WHS Newsletter | Issue 3.10 | 19 September 2025
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Principal's Message
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Key Dates
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Excellence and Ad Alta Awards
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WHS Board Election Results
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Update: Withdrawal of Ministry of Education School Bus Services
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Student Leaders Message
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A Message from The WHS Foundation
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Branches Quiz Night
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Readers' Cup Final
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Protect Our Precious Pollinators!
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Careers News - Scholarship Opportunities
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Sports and Recreation News
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Arts Department News
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WHS Foundation
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Community Notices
Principal's Message
Kia ora and welcome to the end of te wiki o Te Reo Māori, which also marks the end of a busy and dynamic Term 3.
There was lots to celebrate this week and Wednesday was a particularly big day at school as we announced our 2026 Head Students - a massive congratulations to Head Students Zara Small and Haru Kuroe, and Deputy Head Students Nicole Carey, Sammy Sison and Toa Ashby. We have been working through the selection of our Lead Prefects and early next term, the House Leaders selection process will commence.

(L-R are Nicole Carey, Toa Ashby, Zara Small, Haru Kuroe, Sammy Sison)
Congratulations also to Jack Barlow, who was voted in as the new student rep on the Board of Trustees. Once again, a huge congratulations to all those who have put their hand up for all of these prestigious and important positions.
Also on Wednesday, our new Board of Trustees took office. Congratulations to those who have been voted to represent the school community. It is great to have continuity with our 5 returning Board members to complement the 3 new parent trustees. I am looking forward to working with all of our Trustees to deliver Aotearoa New Zealand's Best all-round education.
Wednesday evening, at the Impact100 event held at the Whakatipu Rowing Club, the WHS Foundation was announced as a ‘Finalist’ for this year’s Impact100 awards as they look to support a WHS project to build belonging through additional support for migrant students and families. With 1460 students, 62 ethnicities and more than 34 different languages spoken at the home of our students, this project looks to make an impact on our school and our community. Be sure to read further for more details regarding the WHS Foundation, including this project as well as the upcoming Millbrook Golf Fundraiser.
The Branches Trust are also incredible supporters of the school, and last Saturday the annual Branches Trust Quiz was held, raising nearly $20,000 towards the trust and the Branches Camp. A massive thank you to everyone who participated and in particular, the Trustees of the Branches Trust.
Preparations for the Branches Camp are starting to ramp up and thanks to all those who have completed the Medical and Permission forms. Also, a big thank you to those who have made their camp ‘donation’. A reminder that parents who wish to help pay for another student to attend Branches Camp, can do so by filling out this form.
With the Education Minister recently dropping the ‘subject list’ for the New Zealand Curriculum, there has been a fair amount of discussion regarding outdoor education, among other things. Wakatipu High School is committed to continuing to run Outdoor Education, irrespective of what changes may arise. This includes not only our senior Outdoor Education classes, but also our junior Camps, including Branches and Greenstone.
Today was also an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge Senior students who have achieved an Excellence or Ad Alta award for Term 3. You can see the full list below, but a special shout-out to all the students who have achieved their ‘Gold’ award, which means they have gained an Excellence and/or Ad Alta award in all three terms this year.
A reminder that Term 3 reports will be published on the Portal this weekend and early next week, recipients of Cultural and Sports Blues awards will be notified, so be sure to keep an eye out for that information.
Once again, it’s been a big but wonderful term and I’m looking forward to seeing our junior Musical - ‘Into the Woods’ tonight as we bring Term 3 to a close. I hope that all the students have a very well deserved break. When we return on Monday, 6th October, seniors will only have a few weeks before their end of year prizegivings and exams. Be sure to check all the key dates below.
Included in this week’s newsletter is our letter to the MoE regarding the proposed bus changes (ngā mihi to all those who took the time to provide feedback), and lots of other important and exciting information, so be sure to have a read.
Ngā mihi nui,
Oded Nathan
Principal/Tumuaki
Key Dates
TERM 4 2025
Mon 06 Oct - Term 4 begins
Fri 24 Oct - Year 13 Prizegiving
Mon 27 Oct - Labour Day (No School)
Tues 28 Oct - Year 12 Prizegiving
Thurs 06 Nov - Year 11 Prizegiving
Mon 08 Dec - Year 9 Prizegiving - Year 13 Graduation
Tues 09 Dec - Year 10 Prizegiving - Term 4 ends
2026 TERM DATES
Term 1: Monday 26 January to Thursday 02 April (Yr 9's start Tues 27 Jan)
Term 2: Monday 20 April to Friday 03 July
Term 3: Monday 20 July to Friday 25 September
Term 4: Monday 12 October to Wednesday 09 December
Excellence and Ad Alta Awards
Today, we celebrated our senior students' hard work and dedication, awarding Term 3 Excellence and Ad Alta awards.
Our Ad Alta awards are given to students who have shown personal excellence in their learning and engagement and have got at least 2/3 of their LE reports at the Excellence Level (a mark of 4) in Term 3. Our Excellence awards recognise those students in NCEA Level 1, 2 and 3 who have gained more than 50% of their NCEA internal credits at excellence in Term 3. Whakamihi - congratulations to all the recipients.
If any students or Kaiārahi were absent, awards will be presented at the beginning of Term 4. Below is the full list of this term's award recipients.







