WHS Newsletter | Issue 2.05 | 31 May 2024

WHS Foundation Quarterly Update 2/2024

Kia ora,

The Wakatipu High School Foundation is our school’s biggest supporter, and this year the Foundation is giving the school $450,000, which enables a wide range of initiatives that significantly benefit our students. 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 have a read below for a special update from our friends and supporters at the Wakatipu High School Foundation. 

Ngā mihi nui,

Oded Nathan
Principal/Tumuaki

Annual Fundraising Dinner and Live Auction

Join us  for an unforgettable evening at our Annual Fundraising Dinner and Live Auction to be held at The Grille by Eichardt's on 6 June 2024

The Must-Attend Event of the Year!

Next week, the Wakatipu High School Foundation will hold their major annual fundraising event at Eichardt’s Grille in Queenstown.

This is an evening of fun, connection, and giving back to the community. Meet our valued partners, participate in live and silent auctions, and revel in the joy of knowing that your contributions will create tangible and lasting benefits for our students, our school, and our community as a whole. Enjoy music from our student musicians Bethany Graf and Ted Coutts and hear from Wakatipu High School Head Students Jess Hudson and Mason Clarke.

Thanks to our amazing sponsors we have an an auction line-up of coveted items that you could be taking home on the night including:

• Two Nights for six people at Wavesong on Waiheke Island

• Date Night for a Year Dining Package valued at $2,000

• Tahitian Pearls from Robert Wan

• Artwork by Simon Morrison-Deaker

• Magnum of Two Paddocks Pinot Noir signed by Sam Neill

• Dining & Accommodation at SkyCity Auckland

By attending this event, you'll be supporting youth education at Wakatipu High School. With your support we are making a significant impact and have pledged to fund $450,000 in programmes supporting WHS Students in 2024.

Tickets

Tickets: $275 per person includes a four course bespoke menu showcasing the best of Central Otago & Southland featuring home-grown, free-range, and locally sourced produce served alongside a selection of premium Central Otago wines and beers generously donated by our sponsors.

Secure your spot before it's too late by purchasing tickets online or if you prefer to be invoiced please contact Carolyn. Tables of 4, 8, 9 or 14 are available and can be secured by emailing Carolyn: admin@whsf.nz. If your group number is less than this, we can accommodate you on a shared table.

Thank You to our Sponsors

Our Gala Dinner and Auction can not happen without the incredible generosity of our generous Event Sponsor and Gold Level Business Partner Jarden, our wonderful Venue Sponsor and Associate level Business Partner Eichardt's Grille and their entire team, along with many other generous local businesses that have donated food, wine, and amazing auction items. Please support these businesses that support us. https://www.whsf.nz/event-sponsors

Save the Date

We're thrilled to announce that the WHS Foundation Annual Charity Golf Tournament will take place at Millbrook Resort on Thursday, October 17, 2024. This event promises a fantastic day of golf at one of New Zealand's most prestigious courses. We extend our gratitude to Millbrook Resort for once again hosting this important event.

Thanks to our Supporters

Junior Exams - Week 7

As we approach the end of Semester One, it is now time for our Y9 and Y10 students to turn their attention to preparing for their upcoming Junior Exams.

Year 9 Students will sit:

• Maths Exam (90 mins)
• English Exam (70 mins - digital)
• Social Sciences Exam (70 mins - digital)
  

Y10 Students will sit:

• Maths Exam (90 mins)
• English Exam (70 mins - digital)
• Science Exam (70 mins - digital)
  

Other subjects may be carrying out assessments during class time, and students need to ensure that they know when, where and what will be examined.  You can expect an email from subject teachers with these details in the coming week.

Please see the links below for access to the Exam Timetable, including information regarding what will be assessed in the common assessments, and general expectations.

Year 9 Information

Year 10 information

Big Day Out - Te Rā Nui Ki Waho" Central Lakes Alternative Education Day

On Thursday this week, the Central Lakes Alternative Education Students from around the region were hosted by WHS for a Big Day Out Incentive Programme. Students were lucky to be supported by AJ Hackett Bungy for a bungy or zip line experience and Skyline for a gondola and luge. 

"I was excited to go up on the bungy bridge at first and the closer it got to me going up on the ledge, the more nervous I got. Once I finally managed to overcome my fear, it was a lot of fun and adrenaline filled." - Bea Soares, WHS Student

A massive thanks to these local businesses supporting students - many of whom had never experienced anything like this before and were very grateful for the experience!

