E ngā reo, e ngā mana, rau rangatira mā, ngā matā waka, tēnei te mihi nui atu ki ā koutou katoa. Ko te wawata me te tumanako ka noho ora mai koutou katoa.

This week we have held assemblies for both seniors and juniors, under out changed Covid settings which meant that students are to wear masks in gatherings like this. Thank you to all the parents who supported us by ensuring their children came to school with masks.

As always, assemblies are part of building and recognising our school culture, celebrating who we are and reminding students of who we need to be. At both junior and senior assemblies, we were privileged to have the police talk to us about cybersafety and the Harmful Digital Communications Act, and students' responsibility in this regard.

For our seniors, there was a reminder that under our school values, showing responsibility for their learning will be really important over the remaining two terms. What this means is that students need to make sure they continue to have conversations with their Mentor around their NCEA progress, with their teachers to understand what is expected and what the deadlines are, and with families about their learning and any concerns they have. Being responsible also means that they continue to talk to their teacher if they are feeling concerned about their progress or need extra support, our teachers are always here to help.

For our juniors, we reinforced our expectations about respecting the right to learn by being ready for learning and on time to classes. Being respectful to the school environment by ensuring that rubbish is placed in the bins across our school. We also acknowledged the behaviour of the students and the respect they have for our staff.

We also spoke about vaping in our school, whilst this is something that doesn't happen frequently, it is not tolerated in our school. We are a smokefree school and consider vaping harmful to the individual and others. The school is obliged to protect all members of the school and repeated incidents will be dealt with punitively. As the school considers vaping harmful, students are given the option to surrender these vapes, otherwise a search may be conducted. Any vapes are then retained by the school. Searches can be conducted by senior leadership members and Deans, and contact by the school will be made to families if this happens. This is part of our school policy which is available here: https://www.schooldocs.co.nz/Home/SchoolLogin (Login: whakatanehigh Password: whs100)

Student Leadership

I would like to acknowledge the wide variety of student leadership we have across our school. This term, our prefects did a fantastic job with our Pink Shirt Day and are also developing more opportunities to grow participation across our school. Our prefects were invited to talk to senior leadership this week about World Day for Cultural Diversity, which we will hold next term, as we welcome back our international students. Our Year 12 house leaders have also established a really good house activity programme this term (see below) to strengthen the house competition and keep lunchtimes active and purposeful.

Interact Club

The Interact Club has started up again this term and I would like to acknowledge their efforts in fundraising towards the new shade sail which will be constructed later this term.

Sport

A huge acknowledgement to all of our students and their parents that continue to support our sports programme. We have 27 teams playing winter codes with close to 500 students engaged. We cannot continue to grow participation without the efforts of our community.

Martyn Knapton

Principal

The students enjoyed checking out Wētā Workshop, and The Roxy Cinema, in the film-centric suburb of Miramar, as well as the Kelburn Campus at Victoria University of Wellington. Students heard about various Film and Media Studies courses, and visited the New Zealand Classification Office to learn about how content (films, TV, legal documentation, etc.) is rated for audiences. A trip to the BATS Theatre was also a highlight!

We are certainly lucky to have teachers committed to driving all the way to Wellington and back to ensure our students have access to such epic opportunities! Thank you Mrs Kelly for organising and heading the trip, and to Mr Sexton for accompanying the group.

WHS took 20 students from Yr 9 and 10 up to the Manawahe Eco Centre for their annual two hour adventure race on Thursday.

The race consisted of running, biking and solving various mental and physical challenges. The weather played its part and the day was awesome for all the schools that took part. JPC, Tauranga Girls, Papamoa, Trident all showed up which made for a competitive competition.

In the Girls division Zoe Giles and Monique Prasad took out first place. In the boys division it was a close race between the Christie boys from Trident and Jai Julian and Sam Littlejohn from Whakatane with the Christie boys just getting there. Finn Jones and Ben Peat were close behind in third place.

Thanks go to the centre and Hillary Hurst for organising a wonderful event. We will return next year.

Hockey

The Boys and Girls 1st XI teams played preseason games against Trident. The girls came away with a 1-0 win while the boys drew 1-1.

The 1st XI Girls team opened their season with a 1-0 loss to Ruamata. They played really well and dominated possessions and field position but couldn't manage to find a goal.

Football

All boys played on the weekend with some awesome results in the grading rounds - 1st IX boys won 5-1, Junior A won 13-1 and Junior B won 5-3.

Girls 1st IX Football played to a very strong Otumoetai College side - the girls played well but unfortunately came away with a loss.

Basketball

Senior A boys went to Tauranga and had a big win over Papamoa College 78-43. Scoring was shared around all the boys and a big effort was shown with only seven players this week.

Rugby

The 1st XV travelled to Tauranga to face Tauranga Boys 2nd XV (TBC). It was a good performance by our team across the park with the boys sticking to their structure and gaining metres through strong ball carries and great support play. Final score 47-12 to TBC.

The U16s had a tough local battle against Trident. After dominating the first half they had to do a lot of defending and unfortunately let in a couple of tries at the end to go down 24-17.

The U14’s played an epic game against JPC. With 10 minutes to go we were leading 10-7 but didn’t come away with the win, and the final whistle blew 10-21.

This week we have visits from Waiotahi Contractors, PIHMS and Victoria University of Wellington.

Waiotahi Contractors came to speak to students on Monday about Civil Engineering, Roading, and Infrastructure careers. Former WHS Head Boy Sam Burgess, who is now a Civil Engineer working for Waiotahi, spoke to the students about his journey.

