Te Roto Logo
Te Reo O Te Roto
The Language of the Lake
Issue 49 | 5 August 2022
Arts & Culture

Looking for something Noteworthy?

Westlake is very excited to be rebooting its Noteworthy Showcase event!

This showcase will allow our talented contemporary musicians, bands and poets to share their work in front of their family members, friends and supporters. The showcase is open to both student original songs, covers, and spoken word poetry. This isn’t a competition, but rather an opportunity for creatives to showcase their work.

The showcase will be taking place on Friday 9 September in our new Event Centre, with doors opening at 6.30pm. Ticketing information will be available shortly ($5) but save the date!

Students have until Friday 2 September to enter.

 

Community

Head Prefect has her say at Youth Parliament

By Ivy Mitchell
Head Prefect and Youth MP

Sitting in the New Zealand Debating Chamber in Parliament House surrounded by passionate youth was an incredibly empowering experience. During the second week of the recent school holidays, I was honoured to be able to attend the 10th New Zealand Youth Parliament as the local Youth MP for Simon Watts on the North Shore.

For those unaware of the Youth Minister of Parliament (Youth MP) position, the role is attached to a unique, and spectacular part of New Zealand Parliament, Youth Parliament. Youth Parliament runs every 3 years where each MP across the motu selects a young person aged around 16-19 to represent them and their electorate. Throughout the year, the Youth MPs have the privilege of working alongside their MP, initiating a community project, engaging with local schools and learning more about the role that parliament takes on within the local community – and attend Youth Parliament.

That’s me on the right of the photo with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Alicia Lemmer, Youth MP for East Coast Bays.

The Auckland Youth MPs arrived in Wellington on 18 July, excited for the three days ahead of politics, speeches and debates. The first day consisted of a tour of Parliament and then the Youth MPs split into caucus meetings to discuss issues of concern. On Tuesday 19 July, the first official day of Youth Parliament began and was started off with question time in the Chamber. Like question time during Parliament, Youth Parliament question time consisted of Youth MPs questioning ministers including Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern, Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson, Minister of Education Chris Hipkins and Minister of Health Andrew Little. I participated in the question time segment, questioning Minister of Education Hon. Chris Hipkins about the mental health support services within the education system. 

Later that afternoon, members listened to the general debate speeches of other Youth MPs. Some topics of importance included barriers in the mental health system for youth, the importance of Te Reo Māori in the education system and why the voting age should be lowered to 16. The legislative debate was the last segment to Youth Parliament and saw speeches for and against the mock bill, which aimed to abolish the youth starting-out wage. After all the speeches, the majority of the Youth MPs voted for the bill, which saw it passed in the House.

In between the debate in the Chamber, we discussed topical issues in mock Select Committees. My experience in the education select committee was one filled with compelling discussion about the issue of how sex and relationship education can be improved in New Zealand schools. After hearing from advisers and oral submissions, as a group we presented a report of our recommendations to the House.

If you would like to listen to any speeches, learn about the mock debate or read the Youth Parliament Select Committee reports, you can do so on the Parliament Website.

The 2022 Youth Parliament was an incredibly eye-opening, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I will definitely carry with me for the rest of my life. I encourage anyone who gets the chance to immerse themselves in New Zealand’s parliament and politics, to do so!

Sports

Sports Shorts

Rugby
Congratulations to these Westlake students who have been selected for the North Harbour Women’s NPC Ruby team to compete in the (FPC) Farah Palmer Cup: Holly Williams (pictured centre), Ava Jericevich, Christabelle and Demielle Onesemo.

Rhythmic Gymnastics
Congratulations also to Year 9 student Athena Li (pictured right) who was awarded Junior International First in Club Champion in Grade 6 at the 2022 National Rhythmic Gymnastics Competition in Invercargill. What an outstanding effort!
Diving

Grace Campbell, Year 11 (pictured left), recently competed at the National Diving Champs in Dunedin, winning both the 1m and Platform events at the Junior Elite level. Well done Grace!

Softball
During the July school holidays Charlotte Graham, Year 12 (pictured on the left of the image at right), went to the Gold Coast/Brisbane on tour with the New Zealand Junior White Sox softball squad. They played nine games in four days, against the best women’s teams in Queensland, and finished the tour winning six games out of the nine.
This is Charlotte’s second year in the squad and she is hoping to attend the Oceania Qualifier in 2023. Well done Charlotte!
Lacrosse

Westlake lacrosse players Megha Kundapur (Year 13), Michelle Farrell (Year 13) and Ella McPherson (Year 13) were selected into an U18 New Zealand Women’s Lacrosse team, which competed in a tournament in Adelaide from 6-11 July. The New Zealanders placed fourth overall.

Megha, Michelle and Ella were proud to represent New Zealand at such a high level of sport and appreciated the opportunity to play in Australia. Awesome stuff!

