WHS Newsletter | Issue 4.9 | 11 December 2020

Principal's Message

Kia ora and welcome to the final Wakatipu High School newsletter for 2020. As always, it has been a big finish with plenty going on in the final week.

Dave Geddes RSA Memorial Scholarship - last Friday I attended a lovely ceremony at the RSA where Rei Watanabe was awarded the Dave Geddes RSA Memorial Scholarship this year. My thanks to Maryann Geddes and the RSA, and congratulations to Rei.

Branches Camp - came out on Tuesday, and it was a great camp. As I said to Year 10 students and parents at prizegiving yesterday afternoon, on behalf of everyone who makes Branches Camp possible - from the community to Branches Trust, staff and families, we were disappointed that the article in the local media yesterday may be seen as the story of this year’s camp because in its entirety Branches 2020 has been a wonderful camp, including with staff and instructors consistently saying how absolutely fantastic the students were.

My special thanks to Branches Camp Coordinator, Bridget Janse for all of her hard work, and to everyone who made Branches 2020 possible for our students.

Year 9 End of Year Programme - was on Tuesday and was a great day. A big thanks to Deputy Principal, Mrs Panapa, as well as the other staff and community members who made it happen. 

Year 10 and 9 Prizegivings - yesterday and Wednesday and marked the end of the school year for our junior students. It was great to see so many parents in attendance - particularly Year 9, thank you for supporting your child and the school. Congratulations to all recipients of awards - a full list of prizewinners is included below. It was wonderful to see so many students receive Ākonga Passport awards which recognise all-round engagement and achievement. Junior Reports have all been sent out and are available on the Portal. 

Graduation - on Wednesday night was a great ceremony that celebrated the end of their time at WHS for our Year 13 students and their families. With MC Ryan Connaghan and great citations for every student by the Deans it was a lovely sendoff. We wish our departing Year 13s all the very best for their futures :)

2021 School Year - start details are in Key Dates below, and on our website. Please note that our office reopens for 2021 at midday on Monday 25 January.

An extraordinary year for the world, NZ and WHS comes to a close. As I said in my Prizegiving speeches, while it has been a very challenging year for everyone I believe that the WHS community has responded remarkably well to the challenge of Covid-19 and that, despite the many challenges, we have continued to deliver a great all-round education to our students in 2020. My very sincere thanks to every single person who has made, enabled or supported that to happen :)

I wish students, staff, parents and families and all other members of the WHS community a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope everyone has a well-deserved and great break with family and friends - fingers crossed for a better 2021!

Steve Hall
Principal

Branches "Camp Extraordinary"

After a lot of anticipation,  nerves and preparation Branches Camp 2020 was a truly extraordinary 12 days.  Fine weather ensured the two camp set-up days before the students arrived went smoothly.  An "extraordinary" group of outdoor instructors and WHS staff enabled the huge variety of activites to be undertaken by students in their activity groups. Whether it was meal duty, planting in the wetland, raft challenge (building a raft out of innner tubes and ropes), kayaking, shooting,  the Lochnagar tramp or overnight rafting, all students demonstrated "extraordinary" resilience having a go, trying their best and supporting and encouraging others. 
As is usual for this time of year, "extraordinary" weather - sunshine, wind, wind and more wind, rain, a bit more rain followed by sunshine kept everyone on their toes. In one day, often it was reaching for rain jackets, shovels for digging trenches around tents and then later sun hats and sunblock. Variety is the spice of life. "Extraordinary" meals, thank you to Paula Bell for her amazing menu, and all the students mastering the preparation of the food in the open plan camp kitchen.  

"Extraordinary" community support - a huge thank you to AJ Hackett Bungy, Jones Contacting, Nomad Safaris, NZ Ski, and Skippers Canyon Jet for providing 4WD vehicles crucial for transport at Branches. Russ of CountryNet for enabling access to daily weather forecasts. Queenstown Marathon for the OSMs that fuelled many on their journey to Lochnagar. The Wakatipu High School Foundation and the Branches Trust for their "extraordinary" support of students and Branches Camp, ensuring it continues being a "rite of passage."
"extraordinary" students - clean and freshed-faced students arrived at Branches to set up their tents and begin activities on Friday 27 November, and left many days later having experienced Branches. For each, although completing activities wih a group,  all had their own individual journey, their Branches.

Bridget Janse
Camp Coordinator

Branches Trust - Camp Photos & Book

Great to hear the students had a great camp! A brilliant name for this year's camp being 'Camp Extraordinary'!
There is always a mixed bag of weather on the camp and this year will be no exception - it will all add to the stories!

