WHS Newsletter | Issue 1.02 | 07 February 2025

Principal's Message

Kia ora and welcome to the end of a good second week at school. Teaching and learning has come into full swing and routines have certainly been implemented to support students with their learning, progress and achievement.  It was nice to commemorate and celebrate Waitangi Day yesterday and good to see many of our students and whānau involved with yesterday’s event at the Rec Ground and in the Gardens.

Wakatipu High School’s vision is to deliver Aotearoa’s best all-round education, and our motto is ‘Ad Alta’, ‘Reach for your Heights’, ‘Kā Mauka Whakatipu’, which means that we want each and every student to strive for their own level of personal excellence academically, personally, and in their extra and co-curriculars.

2024 Academic Results - As a school we work very hard to support students to achieve their ‘best possible qualification’ (BPQ) and to give them as many options and opportunities as possible for their future, and so we are very pleased that so many students have done so well. Following are some key highlights:

• NCEA Level 2 - is a nationally significant qualification which is considered important for young people and their futures, and accordingly it has considerable emphasis from the Ministry of Education (MoE), schools, students and parents and is a key goal for us as a school. While finalised results can improve slightly over the next few weeks, 240 students or 90% of our Year 12 cohort in 2024 have achieved NCEA Level 2. This is an outstanding result, and my congratulations go to all of those students who achieved this important qualification. 

In addition we had 44 students achieve NCEA Level 2 with Excellence, which represents 17% of the cohort. Particularly for those with tertiary aspirations, this is an important achievement that can yield significant financial scholarships and support entry into courses and Halls of Residence. A great achievement, and the result of real commitment by those students.

• University Entrance (UE) - with more than 2/3 of our students typically going on to tertiary study, UE is an important qualification for those students and a key goal for us. While not all students necessarily want to go to university, it is still a very important qualification when striving to keep as many doors open as possible. In 2024, 175 or 77% of Year 13 students have achieved their UE thus far, which again, is an excellent result.   
• NCEA Level 1 - with more than 91% of students achieving their Level 1 Literacy and 92% having achieved their Level 1 Numeracy, those students are in good stead to achieve Level 2 in 2025.
• Year 10 Corequisite exams - as a school, we entered all Year 10 students in the CAA for Literacy and Numeracy, despite this being a corequisite for NCEA Level 1 (Year 11). We were thrilled with the percentage of students achieving each of these corequisites, which again, puts students in a strong position to achieve NCEA Level 1 in 2025
• Literacy - Writing - 88%
• Literacy - Reading - 83%
• Numeracy - 69%

I do want to acknowledge our students and their efforts, and also thank our staff who often go above and beyond in their efforts to support our students to engage, learn, progress and achieve.

Also, in terms of academic achievement, something that we tend to note at this time of year is the total value of tertiary scholarships gained by our students last year - which for 2024 was $893,000. This was once again, a school record and nearly 50% more than the previous school record. This is a significant sum of money and of great assistance to students and families and needless to say, our students work extremely hard to achieve these lofty heights. 

We are looking forward to celebrating the academic achievements of students who studied NCEA in 2024 at our ‘Pounamu’ assembly, which is being held this Monday 10 February. Students who achieved a Merit or Excellence level endorsement at Level 1 or Level 2 will be awarded their badge at this assembly (parents and students have been notified earlier this week), and we look forward to celebrating this occasion with parents and caregivers on Monday morning. Please be aware of the 9 am start time and cognisant of the traffic in the basin at this time.

In addition to academic rigour and focus, WHS values students wellbeing and holistic development. Our wide range of extra and co-curricular activities offer students the opportunity to grow and develop into well-rounded citizens, and to be connected and engaged with the school and their peers. Next week we are holding our annual extracurricular expo, with the Sports Expo being held on Wednesday, 12 February and the Arts and Culture Expo being held on Friday, 14 February. These important events showcase the wide range of extra and co-curricular opportunities that WHS community has on offer, and we strongly encourage all of our students to get involved by signing up for one or more extracurricular activities (see below for more details). 

