PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
Welcome again to the Wakatipu High School newsletter.
It was wonderful to have so many parents join us for our
annual Pounamu Assembly on Tuesday. The Pounamu
Assembly is when we recognise students who have
achieved academic success last year. It is always a great
occasion, and this year was no exception, and this year
was also a very big occasion - with nearly 1000 students,
parents and staffed crammed into our stadium! Thanks to
those parents who were able to join us.
As I shall refer to at the end, as a school we now move
from the first few weeks phase into more normal mode as
we really settle into the year. As per usual there is lots
going on.
ISSUE 5 • 26 FEBRUARY 2016
IN THIS ISSUE:
Principal’s Message
1-2
2016 Student Councils
2
Pounamu Awards
3
Year 9 Greenstone Camp
4
Bus Information & Expectations
4
Itinerant Music Lessons, Safety Message
4
US Ambassador Visits WHS
5
House Competition, Te Reo Class Outing
6
Sports Coordinator News
7
Careers Update
8
G&T Update, Scholarship Article,
9
RSA Speech Competition
9
2016 Important dates, Meet the Staff
10
Community notices
11- 14
Learning Engagement Reports – on Monday you will
receive the first Learning Engagement (LE) Report for
the year. For new parents - these come out three times
per term and are a quick snapshot of your child’s
engagement with their learning.
We do hope that you find them informative and useful,
and enable you to be engaged with and support your
child’s learning. If you do have any technical questions
please email [email protected]. If you have
questions regarding the content, please contact the
subject teacher, Tutor Teacher or Dean as appropriate.
Assessment Planner - for senior students these
important calendars of all assessments for the year have
now been published. These are critical for seniors, and
while dates can move around a bit, they can play a big
part in determining the shape of a senior student’s
academic year. Students should go through their
Assessment Calendar and identify all their assessments particularly noting pinch-points when several fall due at
the same time, and even putting this beside other
calendars, such as sport or other commitments.
Parents can support by getting their students to show
them this process or working through it with them. Some
assessments are due soon - this process is important now.
Senior Parent Evenings - also for senior students,
another reminder of upcoming evenings for parents of
senior students:
NCEA - next Wed 2 March, for parents new to NCEA.
Tertiary - Tues 8 March, for parents and students
considering tertiary study.
Student Councils - we have had an incredible number
of students apply to be on Councils this year. My
congratulations to everyone who applied, and to those
who were successful. Please see below for details.
Film - Most Likely to Succeed - another reminder
that Wakatipu Schools have secured one of a limited
number of screenings of this movie in NZ. You can view
the trailers here and another one here. The film has been
an official selection of the world’s top film festivals, and
audience members call it ‘the most compelling film ever
done on the topic of school’.
There will be one screening only on the evening of
Wednesday 16th March - tickets are on sale now, please
see below for details.
STOP PRESS – we understand this has already sold out.
We will talk with the other schools about the possibility of
another screening.
Uniform - a reminder that from next Tuesday 1 March,
blazers are back as a compulsory uniform item which
must be worn every day.
One of the things we have done to support teaching and
learning over the last few years is to have as few trips and
events as possible in the first three weeks so that teachers
and students can settle to teaching and learning, but that
period has now finished and from Sunday we see the first
of the big class trips begin to go as we move into the rest
of the year. Swimming Sports, which are optional this
year, are on Tuesday, and that day is a mufti day (for
Happiness House) for all students.
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NEWSLETTER •
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
26
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continued…
Next week I am travelling to Auckland to visit new and Innovative Learning Environment schools with our Assistant Heads of Learning Areas and some
other senior staff, which many mean there is no newsletter piece from me.
Hopefully the weather will come right for our final official weekend of summer ...
Steve Hall
Principal
2016 STUDENT COUNCILS
We received a phenomenal number of Council applications this year, all of which were of a very high standard. This made the selection process very difficult, but
after much deliberation we are very pleased to announce the members of the various Councils for 2016. Congratulations to everyone selected, we look forward to
working with you over the year.
The Wakatipu High School Student Councils provide students with an array of opportunities to help initiate and support the changes students want to see in our
school and wider Community. Council members act as all-round representatives for the student body and are an integral source of student voice and feedback,
which is influential to the decision making process at our school.
