WHS Newsletter | Issue 1.01 | 04 February 2022

Principal's Message

Kia ora - a very warm welcome to the first Wakatipu High School newsletter of 2022! An especially warm welcome to parents of Year 9s and other students new to WHS this year

It has certainly been a different start to the year with having to operate in Covid Red. Wearing masks inside is new for all of us, but I must say that we have been really pleased with how well students have adapted. They are able to take them off when they are outside, when they can also eat and drink, and many staff have been taking students outside for quick breaks during classes. The  weather has added another dimension this week, somewhat ironic given our stunning summer, but it has meant that we have successfully tested our systems and next week looks much better. Despite all of that, we have settled into teaching and learning really well - which is important with  potentially uncertain times ahead.

Phase 2 - the work on the Hard Technology and Visual Arts areas which took place last term and over the holidays has been completed and is open and working well. Early on Tuesday morning we had a Whakawātea (blessing ceremony) to re-open these areas - our thanks to Matua Darren Rewi for his support with this. The great news re Phase 2 is that we are now on the home straight - not quite finished, but the end is in sight. Next term we will lose upstairs on the southside of the main building for work on the Performing Arts area, but the new NE extension wing will open then. Then by the start of Term 3, Phase 2 will be all but done - with all of the main building back to us and both of the new extension wings open (and just the new gym to go for the start of next year). It will be awesome with the new and additional space that we will have as a school - and not long to go now.

2021 Academic Results - once again, including with the disruption of Phase 2 and the challenges of lockdown, our students have done well academically last year. As a school we work hard to support our students to achieve their ‘best possible qualification’ (BPQ) to give them as many options and opportunities as possible for their futures, and so we are very pleased that so many of them have done so well. Following are our key highlights:

• NCEA Level 2 - is a nationally significant qualification which is considered important for young people and their futures, and accordingly it has considerable emphasis from the MoE, schools, students and parents and is a key goal for us as a school. While results can change slightly over the next few weeks, we currently have 187 students who have achieved NCEA Level 2. This is 94% of Year 12 students - which exceeded even our ambitious target of 93%, and is the highest percentage we have ever achieved as a school (and will be high nationally). A great result, and my congratulations to all of those students. 

In addition we had 34 students achieve NCEA Level 2 with Excellence. Particularly for those with tertiary aspirations, this is an important achievement that can yield significant financial scholarships and support entry into courses and Halls of Residence. A great achievement, and the result of real commitment by those students.

• NCEA Level 1 - another of our key goals is for our Year 11 students to achieve NCEA Level 1 Endorsed with Merit or Excellence. Our target was for 137 students to achieve this but in fact 140 students did - at 61% this is again the highest percentage of Year 11 students to  achieve this at WHS, another great result. In addition, we had 92% of Year 11 students achieve NCEA Level 1 - another highest ever for us, and congratulations to all of those students. 
• University Entrance (UE) - with many of our students typically going on to tertiary study, UE is an important qualification for those students and a key goal for us. UE is an interesting qualification, as while we always want students to strive for their best possible qualification, if students are actually not intending to go to university it may not be something they want to strive for. While this year was not quite as high as our lofty last two years, we have 100 students, ie over two-thirds, achieved UE - an important qualification  for those students and their families.

Again, particularly due to the challenges of last year, these are very good results with so many of our students achieving important qualifications for their futures. I do want to acknowledge our students and their efforts, and also thank our staff who often go above and beyond in their efforts to support our students to learn, progress and achieve.

Strategic Priorities - following the review of our strategic plan last year we have identified our key strategic priorities for the year. In the whole school ‘intercom assembly’ on Wednesday I briefly outlined these to students and while I will say more about them throughout the year, I have included below the seven that will be visible this year:

• Student Achievement - as above and as always at WHS, learning, progress and achievement is integral to our all-round education and remains a key focus again this year.
• Literacy - has always been important to us, but particularly with the upcoming changes to the literacy requirements in NCEA, will be a focus this year.
• Great Teaching - as we put Phase 2 behind us and are all back in our main building, we have identified focusing on our pedagogy and high quality teaching and learning as an important priority for us this year.
• School Culture - especially as we continue to grow, we are continuing our journey of developing a great school culture. There are many elements to this, and you will hear more throughout the year.
• Schoolwide Wellbeing - for both students and staff, remains a priority in 2022.
• Biculturalism and mātauranga Māori - is another area that we will continue to focus on and develop in 2022, including making this area become a more normal part of life at WHS.
• Bullying prevention - is a new priority for this year, although we actually began work on this in the last term of last year. You will hear more on this throughout the year.

