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Te Reo O Te Roto
The Language of the Lake
Issue 124 | 28 August 2026
Partners

Father Daughter Breakfast 2026

Olympian Jo Aleh Shares Lessons from a Life in Sailing

Around 300 fathers, father figures and daughters came together at Westlake Girls for our annual Father & Daughter Breakfast, with Olympic sailor and former student Jo Aleh sharing an inspiring account of the journey that has taken her from Westlake Girls to the highest levels of international sailing.

The morning began with music from 21 talented students, with the Westlake Girls Jazz Band and The Crimson Collective entertaining guests as they arrived for breakfast.

Associate Principal David Burton guided the morning as MC, with Principal Jane Stanley welcoming guests before Head Prefect Dorsa Jahedi and Deputy Head Prefect Charlotte Mawston joined Jo for a Q&A.

Jo’s ambition started early. At just 12 years old, she decided she was going to the Olympics and remained remarkably focused on that goal throughout her time at Westlake Girls. She spoke warmly about the support she received from the school as she balanced her education with an increasingly demanding sailing schedule.

That determination eventually took Jo to four Olympic Games and Olympic gold and silver medals. But she was equally candid about the challenges behind those achievements, including spending eight years working to break into professional sailing. Her advice to students was simple: keep pushing, back yourself and don’t give up.

Jo also reflected on how much women’s sailing has changed during her career. Today, as part of Emirates Team New Zealand, she hopes to see a woman represented on every boat at the highest level of the sport.

Perhaps her most powerful message was one she wishes she had learned earlier: enjoy the journey. It can be easy to become so focused on the next goal that we overlook the small wins, friendships and experiences along the way. For students in the room, it was a wonderful reminder to have a vision and work hard for it, without forgetting to enjoy getting there.

The breakfast also provided a special opportunity for fathers, father figures and daughters to connect and share time together before the school and working day began.

The annual event raises funds directly for the Westlake Girls Rowing Society, and we are incredibly grateful to our Rowing community for bringing the morning together.

Thank you also to our event partners Forsyth Barr, Canopy Imaging, Shakespeare Orthodontics and North Shore Flooring Xtra, and raffle sponsors Casio, Farro, Fantail & Turtle, O-Studio Takapuna, Pupuke Golf Club and Well Hung Artisan Butchery for their generous support.

And to everyone who joined us, thank you for making the 2026 Father & Daughter Breakfast such a memorable morning!

 

 

Sports

A Decade of Dominance for Year 9-1 Netball

Ten titles across 10 contested seasons have created an extraordinary legacy for Westlake Girls’ Year 9-1 Netball team.

The remarkable run continued last week when the 2026 team defeated Takapuna Grammar 31–26 in the Harbour Netball Year 9 Championship final.

Unbeaten throughout the season, Westlake knew the final would be a tight contest – and it didn’t disappoint. After 10 minutes, Westlake held just a one-goal lead. Swift play through the midcourt from Lauren Graham and Bonnie Collins, combined with accurate shooting from Indie Wood and Miller McLean, gave Westlake the buffer needed to pull ahead in the second quarter.

The final quarter tested the young team as Takapuna came back strongly, winning the quarter 7–6. However, intense circle defence from Latiyana Tuitupou and Avia Masaga delighted spectators and helped secure another Harbour Year 9 Championship for Westlake Girls.

Over the past decade, the Year 9-1 teams, coached by April Ieremia or Liz Page, have featured an impressive number of talented athletes who have gone on to represent New Zealand in their chosen sports. These include Kaia Tupu South and Karmen Maritz (athletics); Maddie Gerbes (softball); Holly Williams, Ellie Mintion, Charli Foster, Maddison Yee-Joy and Tai Baillie (touch); Imani Rasmussen, Amy Pateman, McKenzie Chatfield, Jess, Rebecca and Katie Moors (basketball); Rachel Dean (water polo); and Georgia Marshall (skiing), to name just a few.

Year 9-1 Championship Finals

  • 2026 – WGHS 9/1 vs Takapuna Grammar 9/1
  • 2025 – WGHS 9/1 vs Carmel 9/1
  • 2024 – WGHS 9/1 vs Long Bay 9/1
  • 2023 – WGHS 9/1 vs Carmel 9/1
  • 2022 – WGHS 9/1 vs Rangitoto 9/1
  • 2021 – WGHS 9/1 vs Whangaparāoa 9/1
  • 2019 – WGHS 9/1 vs Rangitoto 9/1
  • 2018 – WGHS 9/1 vs Carmel 9/1
  • 2017 – WGHS 9/1 vs Kaipara 9/1
  • 2016 – WGHS 9/1 vs Westlake 9/2

Ten titles. Ten years. One extraordinary legacy.

