Te Roto Logo
Te Reo O Te Roto
The Language of the Lake
Issue 111 | 14 November 2025
From the Principal

Principal's Welcome

Kia ora and welcome to our second-to-last issue of Te Reo o Te Roto for 2025.

Today, we welcome the newest cohort of WGHS students for their Orientation Day. There is much excitement and, I’m sure, a few nerves, as they experience ‘tasters’ in all the different learning areas.

Recent Government announcements include a proposal to change the legal duties of school boards in relation to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Under the current legislation, boards are required to make ‘giving effect’ to Te Tiriti one of their primary objectives. The proposed change would shift this into a ‘supporting objective’, with educational achievement becoming the new ‘paramount objective’.

At Westlake Girls, our commitment to Te Tiriti is much deeper than meeting a legal requirement. We are very proud of our strong and long-standing relationship with Ngāti Pāoa, and we are grateful for the partnership that continues to enrich daily life at our school. Through our ongoing collaboration, we gain shared cultural insight and guidance, and together we have shaped our whare āhuru mōwai, Te Manawa o Hine Kahukura. Alongside this, we have a comprehensive programme focused on achieving equitable outcomes for Māori students.

The value of this approach extends well beyond legislative compliance. Ultimately, we believe it strengthens our school community and supports educational achievement for all Westlake Girls students. It reflects our shared commitment to respect, understanding, and genuine partnership. Honouring Te Tiriti remains central to who we are, shaping our values, our relationships, and the learning environment we create. The proposed legislative change will not affect the way we work or the approach we take.

Ngā mihi,

Jane Stanley
Principal

Sports

Westlake Girls Junior Volleyball Claims Auckland League Title

Sport Manager Kayla Allison-Carnie has revitalised the Junior Volleyball programme at Westlake Girls High School, guiding the team to a triumphant finish at the Auckland Secondary Schools Junior League this season. After several years of striving to regain winning form, this is great news!

The Junior A team, coached by Allison-Carnie and assisted by Juliette Vukets, secured the Auckland Junior League title last week with impressive victories over Carmel College and McLeans College, who were placed first and second, respectively, heading into the final round.

Westlake Girls defeated competition leaders Carmel College 25–15, 26–24, and followed up with a straight-sets win against McLeans College, 27–25, 25–17. With these results, the team enters the upcoming Auckland Secondary Schools Junior Championship as the top-seeded side and will then compete at the North Island Junior Championships from 18–21 November at Bruce Pulman Arena, Auckland.

Two days earlier, the WGHS Junior A team also produced strong performances in the highly competitive Harbour Super League, facing traditional powerhouses Rangitoto College and Orewa College in the final round. The team recorded a straight-sets victory over Rangitoto (25–22, 25–14), before narrowly falling to Super League leaders, Orewa (23–25, 23–25) to finish 2nd out of 34 teams. Orewa went on to finish sixth in the Auckland Junior League.

Congratulations to the Westlake Girls Junior A team for an outstanding season, and to standout Year 10 players Angela An, Lexi Turner, and Spencer Wright, who were named in the Harbour Super 12 Team in recognition of their exceptional performances throughout the season.

Volleyball continues to thrive at Westlake Girls, as the school’s second-largest sport, with 32 teams fielded across both competitive and social grades this year.

Westlake Girls Junior Volleyball Claims Auckland League Title

Harbour Junior Super League Results:

WGHS A – Junior A – 2nd

WGHS B – Year 10 A – 7th

WGHS C – Year 9 A – 18th

WGHS D – Year 9 B – 30th

Main photo above:  Junior A Team – Lexi Turner, Spencer Wright & Angela An

Arts & Culture

Westlake Music Quiz Night

Westlake Music is hosting a fabulous QUIZ NIGHT on Thursday, 4 December!

In April 2026, our four premier instrumental ensembles will embark on a tour to China, engaging in cultural and musical exchanges and performing for local communities. Our 84 musicians are looking forward to this trip so much, but we need your help to get there. This Quiz Night will be one of our major fundraisers for the trip, and we would love for our Westlake community to join us. It’s going to be a fun and fabulous night of quizzes, games, performances, raffles, and silent auctions, with food and drink available for purchase.

Put your team together now.

What better way to end the year than getting together with some colleagues and having a night of fun while supporting our students? Sign up with a team of 4-10 now! Tickets available here.

Thank you for your continued support of Westlake Music – see you there.

Community

Year 13 Leavers’ Event – our biggest yet!

On Thursday, 30 October, we held our largest ever Year 13 Leavers’ Event here at school. It was a very special occasion and a wonderful way to farewell our senior cohort as they prepare to take their next steps beyond Westlake Girls.

The afternoon was filled with laughter, memories, and heartfelt moments. It was fantastic to celebrate our students’ achievements and to see whānau, friends, and staff come together to share in their success.

A huge thank you to Julia and Anahera for their organisation, leadership, and support in making the event such a success.

We wish all our Year 13 students the very best for the future. You leave as confident, capable, and resilient young people, embodying the values that make Westlake Girls special — respect, integrity, community, kindness, and care for the environment.

We are incredibly proud of you all!

To see the full gallery of photos, click here and scroll down to the first gallery.

