Word From Ms Addison
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,
As we head into the last week of the term celebrating te wiki o te reo Māori, it is hard to believe how close we are to the end of the year. Senior students have completed their derived grade exams, marking an important milestone. Staff are now focused on providing the all-important guidance and feedback they need to prepare for the final external exams.
While our senior students are gearing up for their final external exams, our junior students have also been busy making us proud in various academic and extracurricular pursuits. This weekend, we have some two teams representing Whitby Collegiate at the national Tournament of Minds event. We want to wish them all the best as they showcase their creativity, problem-solving skills, and teamwork.
Additionally, we would like to recognize our Year 9 students who performed at a consistently high level at the EPro8 competition where students develop their engineering and creative skills and express our gratitude to Ms Ting for her efforts in organizing our teams.
After many, many months of planning our softball team will finally be on their way for an incredible journey as they prepare to represent Whitby Collegiate in Japan next week. Heading to Japan is not just a chance to compete on an international stage, but it's also a unique cultural experience that will enrich the lives of our student-athletes. They will have the opportunity to engage with a different culture, forge new friendships, and create lasting memories that will stay with them for a lifetime.
We are also so very grateful for the amazing amount of support that our parent community is currently showing and this was so evident in the contributions of our parents to inspiring and encouraging our students by sharing their career journeys at the Pasifika function last night. Our parents on the Foundation Committee have also been working tirelessly to prepare for the Gala Dinner being held at the Hotel Intercontinental on Saturday 28 October. It is going to be a fantastic function with amazing guest speakers and an opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate our very special school.
Anticipation is also high this weekend for the Senior Ball and we are looking forward to seeing our students in their finest attire and dancing shoes on!
Wishing you all a productive and fulfilling last week of term.
Shelley Addison
Deputies’ Updates
From the Deputy Principal (Academics)
Kia ora e te whānau o Whitby Collegiate,
I am very proud of the way senior students approached their Derived Grade examinations last week, and also of the junior students who were very respectful of the seniors' need for quiet around the Pavilion. With DG examinations over, the focus for seniors has now shifted to completing the last of their Internal Assessments, and preparing for their NCEA examinations in November. As part of their revision, students should be acting on the invaluable advice from their subject teachers, and look at improving on any weaknesses indicated in the DG papers. I have previously emailed senior students templates to assist with creating a study timetable, analysing their DG papers for areas needing revision, and formulae sheets useful for Mathematics and Science subjects.
Derived Grade summaries will be made available on KAMAR next Friday 22 September. Formal End of Year reports for senior students will be available on the seniors’ last day before study leave and NCEA examinations, Friday 27 October. Parents of Y11-13 students, please make sure you are making an appointment to see subject teachers at the Parent Teacher Interviews on Wednesday 20 September - information is below. I am also available, so if you would like to discuss anything general regarding academic progress or NCEA, please make an appointment with me as well.
The second AME workbook order was completed at the beginning of this week, with delivery expected early next week. Should you like to purchase revision workbooks from Learnwell, please use this link. I expect to make the third and final order during Week 2 next term.
An NCEA information session with Year 10s moving into completing NCEA Level 1 in 2024 will be held next week. I will be inviting parents / caregivers of those students to a second NCEA information evening early next term, so please look out for further information.
Years 10-12 students have completed their 2024 subject selection. I am now in the process of looking at the best timetable design for next year to minimise clashes. Should students have subject clashes, or if a subject will not be running next year due to insufficient interest, then I will meet with those affected students directly. Next week parents will be sent a confirmation of their child’s subject selection as a summary.
If you cannot make an appointment with me at Y11-13 Parent Teacher Interviews, or there is something you would like to discuss in a different way, please feel free to send me an email.
Ngā mihi,
Debbie Mitchell
debbie.mitchell@whitbycollegiate.school.nz
From the Deputy Principal (Pastoral and Wellbeing)
Tēnā tātou e te whānau o Whitby Collegiate,
Nau mai ki te wiki o te reo Māori.
One of my highlights this week was our Pasifika families' gathering, where some of our parents took center stage, offering words of encouragement to our students about their career pathways and aspirations. It was an inspirational event, made even more special by the presence of the Women's Rugby World Cup and the replica Men's Rugby World Cup. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Siaosi Anamani for making this incredible experience possible.
