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,

This week the highlight has without doubt been the school’s annual Athletics Day on Wednesday. We saw a marked increase in participation rates, and high levels of school spirit on display as students cheered their Houses on. The addition of the new Fiso House increased the friendly rivalry for those coveted House points and from the first event to the last it was fantastic to see everyone participating and enjoying the day.

Without a doubt, the school athletes stepped up this year, and 19 school records were broken on the day. We are looking forward to having an exceptional Athletics team attend the CSW Regional Championships at the end of the month.

The success of this year's Athletics Day was further amplified by the outstanding leadership of our senior students. Their commitment to encouraging and mentoring the younger students played a crucial role in fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, where everyone felt they could give their best.

Amidst all the fierce competition, one of the most anticipated events was the staff vs. students relay race. In a display of speed, strategy, and a bit of humour, our staff relay team emerged victorious, proving that they're not just talented teachers.

We extend our congratulations to all the participants for their incredible performances and sportsmanship and want to acknowledge the hard work of Ms Levave and her team of staff and volunteers to make this day such a great day out. It was also great to see such a large number of parents attend the event and as always welcome everyone to support our students. Thanks to Mr Fiso and Rev Chris Darnell for opening the event with words of encouragement and motivation.

It has also been great to see the large number of opportunities for our students with experiences for education outside of the classroom this week and over the coming weeks as part of their academic programme. We are particularly looking forward to the Year 9 camps that are coming up at Talima Lodge shortly, which will be a great team building opportunity along with learning new skills for the outdoors.

Other summer sports are well underway. Our senior boys, senior girls and junior girls Volleyball teams are dominating their weekly competitions, and our Softball team is gearing up for the national championships at the end of March. This week, we're excited to resume our cricket competitions, and we're proud to announce that Captain Ishaan Badiyani has been chosen to attend a reception for the NZ Black Caps and the Australian teams at Premier House next Monday alongside the Prime Minister and Minister of Sport.

Along with our academic programme now settling in for the term, we are looking forward to other extracurricular activities and lunchtime clubs starting in earnest. Debating has started already with teams practising their moots before the first inter-school competition round in a couple of weeks. Many thanks to Mr Atkinson for getting this up and running and being met with such enthusiasm from the students.

Wishing everyone a very restful weekend.

Shelley Addison
Executive Principal

Deputies’ Updates

From the Deputy Principal (Pastoral and Wellbeing)

Tēnā koutou e te whānau o Whitby Collegiate,

I have been impressed with the high number of students who have applied for leadership roles this year. From House Captains to Student Council representatives, to those running lunchtime clubs and organising community-based events, our students are actively seeking opportunities to make a difference. It is truly inspiring to witness the enthusiasm and dedication of our students in wanting to contribute to the betterment of our school community. What a privilege it is to mentor and work alongside such motivated individuals.

Next week, our Prefects will be diligently conducting interviews to select suitable leaders for the various roles. I commend them for their dedication and commitment to this important task. Their responsibility is significant, and I have every confidence in their ability to make thoughtful decisions. Our leaders’ efforts in encouraging a spirited atmosphere during this week's athletics day were commendable and greatly enjoyed by all students and staff. I extend my gratitude to Mr John Fiso, Chair of our Proprietor’s Board, for his presence and support during the event.

As we reflect on the first three weeks of the academic year, our Head Prefects have expressed that their roles have been both busy and rewarding. Their dedication to their responsibilities is evident, and I am confident that they will continue to excel in their leadership roles. Here’s what Head Girl, Jade Lin and Head Boy, Liam Cuming have to say about their first 3 weeks:

“As we close out the second week of business as usual at Whitby Collegiate, I've been asked to reflect on my experience as Head Boy thus far. Our Meet & Greet BBQ provided an excellent opportunity to connect with new faces, but what truly stood out to me was witnessing the cooperation of our school community in making the event a successful one. I would like to say a huge thank you to the Parents Association for volunteering their valuable time to ensure it ran smoothly. Additionally, attending the Cullen Breakfast at the Wellington Club alongside Jade and Mr. Hudson last Tuesday was a special honour. Interacting with Head Prefects from other Wellington schools and beginning to engage in Peter Cullen's democracy initiative was both inspiring and enriching. I am thoroughly looking forward to further growth and learning in my role as Head Boy, while also witnessing the immense leadership potential among our student body, and doing what I can to ensure their initiatives and ideas come to fruition.”
- Liam Cuming

“Despite the busy past few weeks, I have been really enjoying my role as Head Girl. The highlight of my day is definitely coming through the school gates in the morning and being greeted by lots of smiling faces. I am especially touched by the new students, who always make an effort to approach me and say hi, which honestly brightens my day and gets me through the hot, long days. I am very grateful to be surrounded by a caring and supportive community that enables me to carry out my role as Head Girl to the best of my ability.”
- Jade Lin

Our school Cultural Group have got off to a great start already preparing for their first performance. We look forward to seeing them perform at our Pasifika Families Gathering next month.

Finally, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like to meet with me to discuss any matters relating to pastoral care.

Have a wonderful and safe weekend.

Soifua ma ia manuia.