Student Council members: Lily Bloomfield, Poppy Brinsley, Violet Hirst, Rosie Glanfield, Meg Jolly, Steph Arrowsmith, Ben Stevens, Ella Buchanan, Connor
Kennedy, Zara McLeod, Lily Gamson, Danique Ehmann, Louie Cross, Jessica Dicker, Divesh Singh, Alfie Duffy, Leah Kissick, Cameron Ryall, Jordyn Clark, Lexi
Rosemore, Ashley Burney (co-Chair), Ben Hull (co-Chair), Kirsty McCorkindale, Yuta Honda, Luke Petre. Additionally, two Year 9 and two Year 10 members
from the Junior Council will be added to the main Council.
Junior Council members: Yuta Honda (Chair), Ella Lanuel, Om Alva, Sophie Woodham, Tristan Taquet, Lucy Tulloch ,Hannah Stevens, Keanu Panapa, Seth
Mawhinney, Lydia Richards, Molly Richards, Tasman Hughes, Hylton Briscoe, Ella Numaguchi and Francesca Archibald
Sub Council Members
Community and Service Council: Ashley Burney (Chair), Jasmine Sowerby, Kathleen Hensman, Lana Stevenson, Marina Honda, Emily Molloy, Leah
Kissick, Tristan Taquet, Francesca Archibald, Hannah Stevens, Hugh Taylor, Divesh Singh and Lucy Tulloch
Sports Council: Ben Hull (Chair), Danique Ehmann, Louie Tatom-Cross, Jessica Dicker, Alfie Duffy, Om Alva, Sophie Woodham, Hylton Briscoe, Sienna
Strachan, Olivia Jones, Mitchell Mawhinney and Callum Judkins
Arts and Cultural Council: Luke Petre (Chair), Lily Bloomfield, Poppy Brinsley, Violet Hirst, Meg Jolly, Steph Arrowsmith, Ben Stevens, Lily Gamson,
Hannah Coombe, Molly Richards, Tasman Hughes and Rebecca Lauryssen
Academic Council: Kirsty McCorkindale (Chair), Rosie Glanfield, Ella Buchanan, Connor Kennedy, Zara McLeod, Cameron Ryall, Jordyn Clark, Lexi
Rosemoore, Seth Mawhinney, Lydia Richards, Ella Numaguchi and Lucrezia Lewandowska-Pociecha
Students can read more about all the happenings of the Student Council and Sub-Councils in the student section of the intranet - click here.
The Head Students
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NEWSLETTER •
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WHS POUNAMU AWARDS
Yr 11 Level 1 endorsed with Excellence
Allan, Tess
Anderson, Elsie
Bennett, Bayley
Bongers, Sydney
Britton, Campbell
Brown, Lucy
Brown, Sophie
Clarke, Merlin
Cross, Amelia
Dicker, Jessica
Ehmann, Danique
Evangelista, Veronica
Gamson, Lily
Hamilton, Amelia
Hartono, Peter
Ho, Daniel
Hotop, Charlie
Jarvis, Thomas
Kennedy, Connor
Lauder, Danielle
Lauryssen, Rebecca
Lewandowska-Pociecha, Lucrezia
Lewis, Daniel
Macbeth, Ella
McLeod, Zara
Molloy, Emily
Murphy, Cameron-Leigh
Onions, Beatrice
Sanford, Patrick
Singh, Divesh
Strachan, Sienna
Takahashi, Erika
Tassanaphong, Pond
Tatom-Cross, Louie
Wallace-Blakely, Simon
Whorskey, Olivia
Yochay, Lily
Yr 11 Level 1 endorsed with Merit
Bae, Hoyoung
Bae, Youbin
Baumfield, Theo
Belmont, Christian
Bygate, Rourke
Calvero, Christina
Chisholm, Hannah
Clarke-Liechti, Kiki
Cordelle, Matthew
Coyle, Ryan
Dela Cruz, Athena
Dennison, Harriet
Dickson, Lucy
Dowling, Oliver
Eden, Marie
Ellis-Cook, Rosa
Ellis, Ben
Feenstra, Solomon
Gibson, Bianca
Han, Chao
Hanrahan-Pierce, Lauren
Hansby, Madison
Harris, Sophia
Hill, Joshua
Hourston, Ayesha
Jarocka, Hannah
Joiner, Tessa
Khetwichan, Manow
Lardizabal, Sophie
Liscom, Gracyn
Lo, Rita
Machray, Sofia
Mayo, Abby
McCrostie, Lucy
McDermott, Joshua
McHugo, Olivia
McKone, Ellie
Yr 11 Level 1 endorsed with Merit
McLeod, Bradyn
McTaggart, Wade
McVicar, Lara
Moore, Zed
Morganty, Simon
Neilson, Cooper
Paddon, Caitlin
Park, Bella
Paterson, Esmond
Price, Luke
Reuss, Ella
Roche, Hayden
Sanderson, Olly
Schneider, Mikyla