Arts & Culture

Red Carpet Ready for the Media Studies Oscars

The Media Studies Department rolled out the red carpet on Thursday 20 August for its annual Oscars Evening, celebrating the best Year 12 narrative music videos and Year 13 short films of 2026.

The staffroom was packed with students and their friends and whānau, who came together to enjoy an evening showcasing the creativity, technical skill and hard work behind this year’s productions.

The evening culminated in an awards ceremony recognising achievements across categories including Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Acting and Best Production Design.

The top award for Best Year 12 Narrative Music Video went to Angie Proskurina and Lisa Zhang for Poison, which follows a detective on the hunt for a femme-fatale thief.

Best Year 13 Short Film went to Frankie Feeney, Keira McAven and India Smyth for Faith In You, a short horror film about two girls who accidentally join a cult – with severe consequences.

Congratulations to all the students recognised on the night and to everyone who brought their creativity and filmmaking skills to the screen.

Academic

Westlake Girls sets a new benchmark at Mathex

Westlake Girls mathematicians set a new school benchmark at this year’s Mathex competition, with both Year 9 teams finishing in the top 10 percent and one Year 10 team recording the highest Mathex score in Westlake Girls history.

The fast-paced Auckland-wide mathematics competition challenges teams to solve problems as quickly and accurately as possible, putting mathematical knowledge, teamwork and the ability to perform under pressure to the test.

Westlake Girls fielded four teams this year, two each from Year 9 and Year 10, with all four delivering strong performances.

The record-breaking results capped off an outstanding competition for our students and set an exciting benchmark for Westlake Girls Mathex teams in 2027.

Academic

Maths Week Wrap

Quizzes, Kahoots, challenges and a particularly pointless maths joke kept students and staff busy during another fun-filled Maths Week at Westlake Girls. 

A dedicated group of Year 12 mathematicians helped bring the week to life, organising activities across the school. Junior students put their skills to the test with online quizzes and classroom Kahoots, while students and staff joined in school-wide challenges throughout the week.

Congratulations to our Maths Week winners:

  • Coordinate Colouring Champions: Jodi Potter (10ACN) and Ineawa Wilson (10HPU)
  • Lolly Jar Guessing Competition: Alice Oh (Year 13) – Student winner; Whaea Maddi – Staff winner
  • Best Maths Joke: Molly Newman (9WAB), with the classic: “What did the triangle say to the circle?” Answer: “You’re pointless!”
  • Online Quiz Winners: Miu Takasaka (10OHK), Annie Hou (10HCP), Jhrynne Malong (10AGD) and Saja Alshatrat (9PHK)

A big thank you to the Maths Department, our Year 12 organisers and everyone who got involved and helped make the week such a memorable one.

Academic

International Students' Breakfast Club

More than 50 international students came together for the Term 3 International Breakfast Club, a much-loved tradition that brings students together over good food, conversation and plenty of laughter.

Held once each term, the breakfast provides an opportunity for international students to connect, welcome new students and farewell those nearing the end of their time at Westlake Girls. The menu combines Kiwi favourites with familiar dishes from home, creating a little taste of both home and host culture.

What began as a simple shared breakfast has grown into a lively cross-cultural gathering, with students and staff sharing stories, building friendships and, on occasion, starting the school day with an enthusiastic round of karaoke!

Hosted by our International Department, the Breakfast Club is ultimately about creating a sense of connection and belonging for students who are studying far from home, and celebrating the different cultures and experiences they bring to our school community.

Whakatau mai i tōu wāhi, nō konei koe.
 Settle into your place; you belong here.

 

Academic

Historic Season for Westlake Debating

Sixty-one debaters, 11 teams and three octofinals appearances made 2026 a standout year for debating at Westlake Girls.

Competing across the Auckland Schools Debating (ASD) competitions, Westlake Girls fielded four Junior Open, four Senior Open and three Advanced Open teams, with students putting their critical thinking, quick wit and persuasive speaking skills to the test throughout the season.

