WHS Newsletter | Issue 2.06 | 06 June 2025

Principal's Message

Kia ora and welcome back to the WHS newsletter after a week’s break. 

Last Friday, we held a Teacher Only Day focused on the implementation of our school-wide Literacy Strategy, continuing the development of universal understanding of multi-paragraph outlines. In addition to this we have also begun the development of an academic vocabulary document for whole school use. This will be invaluable for improving student reading comprehension and writing skills. Implementation of the literacy strategy is going well and we feel like we are making good progress with accelerating the literacy skills of students.

We also looked through the 2028 Draft Strategic Plan. Earlier feedback from parents, the Board, staff and students has largely indicated that our community is happy with the direction and vision of the school, and as such the Draft 2028 Strategic Plan (see below) represents an iteration on the existing Strat Plan, as opposed to a significant course direction. We are now seeking feedback from parents and community on this plan and next Thursday, 12 June from 7 pm, we are holding a parent and community evening to explain the plan and answer any questions. If you’d like to attend and/or provide feedback, please use the following form 2028 Strategic Plan Review RSVP Form.

Last night, the WHS Foundation, in partnership with Eichardt’s The Grille and Queenstown Golf Club, held its annual Winter Gala Dinner and Fundraiser. As a school, we are truly humbled and blessed by the generosity and ongoing support of our wonderful community. A huge thank you to all the parents, sponsors, donors, business partners and community-minded people who continually support our school. The event raised more than $60,000 and Colliers also announced that they would be providing the WHSF a cheque for $75,000 from their 45 South fundraising efforts earlier in the year. Once again, we thank you all for your ongoing support, which makes a massive difference to the educational programmes we can provide and offer as we strive to deliver Aotearoa’s best all-round education.

Today, we held our Stars Community Adventure day which showcased the range of community services and support available to our students and families. A huge thank you to those who came this morning to speak and present to our Year 9 students, we know they really appreciated hearing about these services. Also a big ngā mihi nui to the Peer Mentors for their leadership in this space.   (see below for more details and photos)

Whooping Cough -  as per the email sent out earlier today, we have now had a couple of confirmed cases of Whooping Cough, which is a notifiable disease and is highly contagious. Please make sure that you read the email sent earlier, which has been reproduced below. 

A reminder that we have our 2026 New Enrolment and Open Evening on Tuesday 17 June to welcome our new cohort of students. School finishes at 1:50 pm, with buses running at this time. 

Junior Exams commence next week. These exams provide a really important opportunity for students to consolidate what they have learned over the year, to develop self-management and resilience and to learn how to perform under pressure, in a relatively low-stakes environment. With the NCEA changes requiring students to sit more external assessments under exam conditions, the junior exams offer an important learning opportunity for our students. See below for the exam timetable and other details.

For our seniors, this time of the year is filled with internal assessments. It is really important that all students are using their time wisely and planning ahead so that they don’t put themselves under undue pressure. See below for the Internal Assessment Calendar. 

A stunning newsletter follows with lots of highlights from the past two weeks, including the Community Service Day last week, Tess Vermeir’s Impact 100 award, World Environment Day, Parenting in the Basin summary and resources and much, much more. 

As the winter weather arrives, a reminder to download the SZ App to ensure you are getting notifications from the school. 

Have a wonderful weekend.

Ngā mihi nui,

Oded Nathan
Principal/Tumuaki

Important Health Notice: Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

We are writing to inform you of recent confirmed cases of whooping cough (pertussis) at Wakatipu High School. This notice is being sent because your child, or a child you care for, may have been near someone with whooping cough (pertussis) at Wakatipu High School. We understand this may be distressing to hear and lead to stress for you and your family. Our local public health service has provided some advice about the disease, what to look out for and actions to take. Please watch for the symptoms of whooping cough explained below. If your child is fully immunised, they will be protected from severe symptoms but may still develop whooping cough and be able to pass it on to others. Whooping cough spreads very easily by coughing and sneezing. If your child is at higher risk of severe illness or often interacts with someone who is, then you should seek advice from your GP, doctor or hauora/healthcare provider as soon as possible for them to consider whether to prescribe antibiotics.

