Week 6, Term 3 | 2023

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,

Congratulations to all the Year 7 entrants for their remarkable achievements in the NIWA Science Fair competition. It is inspiring to see their dedication and hard work pay off. Special mention to Gabriel Anthony for securing 1st place with his project "I Sci With My A.Eye," and to Aanya and Kaavya Badiyani for earning 3rd place and winning the Wellington Medical Research Foundation prize for their project "Vaping-Smoking without Fire." Asher Lim's success in winning a Callaghan Innovation prize for his project "How unblemished is our drinking water?" is also commendable.

It's evident that the students’ accomplishments are a testament not only to their effort and enthusiasm but also to the guidance and support provided by Ms Sauvao. The awards ceremony tomorrow will be a memorable event, and it's great to see the students' accomplishments being recognised.

We had a very important assembly this week and along with presenting our champion swimmers with their awards, we also heard from those students in Year 12 aiming for leadership positions in the school in 2024. It was evident that a lot of thought had been put into their speeches and the recurring theme of service to the school was a highlight and very encouraging for their opportunities for leadership next year.

It will be a busy day at the university tomorrow with three Whitby Collegiate teams taking on the "Tournament of Minds" challenge. The students have been putting a lot of effort into their presentations and we look forward to supporting them at this event.

It's a crucial time for the senior students as they prepare to take their derived grade exams next week. These exams will indeed provide a valuable benchmark for their final grades. Derived grades can offer students an opportunity to showcase their knowledge and skills, especially in situations where the regular examination process might have been disrupted or modified due to various circumstances. Best of luck to students as they no doubt will be using their weekend for final preparation. I also encourage students to seek support from staff should they need it and to take advantage of the study spaces available to them for final revision.

Winter tournament week is always a highlight for school sports and our Hockey and Netball teams competed this week against others from around the country. The majority of players in both teams were from the junior school, ably supported by some key senior students. I was very proud to see how well both teams acquitted themselves and it bodes well for the future development of our sports programme. Again the support from our parent community has been outstanding and ensures that we are able to participate in these key events on the NZ Secondary School Sports Calendar.

This morning we farewelled the first of our teams off to the AIMS games in Tauranga this coming week. A group of very excited Futsal players begin their competition this weekend, with the Netball team competing from Monday. Whitby Collegiate will also be represented for the first time in Golf. There has been enormous support from our parent community for this event and we are very grateful to the coaches and managers who have worked tirelessly in preparing the students for the event. Good luck to everyone involved.

It is hard to believe that spring is already here and the countdown is on towards the end of the term!

Wishing everyone a relaxing weekend and a happy Father’s Day.

DEPUTIES’ UPDATES

From the Deputy Principal (Pastoral and Wellbeing)

Warm greetings to our Whitby Collegiate community,

Yesterday, I had the privilege of taking a group of our Year 7 students to the NIWA Science Fair competition held at Victoria University. I wish to congratulate Gabriel Anthony, Asher Lim, Aanya and Kaavya Badiyani who were outstanding ambassadors for Whitby Collegiate. They not only represented Whitby Collegiate with distinction but also showcased their remarkable dedication to the field of Science. Today, we received the final results so it is with great pleasure that I announce the following:

1st place - Gabriel Anthony
3rd place - Aanya & Kaavya Badiyani

Special Prizes

• The Wellington Medical Research Foundation Prize ($300) - Aanya & Kaavya Badiyani

• The Measurement Standards Laboratory Callaghan Innovation Prize ($100) - Asher Lim

Their involvement in the Science Fair competition is a testament to their genuine interest and curiosity in exploring the world around them through scientific inquiry and is a reflection of their strong work ethic and their desire to excel in their scientific pursuits. There were 94 entries in total so our Year 7 students have done exceptionally well. Congratulations again and a big thank you to their dad’s (Rommel Anthony, Noah Lim and Kartik Badiyani) who came to support them.

During today's school assembly, a wave of anticipation filled the air as our Year 12 students, who have expressed their interest in taking on leadership roles in 2024, delivered their impactful promotional speeches. It was a moment that showcased their genuine commitment to making a positive difference within our school community in the future. They gave us a glimpse into the future they envision for our school - a future marked by unity, inclusivity, and a thriving school spirit. We eagerly anticipate the positive changes our student leaders will bring next year and are excited to see their leadership journey unfold. 

