WHS Newsletter | Issue 2.01 | 03 May 2024

Principal's Message

Kia ora koutou,

It has been a really good first week back as students have quickly settled into teaching and learning programmes and adapted quickly to the cell phones ‘away for the day’. Thank you to parents for their support with this new policy, and to students for their willingness to adapt. 

Last night we held our Literacy and Numeracy corequisite information evening for parents. Please see below for more information, including a recording of the presentation for anyone who was unable to attend this important virtual presentation. A reminder that most Year 10 students and approximately half of Year 11 students will be sitting at least one of these three corequisite assessments. Parents of students sitting these exams have been emailed directly, but please see below for more details. 

Last Thursday, Wakatipu High School students played a role at the ANZAC Day Commemorations with Jack Smillie speaking eloquently at the Queenstown and Arrowtown Service and Brian Yang was a stand out playing the ‘Last Post’ and ‘Reveille’ at both services.  

Also over the term break, the Educational Review Office (ERO) published their report for WHS. Overall, I believe we can all be very pleased with this report as it signals some great work being done at each layer of the school, which ultimately supports students with their learning, progress and achievement. The Evaluation report also signals areas which we want to further progress. You can read the full report here, or access this, along with our Strategic Plan and 2024 Strategic Priorities through our website. 

Our Excellence/Ad Alta/Ākonga Passport award assemblies commence next week with Arthur at 9:00 am and Duncan at 9:30 am in the theatre. Prizewinners and their parents have been emailed directly, but please see below for assembly dates and times. We will publish all award winners in next week’s newsletter. 

Senior Next Steps are next Tuesday 7 May. Bookings will close midday on Monday 6 May, so please be sure to make an appointment now. A reminder that school will finish at 1:50 pm on this day, with buses running at this time. See below for more details about Senior Next Steps. 

With the weather changing and snow starting to top the mountains, a reminder that we use the WHS SZApp to notify parents and students of any changes to the school day. See below to add the WHS SZApp to your phone, including updates, and also below regarding how we will communicate with you in cases of adverse weather. 

A full and comprehensive newsletter follows, including an update from our Head Girl, Jess Hudson, on her Colliers supported Outward Bound experience, a report from the Cricket Team who travelled to Sri Lanka for their end of season tour, some fantastic opportunities from the careers department, and much, much more. 

Have a great weekend and I look forward to seeing many of you next week at either the Assemblies or Senior Next Steps.

Ngā mihi nui,

Oded Nathan
Principal/Tumuaki

Senior Next Steps - Tuesday 7 May (Week 2 Term 2)

Our Senior Next Steps conferencing (teacher/parent/student) are on Tuesday 7 May from  2:30pm - 7:30pm  at school. 

Next Steps bookings are now open - please click on the link below. Please note that we will be closing bookings at midday on Monday 6 May.

These parent-student-subject teacher meetings are very important for students’ learning, progress and achievement and we strongly encourage all senior students and parents to attend this evening. 

When making your bookings, you’ll need to know your students' subjects and teacher.  If you need to know who the teacher is for each subject, check the WHS Portal.  Please try to leave five minutes between each of your interviews (eg. 5:40, 5:50), as this will give you time to move to the next teacher and will help prevent people running behind schedule.

If you find that a teacher that you would like to see has no more interview times available, please contact them directly via email to arrange an alternative time to discuss your students learning progress and achievement. 

School will finish at 1:50 pm for all students on Tuesday 7 May, with buses running at this time. 

Please use the link below to book your interviews.

Excellence / Ad Alta /Ākonga Passport Assemblies

Next week we celebrate academic and all round success across the school. This is a formal recognition of students learning this year and being a formal event, students should be in correct and tidy uniform including blazer.

Whānau of students who will be crossing the stage for an award on this day have been emailed this week of term with an invitation to attend and celebrate these awards. For those attending, please ensure you allow adequate time for parking and potential traffic as these assemblies will begin promptly at the times listed below. Assemblies will be approximately 25 minutes in length.