Those at higher risk of severe illness are:

• Aged under 6 months, especially Māori and Pacific babies
• Aged 6 to 12 months old who have received fewer than 3 doses of a pertussis-containing vaccine (included as part of the routine immunisations at 6 weeks, 3 months and 5 months), especially Māori and Pacific babies
• In their last trimester of pregnancy (from 28 weeks)
• Immunocompromised (have a weak immune system) and/or have long term lung conditions.
  

Please watch for whooping cough symptoms, including:

• A runny nose
• Fever
• In particular, a cough that is often worse at night and gets worse over time, turning into long coughing bouts that may end in gagging or vomiting.

Most people who get sick begin to feel unwell 7 to 10 days after exposure to whooping cough but sometimes this could take up to 21 days to develop. If your child has any of the symptoms or a cough lasting more than 2 weeks, please:

• Call Healthline for free advice anytime 24/7 on 0800 611 116. They may advise that your child sees their GP, doctor or hauora/healthcare provider for further assessment and antibiotic treatment
• Keep your child home from daycare/school while unwell
• Keep your child away from people at higher risk of severe illness while unwell.

Immunisation is the best way to protect your child and family against whooping cough. The Information Sheet provided includes advice on immunisation, including how to check your child’s immunisation status and how to get immunised. For further information and where you can get advice if you need it (including interpreter and NZ Relay support services), please visit the Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora website at info.health.nz/WhoopingCough.

Thank you for helping to stop the spread of whooping cough in your community and for keeping others safe by following this important public health advice.

Yours sincerely,

Lou Oldham
Communicable Disease CNS | Kaimahi Matanga Nēhi
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora – Southern

On behalf of the Medical Officer of Health
Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora
National Public Health Service – Southern

Student Leaders Message

Community Service Day

Despite the Whakatipu Reforestation Trust planting being called off due to the weather, our Volunteer Day was a massive success — with students stepping up across the district to give back in meaningful ways. From cuddling kittens at QT Community CATs to helping with tamariki at Plunket and Kindy, assisting at Te Atamira, chatting with senior citizens over lunch, and supporting Orphans Aid out on the streets, the day was filled with energy, empathy, and lots of happy faces.

All the organisations were well supported, and we received numerous emails expressing gratitude for the students’ mahi. It was awesome to see so many students giving their time and heart to our wider community. Ka mau te wehi!

Alice Davis
Community and Service Council

Samoan Language Week

Tālofa lava, this week we celebrated Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa, Samoan Language Week. This involved playing Samoan songs over the bell and hearing our students open and close the week with a Samoan prayer over the loudspeaker. We held a talanoa this Friday in Mātuitui which is another opportunity to celebrate this beautiful culture.

This week is so important to celebrate, educate, and preserve this special language and culture. you can try adding some simple Samoan phrases into your day such as; 
Tālofa (Tah-lo-far) : Hello 
Tofa (Toh-far): Goodbye
Fa’afetai (Fah-ah-feh-tie): Thank you

Jentie Newell and Lani Thomas
Māori and Pasifika Student Council

Pride Week

This week Wakatipu High School also celebrated Pride Week as June represents Pride Month. It is important to celebrate as it honors LGBTQIA+ history, fosters acceptance and belonging and encourages allyship in our community. 

To celebrate this week, Wakatipu High School has participated in signing the Pride Pledge which shows our support for the pride community at our school and within our community. Other ways our school has shown pride include; wearing pride stickers, having pride bookmarks and participating in a treasure hunt today finding pride flags around the school. 

This has been a great week shown by the support Wakatipu High School has displayed for the Pride community. 

Bethany Argyle
Whanaungatanga Council

Support Wakatipu High School in the 2025 World Vision 40 Hour Challenge! 

From 8pm Friday 13 June to 12pm Sunday 15 June, students from Wakatipu High School are taking on the 40 Hour Challenge to help fight poverty and injustice. This year, we're focusing our efforts on supporting communities in the Solomon Islands, where families are facing the devastating impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels and food insecurity. fundraise.worldvision.org.nz

Whether students are giving up technology, furniture, or sleep, or taking on a personal challenge, they're raising funds and awareness to help tackle poverty and injustice. Some may complete their challenge during the official weekend, while others may do it before or after — but all are accountable to their sponsors to complete the full 40 hours.

Let's live the Wakatipu Way — showing responsibility, resilience, inclusiveness, and striving for excellence beyond the classroom.

 Sponsor a student or donate to our school team here:

Wakatipu High School 40 Hour Challenge Fundraiser

Together, we can create real change. Every action counts. Every donation matters.

