WHS Newsletter | Issue 1.10 | 05 April 2024

Principal's Message

Kia ora e hoa mā and welcome to the Wakatipu High School newsletter,

It has been another vibrant and exciting week at WHS with lots of action packed into a few short days, including our annual school Musical - Hairspray. With more than 180 students involved, it is impressive to see the hard work come together so seamlessly on the night. WHS is unquestionably teeming with talent and it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the extraordinary talents of our key staff who bring it all together - Mr Jake Hansen (Director) and Mrs Alison Price (Musical Director). Congratulations to all those involved and best of luck for the final two shows!

A few weeks ago, summer tournament week was held with more than 170 student-athletes competing and representing WHS with skill and pride. WHS came away with many National, South Island and Regional championships so please be sure to read the Sports section below with all the highlights of our students’ achievements and successes in a range of sports.

Thanks to all junior parents who had their ‘Next Steps’ meeting with their student’s Kaiārahi last week. Parents being informed and engaged with their student’s education is very important, and so a big thanks to everyone who was in attendance. It's not too late if you haven't yet met with your Kaiārahi, just send them an email to arrange a meeting. Also, for parents of junior students, please be sure to read the article below regarding the Ākonga passport, which is an important way in which we celebrate and acknowledge students' participation in our great all-round education. 

With the school holidays now just around the corner, we want to bring your attention to Term Two, which is always a busy term for teaching and learning. With that in mind, we strongly encourage senior students to create their assessment calendar to assist with planning and preparation. This can go a long way towards supporting students with their wellbeing and achievement. If your student would like assistance with their planning, encourage them to ask their Kaiārahi in the first instance. Please see below for the senior assessment calendars and other key dates associated with Term Two.

WHS now has nearly 30 international students attending WHS, and we are looking for homestay families to host one of our amazing students who will join us from July of this year. Families are paid $380 per week plus have the opportunity to support and learn from one of our amazing international students who are joining us from a range of countries including Germany, Austria, Italy, Brazil, Colombia.  Click here to express your interest or you can email our Kate, our Homestay coordinator at kide@wakatipu.school.nz.

Accounts have been sent out again today, and we 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 we can provide students, and which support student engagement, achievement, wellbeing and holistic development. 

Last night, we were able to thank and acknowledge the WHS Foundation and all of its supporters by inviting them to the musical Hairspray. The Wakatipu High School Foundation is celebrating its 10th year of existence and is our school’s biggest supporter having given the school more than $2 million dollars over the years. We are extremely grateful and humbled by the support we receive from the Foundation, and in turn from those individuals and businesses in the community that give to the Foundation. Please click the link below to read a special edition newsletter from our friends and supporters at the Wakatipu High School Foundation.

Enjoy the extra hour of sleep as the clocks fall back out of daylight saving on Saturday night and be sure to have a read through a bumper edition of the WHS newsletter.

Ngā mihi nui, 

Oded Nathan
Principal/Tumuaki

Key Dates

Sold out Shows for Hairspray!

For the first time in 20 years, our school Musical has sold out before opening night! We are overwhelmed by the support of our school and incredibly proud of the talented group of individuals who have put on the show.

Whether on stage, backstage or working in one of the crews for tech, costumes, props, hair, media, set design makeup or front of house, the students have worked incredibly hard to bring you a show that exemplifies hard work and professionalism. For our senior students, the experience of working with community specialists, leading crews and mentoring younger cast members reflects the powerful nature of this process to positively impact the lives of young people.

As always, this show wouldn’t be possible without the support of the community and major sponsors. A very special thanks to Stine Cooper, Kate Ferguson, Paula Bell, David Partee, Vicki Patton, Genevieve Small and Nicky Huck for their time and commitment to the show this year. As always our student leaders are key to the success of this event. Thank you all for the extra hours and support during this process. Finally, a thank you to the families of the cast and crew who have again supported our extensive demands of time and commitment. 

TO OUR FABULOUS STUDENTS, Thank you for your mahi!

