Whitby Collegiate News, Week 4, Term 1, 2026

Week 4, 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 has been another fantastic and action-packed week here at Whitby Collegiate, with students making the most of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.

Our Year 9 students had an unforgettable experience at camp this week at Talima Lodge in Waikanae. It was wonderful to see them embracing education outside the classroom and challenging themselves through a range of exciting activities including rafting, abseiling, tramping, and team-building challenges.

Beyond the adventure, camp provided valuable opportunities for students to strengthen friendships and build new connections. Spending time together in a different environment allows students to grow in confidence, resilience, and teamwork. The smiles, laughter, and sense of achievement were clear highlights of the week. A big thank you to Mr Tinney for his organisation, Mr Ryburn for all those challenges at base camp and Ms Keilty and Ms Ansell for keeping everyone on track in the field. A special thanks to the team at TOPEC who always make sure that our students are kept safe in challenging environments.

It is always good to see our students out in a variety of learning environments and I know Ms Brown's Year 12 Biology class enjoyed their field trip to the Rocky Shore in Pukerua Bay and preparations are well underway for the annual Geography trip to Tongariro. We look forward to our students having access to such a wide range of activities

As had been mentioned in previous newsletters we warmly invite parents and caregivers to join us next Thursday for our Cyber Safety Evening with Rob Cope.

This promises to be an informative and empowering session, offering excellent tools and practical ideas to help keep young people safe online. Rob will guide parents on what to look out for in the digital world and how to have meaningful conversations at home about online safety. It will be an amazing night of learning and insight, and we strongly encourage all parents to attend. This is such an important topic in the world we live in today and we request that we have a representative from each family attend if possible. We are pleased to host this incredibly important event in collaboration with other schools in the area.

It was great to see the range of summer sports out in full force this week with our Touch team playing for the first time at the CSW Touch Tournament. Thank you to Mr Weepu for stepping in to provide expert coaching and to all the supporters that make it possible for our students to participate. We are really looking forward to our school Athletics Championships next week and welcome everyone to be part of this day. Our students have been working hard on their house spirit, chants and activities to support the event and it promises to be a brilliant day with lots of competition, participation and fun.

Congratulations to our Senior A Volleyball team on an outstanding week in the Premier Grade competition. The team secured two impressive wins, defeating the much larger schools of St Mary's College and Hutt Valley High School.

We are also looking forward to continuing to strengthen our international connections and will be welcoming back 7 students from Japan on a cultural enrichment visit in a couple of weeks. This is the fourth year that we have welcomed these students and they have been made to feel so welcome by the school and their host families. If there are any families who would enjoy the opportunity in giving our visitors a kiwi experience please let Mrs Loibl know.

Thank you to our students, staff, and whānau for making this such a positive and successful week at Whitby Collegiate. We look forward to another great week ahead.

Ngā mihi nui.

Shelley Addison
Executive Principal

Deputies’ Updates

Deputy Principal (Academics)

Kia ora e te whānau o Whitby Collegiate,

Now we are fully into the swing of the academic year, I encourage all students to remember that their teachers, pastoral team, and all staff are there to support them in all their endeavours. A very important part of schooling is extracurricular activities, and participating in education outside of the classroom. When students are away from class for a predetermined reason, it is vital that they communicate with their teachers in advance so they can ensure missed work is completed, content is understood, and there is no impact on assessments. Years 11-13 students, especially, should ensure they check the assessment planner regularly, and have an awareness of how any absences will affect their academic progress. I am always available as a sounding board if there are any difficulties.

A fantastic initiative this year is the Homework Hub. Held on Monday and Wednesday lunchtimes in Room 10, in addition to having rostered teachers and peer leaders available to help, this is an ideal time for students to catch up on any missed work, or to get ahead prior to planned absences. From next week a roll will be taken at Homework Hub so that teachers and parents can know when students are making use of this opportunity.