Year 9 and 10 Exam Week 9 - 13 June

Junior Exam Timetable

Monday, June 9

• 10:15 AM - 11:45 AM: Year 10 English
• 12:25 PM - 1:50 PM: Year 9 English

Tuesday, June 10

• 10:15 AM - 11:45 AM: Year 9 Maths

Thursday, June 12

• 10:15 AM - 11:45 AM: Year 9 Social Science
• 12:25 PM - 1:50 PM: Year 10 Science

Junior Exams begin next week, where students have the opportunity to show their progress across the semester.  Common assessments will be sat for Year 9 and 10 English, as well as Year 10 Science and Year 9 Social Studies and Maths.  Other subjects will have assessments taking place during class time, which teachers will have communicated to the students.  All students should spend some time this weekend ensuring they know when, where and what will be examined.  Subject teachers have emailed these details to the students.

Please see the link below for information regarding what will be assessed in the common assessments and some study tools that you can discuss with your student.

Students who are unable to sit their exam due to absence, will be able to catch up these in the Friday assigned slots.  Their teachers will let these students know when and where these will be.

We take these exams seriously and students are expected to as well.  School uniform is expected as normal, phones should be in bags and turned off, and students are expected to be in class when they are not in exams.  There is no study leave.

We wish our students all the best for the week ahead.  One of values  is Excellence/Panekiretanga and the elements of these are especially relevant for our exams. Encourage your student to set goals, try their best, and embrace the challenge.

Winter Gala Fundraising Dinner

Winter Gala Fundraising Dinner a Sparkling Success for Wakatipu High School

The Wakatipu High School Foundation’s annual Winter Gala and Auction was held last night, and what a night it was — a sold-out event brimming with community spirit and generosity.

Guests were warmly welcomed by the soulful sounds of George Newhouse, before being treated to moving and articulate speeches from Head Students Manuella Sanches Pedrosa and McKellar Thornton, who captivated the room with their poise and passion.

A huge thank you to The Grille by Eichardt’s for once again providing an outstanding venue, food, and service. We are also incredibly grateful to our Title Sponsor Queenstown Golf Club, as well as the many local businesses who donated incredible food, wine, and auction items.

Thanks to the incredible support of our community, we raised an amazing $61,000 in support of Wakatipu High School students.

Celebrating the 2025 Jarden Impactship Recipient!

We’re proud to share that Tess Vermier has been selected for the 2025 Jarden Wealth Impactship, a new youth leadership opportunity delivered in partnership with Impact100 Wakatipu. As the 2025 recipient, Tess will attend events, review the Final Five charities and bring her youth lens to the final votes to decide who will receive this years grants. The programme offers one local student the chance to sit alongside the women of Impact100 as they assess the final charities and learn how giving helps to shape our community.  This opportunity is proudly sponsored by Anna Boland and Kate Skeggs at Jarden Wealth, who are passionate about helping our local community succeed. We are excited to see Tess represent our school and youth voice. Congratulations Tess!

Pictured: Tess Vermier at the Big Reveal last week with Jarden Advisor, Kate Skeggs. 

Stars Community Adventure Day 2025

Today our Year 9 students took part in a Stars Community Adventure event, connecting them with the incredible community organisations in our area.

We were thrilled to have a wonderful mix of 15 organisations volunteer their time to participate this year: The Whakatipu Reforestation Trust, Mana Tāhuna Charitable Trust, Te Atamira Arts, Whakatipu Youth Trust, Southern Lakes Sanctuary, WHS Guidance Team, QLDC Libraries - Children and Young Adult + QLDC Sports & Recreation, Wakatipu Search and Rescue, Queenstown Coastguard, Whakatipu Wilding Control Group (WCG), WHS Foundation, Cancer Society, Pivotal Point and St John Youth Division.

Guided by their Peer Mentors and teachers, Year 9 students rotated through various community services, listening and engaging in a range of creative and fun activities. QLDC Libraries offered virtual reality headsets, while the Wakatipu Search and Rescue team re-enacted the hypothermic TACO method, inviting students to play the role of the casualty. There was truly something for everyone at this inclusive and diverse event.