Mr. Jake Hansen as Director and Mrs. Alison Price as Musical Director.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 16

Next

Academic Achievement - Supporting Your Child at Home

We have widely circulated the Internal Assessment Calendars (attached below), but at home it would be useful if parents can sit down with their student and look ahead to Term Two, mapping out which subjects have assessments due and when. A reminder, too, that these calendars reflect internal assessment deadlines only, and students also need to build time into their week to review and consolidate key learning and notes, so that they are adequately prepared for end of unit topic tests or Term 3 School Examinations. Although these formative assessments don’t necessarily count for credits, all of the research around learning supports regular and thorough revision as the best way of committing key knowledge to long term memory.  Doing this will also alleviate pressure prior to the external examinations in November / December.  

Level One Internal Assessment Calendar 2024
Level Two Internal Assessment Calendar 2024
Level Three Internal Assessment Calendar 2024

High Quality Teaching & Learning - Wānanga (growing great learners who love to learn and learn to learn)

Learning how we learn and having tools and tips to aid our learning is an important part of our HQTL model.

Students can access the site below using their school email account to find some handy tips and tricks around metacognition (learning how to learn).  Please encourage them to have a look at the resources there as a starting point for understanding effective ways to learn.

Ākonga Passport

The Ākonga Passport is a system of positive acknowledgement for students in Years 9 & 10 that aligns with our Ākonga (Learner) Profile. The Ākonga Passport acknowledges students for their behaviours that exemplify the School Values, Their LE (Learning Engagement, 3-weekly) Reports. For their participation in extra & co-curricular activities and service to others both in and out of school as well as their engagement in a Digital Certificate (Year 9) & Careers Certificate (Year 10). Each section has points which students accumulate in their Passports. They strive to gain as many points as possible throughout the year, aiming for the different levels of the Passport Bronze (15 points) Silver (30 points) Gold (50 points).

Students reaching the required thresholds will be presented with the relevant ‘Peak’ during the year at our Excellence/Ad Alta Assemblies and a badge to wear on their blazer. As the First term draws to a close we will be looking to acknowledge those students that over this term have met the criteria for an Ākonga Bronze award. If your child has been involved in any external activities ( extra and co-curricular ) we want to acknowledge this effort. Below is a link to a Google form that can be filled in to acknowledge their efforts.

Sir John Kirwan visits WHS

On Wednesday, a large group of Wakatipu High School students got the pleasure of listening to a talk by All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan about the best way to approach sport, work and everyday life from a perspective of mental wellbeing. He discussed the difficult times he faced from the beginning of his professional rugby career and the continual uncertainties and anxiety he lived with, starting at just 19 years old. By sharing his personal story of navigating a healthier way through life, WHS students received insight and a slight head start in terms of strategies and habits that can make getting through the tough times that bit better. The opportunity to hear from a New Zealand sporting icon on such a personal and open level made for an exceptionally engaging talk. To hear about the importance of mental fitness in sports and in life at an early stage in the potential careers of so many students was incredibly valuable. The talk as a whole was incredible and the conversations it has sparked so far are great ones to be having.

The key message behind John Kirwan’s words was the importance of giving something to the six pillars of mental wellbeing whenever you can. John's six pillars were; Chill, do, connect, move, celebrate and enjoy. At the end of the day, if you’d ice your knee on the sports field, why wouldn’t you give your brain and mind the same care? 

Special thanks to Westpac Queenstown for bringing such an influential New Zealander to our school.

Abby Fookes
​Deputy Head Student

WHS Air Cadets Recognized at Warbirds over Wānaka

Over the past weekend, a group of students from WHS representing the Air Cadet Forces' 50 (Alexandra) Squadron, dedicated their time to volunteer at Warbirds over Wānaka. Among these enthusiastic volunteers were Warrant Officer Benjamin Baker, Corporal Jacob Waples, Cadet Jack Barlow, Cadet Bram Hamilton, and Cadet Findlay Newell.