Next week, the WHS Ākonga Passport is being given to all of our junior students and this exciting initiative comes off the back of our Ākonga Profile and acknowledges students who live the school values, embrace the Wakatipu Way and engage in WHS' great all-round education. If you are a parent of a Year 9 or Year 10 student, be sure to have a chat with your student about what they can be doing to build up the Ākonga Passport points as they work towards the Bronze, Silver and Gold awards (see last week’s newsletter for more details).

A few quick reminders:

• WHS App - a reminder that this is an absolutely key communication channel for us, where you can do everything from read the newsletter to notify student absence. Especially new parents, please ensure you’ve got the WHS SZ App on your device (and see below for more).
• Uniform - again, it is important that students are wearing the correct uniform correctly, including a blazer and tie to all formal assemblies (eg Pounamu assembly on Monday for Year 12 and Year 13 students). Please see Mr Morrison’s piece in last week’s newsletter or find details on our website. Thank you in anticipation of your support with the uniform.
• Āwhina Fund - again, we are aware that starting the school year can be expensive, and we are able to support families financially through our Āwhina (Support) Fund. For more information or to apply please click here or contact guidance@wakatipu.schoool.nz.
• Year 9 Greenstone - Parent Meeting is next Tuesday 11 February at 7 pm in the Theatre, and it would be great for all parents of Year 9 students to be in attendance (see below for more details). 
• Cellphones - must be ‘away for the day’ and if they are at school, they need to be silent and in the bag during break time and class time, unless permitted by the teacher for learning. Any cellphones that are seen in class without permission will be confiscated. 
• Our new weekly Learning Engagement (LE) Reports will be emailed directly to parents and students beginning this Sunday, 9 February, so keep an eye on your inbox for this report which is part of a larger reporting package that we hope will assist you in supporting your child to achieve their full potential at WHS and beyond. See below for more details.

Another great newsletter follows with lots of interesting and important information, including some outstanding achievements in the Sciences, a piece from Triple Star Scholarship recipient Tess Vermeir regarding her Spirit of Adventure voyage and some words regarding student wellbeing, so please be sure to read on! 

Ngā mihi nui

Oded Nathan
Principal/Tumuaki

Key Dates

Learning Engagement Reports

The purpose of this weekly report is for kaiako to provide timely feedback to parents and students on progress in developing as a self-managing student according to the ‘Wakatipu Way’.

Reports will be emailed (along with attendance data) each Sunday for you to view.

A LE grade for the week is entered for each class even if the student has only been there for one lesson.  It will only be blank if they have not been there at all.

There may also be a specific reason noted if there is a specific area of concern that needs to be addressed.  

You should use the Learning Engagement Report Descriptors below to help you.

What do the ‘grades’ mean?

What does the ‘Wakatipu Way’ look like in the classroom?

A Message From the Head Students

Hello Everyone!

What an incredible start to the year ahead! It was awesome to see so many of you getting involved, whether it was out on the field giving touch rugby a go or showing your house spirit and supporting those on the field. With many students out on the field the energy and enthusiasm has been contagious. This is a great opportunity to see our school community coming together and making the most out of these opportunities. 

Throughout the year there will be plenty more opportunities and events coming up. I encourage you all to stay involved and support your house. Our school offers great opportunities so make the most of everything this year has to offer. Let's keep this momentum going for Participation Day which is coming up soon.

With so many exciting opportunities available at Wakatipu High School, now is the perfect time to get involved! Are you looking for a way to make a difference at Wakatipu High School or get involved in something you’re passionate about? Joining a Student Council is a great opportunity to contribute positively to the school, form lasting friendships, and have your voice heard. Applications are now open and will close on February 10, don't miss out! You can find the sign-up form in last week’s newsletter from Mr Gilberston, or if you’re unsure how to access it, ask your Kaiārahi for guidance. This is your chance to get involved and help create an incredible year ahead!

House Touch has been a huge success so far, with an incredible display of skill, teamwork, and house spirit. It’s been fantastic to see so many of you out there representing your houses with pride!