So, while schools have many things they have to do - especially as they get bigger as we are, the seven areas above are our key strategic priorities for 2022.

WHS App - is a key communication channel for us, where you can do everything from read the newsletter to notify your student’s absence, as well as get all-important ‘snow day’ alerts. Please ensure you’ve got the WHS App on your device (and see below for more).

Uniform - it is important that students are wearing the correct uniform correctly. Please see the piece below from Mr Gilberston.

Awhi Fund - again, 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. For more information or to apply please click here or contact one of our Guidance Counsellors.

Lockers - there are still some lockers available for hire. Students should go to Student Services or email office@wakatipu.school.nz .

There is a great first newsletter below with all sorts of interesting and important info - including the wonderful news about ex-student Alice Robinson being named as flag-bearer for the NZ Winter Olympic team, our Get2Go team becoming national champs, and important info on the upcoming Extracurricular Expo, the cafe and next weeks’ Year 9 Greenstone Camp virtual parent meeting.

Despite Covid and the weather, we have made a good start to the year. Do remember that Monday is Waitangi Day with no school - a chance to get ready to really settle into the rhythm of the new year. After the irony of this week’s weather, the weekend sees a gradual return to summer, with Monday looking particularly nice - enjoy :)

Steve Hall
Principal

WHS SZ App

All parents, caregivers and students should download the SZapp to your device as this is how we will communicate urgent and important school alerts and our weekly newsletter. The app also features an absence form, the online school cafe, a calendar and some handy links! See below information on how to download the WHS SZ app. 

 Apple Devices

1. On your device, open the App Store.
2. Search the App Store for SZapp.
3. Download and install SZapp.

 Android Devices

1. On your device, open the Play Store.
2. Search the Play Store for SZapp.
3. Download and install SZapp.

Uniforms

We believe that wearing the school uniform correctly is an important way in which students can represent our school with pride, and is an expectation of students attending WHS. Accordingly this week we carried out a school-wide audit of basic items of the uniform (socks, shoes, skirts/shorts and shirts) during Ako Time. A number of students were identified as having either missing or non-regulation uniform items - in particular non-polishable shoes, hi-top boots and black socks. Please click here for uniform requirements, and Uniform Shop hours.

We would appreciate you please taking the time to check that your son/daughter has the full correct  complement of uniform items. If you wish to seek financial support through our Awhi Fund for uniform items please see our website or contact our Guidance Counsellor Ms Vicki Patton, vpatton@wakatipu.school.nz, or phone her through the school office on 03-442 7370.

We know that there may be legitimate reasons for students to be in non-regulation uniform items. In such cases  however, students should bring a note from parents which they can provide to their Kaiārahi for a Uniform Pass.

Our expectation is that all uniform issues are resolved by the end of next week, after which we will begin to enforce our uniform expectations with students. We appreciate that people are still waiting on orders and that people may be sourcing items over the long weekend - as above, if there are issues please give your student a note explaining this.

In addition, students should be bring a spare face mask to school as good practice in case they misplace or damage it during the course of the day.

Ryan Gilbertson
Acting Deputy Principal

School Café

School Operations - important information for parents

Welcome to the 2022 school year. This section contains some important information about school operations. Parents of new students in particular need to review, but there's some good reminder information for everyone.

Parking
Parents should not park in the staff and student car parks at any time during school hours (9.00am - 3.30pm) as these parks are for permit holders only. Parking enforcement applies and unauthorised vehicles will be ticketed. There are approx 25 visitor parks available at the front entrance to the school.  There are a number of public car parks available within a 1 block radius of the school with 2 hours free parking, if you are coming to the school for an event - these should be where you park.