Their service extended to tasks such as ticketing, gate duty, and ensuring the security of the event, among other responsibilities. Their commitment and willingness to assist wherever needed did not go unnoticed. The volunteer manager expressed their admiration for the students' efforts, recognising them for their outstanding dedication. As a token of appreciation for their exemplary service during the event, these students were rewarded with a one-hour flight experience aboard the iconic RNZAF C-130H Hercules.

Their involvement underscores the importance of extracurricular engagement and community participation. We take great pride in seeing our students display dedication and service to the community, well done to the volunteers.

NZ Marine Centre Portobello 2024

Our Year 13 Biology students completed 3 days research at the NZ Marine Centre (University of Otago), Portobello. They investigated the behaviour of crabs in different contexts for an internal assessment. The marine staff at the University were very impressed with all of them- hardworking, great problem solving abilities and very respectful !! Ka pai students.

Rose Kidd
Teacher in charge of Biology

Gifted Education

Huna Māhirahira - Curious Minds

Hunga Māhirahira Curious Minds is a Google Classroom where teachers from all Learning Areas post about competitions, trips, and other opportunities for any student to get involved with.  This includes ICAS and CAM competitions, university trips, Mathematics, Science, and Writing competitions, and local presentations, to name a few. 
To ensure your child has access to all of these exciting opportunities, make sure they are signed up to Google Classroom using this code: cgizhbc.

University of Canterbury CAM Junior KIWI Competitions

Calling all Year 9 and 10 students looking to flex their academic prowess in Mathematics, Science, and / or English! 

The annual Kiwi Mathematics, Science, and English competitions are skills-based and closely aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum. The tests are designed by New Zealand teachers for New Zealand students. Results are provided to schools in Term 3. All participating students will receive a certificate and a prize will be awarded to the top student nationally in each competition. The competition will also provide parents / caregivers with an Individual Pupil Report of the student's performance in that subject. 

Fill out this form to register for the competitions, which must be completed by 10 May. 
Each competition costs $9.90 and this must be paid via the School Portal by 5 July to participate. The competition assessments will be sat at WHS in Week 1 of Term 3 (22 - 26 July)  Click here for more information.

Ngā mihi nui,
Logan Rae
Gifted Coordinator

Homestay Families Required

School Photos

School photos are now available to order via the PhotoLife website.

Students would have received a set of instructions, including how to order online, and their own unique code for ordering yesterday.

To view and purchase the 2024 School Photographs please follow these steps:

1. Click on this link: https://photolifeonline.co.nz/ordering/access
2. Enter your unique Access Key Code provided in the email sent yesterday
3. Scroll down the page to view the options available to purchase

Order before midnight on Sunday 21 April 2024 to qualify for free delivery of your photos to WHS.

Any queries can be directed to Photolife:
Email: enquiries@photolife.co.nz, Phone: (09) 262 1040 or 0800 50 10 40,   

International Happiness Day & 'Hunt the Good'

International Happiness Day - 20th March

Wednesady March 20th was the UN International Day of Happiness. The Wellbeing Council encouraged staff and students to be mindful, grateful and kind, and a happiness board was set up to capture all the things that make people happy on a daily basis. Students are also encouraged to get involved by follow the WHS Wellbeing Insta page and sharing a photo of someone who makes them happy and the reason why. 

We can create a happier and kinder world together by adopting simple, daily practices. Here are three simple steps you can use anytime and anywhere to give yourself a boost and build your compassion for others:

BE MINDFUL - Relax your breathing and notice: How am I feeling right now? 

BE GRATEFUL - Look around you and ask yourself: What am I thankful for?

BE KIND - Consider how you treat yourself and those around you and ask yourself: How do I show love for myself and others?

Make time daily to focus on the good and boost your overall happiness. Have a discussion at the dinner table around three good things that happened in everyone's day. The Three Good Things app is a gratitude-focused daily journal designed to cultivate a habit of gratitude.

Follow Wakatipu Wellbeing on Instagram for more ideas!

'Hunt the Good' Easter Competition - 3rd April

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which read, “I am blind, please help.”

People rushed past and very few took time to donate. 

A man walking by dropped some change into the boy's hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He then placed the sign back in the boy’s hand so that everyone would what he’d wrote.