These experiences reinforced aspects of the broader WHS wellbeing curriculum, clearly demonstrating how these volunteer organisations help us with our Five Ways to Wellbeing: Give, Connect, Take Notice, Be Active, and Keep Learning.
A huge thank you to all the generous organisations that participated this year and for the invaluable support they provide to our community. Our special thanks also to the wonderful Peer Mentors and WHS teachers who support the Stars programme - well done everyone! It was truly rewarding to see the event in action.

Paula Denton
Stars Coordinator

Stars Spotlight

Our Stars programme plays a vital role in supporting our Year 9 students as they transition into high school. Through a peer-mentoring model, older students guide and connect with our newest learners, fostering a sense of belonging, developing crucial life skills, and building a supportive school community. We're delighted to share a story published on the Graeme Dingle Foundation website about our very own Stars Lead Prefect, Rae!

When Rae first stepped into the role of a Stars Peer Mentor at Wakatipu High School, she was excited to build confidence and develop leadership skills. She entered the role with a mix of excitement and curiosity, wondering how she could best support the Year 9 students. What unfolded was a journey that not only answered those questions but also reshaped Rae’s entire outlook on leadership, connection, and her future.

Stepping into the Stars programme at Wakatipu High School, Rae saw a chance to grow. “I was excited about the opportunity to build my confidence and develop my leadership skills,” she recalls. But like many stepping into a new role, she felt the weight of first impressions. “At the same time, I felt a little nervous about making a positive first impression on the Year 9 students.”

Those early nerves soon gave way to purpose. Rae discovered a deep joy in building relationships with her Year 9 mentees, connections that have endured well beyond the programme. “Even now, I still keep in touch with them, and they know they can always come to me for help.” That trust, earned over time, became one of the most rewarding parts of her journey.

Rae’s journey wasn’t without its obstacles. Some Year 9 students were hesitant to engage, and despite Rae’s efforts and those of their Ako teacher, it was sometimes difficult to break through. “Not everyone was immediately engaged,” she reflects. But what stood out was the support she received from another peer mentor who stepped in and encouraged participation. It was a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about doing it all alone; it’s about lifting each other, together.

The longer Rae was involved, the more she saw the ripple effects of the programme. It wasn’t just shaping the experiences of Year 9 students; it was shaping her. Stars helped her build connections across year levels, giving her a stronger sense of place within her school. “The programme serves as a powerful bridge, fostering meaningful relationships,” she says.

Her dedication led to new opportunities. Rae was appointed Lead Prefect for the Stars programme at her school. Rae is also a member of the National Youth Advisory Group for the Graeme Dingle Foundation, providing a youth voice on processes and content in the Foundation’s programmes. The role has connected her with peers across the country and expanded her understanding of what youth leadership can look like. Now, entering her second year as a National Youth Advisor, Rae is grateful for the experience and excited about what lies ahead.

In the future, Rae plans to study psychology and music therapy at university, with the goal of one day opening her own clinic. The path she’s on is grounded in empathy and driven by purpose, qualities that began to grow the moment she chose to stand alongside others and lead. From a quiet beginning to a bold vision for the future, Rae’s story is one of steady transformation. Through the Stars programme, she not only helped guide others, but she also uncovered the leader she was always meant to be.

Your generosity helps us continue to provide life-changing experiences through our programmes. Donate here and make a difference today.

World Environment Day

“It isn’t just a subject. It’s our future,” our Environment prefect Lucy Boniface shared this powerful reminder to our Year 11 students this week. 

In a fantastic collaborative effort, our WHS Environment Council partnered with Cath Gilmour pf the Catalyst Trust to bring inspiring Catalyst Kōrero speakers to our school to mark World Environment Day. This valuable initiative provided our students with the opportunity to engage directly with experts on climate change, fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges and, crucially, the individual actions we can all take. 

We were privileged to hear from Dr. Jim Salinger and Dr. Carly Green, who delivered an optimistic and empowering message: that global peak emissions are achievable this year, and that every one of us has a role to play in this vital collective effort. This aligns perfectly with our school's focus on solutions and opportunities, even when addressing significant challenges.  It's inspiring to see our students actively participating in creating a more sustainable future, embodying the responsibility we champion at WHS.

Fairlight Station Agriculture/Horticulture Excursion

Our Year 12 and 13 Agriculture/Horticulture students recently traded the classroom for the countryside, enjoying a valuable hands-on experience at Fairlight Station near Garston. This excursion offered a practical look at the diverse skills involved in farming today.

