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Te Reo O Te Roto
The Language of the Lake
Issue 85 | 21 June 2024
From the Principal

From the Principal

Kia ora, Westlake Community,

Welcome to our latest newsletter, filled with vibrant articles highlighting our school’s incredible diversity and talent. Last week, we celebrated International Language Week. Our school’s members come from many different backgrounds, enriching our community with unique perspectives and experiences. You might not know this, but we speak over 30 languages among our staff.

It’s easy to give lip service to concepts like cultural diversity, but at Westlake, we live and breathe it actively. It was wonderful to see so many people, including staff, dressed in cultural clothes to celebrate last Friday, and Señor Joaquín Ginés positively lit up our Staff Briefing in his magnificent sombrero!

I’m also thrilled to share stories from our National Dance Competition, the success of our Squash team winning a silver award, the Ururoto Piano Quartet’s participation in the 60th annual New Zealand Chamber Music Contest (NZCT), our vibrant Korean Night, and much more. These stories illustrate the exciting activities and achievements that make Westlake Girls High School such a dynamic, inspiring, and diverse place.

Despite all this happy news, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the tremendous impact of Actura’s recent liquidation. The students involved and their families are, understandably, devastated. As a school, we are doing all we can to support them.

I hope you have a lovely weekend.

Warm regards,

Jane Stanley

Principal, Westlake Girls High School

Uncategorized

AIMES

AIMES Emerging Talent and Scholarship Awards recognises young stars

Talented and dedicated youth from North Harbour were honoured at the North Harbour Club’s ‘AIMES Emerging Talent and Scholarship Awards’ on 13 June, with 16 individuals recognised for their outstanding achievements across Arts, Innovation, Music, Education, Sport, and Service to the Community.

At just 14 years old, Shan Liu made history as the first person to win consecutive AIMES Awards in Scholarship (2023) and the Emerging Talent Award (2024), also becoming one of the youngest recipients of the Emerging Talent Award to date.

“Receiving the AIMES Emerging Talent Award will support my musical journey and inspire me to give back to the North Harbour Club and local community,” said Liu. “This award not only celebrates my accomplishments but also emphasises the importance of nurturing emerging talents, fostering innovation, and driving growth in the music industry.”

Each recipient received $7,500, with fellow Emerging Talent Award winners including Miles Timmis (21) in Arts, Janayah Wadsworth (19) and Shan Liu (14) in Music, Summer Osbourne (18), Josh Armit (22), and Tara Vaughan (20) in Sport.

Additionally, ten AIMES Scholarship Awards were presented, each recipient receiving $3,000.

Among the recipients was 13-year-old Alpine skiing racer Anna O’Reilly, recognised for becoming New Zealand’s top-ranked under 14 female slalom skier and national U14 champion in slalom, giant slalom and super G.

“I extend my heartfelt thanks to the North Harbour Club and all sponsors for their support of these scholarships. This grant will cover coaching costs for my 2024 Alpine skiing season,” said O’Reilly.

Other recipients included Joel Bird (17) in Arts, Fuwen Aston Ding (14) in Innovation, Haifeng (Charles) Xing (13) and Lisa Murata Gutierrez (13) in Music, Luis Vallejo-Mohl in Education, Xavier Wetere (19) in Community Service, Bailey Flavell (16), Kaiha Gilbertson (17), William Mason (14), and Anna O’Reilly (13) in Sport.

North Harbour Club President Mike Atkinson acknowledged the club’s founding members and supporters since its establishment in 1995, having contributed over $3.2 million to date.

“We’ve been consistently impressed by the exceptional talent seen in nearly 200 entries for the AIMES Awards program over the past year,” noted Atkinson. “Our Judges Panel had the honour of selecting the most outstanding winners for the AIMES 2024 Emerging Talent and Scholarship Awards.”

Notices

Teacher-Parent Conferences

Teacher/Parent Conferences will be held on Tuesday, 25 June from 4:00-7:00 pm. Bookings are made by logging into School Bridge and following the instructions given – this will be open from 3.30 pm on 20 June, and it will close at 12 noon on 25 June.

If there are any problems, please contact the front office.

Tel: (09) 489 4169

Email: [email protected]

Community

Westlake Wellness- Food for Fuel

By Technology teacher, Elizabeth Beaumont

Food is delicious, and eating food is one of our most common social activities and essential for survival.

Adolescents have very specific food requirements to enable them to get the nutrients they need to grow and develop into healthy adults. Nutrients are not only required for fuel but also for muscle development, blood formation, the building of strong bones and teeth, and the production of all those adolescent hormones.

