WHS Newsletter | Issue 1.05 | 01 March | 2024

Principal's Message

Participation Day on Friday marked the end of our ‘disruption free’ start to the year, in which we endeavour to settle students into school and class time routines. With our school photos earlier this week, Geography trips in the latter half of the week and our Year 9 Greenstone Camp commencing with Duncan House tomorrow, Wakatipu High School’s great all-round education starts to move into full-swing. 

On Wednesday, we had a full-school assembly to acknowledge and celebrate Participation Day, as well as to announce Duncan as the winner on the day. Also at the assembly, our Head Students spoke to the student body about our key values of ‘Responsibility’ and ‘Resilience’ and quoted Mark Twain, encouraging students to ‘swallow the frog’. It was a timely reminder for students to stay focused, productive and to prioritise school-work as the extra and co-curricular activities start to layer on top of assessments. 

Wakatipu High School’s Strategic Plan vision is to deliver Aotearoa/New Zealand’s best all-round education and the aspirations of the community are set out in the 2025 Strategic Plan, which will see us through to the end of next year. This year we have ten Strategic Annual Priorities, which are as follows:

1. Student Achievement
2. Literacy and Numeracy
3. High Quality Teaching and Learning
4. NCEA Changes & NZ Curriculum Refresh
5. 2025 Staffing
6. Ensure a Safe and Inclusive Environment
7. School Culture
8. Biculturalism and Mātauranga Māori
9. WHS Foundation and Branches Trust Support
10. Community & Curriculum
    

You can find more detail about each of the annual priorities, including the objectives and key results, through this document or through our website.

As mentioned last week, the WHS Foundation and the Branches Trust provide great support for the school and they make a big difference in the initiatives and support we can offer students and families. This year, the Les Hutchins Community Foundation is also supporting students in the outdoors, which again, is greatly appreciated. While we are extremely grateful for the community support, we also really appreciate the support of our families who pay the subject related fees and school donation. While this donation and the subject related fees are ultimately voluntary, it does make a huge difference to the programmes and interventions we can provide, and which support student achievement, wellbeing and other aspects of the strategic plan. 

As we approach the mid-way point of the term, students should be well settled in their classes and developing good study habits and routines. Seniors will have set their goals for the year and these have been shared with parents/caregivers. With the Internal Assessment Calendars now published (see below), senior students should have created their own assessment calendar so that they can plan the term and year ahead. Both the goals and the assessment calendars provide parents and caregivers the opportunity to support their children to ‘reach for their heights’. 

Be sure to check out the videos and photos from Participation Day below and to have a read of another fantastic newsletter. 

Hope everyone has a great weekend and I look forward to seeing our Year 9’s out at the Greenstone Camp from tomorrow.

Ngā mihi nui,

Oded Nathan
Principal/Tumuaki

Year 9 Greenstone Camp

Dates for each House are as follows:

• Camp 1: 2 to 4 March -  Duncan students                    
• Camp 2: 4 to 6 March -  Fox students              
• Camp 3: 6 to 8 March -  Hay students                                                   
• Camp 4: 8 to 10 March - MacKenzie students
• Camp 5: 10 to 12 March - Arthur students  

The gear list can be found here.

NCEA Level 1,2, and 3 Internal Assessment Calendars

The assessment calendars for the year have been set and can be found below.

Level 3 NCEA Assessment Calendar
Level 2 NCEA Assessment Calendar
Level 1 NCEA Assessment Calendar

These are updated frequently and you should check back on a regular basis.  

Participation Day

On Wednesday morning, the entire school gathered at Te Kirikiri to hear the results of Participation Day. Duncan was the clear winner of the day, winning the March and scoring 13.5 out of a possible 15 points. Congratulations to Duncan and all the students for their enthusiastic participation on the day, which wasn't just about points and fancy dress. More importantly, it was about kotahitanga - inclusion, and participation - taking part, and encouraging as well as supporting one another. The House leaderboard now shows Duncan in first place, followed by Fox, with Hay and Mackenzie tied for fourth. House leaders and Deans should be extremely proud of the day and their efforts. Well done!