I am looking forward to seeing parents at the upcoming NCEA Information evening on Tuesday 10 March, from 7pm in the Ioane Fiso Pavilion. This is preceded by the Year 7 and 8 Camp to Teapot Valley information evening at 5pm, and the Curriculum information evening at 6pm.

Have a lovely and safe weekend.

Ngā mihi,

Debbie Mitchell
debbie.mitchell@whitbycollegiate.school.nz

Deputy Principal (Pastoral and Wellbeing)

Tālofa lava, Da jia hao, Mālō e lelei, Namaste, Kia orāna, Tāloha ni, Kia ora Parents, Caregivers, and families,

As we enter the season of Lent, our Whitby Collegiate community is invited to embrace a "purposeful quiet" during our busy school schedules. It’s a time to reflect, connect and live out our school value of servanthood. It is also a time for intentional growth as we refocus on our character, our faith, and one another in preparation for Easter. We are grateful for the work our students, parents and staff do to support one another during this lent season.

As our students gear up for Athletics Day next Tuesday, our student leaders have been working tirelessly to lift House spirit. We look forward to seeing the fruits of their labour, from choreographed House chants to the grit shown in individual events. Above all, we anticipate a day of fun and House pride. A reminder that students are to arrive at school in their PE uniform on Tuesday. They are encouraged to bring their House coloured costumes to change into before the morning House meetings. We warmly welcome all families to join us on the sidelines to cheer on our students.

Our Peer Support programme is well underway, and it has been great to see our Year 13 leaders in action. By mentoring our new Year 7 and Year 9 students, our leaders are directly putting into action our school theme of ‘Connection’. The activities they have designed are instrumental in building a genuine sense of belonging for our newest members. A special thank you to Finn Spohr and Yufan Lu for their leadership in capturing these moments through their amazing photography.

As part of supporting student wellbeing, we believe in nourishing both the mind and the body, even if "nourishment" occasionally comes in the form of a frozen treat! During the recent warm weather, my Year 7 Science class beat the heat by making their own ice cream. This wasn't just a snack break; it was a hands-on chemistry lesson. Students explored the science of freezing points and the role of salt in lowering the temperature of ice to create the perfect creamy texture. It was awesome to see our junior students enjoying the fruits of their scientific labour while cooling down together.

Also this week, a group of our Year 12 students represented us at the ‘Strengthening Democracy Project’ workshop, hosted by Cullen Breakfasts. Students had the opportunity to hear from Wellington Mayor Andrew Little, who shared insights from his political career and discussed the complexities of foreign influence on democratic systems. Adelle Tipper shared the following comment:

We are very proud of our Year 12 students Louisa Egley-Turner, Adelle Tipper, Jonathan Hearn, Isabela McLean and Gabriel Chionh for pursuing their passion for civic engagement and for their commitment to making a difference in our communities.

Finally, it’s always encouraging to hear from students how they’re finding school life so here’s a reflection from Year 12 student, Gabriel Chionh 4 weeks into Term 1:

Have a blessed weekend and we look forward to catching up with families during our upcoming events.

Ia manuia,

Fa’afetai tele lava ma ia manuia.

Ainslie Sauvao
ainslie.sauvao@whitbycollegiate.school.nz

Chaplain’s Note

School News

11 History - Black Ferns Visit

On Wednesday, the 11 History class were grateful to have former Black Ferns Erin Rush and Izzy Ford speak to them about their experiences playing rugby as a woman in New Zealand. This is part of the class's research unit called “Beyond the Goalposts: How rugby has shaped New Zealand society.”

The students enjoyed the stories Erin and Izzy told them and Erin was especially impressed by the A+ questions the students asked.

Izzy is a current Porirua City Councillor and Erin is the current New Zealand Rugby Vice-President. In May, Erin will break the glass-ceiling and become the first female President of New Zealand Rugby.

It was a great reunion for Erin and Izzy to catch up with their old Wellington Pride teammate Ms Sauvao. They did not give much away about Ms Sauvao in her playing days.

The session was recorded and can be found on the Whitby Collegiate History Department YouTube Channel .

