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.

Student Leadership

Recently our Senior Leadership Team have been considering what leadership looks like at Whakatane High School, and how we can grow opportunities at the school for students to exercise their leadership in different ways.

We recognise that leadership starts with the leadership of ourselves, if we can't manage ourselves, our actions and have a vision for our future, we cannot possibly lead others. With this in mind, we are currently in the process of writing mid-year reports for our students that will help all students understand where they are in their learning and their next steps. Mid-year reports come out next week, and we encourage you to read them with your child and identify any areas that you feel need to be addressed, and make an appointment for the Meet The Teacher interviews in week 8, www.schoolinterviews.co.nz booking code p5q9q.

This last fortnight has shown our students leading the way in our school and in our community. This week we have had the following:

• Te Aka Matua showing leadership in organising and leading the powhiri, recognitions in particular to Te Rangimoaho Piper-Iti and Nohotahi Lores for their whaikorero, acknowledgements also to Londie Rika for leading the kaikaranga.
• Our Year 11 Geography students for organising the Youth Social Action event.
• Our Te Aka Matua students for organising food parcels for the community, in particular, thanks to Waikare Black, Evanda Savage, Sandra Kingi and Taimane Simanu.
• Our prefects have been busy at our Prefect Camp, reflecting on their great leadership this year so far, designing the ball theme and set up, and establishing opportunities for leadership in the next two terms.
• Groups of Year 10 students took part in the organisation and running of the Interschool Cross Country event at Ohope School on Wednesday.
  
• Callum Giles and Kiera Dooley attended a three-week Outward Bound course.
• Jonghyun Yun has been selected for the International Bluelight Leadership Camp in New South Wales.

• Our Pride leadership group have organised, with the support of Ms Abbott, a whole range of events to celebrate Pride at Whakatane High School.
• A number of our students are off to Waikato University, completing a University paper on leadership, and they have some exciting student-led projects at the school later this year.
  

As always, this newsletter only highlights a fraction of the opportunities for leadership at Whakatane High School and my thanks goes out to parents and the community for supporting the programme that we offer.

Martyn Knapton

Principal

On Tuesday 5 July (Week 10), our Year 10 students will be exploring the job world during their Mentor time. The Year 10 Deans were wondering if there was anyone from our community who would like to chat with a few interested students about their industry area. Please get in touch with Holly Shanks if you would like to showcase your industry and encourage young people to get involved.

Email holly.shanks@whs.co.nz.

Callum and I travelled down to a bay based in the Queen Charlotte Sound where we began a twenty-one day Outward Bound course with 12 other 16-year-olds from around the Bay of Plenty. We were completely disconnected from the outside world. It was packed to the brim with various outdoor activities including; Sailing, white water kayaking, rock climbing, high ropes, tramping, a solo experience, physical training and lastly a half marathon. It was cold and slightly smelly but we got to see some of the most stunning views in the South Island while experiencing some of nature's finest toilets.

The mental challenges for sure outweighed the physical, really allowing me to push my limits. We were often kept in the dark on what was to occur next allowing us to really focus on the present moment. I can't pinpoint one aspect that was my favourite as I loved the lessons and laughs I had every day with the crew. It was the longest but at the same time the shortest three weeks of my life. Thank you to the Acorn Foundation and the WHS Interact Club for allowing us this amazing opportunity.

By Kiera Dooley

24 swimmer's from the Whakatane Swim Club competed at the XLR8 Swim Meet 2022 at Taupo over Queens Birthday Weekend with a large medal haul and some great personal best times.

There were 25 clubs in attendance from around the North Island and six of the swimmers representing the Whakatane Swim Club are Whakatane High School students.

Ben Jackson was the club’s top performer, earning a total of seven medals across all strokes, which included five gold medals. He received 1st place in 50M and 100M freestyle, 100M IM, 50M backstroke and 50M butterfly. Silver medalist in 50M breaststroke and 100M backstroke.

Caign Boonen received four gold medals placing 1st in 50M and 200M backstroke, 100M IM and 50M freestyle. Silver medalist for 50M and 100M breaststroke and bronze medalist for 200M freestyle.

Tyler Macey brought home six medals, placing 2nd in 50M backstroke and butterfly, 100M freestyle and 200M IM. He received a bronze medal for 50M freestyle and 100M IM.

Nikkolas Brown was a gold medalist in the long distance 1500M freestyle event and also 200M breaststroke. He received a bronze medal in the 200M freestyle.

Leo Collier received a gold medal in the 100M backstroke and bronze in 100M breaststroke.

Zane Pearson was a Silver medalist in the long distance 800M freestyle and received bronze in 200M breaststroke.

10 Hearty Souls travelled across to Tauranga to compete in the BOP Cross Country competition. Despite the windy and wet conditions all students put their best foot forward and ran really well.

We had three students who finished in the top 10 in their respective grades

• Zoe Giles - 7th Junior Girls
• Ben Peat - 9th Junior Boys
• Kithmini Melville - 9th Senior Girls

Health services provided FREE in school:

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