A big congratulations to Arthur, Duncan, and Fox junior boys for securing wins in the first week. For the seniors, well done to Arthur, Hay, and Duncan on their victories. Lastly, a special shout-out to the Duncan and Fox girls for their strong performances.

A big shout out to the Sports Council for organising and setting up the fields, music, and referees! With semifinals and finals just around the corner, let’s keep the energy high. It would be great to see plenty of support and a strong turnout for the final matches. See you there!

Also, make sure you check out our Extracurricular Expo next week, the Sports Expo is on Wednesday, and the
Arts Expo on Friday during Break 2. This is a great way to explore new activities and expand your kete (basket) of skills. Wakatipu High School offers such a broad range of extracurriculars, no matter what you are interested in, we have something for everyone, whether you are a keen sports enthusiast, science head or gaming fanatic! 

We encourage you to put your name down for as much as you can. Find out what each group involves, give it a go, and you can always withdraw if it's not quite your thing. Karawhiua whānau!

Manuella Sanches Pedrosa, Kieran Leftley and Lukas McChlery
Head Students

NCEA Parents Evening

Tuesday, February 18

This information evening is specifically for parents who are new to the experience of NCEA. We will provide information on the recent NCEA changes, how NCEA works, and how parents can best support their students. This is an essential evening for parents and students in Year 11 but is open to any parent of a senior student. Wakatipu High School has its own internal assessment policies, some of which will also be covered at the session and it is really important that students and parents are familiar with these.

The event will be held in the Theatre at school and is expected to be run from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  Any presentations made on the night will also be shared via the following week's newsletter and will linked to the school's website.

Gifted Education - Information Evening

We are pleased to invite all parents to attend the Gifted Education Information Evening on Thursday 20 February at 7 pm in the Theatre. 

The purpose of the Information Evening is to highlight our strategies and policies regarding Gifted Education at WHS and answer any questions you may have about how we can extend, challenge, and guide your child.

If you are unable to attend the Information Evening, feel free to contact lrae@wakatipu.school.nz with any questions regarding Gifted Education at Wakatipu High School. All students are welcome to join the Curious Minds Hunga Māhirahira Google Classroom (class code: 4oq3bvh), which is where many enrichment opportunities at WHS and in the wider community are communicated.

Kā mihi nui,
Mr Logan Rae - Gifted Coordinator

Te Iti O Tāhuna Kapa Haka

Wellbeing Spotlight: Return to School

For some students, returning to school after the summer holidays is an exciting chance to see everyone again and get back into routine but for others, it can be challenging as it is a time of transition and change. Wakatipu High School aims to keep student wellbeing at the forefront of what we do, believing that students cannot learn or achieve their potential without a strong sense of wellbeing. This commitment has resulted in wellbeing and resilience being established as a strategic priority for us in recent years. As a school, we are committed to creating a school environment where everyone can enjoy good mental health and wellbeing. What does this mean? It means a school where we can all feel good and function well, most of the time. 

It doesn’t mean we don’t experience tough times – it doesn’t even mean that we don’t experience challenges or distress, but it means we have tools and supports to be resilient so that we can get through the challenges that life inevitably throws at us. At our school we use The Five Ways to Wellbeing within the framework of Te Whare Tapa Wha to teach our students about holistic wellbeing and strategies they can use to keep themselves feeling good and functioning well. We acknowledge that when you’re going through a tough time, it can feel like advice to connect with others or go for a walk belittles your experience. These things aren’t the whole picture or a quick-fix, of course, they sit alongside the need for good mental health services and the right support from our whānau, friends and community. 

Week 6 of Term 1 will see us launch our school-wide wellbeing programme. This will include some well known guest speakers and exciting events linked to The Five Ways to Wellbeing. Stay tuned for more information! In 2025, all students will complete a Wellbeing Plan to develop increasing self-awareness to help support their mental health and wellbeing. Keep an eye on our newsletter over the course of the year for tips and strategies about wellbeing but in the meantime, look after yourselves as you settle into the 2025 school year.

