WHS Newsletter | Issue 4.08 | 15 December 2021

Principal's Message

Kia ora and welcome to the final Wakatipu High School newsletter for 2021. It has been a big last few days here including with our final ceremonies - graduation and the junior prizegivings.

Graduation on Monday night is always a lovely event, although this year we knew it was going to feel different if families were unable to attend - which despite our best efforts they were not. However it was still a really nice event and a pleasure to be able to acknowledge and farewell our departing Year 13s, with many families watching the livestream from a local hostelry. We certainly wish our Year 13s all the very best as they head out into the world :).

The Year 9 and 10 prizegivings went very well, and marked the end of the school year for junior students. We hope that parents enjoyed being able to watch the ceremonies on the livestream. Congratulations to all prizewinners and recipients of our special awards. Congratulations also to recipients of Ākonga Passport awards - which recognise all-round engagement and achievement.

Branches Camp 2 came out on Sunday, and was another great camp. Yesterday morning before prizegiving, Year 10s and staff gathered for our Branches assembly - to see the annual slideshow, and share some words and thanks, and there was a great atmosphere. The new two-camp model has worked very well, and I feel positive about the future of Branches. My thanks to Branches Camp Coordinator, Bridget Janse for her work, and to all the staff and contractors who make the camp possible. My very sincere thanks also to Branches Trust for their ongoing support of the camp, as well as other community members and organisations who support the camp, and to parents who have paid the camp donation.

Both the Sport and Arts sections below are good reading - the sport section includes information on School Sport NZ’s decision that events will be for fully vaccinated participants only, as well as a summary of our positive participation rate and highlights of the year. The Arts section includes info on our success again at the Invercargill Jazz Festival.

The Key Dates section immediately below contains info and dates for the 2022 year start, which is also on our website.

Another unique and challenging year - with Phase 2 as well as Covid, at WHS comes to a close. As I said at the prizegivings, as a school we have done very well to keep delivering a great all-round education in some challenging circumstances, and my thanks to staff and students for the the way they have just got on with it. It will certainly be exciting to get our building back and have the two new wings come onstream next year - it's going to be great.

I wish students, staff, parents and families and other members of the WHS community a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year - thank you all for your contribution to another successful year at WHS. I hope everyone has a very well-deserved and fantastic break with family and friends :)

Steve Hall
Principal

Key Dates for 2022 Start of the School Year

Year 10 Prizegiving

SPECIAL AWARDS

Jess Hudson -  Wakatipu High School Award for Top Year 10  Academic Achiever and The Robertson Family Trophy for All Round Effort and Participation in Year 10    
Jack Smillie -  The Jane Davenport Memorial Award for Leadership and Compassion in the Outdoors   
Bridget O'Malley  - The Tony Middendorf Memorial Award for Humility, Teamwork and Work Ethic at Branches Camp
Jude Deaker  -  Principal's Commendation for All Round Effort and Participation in Year 10
Oliver Boyd  - The Mactodd Award for Achievement in Junior English     
Daphne Ricketts  - The Wakatipu Lions Club Trophy for Excellence in Writing in Year 10
Ted Coutts - The Q92 FM Cup for Most Promising Junior Musician     
Georgia Small - Wakatipu High School Trophy for Most Outstanding Junior Visual Art Student     
Bethany Graf -  Wakatipu High School Trophy for Outstanding Potential in Junior Drama     
Alise McBeth - Wakatipu High School Cup for Most Promising Progress in a Junior Drama Course     
Sorcha Wilkinson - The Tapp Family Trophy for Junior Graphics     
Abby Fookes  -  Wakatipu High School Award for Outstanding Potential in Languages
Nailul Saifudin - Principal's commendation for resilience and work ethic at Branches camp
Tashie Stokes - Principal's commendation for resilience and work ethic at Branches camp

Year 9 Prizegiving

SPECIAL AWARDS
Siena Mackley  -   The Robertson Family Trophy for All Round Effort and Participation in Year 9
Caitlyn Bibby  -  Wakatipu High School Award for Top Year 9  Academic Achiever
Lannie Lastimosa  -  Wakatipu High School Award for Excellence in ESOL
Brooke Hansen  -  Wakatipu High School Award for Year 9 Creative Writing

Year 9 End of Year Assembly

In tradition, the Year 9s finished their year with a Christmas Assembly and BBQ. An important part of this assembly each year is the presentation of the House hampers to Happiness house. Students have been bringing in donated items and it was an absolute privilege for the students to be able to hand over an amazing amount of food, toys, games and toiletries, etc to Happiness House for them to distribute to families in need this Christmas.