WHS Board Election Results
The WHS Board Election has concluded. Congratulations to those who have been elected and thank you to those who voted.
Parent Representatives
John Edmonds
Rachel Exell
Adrian Januszkiewicz
Sarah Lawrence
Katrina Stringer
Jasper Van Halder
Whānau Representative
Louise Wright
Staff Representative
Mark Baldwin
Student Representative
We are pleased to announce the results for the election of a Student Representative to the WHS Board.

Votes
Jack Barlow: 325
Sabine Edmonds: 206
Arabella Gatti: 158
Tila Peysner: 132
Alex Simpson: 94
Anaya Vaidya: 66
Henry Huse: 54
Invalid votes: 16
I hereby declare Jack Barlow duly elected.
A big thank you to Molly Shuttleworth for her service as the outgoing Student Representative. Her insights and contributions from a student perspective have been truly valuable.
Lauren Bocatios
Returning Officer
Update: Withdrawal of Ministry of Education School Bus Services
Wakatipu High School has raised strong concerns with the Ministry of Education about the decision to withdraw dedicated school buses. A detailed analysis of ORBUS timetables shows that public transport does not have the capacity, frequency, or suitable routes to get two-thirds of our students to school on time. This risks increased lateness, absenteeism, equity issues, and significant pressure on families. We have formally requested that the Ministry pause this decision, work with local partners to increase bus capacity and maintain dedicated services where public transport is not viable, to ensure no student is disadvantaged.
The link below is a copy of our letter to the MoE regarding the proposed bus changes - ngā mihi to all those who took the time to provide feedback.
Student Leaders Message
Kia ora koutou,
As Term 3 comes to a close, it’s been a week full of important moments, celebration, and reflection.
We kicked off the week by celebrating Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, a time to embrace the language that is such an important part of our identity as a nation. It was awesome to hear te reo being spoken around school! Whether you learned a new phrase, gave a mihi a go, or even just greeted someone with “kia ora”, every little bit counts. Even if you’re not Māori, it’s important that we all take steps, however small, to incorporate te reo Māori. We hope this week inspired you to keep learning and using te reo every day, not just during this special week. Kia kaha te reo Māori!
This week also saw industrial action from our teachers as part of ongoing negotiations. While this may have meant some disruption to classes, it was also a valuable reminder of just how hard our teachers work and how much they care about both their students and their profession. On behalf of the student leaders, we want to acknowledge and support our teachers for standing up for what they believe in. We appreciate everything you do, and we’re with you.
Another highlight this week was the first ever Junior Musical at WHS – Into the Woods. The level of talent, commitment, and creativity on display was incredible. Thanks to everyone involved, both on stage and off stage, for bringing together this amazing work and we hope you have a great closing night tonight.
For some of our Year 13 students, this week also involved first aid training, organised through the school’s Careers Team. It’s been a really valuable and hands-on learning experience, equipping us with practical skills that could genuinely make a difference in an emergency. Thanks to the staff and trainers who made this happen, it’s great to be leaving school with tools that are useful both in work and in life.
Thursday night saw the WHS Rugby Prizegiving, a celebration of the hard work and dedication put in throughout the season. It was fantastic to see so many achievements recognised. A huge congratulations to all the award recipients and to every player who put in the time, effort, and heart for their team this year.
We also had the exciting announcement of our five new Head Students for 2026. Being selected as a head student is a huge honour and responsibility, and we know this group will bring energy, passion, and integrity to their roles. So congratulations to our new Head Students Haru Kuroe and Zara Small and Deputy Head Students Nicole Carey, Sammy Sison and Toa Ashby.
And now, somehow, we’ve reached the end of Term 3. For senior students, it’s a bit of a reality check because after the holidays, there are just three short weeks until study leave begins. The final sprint toward NCEA exams is just around the corner, so we encourage everyone to use the break to rest, recharge, and refocus. Make sure you take time for yourself, catch up on sleep, and come back ready to give it your all in Term 4.
To everyone in the WHS whānau, students, teachers, support staff, and families, thank you for all your efforts this term. We’re nearly there!
Ngā mihi nui,
Kieran Leftley and Lukas McChlery
Head Students