Autumn Uniform Requirements from Monday 4th March

It has been pleasing to see so many of our students wearing their uniform with pride and making an effort to follow the uniform requirements.  This sets a positive tone around our environment and creates positive interactions with staff who are complimenting rather than sanctioning their uniform choices.  Unfortunately, there are still a few students who are not wearing their uniform correctly and now is a timely point in the year for them to reset and get organised for the cooler months ahead.

Monday, March 4th is when our school uniform requirements are standardised for all students at all levels.  Click here to see the requirements and here for the visuals of the correct uniform.

Girls uniform
It is important to note that the girls’ winter uniform, which is the kilt and tights, must be worn as shown in the picture.  If the blue skirt is being worn, this is with blue ankle socks only.  No tights can be worn with the skirt please.

The Blazer is compulsory
This is the compulsory ‘primary’ garment. It must be worn to and from school and during the school day. Students may remove the blazer whilst in class or when active during break times. The blazer must also be worn to all formal school events, such as assemblies.  If you are wearing the school jersey, this must be worn underneath the blazer.

Non-uniform items
Hoodies, even school insignia hoodies, are not to be worn at school during the day.  They will be confiscated and can be collected by the student at student services at the end of the school week in the first instance but will escalate if these items are continually worn.

Socks
White socks are never OK to be worn with the uniform and should not be worn, even under trousers.  The blue school socks can be purchased at the school uniform shop.

Shoes
Must be: plain; all black (with no coloured logos); be made of polishable material (i.e. not canvas, but may have a rubber toe-cap); have a low or no heel; be shoes, not boots or ‘high tops’ or sandals. They may be lace-up or slip-on, with no buckles.

Boys with shirts untucked
We ask our boys to wear their shirt tucked into their trousers and shorts where practicable.  Being active at break time is of course one place where this would not be enforced.  Consistently ignoring requests to do so may result in them receiving a detention for consistently ignoring instructions.

Āwhina support for uniform needs
There is support available for students and families for whom accessing uniform is a financial barrier.  We encourage you to seek support through our Āwhina Support Fund which can be found here.  The in-school WHS Uniform Shop is open weekdays  8:30am- 3.00pm (term time) for our students for most needs.

Our system for addressing uniform issues has  been clearly and consistently communicated and we really appreciate parents/caregiver support with ensuring students are wearing their uniform consistently well to school. 

We are hoping that students are able to get themselves well organised in the next week and look forward to your support in ensuring your child is clear on the need for wearing their uniform correctly and with pride.

Ngā mihi

Craig Morrison
Deputy Principal

Year 13 Outdoor Education Kayak Class

Year 13 Outdoor Ed students "crushing" it as they run down the Kawarau Falls "O te Rotu" during a practical kayaking class. The students use these great white water rapids to build their skills in preparation for the end of Term Clutha River "Mata-Au" overnight camps at Beaumont in South Otago.

Duke of Edinburgh

Now is the time for students to sign up for the Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award!
Students can start after they turn 14 year of age. Students can register here: https://dofehillary.org.nz/

This recognises involvement in extracurricular activities.  It requires students to commit an hour a week to:

• Physical activity (makes you sweat)
• Skill (makes you think)
• Voluntary service (includes school councils!!)
• Plus two tramps (can be ones organised by the school or themselves)

Have a look on the school information site: https://sites.google.com/wakatipu.school.nz/duke-of-ed-whs/home 

Moke Lake Hike

6-7 April Practice Adventurous Journey Hike from Arthurs Point to Mount Crichton Car Park staying at Moke Lake. If you are completing Bronze this can also be your qualifying Adventurous Journey provided you have completed your practice journey. Students can sign up using the form below by the end of Monday. 

I also hold drop-in sessions every Monday Break 2 in Puahuru, so students can come and ask me questions or email me at hhone@wakatipu.school.nz

Harriet Hone
TIC Duke of Edinburgh Award

Mullets Unite!

The Wellbeing Council's Mullet March is upon us! The mullet is an iconic hairstyle with the power to connect and start conversations, and we all know that through kōrero, we can break down barriers around mental health.