Our students were deeply inspired by the messages shared during the gathering, and they expressed their gratitude also for Sheila Tui, our former Deputy Head Girl, who shared her journey since leaving Whitby Collegiate. In our ongoing work of strengthening the partnership between home and school, our families were inspired by the presentations of our Pasifika parents, Maria Lolo, Abbie O’Rourke, Siaosi Anamani and David Brabant. Thank you to our amazing parents and everyone involved for contributing to the success of this event.
With just one more week to go, I am looking forward to connecting with parents on Wednesday evening for Parent Teacher interviews. Please feel free to make a booking if you have any queries relating to pastoral matters.
Kia whakarongotai a Ihowā ki a koutou katoa i tēnei mahi tonu i te whakapai ake i ō tātou ākonga. Kia pai to rā whakatā.
Ainslie Sauvao
From The Pastoral Dean
Kia ora Students, Parents & Caregivers,
As we approach the end of the term I would like to remind our students about the importance of road safety. There have been a number of incidents recently where drivers have needed to stop suddenly in order to avoid students who have chosen to run across the road without looking. The simplest yet most effective rule of road safety is to look both ways before crossing any street. It is a habit that can save lives. It is also important that students walk across the road instead of running.
I would also like to remind our students that they should make full use of our underpass and not attempt to cross Discovery Drive both before and after school. They should also avoid crossing Starboard lane and not walk in front or behind our school buses. If it is absolutely necessary for them to cross Starboard lane they should walk all the way up the street and make their crossing directly in front of the school office.
Stay safe,
Nga mihi nui,
Maurice Atkinson
Pastoral Dean
Chaplain’s Corner
Long ago when I was young, a billboard in central Wellington for a certain beverage company grabbed my attention. It read, “I would rather die of thirst than drink from the cup of mediocrity.” It’s sequel appeared a number of years later at Wellington Airport when an automotive billboard announced quite succinctly, “Mediocrity is sin.”
People are incredible. This world is inspiring. Every student I have met at Whitby Collegiate is amazing. One of the great privileges and joys of my Religious Education teaching role here is to read the insightful work submitted by some of our senior students.
Respect, resilience and excellence are demonstrated through lives well lived. Saint Irenaeus in the second century famously wrote, “the glory of God is to be fully alive.”
Rev Chris
Upcoming Events
Term 3 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 |
| Sports & Cultural Photos | Monday 18 September |
| Y11-13 Parent Teacher Interviews | Wednesday 20 September |
| Japan Softball Trip Departure | Thursday 21 September |
| Last Day of Term 3 Senior Derived Grade exam results summary available |
Friday 22 September |
The Whitby Collegiate Foundation warmly invites you, your colleagues, friends and whānau to our Gala Dinner on Saturday 28 October 2023, from 6:30pm at the Hotel InterContinental Wellington. The dress code is formal.
Please join us for an evening of sport, celebration and fun on the eve of the Rugby World Cup final. Indulge in a sumptuous three-course meal and be entertained by guest speaker and Silver Fern world champion Karin Burger, stand-up comedian Tofiga Fepulea'i, special guests and our talented students.
The evening also includes a fundraising auction. Funds raised will facilitate the inclusion of a diverse array of students at our school, encompassing those seeking academic, excellence, sport and cultural scholarships, enhancing the richness and diversity of our community.
Join us as we bring together our community, celebrate the occasion of the Rugby World Cup, and fundraise for scholarships.
Tickets are $185 each. If you prefer, you can book a table for ten for $1,850.
You may also know businesses in your network who would like to support the fundraiser through sponsorship of the event - of a table, or an auction prize. If so, please let us know at foundation@whitbycollegiate.school.nz.
Learn how to build web hosted games like Snake and art drawing programme software. By the end of the programme students will have developed JavaScript intermediate level skills and will be in a position to be able to produce their own applications.
Dates: Monday 25 - Wednesday 27 September 2023
Venue: Whitby Collegiate
Time: 9:00am - 3:00pm
Cost: $300
Ages: 10+
Year 11-13 Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent Teacher Interviews for students in Years 11 to 13 will be held on Wednesday 20 September at Whitby Collegiate. Appointments will each be 5 minutes long and will be available between 3pm and 7.30pm. We strongly advise that you include your son/daughter in the Parent Teacher Interview so they too can hear the feedback regarding their Derived Grade Examination results. Should you be unavailable for this evening, please remember that a summary of grades will be available on the Kamar Parent Portal at the beginning of the upcoming school holidays.
