WHS Newsletter | Issue 3.06 | 30 August 2024

Principal's Message

Kia ora and welcome to the end of another stellar week at WHS. 

We held our first Multicultural Awareness Week, in which we celebrated the cultural diversity that plays such an important role in our school and our community. A huge thank you to the Multicultural council for their organisation of this week’s celebrations through dance, music, food and custom. 

Preparation for the iconic Year 10 Branches Camp has begun, and we are holding our Branches Parent Evening on Wednesday, 11 September at 7 pm in the WHS theatre. We look forward to seeing all parents of Year 10 students at this important evening. The cost of running Branches Camp is not insignificant and thanks to the Branches Trust, the charge we put on parents' accounts only covers a portion of the associated cost. We really appreciate your financial contribution towards the running of this camp, and this year we are providing people the opportunity to support families who may not be able to afford the camp. Please click the link here if you’d like to provide further support for Branches Camp this year. 

Opportunities for 2025 Student Leadership, including Head Students, Lead Prefects and House Leaders, have recently been made available. Click here for more information, including application form and timeline. Students are encouraged to apply for these important and prestigious positions and a reminder that applications close this Monday, 2 September at 4 pm. 

At the Year 12 assembly this week, we discussed these leadership opportunities and the importance of active citizenship, a key aspect of our Ākonga Profile. And with just 7 weeks of school before senior prizegiving and exam leave for externals, we also discussed our key values of Responsibility and Excellence. Students need to be organised and planned for the many internal assessments that always round out the term and carry into Term 4 (see below for the Assessment Calendars) and should also be implementing a study programme in preparation for their externals, as they strive to achieve their academic goals. 

Results from senior exams will be published and available on the Portal next week, and Senior Next Steps with subject teachers are being held on Tuesday, 17 September. Please mark this important date on your calendar now, as it’s an integral opportunity for senior students to hear what they need to focus on and study for in the lead up to the end of year examinations, as they strive to achieve their best qualification possible. More information will be available next week.

Last night, we held the second in our series of Parent Evenings for parenting adolescents in the Basin, with the focus being on Consent and Care. We had Dr Kathryn Smith talk straight about consent, Constable Amanda Shute discussing the law and a group of students outlining the work that they’ve been doing as part of SASH (Students Against Sexual Harm). It was great to see parents and caregivers there, but if you missed it, we’ll put some of the details in next week’s newsletter. Constable Shute also talked about the Harmful Digital Communications Act (HDCA), which is something that we need to regularly outline and remind students about. You can read more about the HDCA below, as it is an area that often gets our young people in trouble. A reminder that we are seeking feedback on Health Education at WHS, please click here to provide feedback before 9 am on Monday, 2 September.

Today, we brought a Drug Detective Dog through the school to ensure we are doing what we can to keep the school free from drugs. While every situation is dealt with on a case-by-case basis, any students who are under the influence of drugs (or alcohol) and/or bring drugs or drug paraphernalia to school at any time put themselves (and possibly others) at risk of not being able to attend Wakatipu High School. We take these matters very seriously, including engaging with the Police if required, so please make sure that you have a conversation with your student to ensure they understand the potential implications of their actions.

This week, I had the privilege of bringing a range of external visitors through the school, all of whom were thoroughly impressed with the culture and feel of the school, as well as the high levels of in-class engagement of our students. We have a world class campus and community of students, teachers and families and I just want to take a moment to acknowledge all three key stakeholders for making WHS what it is, there is a lot to be proud of. 

The first of our student-athletes set out today for the start of Winter Tournament Week which is the pinnacle of the winter sporting season. This year we have more than 160 students representing WHS in 12 different sports across the country. We wish all the teams and student-athletes well with their sporting endeavours.

A great and informative newsletter follows, be sure to have a read. I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend.

Ngā mihi nui,

Oded Nathan
Principal/Tumuaki

Key Dates

NCEA Level 1,2, and 3 Internal Assessment Calendars

The assessment calendars for the year have been set and can be found below.

