WHS Newsletter | Issue 3.07 | 01 September | 2023

Principal's Message

Kia ora and welcome to the end of Week 7.

On Monday, we had a Drug Detection Dog come through the school to ensure we are doing what we can to keep the school facilities free from drugs. If during the course of the dog sweeping the building they indicate that there may be drugs held by students, we follow this up with the individual student separate to the dog search. While every situation is dealt with on a case-by-case basis, any students who are under the influence of drugs (or alcohol) and/or bring drugs or drug paraphernalia to school at any time put themselves (and possibly others) at risk of not being able to attend Wakatipu High School. Please make sure that you have a conversation with your student to ensure they understand the potential implications of this.

 A short piece from me today, as I continue to be away for Winter Tournament Week. 

• Year 10 parents - we look forward to seeing you all at the Branches Parent Information evening being held at 7 pm on Thursday 7 September in the school theatre.
• Senior Exam reports are published today. Be sure to check the portal for this important feedback.
• Senior Next Steps (Parent/Student/Teacher) are being held on Tuesday 12 September. See below for more details including how to make an appointment for this important evening. 
• Uniform - as we move into spring, a reminder that puffer jackets are no longer allowed at school. All students should be in their blazer and tie every day.
• A reminder that the 2024 Student Leader Applications must be submitted by Monday 4 September (see below for more details).
• Our Year 9 students and their Peer Mentors were out today planting trees at Lake Hayes as part of their Community Service Day. Photos and a wrap-up on this event will be in next week’s newsletter. A huge thanks to Mana Tahuna Charitable Trust for their support.
• Congratulations to our Drama students who participated in the regional Theatre Fest last weekend and who qualified for Nationals later this term.
• A massive congratulations to all of our student-athletes who have been away on tournament this week. You’ve made WHS proud. A huge thanks to the coaches, managers, teachers and parents that make this event so successful. Be sure to see more below for more details, including photos and results. 

The term is flying by, and with only 3 weeks left in the term, it is important that students work hard to finish the term strong.

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend.

Ngā mihi nui,

Oded Nathan
Principal

Senior School Exam Reports

The recent senior school examinations have now been marked and grades entered on the Portal for students and parents to access. To make it as straightforward as possible for parents to review their student's performance in these exams we will be sending out a summary PDF this evening via email.

For clarity, the recent exams do not count for credits, rather they are an indication of how much a student knows and understands on a topic by topic basis. We strongly encourage students to review their exam results and then make a plan moving forward for how best to address any gaps in their understanding so that they can achieve their best possible results in the NCEA External Examinations in November. In the unlikely event that a student is unable to sit these exams, then their school exam result will be sent to NZQA for a derived grade.

Senior Next Steps

Senior Next Steps will take place on Tuesday 12th September, 2.30 - 7pm. With school exams behind us and the academic year fast coming to a close, Senior Next Steps are an important opportunity for parents and students to connect with individual subject teachers to discuss student progress to date, and next learning steps. In some cases the conversations may relate to current projects / internal assessments. In other cases, the conversations may be more targeted to preparation for external examinations. In either case, Next Steps provide a final chance to clarify what a student needs to do in each subject to ensure they achieve their full potential.

For some students who are struggling or underperforming in one or multiple subjects, we have already notified parents and invited them to book appointments to see the relevant subject teacher(s).

Bookings are now live for everyone to access, via the link below:

MCAT Tutorials

The NCEA Level One MCAT (Maths Common Assessment Task) for Algebra will be held on  Tuesday 12th September. 

To support students taking this assessment the Mathematics Department will be running special tutorials straight after school every Tuesday & Wednesday in the Maths Learning Area up until the assessment date.

There is also a Maths Study Hub after school for an hour every Thursday.  All students, from any mathematics class, are welcome to attend and study mathematics with like-minded students.