As there is insufficent parking available at school for all the students who drive, the school has negotiated a discounted $2 per day parking rate for students (and staff) at the Public Car Park near Game Over/Red Barn. Note that only student leaders will be issued with parking permits to park onsite but they should still register for the discounted public parking as a back up. Students can register for this at Student Services.

Cafe
With over 1200 students onsite, the cafe queues can be long at times. Students can fast track the queue by pre-ordering online at www.lunchorders.co.nz.

If you don't like sending your student with cash to school for the cafe there is also the option to buy lunch tickets which the students can present at the cafe (although they will still have to queue).  See our website for more information.

Picking up and dropping off your student(s)
QLDC have CCTV monitoring the bike lane/bus stop outside the school on Red Oaks Drive directly in front of the school. QLDC advises: “The cameras have been installed to monitor the area for vehicles that stop, stand or park on broken yellow lines or in bus stops, vehicles that double park and other offences under the Land Transport Act 1998.” We would therefore encourage you to continue to use the drop-off areas within the school site for dropping off and picking up students.

School hours and school security
The school building is open from 7.45am - 4.00pm on school days. Any students arriving before or after these times must only be at school for a supervised activity. Any unsupervised students remaining in the building at 4.00pm will be requested to leave when the onsite facility team do their daily lock up. Students cannot stay at school waiting for other activities (eg Kip McGrath) after 4.00pm unless they are participating in a supervised activity.

Options available to students include the QLDC Frankton Library at Remarkables House which is open until 5.30pm and "The Loft" at the Wakatipu Youth Trust across the road on Red Oaks Drive . The Youth Trust Drop-In is open from 3.15pm - 6.00pm Monday to Friday. www.wakatipuyouthtrust.co.nz/programmes/the-loft/

Andrea Wilton-Connell
Executive Officer

Yr 9 Greenstone Camp

This Outdoor Education event is fast approaching (26 February to 8 March).The camp is a great way for Year 9 students to come together for learning episodes of three days and two nights in their respective Houses.

Dates for each House are as follows:
Fox House: 26 to 28 February
Hay House: 28 February to 2 March
McKenzie House: 2 to 4 March
Arthur House: 4 to 6 March
Duncan House: 6 to 8 March

The camps are about learning some basic campcraft skills, participating in River Safety activities (river crossing, river swimming and kayaking) and completing a day tramp (Lake Rere loop) while gaining understanding of the school values (Respect, Responsibility, Resilience and Inclusion).

Students will travel to and from the camp, located on Greenstone Station Farm by bus. An "On Line" Parent information evening is being held on Wednesday, 9 February at 6.30pm. A link to this will be emailed out to parents next week. The Greenstone Camp permission form will be emailed out over the weekend. Please have this filled in and returned by Wednesday 16 February.

Please also note that parent attendance/help on the camps is not possible in current Red settings.

Ken McIntyre
Greenstone Camp Coordinator

Head Students' Message

A very warm welcome back to school. We hope you are all looking forward to the year and ready to take any opportunities that present themselves in the upcoming months. 

Things have been a bit different here at WHS due to the red light system. All staff and students have been wearing masks. It seems quite unnatural to be wearing them for the whole school day but we thank all students who have been following the directive and wearing them as required. Despite some hiccups, mask-wearing is looking positive overall, and we recognise and appreciate your efforts.

A piece of advice from us for the start of the year is to maintain balance. By all means, get involved in extracurricular activities and set a good foundation for the year to come, but also find time for yourself, to recharge and approach the coming weeks full of energy. This is even more important considering that, at least from personal experience, our brains are still recovering from no longer being on holiday.

Earlier in the week we discussed the student leadership’s values and goals for the year. As well as what we want to bring to the position of head students. Through a process of meeting and brainstorming, the leadership team has outlined the following five ‘whys’, which will influence the positive change we will strive to make this year.