Arthur: Monday 6 May at 9.00 am in the theatre 
Duncan: Monday 6 May at 9.30 am in the theatre
Fox: Wednesday 8 May at 9.10 am in the theatre
Hay: Friday 10 May at 9.00 am in the theatre 
Mackenzie: Friday 10 May at 9.30 am in the theatre

James Field-Mitchell 
Assistant Principal

NCEA Numeracy and Literacy Corequisite Exams 24 to 29 May

As part of the NCEA Change Programme NZQA have introduced mandatory NCEA reading, writing and numeracy corequisites. These will form part of the NCEA qualification, and no qualification level can be achieved without passing all three of the corequisites.

Year 10 students and their parents/caregivers have received email communications regarding whether or not they have been entered for participation in each of these corequisites. No specific preparation is required, although some students may choose to build additional reading into their daily routines, or perhaps review some of the work covered in their classes to date. 

Senior students (Years 11, 12, and 13) have received an email if they are still required to sit one or more of the corequisites.

In the event that any student is unsuccessful in their first attempt, there will be a second opportunity in week 9 Term 3. There will also be additional opportunities to sit each corequisite test in the following years.

Below is a copy of the presentation for parents that was held on Thursday 2 May, which may be helpful.

Queries related to the corequisites can be directed to the following staff members:

Reading - Katie Tomkins (Literacy Team)
Numeracy - Juliet Jones (Assistant HoLA, Maths)
Writing - Craig Jack (HoLA English)

The corequisites will take place across Weeks 4 and 5 of Term 2 with Year 10s sitting in the morning and Year 11s to 13s in the afternoon:

Friday 24 May - Reading 
Monday 27 May - Numeracy
Wednesday 29 May - Writing

What can you do to support your child?

• Literacy - Reading and Writing
  • It is helpful to encourage your child to read and write at home or in their day-to-day activities. We can support them to achieve this by gathering materials that are meaningful to them from our school library.
  • Student resources for reading Student Workbook - Literacy (Reading) which use the 2022 practice exam resource materials for the questions which can be found, along with other NZQA reading exam resources, here
  • The NZQA resources for the writing exam can be found here
    
• Numeracy
  
  • You can find ways to support numeracy in the home, such as using measurements in recipes, discussing angle directions, reading scale maps, finding areas or volumes of objects, and working out the best deal whilst shopping.
  • Students who are logged onto Education Perfect can access all the Numeracy Corequisite lessons here
  • In this Google folder there are several practice numeracy questions and old exam papers that you can discuss and do with your child
  • Mana Tāhuna run after-school maths and science tutorials every other Thursday for Māori students
  • The WHS Mathematics and Statistics department runs a Math Study Hub after school every Thursday for students looking for a quiet, supported place to study
  • Encourage your child to ask for support when they need it

More ideas to support learning at home can be found here.

Lake Hayes and Shotover Bus Change

Further to our initial heads up last week, we can confirm that the changes to schedule and route will come into effect on Monday 13 May.

Due to the minor changes in the routes we are having to review and redistribute students across the buses. Please keep an eye out in your email, each parent/student will receive an email confirming which bus are allocated to and the timetable changes. 

Timetable changes will be posted to our website next Friday.

Adverse Weather

With winter fast approaching this piece is regarding ‘adverse weather’. The most important point to note is that again this winter in the case of adverse weather we will communicate through the following channels: 

• To parents - via the WHS SZApp (see below if you don't have it on your device) and the WHS website
• To students - via normal school email

On a morning with adverse weather (which particularly includes snow and/or ice on the roads) we liaise with QLDC’s roading contractor and the school bus coordinator and make a decision regarding school for that day. If it is not a normal school day, the common options are either a delayed start or school closed, in which case we will communicate through the channels above, endeavouring to do so by 7:15am. 

Please note that if we do get adverse weather during the day we will not normally close the school - this is primarily because school buses are not normally able to run early. However we do monitor adverse weather and conditions very carefully and make decisions and communicate accordingly, through the channels above.

Please also note that we do liaise with the other schools in the basin and decisions are generally coordinated. Although sometimes conditions vary for different schools and some primary schools do not have school buses - which are a key consideration, and ultimately each school will need to make its own decision, which will be communicated by the individual school.