Simpson, James
Simpson, Petra
Smith-McKay, Taylor
Streat, Elise
Taylor, Hugh
Tuinman-Bell, Brylee
Van Wyngaarden, Alisa
Wikstrom, Lucy
Yr 12 Level 2 endorsed with Excellence
Arrowsmith, Stephanie
Bloomfield, Lily
Brinsley, Poppy
Buchanan, Ella
Burney, Ashley
Glanfield, Rosie
Harcombe, Elysia
Hensman, Katie
Hirst, Violet
Hull, Benjamin
Jolly, Meg
Mawhinney, Mitchell
McCorkindale, Kirsty
McInally, Hannah
Moore, Anna
Reid, Tanna
Stevens, Benjamin
Yr 12 & Level 2 endorsed with Merit
Anderson, Drew
Anstiss, Logan
Budd, Georgia
Budd, Sasha
Diack, Adele
Forsyth, Alexandra
Gillan, Mathew
Gourlay, Leah
Guillot, Anoushka
Hall, Ashleigh
Harford, Benjamin
Heal, Ryan
Hoffman, Petra
Honda, Yuta
Ichinose, Mika
Jackson, Amy
Jones, Olivia
Lo, Ivan
Long, Harrison
Mackenzie, Molly
Moroney, Campbell
Peters, Em
Petre, Luke
Rokvic, Lucy
Scott, Reuben
Shaw, Sam
Sowerby, Jasmine
Watherston, Molly
Woodward, Vanessa
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NEWSLETTER •
YEAR 9 GREENSTONE CAMP
Greenstone Camp is fast approaching for Year 9
students. Nearly all students have returned their
permission slips and most students are now organized
into tent groups.
Mr McIntyre will be contacting parents re offers of
parent help this weekend.
Payment for the Camp is due to the school
office by Wednesday 3 March. If you have any
problems with the payment, please contact the school
office to make alternative payment arrangements and
we highly recommend you enter into a deferred
payment arrangement.
Students will continue to get updates and advice
about the camp and associated activities via the Camp
Google Classroom.
Mr McIntyre
ITINERANT MUSIC LESSONS
Itinerant music lessons are now sorted and under way
with lessons times on students timetables and
phones/calendars. Private piano and bass lessons can
still be organised through school for anyone interested.
If there are any issues please let me know.
Student bands for Year 9 students, in particular, are
proving a little more challenging this year as we have a
number of guitarists and singers but few drummers or
bass players. Please contact me if your son/daughter is
interested at [email protected]
Mrs Price
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SCHOOL BUS UPDATE & EXPECTATIONS
The Quail Rise/Frankton Rd bus will begin its run 10 mins earlier from Monday 29 February. This is
to ensure that students are arriving to school in good time to make Tutor Group Class. Students need
to make sure they are on time to these stops and can check the school website for further information
about specific times at stops. It is important that all students are present at stops well in advance of
the allocated times. The bus will not stop and wait for students if they are not present. Students only
have one chance to catch the bus to school each day and it is important that they are organised. There
are also a few students still trying to catch buses that they are not eligible for and this message has
been communicated to students and parents a number of times. Students are only eligible for the bus
that takes them from home to school and back again. These are strict Ministry of Education rules and
as our buses are ministry funded and we have no capacity for students to change buses, students
caught doing this will lose the privilege of travelling on the school bus by having their student ID
revoked for a period of time and will have to find their own way to school.
SCHOOL BUS SAFETY ARTICLE
It’s 20KMS, it's that easy!
