From making history at Ngā Manu Kōrero to welcoming international hockey teams, celebrating Matariki and strengthening connections with Ngāti Pāoa, Te Puna ō Hiwa-i-te-Rangi ākonga embraced a remarkable range of cultural, leadership and learning opportunities throughout Term 2.
For the first time in Westlake Girls’ history, students represented the school across all four divisions of the regional Ngā Manu Kōrero speech competition. Amelia Moke, Blake McLeod, Avia Masaga and Olivia Retimana delivered powerful speeches exploring identity, unity, environmental responsibility and belonging.
Olivia earned third place with her moving speech, Home: The Place Your Soul Bookmarks. Blake and Avia each placed fifth, while Amelia secured sixth place in the highly competitive Senior Māori division.
Te Rerenga Wāna also represented Westlake on an international sporting stage, performing haka pōhiri throughout the Hockey Nations tournament in Auckland. Groups of 10 ākonga welcomed the New Zealand Black Sticks and visiting international teams onto the turf before each game, demonstrating considerable commitment across a demanding week of performances.
Back at school, ākonga led lunchtime activities during Matariki Week and attended weekend wānanga to prepare for their Matariki performance at Westlake Boys. Te Puna students also contributed to the school’s ANZAC assembly, welcomed new citizens at a citizenship ceremony, performed for residents at a local retirement village and helped welcome Hamilton Girls’ High School for the schools’ inaugural sports exchange.
A three-part wānanga series hosted by Ngāti Pāoa gave students further opportunities to learn about significant whenua, history, whakapapa and environmental restoration. Their experiences ranged from visiting Pūkorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre and sites across East Auckland to an overnight stay at Piritahi Marae on Waiheke Island.
Year 9 ākonga strengthened relationships during their Term 2 camp, while Māhina Browne celebrated success closer to home by winning the Year 9 speech competition with her presentation on why respect is important.
Together, these experiences made Term 2 one of learning, service, performance and connection – with Te Puna ākonga representing Westlake Girls proudly both within the school and across the wider community.
  |
  |
  |
