Here are all our Prefects and Tuakana for 2025, chosen for their many wonderful qualities!

What did you do before coming to WGHS? 

I was an RTLB (Resources Teachers: Learning and Behaviour) for years before I took the role as SENCO, and Westlake was one of my liaison schools. So my relationship with Westlake goes way back. I started full-time here in about 2014.  

Tell me about your role at Westlake over the years. 

I’ve been SENCO all along, and my role has evolved to that of Head of Department over the last couple of years.

What are your plans after you leave?  

 My husband retired in April, and he is loving it! We have young grandchildren in Auckland and we are looking forward to being very involved with them and helping out. There’s another one due on 20 December, which is very exciting. We feel very lucky, it is so precious, that relationship with grandchildren. I’m planning to do lots of gardening, and we have travel plans, first to the South Island for a really good look at the flora and fauna down there, and perhaps to do one of the Great Walks. We’re doing that trip with our youngest son. Then in the following year, we’re planning a longer trip, to England and Ireland.

How do you feel the high school experience has changed for students since you began? 

Covid had a huge impact, and students today also face a lot of uncertainties about world news – it’s a lot for our young people. Any strategies we can use to to help young people manage those big feelings of powerlessness about a world that doesn’t feel terribly safe is money really well spent. What I say to parents is “The important thing is that your young person wants to come to school, is having some success, is feeling supported, and is happy with their life – whatever that might look like, even if it’s not 100% what you want.” I also tell them that routines are really important and having a nice space to do their work. I don’t mean anything fancy, just a clean, clear space.

And I always say to young people, “It’s YOUR journey. We’re all just here on the sidelines, supporting you, so make good use of us; we’re a resource for you.”

 Can you tell me about a favourite memory from your time here? 

I have so enjoyed working as part of the Westlake team. You’re never alone here. I think most people’s best work is done in a team, and I absolutely love that here. There is my team in Learning Enhancement and the wider team of deans and pastoral care people, I can go into Jane (Stanley) to get documents signed off with a big smile – it’s lovely. You never feel on your own here, and when anything comes up that’s a bit tricky, you don’t just sit there with it and hold it. You go out and find the minds that are available to make the best plan. I’ve just enjoyed it here so much. 

The second-ever episode of our school podcast, ‘He Kōrero Wāna’ is now live on Spotify and Rova!

This time, two lovely Year 9 students, Ece Dalgic and Charlotte Murphy, share their reflections on their first year at WGHS and offer some good advice to newbies joining next year. ✨

A huge thank you to everyone who brought this episode to life:
Audio Editing: Polly O’Sullivan-Watts & Brittney Ye (Y12)
Music: Sylvie Waddingham (Y10)
️Hosts: Devanshi Kennedy & Alex van der Loos

Tune in now on Spotify or Rova

Farewelling long-serving staff member, Deborah Cachopa

When did you start at WGHS?

I was a past student here from 2000-2004 and then did my practicum here in 2011. I was employed in the PE department in August 2012 and joined the science department in 2013.

Where were you before here?

I am a qualified podiatrist, so before doing my teaching diploma through Waikato in 2011, I worked in Australia as a podiatrist, then came back to NZ, set up my own podiatry business, and worked as a clinical educator at AUT Akoranga.

Tell me about your role at Westlake over the years.

I started in the PE department and then moved to the Science department the following year. I became a dean quickly and thoroughly enjoyed my time as Akoranga Dean. I then went on to have my two boys, and I did some relieving in and out of maternity leave. I returned to the Science department, moved into a staff support role, and did some 2IC roles throughout the next 2 years. I moved into timetabling and then TIC of scholarship. I have loved these roles in the last two years, and they are something I am very proud of and would like to return to in the future.

What are your plans after you leave?

I plan to spend more time with my family, helping out more with their schooling and supporting my husband with his business. We have some travel plans, which is very exciting too.

How do you feel the high school experience has changed for students since you began?

It is crazy in 12 years how much things have changed. Obviously, we saw a lot of changes due to Covid and the lockdowns and learned a lot through that time. We have also seen some curriculum changes, which have been challenging at times. However, the school values and community are the same, and that is what makes Westlake so great.

Can you tell me about a favourite memory from your time here?

I have so many fond memories. Westlake Girls is truly like a second home to me. I have made some of my best friends here, and those memories I will always cherish, especially those who have been with me for the past 12 years. I enjoyed my time as a dean and felt this was a really good fit for me. The connections I made were some that will stay with me forever.

