WHS Newsletter | Issue 3.02 | 28 July | 2023

Principal's Message

While it is only Week 2, the term is well and truly underway, and it has been a busy week here. In addition to the always-important and well-attended House basketball competition at breaks (congratulations to Duncan on their clean sweep), Monday was our senior Excellence and Ad Alta Assemblies, as well as the junior Semester 1 Prizegivings. On Tuesday, we had the annual Option Afternoon.

A huge congratulations to the large number of students who crossed the stage on Monday for their achievements, efforts and participation in our all-round education - well done! Please see below for a list of prizewinners. As mentioned at assembly, there is a strong correlation between effort and achievement, and we hope that all students view the assemblies as a catalyst to step up in the second half of the year.

Option Afternoon was well attended by parents and students on Tuesday and plays an important role in the 2024 course option selection process in which students choose their subjects for next year. This is a very important process for the school (for next year’s timetable and staffing) and for students. Please note that students’ options for 2024 are due on Friday, 11 August. A reminder that appointments can be made with members of the senior leadership team if help is required. Please be sure to see our website for all details relating to Option Selection.

School Donations - School invoices have been sent out today, and while the donation is voluntary, it does make a massive difference to what we can offer at WHS. Our sincere thanks to those who have paid their donation. We know that some families will be unable to pay the donation, but we also appreciate that there are many families who are happy to pay this donation and more. The link below offers families the opportunity to pay more than the annual donation in support of the families that cannot. Once again, we really do appreciate your support. 

Senior Exams - are now less than two weeks away. They are very important for a range of reasons so please see the piece below and support senior students to start planning their study. 

Junior Next Steps - are important opportunities for parents to connect with students' Kaiārahi. They are being held on Thursday, 10 August and Tuesday, 15 August. Please see below for details including instructions for making these important appointments. 

The Wakatipu High School Foundation presents a special and exclusive performance by the Yale Whiffenpoofs, the world's oldest and most renowned collegiate a cappella group, hailing all the way from the USA. The event will be held on August 13 with all proceeds raised to support our 2023 programmes. Details and a link to purchase tickets to the event are below.

A huge congratulations to the Arts department which featured prominently this week. With our Drama students coming away with several awards at the Otago Southland TheatreFest and Musician Jack Speedy who has placed in the Top 30 acts of the National Rockquest Competition. Be sure to read on for more information about these achievements and more.

Ngā mihi nui,

Oded Nathan
Principal

Key Dates

Ad Alta/Excellence Assemblies and Junior Prizegivings

On Monday this week we celebrated excellence in the senior Ad Alta/Excellence Assemblies and the Semester 1 Junior Prizegivings. It was fantastic to see such a large number of students crossing the stage to receive and award and to acknowledge the hard work and effort of our students over the first half of the year.

Once again, whakamihi, congratulations to all the recipients of these awards.

Gemma Boel
Acting Assistant Principal 

Senior School Exams

The Senior School Exams are coming up in weeks 4 and 5 of this term. While they don't directly contribue to NCEA credits, they are a very important opportunity for students to revise and then test their understanding of course work covered to date. Additionally, in the event of a student missing any of their final NCEA external examinations, the school exams are used to determine derived grades.

We have held study seminars this week for each year level, with Patrick Sherratt providing students with plenty of "tips and tricks" for how to revise key concepts and then memorise and recall them in exam settings. We have also run some "High Performance" seminars, providing guidance for students who are aiming to achieve their examinations at the Merit and Excellence levels.

Attached below are links to the Term 3 Senior School Exam Timetable, as well as the slideshow presented to students in the "High Performance" seminars. There is also a planning document to support your student to fact gather and determine which subjects will have exams, and what will be covered.

Students will also be provided with access to further information around how to study effectively during Ako time over the coming weeks.

Justine Duncan
Deputy Principal

Junior Next Steps

Thursday 10th August: 3.30 - 6.30pm These interviews will run onsite and in-person.
Tuesday 15th August: 2.30 - 5.30pm These interviews will run remotely via Google Meet.

Junior Next Steps meetings are an important opportunity for parents of Year 9 and Year 10 students to meet with their respective kaiārahi  to discuss:
- How the year has gone so far,
- Any concerns/issues,
- Courses selected for 2024.

Bookings are available here: https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code/paaat

Course Option Selection

The course option selection process for 2024 continued this week with the option afternoon running on Tuesday this week. 

Information regarding the 2024 option selection process, including detailed information pertaining to the range of course options on offer, is available through our website.