5 Ways in 5 Weeks - Give

In the lead up to Mental Health Awareness Week (Week 10), the Wellbeing Council is running 5 Ways in 5 Weeks to increase awareness about how we can use The Five Ways to Wellbeing to help us feel good and function well. Each week, there will be a challenge or activity aimed at improving wellbeing, so keep an eye out on the Insta page - @wakatipuwellbeing - and get involved to win prizes and feel good!

This week's theme for our 5 Ways in 5 Weeks initiative was 'Give'.  Volunteering and being involved with your community is strongly linked with feeling good and functioning well. Carrying out acts of kindness, whether small or large, can increase happiness, life satisfaction and general sense of wellbeing. By helping others, sharing our skills and resources, we’re doing things that give us purpose and a sense that we’re a part of a team. 

So if you haven't already, do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone, smile, or volunteer your time by joining a community group. It feels good to give! Everybody has something to offer. How will you play your part? 

Here are some ideas to get those warm fuzzies that come from giving to those around us...

- Thank a teacher.
- Take opportunities to support and advocate for groups, friends, family or neighbours in need.
- Give a smile away!
- Organise or promote random acts of kindness days at school, work or when you're out with a group.
- While driving, stop to let a car into the traffic.
- Offer to mow the grass verge of your neighbour's property.
- Join a community clean up day - could be a local stream, river, beach or park - or a tree planting project with friends or family.
- If you have fruit trees pop your excess fruit out on the street with a "help yourself" sign. 
- Donate old toys, books, sports equipment, clothes etc to a local charity.
- Help with school working bees and fundraisers.
- Offer to help an older neighbour with their wheelie bins on rubbish/recycling days.
- Give a compliment – acknowledge what someone in your life has done well.

On Friday, we will celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day.  Started in New Zealand in 2005, we are the only country in the world with a national Random Acts of Kindness Day.  Outside the Library there will be a Wellbeing stand set up - come and grab a lollipop and a lucky dip on how you can Give to those around you. Check out our Instagram @wakatipuwellbeing for the weekly challenge. 

Student Leadership Applications

Applications for all Student Leadership positions close at 4:00 pm, Monday, 4 Sept.

All information for applications and appointments for the roles below will be posted in the Google classroom. 
POSITIONS AVAILABLE:
Head Students x 4 (Yr 13 only, Head x 2, Deputy x 2)
Lead Prefects ( Yr 13 only)

• Sports Prefect 
• Arts and Cultural Prefect 
• Community and Service Prefect 
• Support (Whanaungatanga) Prefect 
• Academic Prefect
• Environmental Prefect
• Māori and Pasifika Student Prefect
• Multicultural Student Prefect
• Junior School Prefect
• Wellbeing Prefect

Head of House (Yr 13 only, 2 positions per house)
Deputy Head of House (Yr 12 or Yr 13, 2 positions per house)
Prefects and Student Council positions will be made available later in the year. STARS Peer Mentoring applications will also be available later this term. 

TIMELINE - Note some of the interview dates may shift due to availability of staff

Shortlisting Head Students - Tuesday 5th / Thursday 8th Sept 

Head Student speeches 2x Assemblies - Monday 11th September - Ako Time

Head Student Interviews   - 12 - 15 September (approximately)

Lead Prefect Interviews  - 12 - 15 September  (approximately)

House Leader Process - 18 - 29 Sept and into Term 4

Junior School Reading Plus Acknowledgements

New Student Cafe

Our new Ōrau Cafe is opening on Tuesday next week. 
The full range of food and drinks will be available at Ōrau Cafe. Come join us in Ōrau where we will have music and games. Whilst everyone is welcome at the Ōrau Cafe, it is particularly for Year 9 and 10 students as their dedicated cafe.  This includes picking up all lunch orders (for Years 9 & 10) at Ōrau Cafe.  

From next week the Foyer cafe will be for Years 11 - 13 and staff only. 

This change will help ensure that you get your lunch from the cafe more quickly and have more time to get fresh air and socialise with your friends before the next period begins. 

See you at the Ōrau Cafe from Tuesday 5 September. Open Break 2 and Break 3.