Level 1 NCEA Assessment Calendar
Level 2 NCEA Assessment Calendar
Level 3 NCEA Assessment Calendar

Tutorials Available for Those Sitting Literacy and Numeracy Corequisites

The next corequisite round, for those still requiring credits to complete their literacy and/or numeracy corequisite will be held on the following dates:
Friday, 13 September - Writing corequisite
Monday, 16 September - Numeracy corequisite
Wednesday, 18 September - Reading corequisite

Parents/caregivers and students can expect to receive an email in the next week if they will be enroled in any of these corequisite exams detailing exactly which ones they should be sitting.

Our literacy and numeracy teachers have put in place a number of supports to help students prepare for these.

• Supported Study is offered every Thursday in the Maths department from 3:20 - 4:20 pm for numeracy
• Tutorials are held every Thursday in Waipuna from 3:20 - 4:20 pm for reading and writing

Other numeracy support and interventions for those who didn’t achieve the numeracy corequisite include:

• Year 10’s
• Education Perfect has been assigned to all students to complete during Ako time and at home.
• Classes are working through a Numeracy workbook with a range of practice assessments.
• In-class learning focused on the Numeracy assessment will continue.

• Year 11 - 13
• Quizzes have been assigned for students to complete during Ako time. These are 9 question quizzes that cover the 3 outcomes required to achieve the numeracy corequisite. The quizzes are intended only to take around 15 minutes or so to complete.  When finished the students must "View their results" to see how they went - the intent is that they learn from mistakes made. Please encourage your students to do them and help them if necessary.

Other Literacy (reading and writing) support and interventions for those who didn’t achieve the reading and/or writing corequisite include:

• Year 10 and Year 11 students
  
  • Education Perfect tasks have been assigned to students, based on results from the first corequisite.

• All students
• Based on the first corequisite results, students will be given booklets focusing on reading and/or writing skills to work through. The questions in these booklets are specifically designed to help develop skills for the corequisite exams. 

A daytime workshop will be held for all students in the week before the exams to review the best ways to approach these assessments.

Students are able to practice previous assessments via the NZQA website - click here.

Navigating Harmful Digital Communications

Safeguarding Your Teen in the Digital World: Navigating Harmful Digital Communications

In today’s digital age, our teenagers are more connected than ever.  There are many opportunities to connect, share, and learn. However, amidst this vast digital landscape, there lurks a darker side – harmful digital communications. 

Understanding Harmful Digital Communications:

Harmful digital communications encompass a range of online behaviours that can cause harm, distress, or discomfort to individuals. In New Zealand, the Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015 aims to address and prevent these harmful behaviours. We see teens crossing limits within this Act, and impacting others negatively online without realising what they are doing is more than harmless banter, or as some teens say ‘just how my mates talk online’. 

Protecting Your Teen:

As parents, it’s essential to equip our teens with the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital world safely. Here are some tips to help safeguard your teen:

1. Open Communication: Foster an environment where your teen feels comfortable discussing their online experiences with you. Encourage them to share any concerns or issues they encounter online without fear of judgement.
2. Educate About Online Safety: Teach your teen about the importance of privacy settings, the risks of interacting with strangers online, and the impact of their digital footprint. Help them understand that once something is shared online, it can be challenging to remove entirely.
3. Set Clear Boundaries: Establish rules around screen time, social media usage, and the types of content that are appropriate for your teen to engage with online. Monitor their online activity while respecting their privacy.
4. Promote Empathy and Respect: Emphasise the importance of treating others with kindness and respect, both online and offline. Encourage your teen to think critically about the content they share and how it might affect others. Many of the issues we deal with at the high school involve students communicating online using language they would never say in person.
5. Lead by Example: Be a positive role model for responsible digital behaviour. Practise good online habits yourself and demonstrate empathy and respect in your online interactions.

Seeking Help:

If your teen experiences harmful digital communications, it’s essential to take action promptly. Encourage them to take screenshots/photos, block the sender if possible, and report the incident.  

Students and families can access the school's bullying reporting form, click here to report any incidents. If incidents are impacting how a student feels about coming to school and impacts learning, school can get involved (regardless of the time of day the incident occurred). 

Another option is to report via Netsafe. This is a non-profit NZ organisation which provides practical advice, support, and guidance to individuals experiencing harmful digital communications. Their website is a great source of information. 

