If you are looking for a special hand-crafted gift, do we have a deal for you!
Our Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) student businesses are up and running – with a range of beautiful gifts for purchase.
YES is a programme operated for all Year 13 Business Studies students in 2021 which aims to inspire young people to discover their potential in business and in life.
This programme sits alongside two internal standards offered (Marketing Plan and Business Activity) which represents 15 NCEA Level 3 credits.
The groups are required to follow sustainable practices aligned with Kaitiakitanga which protects the current resources for future generations.
They have been busy planning the marketing, sales, production, human resources, operations and finance areas of their business and attending various market days at venues outside of school. They have also attended a competition at AUT where they presented a sales pitch to judges (similar to Dragon’s Den). Each group has a business mentor from the local community to provide guidance and support throughout the programme.
The groups can be commended on their performance for the YES Challenges (including sales pitch) undertaken and for the progress they have made so far selling their products over the last two months.
The 15 groups involved in this programme have developed a range of amazing products as can be seen on our website:
https://www.westlakegirls.school.nz/business-group-enterprises/
From there, you can visit their websites or social media platforms and support their business ventures.
After the outstanding success of 2019’s Les Misérables*, Westlake Schools will combine once more for the 2021 school production: Socially Distanced Shakespeare. And so, it is time to secure your tickets!
It could seem daunting for some – no phones, no communication or contact with home, leaving basically everything and everyone you know behind and setting sail for 10 days with people you had met just hours ago. Luckily for me growing up being out on the boat every weekend, the Hauraki Gulf was familiar territory, however, for others, this was their first time being in Auckland, let alone ever on a boat. An open mind and a positive attitude went a long way at these beginning stages, getting a grasp on what the next 10 days had in store for us, but little did we know the lifelong friendships we were about to make and the unforgettable experiences we were about to take on. 
Some of the main standout activities we did across the 10 days were climbing, swimming, hiking, rafting, and most importantly, sailing. Each brought their own set of challenges, adrenaline and excitement, providing countless opportunities for learning and connecting with each other. A standout moment for me however, was sailing back from Great Barrier to Kawau Island. We were struck by 4 metre swells that remained consistent for about 5 hours, and I was lucky enough to be able to stand out on the bowsprit through this storm, embracing the chaotic weather that was surrounding us. Being so immersed with nature and really taking in the ocean was super special for me. As the outdoors is one of my biggest passions, I found this such a moving experience, really validating why the outdoors holds so much importance to me. Unfortunately, others on this day were not so immune to the sea sickness as I was, and I ended up being only 1 of 4 people that wasn’t harnessed into the lifeline with their head off the side of the ship. 
This experience will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will never forget the valuable things it has taught me and made me realise. From adjusting to training one or two times a day, multiple times a week and never missing a day of school, to suddenly having 10 days of all-new circumstances, it definitely was a shock to the system, but one I was beyond ready and excited to embrace. Everyday things like hot showers, Milos, or being able to kick a football, became such luxuries. We were doing fine without them, but it made us realise how much importance we attach to these things, rather than embracing all the exciting moments and experiences around all. 
Kaira Wohlfarth (Year 9), pictured on the left of the image
Tuesday was Spanish day. This day included a Spanish version of the previous day’s French activity. Along with a wonderful stall selling yummy French Macarons,
s a Choreographer for the Ballroom Troupe (pictued top and left), I put in a lot of work over
Lyrical Troupe is one of the Westlake Girls Dance Troupes that rehearses Wednesday mornings and is made up of 9 students who have a passion and talent for dance. For the last term we have been working on learning and rehearsing a dance choreographed by myself a.k.a Sarah Penny and my fellow Troupe Leader Tiffany Fong to the song Dog Days are Over by Florence + the Machine. 
Maddy (pictured right), who was part of the world-famous dance crew Royal Family, and performed in Justin Bieber’s “Sorry” music video, says her aim at Westlake was to give students an opportunity to try a dance style they may not have considered before. “This was a safe place to learn something new with people they know,” she said.
Westlake Girls had 4 students compete at the Auckland Secondary Schools Rogaine Championships in Orienteering on Tuesday 15 June at Totara Park in Manurewa.
A great crowd of students and parents turned out on a chilly winter’s evening to learn more about the opportunities for young women within the trades. “We were thrilled with the great turn-out from our school community,” says organiser Gemma James from Westlake’s Career Department.
“By hosting a Trades event at a girls school we were able to actively challenge the stereotypes that are often attached to the trades,” says Gemma. “We were impressed by the number of junior students who are already thinking about pathways beyond school, and open to new ideas.” She said the evening had attracted positive feedback, from both attendees and participants. “It was incredibly empowering to see other young women thrive in industries I hadn’t considered before,” says one student.
