It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through the year.
There’s plenty happening over the next couple of weeks.
Parent-Teacher Interviews are coming up on 16 June and provide a valuable opportunity for students, families and teachers to connect and discuss learning, progress and goals for the remainder of the year.
We’re also looking forward to our Pasifika Fono on Wednesday evening, which was rescheduled due to illness. We’re pleased to be able to bring our Pasifika community together for this important event.
Next week is a big one for our choirs as they take to the stage at the Big Sing Auckland Regional Competition. Westlake Girls will be represented by Nota Bella Junior Choir, Cigno Voce Senior Choir, Cantare Premier Treble Choir and Choralation Premier Mixed Choir. We wish all our singers the very best.
We are also delighted to be finalists in the Leadership category of the School Excellence Awards, with the winners to be announced on 26 June.
Finally, tickets for our Father-Daughter Breakfast went on sale today. This is always a highlight on the school calendar, so be sure to book early to avoid missing out. You’ll find all the details later in this newsletter.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Jane Stanley,
PRINCIPAL
Sports
Equestrian
The Westlake Girls Equestrian Team recently competed at the North Island Secondary School Horse Trials in Taupo. The team consisted of Rhea Bourhill, Mikayla Gow, and Neve Anderson, who joined Zara Gollan from St Peters to make up a composite team.
The girls had an awesome weekend with great weather and amazing team spirit throughout the event. After the dressage phase, the team placed 3rd overall in a strong field. Show jumping was another successful discipline allowing them to hold onto 3rd place going into cross country.
The team finished the competition on a high, riding clear cross-country rounds with no time penalties, which moved them up into an impressive 2nd place overall.
Congratulations to the team on a fantastic result!
Academic
A Taste of Latin America: The Pachamama Experience
This Wednesday and Thursday, 175 Spanish students from Westlake Girls took part in a Latin American cooking workshop at Pachamama Latino Store.
During the workshop, students prepared and enjoyed a variety of traditional Latin American foods while learning about the cultures and culinary traditions behind each dish. The experience provided a unique opportunity to practise Spanish in a real-world context and gain a deeper appreciation of Latin American culture.
The workshop was both educational and enjoyable, allowing students to connect language learning with authentic cultural experiences. It was a memorable event that brought the flavours and traditions of Latin America to life.
Arts & Culture
Ngā Whakataetae Mō Ngā Manu Kōrero – Tāmaki Makaurau Ki Te Waitemata.
Whakarongo ake ki te tangi a te manu E karanga nei, Tui, tui, tuituia. Tuia ki runga, tuia ki raro Tuia ki roto, tuia ki waho Ka rongo te ao, ka rongo te pō Tuia ki te kāwai tangata I heke mai i Hawaiki nui I Hawaiki roa I Hawaiki pāmamao I te hono ki Wairua Ki te whaiao, ki te ao mārama Tuuturu whakamaua kia tina! Tina! Haumi e! Hui e! Taiki e!
Last week, four of our talented students proudly represented our kura at the prestigious Ngā Manu Kōrero speech competition. They performed exceptionally well, demonstrating confidence, leadership, cultural pride and outstanding public speaking skills.
Our competitors were:
Olivia Retimana – Korimako (Senior English) – 3rd Overall ‘Home: The Place My Soul Bookmarks’
Amelia Moke – Pei Te Hurinui (Senior Māori) – 6th Prepared, 5th Equal Impromptu ‘Mana Motuhaketia te Taiao’
Avia Masaga – Tā Turi Carroll (Junior English) – 5th Overall ‘Generation Kotahitanga – Māori Youth Leading Unity’
Blake Macleod – Rāwhiti Ihaka (Junior Māori) – 5th Overall ‘E kore tōku pūweru e māku i te pata ua!’
Ngā Manu Kōrero o Tāmaki Makaurau ki te Waitemata is a premier speech competition for Māori secondary school students based in central, north and west Auckland schools. It provides a platform for rangatahi to develop and showcase their skills in public speaking, critical thinking, research, language, and leadership. Through the power of kōrero, students are encouraged to express their perspectives, champion issues important to them, and strengthen their connection to te reo Māori and tikanga Māori. The winners of each section then head to the Ngā Manu Kōrero Nationals to compete on behalf of our rohe.
The tauparapara above speaks of weaving together people, knowledge, whakapapa, and purpose. This whakaaro sits at the heart of Ngā Manu Kōrero, where the voices of our rangatahi are heard, valued, and celebrated. Through speech, students weave together their experiences, values, and aspirations, creating powerful messages that inspire, challenge, and unite their audiences.