 

Mountain Biking

Emma Clipstone, Year 13 (pictured right) competed in the North Island Schools U20 Cyclocross Mountain Biking Championships in the  Hawke’s Bay recently. As you can see by the photo it was a very muddy track!

Congratulations to Emma, who won the U20 age group.

Sports

Junior netballers shine at Auckland's Combined Points

A record number of schools competed at the Combined Points Netball Tournament at the Auckland Netball Centre on Wednesday 3 August.

The annual event which, hosts schools from North Harbour, West Auckland and some as far south as Cambridge, enter their top players into 3 grades: the Premier, Year 10 and Year 9 competition. The aim is winning the honour of being named the best netball school in the region.  In the past, Westlake Girls has won the honour twice, and with its two junior teams through to the finals of the Year 9 and 10 grades, it was hopeful of a third.

The school’s Premier netball team faced stiff opposition in their early pool games including local foe Rangitoto, who they eventually overcame before losing to Diocesan and the eventual Premier grade winners, St Peters, Cambridge.

In contrast, the Westlake Year 9-1 team (pictured top) glided through the preliminary rounds before beating Hamilton Girls in the quarterfinals and then scraping past St Kents in the semis.  Their stumbling block came in the final when they met Mt Albert Grammar.  Having beaten Mags by 4 points in the regular Auckland competition four days earlier, the Cygnets found MAGS too strong this time and eventually lost by 5.

Westlake’s Year 10-1 team (pictured left) also shone during the early rounds of competition, losing just one game to Hamilton Girls before sliding into the playoffs where they made light work of St Peters, Cambridge in their quarterfinal.

Gifted a direct entry into the final via a lucky draw thus bypassing an exhausting semi-final game, the 10s met Howick in the final and like their younger counterparts, found their opposition too much on the day, losing by 7, 9-16.  Howick College won the Combined Points Tournament to be named the best netball school in Auckland.

Arts & Culture

Laughter and Tears to Cleanse the Soul

By MJ Milburn
Director, Antigone 


Over the course of two weeks, from June 29 – July 9, the Westlake Boys auditorium was the setting for not just one production, but two this year!

With Covid red light settings restricting inter-school rehearsals at the beginning of the year, it was decided there would be two casts – one from each school – rehearsing and producing a play separately, and then running a two-week show season, alternating comedy and tragedy night-to-night.

Government Inspector, (pictured right and left) performed entirely by Westlake Boys students, is a classic farce, by Russian writer Nikolai Gogol. Confusion, manipulation, bribery, romance, and chaos ensue in this high-energy comedy.

Antigone (pictured top and below)is a Greek tragedy, by Sophocles, and was performed entirely by Westlake Girls students. Creon, the new ruler of Thebes, announces that anyone found performing funeral rites over the body of Polynices, the leader of an invading party, will be put to death. Antigone is arrested for doing just that because Polynices is her brother, and she argues that nothing, not even the law, can prevent her from treating him with love and dignity. Although the play is 2,500 years old, it still has much to teach us about equality, democracy, and religious tolerance.

Audiences noted the versatile use of the stage space to present two very different shows. The young casts handled the rich text of each script with maturity and deftness, delivering performances that ranged from vibrant and comedic, in the case of Government Inspector, to heartfelt and subtle, in the case of Antigone. According to audience members, the actors unfolded the story of the tragedy with “clarity and imagination”, whilst the team behind the comedy were lauded for their ability to transform themselves into such “witty and outrageous characters”.

Both casts and crews performed admirably under the pressures of Covid-related absences, with rehearsals and performances impacted to some extent. Each ensemble was confident and efficient in their craft, and filled gaps in performances so skilfully that the audience were often unaware of the changes.  Students are to be congratulated for their hard work and have thoroughly earned the break provided by the school holidays.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Academic

WGHS Board - July Report

Joy Bradfield
Presiding Member

Thank you to the 15 candidates who have volunteered to represent our community on the Board.

If you do not receive your emailed voting papers on Wednesday, please contact Marie McKerrow, Principal’s PA/ Board Secretary at [email protected] . Voting will close midday on Wednesday 7 September.

We’ve been fortunate to have a strong, committed Board at Westlake Girls High School. Parent-elected board members give of their skills to ensure we have informed and professional input, providing robust support for Principal Jane Stanley to lead the school with confidence.

Our 2022-2025 Strategic Plan has just been released – you can find it HERE.

Board members are jointly accountable for meeting the requirements of the Education & Training Act 2020, so a good knowledge of the legislation, along with compliance and process requirements is vital. Evaluating student progress and achievement, to ensure that every student is getting the preparation they need to survive and thrive in the world, is an essential part of our role. We support this through setting the strategic direction and targets for the school; curriculum management; employment of staff; responsible financial and property management; robust policies and procedures; effective risk management, and ensuring a healthy & safe environment. A diverse and engaged board means we bring a range of perspectives and experiences to the table, which reflects the Westlake community we represent.

I am seeking re-election along with three current Board members. We invite you to engage in this process to ensure a seamless transition as we welcome new Board members to the table and continue to progress the exciting projects currently underway.

