Week 3, Term 4 | 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,

Last Friday night, it was such a pleasure to see the stage come alive at our variety musical showcase that highlighted the diverse talents of our students. The event featured 24 acts from solo and group vocalists, dance items, and instrumental pieces. There were so many outstanding performances that it is difficult to mention them all. Our MCs for the evening, Ishaan Badiyani and Louisa Egley-Turner, were also outstanding, encouraging all the performers. A big thank you to everyone who participated and the families and friends who joined us to celebrate the incredible talent within our community.

As the term progresses at a rather rapid pace, we bid farewell to our senior students as they begin their study leave in preparation for upcoming external exams. We are immensely proud of their hard work and determination, and we wish them all the best as they focus on this important phase of their academic journey.

We acknowledged the Class of 2024 at our final full school assembly, and we will miss the tremendous leadership that this group have provided across the school but in particular as role models and mentors to our younger students. Many thanks to our dedicated staff for their ongoing support and guidance, ensuring that each student is well-prepared for the challenges ahead.

This week also saw the successful conclusion of our Junior Parent-Teacher evenings. It was wonderful to connect with so many parents and caregivers, and we value the support you provide in your child’s education. Thank you for your engagement and collaboration as we work together to support our junior students in achieving their full potential.

The summer sports season is now in full swing. In gruelling conditions over the weekend, our inaugural girl’s sevens team, under the expert coaching of Ms Baker, saw the team defeat Tawa College 31-10 in the plate final. Our futsal teams are continuing in their weekly competition, and this weekend our junior boys and girls Volleyball teams will be competing in the regional championships.

We are thrilled to announce that Lonasei Lolo has been named a finalist for the CSW Sports Awards in the Golf category! This is a fantastic accomplishment and a testament to Lonasei’s hard work and dedication.

The school will be a much quieter place without the senior students, but it is also an opportunity for our junior students to step up and take the lead in the many activities that are still underway for the rest of the term.

Wishing everyone a restful weekend.

Shelley Addison
Executive Principal

Deputies’ Updates

Deputy Principal (Pastoral and Wellbeing)

Mālō ni tatou kaiga o Whitby Collegiate,

During yesterday’s assembly, as we bid farewell to our senior students, Year 11 student La’ie Nimarota spoke eloquently about the gratitude she felt for the work of our Year 13 student leaders. One of the phrases she used was "Leave mana in your wake". This phrase means to act in a way that positively impacts others, leaving behind a legacy of respect, integrity, and empowerment. ‘Mana’ is a Māori concept that refers to a person’s power, prestige, and spiritual force, often earned through demonstrating kindness, humility, and respect. To "leave mana in your wake" means that your actions should uplift others and contribute positively to the environment and people around you. It’s a call to live in a way that, even after you’ve moved on, others feel empowered, respected, and inspired by the example you set.

Our Head Prefects, Jade, Liam, and the student leadership team, have truly left mana in their wake. They have exemplified the servant leadership we strive to instil in our students daily.

As we bid farewell to our Year 13 students, it is fitting to reflect on the Samoan proverb, "O le ala i le pule, o le tautua." This means "The pathway to leadership is through service", a value that all our student leaders have epitomised throughout the year. They have brought something unique and special, shaping the healthy culture and dynamics within our school - for that, we are thankful.

We wish our seniors all the best for their final examinations and look forward to celebrating our student achievements at prizegiving on the 4th of December.

Fa’afetai lava ma ia manuia.

Ainslie Sauvao
ainslie.sauvao@whitbycollegiate.school.nz

Assistant Principal

Kia ora Students, Parents & Caregivers,

A friendly reminder to all families that our peanut-free policy continues to be in effect. We kindly ask that no peanut products be sent with your child to school. Peanut products include peanut butter, peanut oils, and peanut-based snack bars. The policy does not extend to other types of nuts. Products that may contain traces of peanuts or that have been produced in facilities where peanuts are present are also permitted.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in keeping our school a safe environment for everyone.

Ngā mihi,

Maurice Atkinson
maurice.atkinson@whitbycollegiate.school.nz

Student Perspective

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

It’s hard to believe that our high school days have almost come to an end! As the seniors have already headed off for study leave, from next week onwards, you will be hearing from our very able junior students, who bring to us their vibrant energy and ideas. It has been our absolute pleasure to work with such a committed and talented group of students, whose valuable contributions ensure that we are able to keep the Student’s Perspective going week after week. A massive thank you to the regular newsletter team - Petro Goosen, Gabriel Anthony, Sai Emula, Ayush Mistry, Anvi Sankrit, Liam Cuming, Mr Hudson as well as all the students and staff that have willingly contributed to this initiative.

