Week 9, Term 3 | 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,

We’ve had an extraordinary final week of the term, packed with highlights and accomplishments.

This morning, we were thrilled to see Whitby Collegiate represented on national television! Our very own Gabriel Anthony was a guest on the Breakfast show in recognition of him receiving the Champions Award for the Solve for Tomorrow competition, a nationwide initiative delivered in partnership with the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT). This prestigious competition challenges New Zealand’s next generation of innovators to use STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) to solve real-world problems and improve their communities. Gabriel was the overall winner of the Year 7-10 category and we are incredibly proud of Gabriel and his outstanding achievement!

Our Senior Girls Basketball 3x3 Team also made headlines this week by winning the College Sport Wellington Regional Championship! The thrilling final game saw Sienna LeToa-Tuala clinch the victory in the final seconds. Congratulations to the entire team on their hard-fought success!

To round off this week, our students’ creative talents were on full display at the annual "Whitby’s Got Talent" show. Thirteen acts made it to the finals, and the whole school gathered to witness some truly impressive performances. Zoë Brown took home first place with a breathtaking solo violin piece. A special thank you to the prefects, who worked tirelessly to organise this event – it was a fantastic way to end the term.

The Senior Ball was a stunning success on Saturday night and is always one of the standout events of the school year for our senior students. It’s always wonderful to see our students enjoying themselves and putting in the effort to dress up. The Hotel Intercontinental provided the perfect backdrop for a night to remember.

As we head into the holidays I want to reiterate my thanks to our whole school community, particularly the staff who have been putting exceptional effort into our students. These are without a doubt challenging times and as we reflect on the term, I hope everyone has time to recharge and re-energise over the holidays ready to look forward to another term being part of this great community. We look forward to seeing as many people as possible at our Foundation Gala Dinner on the first week back where we can take the opportunity to spend some time together in fellowship and celebrate all that is special about our school.

Shelley Addison
Executive Principal

Deputies’ Updates

Deputy Principal (Academics)

Kia ora e te whānau o Whitby Collegiate,

The end of Term 3 already! And what a fabulous, busy and successful term it has been.

The last day for senior students is Thursday 31 October, before the November 5 start to the NCEA examinations. There are tutorials being offered for L1-3 subjects during study leave, usually during normally scheduled double periods of the term-time timetable. From the beginning of Term 4, students will have access to a live document showing the tutorials.

For parents of senior students: NCEA entries, progress indications, and derived grade examination results (those that have been completed) will be published to KAMAR this evening. Term 3 Progress Comments for juniors (Y7-10) have been uploaded to KAMAR from the beginning of September, with the last of the comments due early next week.

I thank all our current Y10-12 students for completing their 2025 subject selections. Confirmation and discussions regarding any potential clashes will occur early next term. Year 9 students moving into Year 10 have been eagerly awaiting their chance to select option subjects for 2025. I am pleased to announce that we are looking at the following option choices for next year, with students taking two subjects for three periods per week for the full year:

• Spanish

• Design and Visual Communications (DVC)

• Visual Arts

• Music

• Digital Technologies

• and Video Production.

Video Production is a one-year course that does not progress into Level 1.

In addition, it is planned that in 2025 Year 10 students will all participate in an Outdoor Education programme, with a double period each week.

Instructions for subject selection, for Year 9 students, will be emailed to both students and parents/caregivers. Selection is completed on KAMAR, and ideally will be finished by Wednesday 16 October.

I wish all our students and whānau a wonderful, safe, and productive term break, and I will see everyone back on Tuesday 15 October. Please remember to put your clocks forward tomorrow.

Ngā mihi,

Debbie Mitchell
debbie.mitchell@whitbycollegiate.school.nz

Assistant Principal

Kia ora Students, Parents & Caregivers,

A big thank you to all of you who provided feedback for our proposed peanut-free policy. At Whitby Collegiate, we are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all students and this was strongly reflected in the feedback we received.

Starting next term we intend to trial our peanut-free policy. The policy will only apply to peanut-based products, including but not limited to peanut butter, peanut oils, and peanut-based snacks.

