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Te Reo O Te Roto
The Language of the Lake
Issue 126 | 25 September 2026
From the Principal

Principal's Message

Tēnā koutou katoa,

Here we are at the end of Term 3. It has been a busy few weeks, and I suspect many of us are ready to take a breath! Our senior students have completed their school examinations, while others have been performing, competing and representing Westlake around the country. It has been wonderful to see students embracing so many different opportunities as the term comes to a close.

A highlight for me this week was celebrating our 2026 prefects at their graduation. Working with them is one of the best parts of my job. Leadership is not always easy, particularly in a school of our size, but this group has kept showing up for others. They have been a positive and reassuring presence for their peers. I want to give a special thank you to our Tuākana Prefects, whose kindness and patience have helped our Year 9 students feel at home at Westlake.

The final term of the year always has a different feel to it. Our senior students will turn their attention to the NZQA examinations, and we will soon be celebrating and saying farewell to our leavers. Our younger students still have a full term ahead, with time to keep learning, get involved and finish the year well. There is a lot to look forward to, and I know it will go quickly!

For now, though, I hope everyone can enjoy a break. Thank you to our students, staff and families for all you have contributed this term. Take some time to rest, refresh and recharge, we will be pleased to see you back for the final stretch of the year.

I hope you enjoy this issue of Te Reo o Te Roto and reading about the many things our students have been doing.

Kind regards,
Jane

Student Leadership

Celebrating Our 2026 Prefects

Our Prefect Graduation was a chance to thank the students who have spent this year leading, listening and making school life better for others.

At the celebration, Principal Jane Stanley thanked the prefect teams for the opportunities they created for students and for the steady, positive presence they brought to their roles. She gave special recognition to our Tuākana Prefects, whose patience, kindness and advice helped Year 9 students settle into secondary school.

The prefects also shared the work they have done exploring the Student Growth Profile. Through their year-by-year projects, they gathered student perspectives on belonging, engagement, opportunities and leadership, then presented what they learned and their recommendations for the future.

Guest speaker and former Westlake prefect Dr Jennifer Gale spoke with students about the paths a career can take and the opportunities that can open up along the way.

As Jane reminded the group, leadership is often found in listening, supporting others and showing empathy. Congratulations to our 2026 prefects, and thank you for everything you have given to Westlake Girls. We are proud of the leaders you have become.

 

Community

Westlake Girls Raises Over $28,000 for World Vision

More than 400 Westlake Girls students took on the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge in June, raising over $28,000 for families facing food insecurity in the Solomon Islands.

From going completely offline to eating only orange foods, students chose their own challenges and rallied support from friends, whānau and the wider community. Together, they exceeded the school’s previous fundraising record by $10,000.

The campaign also earned Westlake Girls two awards: an Outstanding Student Leadership Award, one of four presented nationally, and a Gold Award for surpassing our $20,000 fundraising goal.

Congratulations to our three highest fundraisers, Madison Schroder, Cadence Sawyer and Jessie Yau, and to Payton McDonald, Madeleine Schick and Willow Adams, who each raised more than $500.

The effort was led by our World Vision Leadership Committee, headed by Head Prefect Dorsa Jahedi and supported by Mr Greg Burnard. A visit from World Vision ambassador and singer-songwriter Paige Tapara was another highlight of the campaign.

Thank you to every student and staff member who took part, everyone who donated, and the businesses that contributed prizes. This was a remarkable collective effort.

Arts & Culture

Koromiko Ellwood Wins First Prize at National Art Awards

From 800 student entries nationwide, Year 13 Sculpture student Koromiko Ellwood has won First Prize at the Art House Trust Secondary Art Awards.

Just 75 students were selected as finalists, with four awards presented at Pah Homestead on 10 September. Koromiko received First Prize for her sculptural work, along with a $2,000 award from the Rotary Club of Maungakiekie.

The winners were chosen by the gallery’s curatorial team and guest judge Judy Darrah, an artist and educator.

Congratulations, Koromiko! To have your work recognised at this level is an outstanding achievement, and we are very proud of you.

Sports

Nationals Semi-Finals and a First Place Finish for Westlake Climbers

After finishing second in the Auckland College Climbing Series, our climbers carried their strong form into the New Zealand Secondary Schools Bouldering Nationals, reaching the semi-finals.

It was another chance for the team to test themselves against climbers from across the country and a fitting continuation of their Auckland series campaign.

There was more good news last weekend when Jessica Allen placed first in the Intermediate Division at Round 3 of the Auckland Schools Climbing Competition.

Congratulations to Jessica and all our climbers on a fantastic run of results!

 

Academic

Three Westlake Debaters Named Among Auckland’s Top 10

Three Westlake Girls students have been named among the top 10 speakers in the Advanced Open Grade at the 2026 Auckland Schools’ Debating prizegiving.