For some of our students, this was their very first time on a farm, making the day even more of an adventure! The schedule was packed with activities designed to introduce them to essential farm operations.

A real highlight was watching Kerry Chittock, a leading dog trialer, demonstrate how he trains his working dogs. It was fascinating to see the journey from basic commands to the intricate teamwork these dogs perform.

Safety was a big focus, with students learning to safely operate quad bikes and side-by-sides. Mastering these vehicles is a key skill on any modern farm.

Our students also got hands-on with sheep handling. They learned important techniques like body condition scoring, drenching, and drafting sheep, all vital for animal welfare and efficient farm management. We also got practical experience setting up temporary electric fencing – a surprisingly quick and effective process when you know how!

Beyond livestock, students picked up other useful skills, including tying down and hooking up a trailer (a must for moving equipment) and even a quick lesson in cracking a whip.

It was fantastic to see every student get involved, no matter their previous experience. Everyone gave each activity a go, and the energy throughout the day was excellent.

A big thank you goes out to Laura Koot and the Fairlight Foundation for making this incredible learning opportunity possible. Experiences like these are invaluable in showing our students the breadth and depth of the agriculture and horticulture industries.

Gifted Education

Registrations open for the Aotearoa NZ Spelling Bee (Years 9 and 10)

Registrations are now open for Year 9 and Year 10 students to enter the 2025 Aotearoa NZ Spelling Bee. Students have until Friday 13 June to register via this form: https://forms.gle/Ptk2LRqTZzqoSG7D7

The competition begins with an in-school, hand-written qualification test (Wednesday, 23 July). Top scorers will be invited to the regional semifinal in Dunedin on 8 September. From there, the top three students will progress to the national final in Wellington.

Last year, Ruby Thornburgh (then Year 9) represented our school at the national final and placed third in the country — an incredible achievement!

More information can be found here: https://www.spellingbee.co.nz/programmes/spelling-bee-competition
If you have any questions, feel free to email Mr Rae 

Register for ICAS 2025!

ICAS is an online academic competition that gives students the opportunity to challenge their higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, and Writing. The competition is open to all WHS students, Year 9 through to 13, with test dates throughout August. Every student who participates is celebrated and recognised with a printed certificate in each subject area, and an online results report to track development each year. Top performers are eligible for one of the highly coveted ICAS medals. 
 
If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please:  
1. Read about ICAS subjects and prices here.
2. Read the terms and conditions here. 
3. Go to the Parent Portal to sign up to chosen subject areas here.  
4. Enter our school’s access code – QFN331.  
5. Enter your child’s details, select the subject areas your child would like to participate in, then proceed to payment.  
 
After payment is made via the Parent Payment System, you will receive an order confirmation email. Please keep this for your records. Applications need to be in by Monday, 28 July. Please contact Mr Rae (lrae@wakatipu.school.nz) with any questions. 

Ngā Reo Languages Learning Area News

Mauri tū, mauri ora | An active soul is a healthy soul

This whakataukī beautifully captures the spirit of our language learners this week as they wrap up the first semester on a high note.
Our junior students have been busy crafting speeches and written pieces, while senior students are now turning their focus toward internal assessments. Beyond the classroom, French students enjoyed a cultural outing to the Silky Otter Cinema for the French Film Festival, and we were privileged to welcome students from Tahiti once again — a vibrant cultural exchange that brought language learning to life.
Mr Guillaume Charton | Head of Languages

Tahitian Students Bring Culture and Connection

Last week, we had the incredible opportunity to host students from the Lycée du Sacré Cœur in Tahiti. On Monday and Tuesday, our French classes warmly welcomed their Tahitian peers, engaging in lively conversations and activities in both French and English. These exchanges gave students a meaningful and spontaneous way to connect across cultures and languages. 
The Tahitian group also joined a Te Reo Māori class, exploring shared values, language connections, and cultural traditions—an enriching experience for everyone involved. 
During breaks, the Tahitian students captivated the school with their vibrant traditional dances, bringing a beautiful burst of Polynesian culture to our campus. Their presence truly transformed WHS for a few days, and we are grateful for the connections, learning, and joy they shared with us all.