The policy does not extend to other types of nuts. Students are still allowed to bring foods that contain almonds, cashews, walnuts, and other tree nuts, as these pose little risk to the students affected by peanut allergies. Products that may contain traces of nuts or that have been produced in facilities where peanuts are present are also permitted, as these do not pose a significant risk to our students.

We ask all members of the school community, including students, staff, and parents, to comply with this policy and to check food labels carefully when packing lunches or sending food to school. By working together, we can ensure that Whitby Collegiate remains a safe and inclusive environment for all. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding in supporting the well-being of our students with peanut allergies.

Ngā mihi,

Maurice Atkinson
maurice.atkinson@whitbycollegiate.school.nz

Student Perspective

Kia ora, konnichiwa, talofa lava, mālō e lelei, ni hao and warm greetings,

Despite being the last week of school, the week was no less busier. Yesterday, we had our annual School Talent Show, which saw many of our school’s talented musicians and dancers perform in front of the whole school. A massive thank you to Ms Ting, Julianna, Caleb, Will and Caelan on the AV team for their hard work behind the scenes to ensure the smooth running of this event. Today, we also farewell Kikka, one of our school’s international students. It has been great to see her connecting with our students and the school community. We will all miss her presence dearly. Lastly, I would like to give a massive congratulations to an integral member of our Student Led Newsletter Team, Gabriel Anthony (Year 8), for winning the Samsung Youth Innovator Award for his NIWA Science Project.

Ka pai, Gabriel! We are all so proud of you!

I hope you all have a relaxful and safe holiday and I look forward to seeing everyone back at school, refreshed on Tuesday 15th October.

Jade Lin
Head Girl

Upcoming Events

School News

Whitby’s Got Talent

Whitby’s Got Talent was an amazing and fun opportunity for students to perform either musical, drama, or dance numbers. Everyone had a ton of fun watching all thirteen performances. A huge thank you to everyone who participated in setting up and helping to run the event, and a massive congratulations to all the students who performed.

Finally, a special congratulations to the students who placed:

1. Zoë Brown

2. Maija Warrington-Redfearn

3. Chanelle Ou

- Julianna Ritter (Year 13)

School Formal

The school formal was a great night, filled with joy and celebration. Firstly, I want to thank the ball committee for their dedication to create a wonderful night. Located at the Intercontinental Hotel in Wellington on the 21st of September, all Year 11, 12 and 13s were invited to attend our school formal. This year’s theme of the ball was A Starry Night. The room was filled with starry banners that scattered the walls and each table had a beautiful centrepiece, along with other decorations. At the event, you were able to take professional photos in the foyer and funny photos at the photo booth; both were a hit. A dance floor was placed in the centre with a DJ that accepted song suggestions and played music the entire night. We were allowed to hang out in the foyer area outside the ball room where you could also purchase beverages plus water and juice were also available. Canapes were served on the night by servers walking around with plates. There was a variety of different foods from goat cheese balls to different meats on skewers. Many people danced all night and others talked around tables or queued for the photo booth. Everyone looked incredible in different colours of blue, green and white dresses as well as unique suits. Overall, it was a great night in celebration of a great year. Thank you to everyone who attended and especially to Miss Keilty, who helped to create a special night. “It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.” - William Shakespeare

- Marcia Laurenson (Year 11)

Market Day - 10DL & 10AB Social Sciences

Monday and Tuesday this week, 10DL and 10AB held their Market Days outside the Ioane Fiso Pavilion to finish off their commerce unit. The students had to set up their businesses, have allocated roles, and prepare budgets to achieve a successful market day experience.

Cake slices, sweets, waffles, macaroni cheese, churros, shakes, loaded fries, and ice cream were on sale. Both days were well attended by the student body and staff who enjoyed the products on sale. All profits made by the groups were donated to charities such as the SPCA, Surf Lifesaving, and Women’s Refuge. The students enjoyed the experience of working as a team and learning about running a successful business.

Brad Hudson
Head of Faculty - Humanities

Sports Update

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