By Katelyn McIntyre, Year 10
When you're driving to work or dropping your kids off at school or picking children up from school
and you see a school bus on the side of the road stationary with the hazard lights on, do you think
about slowing down or do put you foot on the gas and keep zooming past? This is a safety message
saying, when you see a stationary school bus with the hazard lights PLEASE SLOW DOWN TO
20KMPH past a stationary school bus, because if you don't the death rates could you go up.
Remember it's 20KMPH on both sides of the road. Everybody will know someone that has children on
a school bus, do you want to be responsible for having an accident with a school child and/or a school
bus? Just remember it's 20KMPH past a stationary school bus on both sides of the road. Thank you
for reading this safety message.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE
Parents/Caregivers - please DO NOT drop off or pick up your students at the MICO business at the
end of Hallenstein Street. The Manager from MICO has come to WHS as he is very concerned about
the safety of students and does not want another accident like last year. This is a private business and
a very busy area with lots of trade vehicles and trucks in the loading bay at various times of the day,
especially in the morning. WHS has three safe drop off/pick up areas and we strongly encourage you
to use these.
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NEWSLETTER •
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US AMBASSADOR VISITS WHS
Today, the Level 3 History class and Gifted and Talented students were given the opportunity of meeting and talking with US Ambassador Mark Gilbert. In
January 2014, Ambassador Gilbert was nominated by President Barack Obama to the role of American Ambassador to New Zealand.
For the past three weeks, the Level 3 History class has been studying the many levels of the US systems of Government and the history of
civil rights in America, so this truly was a special and useful chance to increase our knowledge and understanding about American
systems of government and their political processes.
The discussions started off with Ambassador Gilbert describing his three favourite and most influential Presidents of the USA of all time,
Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama. The Ambassador delivered Abraham Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Address
beginning with the memorable quote “Four score and seven years ago” and comprehensively broke it down into key aspects and
explained their significance to the group. The Ambassador spoke of his closeness to the current President, Barack Obama and how he
became the Ambassador to New Zealand. He stated that around 11 years ago, he and his wife, Nancy were invited to a dinner with a young
Illinoisan senator. This senator was Barack Obama and Ambassador Gilbert developed a friendship with the future President which led to
Ambassador Gilbert becoming a part of President Obama’s campaign team and later American Ambassador to New Zealand. The
Ambassador mentioned that he was initially reluctant to go to the dinner that led to the meeting between Obama and himself but if he
hadn’t, the Ambassador believed that he never would have been standing before us as the American Ambassador to New Zealand. The
Ambassador also believes in never turning any opportunity down and told the classes about his personal, family motto “Never Not Go”.
Something incredibly admirable about Ambassador Gilbert was his openness to answer any
and all questions from the students about the history of America and the current
Presidential Race. The questions asked were very detailed and required a not insignificant
amount of thinking from the Ambassador. Issues raised ranged from the Ambassador’s
personal journey when becoming an Ambassador and what the greatest achievements that
different Presidents have brought about. The Ambassador applauded President Obama’s
efforts on the changes that he has brought about, especially re-opening American relations
between both Iran and Cuba and gender/social/racial equality. To further his point of
equality, Ambassador Gilbert had an emphasis on the statement from early President,
Thomas Jefferson that, “all men are created equal.” However, what was really interesting
was his identification of the agreement The US has made with Iran in an endeavour to
reduce the proliferation of nuclear weapons and thus the threat of conflict as President
Obama’s greatest achievement.
On behalf of the students involved, the Social Sciences and Gifted and Talented
departments, and the community, we would like to extend our thanks and appreciation for
this opportunity to discuss current and past issues regarding American history and the
Presidential process.
Ben Stevens, Year 13
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NEWSLETTER •
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HOUSE COMPETITION
The 2016 House Competition has got off to a resounding start with the 2015 Champions - Mackenzie shooting out into first place after winning the Parade & Spirit
component as well as the Boys Participation, putting them on 13 points. However, there are three houses nipping on the heels ready to use next Tuesday's Swim
Sports to springboard their way to the top of the ladder. Tuesday will also be a mufti day for all students with proceeds going to Happiness House.
Duncan house has 10, Hay with 9 and Fox with 8 points. Arthur currently has 5 points but historically makes a push through their fine fleet of swimmers!
