[Updated Info] Whitby Collegiate News, Week 6, Term 1, 2026

Week 6, 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.

Another week at Whitby has been full of activity, with students fully engaged in their learning across a wide range of opportunities.

The week began with the annual Athletics Sports, which we were grateful to complete despite the weather. A very big thank you to Mr Ryburn and the PE Department for their superb organisation, and to all participants who gave their events their absolute best. House spirit was alive and well, with impressive effort put into the preparation and performance of the house chants. Well done to all our senior student leaders for the way they encouraged and involved their houses.

Education outside the classroom has been a strong feature this week. Along with the Biology students gathering information for their projects, the Year 13 PE class challenged themselves at TOPEC, taking part in activities such as caving and other adventure-based experiences. Meanwhile, our Year 12 Geography students enjoyed a stunning day walking the Tongariro Crossing, gathering valuable field data to support their academic assessments. A big thank you to the staff and parents who helped make these special excursions possible.

We also welcomed large numbers of families to the school on Tuesday evening to discuss upcoming opportunities for students. This included meetings with Year 7 and 8 families to explore a major camp experience later in the year, a session for Year 11 families outlining changes to the academic programme, and an NCEA information evening for our Year 12 and 13 students and parents. These engagements highlight the ongoing development of our curriculum, and I thank Ms Aukett, Mr Free, Mrs McKinlay, and Mrs Mitchell for their commitment to ensuring our families are well informed.

It was great to see the debating teams in action this week with the senior team of Gabriel Chionh, Iris Chen and Xiangyi Liang defeating Kapiti College, and the Junior Certificate team of Gabriel Anthony, Abbey Joostens and Isabella Beach defeating Sacred Heart College in the first round of their weekly competition, well done everyone!

Another highlight this week was the outstanding performance of our golf team, who placed third after a countback at the CSW Championships. A very big congratulations goes to Mutu Ngarimu, who won the overall individual trophy for the tournament — a fantastic achievement.

Wishing everyone a restful and safe weekend

Ngā mihi nui.

Shelley Addison
Executive Principal

Deputies’ Updates

Deputy Principal (Academics)

Kia ora e te whānau o Whitby Collegiate,

It was a pleasure to host so many parents and guardians at our Information Evening on Tuesday 10 March. The excitement about the Year 7 and 8 camp to Teapot Valley, Nelson, was palpable as Nic Aukett outlined the purpose of the camp, and all the wonderful activities these students will get to experience. For those unable to attend, you can access the presentation here. Parents of Year 7 and 8 students, please remember to complete the electronic form (due today) to give your child permission to attend the 26 July - 31 July camp.

My thanks to Heads of Faculty Katherine McKinlay and Peter Free who presented a session on how we at Whitby Collegiate will be approaching the teaching and assessing of, and reporting against, the new curriculum for English and Mathematics. The conversations at this gathering were robust, and very positive. For those unable to make this information evening, or would like a refresher, the presentation is accessible here.

I facilitated the last session of the evening. I outlined The Year 11 Collegiate Diploma, NCEA Level 2 and 3, and University Entrance requirements. We also had a very thorough Q&A session, and I hope that attendees went away with a greater understanding of the qualifications offered at Whitby Collegiate. As always, I have put a copy of my presentation on the school website, where you can also find a number of other useful resources.

Please note, we will be conducting a shelter in place / lockdown drill during the morning of Tuesday 17 March. Students were informed of this during the Assembly yesterday. The office will be unavailable during the drill.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Ngā mihi,

Debbie Mitchell
debbie.mitchell@whitbycollegiate.school.nz

Deputy Principal (Pastoral and Wellbeing)

Talofa lava, Vanakkam, Mālō e lelei, Ni Hao, Tāloha ni, and Tēnā koutou e te whānau o Whitby Collegiate,

During yesterday’s assembly, Prefect Reuben Summers shared a thoughtful reflection on our school virtue of the week: Humility. Reuben noted that humility isn’t about downplaying one’s own achievements, rather, it is about understanding your own abilities while choosing to uplift others. It is the practice of setting aside one’s ego to allow those around them to grow in confidence and character. Whether it is listening to a peer’s suggestion during a group task, even when you believe your own idea is superior, or celebrating a friend’s success alongside your own, humility is a quiet strength. In student leadership, it is about shifting the spotlight from the leader’s ego to the potential of those they lead. We have seen this shine through in our various school activities this week.

This spirit of service continues through our Peer Support programme. Our Year 13 student leaders have been providing invaluable guidance to our Year 7 students, helping them navigate their new school journey with genuine connections. In speaking with our Year 7s, it is clear that this mentorship has been instrumental in helping them feel a sense of belonging at Whitby. We are proud of the enthusiasm and school spirit our youngest students have shown in embracing these activities.

Year 12 student, Louisa Egley-Turner has successfully launched the lunchtime STEMM Club and will be assisting me in selecting teams for the regional STEMM competition in Term 2, an event our juniors always anticipate with great excitement. Similarly, Gabriel Chionh and Adelle Tipper have shown wonderful dedication in coaching our junior debating teams. I am pleased to share that both teams were victorious in their debates this week. Arguing against the moot "All students should be required to take a humanities class throughout high school," Gabriel’s team consisting of Adhi Kumarasamy, Max Tai, and Lilly Currey, secured a decisive win with sophisticated speaking styles and sharp rebuttals. These successes are a direct result of mentors who are dedicated to helping others reach their full potential.

Also, a big thank you to our Year 13 leaders for the incredible effort they put into preparing House chants for this week’s Athletics Day. As you can see from the photos below, it was a vibrant day filled with energy, and it was awesome to see students so proudly decked out in their House colours.

We ask for your continued support of our Pastoral Deans as we guide students toward more mindful social media use. These digital spaces have a big impact on student wellbeing and we are working hard to ensure students realise that what they post can either uplift or harm their peers. We are committed to ensuring every student understands the gravity of their online presence and the importance of avoiding posts that could undermine the confidence or wellbeing of others. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Finally, our prayers continue to be with our Chairperson of the Proprietor’s Board, Mr John Fiso and his family during the loss of his dear sister Molly Fiso. May God’s comfort, strength and peace with you all.

Fa’afetai tele lava ma ia manuia.

Ainslie Sauvao
ainslie.sauvao@whitbycollegiate.school.nz

Chaplain’s Note

This week in assembly we heard the beautiful words of Micah 6:7–8. They remind us that what God asks of us is not complicated. To act justly. To love kindness and mercy. And to walk humbly with God. These values can feel quite countercultural in a world that often seems adversarial, angry and driven by power. Yet they offer a different way of living.

Perhaps true religion is not about winning arguments or proving ourselves right, but about the quiet strength of justice, kindness and humility. A life shaped by these things is surely a life well lived.

Blessings,
Reverend Chris

School News

Artist of the Week - Niko Joronen

This week, our Year 11 artists explored the tactile world of relief printmaking. Using foam blocks, they experimented with carving and ink application to bring original designs to life.

Our featured artist, Niko Joronen, created a striking rotation print by reflecting the letters of his name into a bold geometric composition. Can you see the letters? Niko further enhanced his work using the reduction technique, thoughtfully removing foam to introduce a vibrant, contrasting second colour.

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”.

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.

Athletics Day - Record Breaker 2026

This Monday's Athletics Day 2026 was one to remember. Across the grades, our students pushed their limits and delivered some truly impressive performances — resulting in nine school records being broken in a single day. Particular congratulations go to Sienna Letoa-Tuala and Toby O'Leary, who each claimed multiple records on the day. Well done to all who took part, and thank you to everyone who came out to support.

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