WHS Newsletter | Issue 3.10 | 25 September 2020

Principal's Message

Kia ora and welcome to the final newsletter for Term 3. A short and sharp piece from me today.

I do want to open with massive congratulations to Haven - Ryan Connaghan and Harrison Maguire who we have just found out have got second in Rockquest National Finals!! Given that they are now a two-piece band this is an even more remarkable achievement for these amazing musicians. Please see below for more.

New WHS App - another reminder to download the new ‘SZapp’. This afternoon I will send the very last alert from our old App and SZapp will become our communications channel for everything from reminders about events to snow days and everything in between. It has lots of other features as well. See below for more on how to download it and set it up.

Excellence, Ad Alta and Ākonga Passport Assemblies - are being held in Houses in Week 2. The assemblies will be in the mornings, with Arthur and Duncan on Monday 19th, Fox on Wednesday 21st, and Hay and Mackenzie on Friday 23rd. More info next term but please pencil these into your calendar if you are keen to attend.

Branches Camp - it was great to see a good turnout at the Branches Camp Parent evening on Tuesday. Please see below for more, and for a piece from the very important Branches Trust.

Perform Under Pressure - another reminder that we have arranged an outstanding speaker for 7pm on Tuesday 20th October (ie Week 2). Dr Ceri Evans is an amazing man who has worked with Richie McCaw and the All Blacks as well as other top international sports teams and organisations and has developed a model to help people perform under pressure. We know that learning to deal with pressure is a key skill for young people so this will be an important evening - put it on your calendar.

One of the highpoints of the week has been being part of the selection process for next year’s head students and prefects. It really is amazing just how much some of our students are involved in and contribute, as well as how well they achieve and what great young people they are. The process is long and rigorous, and positions will be announced next term.

Those of you who have passed thorough school this week will have seen that the site works and setup for Phase 2 are really progressing now - it is great to have this important project underway.

It certainly feels good to get to the end of the term. I spoke to the school this morning and noted that it was our first complete term of the year, and one that has been impacted by Covid in a number of ways. I said that Term 3 is always a busy term and that this one has certainly had its other challenges, but that we need to see it as a ‘glass half full’ term. Our all-round education has continued, with great teaching and learning, many extracurricular activities and opportunities have continued, including lots of sport, Winter Tournament and the Musical, and we have kept things as normal as possible for students. I thanked staff for all that they have done, and also students for the resilience that they have shown. Particularly in the circumstances I said I was very proud of everyone at WHS, and I wished everyone a really great break.

Next term is full-on from the outset including end of year ceremonies and events, and seniors having only 18 days of school until Senior Prizegiving and Tutorial Week, followed by exams.

A very mixed weekend of weather ahead, with Saturday definitely best for outdoor activities (and there may even be some late season pow Saturday night and into Sunday); don't forget to put your clocks forward tomorrow night.

Once again my thanks to everyone for a great term in extraordinary times. I do hope everyone has a great and very well-deserved break :).

Steve Hall
Principal

NEW - WHS School App

We have updated our communications system and have a brand new app. Please ensure you (all parents, caregivers and students) have download it to your device as this is how we will communicate school alerts, student notices and our weekly newsletter.  The app also features a new absence form, the online school cafe shop, a calendar and some handy links! 

A reminder for students to also check the Student Noticeboard regularly.

Rockquest National Final

Huge congratulations to Haven (Ryan Connaghan and Harrison Maguire) who have placed second in this year's National Rockquest final.  As the only band to make the finals from the South Island, Haven performed extremely well against the eight other bands playing. 

Harrison also won the Musicianship Award shared with one other student. This follows up their second placing last year as a three-piece and is a remarkable achievement for these students. The Rockquest event usually attracts 800 bands from across the country which progresses from regional heats to the Top 20 section then on to the finals.

Well done Haven!

Alison Price
HoLA Arts

Board of Trustees Student Rep Election

Congratulations to Sofia Taquet who has been elected as the Student Representative on the WHS Board of Trustees.  This will be Sofia's second year in this important role.

Well done to the other candidates for being involved in this election - Helena Hornbacher, Linus Ritchie and James Scoles.