Andrew from Pacific International Hotel Management School (PIHMS) visited the senior Economics and Hospitality classes to speak about the training that they offer. Students were interested in the opportunities available through the degree programme that they offer.

Te Mapihi Tutua-Nathan from Victoria University of Wellington visited school and then attended the Te Aka Matua noho to speak about going to university.

All Year 12 and 13 students had the chance to attend the EBOP Career Expo on Wednesday at Trident High School. Students were able to speak to recruiters from tertiary providers, local employers, the armed forces and the police. If students have any follow up questions, they should visit Ms Stuart or Mrs Ball in the Careers Room.

University Visits

Coming up we have student recruiters coming on the following dates, any students are welcome to attend the presentations:

• Tuesday 31 May at 1.15 pm - University of Canterbury - Te Reo and Education specialist - Careers Room
• Wednesday 8 June at 1.15 pm - University of Otago recruiter visit - Careers Room
• Thursday 9 June at 1.15 pm - Lincoln university recruiter visit - Careers Room

Armed Forces

There will be an evening presentation on Tuesday May 31 6-7 pm, at the Mount Maunganui RSA. Please email to register and ask for more information: shane.v.gillum@defencecareers.mil.nz

Gateway

The Gateway Programme allows students to experience an industry while still at school. We appreciate local employers for their support of hosting students and sharing their industry knowledge. If any of our school whanau and supporters are interested in working with us, please contact us at school.

Futures Academy

Students continue to attend the Futures Academy for their chosen trade. The short taster courses have begun and we are taking names for the next courses that will happen next term.

Jo-Anne Stuart and Julie Ball

jo-anne.stuart@whs.co.nz

julie.ball@whs.co.nz

https://www.facebook.com/WhakataneHighSchoolCareers

Last Friday at our club meeting we had Drew Ewan and Matt Turner from Big Brothers Big Sisters Eastern Bay of Plenty come and tell us about their journeys and the organisation. We learned about how they discovered Big Brothers Big Sisters and started their careers. Also about how the organisation helps youths in need of a positive influence and friend and how they get put with mentors. They are constantly changing lives for the better and expanding to reach out to more people.

This Friday at our weekly meeting we are having Jo Finlay coming to talk to us about her engagement in the community and also her job as an events coordinator. Which could teach us skills that we all might find helpful.

Next week's meeting has been moved to Thursday (June 2) due to the Teacher Only Day. The speaker at the meeting will be Jason Lougher. He is coming to talk to us about his journey as an accountant and also his involvement in the community. So if you are interested in a career in accounting or want to know more about our community and the people in it feel free to stop by.

Interact club is holding a movie night on June 27 at Whakamax theatre. This is a fundraiser to raise money for Ukraine. Tickets are $25 and includes food provided by the club. The movie showing will be Elvis, so if you, your friends or family want to come see the movie and help us raise the money tickets will be available soon.

Big Brothers Big Sisters are having a Win a Magic Movie Night raffle! Tickets are $2 and are to be drawn on 10 June at 8am. When you purchase a ticket you have a chance to win a private screening of a movie of your choice at Whakamax for you and up to 20 mates! The night will start with snacks and drinks at the Comm. If you are interested in buying a ticket to enter go see Mrs. Bonne in B7 or find a member of the interact board!

Aurora Finch

Great skills to have. Well done Abbie!

Senior Academic Awards Criteria

TOP ACADEMIC LEVEL 11 & 12

The following criteria determines the Top Year 11 & 12 Academic awards at Senior Prize Giving;

• A score will be calculated from Excellence credits from 4 Subjects (both internal credits & practice exams results) at the appropriate year level using no more than 20 credits from any one subject, for a total of 80 credits.

• Credits are counted from the student’s timetable subjects only. Credits gained from Extracurricular activities ie the school Production will not be used towards the academic prize.

• Where study is at one level higher than the cohort, a factor of 1.4 will be applied in recognition of the additional level of difficulty. For two levels higher that factor will be 1.8.

• Credits achieved the previous year as a result of accelerated study, and from both internal and external results, are eligible for inclusion; these will not be factored at a higher level.

• In the case of a tie, the Excellence credit total can be extended in increments of 10 credits, using the remaining subjects, until a top scholar is established.

• A record of the calculations will be kept until March 1st the following year.

• International students who are studying a FULL year at Whakatane High School will be eligible for inclusion.

DUX AND PROXIME ACCESSIT

The following criteria determines the Top Year 13 Academic awards at Senior Prize Giving;

• A score will be calculated from Excellence credits from 4 Subjects (both internal credits & practice exams results) at the appropriate year level using no more than 20 credits from any one subject, for a total of 80 credits.

• Credits are counted from the students timetable subjects only. Credits gained from Extracurricular activities ie the school Production will not be used towards the academic prize.

• Credits achieved the previous year as a result of accelerated study, and from both internal and external results, are eligible for inclusion; these will not be factored at a higher level.

• If studying a University Paper for a semester and the student receives an overall A grade or higher they will receive 10 Excellence credits.

• If studying a University Paper for a full year and the student receives an overall A grade or higher they will receive 20 Excellence credits. This can be taken from the provisional grade received from the University of study.

• In the case of tie, the Excellence credit total can be extended in increments of 10 credits, using the remaining subjects, until a top scholar is established.

• A record of the calculations will be kept until March 1st the following year.

• International students who are studying a FULL year at Whakatane High School will be eligible for inclusion.

Health services provided FREE in school:

• School Nurse: daily except Wednesday morning
• School Doctor: Tuesdays P2