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.

To all parents, caregivers and the community,

As we move towards the end of this term, I want to share with you the messages we have given our Junior and Senior students in the most recent formal assemblies. It is important to reflect on a great term that we have had, but also set our sights on Term 3.

I would like to acknowledge all the work the students have done this term, and how settled and calm our classrooms have been, and how engaged students are in their learning here. Our young people understand that what we do here at WHS is based on respect - one of our school values. Our students show this when they allow teachers to teach, others to learn, and they respect their own opportunities to learn. I have been impressed with the respect they have shown to our new toilet block and our modernised B block, as they are clean and well cared for.

I have been impressed by so many students being involved in the wider life of the school. What we are great at at WHS is our participation in school beyond the classroom. Whether that be kapa haka, Interact, basketball, netball, football, rugby, hockey, school production or Get2Go. Getting involved, being part of a team, giving back to the school (service) are all skills that will help students thrive beyond school.

At the recent Junior assembly, I posed the question of how many students had participated in one or more school activity beyond the classroom. We had 75% of our students raise their hand. It was such a powerful illustration of how engaged our young people are. I know that our Prefects are students who have shown the qualities of participation and service. I hope all students set their sights on aspiring to be like them.

As members of our school, we show our respect for others by appreciating the acts of others and the sacrifice they make to help us. I have asked all of our students to acknowledge the help they receive from our teachers before the end of term. I have also asked them to thank you, their parents, for going above and beyond. Whether that be driving them to sports, sitting in the cold and cheering them on, or getting them to school with a full puku. I hope they thank you.

As we move to Term 3, we will focus on the school value of achievement. Reports will be available at the end of this term for students. This will give them an insight into where they are in their learning, and what they need to do to improve. This will support students in their goal setting for which there is an opportunity in week 5 to meet with Student Mentors to review and set new goals. It is really important in life that our young people have goals to aim for.

Next term we start looking at 2022 and the subjects students will choose. For Year 9, this means looking at Year 10 options, for Year 10s, this means looking at their NCEA Level 1 options. It will be important for students to choose subjects that they enjoy and that link to their passions and interests. In weeks 3-4 next term, there will be a focus on career planning to support this.

Our teachers are working hard to develop new exciting courses that meet students' needs and aspirations and we will publish these in the curriculum books later in Term 3 to help whanāu make informed decisions with their children. In addition, we are also consulting around how we might strengthen the timetable, but this is consultation at this stage.

Year 13 students

Year 13 students will be beginning to think carefully about their plans for 2022. Part of that will include applying for scholarships and accommodation for those intending to study at the tertiary level. Students will be checking the due dates and ensuring that they are keeping to the deadlines for their applications. During Term Three the student recruiters will visit again, this time to help the students plan the papers that they will enrol in for 2022. A detailed calendar will be published soon.

We would like to acknowledge and send our best wishes to our Kapa Haka group as they travel to Tauranga Moana for the Mataatua Regional Kapa Haka competition. They are set to hit the stage tomorrow at 10.40 where they will represent our school with pride and carry the mauri of our kura with them on stage. The commitment from the students, tutors, parents and teachers have not gone unnoticed so we would like to acknowledge them too.

E hiahia ana mātou ki te whakaae, ā, tuku mai i o mātou mihi pai ki to tātou roopu Kapa Haka e haerere ana ki Tauranga Moana mo te whakataetae Kapa Haka a rohe mo Matāatua. Hei āpopo ka tū te Kapa nei ki runga i te atamira i te 10.40, ka tū rangatira mai rātou, ka kawe hoki i te mauri o tā tātou kura. Ko te pono o ngā ākonga, o ngā kaiako, o ngā mātua hoki kua kore e kitea, nō reira he mihi nui hoki tēnēi kia rātau mā.

KIA WHAKATĀNE AU I AHAU!

On Wednesday, we heard some fantastic speeches by a few of our Year 9 and 10 Pūāwaitanga (ALP) classes. Participation awards were presented to: Kithmini Melville, Emilie Rosset, Forsaith Hahipene, Riley Rutter, Finn Jones, Jai Julian and Monique Prasad. Our placegetters were as follows:

Year 9

1st Catelyn Santos

2nd Jessie Jones

3rd Lily Isaac

Year 10

1st Kenna Baker

2nd Maddison Lynch

3rd Ella Murphy

Congratulations to all students on their participation and achievements.

Junior Boys A had an absolute thriller of a game against Papamoa Volcanoes. The score was all tied up at the break at 1-1 and the 2nd half was filled with end to end chances for both teams. After an early goal to Papamoa in the 2nd stanza, there was a large break of no one getting that ball across the goal line. A brilliant goal for us came from Billy Dawson sailing in the back of the net but then a return goal from the visitors meant we were trailing with only minutes to go in the game. Our boys showed real gumption and kept going right to the end and ended up with the 3 points, a 4-3 victory. (Pictured, Sam Littlejohn).

Health services provided FREE in school:

• School Nurse: daily except Wednesday morning
• School Doctor: Tuesdays P2
• Nutritionist/Dietitian: Weekly on Wednesday morning

Visit the Student Office to make an appointment.

The Science Department are always in need of ice cream containers, newspaper and paint test pots (even if they have a little bit left in them). Any time you have some spare, please drop them in to the front office.

If you require information about your student/s bus route or timetable, please contact Uzabus directly on: 07 308 6169.

3:15pm-4:30pm in the library every Wednesday.