Week 6, Term 4 | 2024

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,

As the term races ahead, we have much to celebrate in these last couple of weeks of school.

Last Friday, we gathered at Nikau Café for a wonderful evening to celebrate and bid farewell to our graduating Class of 2024. This group has demonstrated exceptional leadership and left a remarkable legacy for future students. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours and have been proud to be part of their life journey.

Our senior students are nearing the conclusion of the NCEA exam cycle and we are proud of their perseverance and wish them the best as they complete this crucial milestone.

We have now begun the unenviable task of interviewing our prospective 2025 student leaders. We have been thrilled with all those who have put up their hands to be part of the student leadership team in 2025 and are very impressed with their ideas and enthusiasm regarding their contributions to school life.

This week, our junior Volleyball teams showcased their skills at the North Island Satellite Tournament at Te Rauparaha Arena. It has been a week full of highs and lows, with both teams delivering outstanding Volleyball performances. A special thank you to Mr Ryburn and Mr Gledhill for their dedication and hard work in coaching and supporting our teams throughout the tournament.

Congratulations to our swimmers who competed at the Wellington Interzone Swimming Championships earlier this week, and best of luck to our Futsal team who have won their way to the finals for their division.

It was great to see our junior students exploring their passion for their future careers with an amazing experience with the Wellington Aero Club.

We are eagerly looking forward to our Market Day tomorrow, a much-anticipated event that has been the culmination of weeks of hard work and dedication. A huge vote of thanks goes to Nadine Green in particular, whose incredible organisation skills and leadership have brought this event to life, supported by her amazing team of parents. This effort truly reflects the spirit of our Whitby community – alive, well, and thriving. We can’t wait to see you all there!

Thank you to everyone who continues to make Whitby Collegiate such a special place. Your efforts, support, and enthusiasm remind us every day of the strength of our community.

Warm regards,

Shelley Addison
Executive Principal

Deputies’ Updates

Deputy Principal (Academics)

Kia ora e te whānau o Whitby Collegiate,

Prize Giving - Wednesday 4 December

Our Prize Giving this year will be held at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua on the evening of Wednesday 4 December. We invite all Parents and Caregivers to join the Board, Staff, and Students at the Arena for this event.

Students, Parents and Caregivers should arrive at 6.30pm to be seated before our Prize Giving begins at 6.55pm.

The school day on Wednesday 4 December will finish early at 12.35pm in order to allow students to go home, rest, have something to eat, change into their formal school uniform, and arrive at the venue on time. Buses will leave school at 12.40pm to travel home.

Please note that attendance at Prize Giving is compulsory for all students in Year 7 to 13. Should a student not be able to attend, permission for absence must be sought from the Executive Principal by contacting the school office, office@whitbycollegiate.school.nz

Students need to be in formal school uniform. All students will be wearing blazers and ties, with shoes polished and long hair tied up. Boys must be wearing long trousers. Girls may wear trousers or a skirt with black tights. No students will be permitted to wear shorts at Prizegiving. Jewellery should comply with the school’s uniform policy.

Prize winners will have the opportunity to have their photograph taken with their trophies at the end of Prizegiving. Trophies will remain on display at school and will not be taken home by individual recipients.

Last Days of School

We are all looking forward to enjoying the last days of the school year together and to celebrating a successful 2024 at Whitby Collegiate.

Monday 2 December

• School is open for normal school hours for all Junior students in Years 7 to 10.

• Students will be participating in the Whitby Olympics.

Tuesday 3 December

• school is open for normal school hours for all students.

• Students will be participating in the Whitby Olympics.

Wednesday 4 December

• school is open for normal school hours for all students.

• Students will be participating in the Whitby Olympics Periods 1-3.

• Prize Giving Rehearsal and uniform check during Period 4.

• School finishes at 12.35pm with buses departing at 12.40pm.

Thursday 5 December (Final School Day for 2024)

• This is a compulsory school day for all students in Year 7 to 13. The day will commence with Tutor Time at 8.45am.

• A copy of the school magazine will be issued to each student, and the cost has been disbursed to your school account.

• Students will attend an end of year Assembly where we will farewell our Year 13 Students.

• School will be dismissed for the year at 11am and school buses will depart from outside the school at 11.05am

Ngā mihi,

Debbie Mitchell
debbie.mitchell@whitbycollegiate.school.nz

Deputy Principal (Pastoral & Wellbeing)

Talofa lava, Namaste, Kia orana, Ni Hao, Malo e lelei, Taloha ni, and Kia Ora e te whānau o Whitby Collegiate,

This week, we want to shine a spotlight on the incredible servant leadership our students continue to demonstrate. Servant leadership comes naturally to many of our students, and we are very grateful for their dedication to serving those in our wider school community who are less fortunate.

