WHS Foundation Quarterly Update 2023

A Message from the WHS Foundation

As we make our way through our tenth year, the Wakatipu High School Foundation continues to be humbled by the support from our sponsors, donors and the community.

We are super proud of what we have achieved so far, however we have a long way to go.  

This year the Wakatipu High School Foundation are funding eleven impactful programmes at Queenstown’s only public high school. We continue to need your help to ensure the school and our community can realise their vision for a vibrant, meaningful education for Wakatipu youth.

Together We Can Make a Difference.

Meet the Team

We have recently appointed Celeste Collie as our new Executive Officer for the WHS Foundation. Celeste comes with a background in marketing and events and a drive for Wakatipu High School to continue to be an institution that we, and our wider community, can all be proud of.

Welcome to our new Trustees Hinano Bagnis, and Sandy MacLeod that join the current team of Adrian Januszkiewicz, Karen Spires, John Wikstrom, Daniel Gibbons, Dave Bulling, Liz Walker and Chair Charlie Phillips. 

WHS Foundation Events

Our annual  Winter Feast was held at Flame Bar and Grill on 8 June. With one hundred guests on the night and over sixty sponsors, we raised an impressive $66,000. Special thanks to our event sponsor Jarden,  and Flame Bar and Grill for hosting the event.

This Sunday 13 August The Whiffenpoofs are performing a sold out event at Te Atamira with all proceeds going to the Foundation. Thanks once again to Hotel St Moritz for making this possible.

Save the Date: Annual Charity Golf Tournament - Thursday 12 October

We are delighted to announce that we will be holding our Annual Charity Golf Tournament kindly hosted by Millbrook Resort on Thursday 12 October. Gather your team and keep an eye out for registration details later this month.

Thanks to our Supporters

The Hugo Charitable Trust
We would like to extend our immense gratitude to The Hugo Charitable Trust which has donated a staggering $100,000 to lift the literacy level of the school's junior students.  This donation will fund a literacy programme which will enable the school to increase the number of literacy support classes for Year 9 students, provide professional development, and an online programme accessible to all students.

Colliers Otago
Once again, the WHS Foundation has been a recipient of the proceeds from the Colliers Otago annual fundraiser - The Latitude 45 South Charity Auction. The donated funds, which cumulatively exceed $500,000 over the years the event has been held, are gratefully received and appreciated.

Matt’s Good Walk
Thank you to Matthew Rose of Jarden whose amazing journey on foot down the length of the South Island raised over $250,000 with the WHS Foundation being one of ten receiving charities

Welcome to our new Business Partners

Silver Partners
First Mortgage Trust
Since 1996 First Mortgage Trust has been helping New Zealanders grow their wealth, taking care of & protecting investments and delivering consistent returns. For borrowers, we offer pragmatic non-bank facilities for quality first mortgage lending opportunities and have grown to become the largest first mortgage non-bank lender in NZ.

Republic Hospitality Group 
Republic Hospitality has 10 exciting and unique Queenstown bars & restaurants. From pizza parties and family dinners through to nights out and drinks with friends. Day to night, young to young at heart and every stage in between.

Associate Partner
Flame Bar and Grill
Featuring award winning Rib Eye and Fillet steaks, Flame Bar and Grill is one of the best restaurants in Queenstown to experience the perfect steak.

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.

Our Business Partners