My focus moving forward aims for a rapid recovery from the effects of Covid lockdowns, as we seek to attract international students, increase our income streams, increase the number of Board-funded teachers, and promote ongoing professional development. I will continue to prioritise the recruitment, development, and retention of the very best teachers, to ensure Westlake Girls High School remains at the cutting edge of girls’ education. I am also passionate for us to reconnect as a school community by making full use of our stunning Event Centre. It was an absolute pleasure for me to see this project through from conception to construction, and I look forward to seeing it come to life through showcasing our students, music & art celebrations, exhibitions, breakfasts, dinners, prominent speakers – and so much more! It’s been five years since we lost our hall after a fire, and we’ve missed this opportunity to connect on our home ground.

Here are a few key discussion points from our last Board meeting on 7 July.

Physical Education, Health and Sport Presentation

Head of Faculty for Physical Education, Health and Sport, Leisen Jobe, presented a curriculum review of the Faculty. She was joined by Kathleen Beckett (HOD) and April Ieremia (Director of Sport). The presentation included a graduate profile by the Physical Education, Health and Sport Faculty for each year group, and summarised results, highlights, and initiatives and changes. A snapshot of sports participation at WGHS was presented noting that a total of 1,070 students formally participated in the 45 different sporting codes on offer at the school in 2021. The largest participation sport was netball followed by volleyball, with the biggest growth being in snow sports.

Our people management team – totalling 378 coaches, managers and officials – were made up of teachers, support staff, community and students. A big Thank You to our community – we couldn’t do it without you!

Top 10 sports were netball, volleyball, football, hockey, touch, badminton, rowing, basketball, table tennis and water polo. Emerging sports included skiing, rugby sevens, swimming, orienteering and adventure racing. Participation highlights were noted, along with a run-down of performance and achievements of our top teams, and coverage of our elite sports students who are competing on the national and world stage.

Moving forward, a desired focus is on growing participation through greater awareness and promotion of sports and activities, including more non-competitive opportunities during school time. Encouraging students in all codes to ‘give back’ by coaching or officiating; giving them the tools to deliver to other students confidently; and to reward students with recognition and acknowledgements. In addition to attracting high calibre coaches who will guide our students as they progress up the performance ladder.

Other things of note included:

  • Five potential board candidates attended the meeting.
  • Financial Report noting no observations or recommendations arising from the external audit for the 2021 Annual Report – an impressive result.
  • Mid-year student progress report is scheduled for presentation at the August meeting.
  • Event Centre – opening celebration on 30 June was a wonderful occasion with the former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy addressing students, staff and invited guests, and unveiling the plaque. Visitors commented on the outstanding acoustics. Jane reiterated her thanks to all who have contributed to this project.
  • Cultural Wellbeing: The whānau group met to form a committee to progress fundraising for the Whare Wānanga.
  • Property Report – Final approval awaited from MOE for two weather tightness projects.
  • International Department Report – school taking advantage of marketing opportunities.
  • Open Night success with large numbers at two sessions, despite terrible weather.
  • Operational Policy Review – International students Policy.
  • Staff and Student member reports to the Board.

Ngā mihi nui

Joy Bradfield
Board Chair

Academic

Into the woods!

Our Year 9 CYGNET members were fortunate to visit Tree Adventures in Wood Hill Forest on Friday 29 July.

The fun team-building day challenged students to climb different levels. The students had a brilliant day – enjoying being outside after a stint of wet weather.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community

Smith's Bush predators lured with tasty treat

By Anja Filip
Westlake Kaitiaki

Westlake Kaitiaki has been up to some exciting things within our Adopt A Park project! Last term we set up some animal pest monitoring tools inside Smith’s Bush. Alongside an Auckland Council Park Ranger and local volunteer in the bush, we put out tracking tunnels and chew cards in efforts to identify some of the animal predators living in the bush.

We have been able to use our classroom learnings about introduced animal predators in Aotearoa and put these into action. Along with learning about the role of monitoring tools, we have also gained skills in how to set these up ourselves, identify animal tracks and animal bites, and the ways to maintain and reset tunnels and cards. 

For reference: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Chew cards are the white folded plastic. These are nailed to trees and have peanut butter on the sides to attract pests. The pests approach the chew card and then leave their bite marks for us to identify!
  • Tracking tunnels are small plastic black tunnels with a long white card and ink pad. Bait goes in the middle of the ink pad and attracts pests. The animals walk on an ink pad to reach bait, and walk out, leaving their tracks behind. 
  • The lure which we have used this time, is some trusty (and delicious) Pics peanut butter. 

From our monitoring, we have been able to detect rats, and mice through their bite marks and tracks. When we check the tools again, we may even find the marks of another culprit. Maybe some possums…. 

Carrying out this monitoring has provided us with the first step and an introduction into trapping/pest control. Soon we will start learning about traps and setting them. We also have some exciting activities based around plant ID, plant biodiversity, planting and freshwater coming up soon!