Karla Dawson
Returning Officer

WHS scores another literary win!!

Recently, Year 9 student Daphne Ricketts entered a short story into the Dan Davin Short Story Competition 2020, for the Southern Provincial Junior Literary Award. Years 7-10.  Daphne wrote a historical fantasy short story called The Knight, Calihan. Daphne received second place and a monetary prize of $150 dollars. Daphne said it was a fantastic opportunity and she felt "extremely lucky and proud." Here are a few lines from the story:

Calihan hefted his heavy sword upwards into a starting position. His sword was much too heavy for him. It felt unbalanced in his hand, the hilt was too large, and it felt like he was heaving a metal weight through the air. The muscles in his right arm complained as he raised the blade. His tailbone still ached. Ugh. 

Lance struck. Calihan swung the sword across his chest too late, he was too absorbed in his own thoughts. He deflected it clumsily with the tip of his blade but it was enough to throw off the attack. Calihan took a step backward - hovering into the air - as he went to reposition his sword as Lance swung again...

Australian Maths and ICAS Maths Results

Australian Maths Competition 2020
Year 9 Tom Schenk DMPR 21/30 for Distinction Award (94th percentile)
Year 9 Abby Fookes ADRS 16/30 for Credit Award
Year 10 Jan Ebbinge HJAD and Ayla Nakayama DAWR both scored 15/30 for a Credit Award (76th percentile)

ICAS Maths 2020
Year 11 Helena Hornbacher HJTH 31/40 Credit Award (Top 35%)
Year 10 Jack Speedy DPQA 25/40 Merit Award (Top 45%)
Year 9 Abby Fookes ADRS 30/40, Tom Martin HLKN 28/40 and Mia Pagan HLKN 28/40 for Credit Awards (Top 35%) and Jack Trounce FKJA 27/40 for Merit (Top 45%)

Dax Richards
Gifted Co-ordinator

National Spanish Speech Competition

Congratulations to Isadora Figueroa (Yr 10) for her success in the the National Secondary School Spanish Speech Competition. 

Isadora won second prize in the Scholarship division for her speech on La Tomatina festival in Spain. This is an exceptional achievement and the first time a student from Wakatipu High School has been awarded a prize in this competition.

Felicitaciones Isadora!

John Henderson
HoLA Languages

Equestrian Interschools One Day Event

Congratulations to the members of the Equestrian team who competed at the Southland Secondary Schools One Day Event in Invercargill. Team members Abigail White, Charlotte Woods, Kate Woods, Sylvan Lawn, Ruby Davies and Kendra Van Leeuwen placed second overall and also had a number of great individual placings. Thanks to Lisa White for managing the team and the the other parents for assisting on the day. 

Juliet Morris
TIC Equestrian

Branches Camp

It was great to see so many parents/caregivers and students at the Year 10 Branches Camp Information evening on Tuesday night.  All future information regarding the Branches Camp will be communicated via the school newsletter and through emails to parents/caregivers of Year 10 students.  This years' camp dates are:  Friday 27th November - Tuesday 8th December.

All Year 10 students have been invited to the Branches Camp Google Classroom, and information and notices will be added to this. Students are reminded to check this regularly. Weekly student meetings will be held during Ako time once a week, beginning next term.  

Bridget Janse
Branches Camp Coordinator

Branches Trust

We are delighted that the Branches Camp is going ahead this year from Friday 27th November to Tuesday 8th December.  Thank you Staff and Management at WHS, it is wonderful that in this year of change and cancellations that this camp is still able to go ahead! 

We here at the Branches Trust are all very mindful of the challenging times we find ourselves in and for this reason, we, like many organisations, have decided to rely on our reserves to fund the Branches Camp 2020 short fall this year and will not be undertaking any fundraising in 2020.   

That said, we will continue to promote and sell our wonderful book 'Long Drops and Hard Knocks' so look out for initiatives and offers on that in the coming weeks and months!

