Kia ora, Westlake Community,

Welcome to our latest newsletter, filled with vibrant articles highlighting our school’s incredible diversity and talent. Last week, we celebrated International Language Week. Our school’s members come from many different backgrounds, enriching our community with unique perspectives and experiences. You might not know this, but we speak over 30 languages among our staff.

It’s easy to give lip service to concepts like cultural diversity, but at Westlake, we live and breathe it actively. It was wonderful to see so many people, including staff, dressed in cultural clothes to celebrate last Friday, and Señor Joaquín Ginés positively lit up our Staff Briefing in his magnificent sombrero!

I’m also thrilled to share stories from our National Dance Competition, the success of our Squash team winning a silver award, the Ururoto Piano Quartet’s participation in the 60th annual New Zealand Chamber Music Contest (NZCT), our vibrant Korean Night, and much more. These stories illustrate the exciting activities and achievements that make Westlake Girls High School such a dynamic, inspiring, and diverse place.

Despite all this happy news, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the tremendous impact of Actura’s recent liquidation. The students involved and their families are, understandably, devastated. As a school, we are doing all we can to support them.

I hope you have a lovely weekend.

Warm regards,

Jane Stanley

Principal, Westlake Girls High School