2024 Japan Trip

We had our first information evening on Tuesday to garner interest. 

Eligible students are those who will be studying Japanese in year 11 or 12 in 2024 and aiming for Merit/Excellence.

A non-refundable deposit of $800 is required to secure a space. The deadline has been extended to the 8th of October so best to get a holiday job to cover those costs! 

If students are unsure they will reach the criteria, they need to speak to Miss Cooke ASAP. 

Sport and Active Recreation News

Winter Tournament Week Results
This week has been a massive week for secondary school sport in New Zealand. WHS has had 13 teams off around the South Island competing in a range of tournaments. 180 students have been involved in this opportunity to grow and develop holistically as both an athlete and as a person. Our teams have had some great games and been challenged throughout the week and they have also had plenty of fun and made great memories. There are photos on the WHS Sports Facebook page, so you can catch all of the action there. Below are the results for each team up to midday Friday. We are super proud of our students, their performances and the way they have conducted themselves across this week. Great stuff Waka!

Golf A Team National Finals:
Results Day 1;
Noah Novacek: 74 (+3), Nico Cheifetz (+3), Yoonae Jeong (+5), one shot off 3rd place
Results Day 2:
Noah Novacek 72, Yoonae Jeong 72, Nico Cheifetz 78
Finished 5th overall

Junior Girls Basketball:
Beat Malborough Girls 72-38
Lost to Hillmorton High School 41-62
Beat Rangi Ruru Girls School 57-38
Lost to Columba College 49-65
Lost to Kaiapoi High School 67-81
Lost to Rangiora High School 73-74
Finished 8th

Junior Boys Basketball:
Lost to Cashmere High School 54-84
Lost to Kaiapoi High School 53-58
Lost to Waimea College 54-69
Lost to Rangiora High School 59-80
Finished 15th

1st XI Boys Football:
Beat Garin College 2-1
Beat Rolleston College 5-0
Lost to John McGlashan College 0-3
Lost to Christchurch Boys High School 1-2
Beat Hornby High School 6-2
Lost to Nelson Boys College 2nd XI 2-5
Lost to Waimea College 7-8 on penalties (2-2 at full time)
Finished 12th

1st XI Girls Football:
Lost to Queens High School 0-5
Beat South Otago High School 6-0
Draw with Timaru Girls High School 0-0
Beat Fiordland College 7-0
Beat Craighead 5-1
Beat Roncalli College 13-1
Finished 9th

U15 Rugby:
Lost to Cashmere High School 0-35
Beat St Andrews College 54-17
Lost to Rangiora High School 19-28
Lost to Darfield High School 19-21
Beat Mt Aspiring College 35-0
Beat Taieri College 33-0

Senior A Netball:
Beat Burnside High School 36-17
Lost to James Hargest 31-42
Lost to St Andrews College 18-58
Beat Dunstan High School 30-26
Beat Nayland College 32-29
Lost to Rangi Ruru Girls School 23-28
Lost to Taieri College 18-50
Beat Ashburton College 33-30
Finished 23rd in A grade

1st XI Mixed Hockey:
Beat Northern Southland College 15-1
Beat Menzies College 18-0
Beat Gore High School 6-0
Lost to Mt Aspiring College 5-2 (semi-final)

Ice Hockey Gold:
Beat John McGlashan 6-4
Beat Wakatipu High School Blue 3-0
Lost to Mackenzie College 2-3
Beat Mackenzie College 4-2 (semi-final)
Lost to John McGlashan College 2-7 (final)
Finished 2nd

Ice Hockey Blue:
Beat Mackenzie College 5-3
Lost to Wakatipu High School Gold 0-3
Lost to John McGlashan College 4-10
Lost to John McGlashan College 6-2 (semi-final)
Beat Mackenzie College 5-4 (3rd/4th playoff)
Finished 3rd