From this moment, many more people began donating and solwly, the hat began to fill.

That afternoon, the man who had changed the sign returned to see how things were. The boy recognised his footsteps and asked, “Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?”

The man said, “I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way. I wrote, 'Today is a beautiful day, but I cannot see it.'"

Both signs spoke the truth. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind, while the second sign reminded people of how lucky they are to have the gift of sight.

Sometimes, it gets really easy to focus on the negative things in our lives, or what we don’t have. Taking time each day to think about the positives can improve our wellbeing. How? Gratitude is a way for people to appreciate what they have, instead of always reaching for something new in the hope it will make them happier, or thinking they can't feel satisfied until every physical and material need is met. Gratitude helps people refocus on what they have instead of what they lack. Countering our negativity bias with gratitude can help build optimism, which leads to other benefits in our health, sleep, relationships to create a happier, healthier you!

To start off our gratitide journey, on Wednesday, the Welbeing Council ran a 'Hunt the Good' competition. Students had to find the Five Ways to Wellbeing bunnies hidden around the school. They then completed a challenge and sent a selfie to the WHS Wellbeing Instagram page to claim their easter eggs. 

It is our hope that all students at Wakatipu High School have strategies to help them both feel grateful and express gratitude. A way to practice gratitude is by taking a moment at the end of each day to reflect upon three things that went well. If you need help remembering, download the Three Good Things app.

Gratitude turns what we have into enough. - Aristotle 

World Challenge Fundraising Raffle - A Prize a Day for the Month of May

Get ready for an exciting opportunity to support a great cause while also standing a chance to win fabulous prizes every day throughout the month of May! We are thrilled to announce the launch of our World Challenge Fundraising Raffle, where each day presents an opportunity for you to win incredible prizes, all while contributing to sending our students to Nepal on a 20 day expedition involving a service project, trekking in the Himalayas and exploring this incredible culture

Participating in the World Challenge Fundraising Raffle is simple:

1. Purchase Your Tickets: Tickets for the raffle will be available for purchase for $5 each through our 12 students and teachers' attending or by completeing the form and direct debit.  Each ticket grants you entry into the daily prize draw. 

2. Watch for Daily Draws: Every day throughout the month of May, we will hold a draw to select the winner of that day's prize. Winners will be announced via email and our newsletter.

3. Win Amazing Prizes: From coffee vouchers to HeliGlenorchy flights,  Clutch reformer pilates classes to a Southern Discoveries Milford Sound Cruise, there's something for everyone in our lineup of prizes. Plus, with a prize awarded every day, your chances of winning are higher than ever!

We are so fortunate to be supported by our incredible community and can not thank our sponsors enough for getting on board to give you all an opportunity to win some incredible prizes. 

Sport and Active Recreation

Summer Tournament Week

That’s a wrap on Summer Tournament Week!  Overall 172 students were involved in various Secondary School events during the Summer Tournament Week period, a record number for WHS. Check out the final write ups below.

Rowing - Aon Maadi Regatta

We are still buzzing from another successful Aon Maadi Regatta at Lake Ruataniwha! It was a busy but incredible week of rowing for all of our students, with Wakatipu High School competing in 11 A Finals and bringing home 2 golds, 3 silvers and a bronze. This saw WHS tied first equal with Cashmere High School for the best sculling school - achieving a three-peat for the President’s Scull. Whakatipu Rowing Club head coach John Morrison was also awarded the Bill Eady Trophy for best coach of the regatta. A huge thank you to the Whakatipu Rowing Club, coaches, sponsors, supporters, parents, rowers and community for all of your hard work, dedication and support. It truly is a team effort on and off the lake, and the smiles on everyone’s faces say it all. Congratulations to the following medallists. 