WHS SZ App

All parents, caregivers and students should download the SZapp to your device as this is how we will communicate urgent and important school alerts and our weekly newsletter. The app also features an absence form, the online school cafe, a calendar and some handy links! See below information on how to download the WHS SZ app. 

 Apple Devices

1. On your device, open the App Store.
2. Search the App Store for SZapp.
3. Download and install SZapp.

 Android Devices

1. On your device, open the Play Store.
2. Search the Play Store for SZapp.
3. Download and install SZapp.

Anzac Day

On ANZAC Day, we paused to honour and remember the courageous individuals who served and made sacrifices for our country. Students from WHS participated in both the Dawn Service in Queenstown and the Arrowtown Service.

Jack Smillie presented an fantastic speech as the winner of the RSA speech competition, click here to watch. Brian Yang  once again performed the Last Post and Reveille so competently at both services this year.

We commend our students for their contributions and for representing our school with pride and respect. Lest we forget.

Outward Bound Experience

Last week I returned from an incredible three weeks at Outward Bound, which was possibly the best three weeks of my life. I would like to thank the WHS Foundation and Colliers for their support, which allowed me to participate in this life-changing opportunity that helped me develop my skills as a leader and gave me the time to discover myself. Thank you so much!

I went into the course with an open mindset and expected a few things, but the course was nothing I expected it to be - it was everything and more. We did numerous activities such as sailing in the pouring rain, hiking in the scorching sun, rock climbing in gale force winds, kayaking, climbing, rafting, team building, community service - and even a ½ marathon! I truly feel I have positively been changed for life, found myself pushing my limits to the limits and made some amazing connections with people that I will keep forever. 

As a leader, a student, and a human being in general, I have learnt so many lessons, skills and knowledge that I will use everyday. I didn’t know it at first, but reflecting back on the course, I have realised that not only have my leadership skills developed, but I have also developed and got to know myself in ways that I didn’t even realise were possible until now. 

I was able to do things I never thought I would get the chance to do and it really has changed my outlook on life, how I spend my time, how I embody my values and how to appreciate the moment you are in - despite the fact it may be tough. 

I don’t think I have ever laughed so hard, learnt so much, pushed myself physically and mentally into places I didn’t even realise I could and loved everything I did more than I did over the last 21 days. As one of my instructors said, while my Outward Bound journey may have ended, the real journey begins now.

Jess Hudson
Head Student

BLAKE Inspire Programme

During the first week of the holidays I attended the 2024 BLAKE Inspire, which is a week-long programme focused on developing leadership skills and environmental awareness through practical experience and face-to-face discussions with experts in their various fields. I was awarded a full scholarship to attend the program. BLAKE is an organisation founded to continue the late Sir Peter Blake’s work in environmental conservation through education.

Over the week spent in Auckland, I worked with a variety of individuals and leaders, from businesses teaching us about corporate sustainability to workers from the Ministry for the Environment. One of my highlights of the experience was travelling to Tiritiri Matangi, which is a bird sanctuary off the coast of the Whangaparāoa Peninsula. On the island we learnt about the native flora and fauna, and ways humans have severely affected and impacted them. The bird song was captivating and both the ground and trees were teeming with life. I saw a giant wētā for the first time! The island proves that conservation and protection for our native species is vital and that it does in fact make a difference. 

Another highlight was kayaking the Puhoi River, starting at the estuary. All week we had learnt about negative human impacts on waterways but it wasn’t until I saw it for myself that I realised how detrimental it actually is. At the estuary end, the water was clear with an abundance of life and the mangroves were strong and healthy. As we paddled up the river I witnessed first hand the change in the environment due to humans. The mangroves were replaced by sad looking willows and invasive species such as blackberry. The water was no longer clear, and rubbish, bridges and highways lined the river. It was a great wake up call for all of us to see the negative effects in person. I learnt how vital riparian planting is to the whole ecosystem, as it not only holds up the banks but is also used for filtering the water and providing homes for a wide variety of organisms. 

Overall I absolutely loved my time on the programme and am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be a part of BLAKE Inspire. My horizons have been broadened. I have come home with a stronger drive to protect our natural world and make a difference. I have also made ever lasting friendships and would highly recommend the programme. If you have a passion for the environment both on land and below the waves, as well as a strong drive to make a difference, I could not recommend BLAKE Inspire more. 