Our five 'whys' are :

1. People care about each other, are kind, and feel safe
2. People feel like they have a say
3. People feel proud and enjoy being at WHS 
4. Promoting a culture of success
5. Wellbeing is valued

One thing we’ve loved about our student leaders so far is that everyone has a different interpretation of these whys. It’s fostered a team that is willing to accept alternate opinions and is doing wonders to diversify the representation of the student body. Which is why we want to emphasise again - If there's something here you don’t like, something you think can be improved, or just want to know more about the process and our goals, contact us in any way possible.

We hope you all have a great long weekend! Karawhiua, we look forward to seeing you back here on Tuesday.

Sofia Taquet and James Scoles
Head Students

Peer Mentoring

Kia Ora Koutou,

Last week we kicked off Stars peer mentoring for 2022 starting with a massive 2 days induction into the program to prepare our senior students for their new roles. There are just shy of 80 peer mentors who have put their hand up to be a part of this programme, and I can’t wait to see how this experience develops them as leaders and young adults in our community.

Peer mentors are facilitated to plan and run fortnightly sessions throughout Terms 1-3, passing down their knowledge and experience of practical and life skills. This week they met with their Ako class and ran their first meet and greet session and established their class contacts. A lot of connections were made and an opportunity for growth all round.

Year 9’s- You don’t know how good you’ve got it! To have senior students genuinely care about your transition from primary and intermediate to highschool is a privilege. Use this opportunity to learn from your mentors, step out of your comfort zone and get amongst the school culture of Wakatipu High School. Karawhiua! - Get stuck in!

Peer Mentors- You smashed it! Haere tonu! - Keep going, keep it up!😊 

Cheryl
Stars Coordinator

Sport and Active Recreation News

National Get2Go Champions 2021
Wakatipu High School secured its first ever Get2Go national championship last week and the first national title for 2022. A huge congratulations to the eight strong team of junior adventure racers who had a massive week at the Hillary Centre in Tongariro completing a range of group challenges, rogaines, water activities and a huge amount of running. Well done to Peter Davis, Abby Fookes, Jess Hudson, Siena Mackley, Elsbeth Purdue, Tom Schenk, Harry Seeto and Seb Watson. This is a remarkable achievement as it is only the second year that WHS has qualified and competed at the national finals. The team won the Central Otago regional finals in September 2021 to qualify for the nationals. Originally these were scheduled for mid December on Great Barrier Island where they are normally held. COVID disruptions meant that the finals were postponed until 23rd January and moved to the Tongariro Hillary Centre. The event was held over five days where the team demonstrated great spirit, resilience, fitness and fortitude finishing a number of their challenges in the top three before becoming the overall winners! This was well deserved after a lot of training and preparation was put in prior to the event, thank you for representing WHS so well across the week. A huge thank you to all of the parents who made this event possible, particularly Ursula Davis and Richard Mackley and to our teacher in charge Ms Dixon.

Former WHS Students at the Beijing Winter Olympics
Three former Wakatipu High School students are set to compete at this year’s Winter Olympics in Beijing that get underway this weekend. Cool Wakushima who graduated in 2020 is competing in the Snowboard Slopestyle and Big Air events at the winter olympics for the first time. Tiarn Collins who was at WHS until the end of his Year 10 year is also competing in the Snowboard Slopestyle and Big Air while Alice Robinson who graduated in 2019 is attending her second winter olympics is competing in the Giant Slalom and Super G events. Alice has also been selected to be one of two flag bearers at the opening ceremony, a truly magnificent honour. We wish our three former students all the very best over the coming two weeks. Make sure you catch them in action!
Cool Wakushima - Snowboard Slopestyle Run 1 - 5th Feb 3:45pm
Cool Wakushima - Snowboard Slopestyle Run 2 - 5th Feb 4:47pm
Tiarn Collins - Snowboard Slopestyle Run 1 - 6th Feb 5:30pm
Tiarn Collins - Snowboard Slopestyle Run 1 - 6th Feb 6:32pm
Alice Robinson - Giant Slalom Run 1 - 7th Feb 3:15pm
Alice Robinson - Giant Slalom Run 1 - 7th Feb 6:45pm
Alice Robinson - Super G Final - 11th Feb 4pm
Cool Wakushima - Snowboard Big Air Run 1 - 14th Feb 2:30pm
Cool Wakushima - Snowboard Big Air Run 2 - 14th Feb 3:15pm
Tiarn Collins - Snowboard Big Air Run 1 - 14th Feb 6:30pm
Tiarn Collins - Snowboard Big Air Run 2 - 14th Feb 7:15pm