Kia ora koutou,
This week we celebrated Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori. This year was obviously very special as it celebrated the 50th anniversary of this celebration, an incredibly important time for us in Aotearoa. It was a very successful week filled with kēmu, waiata, kai, activities, and more!
A huge shout out to the Māori and Pasifika Student council, Meaz from Mana Tāhuna, Maria, and Mr. Gilbertson for all of the help this week. We hope you got to get involved by signing the pledge to pronounce kupu Māori correctly, or even listening to the waiata Māori over the bells.
Jentie Newell
Māori and Pasifika Lead Prefect
Year 13 Yearbook Orders!
The Final Edition Year 13 Yearbook is now available for pre-order! This is a great way to celebrate and remember the highlights of the year.
Pre-order your copy now for $25. Have a preview of the Year 13 Yearbook here and place your order by clicking this link. Limited copies are available, so get in quick!
Tess Vermeir and the Yearbook Committee
A Message from The WHS Foundation
WHS a Final Five Finalist for Impact100!
We are delighted to announce that Wakatipu High School's Building Belonging project has been selected as one of the Final Five finalists for an Impact100 Whakatipu grant. Two $100,000 grants will be awarded at the Gala Dinner on 16 October.
What is Impact100?
Impact100 Whakatipu is a women’s giving collective that brings together 100+ members, each contributing $1,000 annually. Together they pool resources to award significant grants that create lasting community impact.
About our Project
With 1,461 students representing 62+ ethnicities and 34 languages, WHS is a diverse and fast-growing school. Building Belonging will provide bilingual support for migrant families, increase guidance capacity, and strengthen community connections - all with the goal of ensuring every student feels they belong, can thrive, and are supported both at school and at home.
We are excited to present again at the Gala Dinner in October and grateful for the opportunity to make a lasting difference for WHS and the wider Queenstown community.

Deputy Principal Lee Hiestand presenting to the Impact100 group
Support Our Golf Tournament
The WHS Foundation Annual Charity Golf Tournament at Millbrook Resort on 9 October has sold out, but you can still be involved!
We’re seeking silent & live auction items and raffle contributions. A great chance to showcase your brand to local business leaders and golf enthusiasts, while directly supporting WHS students.
All contributions will be acknowledged across our channels.
Contact Celeste at exec@whsf.nz to support
Celebrating 25 Years of Kinloch Wilderness Retreat
WHS Foundation Business Partner, Kinloch Wilderness Retreat, is turning 25!


To mark the occasion, they’re hosting a very special weekend Friday 3 – Sunday 5 October, with the highlight being their 25th Anniversary Dinner on Saturday 4 October from 5pm.
We are thrilled that proceeds from the Anniversary Dinner will be generously donated to the Wakatipu High School Foundation – helping us continue to support WHS students and their education. Expect live music, shared stories, delicious food, and plenty of Kinloch magic. Make it a full experience by staying the night!
Numbers are limited, so book early:
reservations@kinlochlodge.co. 03 442 4900
A huge thank you to John, Toni and the Kinloch team for their generosity – and congratulations on 25 years of memories, connection, and wild beauty!
Branches Quiz Night


The Branches Trust annual quiz night, held last Saturday, tested the minds of a variety of flower-powered quiz goers in 1960’s 1960s-themed attire. A huge thank you to the valued volunteers, Richie Heap - Master of Quiz and all those who attended, whether they answered only one question on the night. The community support from companies that donated items for supper, refreshments and auction items was incredible. The team couldn’t pull the night off without them.
"The Psychedelic Scholars", who took out the daisy chain crown with one point, have bragging rights till 2026. The night, which from reports was well hosted and thoroughly enjoyed, raised $19,500 towards assisting with our year 10s’ experience of Branches Camp this year.
Don’t forget “Good in the Hood” at Z petrol station is running until 21 September, any discs into Branches Trust container will help towards raising more funds.