To keep updated with our progress, conservation work and to learn something new, have a look at our Instagram page: @westlakekaitiaki

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Academic

Attitude is everything when it comes to learning another language

はじめはして、

My name is Maia Chhour and I’m a Year 12 student at Westlake girls who has been taking Japanese as a subject for all four years that I’ve been at high school.

I want to share with you my experience with taking a language class as someone who struggles academically and perseveres through school with learning challenges including dyslexia and irlens syndrome that affect my ability to retain information and the speed of which I learn compared to my peers.

Despite the fact that I had always wanted to learn a new language, I could never learn my mother tongue and I had never thought that my learning changes would allow me to devote myself to learning a language. Dyslexia and language, in my opinion, did not go well together. So you can imagine my complete terror and insecurity when I learned that studying two language classes for our first year at Westlake would be compulsory as a year 9 student. I have never had a positive relationship with school or my self-confidence because of my learning differences. I was worried that when I entered my Year 9 Japanese and Chinese class, everyone would quickly become well ahead of me in the language, that my teachers would be frustrated with my lack of progress, and that I would be crushed under the pressure of being the only person in class who did not understand, never learning anything. However, I want you to know that all of these concerns were unfounded. I believe that all of you should go into a language class with confidence in yourselves and the same confidence that I have gained while learning a new language, despite any differences or worries you have.

Language classes in my experience have been very learning-based and not focused on the individual student’s grades but rather, on their personal growth and genuine interest in the subject. I found that there was never pressure to be an excellent passing student or even a passing student at all. Every day in Japanese class was a reminder that simply putting in the effort and having passion and excitement for the Japanese language was enough.

Furthermore, from my language classes, I learned that more than anything else, my positive attitude towards my academics was a top priority and that students in my class were not there for competition, but for support. It didn’t matter that other students could memorise more vocabulary than me or could learn sentence structures faster than me because I learned to understand that their strengths were not what I lacked, but what I could gain with their help.

I have become the closest with my Japanese class among all other classes because of this. Being able to walk into a classroom knowing that we are all in the same boat and just as anxious, despite everyone’s varying abilities, is very unifying. Taking Japanese has also allowed me to learn skills other than speaking Japanese, such as public speaking, learning to ask for help when I need it, and the ability of recognising and appreciating my own unexpected capabilities – all vital lessons for my confidence and me growing up through high school. My language class has become a safe space for me to learn at my own pace, socialise, and have fun in between my more stressful classes. 

I don’t regret deciding to continue learning a language after year 9 despite my learning challenges, and I would not change my experience or trade my knowledge and skills gained from being in a language class for the world. Don’t take a language because you think you may be good at it or let your worries stop you from taking a language. Join a language class because you enjoy it and because you want to. Just Go for it. Thank you for reading.

Community

Sharing a love of reading

The first chapter of the Westlake Girls’ buddy reading programme began well in Week One of Term 3. Every Thursday morning before school, students meet with their little buddies at the Milford Primary School library to sit with them and listen to them read.

The little buddies were clearly encouraged and took their reading very seriously.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Academic

Damla takes to the skies

By Damla Temizsoy
Year 13

Over the Term 2 holidays, I was fortunate enough to attend the School to Skies camp at Base Auckland, offered by the New Zealand Air Force.

Walking into the camp, I was terrified that I, someone who had no interest in joining the Air Force, was going to an Air Force camp! However after the icebreakers, I made fast friends with my group – amazing students who were like minded people, with similar goals to me.

Through the five days, we rotated through different trades (industries or areas in the Air Force), including comms, aircraft mechanics, avionics, and pilots. We got to see and experience what they did in their daily work lives. By actually doing the jobs they do (for example welding or fixing the landing gear of a T-6C Texan II training aircraft – pictured right), we each got to understand what we enjoyed and what we didn’t enjoy.

We lived on Base in the barracks, which also gave us a better understanding of what life would look like being in the Air Force. We were also told  about our option of studying while in the military, which I found was a great option to have. 

I loved having hands-on experience, from fixing a landing gear, to changing parts on an aircraft engine, to flying the Hercules (C-130) simulator. It was really fun and a great learning experience. I went into the camp, not having any expectations, but came out with a lot of great memories, as well as a better understanding of what military life looks like. It was definitely not what I expected, and while I decided that a military career right out of high school wasn’t for me, I saw areas that I enjoyed. I saw what I could potentially do, and now I have a Plan B if I can’t find what I am looking for at University. 

Community

Rotary Interact Group warms up winter

A big thank you to everyone who brought in donations for our Auckland City Mission Winter Appeal. We received a wide range of items including blankets, sleeping bags, gloves, socks, beanies, jackets, sweaters, other clothing and shoes.

We also received a large donation of items from Rotary – North Harbour, East Coast Bays and Westhaven. Below are photos of some of the items delivered to the Auckland City Mission on Saturday 9 July.