Identifying, purchasing, preparing, and consuming foods that meet these requirements is an important skill for adolescents to learn. It can benefit long-term health, potentially preventing some illnesses and diseases later in life.

Fresh vegetables and fruit

These provide energy, fibre, vitamins, and minerals.  Regularly eat a variety of colours of fruit and vegetables to get the benefit of the different nutrients they provide.

Fish, legumes, nuts, seeds, and meat

Proteins are the building blocks of body tissue. Eating protein is essential to gaining the full range of amino acids for growth and development. Foods rich in protein often also contain other valuable nutrients, such as chickpeas, which are rich in fibre, and meat, which contains iron.

Calcium-rich products

Calcium-rich products such as dairy and almonds provide the nutrient calcium needed to build strong bones and teeth. Low-fat versions are best for adolescents; remember, one ice cream scoop counts as a calcium serving!

Whole grain breads/cereals

These are an excellent source of slow-release energy in the form of complex carbohydrates. Whole-grain versions also provide fibre and some vitamins and minerals.

Arts & Culture Community

Filipino Club News

ASB Showgrounds

On 8 June, the ASB Showgrounds came alive with the vibrant rhythms of Tinikling dancers Alleia Muit (9ODR) and Gianna Errazo (10WZH), accompanied by a captivating singing performance by Rosheen Crisostomo (9HML). The event, held in celebration of Philippine Independence Day, showcased the rich cultural heritage and lively traditions of the Philippines, enthralling the audience with its colourful and dynamic displays.

Cultural Day at WGHS

The Westlake Girls High School Cultural Day on 14 June was a vibrant celebration of Filipino culture. The event allowed students and community members to immerse themselves in the diverse and colourful traditions of the Philippines, featuring traditional dances, music, and cultural exhibits that highlighted the unique Filipino spirit and heritage.

Philippine Independence Day

The 126th Philippine Independence Day was celebrated with festivity at the New Lynn Community Centre on 15 June. The event highlighted Filipino heritage through cultural performances, traditional foods, and a spirited community gathering. Students had the opportunity to model Likha NZ Barong and Filipiniana dresses, adding elegance and authenticity to the celebration of Philippine independence and culture.

Community

Chess Success

WGHS Pupil Shines at Auckland Girls Chess Championship

Kavin Vignesh competed in the Auckland Girls Chess Championship recently, and won five out of six of her games, earning eligibility for a trophy and medal in the Under 14 category.

The top six girls, including Kavin, excelled in the 12+ category. Trophies, medals, and participation certificates will be sent to schools soon. Congratulations to all participants!

Arts & Culture

NZ Chamber Music Contest

On Wednesday, 5 June, five groups of 22 Westlake Girls and Boys students competed at the 60th annual New Zealand Chamber Music Contest (NZCT). The competition allows high school students in New Zealand to perform in a small, unconducted ensemble and enjoy playing music together. This year, Westlake had a variety of combinations of instruments, including strings, winds, piano, saxophone, and voice.

For us, the Ururoto Piano Quartet, our chosen piece was Bagatelles, Op.47 by Antonín Dvořák, Movements I, III and V. One of the most challenging aspects of this piece was ensuring a good balance between each instrument part, as well as cohesiveness in certain sections.

Preparation for the competition included weekly rehearsals on a Wednesday morning, listening to the piece, practising in our own time and communicating with each other, especially when the performance date was moving closer. Doing so required us to be comfortable, willing to learn and committed to the music in our practices and performances.

This was a memorable experience for us in our last year of high school, as it was one of the first times we have had an opportunity to play as a group outside of the classroom. We enjoyed the experience and would highly recommend it to future students who have not yet had the chance to play in a smaller ensemble setting.

Thank you to Ms Lee and Mrs Wilson for giving us this opportunity and guidance. We wouldn’t have taken up this opportunity without your support.

Ururoto Piano Quartet
Emily Chen, Moira Araullo, Emily Chong, Mulan Riseborough

Sports

Meadow Mauger's Silver Streak

The only remaining member of the champion Westlake Girls Snowboarding team, Meadow Mauger put forth a strong solo act at the Auckland Secondary School Snowboarding Championships recently to win three silver medals for the school at Snowplanet. 

Winner of the 2023, 2022 and 2019 Overall Auckland Teams Title, the Year 12 student competed in all three categories at the event – Slalom, Dual Race and Slopestyle and was nudged out of the gold medal on each occasion.

