WHS Newsletter | Issue 4.06 | 26 November 2021
Associate Principal's Message
Kia ora everyone,
While things may be slowing down in high schools across the country, this week felt like another big week at WHS as seniors had their first NCEA exams, final Branches meetings were held, and the roof began to assemble on our new double-gymnasium.
After a delay due to Covid, our senior students have completed their first week of the NCEA end of year exams, and our exam invigilators have reported that students have worked extremely hard in the exam throughout the week. It is really important that we continue to encourage students to exemplify the key value of Resilience/Te manawanui me te ū, over these next two weeks of exams, as they strive to achieve their best all the way through to their last exam - Kā Mauka Whakatipu! A reminder to parents and students, that while the NCEA exams are technically a standards-based assessment, marks are scaled accordingly should students across the country find an exam particularly challenging.
As mentioned above, the first of two Branches Camps (Camp 1) heads into Branches Station on Monday 29 November. The amount of time, effort and energy that so many people put into the Camp, both at school and in the community is truly remarkable. It is an extraordinary experience for our young people and wouldn’t be possible without the support of the school and the community. A huge thanks to the Branches Trust who provide tens of thousands of dollars each year to keep the cost down for families. Thanks also to those who have paid their $350 donation, it’s not too late to make the donation and even if you are able to pay part, any donation would be greatly appreciated. We know that the students are very excited for this amazing opportunity and we hope that they really enjoy their time at camp.
This year, with the camp being split into two (due to the size of this and future year’s cohorts), we are also running a pre and post Branches ‘in-school’ programme. A great in-school programme has been developed to support and consolidate the learning that occurs at Branches. It is a compulsory part of school with all Year 10 students expected to attend school whenever they are not at camp, with normal attendance procedures applying.
Phase 2 and the expansion of the school to raise its capacity from 1200 to 1800 students is going well, and on Monday members of staff and the Senior Leadership Team took a tour through the Northern and Southern wing extensions. Included in these extensions are additional Science Labs, a new mini-theatre, purpose built learning commons to house our Digital Technology and Media Studies classes, the new Duncan and Hay House social spaces, plus much, much more. We are really looking forward to these new spaces and feel very fortunate to have such a world-class facility to support teaching and learning and WHS’ great all-round education.
Today was another of the nation-wide Teacher Only Days to support the implementation of the NCEA Review, and while most of these changes will not be in place until 2024, as a school and as a staff we are intent on continuing to develop our understanding of mātauranga maori, which is an integral part of the NCEA review. Today we learned more about He Hītori Māori o te Whakatipu - Māori History of the Whakatipu and about Ingoa Wāhi o Te Kura Tuarua o Whakatipu, place names associated with our school. It was a really interesting and fantastic day for all the staff.
While we welcomed the parents/caregivers of next year’s new entrant Year 9’s in our newsletter a few weeks ago, due to a technical glitch, it turns out those newsletters were not sent, so once again, a big warm welcome to those parents/caregivers. We hope you enjoy reading this and future newsletters as you become better acquainted with Wakatipu High School.
Like this weekend’s weather, there is still an element of uncertainty with the end of year Junior Prizegiving and Year 13 Graduation as we wait for further clarity from the Ministry of Education. We will be looking to make a decision by the middle of next week as to the format of these very important events, which we’ll communicate in next week’s newsletter.
Have a fantastic weekend and I’m looking forward to seeing many of you at the Branches Camp 1 departure on Monday morning.
Ngā mihi nui,
Oded Nathan
Associate Principal
Branches Camp
Yesterday morning saw the final Student Meeting before the first camp goes in on Monday 29 November. The key messages were a reminder of the Camp Objectives - personal and social development, and how the school values of Excellence, Respect, Responsibility, Inclusion and Resilience underpin this and all the activities at camp.
Students were given a presentation outlining expectations and rules regarding behaviour and discipline at Branches. Key points are that normal school rules apply, and safety is paramount.
Students must follow instructions and respect all staff (including external Contractors and the Farm Managers). We must be able to trust students and that they will do the right things at the right time, including in terms of safety. If we decide that their behaviour suggests we can not trust them this may well be grounds for discipline. Depending on the circumstances students may be warned or given a consequence, or they may be removed from camp. Discipline is the responsibility of the Camp Manager.
Emergency communication - last year we trialled a communication system which enables us to contact the school from camp. We will have regular daily communication with school, so if you need to get an urgent message to your child while they are in at Branches, please phone the school main reception. They will pass this message on to the Camp Manager.