Routine and preparation are key. Create routines that help you avoid the last minute panic in the mornings. Try getting your uniform and school bag ready the night before and create a bedtime routine and stick to it Monday - Friday. Consider getting a diary, a wall-planner, or using Google Calendar to keep a record of what is due when, your sports/hobbies and social events. 

Be kind to yourself. Like cheese, good things take time! Settling into school might take some people a day or two, whereas other people might still be feeling stressed or uneasy well into the term. Go easy on yourself and take comfort from the fact that everyone else is in the same boat at times. He waka eke noa. 

Eat, sleep, move. Eat healthy snacks, stay hydrated, and ensure that you have a good sleep routine. Teenagers need 8-10 hours of sleep per night. Maintain a regular sleep pattern by going to bed and getting up at around the same time each day, including on the weekends. Relax and unwind before bed. Try to spend the last hour you're awake doing calming activities like reading, having a shower or bath or doing mindfulness activities. Being active releases ‘happy hormones’ (dopamine) and can support better sleep. 

Make time for your hobbies, friends and whānau. It’s important to make time for your hobbies. Take breaks from your schoolwork to do things that you personally enjoy, like playing a sport or spending time with friends and family.  

Practice relaxation exercises. If you’re feeling stressed, try a relaxation exercise to calm your mind. A few examples include listening to music, reading a book, going on a walk and doing yoga.  Anyone at our school can sign up for free to  Down Dog with their school email address which has yoga, meditation and other practices too. Just a Thought has some awesome bite-sized resources to help you relax and manage stress. 

Take care of yourself. You can’t serve from an empty vessel. The act of providing support to others can sometimes leave you feeling worn out, frustrated or even angry. Taking the time to do things for yourself—like taking a walk, doing some breathing exercises or venting to an understanding friend—will help you stay healthy, happy and in a better frame of mind to care for others. Incorporate The Five Ways to Wellbeing. Write down what you will do each week to make time for yourself and share it with someone is a powerful way to help your wellbeing become a priority. 

Ask for help. Kaua e whakamā, speak up and ask for help if you need it. If you are struggling to handle the pressure of school or work, or just need someone to talk to, reach out to a teacher, your kāiarahi, a trusted adult, or a friend that you trust. If you are struggling with your mental health and/or want some proactive tips and strategies then contact one of our Guidance Counsellors. 

Know what resources are available. Know what resources are available in your school and community so you can be prepared to get help for yourself, or to offer information to someone else who needs it. Aside from our Guidance Team the below resources are also available:

• Youthline - 0800 376 633 or free text 234
• 1737 - free call or text anytime for support from a trained counsellor
• What's Up - 0800 942 8787 - for 5-18-year-olds and available 11am-11pm Monday-Sunday. There is also an online chat available 11am-10.30pm Monday-Sunday
• Skylight - specifically for grief support
• Thrive - mental health support 
• Wakatipu Community Mental Health - (03) 441 0010
• Southland Mental Health 24/7 - 0800 467 846

Spirit of Adventure Experience Thanks to Triple Star

Our journey began with a stunning view of the Sail GP boats in Auckland Harbour before setting sail to Motuihe Island. Each day brought new challenges—sailing the ship, morning swims, environmental discussions, and even beach clean-ups with Sustainable Coastlines.

We explored incredible places like Tukituki Bay, Waiomu’s giant Kauri trees, Great Barrier Island, and Te Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island, where we snorkelled in crystal-clear waters. A personal highlight was climbing the mast—a bucket list achievement despite my fear of heights! Evenings were filled with fun, from Spirit Olympics to beach riff-offs.

We faced storms, high swells, and calm winds, but the magic lay in quiet moments—penguin calls at night, bioluminescent waters, and sunrise over Little Barrier. Our final day, Trainee Day, put our learning to the test as we took charge of the ship.

This voyage was life-changing. I’m incredibly grateful for the scholarship from Triple Star that made it possible and I look forward to giving back, hopefully volunteering as a Leading Hand on another voyage.