Joining big sister Coco in the successful Westlake Team as a Year 9 student, Meadow was happy to be on the podium for a fourth consecutive championship and is now looking forward to the North Island Secondary School Championship in September.

Takapuna Grammar won the overall Girls’ title this year.

Silver medal for Senior Slopestyle

Sports

Silver for Squash at the Auckland Champs

Westlake Girls won silver at the Auckland Secondary Schools Squash Teams Championship at North Shore Squash Club this week.

Despite losing number one player Lucy Cadness-Aspinall due to tonsilitis the team competed well making it through to the final where they faced traditional foe, Takapuna Grammar.

Year 13 student, Aishah Lotfy, lead the team and stepped up to face the number one seed of the tournament admirably, Justine Pausch.  Lotfy played with skill and determination, losing narrowly in a tough battle in the fifth and final set 7-11.

Earlier in the day, the team were successful against Epsom Grammar and Macleans College to reach the final.

The day was also a valuable experience for the two Year 9 members of the team who were playing in their first tournament. Special thanks to Westlake Girls new Premier coach Sion Wiggin for his support on the day.

Community

Celebrating International Language Week

Overwhelming Participation and Cultural Celebration

This year’s International Language Week (ILW) was a resounding success, marked by overwhelming participation and a vibrant display of cultural diversity. The event saw over 550 junior and senior students engaging in various activities that celebrated languages and cultures in the community. 

Record Participation in Duolingo Classes

The enthusiasm for language learning was palpable, with Duolingo classes experiencing such high demand that they were completely full at one point. Among the dedicated participants was Fatima, who spent around 14 hours learning nine different languages, including Latin, Dutch, German, Spanish, Arabic, Japanese, Chinese, Russian and French. Her commitment was inspiring, and she shared her intention to continue her language journey with Dutch and Chinese.

International Phrase Day

One of the most remarkable moments of the week was when a student spoke in a language with no written form, showcasing the rich oral traditions within our community. This unique contribution highlighted the diverse linguistic heritage that our students bring to the school.

Cultural Fashion Show

A highlight of the week was the cultural fashion show, where students proudly donned their traditional attire and walked the runway. The pride and joy on their faces were infectious, and it was heartwarming to see the variety of cultures represented. This event underscored the beauty of cultural diversity flourishing within our community.

Dedication of the Language Ambassador Team

The success of ILW was only possible with the tireless efforts of the language ambassador team and the language department. They spent seven weeks meticulously organising the activities and even sacrificed their lunchtime to ensure everyone had a memorable experience. 

Inspiring Guest Speaker

We were also honoured to have Airam Magpantay, ex-prefect, share her language learning journey as a guest speaker. See the separate item about Airam in this issue of Te Reo o Te Roto for more.

Follow Us 

For more photos and highlights from International Language Week, follow the Language Department on Instagram: @WGHS_languages.

Arts & Culture

Chinese Night

Chinese Night is tonight, Friday, 21 June!

To buy tickets, go here and select ‘Events’.

Community

Westlake Students Participate in Life-giving Donation

This month senior students participated in what is to become our annual blood drive.

The day was a huge success with a packed schedule of donations from students and staff.

The New Zealand Blood Service is a not-for-profit Crown entity who are the only organisation in New Zealand that collect, process, test, store and distribute blood and blood products across Aotearoa.

They rely on voluntary and non-remunerated donations to enable a constant supply of precious blood products to hospitals and health services across the motu that save thousands of lives each year.

A heartfelt thank you to our students and staff who selflessly donated to this wider community cause and to the New Zealand Blood Service registered nurses, phlebotomist and admin staff and the people involved in setting up and making the day such a valuable day of giving.

Senior students over the age of 16 years will have an opportunity to volunteer to give a life-saving donation again here at school next year.

 

 

 

Academic Ex-Students' Successes

Inspirational Journey with Learning Languages

This International Language Week, we were thrilled to welcome former student Airam Magpantay back!

Airam, a Wairau Prefect in 2019 and recipient of the Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asian Studies in 2023, shared her inspirational journey in language learning. At WGHS, she studied Chinese and Japanese for five years and pursued Korean outside the classroom. Her passion for languages, which was ignited in high school, has continued into university, leading her to study abroad.

Airam emphasised that learning a language is more than just mastering it – it’s a gateway to appreciating different cultures, understanding diverse perspectives, and connecting with people on a deeper level.

Thank you, Airam, for inspiring us with your story!