Lucy Boniface
Year 12 Student

Sri Lanka Cricket Tour Report

During the school holidays, our boys First XI cricket team went on a journey to Sri Lanka to explore a new culture and play some of the local teams. This was the first overseas school sporting trip since before the COVID-19 pandemic, and it went very smoothly. It was a very enjoyable touring experience, interesting to see how different it was compared to New Zealand and nice to meet the Sri Lankans who were extremely welcoming.

It was also very different conditions for cricket, with the local spinners bowling very well against us. We played at some beautiful grounds, winning one game and taking another couple right down to the wire.

Outside of results, the highlight was when we spent time with local underprivileged children and donated cricket gear through the Foundation of Goodness charity. Overall, it was a great time on the trip that was enjoyed with good company and good cricket. 

A huge thank you to Greg, Andy, Bevan, Matt and to the families and our sponsors for making it an unforgettable experience.

Anthony Hollyer
WHS First XI Cricket

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.

Computational and Algorithmic Thinking Competition

The Computational and Algorithmic Thinking (CAT) competition gives students the opportunity to develop their problem-solving skills through algorithmic thinking. The competition incorporates unique ‘three-stage tasks’ that encourage students to develop informal algorithms and apply them to test data of increasing size or complexity.

Registrations should have now been completed and the payment of $9.50 for the competition is required by Thursday 16 May (via Portal). The online test for the competition will be after school on Thursday 23 May. Sample questions can be found on the Curious Minds Classroom. ,

Visit the website for more information.

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.

ICAS 2024

ICAS is an online academic competition that gives students the opportunity to challenge their higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, and Writing. The competition is open to all WHS students, Year 9 through to 13, with test dates throughout August. Every student who participates is celebrated and recognised with a printed certificate in each subject area, and an online results report to track development each year. Top performers are eligible for one of the highly coveted ICAS medals. 
 
If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please:  
1. Read about ICAS subjects and prices here.
2. Read the terms and conditions here. 
3. Go to the Parent Portal to sign up to chosen subject areas here.  
4. Enter our school’s access code – QFN331.  
5. Enter your child’s details, select the subject areas your child would like to participate in, then proceed to payment.  
 
After payment is made via the Parent Payment System, you will receive an order confirmation email. Please keep this for your records. Applications need to be in by Friday, 26 July. 

Logan Rae
Gifted Coordinator

Gifted Ed trip to the University of Otago

On Tuesday, 30 April, a group of 20 students in Years 10 and 11 explored STEM opportunities at the University of Otago. This was organised as part of Hunga Māhirahira - Curious Minds. In the morning we attended a workshop at the University of Otago Marine Science Centre in Portobello to learn about phytoplankton and zooplankton. This involved students collecting seawater then examining their samples and counting plankton using microscopes. We were treated to an exceptional lunch at St Margaret's College, one of the University of Otago residential colleges, where we also attended a presentation by WHS alumna Katie Westphall and Head of College Mrs Elizabeth Koni. Ace, the famous St Marg's pet dog, was also in attendance! After lunch, we had a hands-on experience with Surveying, trying out the impressive technology surveyors use to take incredibly precise measurements. And finally, we went on a guided tour of the university, seeing the likes of the  Health Science laboratories, various libraries, and other campus facilities.

Here are some of the students' highlights:

• Bradie (Year 10): "My highlight of the trip was definitely having a look at the plankton in Portobello. Going through every sample of water to find, identify and count the plankton is a lengthy process!"
• Louis (Year 11): "I loved seeing so many amazing species of fish and plankton. I really enjoyed finding new species in my sample of seawater that I hadn't seen before and felt that the experience gave me a new perspective on ocean pollution."
  
• Sofia (Year 10): "I found a mystery isopod; the people at the Marine Science Centre couldn't tell me what it was! I also liked the dog, Ace, at St Marg's."
  
• Arabella (Year 10): The University of Otago trip was a really fun experience because we learnt heaps of things. I am thankful to the teachers for taking us because I believe we had an amazing time. It was definitely the highlight of my year so far and it was an amazing experience!"
• Ethan (Year 10): "My highlight of the trip was the campus tour. It opened my eyes to how much you can do at the university and how big it is!"