Gemma Boel
Head of Student Learning Support  

Wakatipu Playcentre Visit

Last week four lovely students from year 10 visited the Wakatipu Playcentre. We were met with enthusiastic toddlers, who listened intently and danced to the girls' educational presentation on plant pollination and the importance of bees. The preschoolers then had an opportunity to demonstrate how bees pollinate flowers with the gorgeous paper flowers crafted by the students. It was a great morning “out and about” with our youngest in the community. 

Rose Kidd
Teacher in Charge of Biology

Sport and Active Recreation

Cross Country - World Secondary School Champs

Year 12 student Siena Mackley recently returned from the 2024 ISF World School Cross Country Championships in Kenya. Held at Kenya's renowned Nrong Racecourse from May 10th to 14th, the event saw participation from 481 runners representing five continents. Siena placed 29th in the U18 Girls 3400m race with an incredible time of 12:45. This earnt her the second spot amongst New Zealand's 11 competitors. Siena said it was a great experience - stating that while the racing was awesome it was getting to meet people from other countries and experiencing the culture that was the coolest part. Siena's achievements are a testament to her hard work, and we're proud to celebrate her success on the international stage!

Cross Country - Southern Schools

The South Island Schools Cross Country Event was held for the second year in Timaru at Ashbury Park on Sunday 26th May. Four of our runners attended. Congratulations to the following students for their awesome results!

• Siena Mackley - 1st Senior Girls
• James Weber - 2nd Senior Boys
• Flynn Weber - 4th Year 9 Boys
• Finn Bell - 7th U16 Boys

Rodeo

A huge congratulations to year 12 student Zoe Johnston who has been selected into the New Zealand Team travelling to the 2024 National Barrel Horse Association Youth and Teen World Championships in Georgia, USA from the 21st - 27th July. Zoe is one of six top riders who qualified for the team based on her results at various qualifying jackpot events. We wish her all the best for this incredible opportunity!

Hockey - Central Otago Representative Teams

Congratulations to the following WHS students who have been selected into Central Otago representative hockey teams. These teams will compete at the National U18 Tournaments in Christchurch (Women) and Napier (Men) from the 7th-13th July. Well done all!

• U18 Men’s: Alex Campbell & Samuel Robertson-muir
  
• U18 Women’s: Abby Fookes, Katie Battrick & Annika Simpson

Mountain Biking

Indy Deavoll has been competing in Cairns at the Australian stop of the Crankworx World Tour. Indy placed 2nd in the Dual Slalom U17 Female and 3rd in the Downhill.

NZ Ski - Locals Pass

The NZ Ski (Coronet, Remarkables and Mt Hutt) Local School Pass is available to purchase online until Monday 10 June 2024. After this date, the pass will only be available to purchase in person with proof of enrollment. More information is available on the link below.

https://www.coronetpeak.co.nz/localschools/

NZ Ski - Rookie Instructor Training Programme 

NZ Ski are running the Rookie Instructor Training Programme. This is a four-day performance ski or snowboard instructor training programme preparing Wakatipu High School students to join the Queenstown Snowsports team as a rookie instructor through the 2024 July School Holidays.

Please note students must be at least 16 years old to sit the Level 1 NZSIA or SBINZ Instructor course.

Please see the flyer attached for more information. Please contact NZ Ski directly with any queries relating to the programme.

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

RODGER FOX

We would like to acknowledge Rodger Fox who passed away on Monday. Rodger had a long association with the WHS Music department dating back to the early 2000’s when he first arrived at the school to assist with the fledgling jazz band as it was then. Over the years, we were fortunate to have many workshops with Rodger and our students benefited hugely from both his knowledge and enthusiasm. The last time we saw Rodger was last year with King Kapisi in their jazz/hip hop collaboration and once again he made time to be with our jazz band and offer suggestions and support. His impact on the NZ jazz scene has been immense and his role in promoting music education immeasurable. 

Artist of the Week:  Maxwell Rae

Mr McMenamin's class have been busy creating music for the Disney Short Film "Flamingo's with Yoyos". There were many outstanding submissions, however one stood out as especially effective and well considered. Maxwell Rae's film score evoke's impressions of Star Wars, mixed in with aspects of the original music from Camille Saint-Saens "Carnival of the Animals, Finale". He matches the music brilliantly to the drama and action of the footage and deserves this award for "Artist of the Week" as this is outstanding work for someone in their first year of High School. Ka pai tō mahi! 

Big Break 2024

WHS have their annual Big Break event on June 8 at the school theatre. 

This is an opportunity for our bands and solo/duo acts to perform in the school theatre and we welcome friends, family and community to come and support the students. 

The event kicks off at 4pm with doors open at 3.30. 

Huge thanks to Rockformation for their help in providing gear and assisting with the running of the Big Break . 