Junior Boys Cricket North Island Cricket Tour
Every second year the WHS Junior Boys Cricket team embarks on a tour usually to New South Wales, Australia but with covid, it wasn’t possible to travel overseas. Instead, we constructed a New Zealand based, North Island tour heading to Wellington, Palmerston North, Napier and Taupo with good quality cricket games, some long drives in the tour vans and fun activities. 

With the tour comprised of 13 players, we established a really strong team culture during the eight days away. Have fun, play hard and know when to switch on and off for games. We were probably the loudest cheering team of the entire tournament and really celebrated our team achievements. With this team’s spirit and undeniable talent, I’m really excited for the potential we have to become a very strong 1st XI for Wakatipu High School in the seasons to come.

During the tour we had some special experiences, seeing a T20 Super Smash game in Wellington, practicing on New Zealand’s first indoor grass practice wickets in Palmerston North, meeting Finn Allen, Grant Elliot, Michael Bracewell, and having a great chat with Blair Tickner of Central Districts who has played for New Zealand.  

There were many impressive standout performances during the six matches on tour, but the magic moment was without doubt Binath Wijerathna smashing 19 runs in about six balls during our very first game to take us over the line for a tense, narrow win. This performance set the tone of the tour for us to never give up! Other special mentions were Hugo Bogue’s 66, Matthew Langford’s 43 off 37 balls and Joel Winter’s 3 wickets for 13 runs. We had great success on tour, winning all six games we played. Here are the results for each game we played:
T20 Warm-up game vs Manawatu invitational U15 team   
Manawatu 125/5   Wakatipu 131/6
Matt Langford 2-12  Hugo Bogue 38 not out  Binath Wijerathna 19
Game 1 40 over match vs Ngahinapouri                                      
Wakatipu 240/8     Ngahinapouri 68
Hugo Bogue 66  Angus O’Neill 23  Mason Clarke 3-3  Finn Cole-Bailey 3-7 Jack Gallie 2-14
Game 2 50 over match vs Cambridge Cricket Association:
Cambridge 176/9    Wakatipu 180/8
Matt Langford 2-28  Jack Gallie1-22  Hugo Bogue 64 
Game 3 50 over match vs Rosmini College Colts 
Rosmini 144    Wakatipu 145/5
Joel Winter 3-13  Binath Wijerathna 1-7  Mason Clarke 50 not out  Anthony Hollyer 27
Game 4 T20 match vs Classic Builders Western BOP Year 9/10
Wakatipu 149/4    BOP 138/4
Matt Langford 43  Oscar Pullar 30 not out  Matt Langford 2-20  Harry Walker-Leach 1-9
Game 5 T20 match vs Havelock North Year 9/10 Colts
Havelock 109/6    Wakatipu 110/7
Jack Trounce 2-11  Anthony Hollyer 2-19  Hugo Bogue 37  

Overall it was an awesome, fun experience and we were very lucky to have this tour on our cricketing calendar, as it’s such a great opportunity for junior cricketing boys. I know without a doubt the lads made the absolute most of it. I speak on behalf of all the players to thank Andy Langford, Matt Hollyer, Greg Trounce and Bevan Clarke for all the selfless work they did for us to make this tour happen, without them, this would not have been possible. Special thanks to Mrs Nathan for progressing the tour with the school, when Covid challenges were always present.

I truly believe without the opportunity for a trip away our culture wouldn't be anywhere near as strong going forward, and that’s what I think made the tour extra special. I was privileged to captain and travel with such a great group of friends and team players.  

Mason Clarke
Junior Boys Cricket Captain

World Tennis Ranking
Year 11 student Kai Milburn has an official International Tennis Federation Junior World Ranking. Kai competed in International Tournaments in New Zealand over the summer and is currently ranked 833 in the World (as at 31 Jan 2022). Congratulations Kai on this incredible acknowledgement of your hard work and achievements!