The students were treated to a performance of Six60's 'Don't forget your roots' by the 'staff band', led by the talented Leslie Koehn, Ned Wepiha and Michael Eden. It was also great to be able to acknowledge the Deans for their work this year, the Whakatipu Youth Trust for their ongoing support of students and the school, and the Special Education team was given a special thank-you by their students. At the conclusion of the assembly, students were treated to a BBQ and ice cream kindly donated by Patagonia. It was a great conclusion to the student's first year at high school. 

Sonia Panapa
Deputy Principal

Stars Peer Mentoring

Kia Ora koutou, 
Last Friday Year 12 and 13 senior students started their journey towards becoming Peer Mentors for 2022 in our first STARS Peer Mentoring introduction day. For those who are not familiar with this programme, the overall goal is to enhance school culture through positive youth development. In essence, senior students are trained as Peer Mentors to develop leadership and life skills through the delivery of weekly sessions to Year 9's.

The programme enables Year 9s to gain practical skills and life skills such as: working with others, connecting to their communities, meeting personal achievements, improving relationships with friends, and developing relationships with older peers.

The overall objective of the day was for the Peer Mentors to understand the value of the programme and the positive impact they can make within their role, with the underlining theme of the day being- 'what you get out, is a reflection of what you put in'. It was awesome to see the buy in from Peer Mentors and I can't wait to see them step up as Peer Mentors next year. Bring on 2022! 

Cheryl Phillips
Stars Coordinator 

Gingerbread Houses

With the silly season fast approaching, the Year 9 students in FJDC and FABR decided to embrace the Christmas spirit and try their hands at making and decorating gingerbread houses. It turns out that gingerbread dough turns pretty hard when refrigerated, but some fast thinking by Mrs Duncan and Mrs Brown got the project back on track and over three successive Ako lessons the students made, baked and decorated their creations!
Wishing all of our WHS families a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
Mere Kirihimete from FJDC and FABR!!!

Special Education Group on the Earnslaw

Amos, Arya, Blake, Charlotte and Louise had their last field trip for the year onboard the Earnslaw last Thursday 9 December.

Uniform Shop Guidelines for Incoming Year 9 Students

As we approach the end of the year, incoming Year 9's will want to start organising their WHS uniform. Most of the WHS uniform items are for online purchase only and can be found here in the Online Shop. We recommend parents and caregivers place their uniform order before Christmas or early in January to avoid delivery delays because of Covid restrictions and very high demand on courier services.

 Here is the Guideline Chart to help you with taking proper measurements.

For parents who need help with the sizing, WHS will be opening a pop up uniform shop downstairs in the Food Tech learning common area during the following days and times. Please enter via the side door opposite the first staff carpark. There will be signage on the door. All small items such as socks, belts, jerseys and ties are available to purchase at the onsite shop.

2022 Dates: Monday 24 Jan - Friday 28 Jan, Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm

Covid restrictions apply to the WHS pop-up shop and we ask that every visitor please adhere to the following

• Sign in on arrival using the covid tracer app
• Wear a mask at all times
• keep 2m social distance

School Café

Sports News and Information

New Zealand Secondary School Sport Vaccination Mandate Details
Please see below important information from School Sport NZ with regards to National and South Island Tournaments for Term 1 2022. This is likely to extend to regional level tournaments too.

The board of School Sport NZ have confirmed that all School Sport NZ sanctioned events in Term 1 2022 (including the term 1 holidays) will be restricted to fully vaccinated participants, aged 12 and over, only. Where practicable, this mandate extends to spectators attending also. This decision will be reviewed post Summer Tournament Week 2022 and taking into account the latest Government advice. 

The Covid Protection Framework comes into effect on Friday 3rd December. In preparation for the changes to how sport will be delivered under the Framework, School Sport NZ consulted with member Principals and its Sport partners.

86% of Principals who responded agreed that School Sport NZ sanctioned events must be restricted to fully vaccinated participants only. Similarly, sport partner feedback was 81% in favour. We are actively working with our sport partners for Term 1 events to ensure that compliance is manageable and that Health and Safety plans and guidance is updated to reflect the Covid Protection Framework. 

Sport NZ has published its advice in accordance with the Covid Protection Framework (here).  Quite simply, the events on the School Sport NZ Calendar will not be able to proceed if Covid Vaccination Certificates are not being checked. The gathering limits at Orange and Red in particular become too restrictive for viable sports events to take place.  Many public venues and facilities where sanctioned events take place are requiring Covid Vaccine Passes for entry. National and Regional Sports Organisations are also considering their options. This mandate will provide clarity for all stakeholders to plan with confidence that events on the School Sport NZ Calendar will be able to continue.