Finally, on behalf of our school community, I want to extend our warmest wishes to all the dads and father figures on Father's Day this Sunday. We celebrate and honour the incredible contributions you make in the lives of our students and our school community as a whole. As we celebrate you on this special day, please know that we are truly grateful for your presence and support in our Whitby Collegiate family. I am looking forward to preparing a big Samoan feast for my dad and the family this Sunday. Happy Father's Day and God bless.

Manuia le aso o tamā. Soifua ma ia manuia.

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

The first of September marks the beginning of Season of Creation, when many Christians around the world unite in prayer and action to protect God’s creation. It is a reminder that our faith does not separate us from this planet, but commits us to its care and protection.

What actions (even tiny actions) can we commit to this month? 

Galatians 6:9 in the Bible says, “Let us not become weary in doing good.” Do not be discouraged or disheartened. Even the smallest of actions in the right direction  matter.

God Bless,

Rev Chris

UPCOMING EVENTS

Term 3 Activities/Events (Week 7)

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 here by clicking the button that reads “subscribe to this calendar”.

SCHOOL NEWS

The New Zealand International Biology Olympiad

The New Zealand International Biology Olympiad fosters interest, participation, and excellence in biology through participation of secondary school students in the New Zealand Biology Olympiad Programme. The programme provides University level education in Biology to those students selected to participate in the online tutorial programme.

NZIBO ensures that the students who participate have the necessary knowledge to compete successfully at the International Biology Olympiad (IBO) should they be selected to represent New Zealand at this prestigious international competition.

Young Minds STEM Camp

"During the July holiday break, I attended the Innovative Young Minds STEM 5 day camp in Silverstream. All five days were packed with exciting experiences. The highlight of the programme for me, was going to the University of Otago Campus in Wellington Hospital and learning how to suture from the leading surgeons in the country. Also getting a tour of the facilities at NIWA, and being able to talk to the women scientists who are making an impact on modern science. I learned a lot about what it is like to be a woman working in the field of STEM and I met many like-minded girls." 

Hannah Kansara, 12CL

SPORTS UPDATE

We have lots of events to look forward to in the coming weeks:

• 2 – 8 September: AIMS Games (YR 7/8)

• 19 September: Aotea Kotiro Sports Participation Day 

• 21 September – 3 October: Whitby Collegiate Girls Softball trip to Japan

Lower North Islands Secondary Schools Netball Tournament

This is the first year that a netball team has been entered under Whitby Collegiate at the Lower North Island Secondary Schools tournament where the Senior A teams from across the region come together to compete.

Our tournament started on Sunday 27 August and went through to Thursday 31 August where we played 2 full games of netball each day and involved lots of early morning wake ups!

We would have been one of the youngest teams made up of mainly Year 9s and 10s and played against lots of senior Year 11 to Year 13s. Our team goal was to come top 16 and learn lots while having fun. We worked hard through many highs, and a couple of lows, but definitely lots of learnings and came away 10th out of 26th teams in our grade.

Very proud of our girls and thankful for the support from the families and school for this opportunity. We look forward to returning in 2024.

Onour (Co Coach)

Winter Hockey Tournament Week

What a great week of hockey, our team fought hard with a tough pool. The score line certainly did not reflect the effort, passion and commitment from the team.
With a huge thank you to coach Dave Mackay and his family over the last 6 years, his commitment has been unwavering - Thank you David.
Well done to everyone with team scorers Tom and Robi, and Jack in his goal outstanding saves. The team finished 8th overall.

Megan Rowe (Manager)

Whitby ESports

After an intense pair of final matches, the 2023 ESports season has come to an end for the Whitby Wizards.

Despite an early exit from the finals season, we are extremely proud of their hard work and dedication to the team, and in particular, it was very impressive to see them hold their own against much older and more experienced Rocket League teams.

We are all looking ahead to the 2024 season with high hopes. Thank you to all students and parents who have supported the team this year.

Congratulations Tom Rousell, Gray Harris, Ryker van Echten, Otto Richardson, Roma Shiltsov, Luke Duckett and Leo Walter.

Join the Whitby Collegiate Sport Facebook Group

Keep up to date with all Whitby Collegiate sport news, draws & results, achievements, and LIVE updates at facebook.com/groups/whitbycollegiatesport

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

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