From the Assistant Principal

Kia ora students, parents & caregivers,

As the new academic year progresses, it is so pleasing to witness the overwhelmingly positive start that has unfolded within our school walls. The classrooms are alive with the hum of engaged minds, and the energy is palpable as students embark on new challenges and discoveries.

I decided to check in with some of our students by giving them the chance to anonymously describe how their year was going. Their feedback has been very encouraging. Here is just a sample of some of some of the comments I collected.

“It is going good at the moment, much better than my old school and for once I feel included and part of something instead of feeling forgotten like I did at my old school.”

“The school is the best school I have ever been to…I have made some new friends and have been playing tag.”

“So far it's ten times better than my past school.”

“Everything is good a lot of people have talked to me and I like most of my subjects.”

“I am enjoying Whitby Collegiate and surprisingly get excited to go to school.”

I wish everyone a fantastic academic year ahead. Here’s to a year filled with endless possibilities, growth, and, most importantly, the happiness of our incredible students.

Nga mihi nui,

Maurice Atkinson
Assistant Principal

Upcoming Events

Term 1 Activities/Events (Week 4)

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”.

ACTIVITY/EVENT	DATE
Netball Preseason (Y9-13) @ 7:00AM Athletics (1500m), Adventure Park	Monday 26 February
Level 1 Art Trip CSW Softball Regional Tournament, Fraser Park	Tuesday 27 February
Athletics (3000m and Triple Jump), Adventure Park	Wednesday 28 February
Netball Preseason (Y9-13) @ 7:00AM	Thursday 29 February
Senior Girls Volleyball Sausage Sizzle Fundraiser @ Lunchtime	Friday 1 March

School News

Cullen Breakfast

Last Tuesday, our head students, Jade Lin and Liam Cuming, had the privilege of attending the inaugural Cullen Breakfast at the Wellington Club for 2024. These breakfast events occur once a term and are hosted by Peter Cullen, a retired lawyer with a strong dedication to promoting democracy in New Zealand, particularly among college-aged students. The guest speakers invited range from politicians and sports influencers to advocates for protecting democracy.

The guest speaker for the first breakfast of the year was Boyd Klap. Boyd, originally from the Netherlands, attended college there. At the age of 16/17, while still in school, he was recruited to join the Dutch Resistance during the Nazi occupation of Europe in World War II. Boyd undertook the critical task of cycling 15 kilometers with documents hidden in his bicycle frame containing intelligence about German troop movements. This information, collected by one group within the Dutch Resistance, was relayed by Boyd to another group, ultimately to be radioed to London.

Remarkably, Boyd's youth at the time of his involvement in the resistance, combined with his current age of 97 years, makes him one of the few individuals in New Zealand who participated in the Dutch Resistance. His motivation stemmed from a desire to protect a way of life and the freedoms inherent in democracy.

Boyd emphasised to the audience the preciousness of democracy and the imperative for all of us in today’s evolving world to safeguard it and uphold our freedoms.

Following Boyd's address, attending students remained for a discussion on a civics project tailored for secondary school students.

Throughout the year, there will be three more opportunities for students to attend the Cullen Breakfast.

Brad Hudson
Head of Faculty, Humanities

Y10 Te Reo Trip to Hatupatu

This week, Year 10 Te Reo Maōri students attended a performance of ‘Hatupatu | Kurangaituku : A Forbidden Love’. The show is part of the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival. Based on the Te Arawa iwi kōrero tara (legend), the show takes the epic tale of Hatupatu and the bird woman Kurangaituku to new heights, with gravity defying choreography by award-winning artistic director and aerialist Tānemahuta Gray and kapa haka developed in collaboration with Wētini Mītai-Ngātai (from the Te Matatini winning rōpū; Te Mātārae i Ōrehu). The trip supported students’ learning in our current unit ‘Kōrero Pūrākau’, and will enhance their understanding of Hatupatu's story, which they have been learning in class.

Level 3 English - Aotearoa NZ Festival of The Arts

Our Level 3 English class attended an Aotearoa NZ Festival of The Arts event today. Students had the opportunity to get up close and personal with to US/Mexican writer and activist Sandra Cisneros (her novel The House on Mango Street has sold over 6 million copies) and young New Zealand poet Tayi Tibble (Te Whānau ā Apanui / Ngāti Porou) who grew up in Porirua. The two artists talked about what compels them to write, the work beneath it (letting their words 'compost'), and what it’s like for their words to change lives as they describe walking between worlds. Students had the chance to ask questions of the writers and took the opportunity to find out about the writing and publishing process. A great afternoon in the Embassy Theatre.

Music Lessons

At Whitby Collegiate, we offer itinerant lessons for the following instruments: drums, piano, vocal, guitar, ukulele and bass. If you require more information or would like to sign up for lessons, please fill out this form or email Ms Ting nicole.ting@whitbycollegiate.school.nz.

Sports Update

Sports Uniform Returns

Please return any sports uniforms to the sports office ASAP to avoid incurring fines.

**For all sports information, latest draws & results, sport clubs and registrations please visit our online sports hub** **here**.

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

We love to celebrate our students’ achievements. For inclusion in the Whitby Collegiate newsletter or on our Facebook page, please fill in the online form here or forward it to communications@whitbycollegiate.school.nz