Tess Vermeir
Year 13 Student

Rotary National Science and Technology Forum

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of attending the Rotary National Science and Technology Forum, an incredible program providing insight into various careers and networking opportunities with like minded students.

The Forum is a two week event with engaging lectures and workshops at top research facilities, including the University of Auckland (UoA), Auckland University of Technology (AUT), and Massey University. From Robotics to Biomedical Sciences, the program covered a spectrum of future career pathways.

Beyond lectures the Forum emphasised social events such as a beach day, disco, and lots of volleyball. Resulting in me forming strong connections with students from across New Zealand.

I was also fortunate to tour the Rocket Lab and ESP Forensics facilities. These experiences significantly enhanced my understanding of real-world applications of science and technology.

• Attending lectures from leading scientists and innovators.

• Engaging in problem solving challenges and teamwork activities.

• Gaining insights into STEM career pathways.

• Building connections with like-minded students from around the country.

Later this year when applications for next year’s Forum open, I encourage all students with an interest in science and technology to apply. It's a life changing opportunity that will inspire and prepare you for a future in STEM.

Attending the Rotary National Science and Technology Forum has been an unforgettable experience and I’m grateful for the chance to grow both personally and academically. I hope many more students from our school take part in this amazing program.

Lachlan Kidd
Year 13 Student

Lachlan has just been accepted for 2025 London International Youth Science Forum, which is an amazing achievement, Congratulations Lachlan!

Join Us for the Aotearoa Bike Challenge 2025!

This month we are participating in the Aotearoa Bike Challenge, and we want you to join us! Cycling is a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors, and we encourage everyone in the WHS community—whether you’re an experienced cyclist or just getting started—to hop on a bike and take part.

The Aotearoa Bike Challenge is all about getting people moving, improving fitness and wellbeing, and having a positive impact on our environment with an added bonus of cars off the road. Our staff will be pedalling along and sharing our progress, so you can follow along and cheer us on. We’d love to see our students and WHS community support and join us hitting the roads and trails! Interested in joining? Register here!

The challenge is run locally by The Lightfoot Initiative who are putting on events over the course of the month. There is something for everyone, come and get involved!

Sport and Active Recreation News

Sport at WHS - How to Get Involved

The annual WHS Sports Expo will be held on Wednesday 12th February at Break 2 (11.45am) in Pouākai. This is the first key opportunity for students to see what sports and physical activities are on offer through WHS and in the basin, with local clubs also in attendance. We encourage all students at WHS to be involved in some form of extracurricular activity at or outside of school, as these are a key way for students to connect with peers, staff and the community and have significant benefits to students wellbeing and holistic development.

Desks will be spread around the gym to promote each sport or club. Students are able to sign up for any activity they might be interested in by scanning the QR code on the desk. As a result, students will be permitted to use their phones during the break time only. Paper sign ups will still be available for those who don’t have their phones. You can also sign up directly to an activity’s Google Classroom using the relevant code. These can be found on the Sports Website and on the 2025 Extracurricular Flyer.

The Google Classroom is where key information and opportunities for that sport will be posted throughout the year, so students keep an eye on your emails for new posts! Upcoming sporting events and opportunities will also be shared in the newsletter each week.  If you are keen to find out more information about how sport operates at WHS please visit our sports website.

https://www.sporty.co.nz/wakatipu/wakatipu-high-school-sports

Sporting Achievement and News

Netball - Steel Steps

Congratulations to all WHS students selected for the 2025 Steel Steps Development and Accelerator Programmes!

• Accelerator Programme: Lulu Middleton and Mia Manderson
• Development Programme: Aily Joll, Caitlyn Purdue, Esther Hamilton, Kara Trounce, Lorenza Jarvis, Mollie Burgess, Neive McLeod and Nina Matulino.

Cricket

Congratulations to Hugo Bogue, Matthew Langford and Harry Walker-Leach who have been representing Otago Country in various Hawke Cup Zone 4 fixtures held this summer.