Main image: Airam Magpantay (L) with Head of Languages, Carrie Song.

Academic Arts & Culture

Win with Parallax!

Parallax is the school’s student-run literary and arts journal. We publish student creative writing, poetry, photography, and art annually. All contributors to our sixth edition will receive a Parallax badge and become published authors/artists before leaving high school!  

Our theme this year is ‘Trick of the Light’, and we encourage you to take inspiration from this, as well as our weekly prompts posted on our Google Classroom (twik52i) and our Instagram (@parallax.literary).  

Please send all journal submissions before 31 July to our email ([email protected]). This is an excellent opportunity to share your creative work with the broader school community and pick up a new extracurricular for your report or CV.  

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Want to win up to a hundred dollars in prizes for entering your short story? Entries for the first-ever Parallax Short Story Competition are open until the last day of Term Two, 5 July! The Booklover Bookshop is generously sponsoring this competition, and we are incredibly grateful for their support and encouragement of the next generation of authors! Year 12s and 13s are especially encouraged to enter. The prizes are as follows: 

Juniors (9-11): 3rd Prize: $20 Booklover gift voucher  

2nd Prize: $40 Booklover gift voucher  

1st Prize: $80 Booklover gift voucher 

Seniors (12-13): 3rd Prize: $30 Booklover gift voucher  

2nd Prize: $60 Booklover gift voucher  

1st Prize: $100 Booklover gift voucher  

 All prizes include the Booklovers Bookshop tote bag, notebook and pen.

Entries must be under 1500 words. The entry form and further details are on our Google Classroom.

Please don’t hesitate to contact [email protected] or Gemma at [email protected] with any queries.  

Academic Arts & Culture

National Spanish Debate

Students Shine at National Spanish Debate Competition

On 13 June, our senior students proudly represented our school at the prestigious National Spanish Debate Competition. After weeks of preparation, their dedication paid off as they won some of the debates.

Competing against the best young debaters in Spanish in the country, our team showcased their exceptional language skills and persuasive abilities. It was a proud day for our school, highlighting the students’ hard work and talent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to all participants for their outstanding performances!

“The Spanish Debate was a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the Spanish language.” Nicole Lao, Student.

Community

House Points

Well done, Akoranga!

Arts & Culture

Korean Night

Westlake Korean Night is proudly one of the biggest K-culture events held in Auckland, with over 1,500 attendees filling the auditorium each year. With the aim of spreading Korean culture throughout our community, student-led performances are showcased on the night, featuring a diverse range of Haka, Doll Dance, Fan Dance, Mask Dance, Samulnori, Taekwondo, and Nanta, as well as modern performances, including band, K-POP dance, singing, and rap.

We started with the Haka, followed by our Junior Doll Dance, a traditional couple dance. A sequence of exciting performances followed, engaging the audience throughout the night. The charismatic Taekwondo performance left a strong impression, while Samulnori, a Westlake exclusive performance, captivated everyone with their precise beats on the Jang-gu and Buk. Nanta’s enhanced performance quality each year continues to impress. Our all-girls group, Fan Dance, ‘Buchae Choom’ in Korean, presented their beautiful Korean Traditional Outfits ‘Hanbok’. The Mask Dance filled the night with energy and power, always popular among students, alongside our modern performances that kept everyone loud and cheering. The Finale Band ended the night with all the audience singing along to the Korean lyrics.

This year, we donated $2024 to Korean communities based in Auckland, an amount matching the year, distributed to Red Cross, Auckland City Mission, and other charities seeking donations. In appreciation of the support from our sponsors, mainly from the Korean Community, we have decided to give back. We would like to personally thank all teachers, prefects, and students who helped us on the night. Special thanks to the Westlake Boys’ main leader, Chris Koh, who has been consistently supportive and helpful, along with Ms. Kim and Mr. Kim from each school, who dedicated their time to ensure the event’s success. Thank you to all our performers and leaders who worked tirelessly to deliver such high-quality, stunning performances.

Lastly, great thanks to everyone who came and supported us on behalf of the 2024 Korean Night Committee. Continue to support and enjoy Westlake Korean Night, and if you missed out this year, check out our full performances uploaded on our Westlake Korean Night YouTube channel!

 

By 2024 Korean Night Main Leader, Katie Kim

Community

Dads, an important date for you

Dear Dads!

September feels like quite a long way away, but it will be here in a heartbeat, so mark your calendars now.

You won’t want to miss out on this special (and very popular) event.

Father-Daughter Breakfast on 25 September at Westlake Girls High School. More details will come later.

