WHS Newsletter | Issue 2.10 | 05 July 2024

Principal's Message

Kia ora koutou

Welcome to the end of a good Term 2. While there have been many things to celebrate at WHS over the past few weeks and term, today’s stunning Matatū Assembly was an awesome way to wrap it all up. This important event, which is also part of our hotly contested House Competition, sees our students learn and perform our school’s haka and waiata, and aims to bring the school community together to showcase our school’s values of Inclusion/Kotahitanga, Resilience/Te manawanui me te ū and Excellence/Panekiretanga. Matatū means to stand firm, to show endurance and to be proud and the Matatū assembly is an important part of our school culture and all-round education. 

A huge thanks to the Deans, staff and student leaders who have supported with the preparation, and congratulations to all of the students who participated. A special thanks to our kaiwhakawā (judges) and kaiako (tutors) - Ata, Marley and Te Tui and to Matua Ryan Gilbertson for his organisation and MCing of this great event. 

Once again this year, all of the performances were outstanding - reflecting the effort that has been put in over the last few weeks. If you missed it, you can view the livestream recording here. 

Congratulations to Fox House on their win and to everybody who participated. 

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In the classroom, our students and staff have worked hard to the last day of term, with many senior students wrapping up their internal assessments and our junior students finishing off their Semester One courses. Our mid-year reports for 2024 are in the process of being published to the Portal and should be available for all to see by Monday. A letter detailing these reports will also be emailed out and this will include information about  the Senior and Junior Next Steps interviews that are being held on Tuesday 6 August. 

Teachers spend a lot of time reporting and giving feedback to students and we hope that the information in the reports is useful for students and parents, and that parents take the time to go through them and to be informed about student’s learning, progress and achievement. We would also really like to see all parents and students at the Next Steps interviews (as per above), so be sure to book a meeting with your child’s Kaiārahi through the link below and in the letter.

Term 3 begins on Monday 22 July and is always an exciting and action-packed term. Please mark the key dates below in your calendar, as there are some important events in the first few weeks of term. A reminder that junior students will move to their Semester 2 options and that will include a change to their timetable, details of which can be found on the Portal. 

Details of some of the other term 3 events are also included in the newsletter, not to mention a recap of some of the successes from the week that has passed, so please be sure to have a read through.

I hope that everyone has a restful and relaxing break and an opportunity to reflect on the first half of the school year before the start of next term.

Ngā mihi nui,

Oded Nathan
Principal/Tumuaki

Key Dates

Progress and Achievement Reports available this weekend

Parents and caregivers will receive an email notification by the end of this weekend, letting them know that their student's Mid-Year Report is available to view via the Portal. For Junior students, these reports summarise learning, progress and achievement over Semester 1. For Senior students, these reports provide a summary of current progress towards NCEA, including credits gained to date and grades awarded for specific Achievement Standards. There are also formative grades for work that is still in process, including learning for externally assessed standards. All reports will also include comments from Kaiārahi.

As always, we strongly encourage parents to review these reports with their student: celebrate their success and also discuss any areas for improvement.  Any immediate questions can be directed to the subject teacher, Kaiārahi, or Dean in the first instance.

The next opportunity to discuss your student's progress is the Junior and Senior Next Steps day on Tuesday, August 6.  This day is an important opportunity for you and your student to meet with their Kaiārahi to gain a clear, shared understanding of how they are progressing towards their goals and their next steps towards achieving to the best of their ability.   You are  able to book your 15-minute interview time using this link https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code/zzha6

A reminder that this is a pupil-free day, although we expect the student to also be present at the conference to discuss their progress.

Junior Prizegiving & Year Level Ad Alta/Excellence Assemblies

Save the date - Monday, July 29

Students receiving an award (and their parents/caregivers) will be emailed in the first week of Term 3. 

• Year 12/13 - 9:00 am
• Year 9 - 10:15 am
• Year 10 - 12:25 pm
• Year 11 - 2:10 pm
  

2025 Course Option Selection

The start of Term 3 will signal the beginning of our course selection process for Year 9 to Year 12 students. On the first Monday of term, students in Years 9 - 12 will begin the day with year level assemblies outlining the process. 

The key dates that you will need to consider are:

Monday 22 July - Year level assemblies focusing on course option selection
Tuesday 30 July - 3:20 pm to 5:00 pm Option selection afternoon. This is an opportunity for parents and students to ask questions of key staff in learning areas about courses for the future
Monday 6 August - Junior and Senior Next Steps is an opportunity to discuss course options with students Kaiārahi 
Monday 12 August - Subject selection due for years 9 - 12 

The Senior Leadership team will also be available for appointments to assist with selection, there will be further information about this next term.