• Gold Boys U17 Double Sculls - Harry Lightfoot + Seb Watson
• Gold Boys U17 Coxed Quad Sculls - Charlie Manser, Seb Watson, Max Davis, Harry Lightfoot + Mia Pagan (cox)
• Silver Boys U18 Double Sculls - Xavier Small & Ashton White
• Silver Boys U18 Coxed Quad Sculls -  Xavier Small, Ashton White, Toby Tregidga, Seb Watson + Mia Pagan (cox)
• Silver Boys U16 Coxed Quad Sculls - McKellar Thornton, Jasper Crawford, Charlie Manser, Max Davis + Abbey Pederson (cox)
• Bronze Girls U15 Coxed Quad Sculls - Zara Small, Chelsea Wood, Caitlyn Purdue, Eve Pagan + Amelie Dee (cox)

Cricket - Gillette Venus

Over the long weekend the WHS Girls Cricket team travelled to Dunedin for the Gillette Venus competition. The girls had some great results, winning 2 out of 3 of their pool games, including a memorable win over St Hilda's Collegiate who went on to win the tournament overall. Unfortunately Wakatipu just missed out on the final due to net run rate however it was one of the best performances they have made at this competition! Honor Gilbert was awarded player of the tournament with 128 runs and 6 wickets in round play.

In the first game at the University Oval, Columba scored 128 off their 20 overs with 3 wickets for both Abby Fookes and Honor Gilbert. Wakatipu chased it down losing only one wicket with 3 overs remaining and an impressive 84 not out by Honor. The second game Wakatipu lost to Otago Girls at Logan Park. Kara Trounce taking 3 wickets. In the third game St Hildas scored 111 off their 20 overs. Sorcha Wilkinson 2 wickets and Honor Gilbert 3 wickets. Wakatipu chased it down with 3 balls to spare thanks to a solid partnership of 82 between Abby Fookes and Honor Gilbert and sensible batting by Eva Hemingway and Sorcha Wilkinson to get the winning runs. 

This is the last time four senior players will play in this tournament. Thank you to Abby Fookes, Stella Rhind, Eva Hemingway and Sorcha Wilkinson for their dedication to this team! Thank you also to all the girls that competed for Wakatipu, and to the amazing team of Greg Trounce, Jason Rhind, Sue Albrecht and Emma Campbell as well as all of the parent supporters -  it was a great team effort!

Triathlon - New Zealand Secondary School Champs

Congratulations to Billie Druett, Bailey MacKay and Keira Redden who swam, biked and ran their way to 1st place in the U16 Female Teams event at the New Zealand Schools Triathlon Champs in Tauranga! This is 3 back-to-back podiums for the team, who placed 2nd at Challenge Wanaka and the South Island Triathlon Champs earlier in the year. Keep up the awesome work!

Mountain Biking - South Island Schools Champs

The South Island Schools Mountain biking Champs took place up Coronet Peak from Thursday 21st to Saturday 23rd March. We had 31 students compete across downhill, enduro and cross-country. WHS riders achieved some awesome results across all 3 events, with Rory Meek fastest male of the day in the downhill followed closely by Lewis Laird. Indy Deavoll was also the fastest downhill female. A huge thank you to Donna Meek and QMTBC for providing the riders with pizza on Friday and all of our volunteer marshalls and parent helpers. Top 10 placings are below.

Downhill

• 1st U20 Boys - Rory Meek
• 1st U17 Girls - Indy Deavoll
• 1st U15 Boys - Lewis Laird
• 3rd U17 Girls - Kerys Duffy
• 3rd U16 Boys - Noah White
• 5th U17 Boys - Dylan Collins
• 6th U17 Boys - Alex Bulling
• 6th U15 Boys - Brooklyn Collins
• 8th U15 Girls - Rilee Young
• 10th U16 Boys - Harry Monk

Enduro

• 1st U17 Girls - Indy Deavoll
• 8th U16 Boys - Noah Miller
• 10th U15 Girls - Rilee Young

XC

• 5th U15 Girls - Rilee Young

Surfing - Southland Champs

Congratulations to our surfers who competed at the Southland Surfing Champs at Colac Bay on Sunday 24th March, winning the overall Schools Trophy for the first time! Top 4 places are below.