After a huge amount of work organising the logistics of transport, parents have been emailed the transport lists. These are final and we will not be switching students to different vehicles. Whilst passenger requests have been granted where possible, priority is that all students are accounted for and have transport. Details for transporting students out of camp will be emailed to all parents by Wednesday 1 December. If you have specific questions, or if your circumstances have changed and you now cannot provide transport then please contact kmurray@wakatipu.school.nz. Transport details for Camp 2 will be emailed in due course.
On the day students go in, they need to bring their own packed lunch (early Loch groups do not need to bring a packed lunch), full water bottle, broad brimmed sun hat, sun block, chapstick and any personal medication / take travel sickness tablets if required, as well as a fleece top and rain jacket. All in their day pack so it is accessible during the set-up on Monday.
I head into Branches early tomorrow with a set-up crew to establish the Base Camp infrastructure before the students arrive. A big thank you to parents and Staff in anticipation of seeing Camp 1 students on Monday after the drive in.
Key dates
This years' two 7-day camp dates are: Camp 1 - Monday 29 November to Sunday 5 December, and Camp 2 - Monday 6 to Sunday 12 December.
Other important Branches dates to note are:
Mon 29 Nov - Camp 1 in
Mon 29 Nov - Thurs 2 Dec - Camp 2 in school programme
Fri 3 Dec - Camp 2 - Work Day
Sun 5 Dec - Camp 1 out
Mon 6 Dec - Camp 2 in; Camp 1 rest day
Tues 7 Dec - Thurs 9 Dec - Camp 1 in school programme
Fri 10 Dec - Camp 1 Work Day
Sun 12 Dec - Camp 2 out
Mon 13 Dec - Yr10 Rest Day
Tues 14 Dec - Yr10 Prizegiving
Bridget Janse
Branches Camp Coordinator
Sports News and Information
Junior Boys Cricket Kings High School Exchange
It was a historic day for WHS cricket on Tuesday as the junior boys team beat Kings High School for the first time in the annual exchange to lift the Cushen-Mawhinney trophy. This has been a result five years in the making. The teams played a two day declaration match where each team gets to bat and bowl twice. Set 107 to win in the final innings Kings High School were unable to make the total and were all out for 78. It was a great team effort across the two days with stand out individual performances from Oscar Pullar scoring 63 runs and Matt Langford's four wickets in the first innings. Mason Clarke took six wickets in the second innings to help secure the victory. It was great to have the founders of this exchange John Cushen and Russell Mawhinney present at the end of the match. Thank you to our awesome coaching team of Bevan Clarke, Matt Hollyer, Andy Langford and Greg Trounce. We are really proud of this team and their efforts this week, Kā Mauka Whakatipu!
The team prior to the start of the exchange
Kings HS and WHS players and coaches
That winning feeling! WHS win the Junior Boys cricket exchange for the first time
Oscar Pullar secures his 50
Mason Clarke is handed the Cushen-Mawhinney Trophy from Kings HS
Open Skiff South Island Champs
A number of WHS students are competing as members of the Wakatipu Yacht Club this season. Competition has recently got underway with the South Island regatta held in Te Anau last weekend. A huge well done to everyone that competed, results are below.
Gold Fleet
2nd - Blake Jackson
Silver Fleet
2nd - Lucy Boniface (also 1st girl)
4th - Remy Vaivars
6th - Violet Smillie
Bronze Fleet
2nd - Brodie Banks
3rd - Will Pope
4th - Daniel Davies
6th - Jarvis Strahan
Junior Girls Cricket
The Junior Girls team had the opportunity to play Otago Girls High School in Alex on Tuesday in an 8-aside T20 match. The girls played awesome beating OGHS with Abby Fookes scoring 38 and Eva Hemingway scoring 40. Well done team! A huge thanks to Mr McNamara for coaching the team.
Eight WHS students competed at the South Island Champs last weekend
Medal winners; Brodie Banks, Will Pope, Lucy Boniface and Blake Jackson
WHS and OGHS Junior Girls Cricket Teams
Year 9 Boys Cricket
We wish our Year 9 Boys cricket team all the very best for the upcoming St Kevins Junior Tournament in Oamaru next week. The three day 40-overs tournament is an awesome opportunity for our players to compete against schools they normally do not have access to. The team take on Waitaki Boys, St Thomas' and Southland Boys. Go well!