Maths University Results for Semester One

The Mathematics and Statistics Learning Area has been accelerating students for many years and this year 14 students completed Stage 1 University Maths (Math102) through the University of Canterbury. The grades for Semester One have just been released. The students are: 

Tom Schenk (A+ with 97%)
Jack Trounce (A+ with 94%)
Ricky Webster (A+ with 93%)
Angus McDowell (A+ with 92%)
Ole Wijntjes (A+ with 91%)
Sara Warmington (A+ with 90%)
Pete Davis (A with 89%)
Bella Taylor (A with 86%)
Jared Long (A with 86%)
Jess Hudson (A- with 81%)
Anthony Hollyer (B+ with 79%)
Brodie Banks (B+ with 78%)
Tom Martin (B+ with 75%)
Abby Fookes (B with 73%)

Special mention for Harry Seeto who completed Math199 during Semester One through Auckland University and he also completed the first round of the New Zealand Mathematical Olympiad (NZMO) competition.

Dax Richards
Mathematics Teacher

Cerebral Showdown: Brain Bee Finals

The Brain Bee is an international neuroscience competition for Year 11 students focusing on brain functions, neurological and mental illnesses, and career opportunities in brain research.

This year, twelve Wakatipu High School students participated in Round One of the Brain Bee, where they studied foundational neuroscience concepts and took an assessment last term. Six students advanced to Round Two and were invited to attend the Brain Bee finals on Tuesday, July 2 at St. Andrew’s College in Christchurch, alongside around thirty other Year 11 students representing a dozen different schools. 

The finals featured a symposium with some of New Zealand’s top brain researchers, a hands-on neuroscience expo, and individual and team competitions. Cameron Hall was one of ten individual finalists and was tasked with answering complex neuroscience questions that would challenge many undergraduate university students! Cameron's achievement in reaching the top ten is outstanding and he did a fantastic job representing Wakatipu High School. We congratulate Medha Baadkar of Christchurch Girls’ High School for winning the individual competition and wish her all the best for when she represents New Zealand in Perth later this year. Additionally, Isabelle Mahoney, Kelsey Strudwicke, and Jess Wilkinson were runners-up in the team competition, which involved a neuroscience quiz and creating a model of the brain using chenille stems and beads — a phenomenal achievement!

We thank the Brain Health Research Centre for providing funding towards our trip to Christchurch and St. Andrew’s College for hosting the event.

Mr Logan Rae
Gifted Coordinator

NH90 Helicopter Visit

Yesterday, our school had the privilege of hosting a visit from an RNZAF NH90 helicopter, which landed just opposite our school grounds. It was an incredible opportunity for our students to get a rare glimpse of the aircraft in action and meet the dedicated crew and soldiers on board.

The excitement began as the NH90, piloted by skilled Airforce personnel and accompanied by crew from the NZ Army, circled the school before landing. Soldiers from the 2/4 Battalion swiftly exited the helicopter and secured the perimeter, ensuring the aircraft could safely shut down. Once the helicopter was secured, students were invited to get up close and personal with the NH90. They had the unique chance to explore the helicopter and chat with the crew, learning about the aircraft and some of the roles within the Defence force.

A huge thank you to Remarkables Park Limited for allowing us to use their land adjacent to the school for the helicopter landing.

Ngā Reo Languages Learning Area News

Nau mai ki te Matua Hutana Maxwell

This week, we are excited to welcome Matua Hutana to our Ngā Reo Languages team. Matua Hutana will be the Kaiako for Te Reo Māori, and students, staff, and our school community are looking forward to having him join our Waka.
Here is a bit about Matua Hutana:

Nga mihi Matakuikui, matakorakora kia kōutou katoa.
He Hōnore, He kororia ki te Atua he Maungarongo ki te whenua
He whakaaro pai ki nga tangata katoa.
Ko Hutana Maxwell toku ingoa
He Uri tenei no Ngati Whare, Tuhoe, Te Arawa, me kī nga hau wha.

Matua Hutana has a strong background in Te Ao Māori and Education and will be teaching Te Reo Māori and Digital Technology at Te Kura Tuarua o Wakatipu. He is passionate about Hangarau Matihiko (Digital Technology), Karetao (Robotics), and 3D Printing. Throughout his career, Matua Hutana has tutored Kapa Haka and taken on many other teaching roles. He has also been actively involved in trusts and community projects. Matua Hutana is excited about teaching Te Rēo Rangatira/Te Ao Māori and Digital Technology to his future Rangatahi.

No reira tenei noaiho te tuku i nga mihi 
Naku noa na Hutana Maxwell

Tahiti / Wakatipu High School Streaming Live!!

Last Tuesday morning, Year 11 French students participated in a live streaming session with students from Tahiti. With a 2-hour time difference between the two countries, both schools streamed from their classrooms, marking a unique first-of-its-kind event.