Our students have been actively involved in various activities that exemplify our school values and I could not be more proud. As you can see in the photos below, our students' actions reflect the values important to creating our special school culture: compassion, respect, and service. Whether it’s fundraising, assisting at events, or supporting fellow students, they embody the values our staff and pastoral team strive to enforce and instil in our students.

Thank you to all our students for your servant leadership and commitment to serving others. Our Year 12 students also came in this week to begin planning for our junior school’s Olympic days. Keep up the fantastic work, and continue to lead by example!

Today, I had the pleasure of taking four of our junior students to the Aero Club in Wellington for flight lessons. We were blessed with perfect weather, making it an ideal day for flying. Our students had an unforgettable experience, diving into the world of aviation, and even flying an aircraft on their own! Highlights included:

• Learning About Aviation: The students were introduced to the basics of aviation, including understanding the controls, safety procedures, and the principles of flight.

• Hands-On Flying Experience: Each student had the opportunity to take control of the aircraft under the supervision of experienced instructors. This hands-on experience was both thrilling and educational.

• Career Inspiration: The flight lessons provided a unique glimpse into a potential future career in aviation. Our students left feeling inspired and excited about the possibilities ahead.

This excursion not only provided a fun and educational experience but also sparked interest in aviation as a future career pathway. We hope to continue offering such opportunities to inspire and educate our students about the diverse career options available to them.

A big thank you to the Wellington Aero Club for hosting us and providing such a memorable experience. We are proud of our students for their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn.

Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to all our parents who have worked hard throughout the week to prepare and plan our Community Market Day. There will be over 50 stalls tomorrow and I am looking forward to seeing our community come together to support a very worthy cause. Special thanks to Nadine and Tim Green for their leadership.

Have a wonderful weekend and please support our market day tomorrow. See you there!

God bless.

Ainslie Sauvao
ainslie.sauvao@whitbycollegiate.school.nz

Student Perspective

Kia ora, talofa lava, mālō e lelei, bula vinaka, and warm greetings to you all,

The countdown to the end of school is officially on. Just one and a half weeks to go! Alongside this, Whitby Collegiate’s senior students are nearing the finish line of their NCEA exams, and we wish them all the best for their final ones.

We are also incredibly excited for Whitby Collegiate’s second Community Market Day, happening this Saturday, 23rd of November. It is going to be a great day, with many great stalls and food for everyone to buy and enjoy.

Let’s make the most of these last weeks together. Stay focused, have fun, and remember to celebrate any achievements, big or small!

Ngā mihi nui,

Louisa Egley-Turner

Upcoming Events

School News

Recent Events: Student Perspective

It’s been a quiet week at Whitby Collegiate, giving us all a moment to relax and prepare for the exciting events that are just around the corner.

This Saturday, our school will have our Market Day, as students and local shopkeepers display their unique creations. It's a perfect time to support our school, raise money for better facilities and more opportunities, and find some unique Christmas gifts!

In just two weeks, the competitive spirit of Whitby will shine during the Whitby Olympics. Whether you're in it to win house points for 2025 or just there to cheer on your friends and have a good time, it’s a fun way to end our term and a great way to get your House an advantage for next year!

As the holidays come closer, let’s make the most of these upcoming opportunities. Each event is a way to make the most out of this amazing year at Whitby Collegiate!

• Gabriel Anthony

Lunch Online

Please note that Pita Pit orders on Mondays will stop after Monday 25 November. After this date, there will only be orders from Truffle Café available on a Monday. Pita Pit will continue to take orders for a Friday delivery.

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.

Wellington Interzone Swimming Championships

A huge shoutout to our students who competed in the Wellington Interzone Swimming Championships this week, representing the Parumoana region with pride.

Camille Zhou took home gold in two races, the 25m Freestyle and 25m Butterfly, while Max Zhang secured a well-earned 3rd place in the 25m Butterfly – fantastic effort! Our Year 8 mixed relay team also got 2nd in 25m Freestyle.

A special mention to Maya Kappagoda, Max Tai, and Andrei Lupanin for their outstanding participation and for showcasing Whitby Collegiate’s spirit in the pool. Thank you to Victoria Kappagoda for managing the team and Alex Tai for his help and support throughout the event.

Prize Giving Recognition for Sporting Achievements

We are proud to celebrate the sporting achievements of our students at either this year’s Prize Giving or the final assembly, particularly those who have represented a region or New Zealand in their chosen sports.

If your child has achieved regional or national representation in sport this year, please share their success with us by submitting their details here.

Sports Uniform Returns

A friendly reminder to return all sports uniforms from the year to the sports office before the end of the school term. Please ensure they are clean.

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