 

 

 

Pictured top from left: Jerry Norman (Rotary North Harbour), Mary Malkova and Manrui He (Rotary Interact members), Vivianne McDermott (TIC Rotary Interact at WGHS).

But wait … there’s more!

Rotary Interact has been super busy helping out in our community. You might remember that the group created and delivered cards to Hospice, Forest Hill Home and Hospital, and Starship Hospital to cheer up patients and residents.

Jin-Joo Lee, one of Westlake’s Rotary Interact members, is pictured left with some of the cards.

Here’s what Starship sent us:

“A quick note to say thank you so much for the beautifully crafted cards that were dropped off at the hospital. Starship can be a very scary place for a child, and while you may never know to whom, your support is making a world of difference rest assured. Your cards will bring smiles and comfort to children and their families in Starship.”  

We also have received communication that Forest Hill Home and Hospital would be interested in having more “volunteer companions”. They currently have several student volunteers from Westlake Girls – although they would always appreciate more.

If anyone is interested in such a role, please make contact directly with Natalie Burnside [email protected]

Community

Westlake Wellness - Mini Goals

Goal setting is an awesome way to work toward the things you want to achieve, however, sometimes life and barriers outside your control can get in the way. Instead of being disappointed about not achieving a larger goal, re-adjust and set yourself smaller goals that can contribute to your achievement of those bigger goals. By being more accepting of change and willing to adapt to your current situation, you can benefit your overall well being and sense of achievement.

To achieve anything you do have to invest some time and thought into how you might go about this, some suggestions are:

  • Write a list, the simple act of writing a goal down embeds it in your subconscious mind
  • Have a plan, this could be a spreadsheet, mindmap, post it notes, list in your diary
  • Give yourself a timeline to achieve these smaller goals, with realistic deadlines
  • Congratulate yourself on your achievements, take satisfaction in what you have done and how it is helping you to achieve your bigger goals
  • Discuss your goals with someone you trust to support and encourage you
Arts & Culture

Get ready for Westlake's first Variety Show!

Our amazing prefects have organised Westlake’s first Variety Show in our new Event Centre.

To be held on Friday 12 August, doors open at 6pm for a 6.30pm start. Tickets cost $5, with proceeds going to StarJam. StarJam is a not-for-profit where young New Zealanders with disabilities unleash their full potential through the magic of music, dance and performance.

A host of students and staff are lined up to take the stage, along with performers from StarJam. You won’t want to miss this night of exceptional talent.

Students are able to purchase tickets from the Golden Swan Cafe on Monday 8 August and Tuesday 9 August at lunchtimes. Eftpos will be available or if bringing cash, please bring the correct amount. If it hasn’t sold out prior, door sales will be available.

Academic

Students see Museum through fresh eyes

Year 12 Art History students visited the Auckland Museum as part of their internal assessment activity on a cold Wednesday 27 July.

Our museum building is one of the finest examples of Neoclassical architecture in the Southern Hemisphere. The students have studied Neoclassical art style earlier this year, so it came as a fresh learning experience being able to identify and analyse the important architectural features, even though many had already been to the museum on several occasions. Students will be considering unique aspects such as the integration of traditional Māori motifs within the classical style of the interior, to generate their own personal response for the internal assessment.

Inside, we were able to view the Māori portrait paintings by the highly acclaimed New Zealand painters Charles Goldie and Gottfried Lindauer. These paintings are regarded as national taonga and students were able to bring in their knowledge of the 19th century New Zealand cultural context to analyse their importance.

The trip was a meaningful experience which deepened the students’ understanding of the art styles and contexts previously learned.

Academic

Welcome to Westlake!

The first day of Term 3 was a pretty wet and miserable day weather-wise, but there was a warm welcome awaiting our 32 new International students as they joined the Westlake Girls High School whānau.

Ten of the students are long-term students, and 22 are here for 10 weeks. The students are from Japan, Germany, Korea, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Vietnam. Acting Principal Lucille Vukets, International Director Lauranne Croot, and International Prefects Clara Su, Krisha Lad and Roori Lee welcomed them during a ceremony in the foyer of our Event Centre. Their welcome pack included a school diary and International Handbook.

The students braved a school tour in the rain, and our Prefects organised a quiz on New Zealand. Then it was a process of logging into our school system and getting ready for class – accompanied by a buddy so they wouldn’t be alone.

It’s been a while in the making, but we are very excited to have new International students with us. We wish them all the very best for an amazing experience at Westlake Girls!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arts & Culture

Westlake well represented at music extravaganza

During the second week of the school holidays, Nota Bella Junior Choir was privileged to be part of Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand project ‘Carmina Burana’.

From July 21 – 23, singers from the three national choirs (New Zealand Secondary Students Choir, National Youth Choir and Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir), gathered together at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell. The choir of 120 was joined by two pianists and six percussionists and the work was conducted by Dr Karen Grylls, Artistic Director.