AGM NOTICE  Monday 12 October at 6pm - WHS Library 
The Branches Trust will be holding its AGM at the WHS Library on the first Monday of Term 4, Monday 12 October.  We are in need of some new Trustees to join the team and additionally need to fill the Treasurer position, so if you have a passion of the Branches Camp, are a team player and very motivated, we would love you to join us.  Any inquiries call Louise Ward 0276641001.  All are welcome.

Belinda Crichton

Model United Nations Youth Summit

A delegation of students attended the Model United Nations Youth Summit in Wanaka on Tuesday.  Each student was given a member nation to represent around the topic of debate. This year it was drug decriminalisation and speeches were given by delegates to argue their nation's case around how the issue was to be dealt with internationally. Delegates learned key elements of diplomacy, debating skills and conventions as well as how amendments are made to UN resolutions.
Students said:
“It was a great insight into international relations and how the United Nations operates.”
"Great to interact with other schools and meet new people."

Ms Jennifer Smart
TIC Debating

WHS Model United Nations Delegates

NOTED. - A Stars Community Project

Term 3 was busy but fun for Stars students with a variety of events and projects taking place. 

While our tree-mendous revegetation project on Jardine Park had to be cancelled due to Level 2 restrictions, our students continued contributing in other ways to our community and its people.

All 350 Stars students handwrote a message of their time and life as a student in the 21st century to then pass on to the retirement villages in Queenstown.  This awesome idea was the brainchild of Elsa Devereux, a Year 9 Stars student with the backing of the Peer Support Council. Project "NOTED." developed while reflecting on our lockdown period and how those in retirement villages weren't as connected.  It was great to see the students eager to support and engage with those that were less connected with loved ones during the lockdown period.

Huge thanks to Duncan Edwards from Age Concern Southland for liaising with us and distributing the notes on our behalf as restrictions were in place at the villages. 

Divesh Singh
Stars Programme Coordinator

Rotary & JR McKenzie Outward Bound Scholarship

Rotary and JR McKenzie are offering a schoolarship on the Outward Bound, Body & Soul 21 day Course in December.  The scholarship is for $4,025 towards the course cost of $4,349. The balance of $324 is payable by the student and it is their responsibilty to get themselves to and from Picton.

Students must meet the fitness and health criteria and be aged 16-18 years old.

The biggest thing to be aware of is the course starts on the 2^nd December, a week before the last day of NCEA exams.  So the students who apply MUST have finished their exams by the 2^nd December. 

Students who are interested in applying for this opportunity, are to please read the following documents:
- Outward Bound Screening Guidelines 
- Outward Bound Things to Know
- Outward Bound Gear List and Information
- Outward Bound Enrolment Form

Interested students are to complete the Outward Bound Enrolment Form and send along with an application letter by email to Lee-Ann Lines, President of the Rotary Club of Queenstown at llines@xtra.co.nz by midday on 7th October.  Lee-Ann will arrange a short-list after a brief phone interview.  Due to time constraints and the popularity of this Outward Bound opportunity throughout NZ, no late applications will be accepted. 

QRC National Scholarship

The Queenstown Resort College National Scholarship is open now -  it is definitely worth giving it a go!  Queenstown Resort College are looking for someone who has a genuine interest for the Tourism Industry, is committed and wanting to make a difference.   The focus is on explaining why a Tourism or Hospitality Management qualification is the right choice for YOU and expressing this in an engaging format of your choice.

You need to have your diploma and scholarship application submitted by Friday 16th October.  The Scholarship would  cover the cost of your full second year Diploma Tuition Fees ($13,312) if you were successful.  For more information please click here.

Swim to remember Allanah Walker

A chilly dip in Lake Wakatipu by friends and family was the perfect way to celebrate what would have been Allanah Walker's 18th birthday on Monday. Allanah was a real character and well known for her swim 'anywhere, anytime' mantra.

You can read the ODT article here. 

Head Student Address

Once more, it has been an eventful week for many at Wakatipu High School. This final week of Term 3 has been especially busy for senior students; many university scholarships and accommodation application windows are closing. Additionally, this Thursday, myself and several Year 13 students participated in a hands-on first aid course, developing essential training and skills. 