Sport NZ will shortly be publishing school sport specific advice in relation to opportunities for sport, active recreation, and play. The intent of the document is to provide a single source of information for the provision of school sport. The document will be updated regularly, and school sport staff are encouraged to provide specific questions and scenarios through your Regional Sports Director for clarification, or directly covid19response@sportnz.org.nz

The board of School Sport NZ is acutely aware that this mandate will result in some students being unable to participate in School Sport NZ sanctioned events, in some cases through no fault of their own. School Sport NZ will support its regional school sport partners where appropriate to shape alternative regional or intra-school options.

Year 9 Boys Cricket 
Congratulations to our Year 9 Boys Cricket team who beat Southland Boys High School on Tuesday in Invercargill in the semi-final of the NZ Cricket Junior Boys Otago qualifiers. After setting a total of 144 runs in the 40 over match, WHS had SBHS at 70/1 and not looking good. A quick run of wickets kept the game on a knife edge before WHS finished off the batting order to secure the win. The team go through to the Otago final against Otago Boys High School in mid February. The winner of this match heads to the Junior Boys National Cricket Tournament in Palmerston North during summer tournament week 2022. A huge thank you to Mr McNamara for coaching this team and his incredible efforts this term and Toby Stanton for helping out on the day.

Crankworx Queenstown
A number of WHS mountain bikers competed in the recent Queenstown leg of the Crankworx Summer Series  tour that has taken place in four locations around the South Island. Congratulations to the following riders:
Ben Blewitt - 1st 17-18 years
Flynn Dawson - 1st 15-16 years
Rory Meek - 1st 13-14 years
Josh Bonnar - 2nd 15-16 years
Thomas Hulsman - 4th 15-16 years
Reon Fernandez - 4th 13-14 years
Seb Watson - 5th 13-14 years
Zach Dixon - 8th 15-16 years
Max O'Donoghue-Price - 9th 15-16 years

The final leg was completed in Wanaka over the weekend and the following riders finished in the top five rankings for the overall series. Congratulations!
Rory Meek - 2nd 13-14 years
Josh Bonnar - 2nd 15-16 years
Ben Blewitt - 2nd 17-18 years
Max Caulton - 4th 17-18 years
Max O'Donoghue-Price - 5th 15-16 years

2021 Participation Rates
WHS has worked hard over the past two years to increase participation rates in sports and physical activity for our students. It is awesome to see more and more of our students involved in regular weekly sport and physical activities and representing WHS. Our participation rates have increased by 5% over the past two years at the same time as our school roll continues to grow. We are bucking the trend for large state co-ed schools in this space. Participation in sport and active recreation is an important part of our school vision and our sports mission and it is great to see our students taking up the opportunities they have available to them. A huge thank you to our staff and our volunteer coaches and managers who make this all happen for our pupils.

A Successful Year in Sport Comes to a Close
It has been a very successful year for Wakatipu High School sport across a range of different codes. Below are some of the highlights of 2021 and the tournaments/competitions our teams won that have filled up the trophy cabinet. Our teams have also made the final of some regional competitions for the first time including the Gillette Venus 1st XI Girls Cricket, Year 9 Boys Cricket and South Island Division 3 Girls Volleyball finals. We were gutted not to send nine teams off to winter tournament week this year, but fingers crossed for 2022. Congratulations to all our teams and their awesome coaches and managers!

NZ Open Artistic Swimming Champs
Two Wakatipu High School students competed virtually in the NZ Open Artistic Swimming Championships. Due to Covid restrictions, each athlete had to perform their figures and routine in their local swimming pool with a virtual viewing. Congratulations to Alisha Messingham and Paige Cusiel for their fantastic results.
Paige Cusiel - 1st place Aquarinas Duet, 2nd place Aquarinas Solo and 3rd place Aquarinas Figures
Alisha Messingham - 3rd place Aquanauts Solo