Equestrian:
Results Day 1: Competitive Trail Riding 
Abigail White - 8th
Kendra van Leewan - 16th
Jess Buchanan - 24th
Sophie Eade - 37th 
Finished 4th
Day 2: Arena Eventing
Abi - 4th 
Kendra - 3rd 
Sophie - 22nd
Dressage (2 rounds)
Sophie - 18th and then 8th 
Jess - 20th and then 14th
Abi - 17th and then 17th 
Kendra - 16th and 12th
Finished 10th

Senior Boys Rugby:

Beat Kings High School 66-0
Lost to Otago Boys High School 14-45
Beat Taieri College 19-12
Lost to Otago Boys High School 42-5 (final)
Finished 2nd

Senior Boys Basketball:
Beat Richmond View 81-36
Lost to Riccarton High School 56-67
Beat Geraldine High School B 118-40
Beat St Bedes 62-56

Final Reminder to Order your Sports Photos - these close today (Friday at 5pm)
Sports team photos are ready to be ordered. The link for this and instructions are below. These details have also been sent directly to students and parents/caregivers.

• Photos are $20.00 each, you can pay by credit card at the end of the order form
• Orders close 5pm on 1st of September
• Use Student Name to order (not parent name) on billing form
• Use student AKO group instead of Zip/postal code
• Photos will be delivered to students at school mid September through AKO groups

Photo Order: https://photosbyleigh.pixieset.com/whsteamphotos/

Opportunities to Get Involved

Treadmark School Holiday MTB Programmes
There are a number of options available these coming school holidays for mountain bikers of all abilities. If you are keen to get involved in some structured coaching for the start of the season, check out the various links below. 
https://www.treadmark.co.nz/mtbjuniors
https://www.treadmark.co.nz/shop/p/gravityfocusedspring

Touch Southland Age Group Rep Teams Registration
Touch Southland are asking for expression of interest for Under 15 boys and girls that are interested in playing in Southland development and rep teams for more information and to register please click on this link https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/253213 Also asking for expressions of interest in playing in Touch Southland Under 16/18 rep teams for the 2023/24 season for information and to register please click on this link https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/253167

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

Cultural Blues Nominations

Cultural Blues nominations are now open until 5pm Friday, 8th September. The purpose of the Cultural Blues is to celebrate the Arts and recognise Contribution, Leadership and Achievement Awards in Visual Arts (Painting, Design and Photography), Performing Arts (Drama, Speech, Dance and Kapa Haka) and Music. These awards recognise the time of involvement from Term 4 2022 to the end of Term 3 holidays 2023. 

Below is a link to the nomination form and the criteria for 2023. We collate many results ourselves as an Arts department but you are welcome to complete a form to ensure we have all of your details correct. Students, parents and mentors are welcome to complete nomination forms. 

Please read the criteria before filling out the attached form below. Note that students must supply proof of achievement by submitting copies of certificates or written letters from coaches, teachers, event coordinators, judges, etc. Nominees will be notified if their application has been successful. 

If you are unsure and have questions regarding this process, please see me in the Visual Arts office or email me at mparker@wakatipu.school.nz

WHS Theatrefest Group Wins Again

The WHS TheatreFest group has made it through to Nationals which are at Christchurch Girls High School on the 9th and 10th of September. The group is 1 out of 9 competing at a national level which is amazing. 

This is a quick turnaround time after the group was successful in winning several awards at the Regionals in Dunedin last weekend. 

The Awards won include: 

• Distinction Award for Best Youth Production
• Excellence in Ensemble Playing 
• Excellence in Acting for Bethany Graf

A special acknowledgment goes to Rochelle Tickle who is up for the Drama Development Trust Award: New Director.

Extracurricular Arts, Culture and Performing Arts Classrooms

This is a  reminder that all activities and groups are posted in the various classrooms. These provide great opportunities for students to develop their skills outside the normal classroom learning. They are dependent on student interest and a level of commitment so if people are keen, they need to be there or let the teacher in charge know if they can't make it. 

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.

Careers

If you're interested in checking out our latest Careers newsletter (in particular scholarships), click on the link  below.  