Mountain Biking

On Tuesday, WHS had the pleasure of hosting 3 professional mountain biking athletes Carson Storch, Casey Brown and Reed Boggs who are competing in the Natural Selection Bike Tour (NST) on Saturday 15th February at Mt Dewar. The athletes signed autographs and spoke with the students during break time. The Natural Selection Tour has headed to the Southern Hemisphere to the heart of Tāhuna Queenstown, Aotearoa New Zealand with a brand new course that will push the limits of Big Mountain and Freeride MTB with the world's best female and male riders from big mountain, slopestyle, freeride, and downhill competing on this innovative venue on Mt. Dewar. For more information and ticket prices please see the link to their website https://www.naturalselectiontour.com/nst-bike. A huge thanks to Casey, Carson and Reed for spending time with the students and to Claire Dooney and Sophie Luther (from NST) for helping organise the athletes to visit WHS

WHS Opportunities to Get Involved

• Cricket - WHS Girls 1st XI

Calling all female cricket players! The WHS 1st XI Girls cricket team have 2 events coming up this term - an interschool against Columba College and the Bates Cup in March. These are open to any year 9 - 13 players. Please email Simon at sboland@wakatipu.school.nz if you want to get involved.

• Golf - Otago Intercollegiate Champs

The Otago Intercollegiate Golf Champs are coming up on Monday 3rd March at the Cromwell Golf Course. This competition has both team and individual components, and is open to golfers with an official handicap. Please email Simon at sboland@wakatipu.school.nz if you are keen to compete.

• Mountain Biking Events

Entries are open for the Otago Southland Secondary School Downhill Champs, held at Cardrona on Saturday 22nd Feb. This event is open to riders confident on strong blue to black trails. Please email Bel at bstrano@wakatipu.school.nz for more information and the link to register.

The South Island School MTB champs will be held at the Mt Hutt Bike Park in Methven from the 26th March till the 29th of March. There are strict dates and entry processes for this event, particularly for downhill. Please email Bel at bstrano@wakatipu.school.nz for more details on how to register.

• Waterskiing

The Otago-Southland Secondary School Water Ski champs will be held at the Bannockburn Inlet (across Lake Dunstan from Cromwell) on Sunday 23rd February 2025. This event is open to  year 9 - 13  students. Click here to register. Please also email Simon at sboland@wakatipu.school.nz to confirm your entry.

• Basketball - Senior  3x3 Festival

Basketball Otago are hosting a one-day Senior 3x3 Basketball Festival in Dunedin on Saturday 1st of March. This is a great opportunity for players to get back into basketball.  Students will need to make their own way to and from Dunedin for the event. For more details and to register a team please email Bel at bstrano@wakatipu.school.nz 

Community Opportunities

QEC Strength Programmes

The Queenstown Events Centre are again offering their Strength101 and Strength102 programmes for 13-18 year olds. These 8-week strength training programmes are led by qualified gym instructors and are tailored to your fitness level - there is no experience required. More information is provided on the flyers below.

Te Mahi Ako Coaching Scholarship

Te Mahi Ako is offering a chance for free enrolment into their NZC Sport Coaching L3 through a scholarship. This scholarship is open to anyone 16 years or older who is involved with coaching sport through a local or community club (not school). Expressions of Interest close Sun 16 Feb 2025. Click here for more details.

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

Musical Updates: Rehearsals are progressing well with Band, Dancers and Main Leads all working hard on Sundays. There is still opportunity for involvement with the Crew for anyone who wants to join in the fun.

Musical Crew Sign Ups

Opportunities are now available for the Crew for the Mamma Mia! musical.  If you are interested you can sign up at the Arts Expo on Friday 14 February at Break 2 in the Theatre or you can sign up via this link: https://tinyurl.com/y67jadvx

Opportunity for parents to help

The Mamma Mia! set design includes a fair bit of construction and resourcing materials. We are reaching out to our wonderful parent community to check if there might be anyone interested to either help with the building/construction of the set or to support in supplying the set materials. If you are interested or have ideas to this please contact Mr Hansen  jhansen@wakatipu.school.nz

Band Hub

The Y9 Band Hub starts next Thursday Feb 13 in the Music area and runs from 3.30 - 4.30. The tutor this year will be David Bell.  Students are still welcome to sign up and should see or email Mrs Price asap if you are keen.