Huge thanks to Creative Queenstown for their support. 

Songwriting Workshop

Last Thursday we had nine students involved with a day of songwriting at Te Atamira. Solomon Crook has been facilitating songwriting sessions before school on Thursdays and this was an extension of this work as he outlined the process of how to write and record a song. Solomon has been writing and producing his own music for a number of years and his work can be found on the following Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SolomonCrook

The talented group consisting of

Venice Alzaga, Luana Kirchoff Pereira, Jan Vavera, Bella Dempsey, Leo Philips, Jaydn Thomas, Indy Hamilton, Bethany Graf and Alfie Cameron workshopped together to compose an amazing piece named "Mountain"

Listen to "Mountain" here: 

Visiting Performers 

On Tuesday we had former student Alex Fraser performing in the foyer alongside band member A.J. Grant on guitar. Fans of the heavy rock scene in Queenstown will recognise Alex from the Zephyr bar in town where he organises the music and is also the bar manager. Great to have him at WHS again playing and working with some of the Y12/13 students"

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.  

Songwriting Workshop - Mountain 

Holly Arrowsmith - Desert Dove 

Corduroy (Rafe Swan) - Back Up Guy 

Holly Arrowsmith - APRA Best Country Music Song Award

The 2024 APRA Best Country Music Song Award was celebrated at the Country Music Honours in Gore last week. South Island folk songwriter Holly Arrowsmith was presented as the winner for her song ‘Desert Dove’.  The Awards evening featured the best in Aotearoa country music with live performances followed by the presentation of the 2024 APRA Best Country Music Song Award.

‘Desert Dove’ is Arrowsmith’s second Best Country Song Award winning song, following her win in 2019 for ‘Slow Train Creek’.   ‘Desert Dove’ is a captivating alt-country ballad inspired by her grandfather.

“In Tucson, Arizona my grandfather fed the birds every morning” Holly explains. “There was a dove that would wake me while I was visiting, mournful and resolute in its song. When he died, I heard that same dove in New Zealand and it filled me with a sense of him. It is a song about distance, loss and grief, and finding courage in the face of these things.”

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
• 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
• Senior Singing - Thursday Break 2
• Chamber Music Group - Thursday Break 2

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

Upcoming for Terms 2 and 3 - 

08 June - WHS Big Break 

11 & 13 June - Yr 12 Music Nights

15 June - Rockquest Regional Finals

17 & 18 June - Yr 13 Music Nights

25 June - Showquest / Toi Wearable Arts

26 & 27 June - Yr 11 Music Nights

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

31 July - Entries for Play It Strange Lion Foundation Competition close

1-25 August - Showing Off Student Art Exhibition

6-10 August - Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival

31 August - Entries for Strange Art (album cover art) Competition close

Te Atamira - is a multi-purpose arts and cultural space at Remarkables Park Town Centre - check out what is happening at Te Atamira here

Te Wahi Toi - Nau mai, haere mai, Te Wāhi Toi is the meeting place and online directory for Queenstown and Wānaka’s creative community.  Find them here

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

This week, our Year 13 students had an amazing opportunity to explore Otago University and Otago Polytechnic during their Open Days. It was a fantastic chance for them to explore their future options in a fun and informative setting.

Students had the opportunity to participate in lectures across different faculties, chat with current students and get a sense of what university and polytechnic life is like. They enjoyed a packed schedule that included attending classes and touring the different halls of residence.

This hands-on experience was all about helping them figure out whether university or polytechnic is the best fit for them.

Community Notices

Click here to purchase online.

Click here to purchase online.

What is regenerative tourism – and how can we move towards it?

Catalyst Kōrero, Monday, June 10

Queenstown is not the only place where tourism can be seen as more of a bane than a boon. "Regenerative tourism" has been touted as a way to resolve this. What is it, who does it, how does it work?Come along to the Catalyst Kōrero on Monday, June 10, to hear University of Otago tourism Prof Susan Houge Mackenzie cover the issues from her nationwide research. Destination Queenstown CEO Mat Wood will be on hand to join the discussion.

Sunday, June 10, 6.15 to 7:45 pm at The Rees Hotel Queenstown’s conference room. Registration
required here to ensure your seat. Please bring cash for your koha. This will be given to KiwiHarvest.

Support our Fundraising efforts and receive a bonus $20 eGift Card and access to over 10,000 exclusive offers in 20 cities across Australia and New Zealand. 

Hurry! This limited time offer ends 1:59pm NZST, Monday 3rd June 2024. 

Thank you for your on-going support! 
 Order Here – https://subscribe.entertainmentnz.com/fundraiser/260506v