Local Scholarships

WHS Foundation

Community Notices

GirlGuiding NZ Wakatipu Pippins, Brownies, and Ranger units currently need Volunteers;

Do you have a desire to give back to the community and help build happy, confident, and resilient young women? Then becoming a leader in GirlGuiding could be for you. Our Leaders come from various places, ages, and backgrounds. No previous Guiding experience is needed; many of our leaders have never been involved before.

Our units (girls aged 5-6, 7-9½ & 12-17 years) need volunteer adult leaders to join them today!

If you are passionate about positive outcomes and experiences for Girls and Young Women, apply now on our website: https://girlguidingnz.org.nz/volunteers/

What is an economy for public good? New Zealanders’ perspectives….

• Catalyst Kōrero with Gareth Hughes, Thursday, September 21
  
  Could the global economic system be transformed to one that puts people and planet first? And if so, how would it work?
  
  These are among the questions Gareth Hughes asked community representatives from around New Zealand, including Queenstown, in a series of workshops over recent months. He will report back his findings in our Catalyst Kōrero in Queenstown on September 21. As country lead of the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa (WEAII), his focus was what people want the economy to be and how we can build an economy that, in turn, builds the public good.
  Thursday, September 21, 6 to 7.30 pm, The Rees Hotel Queenstown. Registration on this link is required to secure your seat. Please bring cash for your koha, which will be given to KiwiHarvest Queenstown.

Perceptions of Asia: What do New Zealanders know about the region considered most consequential to our future?

• Catalyst Kōrero, Sunday, September 24
  
  What do New Zealanders know about Asia, and what worries them? How are young New Zealanders seeing and connecting with the region? These are among the questions the Asia New Zealand Foundation is researching in New Zealand’s longest-running longitudinal study of NZ – Asia relations.
  
  Sunday, September 24, 6 to 7.30 pm at The Rees Hotel Queenstown’s conference room. Registration is required on this Eventbrite link to secure your seat. Please bring cash for your koha, which will be given to KiwiHarvest.
  

The ‘why’ of The New Zealand Wars and the significance of the first Taranaki War and Waikato War

• Catalyst Kōrero with Emeritus Professor Lachy Paterson, Thursday October 5
  

  
  After a series of small wars in the 1840s, Māori and Pākehā appeared to be on the road to peace and prosperity. Why did this fall apart in 1860?

  The British Army attacked Te Āti Awa’s Te Kohia Pā near Waitara on 15 March 1860, starting the First Taranaki War (1860-61). Then a wider circle of conflicts spread across the centre of the North Island, culminating in Te Kooti’s escape into the King Country in 1872.

  Arguably, this first Taranaki campaign and the Waikato War (1863-64) are the most significant. The first as the spark igniting the twelve-year ‘fire in the fern’, and the latter an invasion that the government mistakenly believed would break the back of Māori resistance.

  Prof Paterson’s Catalyst Kōrero focuses on the causes of these two conflicts; whether it was the insatiable Pākehā desire for land, the Crown’s quest to establish a more substantive sovereignty, or something in between?

  Thursday, October 5, 6 to 7.30 pm, The Rees Hotel Queenstown’s conference room, with all koha going to KiwiHarvest. Registration is required on this link in the month prior.

Are you caring, positive and enjoy being with children? Then this opportunity may be for you! Our southern region is looking for special people to donate their time and become a companion at our summer camp in January 2024 at Queenstown.
Become a one - on - one companion to one of our amazing campers and spend the week
with us. Our fun filled week is spent enjoying lots of amazing activities in the Central Otago
region including playing games, water slides, lake swimming, craft and much more. If you are 18 years old (at time of camp) or older, available to attend our training weekend in October and available for an entire week in January then we would love to hear from you. We need a good cross section of people to matchup with our campers and there is no cost for you to attend training or camp
Visit campquality.org.nz or email our companion registrar for more information.

Support our fundraising and enjoy 100s of everyday savings!
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!

https://subscribe.entertainmentnz.com/fundraiser/260506v

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