In addition to subject teachers, you are welcome to make an appointment to see Ms Ainslie Sauvao, Deputy Principal (Pastoral), Mrs Debbie Mitchell, Deputy Principal (Academics), or Mrs Briony Bradley, SENCo (Learning Support).
Interview bookings close on Tuesday 19 September at 3pm.
BOOK ONLINE www.schoolinterviews.co.nz
Event Number: wdgef
SCHOOL NEWS
Year 9/10 EPro8 Inter-School Competition
Well done to our teams that attended the Year 9/10 EPro8 Inter-School Competition on Wednesday afternoon. Although our two teams didn't make it into the Grand Final, they had a blast competing with the other teams and enjoyed the engineering and problem-solving challenges.
Visit to the Opera
Last Thursday, some of our students went to a dress rehearsal of the opera Cinderella, which was held at Victoria University, in the School of Music. It was performed by some of the students there. It had an orchestra with around 40 people, and 10-15 opera singers. The storyline was a modern take on the original fairy tale, but had a few changes. We would also like to thank Ms Ahmad for organising this and taking us to it. We all thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Mira Kapagodda 7AH and Maija Warrington-Redfearn 7ML
Young Enterprise Slush’D Market - Friday 8 September
Last Friday afternoon two of my Year 12 Young Enterprise (YES) teams participated in a YES market sponsored by Slush’D. The event was held at Victoria University’s Rutherford House and the teams Gift Eco and Everything Totes were able to make sales and enjoy the vibe of being at a busy university campus.
Our YES teams have both employed the useful crafts of pattern making and sewing this year. Abigail Dawson and Krystal Gounder of Gift Eco make and sell reusable gift bags from recycled fabric, and Milly O’Leary, Aifili Patelesio, Ana Sexton, and Jade Lin of Everything Totes make and sell tote bags using woolen blankets and other repurposed fabrics.
It was also a lovely surprise to see Whitby alums Vanessa Hirschmann (2020 Head Girl), Luca Zampese, and Ben Vickers at the event. Vanessa is in her last year at Victoria and was running the social media for Slush’D, and Luca was manning a table for Creative HQ, where he works part-time. Ben is also a full time student at Victoria.
Christina Lindsay
Economics Teacher
Community Market Day - Saturday 25 November
We (the school parent community) will be hosting our inaugural Community Market Day at school on Saturday 25 November to help fundraise for school scholarships. Think early Christmas shopping, music, delicious food, and an opportunity to socialise with both the school and local Whitby community.
What do we need from you, our school community?
We need donations: Anything from books, clothing, home-wares and other items suitable for resale at the market. Email us if you have items and we will advise you of the closest drop off point or arrange a pickup.
We need stallholders: Email us if you, your student, a friend, neighbour or family member might like to have a stall. Stalls will be limited so get your application in early.
We need helpers: Email us if you can lend a hand either with this event. Before the day we will need help to sort and prepare items for sale. On the day we will need help to setup, sell on our stalls, man the BBQ and of course pack-up after.
Our vision is for a vibrant marketplace with plenty of shopping and eating options. We need your family’s help to realise the vision.
Contact the organising committee at events@whitbycollegiate.school.nz
whakatauki o te wiki
proverb of the week
Ki te wātea te hinengaro, me te kaha rere o te wairua, ka tāea ngā mea katoa.
When the mind is free and the spirit is willing, anything is possible.
Just like our physical health, we need to nurture and take care of our mental and emotional wellbeing
Sports Update
Summer Sport (Term 4) Registrations
Summer sports registrations are now open and close on Monday 18 September so please have a look at what's on offer and register for Term 4 summer sport over the weekend.
Return Winter Sports Uniforms
If you have not already returned your winter sports uniforms (and in some cases Term 1 summer sports uniforms), please do so next week. Uniforms not returned will be disbursed to the student’s school accounts.
Athlete Development Programme
The Athlete Development Programme runs termly and is designed to support athletes' personal goals, whether it be a personal best or a long term future in sport. Students will learn from expert coaches in an environment that grows confidence, strength and ability in their chosen sport.
The programme comprises 14 sessions over 7 weeks. Students attend 2 sessions per week. Sessions are held on Mondays and Wednesdays during lunch period.
For more information please read the full programme details here.
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 forward student achievements to communications@whitbycollegiate.school.nz