Nota Bella (conducted by Elise Bradley, and pictured above) was invited to sing as the Ragazzi (children’s choir). The bass soloist was James Harrison who teaches singing at WGHS and is the vocal consultant for Cantare and Choralation choirs. The soprano soloist was Natasha Wilson, who attended WGHS and sang in Key Cygnetures choir with Elise Bradley.

It was an amazing concert on the Saturday night and many Westlake alumni were singing, both staff and students, including our current HOD Music Fiona Wilson and past HODs Rowan Johnston and Elise Bradley.

Two students Bella Allan-Moetaua (Year 12) and Madi Jagger (Year 13), both pictured right, are current members of the New Zealand Secondary Students Choir.

 

 

 

 

 

Natasha Wilson is pictured with students from Nota Bella (left) and on the right are students, staff and alumni from WGHS.

 

Community

New price list for Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop has updated its price list for WGHS uniform. This is effective from Monday 1 August 2022. Uniform can be purchased in store or online: https://www.westlakegirls.school.nz/school-uniform-webshop. Please note you will need to register to purchase online.

Academic

Raw message highlights the importance of good decisions

On Thursday 18 July, Pat Buckley from Amped4Life spoke to the Y12 students about the importance of making good decisions throughout your life. As Pat says “You are free to make your own choices, however, you are not free of the consequences as a result of those choices”.

His presentation was informative, raw and real. Pat began Amped4Life back in 2002 with the objective to ‘educate, equip and empower young people with the tools and skills they need to make healthy and informed choices for life’.

He adds in his personal experience around drug use, as well as adding in work stories from his role as a Paramedic. The students saw what poor decision making and lifestyle influences could do when drugs are involved. A true eye opener for our students. 

Community

Altruistic August

It’s the last month of winter, so we could all do with a bit of cheering up, right? This awesome little calendar provides a daily prompt to be kind to yourself and to others. It’s the small details that can make a big difference!

Academic

Paralympian to present his amazing life story

We are very excited to announce that Liam Malone will be presenting to the Westlake Community on Wednesday 17 August from 6 -7pm in the auditorium at Westlake Boys.

Liam is widely known as the world number one blade runner, his story of hitting rock bottom while at university to turning it all around and receiving two golds and a silver medal at the 2016 Paralympic Games is nothing short of incredible.

Liam will share his very personal and raw story of adversity, losing his feet at 18 months old and then becoming a gold medal athlete!

Liam will discuss messages around:

* The capacity we all have to make significant change in our lives. Through sheer determination and hard work the impossible is achievable.

* Learning from our failures and not letting them define us.

Liam is nothing short of awe inspiring and truly knows how to WOW an audience, this presentation is not to be missed!

If you would like to attend this event please click on the link below to purchase a ticket. We encourage students to attend alongside their parents/caregivers, they will not require their own ticket.

https://bit.ly/liammalone

Arts & Culture

Costumes and visuals take out awards at ShowQuest

Our amazing troupe of dancers recently competed at ShowQuest, with great success!

After months of hard work and dedication, the Westlake performers won Best Costume and Enhancement, along with Best Use of a Video Wall. The group was also nominated for the ZM School’s Choice Award, and won ZM’s scavenger hunt – securing $150 worth of pizza!

Under the direction of Renae Dodds, the troupe’s performance was based on the changing face of femininity. Here’s the synopisis:

“Over the decades, the world’s attitude towards females has changed. Today, women are still fighting for respect, rights and opportunities. This performance showcases three storylines. The first is inspired by the Me Too movement, which raises awareness about sexual assault and helps survivors speak out. The second showcases the contrast between the old and new definitions of female success, straying from being a housewife to having a career. The final storyline is about embracing femininity despite living in a society that scrutinises women. We hope to encourage all women to embrace their voices and take on the world.”

Congratulations to all performers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arts & Culture

Gala Concert on TONIGHT

It’s not too late to come along to our Westlake Gala Concert this evening.

This is a wonderful showcase of choirs, chamber orchestras, concert bands, symphony orchestra and jazz bands – all comprising the wonderful talents of Westlake students from both schools.

There are two sessions and your ticket allows you in to either or both:

5 – 6.30pm
7.30 – 9.30pm

If you haven’t experienced the fantastic acoustics of our new Event Centre, here’s your chance!

Tickets will be available at the door. $20 adult, $12 student or senior citizen, $65 Family Pass (2 adults and 3 students/seniors).

Don’t miss this once-a-year music extravaganza!

Uncategorized

Great minds compete in NI finals

Over the holiday break, seven WGHS students competed in the New Zealand Physics and Mathematics Competition North Island Finals hosted at the University of Auckland. Two more students, Ella Wilson (Year 12) and Elaine Zhou (Year 10), also made the finals but were unable to attend.

This is a very prestigious competition which is by invitation only. Being invited means these students scored in the top 1% of students in the first round of the competition earlier this year. Well done!