Readers' Cup Final



After months spent reading, note-taking and preparing for their efforts, our Wakatipu High School team travelled to Auckland this week to compete in the SLANZA 2025 National Readers' Cup Final. They earned the right to represent Southland by winning the regional final in Invercargill earlier in the year.
Hosted by Dilworth School, the team was treated to study time in the stunning school library, complete with barista hot chocolates, followed by a delicious lunch in the school cafeteria. It was then time for the intense six rounds of competition, answering questions on the assigned books in rapid-fire quiz form.
Despite the tricky questions, the team of four (Stanley Boyens, Luiza Cardozo, Saskia Marriott and Isabella Thomson) held their composure and represented our region with pride, showing good knowledge across the books. They worked well together as a team, having spent countless hours taking notes and answering practice questions from their Year 10 coaches (James Taylor, Emily Messingham and Ruby Thornburgh) to prepare. At the end of the fast-paced competition, the WHS team placed a commendable 11th in New Zealand.
Thank you to the WHS English Department for supporting the Readers' Cup again this year. It was a brilliant day, celebrating love of books and reading with like-minded Year 9 students from across New Zealand. While the team members are now looking forward to reading their own choice of books for the forseeable future, we hope next year's Year 9 cohort will take up the challenge of being among the nation's top young readers.
Kirsty Jamieson-Gough
Teacher of English and TIC Readers Cup
Protect Our Precious Pollinators!
Did you know New Zealand has over 2,000 species of moths, and more than 90% are found nowhere else in the world? These unique insects are vital to our ecosystems, pollinating plants and providing food for native birds. Sadly, many are under threat from habitat loss, pesticide use, and even pet flea treatments.
At a recent Catalyst Trust kōrero, Jacqui Knight from the Moths and Butterflies of NZ Trust, lepidopterist Brian Patrick, and native bee expert Connal Maclean highlighted just how vulnerable these species are. As Jacqui explained, the biggest danger is that most people don’t even realise they exist.
The good news is that we can all help. One of the simplest steps is to avoid pesticides in our gardens and instead try natural methods such as companion planting. For example, marigolds give off a scent that deters pests like whiteflies while their bright blooms provide nectar for butterflies. Other plants such as garlic, dill, fennel, and lavender both protect gardens and feed pollinators.
Another way to support butterflies is by planting their host species. The beautiful Red Admiral butterfly, named NZ’s Bug of the Year in 2024, relies on Urtica ferox (ongaonga or tree nettle) to survive. Planting even one tree nettle in your garden can help bring this butterfly back. Natives such as mānuka, kōwhai, lancewood, and flax also play an important role in supporting moths and butterflies.
You can also get involved at a community level. This Saturday, the Wakatipu Reforestation Trust is hosting a planting day at Lake Hayes Pavilion from 9 am to noon, with morning tea provided. Each plant added to the ground helps restore native habitat, creating safe spaces for pollinators to thrive.
By planting wisely, education and working together, we can all make a difference in protecting New Zealand’s precious moths and butterflies.
Below are images of two butterflies, the New Zealand Red Admiral and Rauparaha's copper and a stunning Chalastra aristarcha moth.

Lucy Boniface
Lead Prefect of the Environmental Council
Careers News - Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarship & Interns Reminders.
We are getting close to the end of term and we want to profile the following opportunities and scholarships. Get in quick before applications close.
Sports and Recreation News
Netball and Rugby Prizegiving
What a fantastic way to cap off the season! Our recent Wakatipu High School Rugby and Netball Prizegivings were a huge success, celebrating the talent and teamwork of our students. It was an awesome night dedicated to acknowledging the hard work and dedication that went into the 2025 season.
We celebrated the achievements of all our teams and gave a huge shout-out to our standout representatives who played at higher levels. Most importantly, the evening was a chance to say a massive thank you to our incredible coaches and volunteers.
To all the coaches, managers, and supporters who gave up their time - your hours of work and dedication are what make these seasons possible, and we can't thank you enough!


