Week 5, 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,

It’s been a wonderfully busy week at Whitby Collegiate! As we edge closer to the festive season, the energy at the school is certainly at an all time high with our students deeply engaged in academics, sports, and special projects.

We always enjoy welcoming our parents to school and this week our Year 8 students in class 8NA had an enriching experience this week with a special pottery workshop led by Mrs Harris. Her passion for pottery inspired the students to explore their creativity in new ways, and we’re grateful for her time and the opportunity to delve into this artistic medium.

We are still maintaining our academic momentum In our final academic stretch, where students are still working diligently on internal tests and assessments that will inform their year-end progress reports. We commend everyone for their focus and effort during these assessments.

Tonight, we’ll celebrate our graduating Class of 2024 with a special Leavers Dinner. It’s an opportunity to reflect on their time at Whitby Collegiate and look forward to their future. We’re honoured to have their families, school staff, and Mr Fiso, Chair of the Proprietor’s Board, joining us for the occasion. A special thank you to Sue Payne and the parents association for the support of this very important event.

Our Year 7 and 8 athletes represented us proudly at the Parumoana Athletics and Swimming Championships this week and we extend a big thanks to our Year 10 students and Mr Ryburn, who helped officiate the Athletics sports with a great deal of professionalism. We’re proud of our students’ dedication and the positive feedback from other schools.

This week’s sports news continues with the success of our Futsal team, who secured an exciting win and are heading to the final in two weeks. Our Volleyball teams are also gearing up for next week’s satellite tournament, where they’ll compete against teams from across the Lower North Island.

As always, we are grateful for the incredible support from our school community, especially our parents, whose involvement truly enriches the Whitby Collegiate experience. Wishing everyone a safe and restful weekend.

Shelley Addison
Executive Principal

Deputies’ Updates

Deputy Principal (Academics)

Kia ora e te whānau o Whitby Collegiate,

Well done to all students who have completed an examination over the last two weeks. We are now over half way through our NCEA examination timetable, and students are working really well.

As indicated via email earlier in the week, NZQA is encouraging students to plan ahead for potential traffic disruptions due to the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti. The Hīkoi is due to arrive in the Wellington region on 18 and 19 November. Students should check their NCEA and Scholarship exam dates and times carefully, and make sure they have their admission slips with them. Please plan to arrive early for each examination; students are not allowed to enter the exam room any later than half an hour after the start of the examination. Morning exams start at 9.30am, afternoon exams start at 2pm.

If students think they are likely to face unavoidable and significant transport delays, they should make contact with me as soon as possible to discuss sitting the exam at another school. They would need to take a photo ID as well as their admission slip if they wish to sit an exam at another exam centre. Derived Grades will not be available for students who join the Hīkoi instead of sitting their exams. Derived Grades will not be available for foreseeable travel disruptions. Students cannot be awarded a Derived Grade for a Scholarship examination.

Senior students should check their grades for Internal Assessments on both KAMAR and on their NZQA portal. If there are any irregularities or concerns, please reach out to me.

Ngā mihi,

Debbie Mitchell
debbie.mitchell@whitbycollegiate.school.nz

Deputy Principal (Pastoral & Wellbeing)

Mālō le soifua and Tena koutou e te whānau o Whitby Collegiate,

As we approach the end of this school year, we are reminded of the encouraging words from Jeremiah 29:11: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” This powerful scripture was shared during this week’s assembly by Year 7 students Lucy Rees-Thomas and Maliah Marshall, serving as a beacon of hope and reassurance for our junior students.

We are reminded that each student's journey is part of a greater plan filled with promise and purpose. As our Year 13 students prepare to embark on new adventures beyond Whitby Collegiate, we trust that the future holds boundless opportunities for them to thrive and make meaningful contributions to their communities. For those returning next year, this scripture encourages us to embrace the forthcoming challenges and triumphs with confidence, knowing that we are being prepared for a prosperous and hopeful future.

One of the highlights of this week's assembly was the exciting visit from members of our Wellington Lions NPC Champions. We were thrilled to see them bring the winning Cup, a symbol of their hard work and dedication. A special thanks goes to Penieli Poasa, who shared his words of wisdom with our students, inspiring them to remember the key elements of being a good sportsperson.

Penieli emphasised that the skills learned in sports—teamwork and team culture, discipline, perseverance, and respect—are transferrable to everyday life. His message resonated with many of our students, reminding us that being a good sportsperson goes hand-in-hand with being a good person.

This week, I had the privilege of taking a group of our Year 10 Pasifika students to the Victoria University Pasifika Open Day. Our students were encouraged to consider tertiary education as a viable pathway to a fulfilling career. The open day enabled them to explore various career options and understand how university education can help them achieve their goals. Overall, the Victoria University Pasifika Open Day was an excellent opportunity for our students to envision their futures and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.

Finally, this evening, we are honoured to have our Proprietor, Mr John Fiso, hosting our Leavers' Dinner at his restaurant. This special event provides an opportunity for our Year 13 students to celebrate their final year at Whitby Collegiate and reflect on their journey.

As mentioned throughout the year, our school leavers have demonstrated outstanding servant leadership, and their impactful care and support have left a lasting mark on all our students. As we bid farewell to our leaders of 2024, we celebrate their achievements and contributions. We will certainly miss their leadership and the positive influence they have had on our school. We look forward to having them return to continue their service and mentorship in the future.

Fa’afetai lava ma ia manuia.

Ainslie Sauvao
ainslie.sauvao@whitbycollegiate.school.nz

Student Perspective

Kia ora, konnichiwa, talofa lava, mālō e lelei, ni hao, hola and namaste,

This week’s edition of “The Student’s Perspective” brings some exciting highlights!

We’re honoured to have welcomed players from the Wellington Lions, who spoke at our assembly yesterday. Their visit was an awesome chance to hear about their journeys, the dedication it takes to succeed, and the power of teamwork and goal-setting. Advice that applies on the sports field or in the classroom.

Our seniors are well into their exams at the moment and we continue to wish them every success.

As the school year comes to an end, it's an important time to stay focused, keep our energy up, and make the most of every moment we have in the upcoming weeks. There’s a lot happening around the school, so let’s encourage each other, stay motivated, and finish strong. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy this week’s “Student’s Perspective!”

Mā te wā,

Gabriel Anthony

Upcoming Events

School News

Careers Expo - Survival Kit Award

At this year’s Careers Expo in Wellington, we had the pleasure of participating alongside Massey University’s Joint Centre for Disaster Research. This centre works closely with communities nationwide to develop strategies for disaster preparedness and response. As part of their exhibit, they presented a Survival Kit and challenged attending students to guess its contents for a chance to win it.

Nadia Roach came close to identifying most of the items in the kit. Many students made similar guesses - torches, batteries, first aid kits, toilet paper, blankets, and gloves - but Nadia stood out with one particularly thoughtful addition. She included a Bible in her list, which the judges felt would provide comfort during challenging times. For this, she was awarded the Survival Kit.

Congratulations, Nadia! Here she is accepting the kit from Future Students Advisor Tui Pilitati at school.

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