Our students were:

Year 9
Jessica Ding, Cindy Tang

Year 11
Tara Yoo, Yun-Shiun Chen

Year 12
Debbie Lee, Natalie Shen

Year 13
Amaya Lichauco

The participants were from one of 44 schools competing – 160 students in total. The competition was tough, but a fantastic time was had by all. They enjoyed a 90-minute challenging examination, followed by an afternoon of food, university student group presentations, and lectures on super-charging their learning skills.

Sports

NZ Junior Volleyball team wins 5-0 against Australia

Westlake Girl’s dynamic libero, Holly Isherwood, was instrumental in the New Zealand U17 Volleyball test series victory against Australia during the July holidays.

The young Kiwi team played five tests in five days, touring from Tauranga to Hamilton and Cambridge before finishing the series in Auckland on Monday 18 July. They came away with a convincing 5-0 series win and the Jenny Kirk Trophy – which had not been contested between the young New Zealand and Australian teams since 2012.  The games were hard-fought with three of the 5 tests going down to the wire in 5 sets before a regimented 3 – 0 finish in the final test in Auckland.

Holly was ecstatic with the result, and the opportunity. “The tour was an amazing experience,” she says.
“I not only grew as a player but as a person. I got to make fantastic friendships with both my NZ teammates and the Aussie girls too. The games were long and competitive, but at the end of the day regardless of the result, we were still able to enjoy spending time with the Aussie girls.  I’m super grateful for the opportunity.”

The tour had been two years in the making for the for the NZ U17 team, and under the shadow of Covid 19, they were more than well-prepared for the unknown Aussies.

Sports

Westlake students part of gold-winning team

During the July holidays 20 boys and 20 girls basketball teams in the U15 age category competed for a national title at Bruce Pulman Arena in Takanini across four days.

Five teams from four regions had to qualify back in May to get to the Nationals. Westlake students Lily Fotu (Year 10), Emma-Kaye Schroeder (Year 10), Kaia Tuuta (Year 10) and Brennah Latoalevi-Nosa (Year 11) – who are part of the North Harbour representative team – competed in four pool games against Nelson (92:40 win), Porirua (86:20 win), Canterbury (86:35 win), Otago (96:46 win) before meeting Manawatu in the quarter finals (102:55 win).

The biggest test of the tournament was against old rival Hawke’s Bay in the semi finals on Friday evening. The North Harbour team lost to a very strong Hawke’s Bay team by over 20 points at an Easter tournament, but with three months of excellent preparation and a strong game plan, our girls came away with a convincing win of 89:69 when it counted.

The final match was against a strong Waikato team with many skilled girls but the North Harbour team dominated the game and finished to receive their Gold medal with a 87:60 win.

Pictured above from left are:  Lily Fotu,  Emma-Kaye Schroeder, Kaia Tuuta, Brennah Latoalevi-Nosa

Academic

MUNA brings together global citizens

By Zara Shreyoshi 
Year 12

The Dorothy Winstone Centre auditorium at Auckland Girls Grammar School this year welcomed over 94 teams from 48 schools to discuss and formulate solutions to the many global issues facing the United Nations and the world today.

Topics, including the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis, the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, the influences of renewable energy sources on climate change and the civil war in Yemen, sparked a series of enlightening and optimistic discussions. Dressed in the traditional clothing of their assigned countries, delegates walked the stage and delivered their speeches with passion and enthusiasm.

After weeks of preparation, the two Year 12 Westlake teams representing Bulgaria (Ishani Soni Singh, Frederika Clements, Kristy Zhang) and Gabon (Kirsten Abustan, Adriana Tobin, Dinithi Liyanage) delivered their arguments and positions with compassion and conviction on the many issues raised throughout the two-day assembly.

The Press Team, which consisted of 15 dedicated Westlake members, actively recorded the highlights of the event in the form of a newsletter and accompanying video. Between speeches, heated debates, rebuttals and Pita-Pit lunch breaks, all participants were able to unite and discuss what binds them together as global citizens. Founded and sponsored by Rotary International, such stimulating and eye-opening events such as MUNA truly opens doors for our future leaders to improve and thrive.

Thank you to the dedicated Social Science teachers who mentored, tutored and accompanied us, for their support and advice over the past six weeks.

 

 

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Leading the way!

Several students had some amazing  performances at the North Island and New Zealand Secondary School Orienteering champs over the holidays. Kate Borton is the National Orienteering Champion, and in the North Island event, Kate Borton and Kate Jobbins ran up an age group which makes the performance especially stand out. Results were:

North Island Secondary School Champs

Sprint at Epsom Campus 

Intermediate Girls (32 competing)

  • Kate Borton 1st
  • Kate Jobbins 9th

Long at Woodhill Forest

Intermediate Girls (27)

  • Kate Jobbins 3rd
  • Kate Borton 4th

Relay at Woodhill Forest

Senior Girls

  • Kate, Kate, Lucy 2nd
  • Overall Girls Small teams (< 5 competitors) 2nd

New Zealand Secondary School Champs

Sprint at Mountfort Park and James Cook High 

Intermediate Girls (49)

  • Kate Borton 1st
  • Kate Jobbins 18th

Long at Kohekohe (Manukau South Head)

Intermediate Girls (43)

  • Kate Borton 1st
  • Kate Jobbins 15th

Academic

Important Things to Note - 5 August 2022

Parent Teacher Interviews

Bookings are still available for our Parent Teacher Interviews on Thursday 11 August. You can book via the link sent to you last week, taking you to School-Point form. The interviews will be held from 4pm-7pm. There will be limited parking at the school. After 5pm, parking at Smales Farm is free.