Golf
Year 13 student, Noah Novacek, has been selected to captain the Otago Junior Golf Under 19 & Under 16 Team! This is a huge honour and a testament to his incredible talent and leadership on the course.
Noah will be leading his team as they compete in the New Zealand Interprovincial from September 30th to October 3rd. They'll be looking to go one better than last year, when they made it all the way to the final but were just edged out for the win.
Noah, alongside Toby Gallie, have been named in the Otago Men's Golf Team playing against Southland this weekend. They are playing together in a foursome match in the morning round and then singles matches in the afternoon round.
We're all behind Noah, Toby and the Otago team, and we can't wait to see them tee off and show everyone what they're made of.
Basketball
The Central Otago Junior Basketball competition wrapped up on Monday night with all five WHS teams playing their final games at home.
The Year 9 Hoopers and Year 9 Ballers faced off in a thrilling B grade final. Both teams played some fantastic, end-to-end basketball, keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats until the very end. It was a nail-biter, with the Year 9 Hoopers winning a tight game 54-52.
In the playoff for 3rd and 4th place in the Boys A grade, our Year 10A team came out on top after a hard-fought game against the Year 9A team.
Our Junior A boys took on MAC Yellow in the final for 1st and 2nd place. After a tight first half, the Junior A Boys pulled away with a convincing win to take home the championship!
A huge thank you to all the coaches and parents who helped throughout the season, especially with driving the vans each week. Your support is incredibly appreciated!





Get2Go Adventure Race
On a blustery spring morning, three Wakatipu teams zipped into their wetsuits and took on the opening leg of the Get2Go Adventure Race. Out on Lake Wakatipu, the paddlers showed impressive skill, steering the notoriously temperamental blue packrafts smoothly around the course.
The action then shifted to land, with a fast-paced 45-minute bike race followed by a tricky problem-solving challenge. In the afternoon, all teams regrouped at Shotover Country for the rogaine event, where strategy and stamina came to the fore.
Out of 18 teams, all three Wakatipu crews stormed into the top six. The Octonauts secured a well-earned third place overall, while Bearing Str8 claimed victory in the rogaine challenge. Wakatipu Navy impressed with a second place finish in the kayak leg and took sixth overall.
Octonauts: Emily Messingham, Evie Tamariki, Millie Stringer, Henry Huse, Zebbie Jarvis, James Taylor, Gwyn Baldwin, Rilee Young
Bearing Str8: Liv Carter, Adele Necasova, Victoria Underwood, Stanley Boyens, Georgia Copeland, Tommy Carlson, Manny Phoon, Jack Barlow
Navy: Hadyn Carter, Paige Bohaboy, Posie Manser, Zoe Thurston, Keira Lightfoot, Quinn O'Donnell, Flynn Cutler, Leon Coudret





Swimming
What a fantastic splash of success at the Colin Walker Meet! Our very own Wakatipu High swimmers dove into action right here in Queenstown on the 6th and 7th of September, and boy did they make waves!
A huge shoutout to Mark Lauko, Billie Druett, Sydney Druett, Finn Henderson, and Ian Liu for their incredible performances. They absolutely dominated the pool, racking up a fantastic collection of podium finishes and smashing their Personal Bests along the way. Talk about making every stroke count!
And the cherry on top? The Queenstown Swimming Club triumphantly reclaimed the Colin Walker Memorial Shield! This is a massive win for our local swimming community and a testament to the hard work and dedication of all our swimmers.
A massive congratulations to everyone involved! Keep that momentum going and keep swimming fast! You're making us all incredibly proud.


Hockey
Huge congratulations to our incredible WHS students—Indi Redaelli, Liv Carter, Millie Stringer, Charlotte Galavazi, and Zoe Harbrow—who are making us proud representing the Central Otago U15 Girls Hockey Team!
They've had an awesome start to their season, kicking things off with a strong win to secure the Cluther Cup at last weekend's Dunedin tournament. What a fantastic way to begin!
Now, they're off to Canterbury for the Alpiner's U15 South Island Tournament, which runs from September 29th to October 3rd. We're all cheering you on and wishing you the very best of luck, girls! Bring home another win!
Artistic Swimming
Get ready to make a splash! We're sending a wave of good luck to five of our talented WHS students who are heading to the NZ Nationals Artistic Swimming Championships 2025 in Wellington tomorrow morning. These fantastic athletes will be showcasing their skills and grace on the national stage, and we're so proud of them!
The students competing are:
Alisha Messingham (Year 13)
Anja Dayman (Year 11)
Cate Scott (Year 10)
Emily Messingham (Year 10)
Evie Tamariki (Year 10)
On Saturday, they'll be competing in the Aquanaut Figures Competition, which tests their technical skills and precision with a series of choreographed movements. On Sunday, they'll perform in the Aqua Combo Routine Competition, where they'll combine their individual talents into a stunning and synchronised team performance.
We know they'll represent WHS with passion and flair. Good luck, swimmers! We're all cheering for you from Queenstown!
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/
Bruce Hunter
Director of Sport
Arts Department News
Mīharo Exhibition
On Wednesday evening, we celebrated the Mīharo, Central Lakes Art Exhibition at Te Atemira. This was a fantastic gathering of local whānau, tamariki and community groups who all came together to admire the artwork of our young people of Tāhuna. This year, 4 Wakatipu High School students entered, and 3 students won main awards. These artworks below, plus beautiful works from around the local kura, are currently on display at Te Atamira.