We also have an outstanding video put together by Hugh Taylor that includes still photos and drone footage, courtesy of Ryan Barabi. Please click on this link to
view.
TE REO CLASS OUTING
Tēnā koutou,
Our class has been learning our mihi (greetings) and pepeha (our heritage) along with the linkages this has to harakeke. Harakeke depicts the formation of
whānau and who we are as people.
On Monday the 22nd of February, a group of Te Reo Māori students, including myself, went to visit the tamariki and whānau at ABC Queenstown. With new
found knowledge of the native plant harakeke in our minds, we, lead by our teacher Whaea Rawinia, exhibited our practical knowledge about the proper tikanga
of cutting harakeke to the thirty or so kids and teachers. The day started out with a karakia (blessing) which then lead a demonstration from Whaea on how to cut
the harakeke. Each of us practiced correctly cutting the plant, and by the end, we soon had a decent pile of harakeke leaves ready to be prepared for weaving.
But before any of us could even consider going near a harakeke bush, we first had to know of the correct methods and tikanga (protocol) regarding harvesting and indeed, there are quite a few, all of which must be respected. Some of these tikanga are; no harvesting at night or in the rain, the leaves must be cut diagonally
downwards. Harakeke is like a whānau, and has multiple whānau within each plant, with te rito (the baby) in the middle and the whaea (mother) and matua
(father) either side. One must only harvest the outer leaves of the ‘whānau’ being the grandparents and so on.
Harakeke is a very versatile plant, and for centuries the Māori have utilized its usefulness for many objects and items, such as baskets (kete) and rope (whiri
papa), which is why the cutting of such a plant must be done with the utmost care and respect when harvesting, to help maintain the harakeke for future use and
generations.
Our next step is to learn how to prepare the harakeke for weaving and make many things with harakeke. We would like to continue working with our community
in more tikanga based practices and learn together.
Ngā mihi,
Isabella Jack
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NEWSLETTER •
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FEBRUARY 2016
SPORTS COORDINATOR NEWS
Athletics – Athletics season is well under way and with the Southland Secondary Schools Championships coming up it is good
to see students taking advantage of the generous offer of Lea Lawniczak to coach students on Wednesdays after school. Any
students interested in competing in the upcoming meet in Invercargill need to contact Ms Lawniczak ASAP to be considered
for selection as entries are now open.
Already this year we have had some excellent results from Sophie Woodham in the Otago Athletics meet at the Caladonian
Sporting Complex. She was entered in five events in her grade (13) and competed as a member of the Remarkable Runners
club in long jump, high jump, 100m sprint, 200m sprint and hurdles. She won all of these events and then also went on to
compete in the senior Under 18 long jump competition where she recorded a 4.93m long jump (a personal best) and came
second overall in that grade. Sophie has been selected as a member of the Junior Otago team for the second year running and
will compete for Otago in the Inter Provincials to be held this year in Dunedin on March 26 and 27.
Ice Hockey –The U18 New Zealand Ice Hockey Team has clinched the gold medal in Capetown, South Africa in the Under 18 Division IIIB World Championships
with one game spare. Students from WHS include Taylor Stewart and Ben Harford who was a major force in this team. The team won all of their games convincingly
with Ben winning the award for the Top Forward in the tournament and also claiming honours as the top goal scorer in the tournament.
Good luck to Hope Gregory who is travelling with the Ice Fernz, our National Women’s Ice Hockey team who will be representing New Zealand at the 2016
International Ice Hockey Federations Women’s Division IIB World Championships being held in Jaca, Spain Feb 29th – March 6th.
Netball - Congratulations to the following girls who were selected for WHS Senior A Netball Team: Ellie Mckone, Ranae Spencer, Olivia Ray, Britta Collins, Elsie
Anderson, Cameron-Leigh Murphy, Meg Jolly, Tess Allen, Olivia Jones, Emmerson Inkster.
Yr 9 trials will take place on Mon 29 Feb, followed by Yr 10 Tues 1 March, both 6pm at the Event Centre courts. More details regarding other teams will be placed in
the school notices next week. There will be a Netball meeting at 5.30pm in the WHS Staffroom on Wednesday 9 March - all new parents welcome.