A massive thank you to the University of Otago for providing such an engaging and varied itinerary for us, St Margaret's College for their manaakitanga and exceptional food, and to Mrs Kirsty Jamieson-Gough and Ms Rose Kidd for helping with the running of this trip.  
Make sure your child joins the Hunga Māhirahira - Curious Minds Classroom (cgizhbc) to hear about future trips! 

Mr Logan Rae
Gifted Coordinator

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

We have officially started our Monthly Prize draw! Each week we will be posting the winners of each prize here in the newsletter as well as contacting the winners directly. It is not to late to buy a ticket, only $5, to help support our student's heading to Nepal in December 2024. The more tickets you buy, the more chances you have to win. All you need to do is:

1. Press on the link below to the Google Form

2. Complete the form and direct debit the amount due (details provided on the form)

3. Wait in anticipation to win one of our many incredible prizes.

We can't thank our incredible Wakatipu community enough for their generous contributions. Check out all our sponsors and their prizes below.

Ngā Reo Languages Learning Area

Students learning about global issues while using a second language

Students in Year 12 and 13 French and Spanish classes have embarked on a journey exploring the intricate dynamics of climate change and its profound ramifications on both local and global communities.

Throughout this engaging unit, students will delve into the potential consequences on our natural environment and society, while actively participating in discussions, providing advice, and brainstorming solutions. They will craft posters, engage in debates, and deliver speeches, fostering a deep sense of individual and collective responsibility.

The curriculum seamlessly integrates various disciplines such as Languages, Social Sciences, Science, Technologies, and The Arts, enriching the learning experience and promoting interdisciplinary understanding.

To enhance their engagement, students will explore a diverse range of mediums including documentaries, songs, and literature. Notably, they will analyse the impactful documentary "Home  " by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, which is available for viewing in both French and Spanish, underscoring the global nature of the issue. It's worth mentioning that the local aerial cinematographer, Peter Thomson of Aeroptics, whose daughter Zoe was an ex-French student, played a pivotal role in capturing scenes for this film, some of which feature the breathtaking landscapes of Fiordland.

Hosting  Te Kura o Tititea (Mount Aspiring College) for some Te Reo Māori

End of last term was a busy one in Te Reo Māori. Our Senior students studying Te Reo Māori spent a mīharo day on Wenerei doing some mahi tahi with Te Kura o Tititea (Mount Aspiring College) in our whare pukapuka here at Te Kura Tuarua o Whakatipu.
Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou to our pou tautoko who supported the kauapa of the day. Lots of whakawhanaungatanga and ako for alp involved. E tika ana te kōrero, ’Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa’. Mauri ora! 

Bon appétit in Year 10 French

The Year 10 French students have embarked on a flavorful journey, mastering the art of communication surrounding food and culinary techniques. 
Applying their newfound linguistic prowess, students navigated through a French recipe, using precise cooking terminology to concoct delectable crêpes. A special thank-you goes out to the Food Technology teachers for their invaluable assistance in facilitating this enriching cross-curricular endeavour.
Bon appétit!

Bon Appétit!!

Languages Championship Next Week!!!!
All language students are welcome to participate!!

The EP Languages Championship (EPLC) are a free event where students can compete at their own ability level.
This competition is designed to help boost your personal learning journey, engage with curriculum-aligned content, and motivate to compete on an international stage.
Of course, there will be goodies and awards to be won!!!

Year 10 Trip to Ma Boulangerie

A cohort of enthusiastic Year 10 French students recently embarked on a delightful excursion to Ma Boulangerie, an authentic French bakery nestled in The Remarkables Park Area.

Putting their classroom-acquired language skills into practice, students confidently greeted and placed orders with the French-speaking staff, indulging in a delectable array of pastries. This immersive experience provided them with a unique opportunity to apply their learning in a real-life setting, all while savouring some scrumptious treats. Vive la pratique!

Sport and Active Recreation

Central Otago Sports Awards

Congratulations to all of the WHS students who are Finalists at the 2024 Forsyth Barr Central Otago Sports Awards! The Awards Ceremony will be held on Friday the 10th of May at Wanaka Events Centre.