 

 

Arts & Culture

NZ Sculpture Onshore Schools Exhibition

We are thrilled to announce that Westlake Girls High School is part of this year’s NZ Sculpture Onshore Schools Exhibition. Our five Year 10 Art classes collaborated to create a sculptural installation titled Kaimoana Relics, which is proudly on display inside the fort.

Better yet, we are delighted to share that our installation has been awarded the High School Prize at this year’s exhibition!

NZ Sculpture Onshore runs from 8 – 23 November. For more information about the exhibition, visit: https://nzsculptureonshore.co.nz/.

Community Notices

The Uniform Shop summer hours

Here are the Uniform Shop’s opening hours during the summer holidays and Term 1, 2026.

Please note that there are two parts to the schedule.

Community

The WGHS 9-Hole Golf Day 2025

Now in its second year, the 2025 Westlake Girls 9-Hole Golf Tournament was held at Pupuke Golf Club last Friday, 7 November, with over twenty teams participating. The sun came out, it was a stunning day at Pupuke, and we raised money for our school’s Empowerment Fund!

Teams of four competed in the popular Ambrose format, playing either the front or back nine holes. Each course featured competitions for Closest to the Pin, Longest Drive, Best Dressed, and Winning Team.

Former Westlake student and staff member Deb Cachopa served as MC for the day – and also joined in the fun as part of the RSM Ladies team.

Several companies sponsored holes, with some providing on-course activations. The team from Tuckr kept participants fuelled with delicious food and refreshments, while AJ the DJ entertained players with music on holes 1 and 10 throughout the event.

Volvo North Shore and North Shore Toyota generously offered all participants the chance to win a luxury car experience through the silent auction – a two-day drive in one of their vehicles. The prize also included one night’s accommodation in the Premium Emerald Suite at The Emerald, Takapuna Beach, plus vouchers for the Takapuna Beach Café and Regatta Bar & Eatery.

Numerous local businesses contributed items for the prizegiving and raffle, with all proceeds going to the Empowerment Fund, helping to create more opportunities for Westlake students.

A huge thank you to all our participants, sponsors, and supporters for making it such a fantastic day.

Winning Teams

  • Front 9: Team Tuckr
  • Back 9: Dynasty Sport
  • Best Dressed: The Birdies
Community

Massive Congratulations to Pupuke – 2025 House Cup Winners!

After an incredible year of competition, teamwork, and school spirit, Pupuke has claimed the 2025 House Cup!

This year’s results were as follows:

1st – Pupuke: 3,499 points
2nd – Akoranga: 3,323 points
3rd – Onewa: 3,142 points
4️⃣ 4th – Wairau: 2,979 points
5️⃣ 5th – Hauraki: 2,930 points

Throughout the year, students earned points for their Houses through participation in school events, leadership, and cultural and sporting achievements.

Some standout moments from 2025 included:

  • Athletics Day, where Pupuke stormed ahead with a huge 502 points, showing strength across all track and field events.
  • AI Learning Units saw Pupuke perform consistently across all year levels, with particularly strong engagement from Year 9 students.
  • Cross Country once again showcased determination and spirit, with Pupuke taking out the top spot with 216 points.
  • In cultural and community activities such as Pi Day, Pink Parade, and Matariki Scavenger Hunt, Pupuke continued to demonstrate enthusiasm and unity.

From the track to the classroom and the stage, the energy and collaboration across all Houses have been exceptional. A special thank you to all our House Captains, Deans, staff coordinators, teachers, and students who contributed to an exciting and memorable year of House Point competition.

Congratulations, Pupuke House – your hard work, spirit, and consistency have earned you the 2025 House Cup! We can’t wait to see what 2026 brings.

Community

Tui Tuia Spanish Immersion Experience in Spain

During the recent school holidays, I was fortunate to be one of six Spanish teachers from New Zealand selected for a Tui Tuia Language Professional Development Immersion Experience in Spain.

Our journey began in Madrid, where the artwork and architecture of the Royal Palace were breathtaking. We also visited the Museo del Prado and Museo Reina Sofía, enjoyed a flamenco show, and explored the city on a walking tour.

We were then based in Salamanca, studying at the University of Salamanca—one of the oldest universities in the world, founded in 1218 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights included the Old and New Cathedrals, Roman Bridge, and Plaza Mayor.

Day trips to Ávila and Segovia showcased Roman ruins, the remarkable aqueduct, and Europe’s largest intact medieval city wall. We also deepened our understanding of Spanish art and history, getting up close to masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco.

This experience will enhance my teaching by bringing authentic cultural insights into the classroom, making Spanish learning more engaging for students, and enriching the Spanish department through new ideas and cultural activities.

By Teresa Winstone, Careers Advisor and Teacher of Spanish

Community

Second-Hand Uniform Shop hours

Friday, 21 November = Closed

Friday, 28 November = 12.30 – 1.15pm

 

Summer Hours

Friday, 16 January = 10 – 12pm

Saturday, 19 January =10 – 12pm

Friday, 23 January = 10 – 12pm

Friday, 30 January = 12.30 – 1.15pm

Friday, 6 February = Closed (Waitangi Day)

Menu