At the ceremony held at St Cuthbert’s College on 16 September, Lila McElroy (Year 12) was named equal second Best Speaker, Beth Thomson (Year 12) placed sixth, and Nicole Lao (Year 13) placed equal ninth.

These individual honours reflect the preparation, quick thinking and confidence the students have developed through debating. Congratulations to Lila, Beth and Nicole, and to all our debating teams for the effort and perseverance they have shown throughout the season.

Pictured above, from left: Nicole Lao, Beth Thomson and Lila McElroy.

Sports

Three Year 10 Students Qualify as Surf Lifeguards

Three Year 10 students are ready to help keep beachgoers safe after qualifying as surf lifeguards with Muriwai Volunteer Surf Life Saving Club.

Olive Robinson, Charlotte McIntyre and Leilani Tatt earned their qualifications on Sunday after weeks of study and multiple assessments. They completed their final preparation during the same week as their school co-requisite assessments — a demanding stretch that makes their achievement all the more impressive.

Congratulations to Olive, Charlotte and Leilani on the hard work and commitment behind this milestone. We wish them well as they put their new skills to work at Muriwai.

Photo above: Olive Robinson (left), Charlotte McIntyre (centre) and Leilani Tatt (right).

Arts & Culture

Creativity Takes Centre Stage for Arts Week

Paint battles, dancing, quizzes, knitting, caricatures, live performances and a fiercely contested art auction – Arts Week brought creativity into every corner of Westlake Girls.

Organised by our Arts Prefects, the Week 6 celebration gave students opportunities to create, perform, collaborate and try something new, while raising funds for the Arts Access Fund.

The week burst into life with the Arts Battle, where student artists had just 20 minutes to create an original artwork. The finished pieces joined works from last term’s Arts Battle in a week-long silent auction, with bidding on the 20 original artworks becoming increasingly competitive as Friday approached.

There was plenty more happening throughout the week. Year 13 dancers led a high-energy Jump Jam and Zumba session, students and staff tested their knowledge in the Performing Arts and Film Quiz, and Craft and Create Day transformed shared spaces into creative hubs. Year 9 students learned to knit from senior students, new connections were made around the colouring table, and the Arts Committee put their talents to work creating caricatures.

Friday’s packed Lunch Live brought Arts Week to a fitting close, with student performances, the raffle draw and the final bids in the silent auction.

More than anything, Arts Week was about taking creativity beyond the classroom and into shared spaces where everyone could participate – whether they were performing, creating, competing, supporting friends or simply stopping to see what was happening.

A huge thank you to our Arts Prefects and everyone who participated, performed, bought raffle tickets, placed a bid or cheered from the sidelines. What a brilliant celebration of the creativity within our Westlake Girls community.

Music

Standing Ovation for Choralation

A standing ovation from an audience of 1,200 educators and leaders was a standout moment in a busy fortnight of performances for Choralation.

The choir was invited to perform a 20-minute programme for delegates at the International Principals Conference, taking the stage at Auckland’s newly opened New Zealand International Convention Centre.

Performing for 1,200 national and international educators and leaders was an incredible opportunity for our singers, with their performance earning a standing ovation from the audience.

This week, Choralation returned to the city for another special engagement, performing at a University of Auckland graduation ceremony at Auckland Town Hall.

Singing to a capacity audience, as well as those watching via livestream, Choralation once again represented the Westlake schools superbly on a significant Auckland stage.

Two very different occasions, two impressive audiences, and another fantastic opportunity for our young singers to share their music beyond the school community.

 

Music

Soliloquy Takes the Stage at Barbershop Nationals

For the first time in many years, Westlake Girls has been represented at the Young Singers in Harmony national barbershop competition.

Our quartet, Soliloquy, made up of Cantare singers, travelled to Lower Hutt this week to step into the world of barbershop and close-harmony singing.

Working with student teacher Mr Robin Park, the quartet performed two classics, I Got Rhythm and Goodnight Sweetheart, alongside talented young quartets from around the country.

It was also a chance to share the experience with friends from Westlake Boys’ quartet, Ken and the Men, while enjoying a full day of performances and celebrating the skill and energy of young barbershop singers.

A fantastic return to the national stage for Westlake Girls – and another opportunity for our singers to challenge themselves, try something different and perform beyond the school environment.

Arts & Culture

Drama Academy Takes Its Stories On Screen

Four original films, four very different genres, and every stage of production in the hands of our students.

This term, Drama Academy students wrote, filmed, performed in and edited their own short films for OnScreen, a nationwide secondary school film competition. Their work spans documentary, mystery comedy, psychological drama and supernatural thriller.

Along the way, students took part in a mentoring workshop with a tutor from South Seas Film School, gaining industry insight into storytelling and post-production as they developed their films.

We’re proud of the creativity, technical skill and commitment behind all four entries. We look forward to sharing screening details and competition updates when they become available.

Alumni

Westlake Alumna Inducted into NZ Business Hall of Fame

A Westlake alumna was honoured on the national business stage — and a current Westlake student had the privilege of introducing her.