I’d just like to reiterate Jade’s words and say how massively impressed I have been with the work of the newsletter group. I think that it is a fantastic initiative and it wouldn’t be possible without the hard work each week from Jade Lin, Petro Goosen, Gabriel Anthony, Sai Emula, Ayush Mistry and Anvi Sankrit. I hope that this can continue next year with an even larger group of students working together to deliver these weekly updates.

Jade Lin and Liam Cuming
Head Prefects

Chaplain’s Note

Happy Diwali! (And happy All Saints Day!)

Diwali gives me an opportunity to pause and remember the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Whatever your faith, it is so important to keep this focus, particularly in an uncertain and fragile world.

As John 1:5 says: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

All the very best to our senior students as they prepare for exams. Please know that I am praying for you all.

Blessings,

Reverend Chris

Upcoming Events

School News

Become a Homestay Family

Welcome an international student into your home and experience the joy of sharing your family, culture, and everyday life. Hosting a student offers a unique opportunity to:

• Broaden your horizons and gain new perspectives

• See our vibrant school and city through fresh eyes

• Build connections that span the globe, while also earning an income

If you’re interested in becoming a host family, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us at 04 234 1070 or via email at enrol@whitbycollegiate.school.nz.

A performance that stood out to me was when Camille Zhou sang ‘O’Holy Night’, it was so beautiful and brought tears to many people's eyes. I want to shout out Isla Green as she has always performed at our school's showcases and has great stage presents. Isla performed the song ‘Man on the Moon’ by Megan Moroney. Our Variety Showcase was held at Elim church in Porirua. I want to thank the Roach family for allowing us to use the venue. I remember our last showcases were very small but it shows that as the school gets bigger the larger our events become. It was a great way for the seniors to say goodbye before they head off to study leave and also say goodbye to those not returning next year.  

May the lord bless you all, and good luck to our seniors during their study break! 

• Marcia

Ms Purkis's Artwork in the Kāpiti Coast Arts Trail

As a first time participant in the Kāpiti Coast Arts Trail (2/3 Nov + 9/10 Nov), I’m really looking forward to sharing my paintings of past adventures in SE Asia and new beginnings back home. The kōwhai trees have kept the tui’s busy with the splashes of bright yellow around our lovely Whitby Collegiate campus. A warm welcome to all, if you are up on the coast over the next 2 weekends. A whole range of artists are exhibiting so lots to enjoy.

Noho ora mai rā

Terima Kasih
Tracey Purkis
Art Teacher / Artist Te Horo

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.

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 Notices

Salvation Army Food Bank Donations

Hello school and wider school community. My name is Ben Ludlow and I am a Year 10 student at Whitby Collegiate. My class has thought of the initiative to start a monthly collection where we collect donations of essentials to people in need in the Porirua region and donate them toh the Salvation Army. Each month we will have a theme of what items we want people to bring in. Starting this week the theme will be Toothpaste and Toothbrushes. Outside the sports office, there will be a rainbow-coloured bin labelled with the donation theme and that is where we would like the donations to go. Thank you very much for the time to read this and I hope to see lots of donations coming in!

Whitby Collegiate Uniform Buy and Sell on Facebook

As the Christmas holidays approach it's a good time to think about uniform requirements for 2026. You may also want to sell Whitby Collegiate items.

The volunteers running our Whitby Collegiate Uniform Buy and Sell page on Facebook welcome new members. Please join if you're interested in purchasing, gifting, or on-selling outgrown or unused official Whitby Collegiate uniform items and accessories (such as school bags).

Waitangirua Link Road Closed from Monday for up to 5 months

There will be a full closure of Waitangirua Link Road – from Warspite Ave to the T-junction with Te Ara Kāpehu (formerly the Whitby Link Road). The work is expected to take up to five months to complete.

During the closure, drinking water pipes will be laid, along with cabling for electricity network upgrades.

The road will be fully closed so work crews have full access to the site. Keeping the road partially open during the work would take longer and cost more. Once the cabling and pipework is completed, the road will be resurfaced.

People who normally use the road will need to plan their trip in advance and allow extra time to reach their destination.

Once the Waitangirua Link Road work is complete and is back open, there will be a partial (one-lane) closure of part of Te Ara Kāpehu Link Road, also to lay water pipes and power cabling.

The water pipes will connect to the new, larger reservoir to be built at the end of Stemhead Lane.

Want to know more? Check out our webpage for the map of where work is happening and for more information: poriruacity.govt.nz/link-roads

Lunch Online Orders

The last day of Lunch Online orders for Term 4 will be Tuesday 3rd December. Students will need to bring their own food on Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 December. Lunch Online orders will be up and running again in Term 1 2025 on Monday 3 February.