• Angus Roberts - 1st U18, U16 and Longboards Boys
• Harley Hamilton - 2nd U18, 2nd U16 Boys
• Sid Galbraith - 3rd Longboards Boys
• Oscar Crammond - 4th U16 Boys

Adventure Racing - Southland Champs

A WHS Year 9 Boys team headed down to the Southland/Otago Schools Senior Adventure Race down near Invercargill on Thursday 21st March. 160 students biked, ran and kayaked around the Mokomoko inlet and the hills of Omaui. Congratulations to Leon Coudret, Flynn Cutler, Quinn O’Donnell and Connor Rowe who placed 6th in the Year 9/10 Boys category -  despite getting a flat tyre in the bike leg and stopping to help out another team! Thank you to Eryn Cutler for helping out on the day.

Equestrian - NZ National Jumping and Show Hunter Championships,

Congratulations to Year 9 student Zara Hazledine who won 4 National Championships and 2 National Titles at the New Zealand National Jumping and Show Hunter Championships held in Christchurch at the end of March. In addition to these incredible results, Zara also won both of her show jumping non championship classes. Keep up the amazing work!

• NZ National Pony Rising Star Championship – 80cm (Championship)
• NZ National Pony Rising Star Championship  - National Title (Championship and Title)
• Handy Hunter Category C Championship - 90cm (Championship)
• NZ National Category C Pony Title 90cm – (Championship and Title)

Ice Hockey - NZ U18 Tournamnent

The NZ U18 Men’s Ice Hockey team travelled to Istanbul, Turkey to play in the IIHF World Men’s U18 Division IIIA Tournament from March 4-10. Two current WHS students were members of the team - Jessie Hutchins playing defence and Jake Thompson as goalie. Ex students Lachy Boniface (captain) Joel Patterson, Will Speakman and Tristan Bryant also competed. The team made their debut at the Division 3A level in 2024, having been promoted up a division following their gold medal victory at the Division 3B tournament in Bulgaria in 2023. This was a Division higher than last year and the boys fought hard to stay in this tournament for next season. It was great to have 6 local players playing for their national team, and they represented their country with pride!

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 Strategic Plan

Over the past few months, the Arts Department has been working on developing a draft strategic plan to be implemented from 2025 - 2027.

The strategic plan sits below our Vision Statement here and is an overarching document from which specific annual goals and targets will be developed. 

It is important that we undergo a rigorous process and that feedback is reflective of the needs of our students, school and community. Your feedback in this process is valued and we would very much appreciate you taking the time to fill in a brief feedback form here

Thank you so much in advance for taking the time to be involved in this process.

The feedback form will close on April 7

Arts Department News

Hairspray

Hairspray started this week to great reviews and sold out tickets for every night.  There was a full Dress Rehearsal that students from Shotover, St Josephs and Remarkables Primary Schools and also Alzheimer’s Society Otago & Lake Wakatipu Care Centre as well as other house bound/limited mobility older people from the community connected through St John’s and Age Concern attended on Wednesday 3rd April

Thank you to everyone for your wonderful support.

Greg Moore Donation

Local Musician Greg Moore has made a very generous donation of equipment to Wakatipu High School. Greg donated a 5 String Bass Guitar along with 2 amplifiers a drum machine and an effects unit. These will be put to great use in the Music Department and are very much appreciated by the students.

Central Otago Regional Orchestra

The Central Otago Regional Orchestra will be performing a Queenstown Concert this weekend and are performing Grieg, Tchaikovsky and Beethoven. There will also be a performance in Alexandra.

Queenstown’s Kinga Krupa will play the solo in Beethovens Piano Concerto No 3 in C Minor accompanied by the 40 piece orchestra.  The concerts are being held in Alexandra and Queenstown on Saturday 6th April and Sunday 7th April.

All preschool, primary and secondary school children are free! Students under 14 should be accompanied by a ticket holding adult.

Welcome to Harrison Maguire

We are delighted to have Harrison on board as our new Drum Teacher.  Harrison is a previous WHS student, whose band Haven came 2nd at two consecutive Rockquest Competitions.  It is great to have his experience and skills with us.