Exploring Our Place: 7NT Ventures to Spinnaker Lookout

Year 7NT Social Sciences students took to the outdoors last week, walking to the Spinnaker Lookout as part of their Sense of Place unit. The excursion gave students the opportunity to connect with the history of Whitby Collegiate and the surrounding area, bringing their classroom learning to life beyond school walls.

Art of the Week: Exploring Sgraffito

This week, our talented Year 10 artists are mastering sgraffito, a technique of scratching through layers to reveal hidden colours. Using oil pastels, gesso, and drypoint needles, students are creating vibrant A4 works inspired by Whanganui artist Vanessa Edwards. Their designs weave together Māori motifs, flora, and fauna—blending traditional patterns with personal imagery. Ruby Edmonds is our Artist of the Week for her detailed planning and enthusiastic experimentation with the fun technique.

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”.

School Immunisation Visit – Tuesday 10 March

Regional Public Health (RPH) nurses are coming to school on Tuesday 10 March 2026 to provide immunisation for Year 7 tamariki.

If you have changed your mind or your child's medical situation has changed please contact RPH at
gw-nphsimmunisation@tewhatuora.govt.nz, or call them on 04 587 2949.
If you have not yet consented, but want to, please collect a consent form from the school office or contact RPH.
If you declined the vaccines last year but you have changed your mind and you now want your year 8 child to receive the vaccine(s) please collect a consent form from the school office or contact RPH.
If your Year 8 child missed out last year and you would like them to catch up on their vaccinations please collect a consent form from the school office or contact RPH.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact RPH at gw-nphsimmunisation@tewhatuora.govt.nz, or call them on 04 587 2949

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.

Senior A Girls Volleyball – Premier Division 1

Our Senior A Girls Volleyball team have had an outstanding run in the Premier Division 1 grade, securing 5 wins to dates including notable victories over two of Wellington's top sides, St Mary's A and Hutt Valley High School A. With two games remaining before the Regional Championship, the team are sitting close to the top of the table.

We look forward to cheering them on as they push for the Regional Championship. Go Whitby!

CSW Touch Tournament

Our touch team took to the field at the CSW Touch Tournament, delivering some great moments along the way, with a notable win defeating Samuel Marsden collegiate and St Matthew's Collegiate. A big thank you to everyone who competed and supported the team.

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

Community Notice

Event Details:

When: Thursday, 5th March

Time: 6:00 PM

Where: Whitby Collegiate

Tickets: Click here

We strongly encourage at least one representative from every family to attend. Let's work together to provide the best support possible for our students.

Advanced Reading Programme for Year 12–13 Students: April 2026 School Holidays

A professional reading skills programme is available to students in Years 12 and 13 during the April school holidays.

Write Group's Advanced Reading programme teaches advanced literacy skills used by professionals including MPs, policy advisors, lawyers, and business professionals. The programme is designed for academically motivated Year 12 and 13 students preparing for university and career success.

What students gain

At least double their reading speed (guaranteed)
Significantly improved comprehension and retention
Skills to manage heavy academic reading workloads
Professional techniques that will help them in their future careers

Workshop details

When: 9am to 12:30pm on 13, 15, and 17 April 2026
Who: Year 12 and 13 students from any school
Duration: 3 sessions of 3.5 hours each
Where: Write Group, Level 7, 342 Lambton Quay
Cost: Student Price $299 + GST

Registration
Register here / or contact Write Group at enquiries@write.co.nz

Free Drive Coach Workshop

If you know a young person learning to drive, we have just the workshop for you!

The free workshop, run by RYDA Road Safety New Zealand through its Drive Coach programme, aims to equip our rangatahi with the tools they need to be safe on our busy roads.

It is designed for parents, caregivers, and whānau who are supporting a young person learning to drive.

In the free 1-hour session you will learn:

What makes driving a challenge for rangatahi
Risk factors to consider
How best to teach a learner driver
Supporting the transition to solo driving, and more!

The workshop is on 11 March from 6pm at Te Rauparaha Arena.

Spaces are limited so register now on Eventbrite .