For any questions/enquiries, please contact Alison Price at aprice@wakatipu.school.nz

Whakatipu Music Festival (paid apprenticeship roles - Y13 students)

April 18 - 21. The Michael Hill Violin Competition combines top violinists competing from around the world with involvement of local musicians. Alongside this is a programme to mentor individuals keen being involved in the different aspects of this event. The roles include areas such as Marketing, Videography, Sounds, Artist Liaison, Stage Manager, Hospitality, Box Office. These roles are paid and it is an amazing opportunity for any Y13 students interested in being involved. 

Applications are due FEB 7.

The link to the application is: https://michaelhillviolincompetition.co.nz/training-ground/

The link to the event is: https://michaelhillviolincompetition.co.nz/whakatipu-music-festival/

Arts Extra Curricular Expo

The Arts Expo is happening next Friday 14 Feb at 11:45 in the theatre.  This is an opportunity for students at all levels to see the activities, events, groups that are on offer and get involved for the year.

Knitting & Crochet Club

If anyone has some wool lying around that they don't need anymore, we would love to have it for the new knitting/crochet group that's starting this term.

Wool donations can be dropped off at the office and would be gratefully received.      Thank you.

YAMI

The bi-annual YAMI summit is on again this year on May 3 /4. The Early Bird enrollments have sold out but there are still tickets for this event. Another great opportunity for musicians to work alongside artists working in the industry and engage with other young musicians across the area. The link is below:

Apply here:  https://wanakasounz.nz/yami/

You can also follow them on Facebook: facebook.com/yamisounz or IG: instagram.com/yamisounz

Itinerant Lessons/Y9 Music students

The itinerant lessons will be underway next week and students will be emailed their time which they should then put on their calendars.  The lessons are for 30 minutes and students will be in class for the rest of that period.  If students can't attend the lesson, they need to email the tutor or Mrs Price beforehand.

Brass - Alistair Monteath                                                                                   Woodwind/beginner guitar - Chris Mason-Battley

Drums - Harrison Maguire                                                                                Guitar/Bass - Alex Pyle

Singing - David Partee                                                                                         Violin - TBC

Any questions, please email Alison Price at aprice@wakatipu.school.nz

Twilight Opera in the Garden

Sunday Feb 9 sees the return of the annual opera event with the added potential for 15 students to be at the rehearsal the day before from 2.30pm - 4.30pm. This is an amazing opportunity and we would fully encourage students with an interest in music to take advantage of this.  Any students keen to go should see Mrs Price in the Music area for more details. The link to the main event is below. 

 https://www.acas.nz/event-details/twilight-opera-in-the-garden

Photography Opportunity

We are reaching out to offer an exciting photography opportunity for talented students at Wakatipu High School who are eager to gain hands-on experience. We are looking for enthusiastic students to capture our stall and showcase of our work at the event 28th Feb- 2nd March)

Dates and tentative times required - could pop in and get a few shots over 2 hours , very flexible.

• Friday, 28th February: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
• Saturday, 1st March: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

In return, students will receive:

• A reference letter
• A certificate of participation
• A gift voucher in appreciation of their hard work
• Two free event passes for each day fo the home show event at the events center
• Complimentary refreshments during their time at the event

This opportunity will provide students with valuable real-world experience, allowing them to build their confidence, enhance their practical photography skill set, and enrich their portfolios with professional event photography. Students will also have permission to use the captured photos for their personal portfolios. Must be competent and have own camera- or you could borrow one from the school for the day required.

Questions please email Mrs Brown  ASAP on: abrown@wakatipu.school.nz

Gigs on the Green

Rockformation are running their annual Gigs on the Green in Queenstown over three successive Friday afternoons. The dates are Feb 7, 14, 21 and will run from approximately 5.00pm - 8.00pm. If you’re passing, enjoy the music with a number of current and ex-students involved.