Sports Coaches 2022
WHS are looking for expressions of interest for coaches and managers to join our awesome group of volunteers in the following sports for 2022:
- Cricket
- Hockey
-Netball
- Volleyball
If you would like to find out more about what is involved or signal your interest, please email lnathan@wakatipu.school.nz
Sports Uniform Return
Last call for all and any sports uniforms that still may be at home. These need to be returned to the sports office by Tuesday next week as replacement charges are about to be made to school accounts.
Keep Us Informed
The sports department would love to hear from you if you know of any awesome achievements from our students so that we can celebrate these as a school. Please send through details and photos to lnathan@wakatipu.school.nz.
Support Sport at WHS
Jump on board and support the team by liking or following the Wakatipu High School Sports Facebook page. This is the best way to stay informed and up to date with the successes of our athletes and teams and help celebrate their great achievements. https://www.facebook.com/WakatipuHighSchoolSports/
Laura Nathan
Director of Sport
Sports and Physical Activity Coordinator - 2022 Semester 1 position
We are looking for an excellent facilitator to coordinate the successful and safe delivery of sport and physical activity to students. This fixed-term role is 30 hours per week, term-time only for Semester 1 (24 January - 8 July) 2022.
The ideal candidate will have a passion for youth education through sport and physical activity, excellent organisation and communication skills and be committed to increasing student participation and enhancing student enjoyment in our sport and physical activity programmes.
For more details on the position and information regarding the application process, please see advertisement on SEEK: https://www.seek.co.nz/
Applicants should send a CV and covering letter to apply@wakatipu.school.nz by 12.00pm on Monday 6 December.
Receptionist (Job Share) - 2022 position
We are looking for a part-time person with customer service and administration experience to join our team in 2022. This is a job share role with the hours being 11.45am - 4pm Monday to Friday during school term only.
For more details on the position, please see our advertisement on JobFix: https://jobfix.co.nz/job/18216/receptionist-job-share/
Applicants should send a CV and covering letter to apply@wakatipu.school.nz by 12.00pm on Wednesday 1 December.
Student Job Vacancies
REMARKABLES SWEET SHOP IS LOOKING FOR RETAIL SALES REPRESENTATIVES:
Bright, bubbly, customer and sales focused people who excel in a busy retail environment. Must be available to work from the 17 December 2021 – 16 January 2022, training in early December.
Seasonal fixed-term available in our Queenstown store. Includes weekend work and evenings.
If you want to work for a fantastic, and fun local company who truly values its employees send us your CV to hr@rss.co.nz
Gibbston Valley are looking for some school students to join the team this summer!
We have the following roles up for grabs:
HOUSEKEEPER:
As a housekeeper, you will perform routine duties in cleaning and servicing of guest rooms and property under supervision of Housekeeping Manager/Supervisor.
- Hours: between 10am-5pm shifts will be roughly 5 hours
- Must be available to work weekends (one-day minimum) and throughout the summer holidays, including the Christmas and New Year period!
- We can offer full-time or part-time hours
GREETER/HOST:
We are looking for a friendly host to greet customers as they enter Gibbston Valley Wines! You will need to be confident talking to people, making them feel welcome.
- Hours: 10am – 5pm
- Must be available to work weekends (one-day minimum) and throughout the summer holidays, including the Christmas and New Year period!
- We can offer full-time or part-time hours
- The role needs to be covered 7 days a week, we would be happy for students to job share the role.
Reliable transport is essential for both these roles! To apply for the following roles please email you CV through to hr@gibbstonvalley.com Or call Breslin Graham on 021 023 99004 for more information.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Waste Management is looking for two students who would like to potentially job share a role from November to beginning of March over the Christmas school holidays.
The role involves riding an electric trike in Wanaka to service, clean and maintain public rubbish bins in the CBD and along the waterfront from approximately 12 to 5pm daily Monday to Sunday hence the suggestion of job sharing.
Full training would be provided for this very relaxed and chilled job. A pre-requisite of the role is a reliable, outgoing and confident personality. For the right candidates we are offering $22.00 per hour.
We also have roles in our recycling centre Monday to Friday either part or full time.
If interested please email Sean - SCronin@wastemanagement.co.nz
The Dishery in Arrowtown are seeking a summer holiday Kitchen Hand to join our team.
You would be working in a small team under some of the most skilled and creative chefs in the district. This is a great opportunity to learn from the best and further your hospitality career. Hours available on a causal basis from 20 December.
If this opportunity appeals, please send your expression of interest to scott@thedishery.co.nz
Southern Lakes Laundries are looking for SENIOR STUDENTS to join our friendly team.