• Health 2000 Junior Sportswomen of the Year Finalists: Sienna Mackley, Indy Devoll, Zara Hazeldine and Polly Bennetts.
• Gallaway Cook Allan Junior Sportsman of the Year Finalists: Mason Clarke and Rory Meek
• Jennian Homes Wanaka Team of the Year Finalists: Harry Lightfoot and Seb Watson (U17 Double Sculls Crew)

Cricket - Sri Lanka Tour

Over the school holidays the 1st XI Boys Cricket team embarked on a tour to Sri Lanka. Check out the WHS Cricket Tours Facebook page for the daily write ups of the action!

https://www.facebook.com/WHSCrickettour

Cross Country - Siena Mackley

Best of luck to Siena Mackley who is heading to Nairobi, Kenya to represent NZ at the World Schools Cross Country Championships this month!

Adventure Racing

In the first weekend of the school holidays 2 WHS teams competed in the 6+6 Maxis Projects Adventure Race in Invercargill. The first day of the event involved over 23km of both running and biking with a short paddle. Day two started with an early bike in the dark, followed by a rogaine and river paddle home. The ‘Quirky Turkeys’ team of Elsbeth Purdue, Neive McLeod, Harry McNay and McKellar Thornton placed 2nd in the Student Team Category, with ‘Mud Don’t Stop Us’ (Oli Watson, James Weber, Caitlyn Purdue) coming in third. The team’s times were 3rd and 4th fastest in the Adult Category as well. Awesome work!

Central Otago Hockey competition

The Central Otago Hockey competition has started up this week, we have three WHS teams entered into the competition with games being played in either Cromwell or Queenstown each week.

The 2nd XI Boys team played on Monday night in Queenstown. It was an entertaining game and the boys ended up with a 4-2 win against a strong Cromwell side after being down 2-1 at half time. Patrick Edwards and Eddie Taylor scored 2 goals each. The team came together well considering many of them didn't know each other's names. They should be a real force in the competition this season!

The 2nd XI Girls had a tournament night in Cromwell on Thursday night. The girls all played really well - they went out there, got stuck into it and combined like a great team even with 4 players away. The first game was really close,  going down by only one goal.  Shout out to Alice Jeffery who stepped up to play goalie with no practice and oversized gear!  In the second game they did all of the attacking and came away with a win,

The 1st XI Mixed team's first game is on Friday night in Cromwell against Maniototo. Play well!

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

Jazz Band Workshop 

Last weekend the Jazz Band had a two day workshop.  Huge thanks to Chris Mason-Battley for taking the groups over the two days.  It was great to have the students fully immersed as we start the process for the Blenheim Southern Jam Jazz Festival.

Practices will continue as normal each Wednesday after school.

Auditions for the Jazz Band singer are happening next Wednesday.

Any students who are keen and have not already contacted Mrs Price should do so as soon as possible.

Out and About - 

Well done to the following students for their performances over the holidays:

Brian Yang - who performed the Last Posts at Anzac services in both Queenstown and Arrowtown.

Mala Januszkiewicz performed for an hour in front of a large crowd on Buckingham Green at the Arrowtown Autumn Festival.

Artist of the Week - Henry Kerr

Henry Kerr has created a series of incredible art pieces as part of a Level 2 internal assessment.  The theme of his art series is “Healing from Trauma” and each art piece is part of a story of a healing process. Henry explains “I’m hoping that my pieces will catch the viewer's interest and that they will wonder if there is a deeper story. I like to use symbolism in my art such as the sunflowers. In real life sunflowers can absorb radiation and so they represent the healing process in my art.”

Jack Speedy 

Jack placed in the top 5 nationally for the 2023 Rockquest Competition (Solo/Duo section) and their website has recently been updated with links to the top 30 acts from 2023..  Well done to Jack for his song Louisville on this album

Please click here to listen:  https://shorturl.at/yCEHW

Auditions for Singing Group

Along with the Social Singing that happens on a Friday Break 2, we are also setting up a “serious” singing group. Joining this group will require a strong commitment as we are keen for this to become a key part of the Music Department. Entry to this group is via audition. Please email Mrs Cooper scooper@wakatipu.school.nzi f you are interested in auditioning for this group and she will get back with an audition time for you. 

