Week 6, Term 3 | 2026

Executive Principal’s Update

Kia ora, Talofa, Bula vinaka, Malo e lelei, Fakatālofa atu kia te koulua, Kia orana, Hallo, Hola, Ni Hao, Konichiwa, Namaste and Greetings - parents, caregivers and families of Whitby Collegiate.

It has been an action-packed week at Whitby Collegiate, with Winter Tournament Week showcasing the incredible commitment, talent and determination of our students across a wide range of sporting codes along with the normal range of activities in a busy week.

We were particularly thrilled last night to celebrate an outstanding achievement from our Senior Certificate Debating Team. Isabella McLean, Adele Tipper, Cameron Leitch and Yug Mundra have taken out the Wellington Regional Secondary Schools Debating Competition, defeating Wellington College in the final.

The competition has been held over the past two months, with our team working their way through numerous challenging debates to reach the final. Their preparation, teamwork and perseverance have been exceptional. Of particular note, Adele Tipper was awarded Best Speaker for the competition — an outstanding individual achievement.

A huge congratulations to Isabella, Adele, Cameron and Yug. We are incredibly proud of your achievement and the way you have represented Whitby Collegiate and thanks to Mr Atkinson for his guidance and support. We now move onto the house debating competition.

We also extend an enormous vote of thanks to all of our coaches, managers and staff who give so generously of their time to make these opportunities possible for our students. Their contribution is invaluable.

There is plenty more action coming up next week as we farewell our AIMS Games athletes. This year will see the largest group of Whitby Collegiate students we have ever sent to AIMS Games, with the school represented in Futsal, Netball, Golf, Swimming and Tennis. We wish all of our athletes the very best as they prepare to compete. We know they will represent our school with pride, enthusiasm and determination. Good luck to everyone!

Alongside our sporting successes, there has been plenty happening academically.

Our senior students are currently completing their subject selections for next year, while we are also heading into derived grade examinations for Years 12 and 13. These examinations provide important signposts for academic progress and give students valuable opportunities to demonstrate their learning.

It is also pleasing to see the growing number of students taking up the opportunity to sit scholarship examinations. The progress being made through our Academic Enrichment Programme is particularly encouraging, and it is fantastic to see students challenging themselves and extending their learning beyond the regular curriculum.

We are looking forward to our Year 10 Market Day next week. The promotions and publicity we have already seen around the event have provided a wonderful demonstration of the marketing talents and creativity of our students. There is clearly plenty of entrepreneurial energy around the school, and we look forward to seeing the ideas come to life next week.

It has been a remarkable week at Whitby Collegiate, with achievements across debating, sport and academics. Thank you to our students, staff, coaches, managers and families for the commitment and support that continues to make these opportunities possible.

And finally, we are always excited when our students’ hard work comes to fruition, and we congratulate Dakota Symons, who is heading off to the USA on a softball scholarship. Well done, Dakota!

Deputies’ Updates

Deputy Principal (Academics)

There has been a lovely vibe around the school this week, with students working towards their Term 3 goals, and enjoying the weather now we’re in Spring. Following last week’s subject presentations at the end of assembly, teachers this week also held an informal Q&A session with Year 9 - 12 students finalising their subject selection for 2027. Students must make their choices (or any changes) for their 2027 academic subjects before the Course Selection section on the KAMAR portal closes, or they will need to come and see me for help. Students will continue to be able to view their selections until the end of the year.

Next week, and into Week 8, the vast majority of Year 10 students will be completing their Literacy Reading and Writing, and Numeracy Common Assessment Tasks (CAAs).

Monday 7 September: Literacy Reading US32403

Wednesday 9 September: Literacy Writing US32405

Monday 14 September: Numeracy US32406 (for a small number of students)

For students who are absent from one of these CAAs for a genuine reason, there will be a catch-up session during Week 8. Further opportunities to complete the CAAs will be available in 2027. LitNum coordinator Mrs Katherine McKinlay has sent more information to parents/caregivers of students entered in these assessments.

Students completing Level 2 and Level 3 NCEA external assessments should be busy revising and preparing for their derived grades examinations in Week 8. From 14 - 18 September, Years 12 and 13 students are off-timetable for the week, but must come into school, in full uniform, for each of their scheduled examinations. The derived grade timetable is available here. Normal absence protocols apply please contact the school if a student who is expected at an examination will be absent for any reason (absences@whitbycollegiate.school.nz).