BRANCHES BOOK
Now would be a great time to buy a copy of our wonderful “Long Drops and Hard Knocks” for your child.  Not only does it detail the history of the camp from the early days but it also has loads of anecdotes from the recent years, it talks about all the different activities that they do, there is a great topo map Ken McIntyre has written on showing where all the activities take place in relation to each other.  The chapter on the food is amazing, including a few recipes!  This book would be a great family moment of a unique and memorable school camp.

The book is now $49.95 or 2 for $90 and is available from the following locations and also the Remarkables Park Farmers Market until Christmas .... WHS front desk, Summerfields Pharmacy, Arrowtown Museum, Halo, The Exchange, Odelay, Provisions, Dorothy Browns, Brandlands, Paper Plus, Bound and the Event Centre or online at www.branchestrust.co.nz.

USBs
Photos from Jo Boyd of the 2020 Branches Camp will be available to order and purchase from her website www.riverleaphotography.com Jo has been photographing the iconic Branches Camp for the past 10 years, capturing memories treasured long after the camp is done. You may also purchase from the Branches Trust website: www.branchestrust.co.nz
USBs may also be purchased from The Remarkables Market on Saturday 19 December and thereafter from Mrs Bell in the Library at the start of 2021. 

The collection of photos on a USB stick is a fantastic souvenir for you and your child of this iconic camp. The cost of the USB stick will be $20.

Warm regards
Belinda Crichton and Miffany Saxon
Branches Trust Trustees

Year 9 Prizegiving Awards

Special Awards
Jack Smillie - Top Scholar Year 9, Distinction in English, Mathematics, Science, Digital Technology, Drama and Social Studies
Jess Hudson - Distinction in English, Mathematics and Design and Visual Communication and Commendation in Science, Food Technology and Spanish
Taylor Breen - Distinction in English, Mathematics and Spanish and Commendation in Science, Social Studies and Visual Art
Raphael Conway - Distinction in Food Technology, Mathematics and Science and Commendation in Digital Technology and English
Tom Schenk - Distinction in English, Mathematics and Music
Abby Fookes - Distinction in Practical Physical Education and Science and Commendation in English, Mathematics and Social Studies
Daphne Ricketts - Distinction in English and French and Commendation in Mathematics and Social Studies
Bella Taylor - Distinction in Mathematics and Mandarin and Commendation in Visual Art
Harriet Blundell - Distinction in Mathematics and Visual Art and Commendation in Spanish
Alice McPike - Distinction in Science and Commendation in Design and Visual Communication, English, Mathematics, Music and Visual Art
Ricky Webster - Distinction in Mathematics and Commendation in Design and Visual Communication, Science and Social Studies
Toby Tregidga - Distinction in Design and Visual Communication and Commendation in Mathematics and Social Studies
Milky Tam - Distinction in Science and Commendation in Mathematics and Mandarin
Harry Seeto - Distinction in Science and Commendation in Food Technology and Level 2 Mathematics with Calculus
Chihaya Shimizu - Distinction in Mathematics and Commendation in French and Science
Katherine Read - Distinction in Practical Physical Education and Commendation in English and Social Studies
Mia Pagan - Distinction in Music and Commendation in Science and Social Studies
Eva Hemingway - Distinction in Hard Materials Technology and Commendation in Design and Visual Communication and Visual Art
Lucas Haas - Distinction in English and Commendation in Japanese and Music
Jude Deaker - Distinction in Social Studies and Commendation in English and Spanish
Eliana Collins - Distinction in English and Commendation in Mathematics and Visual Art
Sorcha Wilkinson - Distinction in Social Studies and Commendation in Science
Sara Warmington - Distinction in Hard Materials Technology and Commendation in Mathematics
Xavier Small - Distinction in Mathematics and Commendation in English
Georgia Small - Distinction in Hard Materials Technology and Commendation in English
Sophie Rasmussen - Distinction in English and Commendation in Mathematics
Mikaela Patterson - Distinction in Foundation English and Commendation in Food Technology
Pippa McAtamney - Distinction in Food Technology and Commendation in Social Studies
Luka Bouchier - Distinction in Maori and Commendation in Music
Ashton White - Distinction in Music
Kai Milburn - Distinction in Japanese
Tristan Mason - Distinction in Science
Ben Jordan - Distinction in French
Phoebe Ide - Distinction in Food Technology
Lina Henkenhaf - Distinction in Design and Visual Communication
Sophia Gibbons - Distinction in Hard Materials Technology
Peter Davis - Distinction in Mathematics
Madie Bale - Distinction in Food Technology