South Island Rowing Club Champs
In spite of the recent transition from New Zealand’s orange traffic light setting to red, South Island Rowing was lucky enough to hold the South Island Club Champs regatta this past weekend on Lake Ruataniwha. To manage this, multiple safety procedures and controls were implemented. Certain protocols caused significant changes to the regatta such as the absence of all spectators as well as the implementation of 20 zones (each with a 100 person limit) allocated for each club’s rowers and support crew. Unfortunately the regatta was cut short during the second day of racing due to changing weather conditions and our WHS rowers were unable to race certain finals of their events. Another huge thank you to the WRC organisational team in particular Hamish Noton, Kelly Saxton and head coach John Morrison for meeting protocol requirements in such a short timeframe and enabling all of our WHS rowers to get out on to the water last weekend. A total of 37 crews from WHS attended the South Island Club Champs with eleven crews achieving Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals. 
Marley King Smith 
Student Rowing Captain

Results
Gold Medals
Boys U17 Double Sculls - Sam McAtamney and Marley King Smith 
Mens Novice Double Sculls - Xavier Small and Keegan Green 
Boys U16 Coxed Quad Sculls - Toby Rorrison, Marley King Smith, Ashton White, Josh Viana + Emily Howick
Boys U17 Coxed Quad Sculls - Sam McAtamney, Marley King Smith, Will Donovan, Tiwai Saxton + Emily Howick 
Boys U17 Single Sculls - Marley King Smith 
Women’s Intermediate Double Sculls - Abby Phillips and Louise Vryenhoek 
Silver Medals
Boys U16 Double Sculls - Toby Rorrison and Ashton White 
Girls U16 Double Sculls - Mia Pagan and Olivia Bisset 
Women’s Intermediate Double Sculls - Mia Pagan and Olivia Bisset 
Men’s Intermediate Single Sculls - Ashton White 
Bronze Medals
Boys U16 Coxed Quad Sculls - Xavier Small, Keegan Green, Logan Noton, Ben Hogan + Ava McIntyre 

Results for WHS students competing for Dunstan Rowing Club
Gold - Annika Arlett - U15 Girls Coxed Octuple Sculls
Gold - Abby Phillips - Womens Intermediate Coxed Quad Sculls 
Gold - Charlotte Muir - Women’s U19 Coxed Squad Sculls and Women’s Intermediate Coxed Quad Sculls

MTB NZ Downhill Series 
The first three rounds of the Mountain Bike NZ Downhill Series have taken place over the past two weeks and there have been a number of WHS riders competing across these races with some awesome results. Well done to the following students:
Round One - Rotorua
Malik Boatwright - 1st U15 Male
Josh Bonnar - 6th U19 Male
Max Caulton - 11th U19 Male
Round Two - Auckland
Malik Boatwright - 1st U15 Male
Josh Bonnar - 3rd U19 Male
Round Three - Queenstown
The fourth round of the five round series takes place in Dunedin next weekend before finishing in Nelson later in February. All the best to these riders!

Ice Skating Selections
Over the summer Year 11 students Daphne Ricketts and Georgia Chinn were selected as part of the New Zealand Development Squad for Short Track Ice Speed Skating. Georgia was also selected for the NZ Development squad for 2021/22 Figure Skating. Congratulations to these two students, a great achievement for both skaters especially because of the interruptions to training and competition with Covid in 2021.

Queenstown Schools Cricket Carnival
The sixth annual Queenstown Schools Cricket Carnival was held in mid January with 12 teams from over the South Island. The WHS 1st XI got to play declaration matches against Taieri College, St Bede's and Southland Boys and a T20 against Otago Boys. The Carnival's initial purpose was to provide our players with greater competition locally and the event has now become a main fixture on the annual calendar for a number of school cricket programmes. A huge thank you to Russell Mawhinney and his team of dedicated volunteers as well as the WHS parents who help to support with lunches and over jobs over the tournament. Thank you to our fantastic coaching crew of Bevan Clarke, Matt Hollyer, Andy Langford and Greg Trounce. The carnival capped off a very busy summer holiday of cricket for our boys!