Wakatipu Sports Academy – We have another exciting year ahead for the sports academy. We are looking to kick off the first semester for the year on April 4th
running for 12 weeks. An email with a link to register expressions of interest for this will be sent to all students next week with the application and selection process
to begin the week following. We are again very lucky to have retained the services and expertise of our strength and conditioning coaches Kelsie Campbell and
Hamish Dickie with technical support from various other industry specialists throughout the year.
Water Skiing – Congratulations to Lucy Wikstrom who competed in the Otago/Southland Secondary Schools Water Skiing
Championships last Sunday. She won the Novice U16 Girls grade with a strong performance in a competitive field that has
grown dramatically on last year’s event.
Tennis – Congratulations to both the Boys and Girls tennis teams who once again proved that Wakatipu High School is the
team to beat in Southland Secondary Schools tennis with Gold and Silver medals respectively on Monday. With a 1st placing the
boys team now moves on to the South Island Secondary Schools Championships in Timaru next weekend where they will be
play for the chance to compete in the National Finals in Auckland in April.
WHS Girls Team: (2nd Place) Danique Ehmann, Olivia Ray, Sofie Arhanic, Gracyn Liscom
WHS Boys Team: (1st Place) Peter Hartono, Josh McDermott, Bjorn Pollock, Thomas Hartono, Manawa Rakete-Shea
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NEWSLETTER •
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CAREERS UPDATE
Year 13 - Students have now all had a Start-up meeting with Mrs Gardiner to discuss their 2016 school course and plans for beyond school. It is important students
track their progress and communicate with class teachers and Mrs Gardiner any problems. Students who feel unsure about their direction for beyond school or who
have a change of mind need to communicate with Mrs Gardiner asap.
Parents/Caregivers - If you have a child in Year 12 or 13 who is considering attending Polytech or University next year, we are hosting a Tertiary Information
Evening on Tuesday 8 March 7.00-8.00pm in D7. This will cover:
- Processes for decision making ie where best to study for a particular pathway
- Studylink - brief overview
- Accommodation options and processes for applying plus costs
- Gaining Entry to a Course or University
- Financial details for first year
- Scholarships available
- Guide to applying for a scholarship
- Key Dates
- Gathering Documents and Verifying Documents
Year 12 NCEA Results - Students need to be aware that their official results at the end of Year 12 are extremely important for applying for limited entry
University courses and University/Polytechnic Accommodation Halls. Advantages of achieving NCEA Level 2 Endorsed with Excellence at the end of Year 12 are:
- Guaranteed a place in an Accommodation Hall
- Strong contender for monetary scholarships (community and University)
- Strong contender for restricted entry courses such as PE, Music, Teaching, Design/Fine Arts
The best advice to Year 12 students is that they need to work hard/smart to achieve the best possible results. They will be rewarded hugely for their efforts. Students
in Year 13 who have achieved NCEA Level 2 endorsed with Excellence are in the strongest position for moving on to tertiary studies.
Part-time Jobs - We have a few available– if students are looking for part-time, work they should keep an eye on the daily notices and/or check in with us.
Studylink Funding while still at school - Students who turn 18 and are NZ Residents and have been for 3+ years may qualify for an allowance from Studylink.
This is dependent on the parents combined income – If your gross income is $55,000 or less you will be entitled to a full allowance ($210 per week) and for income
over $84,163 gross then no allowance available. The amount paid for incomes between these figures is calculated according to income. You can check this out on
www.studylink.govt.nz where there is an indicator test ie Student Allowance Rate Indicator. If you find you qualify then you need to apply on their web-site. They
will not come looking for you and many students miss out because they don’t apply.
Community Trust of Southland Excellence Scholarships - From 2015 we had 14 students who qualified for this $2,000 scholarship. They must have lived in
the Southland area (Queenstown is included) for 3+ years and be a NZ Citizen or a Permanent Resident of New Zealand. We congratulate the following students
who qualified:
Jacque Bell
Rianne Bongers
Victoria Boult (2014)
Maddy Coles-Cox
Dylan Davy
Beth Denston
Jacob Flanagan
Hebe Hilhorst
Sami Hotop
Tilly Lewis
Christian Miller
Dylan O’Connor
Sam Perry
Luke Sanderson
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NEWSLETTER •
G&T UPDATE
Parent Support Group
Several parents have expressed an interest in
participating in a parent group to support G&T
students at school. Please email me if you are
interested. I look forward to meeting with you to
discuss how we can provide support and opportunities
for your children.