WHS also has an online safety hub which can be accessed off our website. This has lots of information such as reviews on apps and games, information about online safety, and more information about reporting incidents. 

In conclusion, while the digital world offers countless opportunities for connection and growth, it also presents risks that cannot be ignored. By staying informed, fostering open communication, and teaching our teens to navigate the digital landscape responsibly, we can help them stay safe and thrive online.

Multicultural Week

We were proud to have such a diverse range of students at Wakatipu High School. We have almost 1500 students representing about 55 different ethnicities. The Multicultural Council has done a fantastic job putting on our very first Multicultural Week at WHS celebrating the amazing diverse community that makes our school so special. We enjoyed performances throughout the week from our Pasifika students, our Kapa haka rōpū and the lively Pinoy Band! 
Click here to see some of the performances.

Year 10 Health Expo

Our Youth Expo works alongside our Health and Physical Education programme at WHS. Our Year 10 students had the opportunity to visit a variety of stalls where community agencies created the opportunity for interaction and dialogue with the students. The overall objective of the Expo was to increase resilience and awareness in young people, develop their understanding of choices/consequences, and ‘help-seeking behaviour’ by showcasing services and other opportunities that are available to this age group within the Wakatipu community.

Thank you to all the agencies for taking time out of their busy weeks to spend the day with our students.  And a massive thank you to Whakatipu Youth Trust for working with us to coordinate this programme. Agencies and organisations included: Mana Tahuna, The New Zealand Police, Public Health Nurse, Salvation Army, Oranga Tamariki, Thrive Te Pae Ora, WHS School Counsellors and many more.

Small groups of students took part in the interactive sessions and were able to obtain many useful resources from static displays. It was great to see all students engaging in fact-finding conversations with all of the providers and I am sure the students benefitted from the Expo. 

The information provided: 

• Gave young people up to date information about issues directly affecting their lives
• Included issues around alcohol and drug usage
• Focussed on promoting positive mental health
• Provided information for students regarding help seeking and keeping young people safe.

A fantastic and valuable day had by all.

Mario Kart Madness at House Competition

Our E-Sports House competition has been taking place this week. Students from each house have been facing off in games of Mario Kart during break. Duncan came out as the top scorer in the tournament with 21 points, followed by Fox with 15, Arthur with 13, Hay with 12, and Mackenzie with 11 points. 

Next up in the final House competition of the year is WakaMaths. This is a fast-paced and exciting competition where teams of four compete under pressure to solve maths puzzles. The team runner collects the questions and delivers their team answer to judges in a race against time to solve the most problems in 20 minutes. This will take place in week one of Term Four.

Our Tongan Cuisine!

New Skills for Year 11 PE

Jose and Fabio at Carson Gracie Jiu Jitsu have been sharing their knowledge of holds, surrenders and self-defence with 2 of our Year 11 PE classes this term.  Their depth of knowledge and passion for the sport has captured the enthusiasm of our learners to try something new and reflect on how it impacts their hauora or wellbeing.  Thank you for motivating and supporting our students to try a different sport.  If you want to know more check out their website:   https://carlsongraciebjj.co.nz/

John Minto Visit

On Friday 23 August, the Year 11 History cohort were honoured to welcome John Minto who was the national organiser of Halt All Racist Tours (HART) during the controversial 1981 Springbok Tour. It was a privilege to hear him recount his first-hand experience of the tour and the reasons why he believes the messaging of justice and freedom are just as important today. 

The Year 11 History classes have been covering this content in preparation for their upcoming external where they will have to discuss different perspectives on a significant historical event. Being able to hear Minto share his values, beliefs, and experiences when it came to the Springbok Tour will be extremely valuable when it comes to enhancing their writing with primary evidence. 

Students were able to ask questions and hear how Minto is proud to have been a part of something that has made such a difference in New Zealand’s history. Students have commented that it was interesting to hear from someone who had experienced the tour and to understand his primary perspective. They enjoyed how he related the tour to current events happening globally showing that history can repeat itself if we do not learn from our past.

Community and Service Council Update

The Community and Service Council will be continuing the well loved tradition of the Breast Cancer Brunch this year. We will be running the event next Friday the 6th of September during break 2 with heaps of yummy treats on offer.