I have had some amazing successes with my students, and I honestly love hearing the ones who have gone on to achieve great successes and get in touch with me to let me know I helped out – even in a small way.

One of my favourite memories is when I was the coach of the Premier Netball team. We were the instigators of taking the team to the Auckland competition to improve our netball programme. At that same time, we came 3rd at UNISS, the best Westlake had done at the time. I also helped set up the Cygnet programme in the netball space, a little legacy I loved being a part of.

Do you have any advice for students coming to this school?

Westlake has so much to offer, and I encourage the students to get involved in whatever capacity they feel suits them. As a student here, I tried to get involved in a lot. I played many sports and was in two choirs throughout my time here. You have five years at high school to do as much as possible to prepare yourself for the big wide world. Don’t hold back – you won’t regret it.

Any other comments?

It was a tough decision to leave Westlake, but I know I will return when my boys get a little older. I have been extremely well supported and given opportunities for which I am incredibly grateful. I will miss seeing my colleagues and good friends daily, but I know I will be back, as Westlake is a big part of who I am.

On a sunny Friday in early November, the Westlake Girls 9-Hole Golf Tournament took place at the Pupuke Golf Club.  Over twenty teams entered to play (although, unfortunately, some couldn’t make it on the day).

Teams of four competed in  the popular Ambrose format on either the front or back nine holes. Each course had competitions for ‘Closest to the Pin’, ‘Longest Drive’, ‘Best Dressed’, and ‘Winning Teams.

“What a day we all had at the WGHS Inaugural Golf Day. It was so well organised – loved the drinks and nibbles and the party holes. We have never laughed so much. We will be definitely entering a team next year. We will be back to defend our title in 2025”. – Debs, Laura, Tehere and Toni, the absolute dream team, ‘RSM Team’.

A few companies provided participants with activations on their respective holes. The team from Tuckr provided us with delicious food and refreshments, and Edgecity Builders and Hillside ITM provided giveaways, food, and refreshments, as well as the chance to swing a hammer. ActiveVision entertained their guests with music, food, refreshments, and the opportunity to sit on their beanbags. They also generously donated a 50-inch flat-screen Sony Bravia TV as a prize for all competing players in attendance.

Volvo North Shore gave all participants the opportunity to win one of their cars for the weekend if they could achieve a hole-in-one on two holes.

Laura McGoldrick was our fabulous MC for the day. She also played in the tournament and was a member of one of the winning teams, ‘RSM.’

'Best Dressed' winners. Team from WBHS. Carla Boniolo, Casey de Wit, Charlie Cleveley, Shawna Meredith

WBHS Team on the activation hole of Edgecity Builders and Hillside ITM.

Front 9 Course' Winners, 'The Birdies'. Charlotte Hamilton, Mandy Hills, Gayle Coplestone, Hayley Glasgow.

RSM Team'. Tehere Munro, Deborah Cachopa, Laura McGoldrick, Toni Street.

Protection Security Systems Team. Christiaan Kotze, David Govender, Andrew Howell, Rob Nathan. Also Nick Farrelly, Edgecity Builders & Des Smith, Hillside ITM who sponsored the hole.

Hole sponsored by ActiveVision. Team playing is Ricoh New Zealand.

The funds raised will support our Empowerment Fund, creating opportunities for Westlake students and contributing to creating sculptural artwork for the currently- under-completion Whare Wānanga.

We are extremely grateful to Laura and all our wonderful participants/sponsors. Thank you so much for your time, generosity, and great cheer. It was a superb day, and many people are already asking where to sign up for next time – watch this space!

Main image above: ‘RSM Team’. Tehere Munro, Deborah Cachopa, Laura McGoldrick, Toni Street.

Meera Mistry (11HSG) recently attended the University of Auckland’s Centre for Brain Research to experience ‘A day in the life of a neuroscience’ after participating in the Brain Bee competition, which the Neurological Foundation supports.

She then wrote an essay that the Neurological Foundation considered so good that they will publish it in their quarterly magazine, Headlines, which goes to about 20,000 of their supporters!

The Foundation also plans to feature some of her words in an appeal letter it intends to send out with the magazine.

As Glenda Kane (Communications & Engagement Specialist, Neurological Foundation of New Zealand) put it, “The excitement that she conveys so beautifully in her essay is a fitting way for us to talk about the ‘next generation’ of brilliant brains.”

Congratulations, Meera, on this impressive achievement!