Jorja Lane - Commendation in English, French , Science and Visual Art
Paige Jones - Commendation in English, Mathematics, French and Hard Materials Technology
Olivia Bisset - Commendation in English, Mathematics and Social Studies
Akira Watanabe - Commendation in Japanese and Music
Oscar Stanley - Commendation in Mathematics and Science
Kibbana Seipolt - Commendation in Mathematics and Visual Art
Tara Rooney - Commendation in Food Technology and Social Studies
Bridget O'Malley - Commendation in English and Science
Jazsy Molloy - Commendation in Hard Materials Technology and Science
Lydia Marks - Commendation in Foundation English and Visual Art
Jared Long - Commendation in Mathematics and Social Studies
Bethany Graf - Commendation in Drama and English
James Ferguson - Commendation in Mathematics and English
Grace Brennan - Commendation in Social Studies and Spanish
Brodie Banks - Commendation in Mathematics and Mandarin
William Zhang - Commendation in English
Kate Woods - Commendation in Mathematics
Sammie Wood - Commendation in Food Technology
Poppy Wearing - Commendation in English
Nissa Vile - Commendation in Design and Visual Communication
Jack Trounce - Commendation in Mathematics
Kai Townsend - Commendation in English
Jade Theron - Commendation in Science
Jackson Taitt - Commendation in English
Maya Stiven - Commendation in Science
Emma Stark - Commendation in Practical Physical Education
Stella Rhind - Commendation in English
Cara Quinn - Commendation in Practical Physical Education
Oscar Pullar - Commendation in Music
Tessa Phillips - Commendation in English
Libby McNee - Commendation in Mathematics
Lucy McNay - Commendation in Hard Materials Technology
Jemima Mckay- Lund - Commendation in Practical Physical Education
Nikole Martinez - Commendation in Hard Materials Technology
Zara Martin - Commendation in Food Technology
Tom Martin - Commendation in Mathematics
Lwayne Lastimosa - Commendation in Science
Vineel Kumar - Commendation in Science
Mace Korani - Commendation in Science
Rehaan Khan - Commendation in Digital Technology
Avalon Johnson-Pettiford - Commendation in Drama
Anthony Hollyer - Commendation in Mathematics
Ben Hogan - Commendation in Mathematics
Jakob Henderson - Commendation in Foundation English
Nethumdi Galla Palliya Guruge - Commendation in English
Zoe Grant - Commendation in Social Studies
Ruby Davies - Commendation in Practical Physical Education
Taylah Cooney - Commendation in Practical Physical Education
Finn Cole-Bailey - Commendation in Science
Georgia Chinn - Commendation in Japanese
Phillip Bredenhann - Commendation in English
Jared Bramwell - Commendation in Design and Visual Communication
Valentina Balzarini - Commendation in French

Ākonga Passport Awards
Daniel Wright - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Sammie Wood - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Poppy Wearing - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Atawhai Watson - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Jade Theron - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Greta Summerfield - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Lucy Singleton - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Chihaya Shimizu - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Tom Schenk - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Samuel Robertson-Muir - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Katherine Read - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Sophie Rasmussen - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Beth Pick - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Mikaela Patterson - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Bridget O'Malley - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Jazsy Molloy - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Sophie Mead - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Alice McPike - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Libby McNee - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Nikole Martinez - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Zara Martin - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Jared Long - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Eva Hemingway - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Lucas Haas - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Jude Deaker - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Raphael Conway - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Eliana Collins - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Lyla Cameron - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Isabella Burt - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Izzy Burgess - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Matthias Breitenberger - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Taylor Breen - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Caitlin Bowman - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Harriet Blundell - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Olivia Bisset - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Ben Baker - Ākonga Passport - Gold