Shave For a Cure

This year we raised a total of $8360! Thanks to the 9 students who participated, and a special shout out to Clive who raised $5381! 

Environmental Newsletter: Birds of the Basin

Banded Dotterels are back: Help keep their chicks safe!

Banded Dotterels are small plovers with 2 distinctive brown and black stripes across their throat and belly. These migratory birds are back along the shores of the Shotover River for their mid August to early January breeding season. With less than 50,000 individuals in the wild, they need our help to keep their eggs and chicks safe.

Preferring the higher, dry, open terraces around the river, Banded Dotterels lay three mottled, olive-brown eggs in small depressions on the gravel flats. This gives themselves and their eggs perfect camouflage from avian predators such as New Zealand Falcons but makes them vulnerable to mammalian, land based animals such as dogs and cats.

If you're walking near the Shotover and see a Banded Dotterel moving away from you, playing injured, or hear the bird's short sharp alarm call, it’s attempting to lure you away from its nest. Please retrace your steps and follow another path to avoid accidentally standing their perfectly camouflaged nest. By keeping yourself and motorbikes on pre-made tracks, your dogs leashed and cats indoors at night, you can greatly reduce the chance of chick casualties due to predation, cold or accidents.

If you see a Banded Dotterel with an orange tag on its leg, please email dawn.palmer@xtra.co.nz with the time and location you saw it as this is important information in regards to Banded Dotterel conservation. To find out more about how you can help, visit https://whakatipuwildlifetrust.org.nz/tucker-beach-wildlife-reserve-project/ or follow their progress at https://www.facebook.com › tuckerbeachwildlifereserve. Together let's keep Banded Dotterels coming back to Queenstown.

Bird Watching Event - Jardine Park

On Saturday the 31st of August, the Whakatipu Wildlife Trust will be hosting the second of their two bird watching sessions in the basin. Starting at 9am it’ll involve a two hour stroll along the Jacks Point/Jardine Park track and through the Jardine Park planting site.  Bring sunscreen, water, your favourite snacks and a smartphone, and if you don’t own binoculars they can be borrowed from the Whakatipu Wildlife Trust for the day. Please download eBird and Merlin prior to the event as these will be the apps used to record sightings.

If you’re keen to get involved or have any questions, please email hello@whakatipuwildlifetrust.org.nz.

Hope to see you there!

Audrey Austin
WHS Environmental Council

Sport and Active Recreation News

Winter Tournament Week

The end of week 6 brings the start of Winter Tournament Week. This year 163 WHS students will be competing in 12 events across the country. It is a massive week of secondary school sport, and a highlight of the sporting calendar. For many teams their season’s have been building up to these pinnacle South Island or National Events, and we wish them all the best! Thank you to the Aotearoa Gaming Trust who have provided funding to support the cost of accommodation for most of our teams, ensuring that these opportunities are accessible for all students involved. Thank you also to the Wakatipu High School Foundation for their support through the Āwhina Fund. See the full lists of teams and locations below and keep an eye out on the WHS Sports Facebook Page for results and updates. Kā Mauka Whakatipu!

• 1st XI Boys Football - Jim Wishart Tournament - Christchurch
• 1st XI Girls Football - Lotto Sportswear Tournament - Dunedin
• 1st XI Mixed Hockey - South Island Mixed Champs - Timaru
• Golf A Team - New Zealand Champs - Pleasant Point
• Ice Hockey x3 - South Island Secondary School Champs - Dunedin
• Junior A Boys Basketball - Zone 4 Junior Premierships - Dunedin
• Junior A Girls Basketball - Zone 4 Junior Premierships - Dunedin
• Senior A Boys Basketball - A Premierships - Timaru
• Senior A Girls Netball - South Island Secondary School Champs - Christchurch
• U15 Rugby - South Island Co-ed School Champs - Alexandra
• Equestrian - South Island Secondary School Champs - Christchurch
• Climbing - South Island Secondary School Climbing Event - Christchurch

Hockey 

It has been another successful season for our hockey players. In collaboration with the Wakatipu Hockey Club WHS had 3 teams competing in the Central Otago Hockey Comp this year - 1st XI Mixed team (Senior Reserve Mixed Grade, Fridays), 2nd XI Boys (Senior Reserve Boys, Mondays) and 2nd XI Girls (Senior Reserve Girls, Thursdays). This is the first year the competition has split genders in the Senior Reserve space. While initially struggling for numbers and coaches, the 2nd XI Girls and Boys teams pulled together to have a strong season - both making their respective finals! Although neither team came away with the win, there was some incredible hockey on display. The 1st XI team finished 3rd in their grade and are looking forward to heading to Timaru next week for the South Island Mixed Champs. Thank you to all of the coaches and managers for their support throughout the season.