Last Thursday, myself and bandmate Harrison Maguire travelled to Auckland to take part in the Smokefree Rockquest National Final. We were the only South Island band out of over 700 to make this stage, and it was a terrific experience to the record a submission performance in our country’s capital city. The livestream and results were broadcasted last night (Thursday, at the time of my writing this!)

The Academic Council organised a school-wide treasure hunt this week. According to Academic Lead Prefect Juliana Rossi-Macaes, the event was a “great success!”

Promising head student and lead prefect applicants were interviewed on Thursday, with the results being announced next term. I’m positive that I speak for the entire Student Executive Team when I say that being a Lead Prefect has been both a fantastic learning experience and incredibly rewarding. I wish the absolute best of luck to those taking up the mantles in 2021.

That’s all from me. With musical, mocks, sports, and internals, it has been a stressful and busy term for many. Although, I hope that with the two weeks ahead of us, we can look back on our respective achievements and feel an enormous sense of pride.

Have a wonderful break, everyone!

Ryan Connaghan
Arts and Cultural Lead Prefect

Term 4 Music Department Events

Term 4 starts off with a very busy few weeks in the Music area. An outline is given below and updates will occur as we go along:

Friday 16 October - Songs of the Wakatipu (WHS Theatre) . Open to any songwriters/bands from Y9-Y13                

Friday 23 October - Jazz at WHS theatre (replacing the Invercargill event). Jazz combo/ensemble/junior jazz   

Saturday 24/ Sunday 25 October (Labour Weekend) Jazz Combo/Ensemble. Details TBC                   

Sunday 1 November -Central Soundwaves

Tuesday 3 November  - Cultural Blues

Thursday 6 November - Senior Prizegiving

Sports News and Results

South Island Ski and Snowboard Champs

It was a very successful outing at the South Island Ski and Snowboard Champs for the seven WHS competitors last Saturday at Cardrona. The boy’s field in particular had a large number of competitors which was great to see. Congratulations to all seven athletes on the results achieved below.

Individual Giant Slalom 
Olivia Key - 1st Girls Ski
Oto Higuchi - 1st Boys Snowboard
Anru Wakashima - 4th Boys Snowboard
Matthew Moore - 5th Boys Snowboard
Sam Nipper - 9th Boys Snowboard

Individual Slopestyle
Charlotte Muir - 1st Girls Ski
Taylor Breen - 2nd Girls Ski
Oto Higuchi - 1st Boys Snowboard
Matthew Moore - 2nd Boys Snowboard
Anru Wakashima - 4th Boys Snowboard 
Sam Nipper - 5th Boys Snowboard

The boys team of Oto, Anru, Matthew and Sam finished 1st in the Boys Snowboard Slopestyle and 2nd in the Boys Snowboard Giant Slalom.

National Indoor Bouldering Series - Queenstown
Competitors came from around NZ to compete in the first NIBs held in Queenstown last weekend, including members of the 2020 NZ Youth Team. Two WHS students did incredibly well with Azaria Briscoe winning the open women’s grade and Lucy Sinclair finishing second. Both girls tied for second place in the U16 girls category. Congratulations girls.

Canterbury Regional Karate Champs
Congratulations to our karate maestro Mr Quaid and Year 10 student Mackenzi Jackson who both competed at the Canterbury Regional Cup in Christchurch on the weekend.

Mr Quaid - 2nd in Kata men’s open
Mackenzi Jackson - 1st in 14-15yrs kumite and 3rd in 14-15yrs kata 

Central Otago Volleyball Champs
It was a great development opportunity for our Junior A Volleyball teams at the Central Otago Volleyball Tournament this week. There were A and B grades at the competition with both WHS teams electing to compete in the harder and more competitive A grade. While we finished 3rd and 4th at the end of the tournament, both teams competed well and played better as the day progressed. A big congratulations to both teams and a huge thank you to Mrs Panapa and Natsune Suzuki for coaching the teams.

Winter Sports Assembly
Last Friday the annual winter sports assembly was held and 452 winter sports participants were invited to attend this celebration of WHS sporting achievement. 128 students had achieved to a regional, South Island or National level over the past two terms as either individuals or members of a team to be recognised in this forum in front of their peers. This year we asked coaches to select a Most Valuable Player from their team to acknowledge their contribution to the team over the season. Below are the 2020 MVP’s for winter sports teams.