The challenge: Create a mass of mullets across Aotearoa in March. (The March of the Mullets, if you will.)

How to get involved:

• Grow a majestic mullet and sign up here to get a free trim on Thursday 14th March at Break 2. Permission slips will need to be signed and returned before the event.
• Follow the Instagram page - Wakatipu Wellbeing to get updated about all things Mullet March and to be in to win awesome prizes such as JBL speakers and Airpods.
• Set up a profile on The Mullet Matters website and join our WHS team by clicking here.
• Fundraise. The Mental Health Foundation continues to support the mental health and wellbeing of all New Zealanders, by ensuring vital mental health resources are available for free to everyone who needs them.

This is optional of course, but highly encouraged! A huge thank you to support from Te Hau Toka who have provided awesome prizes to get students connecting and talking about mental Health in March. Thank you to Cutting Edge for providing us with the stylists to make students' wildest mullet dreams come true!

Sorcha Wilkinson
Wellbeing Council Lead Prefect

A Special Thanks From the Food Technology Department

A special thank you to Webb's Fruits and Freeway Orchards, who have donated fruit seconds. This fruit will be used by year 11 Food Technology students to develop preserved products, which will be donated to the charity Baskets of Blessing. The Food Technology students will create preserved products in a sustainable way to be packed into baskets, which will be given to someone in the Wakatipu area in need of a 'gift of love when words aren’t enough'. The purpose and ethos of Baskets of Blessing are to uplift and support recipients experiencing life circumstantial crises. By working with Baskets of Blessing and our local fruit growers, the Year 11 Food Technology students will be demonstrating manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga in their projects.

World Challenge Nepal Trip

Year 11-13 Students come and embark on an Adventure: Join the World Challenge Trip to Nepal in December!

Experience the breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture of Nepal on a 20-day trip with World Challenge this December. Trek through the Annapurna region, immerse yourself in Nepali culture, engage in community projects, and develop valuable life skills. December offers ideal weather and a festive atmosphere. Don't miss this opportunity to make a difference and create lifelong memories. We suddenly have a few extra spaces available on this once in a lifetime trip. Please watch the  link to the parent information video for more information. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEiCAJon1yE

If you have any other questions or to sign up please contact Miss Noni Gabb via email: ngabb@wakatipu.school.nz. Deadline for signing up is Monday 4th March. 

Careers

We have some exciting events lined up next week to help our students make an informed decision about their future.

First up, on Monday 4th March, we'll be welcoming Rachel Kershaw, the University Liaison Officer from Massey University in HPE at 9:00 am. 

On Thursday 7th March, Maddie Emery the University Liaison Officer from Lincoln University, will be in the Library at 11:45 am.

Lastly, on Friday 8th March, Sophie Scott-Elvidge, the University Liaison Officer from the University of Auckland, will be in the Theatre at 9:00 am.

If you are thinking about study options after high school, we highly recommend coming along to these events. Make sure to mark these dates in your calendar and we look forward to seeing you there!

Upcoming Term 1 Tertiary Liaison Visits:

Monday 4 March - Massey University Liaison Visit https://wakatipu.careerwise.school/post/110
Thursday 7 March - Lincoln University Liaison Visit https://wakatipu.careerwise.school/post/49
Friday 8 March - University of Auckland Liaison Visit https://wakatipu.careerwise.school/post/392
Monday 11 March  -  Victoria University of Wellington Liaison Visit https://wakatipu.careerwise.school/post/20
Friday 15 March - University of Canterbury Liaison Visit https://wakatipu.careerwise.school/post/19
Monday 8 April - University of Waikato Liaison Visit https://wakatipu.careerwise.school/post/438

Sport and Active Recreation News

Sporting Results and Achievements

Mountain Biking - National Downhill Champs

WHS riders achieved some awesome results at the National Downhill Mountain Biking Champs at Coronet Peak last weekend. Top 12 placings are listed below.