Rockquest 2024 - entries are open until 3rd of May.  Regional heats will be held on 19th May.  Find out more here:

https://www.smokefreerockquest.co.nz/regional-homepage/central-otago

Play it Strange Songwriting Competition is now open for entries.  Make sure you come along to the Songwriting Group with Solomon Crook on Thursday mornings at 8.15am.

More information can be found here:  https://www.playitstrange.org.nz/competitions

Wakatipu High School Jazz Band are raising funds for their trip to the Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival in August this year.  A fantastic raffle has been organised with amazing prizes.  Tickets will be on sale until 10th May.  Please contact WHSjazzband2024@gmail.com for information on tickets.

Extracurricular groups
Extracurricular Music Groups are up and going,  more will be starting in Term 2 when the Musical finishes.

• Guitar - Mondays Break 2
• Digital Music Production - Wednesday Break 2
• Songwriting Club - Thursday 8.15am
• Junior Jazz - Wednesday Break 2

Check each of the  Classroom Groups for more details and updates

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.

Careers - TechStep Famil

15 WHS students enjoyed an incredible opportunity to learn from local tech experts at the TechStep Famil yesterday. This event is one of two being held this year to introduce students to the thriving tech sector in Queenstown.

Our goal was to showcase the existing and emerging tech sector within Queenstown to our youth. We aimed to inspire and educate them by taking them out of their everyday environments and into these amazing tech spaces in our own backyard.

During the event, students had the chance to meet with the IT team at AJ Hackett, where they viewed the latest cutting-edge technology. Following this, they visited the Mountain Club, a shared working space where many of our technology companies and startups base themselves. Lastly, students visited the Innovation Hub Site and met with developers to understand the tenants and the projects they were working on. The innovation hub will be a drawcard for the region, helping to attract world-class talent while retaining and upskilling Queenstown locals.

We are grateful to Kelly McAteer from the Queenstown Chamber for providing this fantastic opportunity for our students. We would like to acknowledge the Tech Step initiative, funded by MBIE, Auckland, and the Hutt Valley Chambers of Commerce. 

We are excited to host our next Tech Famil on Monday 24th June, and we extend an invitation to anyone interested in attending to please see the Careers team.

Community Notices

Bus fares are changing for 13 to 24-year-olds from 1 May!

From 1 May, Bee Card fares are:
Youth aged 13-18: $1.50 per single trip
Ages 19+: $2 per single trip

For more info: www.orc.govt.nz/fares

US foreign policy – possibilities of a Trump 2.0?

Dr Michael Green, Kippenberger Chair, April 15

Foreign Minister Winston Peters is meeting US politicians this week to discuss, alongside Gaza and Ukraine, AUKUS and possible NZ involvement in pillar two.

What difference would a possible second Trump presidency make to US foreign policy? 

International security issues specialist Dr Michael Green, this year's Victoria University Centre for Strategic Studies Kippenberger Chair, will lead Monday night's Catalyst Kōrero looking at possible impacts Trump 2.0 might have on New Zealand.

PS please bring your cash koha for Happiness House.

For more details on this event click here.

Monday, April 15, 6 to 7:30 pm at The Rees Hotel Queenstown’s conference room. Registration required here to ensure your seat. Please bring cash for your koha, which will be given to Happiness House.

We're thrilled to share some exciting news with you that warms our hearts! Entertainment has just unveiled an extraordinary Membership deal that not only brings added value to Members but also extends a helping hand to our cause.
For a limited time only, when you purchase a Single City Membership to The Entertainment App, you'll be gifted with a complimentary upgrade to Multi City, along with a delightful bonus of a $20 Farmers eGift Card!  
What's even more heart warming? A generous 20% of your Membership fee will be donated directly to us, fuelling our fundraising efforts and making a tangible impact on our cause.  
But hurry, this incredible offer is only available until 2pm NZDT Monday 15th April 2024. Don't let this opportunity pass by—it's a chance to not only unlock extra Membership value but also to show your unwavering support for our fundraiser. 

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