Students got to know each other through a set of questions in both French and English. The rooms in both countries were filled with laughter and enthusiasm as they discovered more about each other's cultures. Year 11 French students learned that in Tahiti, winter temperatures of 25 degrees Celsius are considered cold, some students had never seen snow, and raw fish in coconut milk is a local specialty.

This special meeting between the two schools marks the beginning of a long and sustainable relationship that we are excited to further develop.

ESOL Students Applying Their Learning in the Community

Junior ESOL students have been honing their language skills by role-playing various scenarios, including ordering at a café. This past Monday, they had the opportunity to put their practice into action in a real-world setting.

The students visited the Coffee Club in Remarkables Park, where they applied their newly acquired language skills by ordering drinks. This practical experience not only reinforced their classroom learning but also boosted their confidence in using English in everyday situations.

The visit was a delightful success, and everyone enjoyed a warm drink on a chilly day, thanks to the hospitality of the Coffee Club. This outing was not just a chance to practice language skills but also an enjoyable and memorable experience for the students, contributing to their overall language development and cultural understanding.

We look forward to more such engaging and practical learning opportunities in the future.

Celebrating the End of Semester in True French Fashion

Voilà, c'est fini! To mark the end of the first semester, Year 10 French students celebrated their French journey in true French fashion.

Students enjoyed a few lively games of pétanque while savouring croissants and, of course, practising their French between mouthfuls of delicious pastries. All of this was made possible by their fantastique teacher, Madame Denney. It was a lesson filled with laughter, learning, and a lot of "Ooh la la!" moments!

French Tahiti Trip 2025 - Information Evening 

We're planning an epic adventure to Tahiti in September 2025 for all you fabulous Year 11 and 12 French students (Year 12 and 13 French students in 2025)! Dust off your snorkels, brush up on your "bonjours," and get ready for a trip that’s going to be absolument incroyable!

Want to know more? Swing by the Tahiti Information Evening on Wednesday, July 24, from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM in the school library. This is your golden ticket to dive into an unforgettable experience—both under the sea and in the world of Polynesian and French cultures! Don’t miss out on the chance to turn your "sacrebleu" moments into sensational stories! See you there! 

Sport and Active Recreation News

Basketball - Central Otago

The Senior B grade of the Central Otago Senior Basketball competition wrapped up on Monday night.  In the Boys Final, the Dream Team dominated with a 79-31 victory over Roxburgh to secure 1st place. It was a WHS v WHS final in the Girls grade, which saw the Waka Dogs take the win 37 - 20 over the Year 12 Girls. The Senior A Grade will continue back up in the first week back of term 3. We are also excited to start the Central Otago Junior competition from week 2!

The Armidale School Exchange

On Wednesday night we hosted The Armidale School (TAS) from New South Wales for some netball and hockey games. It’s always great to test our sides against Australian schools, who offer a different style of play, and it’s an awesome opportunity to form connections with students from overseas. Thank you to the players, coaches and umpires for their support, as well as TAS for making the travel across the ditch! Best of luck for the rest of their tour.

• Senior A Netball won 40-18. TAS’s Player Player, Ava Rona.
• Senior B Netball won 39-10. TAS’s Player Player, L’oreal McMaster.
• Senior White Netball won 39-12. TAS’s Player Player, Grace Kunath.
• Girls Hockey lost 3-5. TAS’s Player Player, Keira Peet.

Good luck!

Best of luck to the following students and teams who are competing at South Island or National School events over the school holidays.

• Junior South Island Netball Champs in Christchurch - Year 10A and 9A
• NZSS Orienteering in Wellington - Audrey Austin
• NZSS Karate in Christchurch - Nicole Carey and Max Washbrooke

Whakatipu Youth Golf Development Fund 2024

The second funding round of the Whakatipu Youth Golf Development Fund is now open. The first round saw 13 local youth receive $4996 to support their golf, from beginners right up to our supporting competition costs for local top players.

The fund has another $5000 to grant to local players - or potential players, who are wanting to improve their golf game. There is a focus on funding coaching, memberships and competition costs, although funds may be provided for equipment in certain circumstances. Applications close Saturday 20th July.

More details and the application form are on the Wakatipu Community Foundation website. https://www.wakatipucommunityfoundation.co.nz/whakatipuyouthgolffund

Local Sport Psychologist

Kia ora, I am Jenna, a Queenstown-based Psychologist with a special interest in Sport Psychology. I have over fifteen years' experience in sport, counselling and education settings. I am based in Frankton and currently looking to expand my client base. I have worked with individual athletes, teams and coaches in a variety of sports (cricket, rugby, rowing, hockey, triathletes and athletes) to develop mental health, achieve potential and improve performance in sport. If you would like to get in touch, please contact me at 021 0800 7916 and/or jennacowanpsych@gmail.com.

