This week, we have launched the Westlake Girls Sports Hall of Fame on our website.

Westlake Girls High School has long been a beacon of sporting excellence, producing athletes who have represented New Zealand on the world stage and set records that continue to inspire future generations. From Olympic athletes to national representatives, the school has cultivated an environment where talent, dedication, and hard work thrive.

The establishment of the WGHS Sports Hall of Fame provides an opportunity to document and celebrate the exceptional achievements of these athletes, ensuring that their legacy is preserved for all to see.

Among the notable athletes celebrated in the Hall of Fame are canoeist Tara Vaughan, rhythmic gymnast Nikki Jenkins, and marathon runner Alison Roe, each of whom has made an indelible mark on New Zealand sport.

• Tara Vaughan, a former Westlake student, is a distinguished canoeist who has represented New Zealand at multiple international events, including the Olympics. Her dedication to the sport and numerous podium finishes make her one of the country’s foremost athletes in the canoeing discipline.
• Nikki Jenkins is widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s top rhythmic gymnasts. Her outstanding performances in regional and national competitions, as well as her representation of New Zealand at the highest level, have earned her recognition not only in New Zealand but also internationally.
• Alison Roe, a marathon runner and long-distance specialist, has achieved great success on both the national and international scene. A pioneer in women’s marathon racing, Roe’s triumphs include numerous national titles and a stellar performance at the 1981 Boston Marathon, where she became the first New Zealand woman to win the race.

As the Westlake Girls Sports Hall of Fame continues to grow, the school encourages the wider community to help ensure that all past and present New Zealand representatives are recognized. If you have competed at the top level or have notable achievements that should be celebrated, please contact April Ieremia, the school’s Director of Sport, to have your accomplishments added to the Hall of Fame.

To register, simply email April Ieremia at [email protected], providing details of the sporting achievement.

To view the Sports Hall of Fame on the website, see here. 

Westlake Girls shines!

Westlake Girls celebrated an outstanding sporting year with further recognition and accolades at the Auckland College Sports Awards, held last night at Eden Park. With 12 finalists named, Year 10 sailor Charlotte Handley began the honours haul for Westlake Girls, being recognised for her World Championship gold medal in France at the Feva Open Female Worlds.

Our top athlete, Karmen Maritz, was acknowledged shortly afterwards, winning the Auckland Girls Athletics Field Award. Emma Schroder was named the Top Female Auckland Basketballer, while Rhythmic Gymnast Athena Li received the Auckland Girls Gymsport Award. Westlake also secured all three finalist nominations in Ki o Rahi, with Jaelyn Marsh winning the top award in that category.

The celebration continued as rower Charlotte Mawston was named the Top Auckland Girls Rower, and Amaya Tan Peters collected the Auckland Girls Rock Climber of the Year Award.

Before the event concluded, national team champions were honoured on the Schools Teams Honour Roll, recognising Westlake’s three New Zealand Secondary Schools titles in Basketball, Rock Climbing (Bouldering), and Teams Racing Sailing.

Winning six Auckland College Sport titles is an exceptional way to conclude a truly memorable sporting year.

Congratulations to all the finalists and award recipients on their splendid season. You’ve represented the school wonderfully, and we couldn’t be prouder.

…with Junior Water Polo Bronze!

Westlake Girls Junior A water polo team competed at the North Island Secondary Schools Cup during Junior Tournament Week and won bronze in Division 2. The team started strongly on day one of the event, delivering a convincing 15–4 victory over Marist College, followed by a 9–5 win against Hamilton Girls’ High School. Day two presented tougher competition, but the girls secured a 7–7 draw with eventual silver medallists Waikato Diocesan, and a 10–3 win over Epsom Girls’ Grammar School B, whom they would later face again in the bronze final. On day three, Westlake narrowly defeated St Mary’s before taking a hard loss to Diocesan B, the team that would ultimately claim the Division 2 title. The tournament concluded with a triumphant 6–4 win over Epsom in the bronze final, earning the girls a well-deserved third-place finish.

Water polo is played year-round, with weekly training from Terms 2 to 4, all building towards the pinnacle event, the North Island Cup. Throughout Terms 2 and 3, the team competed in the North Harbour Schools League each Friday, followed by the College Sport League in Term 4. The Junior A team will conclude their season this weekend with their final matches in the Division 1 College Sport League.

A special thank you goes to our dedicated student coaches, Bella Rowe and Lucy Martin, for their commitment and enthusiasm throughout the year.

On a sweltering 28-degree day, Westlake Girls High School impressed spectators by securing the silver medal at the North Island Secondary Schools Junior Beach Volleyball Championship held at Mairangi Bay last weekend.

After defeating the Harbour Junior Champions, Carmel College, in the quarterfinals, the Year 10 pairing of Lily Herrett and Petrysse Gayaman went on to overcome Mount Albert Grammar School in a hard-fought three-set semifinal. They then faced a strong Mt Maunganui College duo, who were members of the team that claimed silver at the North Island Indoor Volleyball Junior Championships just the day before. Herrett showed exceptional grit, chasing down balls in the hot sand and delivering key attacking points with finesse, while Gayaman demonstrated composure and accuracy with her serving under pressure.

Westlake’s top Year 9 team, Cora Rodgers-Savea and McKenzie Te Awa, who had won the Harbour Year 9 Championship two weeks earlier, also performed strongly and achieved an admirable 5th-place finish. It is a proud result for Westlake Girls and an excellent showcase of emerging talent in the sport.

Last week, Westlake Girls took two talented teams to the Junior 3×3 Regional Champs in Tauranga, entering the competition with a mix of enthusiasm, excitement, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead. While they had a general sense of who our opponents might be, they knew that tough battles lay ahead.

Day 1:

The first day saw the Junior Elite team play four games, while the Junior Open team played five. The venue was muggy, and the games were fast-paced and intense. Both teams faced setbacks: the Elite team lost to Hamilton Girls, and the Open team fell to Orewa/HESSA. Despite these defeats, both teams ended the day with just one loss each.

Day 2:

On Day 2, both teams were ready to build on their previous performances. The Open team continued to demonstrate a strong sense of camaraderie and an unyielding “never give up” attitude. Their final game of the day, against the top-ranked Kristin team, was a hard-fought battle, with the score constantly shifting. In the end, they emerged victorious, placing them at the top of the table heading into the final day.

The Junior Elite team approached Day 2 with a calm yet determined mindset. They were focused on supporting each other and continued to build on their solid work ethic. A highlight of the day was their intense match against Te Kura o Te Koutu, the top-ranked team. With the score neck-and-neck, a single free throw secured the win for them. The Open team finished Day 2 with a perfect 5-0 record, while the Elite team finished 3-1.

Day 3: Finals Day

The excitement of Finals Day started early. The Open team faced Pukekohe in a match that went into extra time—a thrilling but unexpected challenge. Meanwhile, the Prem team had to play a quarterfinal against Tauranga, who were down a player. Both teams came through their respective matches, progressing to the semifinals.

In the semifinals, the Open team comfortably defeated Rotorua 6-0, while the Elite team took on Hamilton Girls, the team that had defeated them on Day 1. In a dominant performance, the girls shut Hamilton Girls out of the game, claiming the victory.

Grand Finals:

Both teams entered their respective Grand Finals in excellent spirits, mentally focused and ready for the challenge. The Open team faced Kristin, and their defence was impenetrable. Kristin struggled to get into the game, and the Open team cruised to a 7-2 win. The Elite team took on Te Kura o Te Koutu in a dominant display, with every player contributing to the victory. Their performance was flawless, and they secured the win 16-8 to hand Westlake Girls the impressive double win.