Additionally, parents and students are invited to make an appointment with a member of the Senior Leadership Team to discuss course options for 2024 and beyond. Appointments can be made here.

A reminder, the selection of 2024 course options needs to be completed by Friday 11 August at 4pm. 

James Rasmussen
Deputy Principal

Triumph for TheatreFest Team!

On Saturday the 22nd, the Theatrefest team travelled down to Dunedin to perform in the Otago Southland Local Theatrefest competition. After multiple weeks of rehearsals, the performance was built into an amazing piece of work. I personally had the honour of directing this awesome bunch and they truly worked so well together. Down in Dunedin, we were lucky enough to get to watch a few of the other performances. Here we saw the calibre of talent that clearly surrounds us, which definitely was a motivator for the team. We then performed on the Sunday and came away with many awards which we are hugely grateful for including: Participation awards, Excellence in Ensemble, Excellence in Overall Design, Excellence in Acting: Bethany Graf, Distinction award for Youth Production = Best overall Youth Production, Distinction award for Overall Production: Best performance at the festival. Furthermore, we have now progressed onto the next round, Regionals! This is taking place on August the 26th/27th and our rehearsals for that are already under way. A massive congratulations to the group of performers: 

• Bethany Graf
• Ruby Pullar
• Billie Carey
• Emily Gilbert 
• Maddox Newell
• Jack Speedy
• Indy Hamilton 
• Tara Rooney
• Lucy Singleton
• Luana Kirchoff Pereira
• Sofia Sharpe

I would also like to thank the teachers in charge, Jake Hansen and Hannah Coombe who supported me and the rest of the team along the way. Also to Ava Weston and Thomas Colby who helped backstage and made the performers look amazing. That’s all from me, hopefully, there will be another update in late August of our accomplishments at Regionals! 

Rochelle Tickle
Director

Duke of Edinburgh - Term 3 Tramp

Greetings, Adventurers!

Last weekend, two Duke of Edinburgh tramps led us through the Dart Valley and the Kepler Track.

Over two nights at Daley's Flat Hut, the students completing their Silver Qualifying Tramp experienced all four seasons, from warm sun to a hoar frost and snow! The students' exceptional planning skills ensured a cozy hut with a crackling fire and some very competitive card games.

The second group, a mix of Bronze Practice and Qualifying, and Silver Practice, spent a night at Motorau Hut on the Kepler Track. Map reading, group dynamics, and layering clothes were some valuable lessons they learned.

Thank you to Noni Gabb, Logan Rae, and Kay Holst for volunteering their time and expertise to make these tramps possible.

It is not too late to register for the Award!

For more information and to register, you can go to the official website.

We have also created a WHS website that gives ideas for local activities that will meet the criteria.

Heather Dixon
TIC Duke of Edinburgh Hillary's Award

Community and Service Council Update

Today the Community and Service Council helped the School take part in the iconic Red Nose Day. Red Nose Day is a nationwide event that helps raise money for Cure kids. This is the biggest annual fundraiser for Cure kids and is a well loved tradition in New Zealand. Cure Kids is an amazing group who use all funds raised for child health research and have made a huge difference in the lives of so many kiwi kids.  

For our take on Red Nose Day, we asked students to decorate their uniform with all kinds of red accessories like red socks, ties and hair accessories. Students were also encouraged to sport a red nose for the day. There was free red face paint in the foyer for students to paint on a red nose as well as the classic foam noses available during ako and break times. 

This was such a fun event for everyone and will hopefully continue for future years.

Help us reach our fundraising goal!!! 

Last week we held a Shave for a cure event at Wakatipu High School and so far we have raised almost $9,000, while this is already such an amazing amount the council decided to go big or go home! We need everyone's help to reach our goal of $10,000. I believe we can get there with a lot of a little help, so next time you are in front of your computer or have your credit card out please, please, please! Consider donating a few dollars to the school's fundraising page. Leukaemia and blood cancer New Zealand is such a great cause to support and affects so many New Zealanders. Did you know that eight kiwis, adults and children, are diagnosed every day with blood cancer. Help us do some good and donate now!

https://www.shaveforacure.co.nz/wakatipuhighschoolteam

On Friday we Shaved the heads of Lily Kay, Ole Wijntjes, Anthony Hollyer, Mr Matamua and Hugh Hodgson and you can watch the livestream below to see us shave the heads of Mr King, Sam Glove and Kane Viggers. We give our applause to all these individuals who decided to brave the shave and help this incredible cause. Everyone looks great!

Watch the Shaves in action!