• Lewis Laird 1st U15 boys
• Angelo Decadi 3rd U15 Male
• Indy Deavoll 2nd U17 girls 
• Rory Meek 4th U19 Male
• Finn Almog 4th U17 Male
• Brooklyn Collins 5th U15 Male
• Dylan Collins 11th U17 Male
  

A shout out to Lewis Laird who won the event for the second year in a row, and also put in the second fastest time across the U17 and U15 categories as a 13-year old. It is awesome seeing both past and present students achieving highly on the tracks, with former students Jess Blewitt and Toby Meek also putting in top performances.

Softball

It was amazing to have two WHS Softball Teams playing in the B grade in Alexandra this week! Thanks so much to the students who answered the call and are taking on a new sport for them to create the WHS Junior Softball Team. They played their first game after only two trainings against the U13 Rep Team from Central Otago. The score was a respectable loss of 15-5.  Max Johnstone pitched well to Kaiden Spence who was the catcher. Kora Frisby had a great catch at shortstop. Most batters got on base too.  It was awesome to watch great teamwork happening. 

Our junior team watched the WHS Senior Team play a tight game against Dunstan. They faced a fast pitcher but still batted in 7 runs going down to Dunstan who got 14 runs. Ty Walker and Tyler Smith pitched during the game with Tyler getting a strike out!  All of the 3 new players on the senior team made it on base. 

Keep up the great work team! We will have a home game on Thursday, March 7th at 3.30pm, when the two teams play each other! Thank you to De Rangi for stepping up to help support the junior team. 

Mrs Hollyer, TIC Softball 

Volleyball - Mainland Champs

Our Senior A Girls, Senior B Girls and Senior A Boys recently competed at the Mainland Volleyball Champs in Christchurch. It was a busy 3 days of volleyball filled with some intense matches - with our Senior A Girls going down by 2 points in the 5th set, twice! It was an awesome opportunity for our teams to play high level competition against other schools, and there were great learnings and development for all.

• Senior A Girls - 7th Division 2
• Senior A Boys - 9th Division 2
• Senior B Girls - 10th Division 3

A huge thank you to Steve Henderson, Ksena Proskur, Jeremias Romero, Sasha McLeod, Tammy Beale and Denise Greer for supporting our teams!

Waterskiing - Otago Southland Champs

Five WHS students competed at the Otago Southland Secondary Schools Water Ski Champs at Perkins Pond on Sunday. A huge congratulations to Poppy Wearing who won the U16 Novice Girls Category, and Quinn O'Donnell and Eddie Doyle-Stewart who placed 1st and 2nd respectively in the U13 Boys Category. Poppy, Quinn, and Eddie, along with Flynn Cutler and Harry Pilkington also placed second in the overall Schools Event. Well done all!

Sports Action This Week

Best of luck to the following WHS teams for their upcoming events/games over the weekend!

• Rowing - A crew of 47 are at Lake Ruataniwha for the South Island Secondary School Champs from Friday - Sunday.
• Touch - The Mixed A Touch team are competing at the Otago Champs in Mosgiel on Saturday 2nd March. This follows their second place at the Central Otago Champs a couple of weeks ago.
• Cricket - The 1st XI Girls are in Gore on Sunday for a match against Blue Mountain College.
• Golf - 9 golfers will be teeing off at the Otago Intercollegiate Champs in Taieri on Monday.
• Softball - Our two softball teams have a home game on the WHS fields on Thursday at 3.30 pm. Come along to support the teams!

Opportunities to Get Involved

WHS Term 1 Social Sport

• Climbing: Mondays break 2 on the bouldering wall in Gym 1. There is a $15 charge for equipment. Please contact Mr Charton for more details (gcharton@wakatipu.school.nz).
• Table Tennis: Wednesdays at break 2 in the gyms. 
• Volleyball: Social games after school on Wednesdays (3.30-4.15pm for year 9s, 4.15-5pm for year 10 + above).
• Pickleball: The Queenstown Pickleball Club are running sessions for students on Thursdays at 3.30pm in Gym 1. Students of all year levels and abilities are welcome to attend. Grab your mates and come along for a fun hit around and to learn a new sport.
  