For our young Māori wāhine, participation in Ngā Manu Kōrero offers a powerful opportunity to grow as confident leaders and advocates. It nurtures self-belief, strengthens cultural identity, and develops the courage to stand proudly and speak with conviction. These experiences empower our rangatahi to carry their voices beyond the stage and into their communities, education, and future pathways.
We are incredibly proud of Olivia, Amelia, Avia and Blake for the dedication, courage, and excellence they displayed on stage. Their achievements are a testament to their hard work, preparation, and commitment. They represented our kura with mana, grace and distinction, and we congratulate them on their outstanding performances.
Ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga, nōna te ao. – The bird that partakes of knowledge owns the world.
Notices
Dropping Off and Collecting Students
Our school entrance is extremely busy at the beginning and end of the school day. Please do not drop off or collect students inside the car park or near the entrance. Instead, park on one of the many side streets surrounding the school.
Don’t get locked in…
Additionally, a reminder that our car park gates are locked between 3:00pm and 3:30pm for the safe exit of our students.
Thank you for helping us keep Westlake Girls a safe place for everyone.
Community
Head Prefects' Conference
On Thursday 4 June, Ngā Pou Herenga hosted a Head Prefects’ Conference with the theme of ‘Future Focus’, welcoming head students from a variety of secondary schools. The event took place in our lovely Event Centre foyer; the perfect location for the gathering of leaders.
The conference was a fantastic opportunity to connect with leaders across Tāmaki Makaurau, and allowed for our rangatahi to discuss thought provoking questions and issues as a collective.
We were fortunate to have Westlake Girls’ alumnae Kate Burley and Janet Van Jenkins to share their journey as leaders within Aotearoa, and how their future has been shaped by various challenges and opportunities. Both women shared insightful messages and advice, explaining how our future today is ever-evolving in a constantly changing world.
Thank you to the prefects from Epsom Girls Grammar, Westlake Boys’ High School, Rosmini College, Long Bay College, Glenfield College, and Northcote College for attending our conference. Thank you, too, to everyone who made this inspiring day of connection and forward-thinking possible!
“The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.” – Malcolm X.
Written by: Ngā Pou Herenga
Sports
Westlake Girls Top Skier Takes Double Silver
After winning both the Race and Dual events at the 2025 Auckland Secondary Schools Ski Championships at Snowplanet, Georgia Marshall was determined to repeat the feat despite carrying an ACL knee strain sustained when she was struck by a snowboarder while changing from her race skis to training skis after her first run at the Australia New Zealand Cup, Australasia’s premier alpine skiing competition. Still feeling tentative in her opening event at the Auckland Championships, the Slalom Race, Marshall narrowly lost to Georgie Wilson of King’s College in the Senior Girls final. Determined to respond strongly in the Dual event, Marshall raced with composure and precision through the elimination rounds to secure her place in the knockout final. There, she faced long-time rival Chloe Pratt of Epsom Girls Grammar School.
A slow start handed Pratt an early advantage. Although Marshall steadily closed the gap throughout the race, she was unable to regain the lead and ultimately finished with the silver medal in the Senior Girls Dual event.
Arts & Culture
Choirs Concert
On Tuesday 2 June, our Events Centre was ringing with the music from the Westlake Choirs, performing their Big Sing programs for a packed and enthusiastic audience. Westlake Girls has four auditioned choirs – Nota Bella Junior Choir, Cigno Voce Senior Choir, Cantare Premier Treble Choir and Choralation Premier Mixed Choir. Joining the program from Westlake Boys were Momentum Training Choir and Voicemale Premier Lower Voice Choir. These six choirs have been working towards competing next week at the Auckland Regional of NZCF’s The Big Sing – the largest high school choir festival in the Southern hemisphere. Each year, around 10,000 singers from around the country compete in their region, after which the top 24 choirs are invited to participate in the national Finale in August. Our choirs are performing at the Auckland Town Hall on Tuesday 16 and Thursday 18 June.
Swanderful-
Nota Bella
Choralation
Cantare
Alumna Alanah Jones
There were more special items for the audience to enjoy during the concert – performances from the two Barbershop ensembles from WBHS ‘Ken and the Men’ and WGHS’s newly formed ‘Swanderful’. Both groups will be competing in the Young Singers in Harmony at the end of the month. Finally, two Westlake alumni singers – Alanah Jones and Blake Scanlan – returned to perform as soloists and inspire our current students. Alanah Jones (graduate 2021) is completing her singing degree at Auckland University and has been offered a place at Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London to embark on her Masters in Opera. We are very proud of our music graduates and wish her all the best!