• 1st XI Mixed - 3rd
• 2nd XI Boys - 2nd 
• 2nd XI Girls - 2nd

The Wakatipu Hockey Club also held their prize giving over the weekend to celebrate the season. Congratulations to the following students who were presented with awards.

• 1st XI Mixed MVP - Pete Davis
• 1st XI Mixed Contribution to the team - Katie Battrick
• 2nd XI Boys MVP - Phineas Thomas
• 2nd XI Boys Most improved - Max Johnstone
• 2nd XI Girls MVP - Jessie Glover
• 2nd XI Girls Most Improved - Sophia Brown

Football - Central Otago Finals

Congratulations to the 1st XI Boys Football team who took out the Central Otago Boys Football Competition with a 3-0 win over Mt Aspiring College. The final was played at Mt Aspiring during our annual sports exchange last Thursday. A huge thank you to Property Organised and QUBE - Construction Cost Managers for their generous sponsorship of new training shirts and vests for the team to wear in Christchurch next week at the Jim Wishart Tournament.

The Central Otago Girls Competition final was also a WHS vs Mt Aspiring match up, this time going MAC’s way 3-0. Thank you to Steamer Wharf and Otago Foundations who have sponsored new training tops for the team. The 1st XI Girls team head to Dunedin for the Lotto Sportswear Tournament.

Cross Country

Congratulations to Siena Mackley who was the 2nd U18 Female at the Australian Schools Cross Country Championships held at Yarra Glen, Victoria on the 21st of August. Siena was selected to represent NZ at the event following her 4th place finish at the NZ Secondary Schools Cross Country Championships in June. The U18 Female relay team also took home the gold. Awesome work Siena!

Motocross

The 2024 New Zealand Motocross TT Nationals were held in Timaru from the 24-25th of August. Congratulations to Paige Meikle who achieved a top 10 finish with a 7th place in the Women’s 12-16 125cc/250cc. This means Paige is NZ 7 ranked and can race with number 7 until next year’s event. In the Men’s 12-16 125cc Jack Forbes placed 17th and Hunter Meikle 19th.

Figure Skating

Georgia Chinn has had a strong start to the figure skating season with a 1st place at both the Otago Southland’s Championship and Ice Sports Southland Club Champs in the Advanced Novice grade. This was followed by a 3rd place at the South Island Championships in Gore from the 16th - 18th of August. Georgia also competed in the Youth Interpretive Elite event at the Alexandra Club Championships placing 1st. Georgia has qualified in both events for the National Figure Skating Championships to be held in Christchurch from the 17th - 20th October. Well done Georgia!

Tennis

WHS tennis players Dan Milburn, Noa Milburn and Justin Li-Moroney have been competing at the Kiwi Indoor Junior Tennis Championships held over the last couple of weekends in Auckland (14U) and Christchurch (16U). Congratulations for the following results!

• Noa Milburn: 2nd - 14 & Under Singles, 1st - 14 & Under Doubles
• Justin Li-Moroney: 2nd - 14 & Under Doubles
• Dan Milburn: 3rd - 16 & Under Singles, 1st - 16 & Under Doubles

Sports Blues Nominations

Wakatipu High School's Sports Blues Awards will be held in the WHS Theatre on Tuesday 22nd October. Sports Blues acknowledge excellent achievement and performance across all sports from term 4 2023 to the end of the term 3 holidays 2024. Sports Blues nominations are now open and close at 5pm on Friday 6th September. 