Basketball
Senior A Boys - Dominic Hamilton
Senior Girls - Ruby Kirk
Senior B Boys - Tyler Challoner
Junior A Boys - Isaac Turoa
Junior Girls - Alix Long and Madi Wallace
Year 9 Boys - Connor Buckland

Football
James McKenzie - 1st XI Boys 
Maddy McLean - 1st XI Girls 

Hockey
Pete Davis - Mixed Development Team
Samuel Robertson-Muir - Mixed B Team
Ally Wilkinson - Mixed A Team

Netball
McKenzie Galbraith - Senior A
Olive Watherston - Senior B Blue
Jess MacDonald - Senior B Gold
Phoebe Cavanagh - 10A Fury
Primrose Johnson - 10A Giants
Mia Bulling-Eady - 9A Steel
Stella Stretch - 9A Pulse

Rugby
Lachlan Marshall - 1st XV Boys
Olive Watherston - 1st XV Girls
Matt Attenborough - U15
Josh Viana - U14

WHS Rugby Awards
The annual rugby prizegiving was held on Thursday night and was a chance to bring all four school rugby teams and parents and coaches together to celebrate the season. Thank you to all of our wonderful coaches, volunteers and supporters who have made WHS rugby happen in 2020, it was great to have another successful year. Congratulations to all of the players below who were acknowledged at last night's prizegiving.

1st XV:

• Most Valuable Player: Lachlan Marshall
• Player of the Year: Alesana Tulafono
• Greatest Contribution: Lucas Erskine and Sam Mclean
• Rookie of the Year: Ben Barke

Girls:

• Most Valuable Player: Olive Watherston
• Player of the Year: Maisie Grufferty
• Greatest Contribution: Alice Gilbert
• Most Improved: Jorja Frewen

U15:

• MVP: Matt Attenborough
• Player of the year: Connor McIsaac
• Most improved: Ty Harris and Mason Bonn
• Greatest Contribution: Sam McAtamney

U14:

• MVP: Josh Viana
• Player of the year: Isaac Turoa
• Most improved: Fletch McCarthy
• Greatest Contribution: Toby Rorrison 

WHS Netball Awards 
The annual netball prizegiving was held in the theatre on Tuesday at Break 2 where all of the netball players came together to celebrate the season, acknowledge players and thank coaches. Thank you to our 11 awesome student coaches, 15 plus umpires and the fantastic coaches of our competitive teams who were unable to join us but were acknowledged and thanked, you guys are all stars. Below are the 2020 awards.

Social Teams Players Player
A Team - Isobel Wallace
Mad Dogs 2.0 - Marigold Kunath and Micheala McLister
Shooting Stars - Julia Morrison
WHS Ace - Olive Ritchie
WHS Ferns - Millie Walker-Smith

Junior Development Teams
9 Magic: MVP - Rochelle Carroll Most Improved - Ava McIntyre
9 Mystics: Best Attack - Sammie Wood Best Defence - Alice McPike 
9 Stars: MVP - Lyla Cameron Most Improved - Evie Snow
9 Tactix: MVP - Phoebe Ide Most Improved - Katherine Read
10 Force: MVP - Jessa Bodle Most Improved - Gracie McIsaac
10 Sting: MVP - Zara McRae Most Improved - Ruth Stevens
10 Storm: MVP - Paige Morrison Most Improved - Lucy Sinclair
10 Waratahs: MVP - Cate Bodle Most Improved - Brianna Hall

Competitive Teams
9A Steel: MVP - Mia Bulling-Eady Most Improved - Elsa Devereux
9A Pulse: MVP - Stella Stretch Most Improved - Izzy Burgess
10A Fury: Best Attack - Maddy McDonald Best Defence - Phoebe Cavanagh
10A Giants: Best Mid-Court - Ellie Shuttleworth Most Improved - Jorja Farquason
Development B: MVP - Mikayla Evans Most Improved - Willow Hockey/Charlotte Hogan
Development A: MVP - Amelia McIlroy Most Improved - Poppi Robertson-Gray
Senior B Gold: Team Player - Bella Middleton Best Passer - Jordan Boland
Senior B Blue: MVP - Olive Watherston Most Improved - Abbey Phillips
Senior A: MVP - McKenzie Galbraith Most Improved - Haley Adamson