Auditions will be held on Tuesday May 7.

May Music Month 

May is NZ Music Month and many of the School Bells will feature songs from ex and current students who are involved in the music industry.  

This week we featured Jack Bromwich’s “She Said” and Josh Mehrten’s (Mild Orange) “This Kinda Day” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzLxcDKIfrw

Visiting Performers 

This Term we will kick off our Visiting Performers programme where local musicians will perform in the Foyer during Break 2 sessions. Sam Maxwell will be our first act on the May 15.

Welcome Simon Lusby.

A warm welcome to Simon, our new guitar/bass/band teacher who started Thursday. We are very happy to have someone with his experience and skills at WHS.

Extracurricular groups - Groups have restarted for the term and some have been adjusted, but students should be up to date with all updates as they are posted on the Performing Arts Classroom Group.  

• Jazz Combo - Monday 8 am / Wednesday 8 am
• Chamber Music Group - First Meeting on Monday Break  1
• Guitar - Monday Break 2
• Digital Music Production - Wednesday Break 2
• Junior Jazz - Wednesday Break 2
• Jazz Full Band - Wednesday 3.20 pm
• Songwriting - Thursday 8.15 am
• Social singing - Friday Break 2

Keep checking each of the  Classroom Groups for more details and updates

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 May 10 so get in quick to be part of this wonderful raffle.

Please contact WHSjazzband2024@gmail.com for information on tickets.

Upcoming for the Term - 

03 May - Entries for Rockquest close

18 May -  Rockquest Heats (TBC)

24 May -  Entries for Play It Strange Youthtown Competition close (Yrs 9-11)

08 June - WHS Big Break 

15 June - Rockquest Regional Finals

25 June - Showquest / Toi Wearable Arts

30 June - Entries for Play It Strange Peace Song Competition close

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 Mrs Cooper 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

REGISTRATIONS FOR OUR TERTIARY TRIPS TO WELLINGTON AND AUCKLAND ARE NOW OPEN!

Students considering tertiary study options in Wellington or Auckland are invited to join us on campus for their Open Days taking place in Term 3. Open Days present a unique opportunity for our students to explore different study options, attend sample lectures, tour residential colleges and talk to knowledgeable staff.

We have two Open Days in August. First up, the Victoria University / Massey University Open Day in Wellington on Friday 23 August, followed by the University of Auckland / AUT Open Day in Auckland on Saturday 24 August. We are also offering a combined trip for students wanting to explore both options.

For further information or to secure your place on one of these trips, please click on the links provided. Please keep in mind that spaces are limited so we encourage you to sign up as soon as possible.

Wellington Tertiary Trip - Victoria University / Massey University Open Day - Friday 23 August
Start: Thursday 22 August
Return: Friday 23 August
https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/289702

Auckland Tertiary Trip - University of Auckland / AUT Open Day - Saturday 24 August
Start: Friday 23 August
Return: Saturday 24 August
https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/289704

Wellington and Auckland Combined Tertiary Trip
Start: Thursday 22 August
Return: Saturday 24 August
https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/289705

WHS Foundation

Community Notices

We're partnering with Entertainment to offer you the chance to support our cause while enjoying a bonus eGift Card when you purchase a Membership to The Entertainment App.

What's more, by purchasing a Membership, you're not just treating yourself to fantastic savings—you're also directly supporting our cause. With every Membership purchase, our charity receives 20% of the Membership price, ensuring that your contribution goes even further in making a difference.

 With an Entertainment Membership, you'll unlock a world of unforgettable experiences, perfect for sharing cherished moments with your loved ones. Plus, from 8:00pm NZST, Wednesday 1st May to 1:59pm NZST Friday 31st May 2024, you'll also receive a bonus $20 Countdown eGift Card with a Single City Membership purchase, and a bonus $40 Countdown eGift Card with a Multi City Membership purchase.

With new offers added weekly, the Entertainment Membership promises unparalleled value on dining, experiences, shopping, travel, and more, ensuring every moment is brimming with joy and laughter.

Join us today in creating unforgettable memories while making a tangible difference in our community.

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