Our Year 7 Parents' Evening on Wednesday was a celebration of connection and community. The event focused on the Peer Mentoring Programme, which pairs our senior leaders with new Year 7 students to help them navigate their first year at Whitby Collegiate with confidence and support. It was wonderful to hear the impact that this programme makes on students' time at Whitby Collegiate and I thank Ms Sauvao for the work in preparing our senior students for these very important roles at the school.

On Thursday morning, we held our annual Commissioning Assembly, a tradition marking the formal presentation of leadership badges and the taking of the Oath of Student Leadership. This year's student leaders stepped forward to accept their badges, symbolising not just recognition but also commitment: to serve their peers, uphold school values, and make a difference within our community.

As we near the end of the summer sport season, the week concluded with an impressive series of sporting accomplishments that we are very proud of.

Athletics: Our Athletics team delivered outstanding performances at the CSW regional championships. Congratulations to Bella Coxson, who secured gold in the Senior Girls' Javelin, and Sienna LeToa-Tuala, who took gold in the Senior Girls' Shot Put. Toby O'Leary also shone on the track, bringing home silver medals in both the Senior Boys' 100m and 200m. Each of these achievements reflects determination, precision, and countless hours of training. Aliyana LeToa-Tuala rounded out the medal tally, winning a silver medal in the Junior Girls' Shot Put.

Volleyball: Our Senior Girls' team faced off in a thrilling Premier Championship Final against Sacred Heart Girls. It was a fiercely contested match against the top-seeded team, and although our girls finished with silver, their teamwork, resilience, and fighting spirit were outstanding. We now turn our attention to the National Volleyball Championships in Palmerston North next week, where both Boys' and Girls' teams will proudly represent Whitby Collegiate.

Softball: Our Softball team is preparing to defend their National Championship Title at Fraser Park next week. The team has trained intensely and continues to set the bar high for consistency and sportsmanship. We'll all be behind them as they work to retain the trophy.

Futsal: A fantastic result for our Senior Boys' Futsal team, who drew 2–2 in their finals match to share first place in their league. Their season has been one of teamwork, strategy, and determination, and their achievement is richly deserved.

As always, our gratitude goes to the coaches, managers, parents, and supporters who sustain and inspire our sports programmes. The time, energy, and encouragement you provide behind the scenes make all the difference.

As Term 1 draws to a close, classrooms across the school have been focused. Students have been completing assessments, reflecting on their progress, and setting goals for the term ahead. Teachers have been impressed by the maturity and motivation shown, particularly by our juniors, many of whom are managing their first rounds of assessments at this level. Our upcoming Parent–Teacher Interviews in the last week of term will give parents and caregivers the opportunity to discuss the progress of our students. These conversations provide valuable opportunities to celebrate student growth and identify ways to keep building on strengths into Term 2.

We wish everyone a restful weekend and look forward to another week of learning, connection, and achievement at Whitby Collegiate.

Ngā mihi nui.

Shelley Addison
Executive Principal

(Photo taken by Year 9 Student Yufan Lu)

Following our Year 7 Parents' Evening, today, was a special occasion for our Year 13 Prefects and Peer Leaders as they were presented with their leadership badges during our Commissioning assembly. Rev. Chris Darnell shared a fitting scripture around being "fishers of men" taken from the book of Matthew. To "fish for men" in a school community means more than just leading, it means reaching out. It is the art of noticing the student standing on the edge and drawing them into the centre of the circle. Just as a fisherman requires great patience, our Year 13 Peer Leaders and Prefects understand that building trust with younger students takes time, consistency, and a gentle spirit. Their goal is to "pull" their younger peers toward their full potential, helping them navigate the sometimes choppy waters of school transitions.

Finally, to round off a busy week, it was a pleasure to accompany a group of our student leaders into the city for this year's GRIP Leadership Conference at Te Papa. This event provided a great opportunity for our students to step outside the classroom and engage with leadership concepts on a broader scale. I am confident that every student returned with practical, meaningful tools that will empower them to contribute even more effectively to our school. Their insights will be instrumental as we continue to build a culture defined by care, respect, kindness, and service. It is a privilege to work alongside such dedicated students and I look forward to supporting them as they put their new skills into action throughout the year. Thank you to Mr Atkinson and Mr Leota for accompanying our junior students to their GRIP leadership day.

The Whitby Collegiate Parents' Association invites the school community to support our Entertainment book fundraiser. Funds raised will help us further enhance the school's outdoor area for students. It is wonderful to see the students already enjoying our recent purchase of picnic tables, and with your help, we can continue to create more engaging outdoor spaces. We encourage all families to purchase an Entertainment book or share this fundraiser with friends and relatives to help us reach our goal.

This March, your support goes even further - buy an Access All Areas Entertainment Membership for just $75 and we receive a double donation of $30 from your purchase. That's over 20,000 valuable offers across Australia, New Zealand and Bali, valid for a year from purchase via the Entertainment App.

As a bonus, every membership purchased in March also enters you into the draw to win The Ultimate Expedition to Antarctica! A 10-night Seabourn cruise valued at $39,566.

Purchase your membership here: www.entertainmentnz.com/orderbooks/96z7132

The Parents' Association thanks you for your continued support. Have a good one!