Major Awards
Umpire of the Year: Rachel Scobie
Junior Player of the Year: Mia Bulling-Eady and Eliana Collins
Senior Player of the Year: McKenzie Galbraith

Wakatipu Hockey Club Awards
The Wakatipu Hockey Club held their annual prizegiving on Wednesday evening. Congratulations to the students below who were recognised across the three school teams.

A Team:
Most Valuable Player - Ally Wilkinson
Best Contribution - Paige Loggenberg

B Team:
MVP - Samuel Robertson-Muir
Most Improved - Ella McKinney

Development Team:
MVP - Pete Davis
Most Improved - Tom Martin
Our wonderful coach Will Daughtrey took out two trophies - Best Contribution for the Men's Team and the Club's Coach of the year award - well deserved!

Athletes in Action over the Holidays
Best of luck to the large number of students competing in a wide range of events over the Term 3 holidays. WHS wishes you all the very best. Events WHS students are competing in are:

• Schools MTB Champs 
• National Short Track Speed Skating Champs
• South Island Figure Skating Champs
• NZ National Junior Freeski and Snowboard Champs
• Alpine Skiing National Youth Series 
• NZSS Synchronised Swimming Champs

Sports Blues 2020
The years Sports Blues Awards will be held on Thursday 22nd October in the WHS Theatre. Students and parents have been communicated with this week if they have been invited to attend this year's awards. Tickets will go on sale for $15.00 per person on the first Monday back in Term 4 and will be sold the first week only.

WHS Sports Hoody
We will be organising one final order of sports hoodies this year if you are yet to get one and would like one for a summer sport or to wear in general. We will be keeping the same design for 2021. Please read the information and place your order by clicking on the link below. The final orders must be in by the end of Week 2 Term 4. WHS Sports Hoody Order Form: https://forms.gle/xki4iQBPKL85dQiG9

Weekly Results
Basketball
Senior A Boys beat Verdon College 80-51
Junior A Boys drew with Verdon College 38-38
Junior A beat James Hargest College A 52-31

Sports Opportunities
Cricket
Afternoon grade cricket registrations are now open, this includes senior & high school players. To register follow the link below:https://registrations.crichq.com/register/253478 

The grades we have available are:
Youth Friday Night T20 (Years 9-11)
Youth Saturday afternoon 35 overs (Years 9-11) 
Senior Reserve Saturday afternoon
Seniors Saturday afternoon 
Once registered we will align you into teams and grades. 

Touch
All social touch teams should now be into the sports office. If you have any last minute entries, please email Mrs Nathan asap.

Rugby League
Looking for interested players to join our team for the South Island Under 18s Rugby League Tournament in Timaru on Fri 9 and Saturday 10 October! 
An opportunity for boys who have had or not had experience but are interested in giving rugby league a go. We are putting an Otago team together. As time is limited, there will be a couple of practices for Central players in Central, Dunedin players in Dunedin then coming together in Timaru on the Friday 9th as a team. Cost approx $50 - 60 including travel, food and accommodation. If you'd like to broaden your rugby skills and experience and have some fun, please contact T on 027 7251 349 for details and to express your interest.

Key Dates

Community Notices

Startup Queenstown Lakes

Startup Weekend is a high-energy, 54-hour event for established entrepreneurs and budding founders, for designers, developers, business-focused, and non-technical people alike. It's like outward bound for entrepreneurs!

You can expect to: 

• Meet potential new co-founders and make some great friends.
• Have a FUN time - make some great memories with passionate, energetic people.
• Learn from the best - engage with mentors who will keep you going and foster your entrepreneurial spirit.

Just 50 tickets available + selling fast - don't miss out.

https://startupqueenstownlakes.lpages.co/startup-weekend-2020/