Week 5, Term 1 | 2026

Executive Principal’s Update

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

It was gratifying to host the Rob Cope Cyber Safe Kids presentation at the college last night, welcoming members of our school community along with families from our contributing primary schools. The talk, aimed specifically at supporting our parents and caregivers, addressed the important topic of how we can keep our young people safe in an increasingly complex digital world.

Rob shared powerful insights drawn from current research and real-life examples of the online environments young people are navigating every day. The presentation explored how social media, gaming platforms, messaging apps and rapidly developing AI technologies are shaping the way young people interact, learn and form their sense of identity. It highlighted that while technology offers many opportunities, it also presents challenges that require awareness, guidance and open conversations at home and at school.

At times the presentation was deliberately provocative and confronting, encouraging us as adults to reflect on how well we understand the digital spaces our children inhabit. Importantly, the evening was not simply about identifying risks. Rob also provided practical, real-life strategies for families — from setting clear expectations around device use and online behaviour, to fostering ongoing conversations about digital footprints, privacy, and respectful online relationships.

The insights and tools shared during the evening were both timely and valuable for our community.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to such an important conversation. A special thank you also goes to our Parents Association, who were wonderful hosts and helped make the evening such a success.

Back at school, it has been a very focused week academically, with students and staff working hard as we move through a busy part of the term. Our Biology and Geography students will be putting much effort into field work next week with the Year 12 Geography class taking on the annual Tongariro Crossing, always a highlight of the year and the Year 13 PE class on their practical assessment week at TOPEC where they will go caving, tramping and other activities exploring risk management and safety in the outdoors.

Alongside this, our summer sports programme continues to be full of activity and positive results.

Congratulations to our Senior A and Junior A Futsal teams, who both secured wins in their weekly competition, as well as our Junior A Volleyball team, who also recorded a strong victory. We continue to be encouraged by the enthusiasm, participation, and effort shown by all of our sports teams and wish our Senior Girls and Senior Boys Volleyball teams all the very best as they compete in the regional tournament this weekend.

Looking ahead, we are very much looking forward to our Athletics Sports Day that was postponed to Monday. This is always an enjoyable event that brings our school community together, and we warmly welcome parents and whānau who would like to come along and support our students.

Finally, we extend our thoughts and prayers to the Chair of the Proprietors’ Board, Mr John Fiso, and Board member Mr Api Fiso, on the recent passing of their sister Fuamoli (Molly).

Ngā mihi nui.

Shelley Addison
Executive Principal

Deputies’ Updates

Deputy Principal (Academics)

Kia ora e te whānau o Whitby Collegiate,

It is a privilege to witness the vibrant energy and intellectual curiosity our students have brought into the new school year. As we settle into our academic routines, it is clear that our community is thriving, driven by a collective commitment to excellence and a passion for lifelong learning. We are incredibly proud of the purposeful start our students have made, and we remain dedicated to providing an environment where every individual feels empowered to reach their full potential and embrace the exciting challenges ahead.

To ensure our families are fully supported in navigating these educational journeys, we are delighted to invite you to our Information Sessions on Tuesday, 10 March, held in the Ioane Fiso Pavilion. These sessions are designed to provide clarity and inspiration as we partner together in your child’s success. We will begin at 5:00 pm with a briefing on the July Year 7 and 8 Camp to Teapot Valley, Nelson, followed at 6:00 pm by an exploration of the New Zealand Curriculum at Whitby Collegiate. This particular session will highlight how our approach translates into meaningful, real-world outcomes for our students.

We conclude the evening at 7:00 pm with a dual focus on our senior pathways: introducing the Collegiate Diploma for Year 11s, and a comprehensive guide to how NCEA works. This is a fantastic opportunity to demystify the qualification process and showcase how the Collegiate Diploma adds a unique layer of distinction to our students’ portfolios. We look forward to seeing you there as we continue to celebrate the bright futures being built right here at our school.

Our first Parent Teacher Interviews for the year will invite whānau of Year 7 and new to the school Year 9 students to speak with teachers. Please save the date for Tuesday 31 March, between 4-7:30pm. Booking information will be sent home soon

Ngā mihi,

Debbie Mitchell
debbie.mitchell@whitbycollegiate.school.nz

Chaplain’s Note

We live in a tumultuous world. The headlines can be overwhelming, and it is easy to feel discouraged or to begin shutting down from it all.

That makes this week’s virtue of charity especially important. Charity is more than giving money. It is a way of seeing people with kindness, generosity and compassion. In a world that can sometimes feel harsh or disconnected, small acts of care can make a real difference.

The Bible reminds us, “Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:18)

Each of us has the chance to bring a little more kindness into the world this week. A word of encouragement, a helping hand, or simply noticing someone who might feel left out can be a powerful thing.

Sometimes the most meaningful way to respond to a troubled world is simply to choose kindness, again and again.

Blessings,
Reverend Chris

School News

Exploring Still Life: Year 12 Painters

The quiet contemplation of still-life artist Giorgio Morandi is currently being investigated by our Year 12 painters. Mixing soft color palettes and making careful considerations regarding the placement of objects have been the starting points for their individual responses.

Our featured artist this week is the talented Brooke Solomon, with her beautiful painted acrylic study.

Upcoming Events

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Sports Update

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Student Achievements

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Community Notice