Alpine Health and Fitness - Gym Sessions

Alpine Health and Fitness at the Queenstown Events Centre are again offering their Strength 101 and 102 classes. The programmes are designed specifically for 13-18 year olds, teaching you how to train safely and effectively. Strength101 is the foundation course, progressing to 102.

• Strength101: 1 August – 19 September, Thursdays 4.00-4.45pm
• Strength102: 29 July – 16 September,  Mondays 4.00-4.45pm

Also, something for the parents! We have a programme called ‘Tell Me Yes’ which involves mixed-style circuit training to improve strength and fitness. The later morning timeslot from 9.15-10.00am is popular with parents following the morning school drop off.

• Tell Me Yes: 22 July – 18 September, Monday, Wednesday and Friday 6.15-7.00am OR 9.15-10.00am

Sign ups for Strength101 and 102 are at reception or over the phone on 03 450 9005, and Tell Me Yes is online from Monday 8 July:

https://www.qldc.govt.nz/recreation/queenstown-events-centre/gym-group-fitness/gym-programmes/tell-me-yes/

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

Artist of the Week:   Lola Evans Redpath

Lola is currently in level two painting. Her work explores ideas around the way that we interact with architecture, and juxtaposes permanence and temporality through the shifting of light and time. 

Cinematographer Dave Cameron visit

We were extremely fortunate to have DC visit WHS on Monday to share insights into the New Zealand film industry and his role as cinematographer.  It was a great experience for students to hear from someone at the forefront of this industry and the students found it an extremely valuable and inspiring experience.

Theatrefest 2024

Photo below shows our Theatrefest group preparing for their performance in Dunedin on the 27th and 28th of July. This year, we are performing Touched With Fire, which follows William Burke, William Hare and his wife Margaret as they kill people to sell their bodies. These are sold to Dr Knox so he can teach surgery to his students. Dr Knox's favourite student is Miranda, who wants to become an army surgeon, motivated by her brother's death while serving. Since Miranda is a woman she is not allowed to practise surgery, hence she joins Dr Knox's classes under the alias James Barrie. Good luck to everyone involved; break a leg.

Play It Strange:  Lion Foundation Competition

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

Please see Mrs Price for information and come along to the Songwriting Group that meet each Wednesday morning at 8.15 am with Solomon Crook.

Play it Strange:  Te Reo Māori Songwriting Competition - Te Rourou One Aotearoa Foundation

Entries for Play It Strange - Te Reo Māori Songwriting Competition close on 31 July

Please see Mrs Price for information and come along to the Songwriting Group that meet each Wednesday morning at 8.15 am with Solomon Crook.

Out and About

There are a number of Musicians in the school who are keen to play out and about in the Community, koha would be appreciated.  Please contact Alison Price for more information at aprice@wakatipu.school.nz

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
• Songwriting - Wednesday 8.15 am
• Digital Music Production - Wednesday Break 2
• Junior Jazz - Wednesday Break 2
• Jazz Full Band - Wednesday 3.20 pm
• Senior Singing - Thursday Break 2
• Chamber Music Group - Thursday Break 2

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

Term 3 already shaping up to be a very busy time in the Art and performing arts departments, here is a quick look at what is happening in Term 3

27-28 July - Theatrefest Local Competition

31 July - Entries for Play It Strange Lion Foundation  & Te Reo Maori Competitions close

1-25 August - Showing Off Student Art Exhibition

2 August - Arts Expo

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 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.

Cosgroves Scholarship

We are thrilled to announce an amazing opportunity for Year 13 students who are interested in pursuing a career in engineering. The Cosgroves Scholarship, valued at $2,500, is available to a student studying Civil, Electrical, Fire, or Mechanical Design engineering at a university in New Zealand.

To learn more about this fantastic scholarship and how it can support your academic journey, we invite you to attend an informal meeting with Callum Wood. This is a perfect chance to ask questions, gain insights, and make a great first impression.

Meeting Details:

Date: Friday 26th July
Time: 9:00 am
Location: WHS Boardroom

Please register your interest to attend this meeting here.

We encourage you to come prepared with questions and take full advantage of this opportunity to learn more about how the Cosgroves Scholarship can support your educational journey.

WHS Foundation

Community Notices

June campaign - Multi City Upgrade + School Holiday Bonus
Promotion Dates : Monday, 24 June 2024 at 8:00 pm - Tuesday, 2 July 2024 at 1:59 pm
Offer Name : Multi City Upgrade + School Holiday Bonus $20 eGift Card

The Offer : 
From 6pm AEST / 8pm NZST, Monday 24th June to 11:59am AEST / 1:59pm NZST, Tuesday 2nd July, your supporters will also receive a free Multi City upgrade PLUS a $20 eGift Card.

*Terms & Conditions Apply. Please visit www.entertainmentnz.com/promotions to view.

Order here – https://subscribe.entertainmentnz.com/fundraiser/260506v