Students enjoying French language and culture at the local cinema

This week, students headed to the Silky Otter Cinema to immerse themselves in French language and culture during the French Film Festival. Juniors enjoyed Le Petit Nicolas, a heartwarming film based on the beloved French children’s book that follows a young boy through his school years. Year 12 and 13 students watched Un Sac de Billes (A Bag of Marbles), a powerful adaptation of the same author’s work. Set during World War II, the film tells the moving true story of two brothers fleeing Nazi-occupied France in a courageous bid for survival.
A huge thank you to Clem at the Silky Otter for making this experience possible.
We encourage everyone to check out the incredible lineup of French films on offer — it’s a fantastic way to enjoy language, culture, and cinema all in one! (only one week left!!!) - see link below

Improve your Te Reo Māori pronunciation through The Rongo app!!

The Rongo app is a valuable tool for anyone looking to improve their pronunciation of te reo Māori. Developed by Te Hiku Media,
Rongo provides a supportive and private environment for learners to practice speaking without fear of judgment. The app focuses on listening and repeating, helping users to internalize the sounds of the language and build confidence in their speaking abilities.
One of Rongo's standout features is its use of real-time feedback. As users progress through 24 levels of increasing difficulty, the app's AI technology analyses their pronunciation and offers immediate guidance, ensuring that learners can correct mistakes and refine their skills as they go. This approach aligns with traditional Māori learning methods, emphasizsng oral transmission and active listening.

Otago Secondary School Sports Association - Term 2 Edition

Swimming Sports

Sport and Active Recreation News

Introduction to Director of Sport - Bruce Hunter

A quick introduction to the new Director of Sport at Wakatipu High School - Bruce Hunter. Bruce brings a strong background in both coaching and sports administration, having previously worked in Auckland high schools (Macleans College and St Cuthberts) and then working in the high performance system as a coach, working on the Buenos Aires Youth Olympic and Tokyo and Paris Olympic campaigns. Committed to fostering teamwork, inclusivity, and student development, Bruce is eager to build on our school’s proud sports tradition while introducing new opportunities for growth, participation and performance across all levels. You can contact Bruce via email at bhunter@wakatipu.school.nz or directorofsport@wakatipu.school.nz. You are more than welcome to pop via the Sports Department if you are onsite to have a catch up.

Thank you to Sian Horn for all of her work in the Sports Department over the last few years, we wish her the best for her overseas travel and next adventures.

Karate

Over the Kings birthday weekend a number of WHS students competed at the South Island Schools and the Otago Southland Regional Championships for Karate. Here are the results below:

DAY ONE RESULTS:

• Nicole Carey -  Gold in Kumite Female U19 Years Open and Gold in U19 Years  Kata Female Open
• Sean Jones - 4th in Kata Female U16 Premier Females
• Solomon Phoon - Bronze in U16 Kata Intermediate Mens
• Max Washbrooke - Gold in U16 Kata Intermediate Mens, 5th U16 kumite Mens 

DAY TWO RESULTS:

• Nicole Carey - Gold Kata Female Open, Gold Kata Female 14/17 Years, Gold Kumite Female 18+ years, Gold Kumite Female 16/17 Years Open 
• Sean Jones - Silver in Kata Female 14/17 Open, Bronze in Kumite Female 14/15 Years Open 
• Max Washbrooke - 5th Kata Male 14/15 years Open
• Solomon Phoon - Bronze Kata Male 14/15 years Open 

Overall an amazing weekend for these athletes giving it their all for their sport.

Junior Boys Basketball Trials

WHS will be holding trials to enter teams into the Central Otago Junior Boys Basketball competition that starts in term 3. If you are interested in playing in this competition then please fill in the following form: https://forms.gle/oJSvmjbNiy2zPUsQ8

Trials will be on Monday 9th and 16th June at 3:15pm - 4:40pm in Pouākai, all students interested in playing are expected to be at the trails.

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 Bruce at bhunter@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

Wakatipu High School & StageAntics Present: SIX – Teen Edition 

SIX: Teen Edition - You asked we delivered, Wakatipu High School & StageAntics are proud to announce a third show!

Get ready to remix history with SIX: Teen Edition – the electrifying musical that reimagines the lives of Henry VIII’s six wives as modern pop icons. You don't want to miss the performance of these Queens!

On Saturday you can check out the whole cast performing a sneak peak of SIX at the Creative Queenstown Markets in Earnslaw Park, Queenstown!!