Teacher-only Day

Monday 22 August is a Teacher-only Day at Westlake Girls High School. If your daughter is aged under 14 with no parents or older siblings at home during the day, please email [email protected] and we’ll arrange onsite supervision.

Term 3 Key Dates
Monday 25 July Start of Term 3
Thursday 28 July (3pm) Junior mid-year reports issued via the Parent Portal
Saturday 30 July Year 13 Ball
Thursday 4 August (3pm) Senior mid-year reports issued via the Parent Portal
Friday 5 August Gala Concert
Thursday 11 August Parent Teacher Interviews
Friday 12 August Westlake Variety Show
Wednesday 17 August Whānau Evening
Wednesday 17 August Dance Showcase
Monday 22 August Teacher-only Day
Thursday 25 August Media Studies Oscar Night
Monday 12 – Friday 23 September Senior School Exams
Wednesday 28 September Father Daughter Breakfast
Friday 30 September End of Term 3
Term 4 Key Dates
Monday 17 October Start of Term 4
Thursday 20 October Sports Awards
Monday 24 October Labour Day (school closed)
Tuesday 25 October Music Awards
Wednesday 2 November Special Awards Ceremony (day)
Wednesday 2 November Senior Academic Prize-Giving (evening)
Monday 7 November NCEA exams begin
Friday 2 December NCEA exams finish. End of school for Years 11-13
Friday 9 December End of Term for Years 9 and 10
Sports

Let's get behind Zoe!

Our amazing Zoe Crawford (Year 12) has been selected to represent New Zealand TWICE this year – in swimming and surf lifesaving. She will compete at the Junior Pan Pacific Games in Hawaii, followed by the Surf Lifesaving U19 World Champs in Italy.

These are fantastic opportunities for this incredibly talented athlete – but they come at a cost. To help ensure Zoe can fulfil her dreams, there is a fundraiser being held on Friday 19 August.

Come along for a fantastic night of fun – for a really great cause. Guest speakers will be Adine Wilson (former Silver Fern Captain), Jeff Wilson (former All Black and Black Cap) and Andy McMillan (NZ Olympian, Black Fins Captain and World Champion). There will be auctions, raffles and spot prizes, quizzes, tasty treats and beverages available, music and a dance floor! There’s your Friday night sorted!

Tickets are $25 which includes dinner. They are available HERE but be in quick!

For those who can’t make it on the night, there are three silent auctions in play.

  • I-Pad 4th Generation
  • $500 Hyper Drive voucher to spend online or in store
  • Artwork by Janine Barr

You can bid HERE. You will need to register and activate your account and then bid away! When registering, click on the eye icon to your password. Happy bidding!

Sports

Stunning medal haul at NZ Secondary Schools Swimming Champs

Golden Girls, Zoe Crawford and Savannah-Eve Martin (Zoe on the right of the image and Savannah-Eve left) led the Westlake Girls team to 6 medals at the recent New Zealand Secondary Schools Swimming Championship in Hamilton.

The exhausting 4 day event rewarded the 11 strong team with some fantastic swims culminating in a medal haul of 2 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze medals, plus a string of personal best times.

Savannah-Eve Martin, Westlake Girls Intermediate swimming champion, opened the medal haul with a Silver in Girls Under 16 100m Backstroke and a  personal best time of 1.02.08 before adding a bronze medal for the 50m backstroke.  However, it was her performance in the 50m Butterfly that had the team on their feet.  Starting as the underdog, Savannah-Eve surged forward from the outside lane to win Gold in a 28.78, another personal best.

Westlake Girls Senior Swimming Champion, Zoe Crawford, and member of the New Zealand Junior Swim team won Gold in the Girls U17 200m Backstroke with an impressive personal best time of 2.11.45. Zoe also won bronze in the 100m Backstroke with another personal best.  All heart pumping performances but the most heart-felt performance came from the Open Womens 8 x 50m Relay Team.  Ranked 5th going it the event, each member of the Westlake team knew that it would take a mammoth effort to reach the podium so they dug deep, swam hard and delivered some of their fastest performances to win Silver.

Congratulations to the relay team of Zoe Crawford, Doyoun Kim, Lena Hamblin-Ough, Julia Kim, Annabel Van Wyk, Mia Stanley Hunt and Savannah-Eve Martin (pictured below).

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