WHS Newsletter | Issue 1.00 | 28 January 2022

Principal's Message

Kia ora - Happy New Year, and a very warm welcome to new and existing Wakatipu High School parents and students! Today is not a normal newsletter but a ‘pre-newsletter’ with some key information particularly re the start of the school year.

Covid - is going to be a feature of this term. While schools are open, there are a number of impacts of operating in Red, including staff and students must wear masks indoors at school.

Other rules and guidance re gatherings mean that we are not holding Participation (Athletics) Day next Friday, and will get straight into teaching and learning. We are also not able to hold our normal full-school, year level and Pounamu assemblies in the first few weeks.

Another part of being in Red is that students must have a Vaccine Pass to participate in extracurricular activities (ie sport, arts and cultural activities outside of classes and school). To facilitate this parents can now upload students’ Vaccine Passes on the Portal (through the Details section) and if your child is planning to participate in extracurricular activities we ask that you please do this.

As the country prepares for Omicron the Ministry of Education continues to update the rules and guidance for schools and we will keep you updated. Related, I will send an email specifically re Covid at WHS to parents and students on Monday afternoon.

Year Start - please see the table below for key dates. Please also ensure you see the email sent to students and caregivers by Mr Nathan or Mrs Hiestand (which includes 2022 subjects) last week.

Year 9s - start school on Tuesday 1st February at 9am. As above, Covid has meant we have made changes to that day, including that we are unfortunately not able to run the Year 9 parent BBQ and principal’s words as we would normally do that afternoon. I will be doing the principal’s words online at 7pm on Tuesday evening (more details on Monday).

Uniform - all students must be in correct uniform from the start of the year. Please click here for uniform requirements and Uniform Shop hours. Please note that while in February junior students do not have to wear the blazer and/or tie, students must be in full school uniform (including blazer and tie) for formal occasions at any time of year.

Stationery - 2022 Stationery requirements are available for ordering online via the Officemax website. This is a quick, easy and affordable way of ordering your student's stationery with convenient delivery to your home.

Buses - run from Tuesday 1st February. Please click here for further information regarding timetables and routes. Please do note that at the start of every year there is a period of re-sorting buses and bus runs based on student numbers - patience is required.

Awhi Fund - we are aware that starting and setting up for the school year can be expensive, and we are able to support families financially through our ‘Awhi’ (Support) Fund. If you would like to discuss this please click here or contact one of our Guidance Counsellors.

Lockers - there are still some large and a number of small and medium lockers available for hire. Students should go to Student Services or email office@wakatipu.school.nz .

We look forward to getting the 2022 year underway. Look out for a more normal newsletter next Friday as well as the Covid email on Monday.

Steve Hall
Principal

Key Dates for 2022 Start of the School Year