Next G & T Meeting is on Monday 14 March at
6:30pm (venue to be confirmed). Associate Professor
Tracy Riley from Massey University will be speaking
on Creating Educational environments that nurture
and respond to gifted and talented children. The
Parent session will be on Competitions for GT
students. This meeting is open to all parents at WHS.
We’d also like to extend a warm invitation to parents
from our local primary schools.
If you are interested in attending please email me so
that we have some ideas of numbers.
TAD Dunedin Trip
The TAD class will be going to Dunedin on the
afternoon of the 16th of March and will return on
Friday 18th at about 4:3o pm.
Detailed information will be sent to the 2016 TAD
parents on Monday 29th February.
Some students who were in TAD in 2015 will be
invited to come along if their passion areas align with
the activities that we will be attending. Please contact
me if you are interested in more information.
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FEBRUARY 2016
SCHOLARSHIP ARTICLE
Dasha Kuprienko recently wrote an article on WHS pupil
Steph Arrowsmith which was published on Stuff.co.nz.
Click here for the full article.
Wakatipu High School student gets painting
scholarship ahead of her time - In a rare accolade, a
Year 12 student was one of 16 Wakatipu High School
students awarded a scholarships last year. Wakatipu High
School principal Steve Hall said it was rare to have Year 12
students receiving the scholarships. "When students go for
scholarships they work hard for it. And our teachers play a
big part in our scholarship success with doing extra classes
for students."
RSA SPEECH COMPETITION
On Thursday afternoon, Wakatipu High School held its annual RSA Speech Competition. Four members
of the Queenstown/Arrowtown RSA judged 10 student speakers on the topic of 'New Zealanders in
WW1'. Katie Hensman and Hugh Taylor were selected to speak at the Queenstown/Arrowtown ANZAC
Day commemorations. Katie will represent the school at the regionals in March and if successful, go on to
compete at the Nationals where she has a chance of being selected to travel to Gallipoli. The Queenstown
RSA has generously sponsored a trophy and cash prize for each of the two finalists.
The ANZ RSA Cyril Bassett VC Speech Competition is a partnership between the RSA and ANZ New
Zealand, aimed at promoting among young people a deeper understanding and appreciation of the
sacrifices made by those who have served New Zealand in wars and armed conflicts overseas. The
competition is a tribute to Cyril Bassett, VC, (1892-1983) who was the only New Zealander at Gallipoli to
be awarded the Victoria Cross, and who worked his entire career at The National Bank, now ANZ New
Zealand.
If you have any questions please email me at
[email protected]
The competition is hotly contested throughout the country and enjoys a level of prestige and humility.
We wish Katie all the best at the regional competition. A huge thank must go to our local RSA's for their
support of our students.
Sue Luus
G&T Coordinator
Mrs Ford
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WAKATIPU
HIGH
SCHOOL
NEWSLETTER •
26
FEBRUARY 2016
Important dates for your diary…
WHO
EVENT
DATE
Meet the Staff…
All
Swim Sports
Tue 1 Mar
Victoria Jenkins
Yr 11, 12, 13
NCEA Parent Information Evening
Wed 2 Mar
Yr 12,13
Tertiary Information Evening
Tue 8 Mar
All
Teacher Only Day
New School Ground-breaking
Ceremony
Fri 18 Mar
Yr 9 & 10
Junior Next Steps
Literacy and Numeracy Evening
Wed 23 Mar
All
Good Friday – WHS closed
Fri 24 Mar
All
Easter Monday – WHS closed
Mon 28 Mar
All
Southland Anniversary Day –
WHS closed
Tue 29 Mar
Yr 11,12,13
Senior Next Steps
Wed 30 Mar
All
Last Day of Term 1
Fri 15 April
All
Teacher Only Day
Fri 3 Jun
How long have you been at WHS?
This is my first year at WHS. I have come to WHS after
a year of backpacking around the world with my fiancé.
Prior to taking a year to travel, I was based up in
Auckland teaching Technology.
What is your position?
I teach both Digital and Hard Materials Technology in the Technology Department.
What do you love about the job?