Below is the Nomination Form and the Sports Blues Criteria for 2024. The Sports Department collates many of the results (as shared in the Newsletter and Sports Facebook Page) but you are welcome to complete a form to ensure we have all of the correct details. Students, parents and coaches are welcome to complete nomination forms. If you are unsure and have questions regarding this process, please email Sian at directorofsport@wakatipu.school.nz

https://forms.gle/yvfRDQ6CwMZwhC1cA

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: Phineas Thomas

This week we would like to highlight Phineas Thomas. He is a gifted and enthusiastic rock drummer in Year 9, who dedicates himself well when practising towards his upcoming music performances.

In this video, Phineas is performing "Everlong" by the Foo Fighters alongside his also very skilled and talented classmates - Leo Phillips (Guitar) and Luka Jasz-Miller (Guitar).

This week the focus is on Phineas Thomas because he is always a polite student who goes out of his way to add to the music department both in terms of his enthusiasm, resilience, and positivity. He is doing an outstanding job in the 5MUS2 class this semester (a class which is largely made up of Year 10 students), and we would really like to applaud his efforts in this newsletter.

Phineas has a bright future as a music student here at Wakatipu High School and we look forward to seeing him continue to develop and progress with help from his wonderful drum teacher - Harrison Maguire (ex-student and 2x RockQuest National Finalist).

Keep up the amazing work Phineas! You rock!

Performing Arts Showcase at Te Atamira

Mark your calendar and join us at the Performing Arts Showcase at Te Atamira Saturday September 14. We have a great lineup of performances and visual art. Free entry and drinks/snacks to buy to keep you going.

Showing Off Prize Winners

Showing Off is an exhibition that features a collection of Paintings, Designs and Photographic work. The exhibition ran until 25 August at the Lakes District Museum.  All artworks were eligible for prizes with one for each discipline. 

These are the  “People’s Choice” awards winners for 2024 

• Valentina Balzarini - Design 
• Rachel McCarthy - Painting
• Sienna McIlroy - Photography

Each student received a prize of $200 which was donated by our generous sponsor Trinity Construction & Projects. 

Ted Coutt’s experience at Berklee College of Music in Boston

I was extremely fortunate to attend Berklee College Of Music over the last two months in Boston, Massachusetts. Every day was a deep dive into new techniques and musical concepts, which not only sharpened my technical abilities but also broadened my artistic perspective. I learned to approach music with a new mindset, exploring genres and styles that were previously outside my realm. The experience fostered a new level of confidence and creativity in my playing and composing, enabling me to express myself more authentically. 

I met an array of well-known musicians and also had the opportunity to attend concerts at Fenway Park. Working closely with other passionate musicians, I gained valuable insights and built connections that continue to inspire and motivate me. 

The Berklee 5-Week Aspire Program was an unreal experience that I would recommend to anyone wanting to improve as a musician. Living in college dorms, attending jam nights, and writing and recording music allowed me an insight into music outside of WHS and high school. 

Ted Coutts
Year 13 Student

Exciting visits in ART

Last week ART had the pleasure of welcoming 2 artists, Marc Blake and Lyle Penisula that came to share their experience and knowledge with our students. It’s an incredible opportunity for our students to get first hand input from established artists. We hope to welcome more artists and professionals in the arts space in the future. If you would like to share your experience and knowledge please get in touch with Arts Coordinator Stine Cooper scooper@wakatipu.school.nz.

Marc Blake 

Marc Blake visited our Senior Painting class to share his knowledge and experience with students on getting their art in front of an audience and inspiring them on how to pursue a career in the arts space. 

Marc Blake is an Arrowtown local and renowned artist that has exhibited in both New Zealand and abroad and has won awards for his work. As well as being an artist Marc Blake has also run a number of galleries and is currently in the process of setting up a gallery in Arrowtown that will be showing some nationally recognised contemporary artists with a huge range of practices. 

Lyle Penisula

It was a pleasure to have Lyle Penisula visit our Senior and Junior classes last Friday. He is a Southland born Samoan- Scottish painter and currently has an exhibition at Te Atamira called Le Satauro The Cross. He shared his journey as an artist and talked about themes of cultural identity, faith and creativity. He also spent some time interacting with the senior painting class and saw the work that they are making towards their external portfolios. 