Naomi Ballantyne ONZM, Class of 1981, was inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame at a gala event in Auckland on 6 August. A pioneer in New Zealand’s life insurance industry, Naomi has built a career spanning business leadership, entrepreneurship and mentoring. She returned to Westlake Girls as our Senior Prizegiving guest speaker last year.

Year 13 Business Studies student Mia Marks introduced Naomi at the ceremony in her role as a Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) ambassador. It was a special moment for Mia, with student ambassadors introducing the laureates from their respective schools.

Mia is also co-founder of this year’s YES company, Aotearoa Colour, alongside Renee Panui, Holly Christiansen and Keita McKenzie. Their New Zealand themed colour-by-numbers booklet combines pictures and facts to help young people with ADHD engage with learning.

Former Westlake student Charlotte Print (Class of 2020) also attended. Charlotte has remained involved in YES through university while studying towards a BA/LLB and founding start-ups, including Hot Off the Patent Press, which explains emerging patent technologies in plain English.

Congratulations to Naomi on this significant honour. It was wonderful to see Westlake students and alumnae at different stages of their journeys brought together for the occasion.

Pictured above: Mia Marks, Naomi Ballantyne ONZM and Minister of Finance Nicola Willis.

Music

Cantare to Perform in Monumental War Requiem

Around 370 musicians. One Auckland Town Hall stage. And a work performed in Auckland only twice before.

During the term holidays, Cantare will be part of an extraordinary collaboration performing Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem, one of the most significant works in the orchestral and choral repertoire.

Composed in 1962, War Requiem combines the traditional Latin Mass for the Dead with the powerful anti-war poetry of Wilfred Owen, a young soldier killed during the First World War. The work carries an enduring message about the human cost of conflict and the importance of striving for peace.

Cantare will join Auckland Choral, Auckland Youth Choir, a symphony orchestra, chamber orchestra, organist and soloists for the performance. Among the soloists are James Harrison and Morag Atchison, both current and former singing teachers at Westlake Girls, alongside Kyle Stegall.

Requiring around 370 musicians to perform, War Requiem has been staged in Auckland only twice before – in 1975 and 2013 – making this a particularly special opportunity for our choristers.

Conducted by Uwe Grodd, the concert will take place at Auckland Town Hall at 5pm on Sunday 11 October.

We wish Cantare an incredible performance and look forward to seeing our students take their place in what promises to be a memorable musical event for Auckland.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

Arts & Culture

Be Our Guest! Beauty and the Beast is Coming to Westlake

A tale as old as time is coming to Westlake in 2027… and the search for our cast is about to begin!

Westlake Productions is thrilled to announce Disney’s Beauty and the Beast as our 2027 school production.

Whether you’re dreaming of playing Belle or the Beast, fancy yourself as Lumière, Cogsworth or Mrs Potts, or simply want to experience the magic of being part of a major Westlake production, we want to see you audition.

Auditions are open to students across all year levels, including current Year 8 students joining Westlake in 2027. You don’t need years of stage experience either – whether you’re a seasoned performer or stepping onto the stage for the first time, this could be your chance to give it a go.

Auditions will include singing and dancing and will be held across three days:

Monday 12 October
Tuesday 13 October
Wednesday 14 October
Thursday 15 October

Everything you need to prepare, including the audition song and dance routine, is available through the audition website.

So… will you be our guest?

Sign up now, start practising and get ready to help bring Beauty and the Beast to life on the Westlake stage in 2027.

Audition information and sign-up: Beauty and the Beast Audition Information

Fundraiser Partners

Tee Off for the Westlake Girls Empowerment Fund

Join us for nine holes of golf, good company and a chance to create more opportunities for Westlake Girls students.

The Westlake Girls High School Empowerment Fund Golf Day takes place on Friday 6 November at Pupuke Golf Club, with teams of four teeing off at 1pm. Players will compete in Ambrose format over either the front or back nine. If you don’t have a team, we can place you in one.

The day includes lunch, refreshments on the course and a meal at prizegiving. There will be competitions for Closest to the Pin, Longest Drive, Best Dressed and the winning teams, as well as a raffle and silent auction. Prizes include a golf ball and hat signed by Ryan Fox, plus car, accommodation and dining packages.

It’s a chance for the Westlake community to come together, enjoy a day on the course and support the Empowerment Fund, which helps create opportunities for our students.

View Golf Day details and get in touch to take part

Just two Hole Partnerships and a handful of Team Partnerships remain. If your business would like to get involved, or you can donate a prize for the raffle or auction, please get in touch with Dean Flyger through the Golf Day webpage.

Community

Save the Date: PTA Thank You Morning Tea

The WGHS PTA will host its annual Thank You Morning Tea for teachers and support staff on Wednesday 11 November 2026, on behalf of our school families.

Please save the date. Further details will be shared early in Term 4.

Thanks to our valued partners!

Volvo North Shore Shakespeare Orthodontics

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