Notices
Uniform Shop Hours Term 3, 2026
Arts & Culture
International Languages Week
On Friday 5 June, Westlake Girls held a culture catwalk as a final celebration in International Languages Week. Students were encouraged to wear their cultural attire to school, and we listened to music from around the world and indulged in traditional food. It was brilliant to see all the different cultures being represented with pride as students and teachers strutted down the catwalk. The event was filled with respect and unity, reminding us how lucky we are to have such a culturally diverse school.
Arts & Culture
NZ Chamber Music
On Thursday 4 June, 10 Ensembles worth of Westlake Girls and Boys students travelled to Diocesian School for Girls in Epsom to compete in the district rounds of the 61st annual New Zealand Chamber Music Contest (NZCT).
Their sessions featured a wide range of ensembles performing everything from classical repertoire to contemporary works. Students showcased their technical skill, ensemble cohesion, and musical interpretation, impressing adjudicators and audience members alike.
These performances were the culmination of months of dedicated rehearsal by our students, spanning everything from initial repertoire selection to the final stage production.
A huge congratulations to all the featured Westlake Musicians – it was a magnificent celebration of collaborative music-making.
We would also like to specifically mention and congratulate the ‘MMA musicians’ (Miya Aitken, Miya Riseborough, and Amber Liu) who were selected as one of the 12 ensembles out of 118 to compete in the Auckland District Final on Sunday afternoon.
The Octopals (Chloe Liong, Miya Riseborough, Limin Khaw, Antonia Georgieva, Coco Pratt, Rosa Morris, Rhea Bourhill, Nanae Sato-Nates) Clarinet Crescendo (Miya Riseborough, Afia Naushad, Rosa Morris, Grace Young, Yuri Jung) Much Condensation (Michelle Hendra, Hannah Wilmot, Jacob Robinson) MMA Musicians (Miya Riseborough, Miya Aitken, Amber Liu) Four is Enough(Limin Khaw, Nanae Sato-Nates, Luke Manley, Joshua Wilson) The Manicini Trio (Lydia Xing, Oria Wei, Zoe Jiang) Serenade Strings:(Miya Aitken, Jolly Yin, Liese Yin, Zoe Jiang) Tri-Hard (Eve Yifan Yuan, Jannet Cho, Tiffany Ma) Triple A Batteries (Afia Naushad, Amy Malcolm, Amber Liu) Silver Keys (Isabel Lee, Julia Ouyang, Amie Meng) .
Alumni
Savannah-Eve Makes Commonwealth Games Debut
Since graduating from Westlake Girls High School in 2023, champion swimmer Savannah-Eve Martin has continued to achieve success at the highest level, culminating in her recent selection for the New Zealand team competing at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next month.
Reflecting on her journey since leaving school, Martin said, “I’ve been fortunate to have some incredible opportunities in swimming, and I’m thrilled to have recently been selected to represent New Zealand at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.”
A 13-member swimming squad has been named to represent New Zealand, led by 2024 world champions Erika Fairweather and Lewis Clareburt. Martin is one of seven swimmers selected for their first Commonwealth Games and will compete in the women’s 50m and 100m backstroke events.
Since graduating from Westlake Girls, where she finished as the New Zealand Secondary Schools Girls’ 18 Years 50m Backstroke Champion and a member of the New Zealand Under-18 Swim Squad, Martin has continued to progress on the international stage. She represented New Zealand at the 2024 World Championships in Budapest and the 2025 World Championships in Singapore, earning Aquablack #292 status.
Following the Commonwealth Games, Martin will continue her international campaign at the 2026 Pan Pacific Championships in Los Angeles.
Academic
The Science Underpinning Sports Performance
This term, Year 11 Sport Performance and Leadership students have been engaged in a unit of work focused on learning about the science underpinning sports performance. Through this, they developed their understanding of functional anatomy, exercise physiology, and biomechanics, and applied these concepts across a range of practical fitness and sporting contexts.
A key aspect of the unit was the opportunity to explore how sport and exercise science is applied in real-world settings. During several visits to Les Mills, students participated in group fitness sessions designed to target both muscular and cardiorespiratory systems, enabling them to make meaningful connections between theory and practice. Students also had the privilege of learning from Westlake Girls High School alumna Frida Sumardjo, who shared her journey in the health and fitness industry. With over 22 years of experience in personal training, group fitness, and coaching, Frida provided valuable insight into the physical and mental demands of endurance sport. Her achievements, including multiple Ironman events, Coast to Coast competitions, and long-distance races, highlighted the importance of resilience, perseverance, and applying scientific principles to enhance performance.
