Term 3 in time for anyone going to Winter Tournament Week. If you are yet to get a sports hoody and wish to do so please make the order on the link below by Wednesday 28 June 9am. Hoodies are optional and are $95.00 which needs to be paid for on completion of the form. This will likely be the last order we do for 2023.
Hoody Order Form: https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/236505

Opportunities to Get Involved

Whakatipu Rowing Club Open Day
The Whakatipu Rowing Club are delivering some Learn to Row sessions for any students who are interested in having a go at rowing and/or potentially wanting to row next season. This is a key start to rowing for anyone new to the sport and considering it as a summer sport option for the 2023/2024 season. There will be four sessions from 9:30am-12:30pm on Sundays; 25 June, 2 July, 23 July and 30 July down at the rowing club at Lake Hayes. Check out the flyer below!

Race Tekapo
The Race Tekapo running event is taking place on September 16 this year. The event website and various distances can be found on the flyer below.

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

Arts Department News

Term 2 Upcoming Events

• 16 June - Play It Strange Songwriting Peace Song Competition
• 17 June - Rockquest Regional Final
  

Student of the Week - Charlotte Syme

Over the school holidays, Charlotte went to Oamaru and stayed at her dad’s farm – so, throughout this term, she’s created this piece, called “Dad’s Farm,” to remember her time there. On Dad’s Farm, there are cows, sheep, pigs, grass, trees, and an orchard (on the left, surrounded by fences). There’s also the pig shed, the road, and the red quad bike too; Dad has been teaching her motorbike lessons, which has been really awesome!

Unprompted, Charlotte brought her corkboard to school at the beginning of the term, which was the foundation of this piece as she assembled it. This collage approach allowed Charlotte to be spontaneous with her ideas and brought flexibility to the overall vision. Her teacher, Leslie Koehn, showed Charlotte some large books with wallpaper and curtain samples in them, which she then (sometimes) coloured over with pastels to create the back and foreground.

When asked how she feels about the piece, she said it makes her feel good because she enjoys making art and it looks real. "It’s like the real place!"

With support from the school, Charlotte has just entered “Dad’s Farm” into the 2023 IHC Art Awards – hosted in a pop-up gallery in Wellington!

-Sam Collins

Theatrefest 

Congratulations to the students below who have been selected for the 2023 Theatrefest competition. These students, along with Director, Rochelle Tickle will head to the Otago Local Theatrefest at the end of July to participate and receive adduction for their performance of “That Time, That Place”. Rehearsals will be held in the WHS theatre on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. 

Character List: 

• Mel: Bethany Graf 
• Tracy: Billie Carey
• Dan: Jack Speedy
• Principal: Emily Gilbert
• Counsellor: Maddox Newell  
• Rena: Indy Hamilton 
• Girl: Ruby Pullar 
• Ensemble: Luana Kirchoff Pereira, Sofia Sharpe, Lucy Sinclair Tara Rooney
• Non Traveling support: Rowan Leftly, Eden Prytherch

Big Break

Well done to all the musicians who performed at Big Break. It was an opportunity for some of the bands to perform and engage with three local musicians who acted as both mentors and sound engineers for this gig.

Thanks to Rockformation for assisting with the gear and to Michael Eden, Connor Williams and Dom Ryan for providing the skills and knowledge to make this happen.

NZ Music Commission Mentor 

We were exceptionally fortunate to have a music mentor from the NZ Music Commission with us on Monday and Tuesday. Henry Francis is a member of the Soaked Oats band from Dunedin and worked with our Music classes in sharing his considerable knowledge and experience of the music industry. It was an amazing opportunity for our students to work with someone with performance and composition skills who is himself a practicing musician and composer.

Rockquest Regional Final

Good luck to the following musicians who are performing at the Wānaka Centre on Saturday night for the Regional Rockquest final:

• - Billie Carey
• - Jack Speedy
• - Mala Januszkiewicz
• - The Goose Pies (Ted Coutts, Lincoln Reddell, Harper Souness)
• - Estrogen (Ruby Ross, Emily Johnston, Mya Wilcox, Mikaela Patterson)
• - Attack of the Cyber Hippies (Stefan Hall, Henry Brown, Sam Glover, Sam Riddle)

Play It Strange

Entries for this year's Play It Strange Peace Song entries are due Monday,  19 June. 

Ex-student Performances

Last week we had ex-student Sam Maxwell performing in the foyer. Great to see his skills on show 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 through details and photos to mparker@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 Monica Parker the Arts Coordinator at  mparker@wakatipu.school.nz.

Instagram Page

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

Timetable Changes to Bus Route D130434

Go Bus are changing the morning run for school bus D130434 (Quail Rise / Tuckers Beach / Shotover Country [QPS Transfer Bus])in response to the traffic congestion that causes frequent delays to the service. The amended timetable is attached below for your reference, and please note that there will be no changes to the afternoon run. This will be in effect from Monday, 19th June.

WHS Foundation

Community Notices

The survey can be found here.

Entertainment is the easy-to-use App packed with incredible savings of up to 50% off and 2-for-1 offers, so you can save on takeaway, dining, shopping, groceries, gift cards, activities and more!

And what’s even better, 20% of every membership purchased goes to support Wakatipu High School!

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!

Buy NOW

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