Tickets are now available through Humanitix:  https://events.humanitix.com/six-the-musical-teen-edition

Friday 20 & two shows on Saturday 21 June 2025

From our SIX Band Leader, Bethany Argyle:

As the SIX Musical gets closer, our amazing musical band has started learning and working on the music for SIX. The band is made up of five amazing musicians; Mina Nakazawa and Holly Coutts on piano, Kara Trounce on guitar, Mia Ralph on bass and ex-student Keely Osborne on drums. These girls have been working amazingly hard so make sure to buy your tickets for SIX to see these talented musicians and the amazing actresses live. 

Big Break 2025

We recently held our annual Big Break event in the school theatre. This was an opportunity for band and solo/duo acts to perform in the lead up to the regional Rockquest regional event but it also gave a range of other musicians a chance to play. It was great to have four bands from QPS, Shotover and Arrowtown primary schools join us and this is something we will look to extend further next year.

A huge thanks to Rockformation for their continued support.  Having the skills and knowledge of Harrison Maguire and Martin Roy Guy there with support for the students was amazing and also a huge shoutout to students Baxter Bamford, Hunter Cotterill and Emanuel Cardeno.

Lights, Style, Action! – Toi Wearable Arts Runway Show Wows the Crowd

Last Thursday evening, students gathered to light up the night with an unforgettable Toi and Showquest Runway Show – and what a spectacle it was! The atmosphere was electric as students took to the catwalk under dazzling lights, proudly showcasing the stunning wearable art garments they had been crafting for the past three months.

The event drew a great crowd of whānau, friends, and community members, all eager to see the creativity and talent that’s been brewing down in the Art department. Each garment was entirely student-made – sewn, sculpted, and crafted with impressive imagination and dedication. From concept to catwalk, our young designers brought their artistic visions to life in extraordinary fashion.

It was a powerful celebration of innovation, hard work, and artistic flair – and a true testament to the magic that happens when passion meets purpose.

We’re now counting down the days until we head to Invercargill this Monday, 9th June, where our students will take the stage once again to compete in the annual Otago-Southland Regional Toi Wearable Arts Show.

Watch this space for more images and an update on the show next week. All the best to all those attending Toi and Showquest this year. 

This year’s Showquest dance team is bringing heart, talent, and a powerful message to the stage with their student-led production Disconnect to Reconnect. The story follows a girl drawn into her screen, losing touch with loved ones and the world around her. As her digital life grows, real connections fade and she begins to feel like the world is passing her by. But through the support of friends, she begins to overcome this challenge.

Led by Renee Cottle and Nyah Buckland, the team has spent the term bringing this vision to life. Their 10-minute performance features five student-choreographed dances, live singing from Luana Kirchoff Pereira, and dramatic scenes.

Best of luck to the team who will be traveling to the regional competition in Invercargill on June 9th!

Upcoming Play it Strange competitions include:

• Lion Foundation (the main competition for the year). Entries close July 16.
• Waiata Māori competition (some element of Māori language must be included. Other languages can also be included alongside te reo Māori). Entries close July 31.

Please see Mrs Price for more information.

After School Band Sessions

We have an outside tutor who is happy to run band practices if there are any groups wanting more time. This would particularly suit new groups or those at the Y9/10 level.
For any further information on the above please contact Alison Price at aprice@wakatipu.school.nz

Wednesday Arts Time
This continues to run from 8am and we would encourage any students keen on songwriting, live sound and lighting events, morning makeup to come along and join in.

The practice rooms are also free at this time for any bands or solo/duos who want to practice. It's a great opportunity for like minded arty students to be involved.

SONGWRITING: At the Wednesday morning Arts Time we had ex-student Molly Devine presenting a ZOOM session on Songwriting. Molly is head of songwriting at SAE in Auckland and has released many of her own songs. This was a great session focussing on lyric writing and techniques to help develop skills in this area.

Link to Molly's music:  https://www.youtube.com/@mollydevine6756

We will have a mix of student-based workshopping sessions along with visits and workshops from musicians working in the industry during Term 2.

SOUND/LIGHTING: Continuing with Baxter/Hunter

MAKE-UP WITH AVA WESTON: continuing this week  at Arts Time.

Strings Group
Rakuto Kurano runs a string group on Thursdays at 8am. Here's a link to his website: https://rakutokurano.com/

Holly Arrowsmith

Congratulations to ex-student Holly Arrowsmith who won the Best Country Song at the APRA Country Music Honours recently with her song Blue Dreams.