Rachel Yoo - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Kate Woods - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Amanda Whiteley - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Ashton White - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Jack Trounce - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Bella Taylor - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Stella Stretch - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Emma Stark - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Oscar Stanley - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Evie Snow - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Xavier Small - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Kibbana Seipolt - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Alex Scoles - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Jacob Savidge - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Tara Rooney - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Patrick Robinson - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Jessica Robbie - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Eden Ralston - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Akshita Rajan - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Oscar Pullar - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Tessa Phillips - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Keely Osborne - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Kai Milburn - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Holly McChlery - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Tom Martin - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Lucia Marshall - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Lydia Marks - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Keisha Mackie-Karki - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Sylvan Lawn - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Lwayne Lastimosa - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Rehaan Khan - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Francois Joubert - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Jesse Hutchins - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Edward Howick - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Ben Hogan - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Riley Hamilton - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Zoe Grant - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Bethany Graf - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Sophia Gibbons - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Nethumdi Galla Palliya Guruge - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Lunar Forsyth-Kuroiwa - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Peyton Dickson - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Elsa Devereux - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Louis Denney - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Kate Culling - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Taylah Cooney - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Finn Cole-Bailey - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Mason Clarke - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Kirsten Byers - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Mia Bulling-Eady - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Lily Brown - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Grace Brennan - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Luka Bouchier - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Luiza Baumert - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Venuk Bandara - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Ruby Bale - Ākonga Passport - Silver
George Apse - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Venice Alzaga - Ākonga Passport - Silver

Finn Whibley - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Lauri Wefer - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Anhao Wang - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Sam Vining - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Nissa Vile - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Jade Symons - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Oliver Spice - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Will Speakman - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Carly Sherriff - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Oskar Schiele - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Toby Rorrison - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Eden Ralston - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Isabella Newell - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Jackson McElrea - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Fletch McCarthy - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Tristan Mason - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Bella Maroszek - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Sam Manulea - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Vineel Kumar - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Hugh Hodgson - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Dylan Hazell - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Elias Garceau - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
James Ferguson - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Lennox Fa'amalepe - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Dylan Eden-Wishart - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Hanna Dimaano - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Flynn Dawson - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Slade Davison - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Yash Dass - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Khierssynn Cooper - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Ellie Carter - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
George Campbell - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Benjamin Campbell - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Connor Buckland - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Phillip Bredenhann - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Jared Bramwell - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Franco Bjorck - Ākonga Passport - Bronze

Ad Alta Awards
Sorcha Wilkinson - Ad Alta Award - Gold
Daphne Ricketts - Ad Alta Award - Gold
Sophie Mead - Ad Alta Award - Gold
Zara Martin - Ad Alta Award - Gold
Jess Hudson - Ad Alta Award - Gold
Taylor Breen - Ad Alta Award - Gold
Harriet Blundell - Ad Alta Award - Gold
Olivia Bisset - Ad Alta Award - Gold

Poppy Wearing - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Akira Watanabe - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Sara Warmington - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Jack Smillie - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Chihaya Shimizu - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Tom Schenk - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Katherine Read - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Beth Pick - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Mia Pagan - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Alice McPike - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Libby McNee - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Pippa McAtamney - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Nikole Martinez - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Jared Long - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Paige Jones - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Phoebe Ide - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Eva Hemingway - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Lucas Haas - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Abby Fookes - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Jude Deaker - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Raphael Conway - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Eliana Collins - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Georgia Chinn - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Isabella Burt - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Mia Bulling-Eady - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Brodie Banks - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Madie Bale - Ad Alta Award - Blue

Daniel Wright - Ad Alta Award
Amanda Whiteley - Ad Alta Award
Ricky Webster - Ad Alta Award
Toby Tregidga - Ad Alta Award
Greta Summerfield - Ad Alta Award
Emma Stark - Ad Alta Award
Xavier Small - Ad Alta Award
Georgia Small - Ad Alta Award
Lucy Singleton - Ad Alta Award
Kibbana Seipolt - Ad Alta Award
Stella Rhind - Ad Alta Award
Mikaela Patterson - Ad Alta Award
Bridget O'Malley - Ad Alta Award
Jemima Mckay- Lund - Ad Alta Award
Lydia Marks - Ad Alta Award
Lwayne Lastimosa - Ad Alta Award
Jorja Lane - Ad Alta Award
Lexie Hughes - Ad Alta Award
Anthony Hollyer - Ad Alta Award
Zoe Grant - Ad Alta Award
Sophia Gibbons - Ad Alta Award
Avie Escott - Ad Alta Award
Louis Denney - Ad Alta Award
Ruby Davies - Ad Alta Award
Izzy Burgess - Ad Alta Award
Grace Brennan - Ad Alta Award
Caitlin Bowman - Ad Alta Award
Paige Blunden - Ad Alta Award