Otago Rowing Champs
The Otago Rowing Champs were held over two big days of stiff competition at Lake Ruataniwha this past weekend. The largest number of competitors in the event's history. South Island Rowing is implementing strict covid protocols at this seasons regattas covering all rowers, coaches and spectators so that they are well placed to gain approval to run large events such as Maadi Cup in 2022. The Whakatipu Rowing Club was looking very sharp & professional in their newly issued team outfits. A huge thank you to the WRC organisational team in particular Hamish Noton, Kelly Saxton and head coach John Morrison. A total of forty-nine crews entered from WHS with sixteen crews achieving top three placings in their A Finals. 
1st - Men's Intermediate Double Sculls - Toby Rorrison & Ashton White
1st - Men's Novice Doube Sculls (1000m) - Keegan Green & Xavier Small
1st - U17 Single Sculls - Marley King Smith
1st - Girl's U17 Coxed Quad Sculls - Olivia Key, Neve Bates, Phoebe Cavanagh, Keely Erskine + Emily Howick
1st - Women's Intermediate Double Sculls - Abby Phillips & L Vryenhoek
1st - Boy's U16 Coxed Quad Sculls - Toby Rorrison, Josh Viana, Ashton White, Luka Bouchier + Charlotte Muir

2nd - Boy's U18 Coxed Quad Sculls - Sam McAtamney, Marley King Smith, Will Donovan, Tiwai Saxton + Charlotte Muir
2nd - Women's Intermediate Coxed 8 - Evie Snow, Cate Howard, Olivia Bisset, Kate Woods, Pippa McAtamney, Tessa Phillips, Mia Pagan, Ava McIntyre + Jemima McKay-Lund
2nd - Girl's U16 Coxed Quad Sculls - Olivia Key,  Neve Bates, Phoebe Cavanagh, Keely Erskine + Emily Howick
2nd - Boy's U16 Coxed Quad Sculls - Ben Hogan, Logan Noton, Keegan Green, Xavier Small + Lexi Laverty
3rd - Girl's U15 Coxed 8 - April Bentley, Molly Shuttleworth, Cameron Bates, Lucy Clark, Emma Andrew, Lily Bentley, Madeliene Harvey, Grace Kunath + Milly Ullrich

3rd - U15 Boy's Double Sculls - McKeller Thornton & Harry McNay
3rd - Women's Novice Coxed Four - Molly Shuttleworth, April Bentley, Lucy Clark, Emma Andrew + Milly Ullrich
3rd - U18 Double Sculls - Marley King Smith & Sam McAtamney
3rd - Girl's U15 Coxed Four - Cameron Bates, Scarlett Blundell, Issy Hudson, April Bentley + Katie Battrick
3rd - U16 Boys Coxed Quad Sculls - Hugo Johnson, Carlos Reuss, Harry Seeto, Tom Martin + Emily Howick

Otago Country U17 Cricket Selections
Congratulations to Fletcher Marshall, Subath Wijerathna and Mason Clarke who have been selected to play for the U17 Otago Country Cricket team this season. Well done boys!

National Get2Go Finals
We wish our WHS Get2Go team all the very best for the national finals taking place at the Tongariro Hillary Centre from 24th-28th January. This is the second time WHS has qualified and competed at this event and we are excited to see how the team gets on! All the best to the following students: Pete Davis, Abby Fookes, Jess Hudson, Siena Mackley, Elsbeth Purdue, Tom Schenk, Harry Seeto and Seb Watson.

Junior Boys Cricket Tour
WHS will be competing for the first time at the Junior Boys Cricket Carnival held in the Hawkes Bay over mid January. This will hopefully be an excellent plan B for this group of young men who have unfortunately missed out on the cricket tour to Australia this time around. We wish the group and their coaches all the very best for what is sure to be a fantastic experience. 

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

Arts News and Information

Win at Invercargill Jazz Fest
The 2021 ILT Secondary Schools Jazz Fest was held online this year with schools from across Central Otago and Invercargill competing. Six bands competed and the WHS combo tied for first place with Mt. Aspiring College. Five of the students gained individual awards out of a possible nine on offer. The group also won the test piece section. This continues a strong run for WHS with six consecutive wins at this event. Congratulations to the following students:

Saxophone: Dillon Bouchier 
Brass: Wren Glover
Bass: Jacob Marriott
Guitar: Harry Thomas
Drums: Paige Loggenberg
Test piece: Wakatipu High School

RDU98.5FM 'New To Playlist' tracks for this week include three bands with ex- and current WHS students. Congratulations to
No Man's Land  - Safehouse
Mild Orange - Hollywood Dreams
Violet Hirst - Black and White

Student Job Vacancies

Go Rentals are looking for a car groomer over the summer period.  We are offering 40 hours worked over 4 days including weekends. We have a fun and active work environment which can lead to ongoing work during holidays etc. If interested email a CV through to Meghan meghan.pickup@gorentals.co.nz

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!

WHS Foundation

Community Notices