On Friday, 9 June, Year 13 biology students Dania Al-Naime and Ruby McNamee participated in “Molecular Methods” at Massey University’s Albany campus. Students used the advanced equipment in Massey’s biology department to get hands on experience in modern DNA manipulation techniques. They ‘spliced’ DNA using restriction enzymes and separated sections of DNA using gel electrophoresis. Dania and Ruby were fortunate to have this experience so early in their biology careers, as this high-tech equipment is normally only available to biology students enrolled at University.

The STEAM programme at Westlake Girls has been selected to be part of the Organisation forEconomic Cooperation and Development (OECD) first comparative international study on
“Career Preparation in a Rapidly Changing World” ewa across 10 OECD countries, including New Zealand.

The OECD’s work on education helps individuals and nations to identify and develop the knowledge and skills that drive better jobs and better lives, generate prosperity and promote social inclusion. The study is being led by an American analyst, Dr. Paul Herdman, who visited Westlake Girls and conducted interviews with current and former STEAM students. During Dr. Paul Herdman’s visit to Westlake Girls High School, he conducted interviews with current and former STEAM students. They highlighted the positive impact of the programme, specifically noting the following features: curriculum integration, project-based learning, and engagement with real-world problems through community projects.

The students noted how the ESTEAM program at Senior school, which incorporated Entrepreneurship and Enterprising skills continues to build on this foundation by providing rich opportunities to immerse themselves in the world of work, understand the rapidly expanding career pathways (including emerging careers), and develop the skills and capabilities required to successfully navigate and enter the workforce.

We are very proud of our success in developing opportunities for students to acquire the skills and capabilities needed for the world of work specifically in the STEM/STEAM fields. We provide students with opportunities to immerse themselves in the world of work and understand the rapidly expanding career pathways, including emerging careers.

Our STEAM Coordinator, Susana Tomaz was invited to present at the Asia Pacific Summit for Girls Education this month and showcase the programme. Her presentation highlighted the programme’s success in empowering girls through STEAM pedagogy, collaboration, and community engagement. In particular, how it develops competencies for the future and engagement in pursuing STEAM career pathways.”

On Monday, 12 June, a group of students interested in construction careers attended an inspiring and hands on “Girls With Hi Vis” event at Fletcher Living’s Whenuapai housing development. Jasmin Lawrence, a finalist in this years National Women in Construction Awards, is the housing development’s site manager and organiser of the event. She planned a day jam packed with construction experiences and apprenticeship information. Students learnt what roles apprentices can enter from the ground up – from concrete laying, carpentry, joinery, engineering, electrical, house design, plastering, painting, brick laying; as well as account management and project management.

Students were informed of the limitless pathways in construction for women, and owners of electrical, painting and carpentry companies explained the benefits of having women in their teams; a particular aspect they value is the attention to detail a woman tends to bring to these roles.

A special part of the Whenuapai housing development is that it will feature a remarkable new home – one that will be planned, designed, built, marketed, and sold entirely by a team of more than 40 women.

We took 18 students in Year 12 and 13 to Massey’s Auckland and Manawatū campuses for the annual Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and Health Experience Day on 1 June.

This was to inspire students to consider careers in Health and STEM subjects which has been identified as an important commitment towards helping solve future problems for New Zealand and the world. The answers to future problems come from exploring topics such as climate change, food production security, house for new cities, preparing for natural disasters, caring for our planet and it’s animals, cybersecurity management, developing new technologies and sustainable nursing.

After being formally welcomed onto each campus with a mihi, the students got to attend two interactive workshops in the subjects of their choosing. The sessions included Engineering, Computer Science, Speech and Language Therapy, Zoology, Construction, Nursing, Food Technology, Psychology and Biology and Genetics.

The STEM and Health Day at Massey University presented us with various workshops, ranging from the complexities of Psychology to the world of Zoology.

With pipettes in hand, we carefully extracted DNA strands from our own cheek cells, marvelling at the intricate molecular structure. After that, we dove into the world of coding, as we challenged ourselves to write simple programs to produce an interactive game. The day left us feeling refreshed, as we not only gained a deeper understanding of the building blocks of life but also honed our problem-solving skills through coding, nurturing both our scientific curiosity and our physical well-being. Angeline Lulu, Year 13 and ex-STEAM student

WGHS International Department had the privilege of hosting a delegation of teachers and education agents from Japan previewing our school for partnership in an overseas study programme for Japanese students, organised through Study Auckland and Education NZ. Our Kapa Haka welcomed the group by performing a medley of songs and our new school haka which the visitors were very impressed with.  The group was taken on a school tour highlighting the wide variety of academic and extra-curricular activities students can participate in.  Our Japanese students and international prefects shared their experiences of studying at Westlake Girls High School and living in Auckland.

This was a great opportunity to showcase our school.

On Wednesday 14 June 2023, Pat Buckley (from Amped4Life) spoke to the Y13 Health students about Methamphetamine in support of their learning for their current Health internal – Analysing a New Zealand Health issue. 

His hour long presentation was informative, raw and real. Pat begun Amped4Life back in 2002 with the objective to ‘educate, equip and empower young people with the tools and skills they need to make healthy and informed choices for life’.  He adds in his personal experience around Drug use, impacts of others drug use on his life as well as adding in work stories from being a volunteer worker for St John Ambulance. 

“I liked hearing what he had to say, it was full on but good” – Student A

“The stories were interesting, and I was surprised to hear the locations of where the call outs were too. I knew those places!” – Student B

https://amped4life.net.nz/