Year 10 Prizegiving Awards

Special Awards
Olivia Key - The Robertson Family Trophy for all-round effort and participation
Jan Ebbinge - Principal's Commendation for All Round Effort and Participation in Year 10
Sammy Fookes - Principal's Commendation for All Round Effort and Participation in Year 10
Kane Viggers - Wakatipu High School Speechfest Award for Best Junior Speaker
Rochelle Tickle - Wakatipu High School Trophy for Outstanding Potential in Junior Drama
Marley King Smith - The Wakatipu Lions Club Trophy for Excellence Writing in Year 10
Georgia Henderson - Wakatipu High School Trophy for Most Outstanding Junior Visual Art Student
Nico Cheifetz - The Mactodd Award for Achievement in Junior English 
Billie Comer - The Q92 FM Cup for Most Promising Junior Musician
Sammy Fookes - The Jane Davenport Memorial Award for leadership and compassion in the outdoors at Branches Camp
Lacy Boniface - The Tony Middendorf Memorial Award  for Humility, Teamwork and Work Ethic at Branches Camp

Jan Ebbinge - Distinction in Mathematics, Physical Education, Science, Social Studies and Spanish and Commendation in English
Olivia Key - Distinction in English, French, Science and Social Studies and Commendation in Physical Education and Mathematics
Marley King Smith - Distinction in English, Maori, Sports Science and Mathematics and Commendation in Hard Materials Technology
Sammy Fookes - Distinction in English, Mathematics and Science
Abigail White - Distinction in Economics and Business Studies and English and Commendation in Maori, Physical Education and Science
Mia Tucker - Distinction in Social Studies and Spanish and Commendation in English and Mathematics
Ayla Nakayama - Distinction in Mathematics and Spanish and Commendation in Economics and Business Studies and Social Studies
Georgia Henderson - Distinction in Science and Visual Art and Commendation in English and Mathematics
Sam Glover - Distinction in Mathematics and Music and Commendation in English and Science
Ruby Dawson - Distinction in Food Technology and Science and Commendation in English and French
Annika Thornton - Distinction in English and Physical Education and Commendation in Social Studies
Rochelle Tickle - Distinction in Drama and English
Emily Johnston - Distinction in Music and Visual Art
Lucy Sinclair - Distinction in English and Commendation in Economics and Business Studies, Physical Education, Social Studie and Mathematics
Zara Mackley - Distinction in English and Commendation in Mathematics, Science and Social Studies
Zoe Sinteur - Distinction in Social Studies and Commendation in Drama and Food Technology
Ruby Rose - Distinction in English and Commendation in Maori and Social Studies
Sara Jameson - Distinction in Social Studies and Commendation in Mathematics and Physical Education
Luca Hall - Distinction in Design Visual Communication and Commendation in Critical Thinking in the Humanities and Physical Education
Elise Edmonds - Distinction in Music and Commendation in Physical Education and Level 1 French
Maisie Grufferty - Distinction in Physical Education and Commendation in Mathematics and Science
Daniela DiFazzio - Distinction in Mathematics and Commendation in Critical Thinking in the Humanities and Science
Judy Ye - Distinction in Mathematics and Commendation in Social Studies
Kane Viggers - Distinction in Digital Technology and Commendation in Music
Luna Millan - Distinction in English and Commendation in Hard Materials Technology
Elsa Guo - Distinction in Science and Commendation in Mathematics
Jasper Feenstra - Distinction in Social Studies and Commendation in Maori
Nico Cheifetz - Distinction in English and Commendation in Physical Education
Evie Barlow - Distinction in Visual Art and Commendation in English
Marite Balzarini - Distinction in English and Commendation in Economics and Business Studies
Mishika Sikka - Distinction in Critical Thinking in the Humanities
Holly Rogers - Distinction in Social Studies
Monique Rider - Distinction in Hard Materials Technology
Max O'Donoghue-Price - Distinction in Hard Materials Technology
Charlotte Muir - Distinction in English
Cody McRae - Distinction in Science
Anja Lambrechts - Distinction in Visual Art
Su Kang - Distinction in Level 1 Korean
Primrose Johnson - Distinction in English
Shidoh Ichihara - Distinction in Japanese
Mae Higgins - Distinction in Food Technology
Billie Comer - Distinction in Music

