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Weekly Wrap Up

The Wrap Up (Term 1, Week 7, 2025)

Paddle down the stunning Whanganui River with our Year 12 Outdoor Education group. Celebrate diversity and help create a more inclusive culture during Neurodiversity Week. Shout out to our He Kākano students who qualified for Regionals and congratulate our winner of the Yulia Zdanovska award. This and much more in this week’s Wrap Up.

Important Dates

  • Tuesday 1 April – Music Evening
  • Monday 7 April – Board Meeting 6.00pm
  • Friday 11 April – End of Term 1

Important Information

Neurodiversity Celebration Week is 17-21 March. Wellington High has been involved in this worldwide initiative for several years now. The aims of the week are to transform how neurodiverse individuals are perceived, by celebrating the unique strengths and talents of neurodiverse people and helping to create a more inclusive and equitable culture. This initiative started in the UK and the online events are held in UK time however this year these events are being recorded so people participating in other countries can also have access to them. Please see below for a calendar of events that you can sign up to if you wish. You need to register and you will be sent a recording after the event.

Neurodiversity Celebration Week Events Calendar

 

What’s Happening?

Year 12 Outdoor Education – Whanganui River Journey

On 4 March, one of the Year 12 Outdoor Education classes embarked on an unforgettable multi-day journey down the Whanganui River. Battling changing river conditions and unpredictable weather, students demonstrated resilience and teamwork as they paddled through the breathtaking landscapes of Whanganui National Park.

The trip wasn’t just about physical endurance—students gained valuable outdoor skills, navigated historic sections of the river, and reflected on the significance of the awa in Aotearoa’s history and culture. Evenings were spent setting up camp, cooking meals together, and sharing highlights from the day’s paddling.

Honey harvest

Last weekend we harvested some of the honey our school bees have been busy collecting over the summer. Since term 3 last year, we’ve had one hive on site which we have since split into two because the initial one was going so well with a strong queen.

 

Try out a Music Ensemble

Come along and experience making music in a group! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced musician, our ensembles welcome all students to join in, have fun, and develop their skills. Check out the timetable below to find a group that suits you.

 

Phoenix on screen

 

WHS alumna Phoenix Connolly can currently be seen on screen in Secrets at Red Rocks. Filmed around Wellington’s south coast Phoenix features as the mysterious red-haired woman. Find out more here and watch on Sky Open on Sundays at 7.30pm.

Achievements

The 2024 Bebras challenge Yulia Zdanovska award has just been announced and Kashan Faras from Wellington High School is the winner.  The Bebras challenge is a national competition in computational thinking.  The Yulia Zdanovska prize is named in honor of Yulia Zdanovska, a young Ukrainian woman who won the Ukrainian version of Bebras, and a member of the top team in the European Girls’ Olympiad in Mathematics.  She was killed in the opening days of the Russian invasion in 2022.  

As an aside, WHS had two of the three award winners in 2023 as well.

Fringe success

Congratulations to Teacher Aide, Zachary Klein, named Most Promising Emerging Artist at this year’s Wellington Fringe Festival.

Sport

DSPORT athletics

He Kākano students recently competed in the DSPORT athletics event at Newtown Athletics Park. Four students qualified for the regionals; Lucia Preston (2nd in Javelin), Darius Ngature (100 and 200m sprint), Logan Phillips (championship javelin throw) and Joshua Nathan (200m sprint).

Waka Ama

On Saturday 8 March, 6 teams from Wellington High School competed in the regional competition held in Porirua. “It was a very busy day, filled with races and lots of cheering on our teammates. Our Kura came away with 5 gold, 3 silver, and 1 bronze medal. We also won the School spirit award for the 2nd year in a row, being the first school to win it twice, and consecutively. It was a great day and we can’t wait to head to nationals next weekend!” – Willow Dearnley.

 

Spirit of Adventure Trust

To find out more about getting on board a Spirit of Adventure voyage this year, click on this QR code below:

 

 

CAREERS

Here is this week’s pathways newsletter to find out more about the above opportunities.

Please contact Chuni Bhikha bac@whs.school.nz or drop into S502 if you require further information on the above events.