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 is certainly time for reflection as we head into the Easter break and as always we are so grateful for the dedication of our Chaplain Rev Chris in nurturing the spiritual growth and care of our school community.

Our Easter Chapel Service is a highlight of the year and through Rev Chris's thoughtful words and engaging storytelling his ability to bring to life the story of Easter is a powerful reminder to encourage the lessons of Easter into our daily lives, fostering a culture of kindness, understanding, and support for one another.

This week we welcomed our first international student into Year 8 and are delighted to have Shusei Ito with us all the way from Japan. He is being hosted by the Green family and I have been so pleased with the welcome he has received from his classmates and the wider school, especially some of those who have been very keen to practise Japanese.

Our students were also introduced to the joys of Shakespeare with a contemporary take on Macbeth through the 'Ugly Shakespeare' company. It was wonderful to see everyone fully engaged in this performance and the follow up workshops after the performance. These performance opportunities for students ensure that their learning can be impacted in a variety of ways.

As our summer sports season is wrapping up we are looking forward to winter sports starting in earnest and I thank all of those who make these opportunities possible for our students. Congratulations to Siena Letoa-Tuala who won two gold medals in Junior Girls Shot Put and Discus along with a sliver medal in the Hurdles at the recent CSW Athletics Regional Championships. Louisa Egley-Turner also was successful with a silver medal in the Triple Jump and a bronze medal in the High Jump. It was a great day for the competing Whitby Collegiate Athletics team with many personal bests achieved.

Wishing everyone a blessed Easter break.

Shelley Addison
Executive Principal

Deputies’ Updates

From the Deputy Principal (Academics)

Kia ora e te whānau o Whitby Collegiate,

Senior students have now been entered into NCEA standards. These will appear on the KAMAR portal, and after Easter weekend, also on NZQA. Entries are indicative only, and as the academic year progresses, students may be removed from some standards, and entered into others. If there are any concerns regarding NCEA entries, please contact the subject teacher in the first instance, or reach out to me via email.

As we near the end of Term 1, I would like to remind everyone that academic success is more than just grades; it's a key that unlocks countless opportunities in the future. Excelling in studies not only builds a strong foundation of knowledge but also hones critical thinking, problem-solving, and time management skills essential for navigating life's challenges. Whether students dream of pursuing higher education, securing a fulfilling career, or making a difference in the world, academic success sets the stage for their aspirations to become reality. So, embrace the journey of learning, stay focused, and strive for excellence because your efforts today shape the limitless possibilities of tomorrow.

Have a safe and relaxing Easter break.

Ngā mihi,

Debbie Mitchell
debbie.mitchell@whitbycollegiate.school.nz

Upcoming Events

Term 1 Activities/Events (Week 9)

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
Easter Monday (Public Holiday)	Monday 1 April
Easter Tuesday (Public Holiday)	Tuesday 2 April
Auckland University Visit Spanish Trip Meeting @ 5:30PM, Ioane Fiso Pavilion	Wednesday 3 April
Junior & Senior Boys (Y9-13) Basketball Pre-season Training @ 3:30PM Y7 Parents' Evening @ 6PM, Ioane Fiso Pavilion	Thursday 4 April
School Class & ID Photos	Friday 5 April

School News

Ugly Shakespeare Performs Macbeth

Ugly Shakespeare brought Macbeth to life in a unique and engaging performance. While most students were familiar with the plot, Kent, Sarah, and Chanelle infused their own twist by taking on additional roles not originally in Shakespeare's play. The standout moment came when Macbeth found himself drenched with a watering can while standing in a paddling pool during his encounter with the witches. The actors exuded energy and expression throughout, utilising costumes to differentiate their characters effectively. Notably, Lady Macbeth shone in a vibrant pink silk coat, while Macbeth sported a crown atop his tam o'shanter and a kilt. Audience interaction added another layer of excitement, with actors directly engaging spectators and even selecting individuals for participation. Overall, students appreciated the reinterpretation of the classic tale, with one remarking, “I really enjoyed the characters and how the story was retold in their own way.”

Ms Visser

Scholarship

This year we have a number of Year 12s and 13s taking scholarship exams in several subjects. Some of them have already started preparing for these exams by attending extra lessons with their teachers or going into sessions at Victoria University. For those that are contemplating doing these exams in the future, you need to be preparing for these by aiming for Merit and Excellence on external examinations at Level 1 and 2. If you require any more information on these please do not hesitate to contact Mr Shaw at dan.shaw@whitbycollegiate.school.nz.

Kiwi Competitions

The University of Canterbury is delighted to offer their annual online Kiwi Competitions for Primary, Intermediate and Secondary schools. The English, Mathematics and Science competitions cater for students of all abilities, currently in years 5-10. They are skills based tests, closely aligned with the New Zealand curriculum. To register your son/daughter for this competition please complete this form by Friday, 10 May 2024. No late entries will be accepted. The competitions will be run in school in the last three weeks of Term 2. Dates and times will be announced closer to the time.

**whakatauki o te wiki**
*proverb of the week*

***He iti pioke, nō Rangaunu, he au tōna***
*In the wild tides of Rangaunu the small shark makes its own wake*

Sports Update

Golf

The Whitby Collegiate Gold Golf team, with Lonasei Lolo and Liam Cuming, took first place in the College Sport Wellington Northern Division 1! They also placed 2nd in the Philips Cup on Monday. A huge congratulations to the team!

College Sport Wellington Regional Athletic Championships

Whitby Collegiate's athletes shone at the recent Regional Championships on Tuesday at Newtown Park. Louisa Egley-Turner soared to 3rd in Long Jump and 2nd in Triple Jump, while Sienna Letoa-Tuala dominated with 1st in Shot Put and Discus, plus a strong 2nd in the 70m hurdles. Both Louisa and Sienna have earned spots at the upcoming North Island Secondary School Championships in Palmerston North on 6-7 March.

Our students competed fiercely against schools from Wellington, Kāpiti Coast, and Wairarapa, showcasing not only skill but also sportsmanship. Congratulations to all participants on an outstanding day!

Cricket

The Whitby Collegiate cricket team emerged victorious in the Wellington Region Intermediate Grade Division 1 Grand Final against Tawa College over the weekend. Despite a challenging start to the season, our boys showcased remarkable resilience, securing four consecutive wins to reach their first-ever final.

With a competitive total of 278 runs, the boys then delivered their best bowling and fielding performance of the season, which led to a convincing 76-run victory, as they bowled out Tawa for 202 runs. Special recognition goes to Sai for his outstanding contribution with both bat and ball, supported by Caleb and our younger bowlers, including the impressive Christiaan from Year 7.

This triumph marks a great achievement for our team and is a fantastic end to the season. A testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved!

Equestrian

Our Equestrian team placed 4th overall in the Nga Tawa Equestrian Interschools yesterday. An awesome day for all our riders and thanks to everyone who came along in support of our young team!

Futsal

Last week Whitby got to take an U15 team to the U15 Futsal Nationals in Wellington. This was a great learning experience for the boys, as 7 of them will be able to play again next year. This enables us to build for the future. Robert and Tawanda were our MVP and Golden Boot, Ben was the team player and Daniel was our most improved. It was great to see the boys improve over the 3 days and experience their first Futsal national tournament. It was also great to have Mrs Lee manage the team and was greatly appreciated by the boys and coaches (Jackson, Mr Shaw and Mr Bigwood).

Notices

Basketball
Junior & Senior Boys (Y9-13) Basketball pre-season training is next Thursday between 3.30pm - 5.30pm.

Winter Sports Registrations
Registrations for winter sports must be made using the online registration forms on the sports website (registration links below).

**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