Iri Hollebon - Title of artwork: Ko te tipu hou me ngā maharatanga i roto i te ora – New growth and memories in life

Nalani Solomon - Winner of the Innovation Award - with her artwork titled; He tirohanga ki te Whakaata, sand blasted on mirror.

And Indi Redaelli - Winner of the Pacific Culture and Heritage Award - for her work titled; Lei Po'o lady, pencil sketch on paper.

Sheana Solomon - Winner of the Digital Excellence Award - Artwork titled: My Stories, my Land , digital print on canvas.

Into the Woods Jr:
This week we showcased our first ever junior production, Into the Woods. As of writing this, the cast and crew were putting the final touches on the production which is happening on Thursday and Friday evenings starting 6.30. This has been a great initiative for our younger students and we hope you enjoy the performances. Huge thanks to everyone involved.
📆Show dates: Thursday 18 & Friday 19 September 2025
📍WHS Theatre
🎫Book here: https://events.humanitix.com/whs-into-the-woods-jr
Arts & Cultural Blues
On October 16 we have our annual Cultural Blues awards which celebrates a wide range of achievement and involvement in all things arts. This is one of our key events for the year and we warmly invite everyone along to share in what has been another successful year in the arts.

The annual At the World's Edge music festival is back in Queenstown from Oct 4 - 17.
The festival celebrates classical chamber music and has a range of concerts and artists performing in and around the region. There are a mix of free and tickets events with the Queenstown events occurring at Te Atamira. This is an amazing opportunity to hear top musicians performing locally.
The link to the event is as follows: https://www.worldsedgefestival.com/
Alexandra Musical Society Voice and Instrumental Competitions
The Alexandra Musical Society's Voice and Instrumental Competitions are now open for entries. These competitions are being held on Saturday, 1 November at Dunstan High School in Alexandra. These competitions intend to encourage your students to share their talents, build confidence, connect with other young musicians and perform in what will be a supportive and encouraging environment.
Click here for the entry form. You can also enter via a link on the Alexandra Musical Society Competitions Section Facebook page.
Central Lakes Trust Art Competition
Central Lakes Trust is turning 25 this year and would like our rangatahi to share their creativity to help us celebrate.
We’re inviting students in Years 7–13 to design a one-of-a-kind artwork on the theme Giving – reflecting generosity, community, and impact. The winning design will feature on our 2026 Annual Report cover and will be printed on a commemorative tea towel. All entries will also be displayed at our Scholarships Award Ceremony on 3 November 2025.
Prizes up for grabs:
1st prize: $350 Prezzy Card
2nd prize: $250 Prezzy Card
3rd prize: $200 Prezzy Card
People’s Choice: $200 Prezzy Card
Key dates:
Entries close: 10 October 2025, 4 pm
Winners announced: 3 November 2025
More information is available on our website - click here.

Extracurricular Groups
Stay on top of what's happening in the arts and sign up to All Things Arts Classroom
Sign up code is: sijw2gw
Wednesday Morning Arts Time - hang out with the Arts
Happening every Wednesday morning from 8am in the Music area. It’s a great way to get involved with different aspects of arts in a social setting. Come along and see if this might be for you.
- Songwriting
- Live sound and lighting events
- Stage Make Up
- The practice rooms are available at this time for any bands or solo/duos who want to practice
We invite you to share your skills in the arts
We love it when artists want to share their skills and experience with our students. 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 Term 3 & 4
16 October - Cultural Blues Night
- 22 October - Primary Schools Music Visit
- 04 November - Senior Folio Exhibition

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.
WHS Foundation


Community Notices








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