Isabelle Spencer - Commendation in English, Food Technology, Physical Education and Science
Lola Maglaras - Commendation in French, Physical Education, Science and Visual Art
Phoebe Cavanagh - Commendation in Mathematics, Physical Education, Science and Social Studies
Scarlett Rose - Commendation in English and Mathematics and Level 1 French
Alissa Ibe - Commendation in Critical Thinking in the Humanities, Design Visual Communication and Mathematics
Azaria Briscoe - Commendation in Mathematics, Music and Science
Jack Speedy - Commendation in Mathematics and Spanish
Tru Russell - Commendation in English Japanese and Science
Mary Navasca - Commendation in Science and Social Studies
Julia Lima - Commendation in Science and Spanish
Scott Duncan - Commendation in Digital Technology and English
Eva Bogue - Commendation in Mathematics and Science
Aillish Woods - Commendation in Food Technology
Ruth Stevens - Commendation in Design Visual Communication
Ellie Shuttleworth - Commendation in Mathematics
Neve Short - Commendation in Visual Art
Harrison Rogers - Commendation in Sports Science
Logan Noton - Commendation in Mathematics
Grace Nickels - Commendation in Science
James Modina - Commendation in Mathematics
Ella McKinney - Commendation in Science
Sam McAtamney - Commendation in Physical Education
Aurora Macleod - Commendation in Mathematics
Cam MacKenzie - Commendation in Music
Mila Lanuel - Commendation in English
Todd Khaengkhan - Commendation in English for Second Language Learners
Lily Kay - Commendation in Music
Kokoro Kawashima - Distinction in Level 2 Japanese and Commendation in Social Studies
Greta Jones - Commendation in Science
Wil Hughes - Commendation in English
Bryce Hollebon - Commendation in Mathematics
Stefan Hall - Commendation in Mathematics
Josh Hall - Commendation in Physical Education
Noah Green - Commendation in English
Bridie Gilbert - Commendation in Hard Materials Technology
Kavya Chauhan - Commendation in Spanish
Guinevere Buckley - Commendation in English
Jessica Brian - Commendation in Hard Materials Technology
Jessa Bodle - Commendation in Drama
Cate Bodle - Commendation in English
Joe Baker - Commendation in Mathematics

Ākonga Passport Awards
Judy Ye - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Sophie Wood - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Annika Thornton - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Scarlet Taylor - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Eanna Tanghal - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Minnie Tam - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Isabelle Spencer - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Lucy Sinclair - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Mishika Sikka - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Monique Rider - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Mary Navasca - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Charlotte Muir - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Paige Morrison - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Luna Millan - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Zara McRae - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Aurora Macleod - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Olivia Key - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Georgia Henderson - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Maisie Grufferty - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Sam Glover - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Sammy Fookes - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Isadora Figueroa - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Jan Ebbinge - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Lucy Chisholm - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Phoebe Cavanagh - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Guinevere Buckley - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Azaria Briscoe - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Cate Bodle - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Oliver Battrick - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Neve Bates - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Evie Barlow - Ākonga Passport - Gold
Marite Balzarini - Ākonga Passport - Gold

Meg Wheatley - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Kyah Wells - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Isaac Swain - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Pearce Summerfield - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Jack Speedy - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Harper Souness - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Juanye Silva - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Saxon Sheehan - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Frida Rylev - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Ruby Ross - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Harrison Rogers - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Charli Robertson - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Allyx Palacio - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Maddox Newell - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Cody McRae - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Sam McAtamney - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Dv Manwani - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Cam MacKenzie - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Maddy Macdonald - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Jackson Lines - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Julia Lima - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Anja Lambrechts - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Marley King Smith - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Naeema Khan - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Su Kang - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Morgan Kan - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Greta Jones - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Alissa Ibe - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Emily Howick - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Bryce Hollebon - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Mae Higgins - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Elsa Guo - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Emily Gilbert - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Billie Comer - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Tessa Bendall - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Sophie Askham - Ākonga Passport - Silver
Lily Adams - Ākonga Passport - Silver

Aiden Young - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Cato Williams - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Subath Wijerathna - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Thisanka Weeraddana - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Logan Waller - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Brandon Wallace - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Brooklyn Walker - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Mya Stratford - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Charli Robertson - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Alexandra Roberts - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Sam Riddle - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Liam Paterson - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Max O'Donoghue-Price - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Manaav Lal - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Ash Kerr - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Lily Kay - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Chloe Jones - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Josh Hall - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Storm Hakaraia-Meehan - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Lochie Galbraith - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Aliah Edwards - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Zoe Deering - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Henry Brown - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Mooklada Boonprasit - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Josh Bonnar - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
William Balfour - Ākonga Passport - Bronze
Joe Baker - Ākonga Passport - Bronze