Teams tackled a wide range of challenging New Zealand moots, including whether the government should provide financial incentives for people to move out of Auckland, whether voting should be compulsory, whether monetary rewards should be offered to help solve crimes, and whether substantial low-income housing should be built in wealthy neighbourhoods.

Their hard work produced excellent results, with two Advanced Open teams and one Senior Open team qualifying for the octofinals, placing them among the top debaters in the region.

The Thorburn Cup returns

Another highlight was the return of the Thorburn Cup, the traditional annual debating clash between Westlake Girls and Westlake Boys, which had not been contested since 2021.

The rivalry returned to the stage on 5 August, with teams debating the motion, “This House regrets the advertising of mental health awareness content on TikTok.” Westlake Boys took the affirmative, while Westlake Girls argued the negative.

Both teams delivered a closely contested debate, demonstrating sharp reasoning and strong rebuttal skills before Westlake Boys ultimately secured a narrow victory.

Thank you to Mr Dugmore, who joined a Westlake Boys debating coach on the adjudication panel for the event.

Congratulations to all our debaters for their preparation, commitment and team spirit throughout the season. Their results reflect an exciting year for debating at Westlake Girls and provide plenty to build on for 2027.

Pictured from left: Naba Rahman, Rosa Morris, Nicole Lau, Matthew Heng, Ryan Thach, Harrison Xiao, Dorsa Jahedi and Laura Mackenzie.

Arts & Culture

Art History Comes to Life in Auckland

Year 12 Art History students swapped the classroom for two of Auckland’s cultural landmarks recently, visiting Auckland War Memorial Museum and Auckland Art Gallery to explore how art and architecture reflect the time and place in which they were created.

Perched high above the city, Auckland War Memorial Museum provided a chilly but valuable setting for students as they developed their personal responses to the design and meaning of the 1920s building. Its imposing scale, Neoclassical columns and portico, carved friezes and imported English stone façade provided plenty to examine, with students considering how these architectural elements connect with the significant social and political changes that have shaped Aotearoa New Zealand since colonisation.

The learning continued at Auckland Art Gallery, where students examined the intricately detailed portraits of Gottfried Lindauer and considered how his work documented a period of significant cultural and social change in New Zealand.

Experiencing these works firsthand gave students the opportunity to consider how artists and designers communicate ideas shaped by a particular time and place. By examining symbols, style and historical context, students were able to deepen their understanding of the stories and perspectives held within both art and architecture.

Arts & Culture

Drama Students Inspired by ATC’s Macbeth

Wednesday 19 August saw our Year 10, 11 and 12 Drama students head to the ASB Waterfront Theatre for a captivating matinee performance of Auckland Theatre Company’s Macbeth.

From the opening scene, students were drawn into a bold, modern interpretation of Shakespeare’s dark tragedy. Set within a gritty contemporary world, the production brought themes of political volatility, unchecked ambition and psychological turmoil firmly into the present day.

The production design was a particular highlight, with a striking central water feature doubling as a pool where characters attempted to wash away guilt and blood. Combined with an atmospheric soundscape and dramatic lighting, it created a powerful sensory experience that brought the play’s darker themes to life.

Students returned to school energised and buzzing with discussion, taking plenty of fresh inspiration into their own theatrical performance work.

Year 10-12 Drama students in the audience
Sports

White Ferns star shares batting expertise

A taste of international cricket came to Westlake Girls recently, with White Ferns player and Auckland Hearts captain Maddy Green joining our cricketers for a special pre-season training session.

With the focus firmly on batting, students had the opportunity to learn from one of New Zealand’s leading cricketers, picking up valuable skills and insights as they prepare for the season ahead.

Notices

Teeing Up for a Cause!

Our annual Westlake Girls Golf Day returns this November, bringing our community together for an afternoon of friendly competition while raising funds for the school’s Empowerment Fund.

Teams of four will take on an Ambrose format across either the front or back nine at Pupuke Golf Club, with competitions for Closest to the Pin, Longest Drive, Best Dressed and Winning Team.

There are plenty of ways to get behind the day – gather a team, support us as a Hole Partner, or donate a prize for the raffles and silent auction.

Every contribution helps the Empowerment Fund create opportunities for Westlake Girls students.

For further information or to get involved, contact Dean Flyger at [email protected].

Thanks to our valued partners!

Shakespeare Orthodonist Volvo Canopy Imaging

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