WHS Newsletter | Issue 1.0 | 24 January 2025

Principal's Message

Kia ora and welcome to the first of Wakatipu High School’s newsletters for the 2025 school year. A very warm welcome to you all, but in particular our new Wakatipu High School parents and students, we trust that you have had an opportunity to have a break over the summer weeks. 

Today is not a normal newsletter but a ‘pre-newsletter’ with some key information, particularly regarding the start of the school year. Next week will be a normal newsletter, which will include lots more information, and for those new to WHS, our newsletter will be published every Friday at about 4 pm.  

• Year Start - please see the table below for key dates. Please also ensure you see the email sent to students and caregivers by Mrs Hiestand last week, which includes 2025 subjects. Included were some start of year details for senior students wishing or needing to change their classes. 
• Year 9's - start school on Tuesday, 28 January. School starts at 9am with students going to the double gym (Pouākai). There will be staff on hand guiding students in the right direction. This is for students only and students are expected to be in full school uniform. Parents are encouraged to attend a Principal's Presentation which will provide key information for the year. This will commence at 2:10pm in the theatre and will be followed by an opportunity for parents to meet their child's Dean and Kaiārahi. We strongly encourage parents and caregivers to come along from 2:10 pm on Tuesday, 28 January.
• New Students in Year 10 - 13 are also expected to start at 9 am on Tuesday 28 January and have received an email from our Assistant Principal, Mr Field-Mitchell, with more details.
• Uniform - all students must be in the correct uniform from the start of the year. Please click here for uniform requirements and Uniform Shop hours. Please note that NZ Uniforms operates our uniform shop from Remarkables Park. 
• Attendance - If your child is going to be away from school you should let the school know as soon as possible. To report a student absence, you can complete this form, call the school office at ​03 442 7370 or email attendance@wakatipu.school.nz. The WHS SZ app also features an absence form (see below information on how to download the WHS SZ app).
• Stationery - 2025 Stationery requirements are available for ordering online via the stationery link on our website. This is a quick, easy and affordable way of ordering your student's stationery with convenient delivery to your home.
• Buses - WHS operates a 'mixed model' of school transport for Wakatipu High School students. This means some WHS students use public buses, (and must pay student fares to and from school),  and some use Ministry of Education-provided free bus transportation, depending on the area in which they live.
• Public Buses:
  If you haven't caught the bus before, check out the information at www.orc.govt.nz/bus101. It’s a good idea to look at the bus timetables in advance and plan your route.
  For up to the minute alerts on bus disruptions on specific routes on your mobile, download the Transit app or go to www.orc.govt.nz/public-transport/notifications-and-alerts.
  Bus fares are $1.50 for 13 to 18-year-olds, for a single trip. You will need to top up your Bee Card.  You can only use a Bee Card or cash to pay for your bus fare. Bank and credit cards cannot be used on buses to pay for a bus fare.
• School Buses:
  All WHS Students who are eligible for a school bus are assigned a bus route to and from their home (including any secondary residence, if requested).  Each student's ID card is colour-coded to identify their assigned route.  Students should only use their assigned route - and may not use other bus routes for any reason,  including travel to and from work, clubs,  either before or after school.  Students may not take other people (such as friends) on a school bus unless that person also has an ID card for that route.
  Bus Timetables for 2025 School buses are available via this link. They remain unchanged from 2024 except for Arthurs Point which has slightly later morning pick up time of 8:05 am.
  

• Āwhina Fund - we are aware that starting and setting up for the school year can be expensive, and we are able to support families financially through our ‘Āwhina’ (Support) Fund. Please click here for more information.
  
• Lockers - There are still lockers available for hire. Students can fill out a 2025 locker request form to book a locker.
• School Cafe - A reminder that the School Café is CASHLESS. For students that do not have an EFTPOS card, parents can choose to pay in advance (at Reception) and an account will be held in credit for the student at the Café that they can draw down on. If you are unable to come into the school to pay at Reception, please email accounts@wakatipu.school.nz and advise them of the value you wish to pay in advance. The Accounts team will add the charge to your students' account which you can go onto the student portal and pay. Note that your student will be unable to access the credit at the cafe until payment is made.
• Cellphones - are not required for school and students are not to be on their cellphone at any time during the school day, unless with explicit permission from their teacher. Cellphones will be confiscated if they are used at any time during the school day, including break time.

Parents and caregivers can look out for a more normal newsletter next Friday, which will include an update on all the happenings of the summer months, including students' outstanding 2024 academic results, updates from the Nepal Trip and the Aspen Exchange, highlights from summer sport and much, much more. 

Students can expect to receive an email from Mr Gilbertson this Sunday which will include lots more information for students, including details on how to sign up for one of the many leadership opportunities available through our student councils.

Once again, I hope that everyone has had an opportunity to rest and rejuvenate over the summer months and we look forward to getting the 2025 school year underway. 

Ngā mihi nui,

Oded Nathan
Principal/Tumuaki

Helpful Information for the Start of 2025

We look forward to welcoming our students to WHS next week. Please read the information below to prepare for the start of the school year.

Key Dates

WHS SZ App

All parents, caregivers, and students should download the SZapp to receive timely urgent and important alerts. SZapp also provides convenient access to our absence form, the weekly newsletter, school calendar, and a collection of handy links. Find download instructions for the WHS SZapp below.

 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.