We are a Commercial Laundry base in Glenda Drive looking for LAUNDRY STAFF.
Candidates must be:
- Physically fit as the job involves heavy lifting and repetitive tasks
- Reliable and punctual
- Friendly with a positive attitude
- Promoters of safe work practices
Full training to perform the job will be provided. If you are interested, please email your resume to:
silvi.locatelli@southernlakeslaundries.co.nz
CAFE SOCIETY - 5 MILE QUEENSTOWN:
CASUAL SUMMERTIME position available! Would suit a senior student looking for summer work. Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa
Please apply via Email with C.V to cafesocietyjobs@xtra.co.nz or pop in and speak to Kari or Dan.
Joe’s Garage is on the lookout for students interested in working over the summer break to join our team. Ideal candidates will be enthusiastic and energetic with a strong willingness to learn new skills and help us continue to deliver the Joe’s experience Queenstown locals know and love.
We also have apprenticeships opportunities available in our kitchen for school leavers wanting to pursue a career in the hospitality industry.
For more information, please contact Ryan - fivemilemanager@joes.co.nz
Part-time staff Wanted – McDonald’s Frankton and the Camp St McDonald’s in town.
We are now hiring staff to work after school, and/or weekends and who are available to work extra
hours over public holidays, school and Christmas holidays. You’ll be happy to work one or two shifts
a week, have great communication skills, and understand the importance of the part you play in the
McDonald’s team.
We have a number of positions available in Customer Service and Food Preparation.
Applicants must be aged 15 years or older. Full-time work also available for any parents or caregivers. Apply Now at https://careers.mcdonalds.com/new-zealand/
Queenstown as your location or use the QR code and begin your application.
Novotel is looking to hire students who are wanting to work the Summer holidays
- Flexible with number of days per week
- Room attendants and various roles available
- $21 per hour
Send a CV and cover letter to: h5308-hr1@accor.com
QUEENSTOWN KFC
Are looking for Students to work as Customer Service and Food Service Team Members in our locally owned restaurant
Hours of work include after school, weekends and school holidays
Customer Service Team Member Duties include:
- Comply with company policies and procedures at all times
- Prepare, Pack and Maintain products according to quality standards
- Keep all areas and equipment clean and tidy
- Approach and treat all customers in a courteous, friendly and efficient manner
Food Service Team Member Duties include:
- Comply with company policies and procedures at all times
- Receive, store and prepare all chicken products following company standards
- Clean and maintain equipment
- Full Training will be provided which includes On The Job Training and On Line modules, so you are set up to succeed in your role competently and safely
If this sounds like you email us your C.V. to maclimited@outlook.com
Cranbury Court Apartments are looking for a student to help over the busy summer holidays. They would be assisting the housekeeping team. They would need to be fit and reliable. Hourly rate would be above the minimum wage. If interested contact Marama marama@cranbury.co.nz
Branches Camp Fundraiser
WHS Foundation
Community Notices
The next AA New Zealand Defensive Driving Course is to be held in Queenstown on November 30th and December 2nd, 7th & 9th (inclusive) from 7.00-9.00pm. Please email kaye@lakesdrivingschool.nz.
NEXT CHAPTER PARENTING offering Individual, or group, PARENTING SESSIONS via Zoom.
Eight one hourly sessions, weekly at a time convenient to you, available evenings.Topics covered include Communication, Empathy, Setting Limits, Quality Time, Consequences, Choices, Redirection, Pick your battles with your child, Problem Behaviour, Praise vs Acknowledgement, Time In vs Time
Out, The Pause, Erickson’s Stages of Growth, Personality Types and how it affects your children. WINZ funding assistance where eligible.
Website: www.nextchapterparenting.co.nz
Contact: brigid@nextchapterparenting.
Give peace a chance – a world in transition: Brigid Inder, 1 December 2021.
The tragic genocides in both former Yugoslavia and Rwanda galvanised the creation of the International Criminal Court, to prosecute and in time deter perpetrators of mass crimes. Queenstown woman Brigid Inder, OBE, has spent much of the past two decades working alongside the ICC - reporting on their efficacy and shortfalls, joining peace talks between armed militia groups and governments, reintegrating child soldiers back into their communities and much more. She will share her experiences and her thoughts on the world’s slowly changing consciousness and the converging crises of conflict and climate change. Wednesday, December 1, 6 - 7.30 p.m. at The Rees Hotel Queenstown. Registration required here. Please bring cash for your koha, which will be split between Victim Support and Wakatipu Reforestation Trust.