Southland Athletics Champs

The Southland Secondary School Athletics Champs are coming up on Saturday 9th March in Invercargill. This is open to all students and there are no qualifying requirements! Any students wanting to compete at South Islands in early April must compete at this event. Please contact Bel at sportscoordinator@wakatipu.school.nz if you are interested—entries close Tuesday 5th March.

Southland Surfing Champs

The Southland Surfing Champs are on Saturday 23rd March at Colac Bay. This is a fun event for any keen surfers! For more information please contact Bel at sportscoordinator@wakatipu.school.nz.

WHS Sports Hoody

The first 2024 order for the Wakatipu High School Sports Hoody is now open. The hoody is a generic design that runs across all sports. Students can wear these to weekly competitions, tournaments and trips away. The hoodies are good quality and last for 2-3 seasons. 

The cost of a hoody this year is $90.00. Please complete the order and payment form here by 9am Friday 15th March. Students will be communicated with once hoodies are available for collection. Please note this can take over 4 weeks.

Keep Us Informed

The Sports Department would love to hear from you if you know of any awesome sporting achievements from our students! Please send through details/results and photos to Sian at shorn@wakatipu.school.nz so we can share and celebrate these as a school.

Support Sport at WHS
Support the team by liking the Wakatipu High School Sports Facebook page. This is the best way to stay up to date with the successes of our athletes and teams and celebrate their great achievements!

https://www.facebook.com/WakatipuHighSchoolSports/ 

Sian Horn
Director of Sport

Arts Department News

Play It Strange

Last week the Play It Strange Facebook page featured an excerpt of lyrics from Mala Januszkiewicz’s “Crossroads”

Keep up to date with what is happening on the Play It Strange page here:  https://www.facebook.com/playitstrange

The WHS Musical needs sponsors!
WHS is excited to announce that this year’s Musical is Hairspray! The Musical will run from Wednesday, 3 April - Saturday, 6 April in the Wakatipu High School Theatre.

Our musicals are fantastic shows with wonderful opportunities for many of our students, and because of their popularity they provide a great opportunity for the community to support our students.

Musicals are, however, a significant undertaking and we appreciate support from the wider community to ensure they happen at the level we aspire to. One way for this to occur is through sponsorship from businesses and/or families. There are various tiers of sponsorships and advertising opportunities detailed in this document.

Please contact me if you wish to be a sponsor or advertiser or have any queries at scooper@wakatipu.school.nz  many thanks in anticipation!
Stine Cooper 
Arts Coordinator

WHS Musical 2024

The WHS musical is in full swing with the cast starting after-school rehearsals next week. With the musical coming up just a month away we are excited to see you all there!

Please support our talented students as they showcase their skills. The musical production involves a wide range of areas, including the cast, band, set design, and costume crew, with everyone working together to bring this production to life.

So don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to experience the magic of Hairspray. Come and see the WHS musical and be a part of an event that celebrates the creativity and hard work of our students.

TICKETS AVAILABLE SOON!!!!

Extra/Co Curricular groups
Most of the Arts Extra Curricular groups are now underway and students who signed up for these will be sent details of where and when to meet via the Classroom Groups.  There will also be a hard copy in the Music/Drama area for students to check. 

Any questions, please contact Alison Price aprice@wakatipu.school.nz

Welcome to Chris Mason-Battley

We would like to welcome Chris Mason-Battley to the Music Department as the Itinerant Music Saxophone Teacher for this year.  Chris will also be assisting with the Jazz Combo group and the Jazz Band and is also very experienced with Music Technology,so he will be a great addition to Wakatipu High School in 2024

Music Groups.
Groups are now underway with information posted on the Performing Arts Classroom

If you are interesting in joining Jazz Band, Singing Groups, Guitar Groups, Saxophone Groups or any other Musical group make sure you sign up.  These Classroom Groups  will be up and running over the next week.

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 details and photos to artscoordinator@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 the Arts Coordinator at artscoordinator@wakatipu.school.nz

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

WHS Foundation

Community Notices

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