One of our Year 13 Young Enterprise businesses has created a useful kit to help students with their revision and study. Please see the advertisement for The Study Buddy further in this newsletter.

If there is anything I can do to assist with anything, please do not hesitate to reach out. Happy Father’s Day to all our dads, and to those filling the father-figure role. I wish you a lovely weekend.

Ngā mihi,

Debbie Mitchell
debbie.mitchell@whitbycollegiate.school.nz

Deputy Principal (Pastoral and Wellbeing)

Talofa lava, Mhoro, Malo e lelei, Vanakkam, Da jia hao, Malo ni, Kia orana, Privet, Tēnā koutou e te whānau,

Yesterday’s assembly was a fantastic reminder of how blessed we are to have so many students offer to serve their school community. Beyond celebrating the many students who quietly embody excellence, servant leadership, and compassion every single day, we got a vibrant preview of what our Year 10 entrepreneurs have been cooking up for next Wednesday’s Market Day. From potato twists and burger toasties to churros and homemade soda, their promotional pitches were outstanding. It’s always inspiring to see their creativity and hustle in action.

Looking ahead to next term, momentum is already building for our annual Whitby’s Got Talent competition. If last term’s spectacular House Battle of the Bands was anything to go by, we are in for a great showcase of student talent.

We’ve also hit a wonderful milestone this year with a record number of Year 12s stepping forward to apply for the 2027 Prefect team. Reading through their applications has been uplifting and their commitment to service and enthusiasm for building a fun, connected school culture shines through every page. I can’t wait to hear them deliver their leadership speeches at our final assembly later this term.

In the classroom, 7NA brought science to life this week with a hands-on terrarium-building project. Watching them design their own mini-ecosystems while exploring food webs and sustainability was a brilliant, high energy way to wrap up a busy week of learning.

School News

Artist of the Week - Brooke Mc Ginley

Showcasing the vibrancy and creative talents of Yr 11 Visual Artist Brooke Mc Ginley. Her featured painting invites us to bask in the final glowing rays of the sun in her special place. 

My Tūrangawaewae: 

“This painting is home, the beautiful place where I live. 

Popping with colours of warmth and emotion. I have also captured the reflection of the inlet and the environment I grew up in and have seen my whole life. 

The painting even reveals the back area of my home, the place where I stand.

It is the hidden part no one really notices. 

I notice it though.”

Student Perspective

Upcoming Events

Key dates are located on the website calendar. Please check for your activities. Subscribe to the Whitby Collegiate calendar from the school website calendar page by clicking the button that reads “subscribe to this calendar”.

Thank you once again for your incredible support. We look forward to celebrating with you at the Gala Dinner.

Whitby Collegiate Foundation

Sports Update

For all sports information and registrations visit our online sports hub here. Join the Whitby Collegiate Sport Facebook Group to keep up to date with all sport news and achievements.

Student Achievements

We love to celebrate our students’ achievements. For inclusion in the Whitby Collegiate newsletter or on our Facebook page, please submit via the button below or email communications@whitbycollegiate.school.nz

Community Notice

School Notice

Reminder Regarding Student Absences & Illness

If your child feels unwell during the school day, please remind them to report directly to the school Office. To ensure student safety and proper attendance tracking, we ask that students do not contact parents directly to be picked up. All communication regarding sick students will come directly through the Office.

Thank you for your cooperation and support!

Friendly Health Reminder: Keeping Our School Community Healthy

Unfortunately, we have had quite a few bugs and viruses doing the rounds at school. Please be considerate of fellow students, families, and staff by keeping your child home if they show any signs of illness—such as a fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, or upset stomach.

If your child will be absent, please remember to notify the school office as early as possible.

Thank you for your consideration and ongoing support in keeping our community healthy!

Important: How to Reach Us by Email

Please note that emails ending in “school.kiwi” are sent from our student management system, KAMAR. These are used for school communications and absence notifications and have limited functionality, as KAMAR isn’t designed to be a primary email system.

You’re welcome to reply to these emails; however, new emails sent directly to a “school.kiwi” address won’t be received. Forwarded messages and attachments also won’t come through.

To ensure your message reaches us, please use staff email addresses ending in @whitbycollegiate.school.nz

A Reminder About Car Parking

A friendly reminder to all whānau, please ensure you are not parking in the staff car park when dropping off or picking up your children. The staff car park is reserved exclusively for our teachers and staff. Your co-operation helps keep our school running smoothly and ensures our staff can get to their classrooms on time.

Thank you for your understanding and support.