Culture Blues - Get your nomination in

Just a reminder about the Cultural Blues Nomination. The purpose of the Cultural Blues is to celebrate the Arts and recognise Contribution, Leadership and Achievement Awards in Visual Arts (Painting, Design and Photography), Performing Arts (Drama, Speech, Dance and Kapa Haka) and Music. These awards recognise the time of involvement from the beginning of Term 4 2023 to the end of Term 3 holidays 2024. 

Please read the criteria before filling out the attached form. Note that students must supply proof of achievement by submitting copies of certificates or written letters from coaches, teachers, event coordinators, judges, etc. Nominees will be notified if their application has been successful. 

If you are unsure and have questions regarding this process, please see me in the Music Department office beside classroom OR3 or email me at scooper@wakatipu.school.nz
Nomination forms can be found here:  https://forms.gle/4x3vZP1A9zPMHZoR7

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
• Chamber Music Group - Thursday Break 2
• Senior Singing - Thursday 3.15pm

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

Upcoming for Term 3

Term 3 is a very busy time in the Art and performing arts departments, here is a quick look at what is coming up:

31 August - Entries for Strange Art (album cover art) Competition close
5 September - Invercargill Jazz Festival
11-12 September - Lip Sync Battle
14 September - Performing Arts Showcase at Te Atamira
24 October Cultural Blues Awards
3 November - Central Sound Waves

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.

Explore Scholarship Opportunities for WHS Students!

We are excited to let you know that there are some fantastic local scholarship opportunities available to WHS students.

David Geddes RSA Memorial Scholarship

We are pleased to announce that the David Geddes Memorial Scholarship is now open for applications! This scholarship, valued at $1,000, was established by David’s family and the Queenstown RSA to honor his commitment to community service. It’s a lasting tribute to the impact he made in our community. We encourage students who share his passion for service to apply.

Please email your completed application to bnewman@wakatipu.school.nz by 1:00 pm on Friday 27 September.

Margaret Templeton Scholarship

We’re thrilled to share that the Margaret Templeton Scholarship is now open for applications! This scholarship, valued at $15,000 over three years ($5,000 per year), is here to support students in the Wakatipu Basin who may face financial challenges in pursuing tertiary education.

To make sure the scholarship goes to those who need it most, applicants will need to provide some details about their financial situation, including that of their parents.

Applications are due at the Careers Hub by midday on 26 September, so that we can submit them to Anderson Lloyd by 27 September. Please remember to place the Household Income Questionnaire in a sealed envelope—this information is confidential and will only be reviewed by the scholarship trustees.

Please refer to the links below.

Kate Moetaua Foundation Scholarship
Kate Moetaua was a much loved drama and arts teacher, and Dean of Mackenzie house at Wakatipu High School who sadly passed away in 2018 when she was only 45. Kate was passionate about arts, drama and sports. She directed the school musicals and set up the drama academy known as the Kate Moetaua Collective in Queenstown.

Kate inspired so many people and one of her final wishes was for a foundation that supported young talented people in the sporting, arts, cultural, and education arenas, especially where families may be experiencing financial hardship. Now in its sixth year, over 20 students have received funding from the foundation to help them pursue their dreams.

Kate's family are the trustees of the Kate Moetaua Foundation assisted by the Wakatipu Community Foundation, who work together to realise Kate's legacy. Up to $3,000 in total will be granted in scholarships to students currently in years 9-13 in 2024 by the Kate Moetaua Foundation. 

To find out more about the Kate Moetaua Foundation, read about the past recipients or to apply for the 2024 scholarship, visit www.katemoetauafoundation.org

Application link

Applications are now open and will close on 31 August, 5 pm 2024.

Unlock Your Engineering Future with the Meyer Cruden Scholarship

The Meyer Cruden Engineering Scholarship is an exciting opportunity for enthusiastic Year 13 students who aspire to build a career in Structural or Civil Engineering.

They offer a one-year scholarship worth $4,000 to students planning to study Civil Engineering at the University of Canterbury, with the possibility of extending the scholarship to subsequent years based on certain criteria. Meyer Cruden Engineering Limited, a dynamic consultancy with offices in Cromwell and Wanaka, specializes in a wide range of engineering services, including structural design for residential, commercial, and industrial projects, overhead line design, geotechnical engineering, civil engineering, and pavement design.