Mila Lanuel
Community and Service Council

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Basketball Battle Continues

Our Senior House Basketball competition took place this week and in the wake of an exhilarating senior basketball final, congratulations go out to Duncan House for their remarkable victory against Fox House.

The match concluded with a score of 33 - 26, solidifying the Duncan House position as the champions of the House Basketball Competition following the win from the junior Duncan team last week. Well done, Duncan House! This Monday, we'll have a staff vs students game, which will no doubt be an exciting showdown.

Sport and Active Recreation News

IFCS World Youth Climbing Champs
A huge congratulations to Year 13 student's Azaria Briscoe and Lucy Sinclair who have been selected to represent New Zealand at the IFSC World Youth Climbing Champs in South Korea from 18-27th August. Azaria and Lucy will depart NZ on August 10th for a five day training camp in Sydney before flying to Seoul on the 15th August. Both Azaria and Lucy competed in Texas last year for the same event and we wish them all the very best for what will be a very exciting month ahead!

NZ National Gymnastics Champs
Congratulations to Year 10 student, Rosa Dawson who represented Southland at the recent NZ National Gymnastics Championships in Tauranga. Rosa placed 11th in the Step 8 All Around competition and qualified for day 2 apparatus finals, earning a bronze medal for beam. An amazing achievement after 10 weeks out with an injury! Well done Rosa!

NZSS Swimming Champs
Finn Henderson competed at NZ Secondary Schools Swimming Champs in Wellington last week alongside 600 other secondary school students from around the country. Some tough competition saw Finn placing in the top 20 for several of his races. He made the 50 Fly age group final and achieved some great PBs. Well done Finn!

Senior House Basketball
The Senior House Basketball competition has been running this week and it has been really tight between the houses this year. There has been awesome support from students checking out the daily action in Pouakai. Today Duncan and Fox battled it out in the final where Duncan won 33 - 26. Congratulations Duncan house. The final standings are below.
1. Duncan
2. Fox
3. Mackenzie
4. Arthur
5. Hay

Wakatipu Netball Centre Festival Day
Saturday's festival day was a great way for our junior netball teams to finish up their season. A big thank you to the Wakatipu Netball Centre and their wonderful volunteers who helped put this fun day together. Well done to all of the players for dressing up and having a blast! This is also a great opportunity for us to thank the many high school junior coaches and umpires who are parents, senior students and community members who all volunteer their precious time to make sport happen. Thank you!

Sports Photos Details - Week 3
This year we are doing a modified version of sports photos at break times next week from Wednesday to Friday to minimise any further disruption to classes for students. All those involved in sports teams photos have been communicated with.

Opportunities to Get Involved

National MTB Champs - Entries Due
The National Schools MTB Champs will be held in Blenheim in the Term 3 holidays; 4th to 7th October. If you wish to enter please email lnathan@wakatiou.school.nz by next Thursday with the events that you are committed to competing in. Pre-registration closes on Thursday 3rd August.
Entry Fees: Downhill = $80 per rider; Enduro = $60 per rider; Cross Country = $45 per rider;Cross Country Relay = $75 per rider

Otago/Southland Ski and Board Champs
The Otago/Southland Ski & Snowboard Champs have been rescheduled to Saturday 19th August at Cardrona so we can now accept new entries. Event categories are Ski Slopestyle, Ski Giant Slalom, Snowboard Giant Slalom. Athletes can enter as a team (male or female teams) or as an individual. All athletes entered as a team will also be automatically entered into the individual results as well. Teams are required to have a minimum of 3 athletes, max of 4. Entry cost is $40 per student. If you require a day pass at Cardrona this is an additional $60. Students and their whanau will be responsible for coordinating transport to the event. Entries close Monday 14th August. Please email shorn@wakatipu.school.nz by Tuesday 8th August if you would like to compete.

Junior Boys and Girls Volleyball Trainings
Weekly trainings have begun for junior students keen to get involved in volleyball this season. All are welcome to these sessions.
Boys - Wednesday's 7-8:30am in Pouakai
Girls - Wednesday's 5-6:30pm in Pouakai

Junior Boys Cricket Tour Fundraiser
Below is a great opportunity to get behind our Junior Cricket Team as they fundraise for their tour to the Hawkes Bay this summer AND have a great afternoon on the golf course with your mates! Email walter.clarke@utilitynz.co.nz with your team entry and round up three friends!