Ad Alta Awards
Judy Ye - Ad Alta Award - Gold
Abigail White - Ad Alta Award - Gold
Mia Tucker - Ad Alta Award - Gold
Ellie Shuttleworth - Ad Alta Award - Gold
Scarlett Rose - Ad Alta Award - Gold
Mary Navasca - Ad Alta Award - Gold
Aurora Macleod - Ad Alta Award - Gold
Zara Mackley - Ad Alta Award - Gold
Olivia Key - Ad Alta Award - Gold
Mae Higgins - Ad Alta Award - Gold
Sammy Fookes - Ad Alta Award - Gold
Jan Ebbinge - Ad Alta Award - Gold
Daniela DiFazzio - Ad Alta Award - Gold
Phoebe Cavanagh - Ad Alta Award - Gold
Azaria Briscoe - Ad Alta Award - Gold
Neve Bates - Ad Alta Award - Gold

Zali Vaivars - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Rochelle Tickle - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Annika Thornton - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Scarlet Taylor - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Isabelle Spencer - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Lucy Sinclair - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Mishika Sikka - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Tru Russell - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Holly Rogers - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Ayla Nakayama - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Charlotte Muir - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Zara McRae - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Madi McLean - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Ella McKinney - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Mila Lanuel - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Sara Jameson - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Mackenzi Jackson - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Alissa Ibe - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Georgia Henderson - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Maisie Grufferty - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Sam Glover - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Sophie Clark - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Guinevere Buckley - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Eva Bogue - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Jessa Bodle - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Evie Barlow - Ad Alta Award - Blue
Lily Adams - Ad Alta Award - Blue

Mikaela York - Ad Alta Award
Breanna Wilson - Ad Alta Award
Eanna Tanghal - Ad Alta Award
Isaac Swain - Ad Alta Award
Pearce Summerfield - Ad Alta Award
Ruth Stevens - Ad Alta Award
Zoe Sinteur - Ad Alta Award
Saxon Sheehan - Ad Alta Award
Frida Rylev - Ad Alta Award
Ruby Rose - Ad Alta Award
Monique Rider - Ad Alta Award
Allyx Palacio - Ad Alta Award
Paige Morrison - Ad Alta Award
Luna Millan - Ad Alta Award
Cam MacKenzie - Ad Alta Award
Anja Lambrechts - Ad Alta Award
Marley King Smith - Ad Alta Award
Naeema Khan - Ad Alta Award
Kokoro Kawashima - Ad Alta Award
Su Kang - Ad Alta Award
Morgan Kan - Ad Alta Award
Greta Jones - Ad Alta Award
Emily Howick - Ad Alta Award
Luca Hall - Ad Alta Award
Brianna Hall - Ad Alta Award
Elise Edmonds - Ad Alta Award
Ruby Dawson - Ad Alta Award
Lucy Chisholm - Ad Alta Award
Lachy Boniface - Ad Alta Award
Cate Bodle - Ad Alta Award
Zoe Bennetts - Ad Alta Award
Tessa Bendall - Ad Alta Award
Oliver Battrick - Ad Alta Award
Marite Balzarini - Ad Alta Award

Principal's Awards

Arthur House
Abby Fookes
Annika Thornton
Anthony Hollyer
Ava McIntyre
Ben Hogan
Cody McRae
Daniel Wright
Emily Gilbert
Georgia Chinn
Harry Seeto
Isabelle Spencer
Izzy Burgess
Katherine Read
Neve Bates
Neve Short
Olivia Key
Sam Glover
Sammy Fookes
Scott Duncan
Stan Blair
Stefan Hall
Toby Tregidga
Tristan Mason
Zara McRae

Duncan House
Anja Lambrechets
Ayla Nakayama
Bridget O'Malley
Bryce Hollebon
Caitlin Bowman
Charli Robertson 
Daphne Ricketts
Elsa Guo
Jack Speedy
Jade Theron
Jasper Feenstra
Jessa Bodle 
Lachy Boniface 
Lexie Hughes
Luka Bouchier
Lunar Forsyth-Kuroiwa
Mandela Moodley 
Mary Navasca
Mia Tucker
Mikaela Patterson
Nethumdi Galla Palliya Guruge
Oliver Battrick
Ricky Webster
Rochelle Tickle
William Carian

Fox House
Akira Watanabe
Avalon Johnson-Pettiford
Beth Pick
Brianna Hall
Connor McIsaac
Ella McKinney
Eva Bogue
Eva Hemingway
Evie Barlow
Franco Bjorck
Georgia Henderson
Holly Rogers
Jess Hudson
Jesse Hutchins
Judy Ye
Kai Milburn
Lucy Chisholm
Luna Millan
Lyla Cameron
Maisie Grufferty
Meg Wheatley
Mya Stratford
Ruby Rose
Ruth Stevens
Sammie Wood
Scarlett Rose
Sophia Gibbons
Sylvia Niccol
Taylor Breen
Xavier Small
Zali Vaivars
Zara Mackley

