Important Dates
- Monday 10 February: Year 9 meet the teacher (6.00pm)
- Monday 10 February: Board of Trustees meeting (6.00pm)
- Wednesday 12 February: School photos
- Thursday 13 February: School photos
- Friday 14 February: Athletics Carnival (Newtown Park)
- Wednesday 19 February: Year 9 Noho Marae begin
Important Information
School Photos: Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 February
All students will have a rōpū class photo and an individual portrait/ID photo taken.
There is no need to order in advance. Later in the term, students will receive an individualised envelope with their portrait displayed and instructions on how to order class and/or portrait photos.
You can see the prices for different packages on the school website here
Sibling and group photos will be done during the lunch break, and between 3.20 – 4.00pm on Wednesday. These do not need to be booked: students should simply arrive at the Riley Centre at this time.
Wednesday 12 February
9.30am: Year 10
11.30am: He Kākano
12.20pm: Year 13
1.20pm: (Lunch) International students and peer support. Siblings and groups.
2.20pm: Catch ups as needed
3.20pm: Siblings and groups
Thursday 13 February
8.45am: Year 11
10.00am: Year 12
12.20pm: Year 9
1.50pm: Staff
2.20pm: Catch ups as needed
If you have any queries, please contact your student’s rōpū teacher.
Athletics Carnival: Friday 14 February
On Friday 14 February we will hold our annual WHS Athletics Carnival Day at Newtown Park.
We expect all Year 9 and 10 students to attend and compete. In Years 11 to 13 the event will only be for competitors, peer supporters and those running stalls. As it is not possible to run a normal school day and the athletics day, all other students in Years 11 to 13 who do not wish to attend the athletics day will have a Home Learning Day. Teachers will talk to students about their expectations for the day, and I encourage students to make good use of their time if they are not going to attend.
Students need to make their way to Newtown Park and have their name marked on the roll by 8.45am. The athletics programme will start at 8.45am with the 1500m. Those competing in the 1500m need to be at the track at 8.30am to get ready. The day should conclude by 3.30pm. Entries for all events are taken on the day and students are encouraged to participate actively and to support their whānau group by wearing their colours: Riley – red; Kelly – yellow; Howell – green; Royal – blue; McKelvey – purple.
Notice of a Paid Union Meeting : 25 February
The Post Primary Teachers’ Association has directed members to attend a round of branch based union meetings held under the provisions of Section 26 of the Employment Relations Act 2000.
The meeting for PPTA members at Wellington High School will be held on Tuesday 25 February. To facilitate the meeting, school will finish at 12.20pm. A revised timetable for the day will be circulated closer to the meeting.
If your student requires supervision during this time, there will be supervision available. Please contact Jude (jude.aspinall@whs.school.nz) at Reception if this is the case.
Music Department
To find out what the Music Department is offering this term, please click on the image below.
What’s happening
New students welcomed to WHS
At a series of pōwhiri on January 29 and January 30 we welcomed our new students. Over the past week it has been wonderful to see them settling into WHS life and quickly becoming part of this community.
Outdoor Education on the crest of a wave
Year 13 Outdoor Education has got off to a fantastic start with students taking advantage of great surf conditions at Lyall Bay during their first lesson of the year.
New Community Education courses supporting parenting
Another two CEC courses are aimed at helping with complex issues parents face:
- Raising Great Kids in An Age of Over Indulgence – Thursday 20 February – 7.30pm-9.30pm – only $20. Parenting today delivers unprecedented challenges – are you wondering what went wrong and somehow ended up living with a child you don’t recognise as should be belonging to you? Get a new perspective, an easy-to-understand model to follow and tools to help you to raise likeable and respectful children in an age of over-indulgence.
- Creating Confident Eaters – Wednesday 4 March 5.30-pm – 7.30pm – Only $20. If you have a picky eater aged 2 – 12 this workshop is a must. Take home practical strategies that you can easily implement at home. Simple for parents, acceptable for even the most selective of children.
If you are interested in these or any of the courses offered by the Community Education Centre, their new term begins on Tuesday 11 February. Visit their website for further details.
Achievements
Prime Minister’s Vocational Award winner Whitireia success
Congratulations to Martine Tauwhare-McGowan of 2019’s Year 13 cohort. We were delighted to hear this week that Martine has been accepted onto the Māori nursing course at Whitireia’s Porirua campus. We wish her every success as she begins her studies there.
Martine was the inaugural recipient of the Prime Minister’s vocational award at November’s Senior prizegiving. The award, worth $2,000, is aimed at raising the status of vocational study and, in this instance, recognised Martine’s achievements in Hospitality and Trades Academy. Martine worked during her Year 13 year, securing employment with Caterplus and working in the kitchens of a retirement home while also completing her NCEA Level 3 successfully.
Scholarship successes
WHS received the Scholarship results from the 2019 NCEA exam session this week. 26 scholarships were awarded across 13 different subjects to 13 of last year’s Year 13 students. Students receive $500 per scholarship awarded and, if successful in achieving three or more Scholarships, receive $2,000 a year for three years.
Congratulations to all students who sat and achieved scholarship success. Of particular note are the achievements of Sophie Mance who was awarded six scholarships to go alongside the Geography scholarship she was awarded in Year 12. Elijah Neilson and Ollie Markwell each achieved three scholarships, with Ollie achieving a rare Outstanding in his Physics scholarship. Congratulations also go to Rilke Comer, Anna Liu and Sofi Dickinson-Smith who all attained two scholarships each.
Careers
Reminder: Gateway Work Experience 2020 – applications now open for Year 12 and Year 13 Students
Expression of Interest forms are available from Student Services or COM 5. Once the form is signed by a parent and returned to Student Services, the student will be contacted by email and/or a note in class to meet for a standard in-school meet and greet interview to assess potential work interests/options, student suitability and that criteria for the programme is met. Spaces are limited. Please note that students who are enrolled in Trades Academy are not eligible for Gateway as well.
Students are given opportunities to try out their career choices, while gaining realistic workplace experience. Gateway gives the students confidence to make a smooth transition from school to future employment.
| Trades: Electrician Mechanic Builder Cabinet Maker Plumber Chorus – Phone and Internet cabling (with a possibility of apprenticeship if successful after their Gateway placement is completed) |
Retail/Customer Service: Moore Wilsons The Warehouse Warehouse Stationery Countdown McDonalds Z Petrol Station |
| Hospitality/Customer Service: Restaurant Chef Waitressing Airline Customer Service Hotel Reception Café/Barista work |
Youthline: Youth Development Programme |
| Zeal: Event Management Programme Live Sound Engineering Barista work experience |
Computing: Computer Hardware/Laptop Repairs |
| Corporate Sector: Corporate Investment Company – Exploring the different departments within the organisation. |
New Zealand Institute of Sport: Certificate in Sports Coaching Skills |
| Gardening: Botanical Gardens |
Animal Care: SPCA |
| Hairdressing: Various employers |
Childcare: Various employers |
Please Note: Some work placements will start in the next few weeks so applications should be handed in ASAP.
For more information and any questions, please contact: Terry Hawkings, Gateway Coordinator terry.hawkings@whs.school.nz or Paula Willis, Gateway Administrator paula.willis@whs.school.nz
Parents & Community: if you or your organisation would like to host a student for work experience in your industry, please contact Paula for a Gateway Employer information pack.