Otago U17 Cricket Team
Congratulations to Year 11 student Mason Clarke who was selected for the U17 Otago Cricket team this summer. Mason has played a series of games for the team and has a couple more coming up in February. Well done Mason!

Opportunities for Involvement

Extracurricular Sign Ups 2022
COVID has forced this year’s annual extracurricular expo online with sign ups for all sports, active recreation activities, academic, arts and culture, leadership, outdoor and environmental and all other weird and wonderful clubs and groups to be done through Google Classroom from Friday 11 February. All students will receive a list of classroom codes that they can join should they be interested in finding out more about each activity. 

Extracurricular engagement is part of the educational experience that we place high value on at WHS and as such we expect that all students will involve themselves in at least one form of extracurricular activity either at or outside of WHS. Participating in extracurricular activities is known to improve wellbeing by enhancing relationships with others and building a sense of whanaungatanaga and community. There is something for everyone and we strongly encourage students, particularly new students, to do some homework with regards to what is on offer and what is manageable from a commitment point of view for students and families by checking out the extracurricular tab on the school website. More details will come out in next week’s newsletter.

WHS Athletic Development Programme Term 1 2022
The Wakatipu High School Athletic Development Programme (ADP) is an opportunity for students to gain further knowledge and support to improve fundamental movement skills and personal athletic performance. The ADP is strength and conditioning training based on long term athletic development models and aims to ensure all students are capable and proficient to operate in a performance training environment. The ADP is open to all students who seek to improve their personal performance and outcomes in sport and physical activity. It is run each term for eight weeks, on site at WHS, two mornings a week. Sessions will run from 7am-8am Tuesday and Thursday mornings from Week 4 to 11 this term. Please complete this Expression of Interest form by Monday 14 February to be sent further details and information regarding the programme in early Week 3.

Otago/Southland Waterskiing Champs
These are taking place on Sunday 20th February and anyone interested in competing can register directly through this google form.

Queenstown Associated Football Club (QAFC)
Registrations are now open for our 2022 Junior Season. Full details are at the following link:
QAFC 2022 Registrations
Registrations close on Sunday 6th March. Register by 27th February to go into the draw to win your subs back! Full pre season info

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

Play It Strange - 2021 Lyric Book
The 2021 Lyric Book from the national Play It Strange organisation is out with twenty songs included from schools around the country. WHS is well represented with two of our students featured. Off the back of her two national awards last year, Billie Carey (Comer) has two of her songs included  ("Dance With Me" and "Help Me Remember" and Jack Speedy with his song "Don't Call Me Home". A great achievement from both students.

Itinerant Music Lessons
Over the next two weeks, we will be organising instrumental lessons for students involved in the Music courses at WHS. These lessons run as group sessions within the school day and last for 30 mins. Other options are also available within the community through the  Turn Up the Music organisation and other private teachers. More information will be emailed to parents in the next week.

In our Community

Congratulations to Havielarsha Panniar Selvam (Year 13) who received a Lakes District Multicultural Community LDMC Community Service award this week from Mayor Jim Boult. 

Careers - Job Vacancies for Students

Gibbston Valley have some great part-time/casual roles available!

We have the following roles up for grabs:

HOUSEKEEPER:
Perform routine duties in cleaning and servicing of guest rooms and property under supervision of Housekeeping Manager/Supervisor.

• Hours: between 8:30am-5pm (shifts will be roughly 5 hours)
• Must be available to work at least one weekend day

GREETER/HOST:
We are looking for a friendly host to greet customers as they enter Gibbston Valley Wine and scan vaccine passes! You will need to be confident talking to people, making them feel welcome.

• Hours: 10am – 5pm
• Must be available to work at least one weekend day

KITCHEN HAND:
As the kitchen hand you will maintain the cleanliness of the kitchen by cleaning dishes and helping chefs where required.

• Hours: 10am – 5pm
• Must be available to work at least one weekend day

Reliable transport and proof of vaccination is essential for 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