Grandads/brothers/uncles are very welcome.

Arts & Culture

National Dance Challenge Competition

The Westlake Girls Dance Troupes have been rehearsing all year for the National Dance Challenge Competition which took place on Friday, 14 June.

 

All of our troupes, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop, K-pop, Bollywood and Latin competed against other schools from around Auckland in this competition. Our Latin troupe won a well-deserved second place in the Variety category! Our other troupes gained challenger awards and did a fantastic job representing Westlake Girls High School.

 

We were the only school with troupes in every category at NDC 2024. We are super proud of all the hard work the students have put in. Our troupes have two more competitions coming up – so we are straight back to rehearsals!

By Grace Hirst and Natalia Covich, 2024 Troupe Leaders

Academic

Quizzing for Charity

The Service x Academic Quiz Night 2024 was a resounding success! Fourteen teams brought their A-game (and their creativity) by dressing up as iconic famous families, with characters ranging from the colourful world of Inside Out to the adorable Bluey Family and the iconic Scooby-Doo group.

Adding to the night’s entertainment were hilarious mini-games that got everyone involved.

 

 

 

 

 

Participants battled it out in a hands-free eating challenge, showed off their teamwork skills in the mummy game where toilet paper wrapping took centre stage, and ran around playing the lovable children’s game Octopus.

A huge thank you goes out to our sponsors: New World, Education Perfect, Snow Man, Sals, and CeRY AUT, for their generous support in making this fantastic night possible!

 

 

 

 

 

But most importantly, the entire evening served a fantastic cause. All proceeds from the event will be donated directly to our five house charities: Women Of Worth, De Paul House, I Am Hope, Hearing Dogs, and Guardian Angels. Thank you to everyone who participated, dressed up, and helped raise money for these worthy organisations!

Arts & Culture Community

Whare Wānanga construction is underway

We are thrilled to announce that after the blessing ceremony for the ‘turning of the soil’ of our Whare Wānanga project, then fences are up and construction has begun!

 

 

 

 

 

We have been very touched by the number of people asking how they can help, both financially, and with offers of volunteering and specialist knowledge. If this is of interest to you, feel free to contact Marie McKerrow, to discuss.

To learn more about this wonderful project or to donate to it, please see the following link.

Support our Whare Wānanga – Westlake Girls High School

If you are interested in involvement in this project as a major financial partner, please contact our Community Relationship Manager, Dean Flyger.

Sports

Black Ferns Visit

On Monday, 17 June, our rugby teams and other students had the incredible opportunity to see the Black Ferns, the New Zealand women’s national rugby union team, train at Westlake Girls High School on the new Tiger Turf fields.

At the end of the session, our kapa haka performed the school’s haka for the Black Ferns. The students mingled with the players, and some lucky people even got autographs!

Sports

Skiing Gold

Year 10 student Georgia Marshall impressed in the Girls Dual Slalom Race at the Auckland Secondary Schools Skiing Championship to win gold.

After winning silver in the timed Junior Girls GS Race, and finishing 3rd overall, Marshall qualified fastest in the knockout Dual Slalom event which sets racers up against one another in a fearless sprint to the bottom.  Facing the winner of the GS race, Chloe Pratt, in the final of the Dual event, Marshall leapt to the lead on the Snowplanet slope but the racers continued to jostle for the advantage until the end.   Marshall and Pratt are both members of the New Zealand Under 16 Ski Team and are used to going head to head on the slopes.  Marshall was joined by Year 12 Lena Turnbull, newbie Lucy Derricutt and German exchange student, Sofia Geen in the Westlake team.

In the Slopestyle event, Year 12 Lena Turnbull qualified for the final and finished second in the tricks and flips event.

WGHS Ski team: Lena Turnbull, Georgia Marshall, Sofia Geen and Lucy Derricutt

Overall Race Results:

3rd        Georgia Marshall

12th      Lena Turnbull

49th    Sofia Geen

60th      Lucy Derricutt

Main image: Georgia Marshall podium win.

Notices

The Uniform Shop - Open Sat 22 June. Also, T3 Hours

See below for the Uniform Shops hours for Term 3, 2024.

Community

Shakespeare Orthodontics

The Genesis of Our Partnership with Shakespeare Orthodontics

Our partnership with Shakespeare Orthodontics is a recent development, but it stems from deep personal connections within our community. The bond between Shakespeare Orthodontics and Westlake Girls High School is fortified by shared values and a commitment to supporting local initiatives.