Exciting visits in ART

Being able to access a visiting artist is 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.

Extracurricular groups - These will be starting in the next few weeks - all updates will be posted on the Performing Arts Classroom Group.  

• Junior Jazz / Jazz Full Band / Jazz Combo  
• Guitar 
• Digital Music Production
• Chamber Music Group
• Junior / Senior Singing
• Social Art Club
• Year 9 Band Hub

Check each of the  Classroom Groups for more details and updates

Upcoming for Term 1

7/14/21 February - Gigs on the Green - Friday afternoons on the Village Green in Queenstown.

13 February - Year 9 Band Hub starts

14 February - Extra Curricular Arts Expo

2-5 April - Mamma Mia!  WHS Musical for 2025

3-4 May - YAMI

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 scooper@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 scooper@wakatipu.school.nz

Instagram Page
Follow our school’s Instagram page for recent successes or news within the school’s Arts Department at whsartdepartment.

Dunedin Tertiary Open Days

Thinking about studying at the University of Otago or Otago Polytechnic? Year 13 students are invited to join us for the Dunedin Tertiary Open Days on Sunday 4 May and Monday 5 May.

Come along to this two-day event and explore the campuses, learn more about the subjects you're interested in, and see first-hand the fantastic range of study options on offer. 

Numbers are limited. For more information or to book your place on this trip, click here 

Careers - Tertiary Liaison Visits

Each year during Term 1, university and polytechnic liaison officers visit our school to introduce Year 13 students to the opportunities available at tertiary institutions.

If you are considering your study options after high school, these sessions are a must-attend! They are a great way to explore your options, ask questions about courses, campuses, career pathways and get helpful advice straight from the experts.

Click the link below for session details and to register.

Tertiary Liaison Visits:

Friday 28 February - Otago Polytechnic https://wakatipu.careerwise.school/post/16
Monday 3 March - University of Auckland  https://wakatipu.careerwise.school/post/392
Wednesday 5 March - Lincoln University   https://wakatipu.careerwise.school/post/49
Friday 7 March - University of Otago https://wakatipu.careerwise.school/post/18
Monday 10 March - Victoria University of Wellington https://wakatipu.careerwise.school/post/20
Friday 14 March - University of Canterbury  https://wakatipu.careerwise.school/post/19
Monday 17 March - Massey University   https://wakatipu.careerwise.school/post/110
Monday 17 March - NZ Defence Force https://wakatipu.careerwise.school/post/444
Wednesday 19 March - University of Waikato  https://wakatipu.careerwise.school/post/438
Monday 31 March - AUT https://wakatipu.careerwise.school/post/100
Thursday 3 April - SIT https://wakatipu.careerwise.school/post/916

Discover the Magic of Branches with a Guided Self-drive Tour

The Branches Charitable Trust is hosting an exclusive, guided self-drive tour to the breathtaking Branches Station in March 2025. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity takes you on a scenic journey along Skippers Canyon Road, with a first-hand experience of this historic station.

There a just 20 spots available,  be sure to secure your place. Email branchestrust@gmail.com to book.

Branches Trust - We Need You!

WHS Foundation

Community Notices

February Campaign - Multi City Upgrade PLUS go in the draw for a chance to win 1 of 3 prizes

When you purchase any Single City Membership between from 8:00pm NZDT, Thursday 6 February 2025 to 13:59pm NZDT, Monday 31 March 2025 your Single City Membership will be upgraded to a Multi City Membership at no additional cost.

You will also automatically go in the draw for a chance to win 1 of 3 prizes Prize vouchers will include Club Med Bali 5-night stay plus a $1,000 Virgin Flight Credit (see below for additional detail and T&C’s), $200 Entice Dining Voucher every month for 12-months, $1,000 David Jones Gift Card.

Support us today: https://subscribe.entertainmentnz.com/fundraiser/260506v