Hay House
Abigail White
Allyx Palacio
Brodie Banks
Daniela Di Fazio
Ellie Shuttleworth
Jack Smilie
Jan Ebbinge
Jorja Lane
Mackenzi Jackson
Mae Higgins
Mia Pagan
Minnie Tam
Olivia Bisset
Phoebe Cavanagh
Poppy Wearing
Sophie Rasmussen
Zoe Grant

Mackenzie House
Alex Scoles 
Alice McPike
Azaria Briscoe
Ben Baker 
Billie Comer
Cate Bodle
Eliana Collins
Elise Edmonds
Francois Joubert 
Hiago Silva
Isadora Figueora
Kane Viggers
Logan Waller
Luca Hall
Lucas Haas
Lucy Sinclair
Madi McLean
Marite Balzarini
Mia Bulline-Eady
Mila Lanuel
Mishika Sikka
Murphy Sutton
Phoebe Ide
Sara Jameson
Scarlet Taylor
Sophie Clark

WHS 2020 Magazine

A huge thank you to Mr Singh who has put together an amazing magazine for 2020!

The link has been sent to all students via email however, you can click on this link to view: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BRtTcP5CNCpJV5QS4kBZb0fQAsBx7jiH/view 

NZ On Screen winner!

Kane Viggers, Year 10, has won the national ScreenTest short film competition with his film Miss You

The competition gives Kiwi high school students the chance to make a short film based on a theme.  Kane's film features a teenager is alone with his thoughts, as the darkening clouds and windswept hills reflect his internal struggle. The film imagines a situation where someone loses a close family member. Judges Paula Boock and Donna Malane (from production company Lippy Pictures) praised Viggers' "mature work", "heartfelt story", and superb soundtrack and cinematography.

"A deceptively simple film. Kane tells this story with clarity and sweetness. Its understated quality is what made this film stand out for us. The beautiful but empty landscape elegantly encapsulates what the character is feeling. This is a mature work in which the director has succeeded in telling a heartfelt story with candour. The cinematography and soundtrack are superb."

As well as having the short film published on NZ On Screen, Kane's prize is a visit to the Weta Group of Companies in Wellington, including Park Road Post Production, Weta Workshop and Weta Digital. This is the second time a WHS student has won this prestigious prize, the first being Lachie Clark in 2018.

Congratulations Kane, on an incredible achievement!

Ms Jennifer Smart
HoLA English & Media Studies

Sports News and Results

Get2Go National Finals
Eight WHS students have been competing in the national Get2Go finals on Great Barrier Island this week. This competition is run by the Hillary Outdoors organisation and is the first time WHS has sent a team to the finals, after previously winning the Central Otago regional qualifiers. The eight students have been competing in a mix of outdoor activities based around team work and problem solving including raft building, rogaine and a full day expedition. Congratulations to Peter Davis, Abby Fookes, Juss Hudson, Alex Murray, Sophie Rasmussen, Carlos Reuss, Tom Schenk and Kate Woods. A big thank you to Kiri Rasmussen and Sandra Zuchlag for taking this group of youngsters to this awesome event. A sincere thank you to all of the local organisations who have supported this group in getting to the finals and having an amazing experience!

New Zealand Ice Hockey Matches
CJ Kemp, Axel Ruski-Jones and Tyler Challoner represented the NZ U18 Men’s Ice Hockey team against the NZ U20 Men’s team which had Year 13 Jackson Flight in it in a two match series over the weekend in Dunedin. As both teams have had their World Champs cancelled next year due to COVID this was an opportunity for those who had earned selection into their national teams to represent them. The NZ U20’s won both games, 3-2 and 4-2. 

NZSS Athletic Champs
All the best to the seven athletes competing at the New Zealand Athletic Champs in Tauranga this weekend; Aleks Cheifetz, Eliana Collins, Louis Conway, Jude Deaker, Abby Fookes, Sammy Fookes and Jackson Rogers. Go well team!

Summer Competitors
The best of luck to all of the WHS athletes who are competing over the summer for their various rep teams. We wish you well!

Merry Christmas and Thank you
A huge thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers who help to make sport happen in 2020 at Wakatipu High School. Thank you to our teachers, staff, parents and community folk who coach, manage, organise and contribute on our sport committees. You are wonderful role models of active citizenship and creating healthy lifestyles for our rangitahi. The sports department hope that you enjoy a wonderfully relaxing summer with friends and family. See you all next year. Meri Kerihimete!

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