I really love the practical and creative component of the Technology curriculum. Having a
class full of students working on individual projects that interest and inspire them is
amazing to be a part of. The outcomes students create never cease to amaze and impress
me.
What do you like doing in your free time?
In my free time I like to sew. I have a line of organic baby accessories that I have designed
and created for newborns. I get a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction from creating
garments out of textile materials and combining this with my love of screen-printing and
drawing to create handcrafted pieces. When I need a break from sewing I love to get away
and explore this wonderful country over a weekend with friends and family.
What could you not live without?
At the moment a good flat white, I am enjoying being reunited once again with
delicious NZ coffee.
What do you like about Queenstown?
What don't I love about Queenstown? The people, the mountains and the access to so
many beautiful surrounding towns and areas. It is great to be back in the South Island
and closer to friends and family.
10
WAKATIPU
HIGH
SCHOOL
NEWSLETTER •
26
FEBRUARY 2016
COMMUNITY NOTICES
‘MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED’
Tickets are now available, numbers are strictly limited…Book NOW!
Wakatipu Schools have secured one of a limited number of screenings of this movie in New Zealand.
BOOK HERE
Date: Wednesday 16th March
Venue: Queenstown Events Centre, Mezzanine Function Room
Doors open: 6.30pm
Movie Starts: 7pm
Karen Melhuish Spencer (CORE Ed) will be attending and hosting a Q&A session for 30min at the end.
HOST FAMILIES WANTED
A Host family wanted for a Year 11 American Student
studying at WHS for 2016.
Please phone 021 061 1951 or email:
[email protected]
Host Families needed for WHS visiting Thai group – The
school are looking for four families to host. Thai students
arriving 20 March and departing 16 April. They will be doing
a combination of class and out of school activities. These
four Thai students would like to be the only Thai in the
family but
other nationalities living in the home are perfectly fine. We
pay $240 per week.
What is it?
Most Likely to Succeed offers an inspiring look at what students and teachers are capable of — if we have
the vision and courage to transform our schools. Directed by acclaimed documentarian Greg Whiteley, the
film has been an official selection of two dozen of the world’s top film festivals, including Sundance, Tribeca,
AFI, Cleveland, Dallas, Milwaukee, Sarasota, Seattle, Virginia, and Bergen.
Audience members call it the most compelling film ever done on the topic of school.
You can view the trailer here.
The 21st century is going to be all about building, creating, and innovating. This remarkable film shows a
path of how we can empower all of our children to do that.
Sal Khan, Khan Academy.
Please contact our Homestay Co-ordinator Donna Baldey in
the International office ph. 442 7370 Ext: 710
11
WAKATIPU
HIGH
SCHOOL
NEWSLETTER •
26
FEBRUARY 2016
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Dan Gerard is a professional driving
instructor and a member of the NZ Institute
of Driver Educators. He offers high quality
driver training and specialises in driving
lessons for learner drivers for their
restricted class 1 licence and polishing
lessons for those doing their full licence.
Queenstown Junior Football Club
registrations close on Friday 26 Feb.
You can register online by going to
www.queenstownfootball.com
His driving assessments and reverse parallel
parking technique is very popular. Having
been a driver licence testing officer he
understands not only how to ensure you are
driving safely, but also what is legally
required.
DAN GERARD – 027 349 2447
12
WAKATIPU
HIGH
SCHOOL
NEWSLETTER •
26
FEBRUARY 2016
COMMUNITY NOTICES
The Wakatipu Youth Trust has started a QSA (Queer Straight Alliance), a group for LGBTQ+ and its supporters. If
you are interested to support the LGBTQ+ community or would want support yourself please contact the Wakatipu
Youth Trust team (Jaqs, Alice, Richie and Suzie) on
[email protected]
13
WAKATIPU
HIGH
SCHOOL
NEWSLETTER •
26
FEBRUARY 2016
COMMUNITY NOTICES
DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE
The next AA New Zealand Defensive Driving
Course is to be held in Queenstown on
March 9Th , 16th 23rd and 30th (incl) from
7.00-9.00pm. Further information and an
application form please contact
[email protected];
or txt 027 623 3534
Guitar, Drums and Bass Tuition
Estab 2007
Phil Hartshorn BA (HONS) PGDip Tching
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 021 075 0927
Please read my student testimonials.
14