Students further extended their learning through a visit to the AUT Millennium High Performance Centre, where they experienced sport science in an elite environment. During a structured session, students rotated through practical stations including a Wingate Anaerobic Test to measure peak power and fatigue, vertical jump testing using force plate technology to analyse force production and technique, and agility testing to examine movement efficiency and change of direction. This experience reinforced classroom learning by providing authentic opportunities to apply sport science concepts in a high-performance context.
Alumni
60-year reunion – WGHS Class of 1966 (1962-1966)
We welcomed former students from the WGHS Class of 1966 back to Westlake on Friday 5 June, to celebrate a special occasion – their 60-year reunion.
We were very pleased that four teachers from that time – Beth Beever, Helen Goodwin, Shona Smith (Follas) and Lynn Kerridge, joined the group of foundation students of Westlake Girls for this celebration.
The tour of the school, led by Dean Flyger, Community Relationship Manager, included one gym which was opened in December 1964 – the only building remaining from their time at Westlake. The guests were very impressed with all the facilities now available to Westlake students.
A special part of the morning was the group’s donation of a pūriri tree to mark this significant milestone. Former student, Liz Goodwin, spoke about the tree, with the message, “We give it with love and gratitude for those before us and with love and joy to those in the future”.
After the tour, the group was welcomed in the Event Centre by Matua Eddie Hudson, and principal Jane Stanley, and enjoyed catching up and looking at the displays over a delicious morning tea.
Thanks to the many people who helped make this a memorable occasion, especially Te Puna o Hiwa i te Rangi for their waiata, the Serenade Strings Quartet, and the prefects who helped with the tour and set up for the morning.
Cathy Roughan, WGHS Alumni Coordinator
Notices
Appointments During the Day - Reminder
Please ensure any appointments are made at times which enable your daughter to attend school most of the day. Use the SchoolBridge app to request an EXIT pass for all appointments. You need to include the reason for the appointment and time your daughter needs to leave, and if/when she will be returning to school afterwards.
Students must sign out on the iPad at Reception before leaving the school grounds. Reception will print a leave pass, which students must carry and present to any staff member who asks why they are out of class. If a student leaves school without parental consent, the school will follow up with parents and caregivers by email.
Occasionally, families need to arrange appointments at short notice. Please note that it is not always possible to locate students in class immediately. Without advance warning, it may take 30 minutes or longer for the school to make the necessary arrangements. Please do not arrive at school expecting your daughter to be released from class straight away.
Community
Father-Daughter Breakfast Tickets on Sale NOW
Tickets are now on sale for our annual Father Daughter Breakfast, taking place on Wednesday 26 August in the Westlake Girls Event Centre.
A much-loved fixture on the school calendar, the breakfast brings together students and their fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers and other significant father figures for a relaxed and enjoyable morning before the school day begins. It is an opportunity to spend quality time together, connect with other members of our community and celebrate the relationships that play such an important role in supporting our young women.
Guests will enjoy a delicious breakfast, inspiring speakers and plenty of conversation, all while helping raise funds to support opportunities for Westlake Girls students.
Seats are limited and tickets fly out the door, so we encourage families to book early.
Get your tickets HERE. Scroll down if you don’t see it, it’s there, just lower on the page. 🙂
Notices
Westlake Girls Open Night 2026
Community
Sporting Field Signs
Westlake Girls High School welcomes Farro, Massey University and Canopy Imaging to the sports fields signage family.
Canopy Imaging is also a partner of the school, supporting the Father Daughter Breakfast and Empowerment Fund, providing opportunities for Westlake Girls students.
We welcome the opportunity to work with organisations that share our commitment to empowering young women. To learn more about the myriad benefits of partnering with Westlake Girls, visit the ‘Our Partners’ page on our website here.
Arts & Culture
Indian Night Coming Up
Indian Night is a vibrant celebration of Indian culture, showcasing traditional and modern performances, stunning decorations, and delicious food. Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with music, dance, and a rich display of heritage and community spirit! Visit the link below to secure yours before they’re all gone!
In Week 5 of Term 2, our Year 12 Outdoor Education (OUTE) traded classroom for the Hillary Outdoors. Students were actively involved in activities such as abseiling, coasteering, sea kayaking, and surf kayaking. The core focus of the week was their practical assessment on managing risk in the outdoors as well as social responsibility.
Students had to actively identify hazards, analyse environmental factors, and apply safety strategies in real-time. This week also included an overnight expedition where they braved the elements sleeping in hammocks under fly sheets. The cohort thoroughly enjoyed the experience and is looking forward to the next.
Notices
Make life Easier - Use our App!
Download and use the SchoolBridge app to access the timetable, calendars, interviews, report absences, and make payments all in one place.