Principal Jane Stanley with Mo Al-Dujaili

Proximity and Community Ties

Shakespeare Orthodontics has long been an integral part of our community, situated conveniently close to Westlake Girls High School. Their geographical proximity and admiration for our respectful and ambitious students made their decision to support us a natural fit. Their sponsorship is a testament to their dedication to reinforcing their core values within the local community.

 

 

Supporting Westlake Girls High School

Shakespeare Orthodontics currently supports our school through various initiatives designed to empower and assist our students:

The team members holding their mouthguards.
  • Team Mouthguards: Providing professionally fitted mouthguards to premier sports teams to prevent injuries.
  • Empowerment Fund: Offering financial assistance to programmes and students.
  • Year 9 Camp: Supporting outdoor education experiences.
  • Parent/Daughter Breakfasts: Strengthening family and school community ties.
  • Annual School Production: Promoting arts and culture within the school.
  • Premier Teams’ Overseas Trips: Supporting trips such as this year’s Macau Basketball trip.
  • Careers Talks: Offering insights into health sciences and university pathways.

 Impact on Our Students

The support from Shakespeare Orthodontics directly and positively impacts our students. For instance, the primary goal of the mouthguards is injury prevention, which benefits the students and represents a proactive approach to health. Additionally, providing water bottles promotes oral health by encouraging students to drink tap water. Across all Shakespeare Orthodontics’ initiatives, there is a common theme of giving back to the community and fostering a healthier, more supportive environment for our students.

 

 

Future Engagement Opportunities

As with all our partners, numerous opportunities exist for deeper engagement with Shakespeare Orthodontics beyond financial contributions. At Westlake, we are excited about the potential for expanding their role and providing more hands-on support to our students.

“We are open to involving our employees in mentorship programs, offering insights into the healthcare setting, particularly orthodontics, and participating in business mentorship initiatives,” explains Mo Al-Dujaili, Partner and Specialist Orthodontist at Shakespeare Orthodontics.

 Benefits to Shakespeare Orthodontics

The partnership with Westlake Girls High School brings several benefits to Shakespeare Orthodontics. They already serve the local community, with most of their patients coming from nearby areas. This relationship strengthens their community ties and enhances their presence within the local network.

Back Row: Principal Jane Stanley, Kodee Williams-Sefo, Elin Vincent, Charlotte Mawston, Mia John, Katie Moors, Zee Stowers, Imani Rasmussen,, Dr Mo AL-Dujaili. Front row: Lucy Dawson, Brennah Latoalevi-Nosa, Brydie McMillan, Lily Fotu, Emma Schroeder, Shyloh Udomsak. Absent: Amy Pateman & Isabella Gasu.

 Alignment with Corporate Values

Shakespeare Orthodontics’ sponsorship aligns seamlessly with the business’ corporate values and objectives. Supporting our school and students is a natural extension of these values.

“Our corporate values relate to providing our patients and their families with exceptional orthodontic service. Honesty, trust, and transparency are key values,” says Mo Al-Dujaili.

 A Message to Potential Sponsors

We encourage other businesses to consider supporting Westlake Girls High School. The synergy between local businesses and our school creates a more robust community network, offering mutual benefits. Businesses can gain customers and a sense of connectedness while our school receives much-needed support to help students thrive.

“This strong partnership exemplifies the goodwill and support we enjoy within our local community. We are extremely grateful for Shakespeare Orthodontics’ considerable commitment to our students’ well-being and development. I look forward to our relationship continuing to evolve.”

– Jane Stanley, Principal of Westlake Girls High School.

If you are interested in involvement with our school as a major financial partner, please check out the new ‘Our Partners’ page on our website or contact our Community Relationship Manager, Dean Flyger.

 

 

Community Notices

Matariki next week

Next Friday, 28 June, New Zealand celebrates Matariki with a public holiday. School will be CLOSED.

Image courtesy of www.matariki.co.nz.

The above site is a rich source of information about this important time of year. Check out a great article about the nine stars of Matariki here.

Arts & Culture

Showquest

Last week, our school competed in Showquest, ‘Aotearoa’s Biggest Performing Arts Competition’. Here is a list of the awards the students won (the most out of any school there!):

  • Highly commended choreography
  • Highly commended drama
  • Best school spirit
  • Best use of materials in wearable arts (for the piece used in our performance)
  • Best video wall
  • Best live music

They placed fourth overall and did an amazing job. To see the performance, click this link: (we are at approximately the 2:02 mark).

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