Extracurricular groups
These groups are up and running for Term 2  - Guitar, Social Art, Knitting & Crochet, Junior Jazz Band etc - all updates will be posted on the All Things Arts Classroom Group. If you would like to sign up the code is: sijw2gw

Or you can sign up for the Classroom Group here:  https://classroom.google.com/c/MTMyMjY2Mzg5NjMw?cjc=sijw2gw

Exciting visits in Arts
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.

Upcoming in Terms  2 & 3 - 

09 June - Toi/Showquest
10 & 12 June - Yr 11 Music Nights
14 June - Rockquest finals - Wanaka
16 & 19 June - Yr 12 Music Nights
18 June - 5 MUS2 Music Night
20 & 21 June - SIX
24 & 26 June - Yr 13 Music Nights
16 July - Entries close - Play It Strange - Lion Foundation National Songwriting Competition (Yrs 9-13)
31 July - Entries close - Play It Strange - Waiata Māori Competition
14 Sept - Performing Arts Showcase

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.

Careers

Host Teach -Thursday 22nd May 2025.

Recently, a select group of our Year 12 and Year 13 students were invited to attend the "Host-Tech" event, a significant gathering focused on connecting technology companies with tourism and hospitality operators in our region. This event aimed to showcase how technology could be leveraged to enhance these industries and foster collaboration.

Our students had an invaluable opportunity to engage with industry leaders and explore the exciting world of technology firsthand. We extend our gratitude to Brad Rowe, Kelly McAteer, and the local Chamber of Commerce, not only for inviting our students to this insightful event but also for generously funding their transportation. Their support ensured our students could attend and gain crucial exposure to the evolving tech industry.

The Host-Tech event provided an outstanding platform for our students to interact with exhibitors, learn about emerging technologies, and reflect on potential career pathways within these dynamic sectors.

Photo credit: Jonny James Productions — thank you for providing these amazing photos.

Canterbury University Tertiary Trip

What do you get when you mix 36 students, 3 teachers, 1 bus, 13 hotel rooms, 30 pizzas, and over 1,000 kilometres? That's right – the unforgettable Canterbury Tertiary Trip! Over the course of 36 hours, the students embarked on a journey packed with discovery, new connections, and a healthy dose of insights into tertiary education.

After the rather long bus ride, the students were buzzing with energy upon arrival at the accommodation. The kids 'game room' proved to be the perfect spot to let off some steam! Thirty glorious pizzas fuelled the troops before they finally rested their heads for the night.

The next morning, everyone was up bright and early to enjoy breakfast and a tour at Tupuanuku Hall. This was followed by an in-depth tour of the University of Canterbury and visits to a variety of halls of residence chosen by the students. This gave everyone a real taste of what campus life is all about.

A few students explored Lincoln University, gaining a valuable perspective on different options and seeing first-hand what life on another campus might be like.

The journey home was a smooth one, with a much-appreciated stop at Subway to recharge for the final leg.

Ultimately, this trip wasn't just about the kilometres travelled or the snacks consumed. It was about opening minds, building connections, and inspiring our students for their future.  A huge thank you goes to Mr Jackson and Mrs Cater, who supported the careers team to make it all happen!

Here's to more learning, more laughs, and perhaps just a few more pizzas next time!

A Glimpse into the World of Law

Last week, our aspiring legal minds had a fantastic opportunity to connect with Alice Milne from QLDC, gaining invaluable insights into the diverse and dynamic field of law.

Ms. Milne shared her professional journey, beginning in the intense arena of criminal law, transitioning to the nuanced complexities of family court, and ultimately finding her niche in corporate practice. Her experience highlighted the incredible versatility a law degree offers, demonstrating how it can open doors to various specialisations and even influence the creation of legal policy.

Beyond the courtroom, Ms. Milne shed light on the exciting travel opportunities the legal profession can provide. She noted the ease with which New Zealand trained lawyers can work in the UK due to similar legal systems. The discussion also touched upon the evolving landscape of legal work, particularly the growing potential for corporate lawyers to work remotely, a stark contrast to the ‘hands on’ requirements of criminal law.

This engaging session provided our students with a realistic and inspiring look at the many paths a career in law can take. We extend our sincere thanks to Alice Milne for generously sharing her time and expertise!

WHS Foundation

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