If you are passionate about this region and eager to dive into the structural, civil, or geotechnical engineering fields, this scholarship is perfect for you.

Value of Scholarship: $4,000

Applications open: 1 August

Applications close: 31 August

BDO Cadetship Opportunity +

We are thrilled to announce that the prestigious BDO Southern Lakes & Central Otago Accounting Scholarship is now open. This incredible opportunity is designed to support our students to attend a university in New Zealand and study towards a career in accounting.

The BDO Accounting Scholarship offers significant financial assistance, providing $2,500 for every year of full-time study towards a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Accounting at a New Zealand university. In addition to the financial aid, BDO offers invaluable work experience opportunities. As a scholarship recipient, you will have the chance to intern with BDO during holidays. This practical experience is an excellent way to apply what you learn in the classroom, gain real-world insights, and build a professional network in the accounting field.

This scholarship is a fantastic way to reduce the financial burden of university education while gaining hands-on experience in the field of accounting. It’s an excellent opportunity for aspiring accountants to kickstart their careers with strong support from one of the leading accounting firms in the region.

Eligible students must submit their completed application by 5pm on Friday 27 September 2024.

If you have any questions or need assistance with your application, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Careers team.

Careers

Studylink Information Evening

Are you preparing for university and need help with your StudyLink application? Join us for a special session with the Central Otago Budgeting Advice Team at WHS on Monday 16th September, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Come along to learn what you need to do to start your studies on the right foot!

What to Expect:

• a brief presentation covering the essentials so you’re fully informed

• assistance with your application, ensuring you have everything completed correctly

• by the end of the session, you’ll have successfully applied for your student package

We strongly encourage parents to attend and for students to come prepared with a RealMe account already set up.

What to Bring:

• your laptop

• bank details (original and copies)

• IRD Number on official letterhead from IRD (original and copies)

• a current email address (not your school one)

• the name of your tertiary provider

• your study start date

• Halls of Residence details (if known)

• birth certificate and three copies

• pre-printed deposit slip or bank statement showing your bank account number (original and copies)

• parental income evidence from the tax department or your accountant

To help us plan, please sign up here.

For more information visit:

• www.studylink.govt.nz
• https://www.ird.govt.nz/student-loans

NZ Defence Force Information Evening

Join us for the NZDF Information Evening in Cromwell on Tuesday 10th September - 6:00 pm. Representatives from each of the services will be present to speak with students about various career opportunities within the NZDF. If this sparks your interest, register here!

Tertiary Course Planning in Term 3

University Liaison Officers visit Wakatipu High School during Term 3 to assist with course planning and help you transition smoothly from school to university.

These sessions are designed to explore your individual interests and put together your first-year course. It's the perfect opportunity to ask questions, seek advice, and get a better understanding of what each university has to offer. Whether you have a clear plan in mind or are still exploring your options, these visits will provide valuable guidance and support.

The scheduled visits are as follows:

• Victoria University of Wellington: Monday  9 September https://wakatipu.careerwise.school/post/213
• University of Auckland: Friday 13 September: https://wakatipu.careerwise.school/post/798
• Massey University: Monday 16 September https://wakatipu.careerwise.school/post/52
• Auckland University of Technology: Monday 16 September https://wakatipu.careerwise.school/post/112
• University of Otago: Friday 20 September https://wakatipu.careerwise.school/post/217

If you are interested in coming along to any of these sessions, please sign up using the links provided.

WHS Foundation

Community Notices

Sign up for the workshops here: Remarkable Theatre

Purchase an Entertainment Membership - Just in Time for Father’s Day! 🎉

Support our fundraiser and get incredible rewards! Purchase a Single City Membership today for just $70, and you’ll receive:

✨ A $20 Woolworths eGift Card – Yours instantly with any membership purchase! 
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✨ Up to 50% off dining, shopping, travel, and more for 12 months!

But that’s not all! Your membership will also:

💸 Contribute 20% directly to our fundraiser 
🎁 Entry into Entertainment’s 30th Birthday Competition
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Hurry, this offer is only available until Monday, 2nd September! 

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

Order yours today:  https://subscribe.entertainmentnz.com/fundraiser/260506v