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

Rockquest

Huge congratulations to Jack Speedy who has made it through to the next round of the national Rockquest competition. This stage recognises the top 20 bands and top 10 solo/duo acts nationally. From a starting point of over 800 acts, to make it to this next round is a significant achievement. The final stage is announced in the next couple of weeks which will consist of the top 10 acts across both the band and solo/duo sections.

Below is  a recording of one of Jack's songs "Louisville".

WHS Rocked Theatrefest 

The group had such a great weekend of theatre and what a result for our 2023 Theatrefest crew. It was fantastic to see our school so strongly represented both on and off the stage so well done to all of our Theatrefest members. To recap the awards from the weekend, the crew received:

• Participation Awards
• Excellence in Ensemble
• Excellence in Overall Design
• Excellence in Acting: Bethany Graf
• Distinction Award for Youth Production - Best Overall Youth Production
• Distinction Award for Overall Production - Best Performance at the Festival

All very well deserved. I also want to make a special mention to our non-travelling teammates, Eden and Rowan. Their contribution to our rehearsal process was a key factor in our success this weekend so thank you for all your hard work.

The group's next step is the Lower South Island Regional TheatreFest - 26/27 August.

Jake Hansen

Itinerant Music Lessons

Y9/10 students in the Semester 2 classes will start their itinerant music lessons next week. Information about these has been emailed to parents as part of the general information letter.

Music Groups

Students are encouraged to be part of the extracurricular music groups that take place at WHS.

Information about these will be updated on the Performing Arts Classroom. The Classroom Code is sijw2gw. Some groups will be dependent on student interest. Groups include:

• Digital Music making group - Tuesday at Break 2 (Mr Jefferson)
• Jazz band - after school Wednesdays (Mrs Price)
• Songwriters group - Thursday at 8am (Miss Coombe, Mrs Price)
• Chamber music - inquiries to Mrs Matla
• Singing group - restarting on Mondays at Break 2 (new tutor TBC)
• Junior jazz - Day/time TBC (Mr McMenamin) 
• Guitar group - Day/time TBC (Mr McMenamin) 

All groups take place in the Music area. Any questions to Alison Price at aprice@wakatipu.school.nz

Social Art Club

This semester we will be starting a Social Art Club in the Kawarau Visual Arts space across from Sciences. This will take place every Tuesday during Break 2. All levels of artists are welcome and invited to bring something they are working on or start a new piece to work on during club times. We may extend the days depending on interest. Join the Classroom to receive notices at 5dgmnqq. Any questions to Monica Parker at mparker@wakatipu.school.nz

Jazz Bands

The jazz bands are fine-tuning their programme for their upcoming trip to Blenheim. They will be showcasing their skills in a performance on Sunday, August 6 at 1:00 pm at WHS.

Artist of the Week - Alice McPike

Alice is a Year 12 painter who has created very interesting pieces that share colourful interpretations and abstract patterns of Australian flora and fauna. 

“My panel is inspired by the patterns and diversity in Australian Wildlife. I tried to include Aboriginal art markings in places where they were similar to native animal and wildlife patterns. This is because aboriginal paintings were the original art developed in this area, and inspired by the same things I am.” 

Great work Alice.  Keep it up. 

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.

Kate Moetaua Foundation Scholarship

Kate Moetaua was a much loved drama and arts teacher, and Dean of Mackenzie house at Wakatipu High School who sadly passed away in 2018 when she was only 45. Kate was passionate about arts, drama and sports. She directed the school musicals and set up the drama academy known as the Kate Moetaua Collective in Queenstown.

Kate inspired so many people and one of her final wishes was for a foundation that supported young talented people in the sporting, arts, cultural, and education arenas, especially where families may be experiencing financial hardship. Now in its fifth year, over 20 students have received funding from the foundation to help them pursue their dreams.

Kate's family are the trustees of the Kate Moetaua Foundation assisted by the Wakatipu Community Foundation, who work together to realise Kate's legacy. There is $3000 available, with the maximum grant of $1000 per recipient. Students need to supply two referees and be able to demonstrate success in their field.

Scholarship applications are open from August 1st for students in years 9-13 and close at 5pm, 31st August 2023.

To find out more about the Kate Moetaua Foundation, read about the past recipients or to apply for the 2023 scholarship, visit www.katemoetauafoundation.org

Careers

The WHS Careers website enables both students and parents to keep up-to-date with the latest career news and events happening in Queenstown and around New Zealand. CareerWise is a one-stop shop for sharing up-to-date information on student job vacancies, university open days, scholarships, career events and information evenings, workplace resources and more.

To access, click on the link below. 

Branches Trust AGM

WHS Foundation

Community Notices

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