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.

Welcome back to Term 4. The start of this term is an incredibly busy time for students and staff alike. For our senior students in particular the focus is on completing outstanding work from their classes, getting ready for their external examinations as they engage in a revision program or preparing for life beyond school.

To make sure students are well supported there will be a revision program published via email and on Social Media about all the opportunities for students to get ready for their exams. Students will have had exam slips that list all of their exams and the time, they must keep a hold of this and bring it to their exam.

For students that have had significant loss of learning in 2022 due to Covid, there is a support program in place where students can get additional support all the way till the end of Term 4 to support them to achieve NCEA. This program is being run by Mrs Jones and Ms Moore. They will be in contact with whānau to explain what is required.

Our year 9 students will be completing option selection over the next two weeks and we hope that they spend some time reflecting on what they enjoy and are passionate about for this selection.

Student Leadership and success at WHS

I would like to acknowledge the great work of our 2022 Prefect group. They have led the school so well during a disrupted year and have shown resilience and kindness across the school. We wish our departing Year 13 students all the best as they move onto the next stages of their lives, they will always be welcomed at WHS.

Our 2023 prefect group has been selected. We were incredibly lucky to have 67 students of great character who applied. We have selected 26 prefects for 2023 from this group. These are: Hawk Bendikson, Sam Bennett, Joshua Broadmore, Ryan Calder, Mia Cole, Kiera Dooley, Hera Eruera, Ashley Giles, Callum Giles, Ihaka Hau, Grace Iremonger, Anna Isaac, Jamie Julian, Daemiza Marks, Chloe Moore, Olivia Nolan, Teigan Nolan, Sophie Peat, Te Rangimoaho Piper Iti, Londie Rika, Rhys Robertson, Evanda Savage, Eva Sexton, Kobe Shilton, Charlie Waters and Jonghyun Yun. We will announce Head students at the school prizegiving.

A huge mihi to those tauira (students) and kaiako (teachers), that performed at the recent Ngāti Awa Te Toki festival. They are as follows:

• Kiriwhakaangi Ratema Yr 11 - Te Pahipoto
• Parehuia Ratema Yr 11 - Te Pahipoto
• Te Tonga Tihi Yr 10 - Te Pahipoto
• Londie Rika Yr 12 - Ngāti Hokopu ki Wairaka
• Jose Rika Yr 9 - Ngāti Hokopu ki Wairaka
• Jazmine Black Yr 9 - Ngāti Pūkeko
• Jaden Ohlson Yr 10 - Ngāti Rarawhati
• Tekaumarua Christie Yr 10 - Warahoe
• Te Tokatumoana McGarvey Yr 10 - Ngāti Pūkeko
• Barry Kilmartin Yr 13 - Ngāi Tamawera
• Atawhai Nathan Yr 9 - Ngāi Taiwhakāea
• Whaiora Korewha (Kaiako)
• Johnny Ratema (Kaiako)

Congratulations to Sam Bennett, Lara Longney and Anchal Sharma at their recent Whakatane District Council Mayoral Youth Awards. Lara Longney was a Finalist in the Environmental category, Sam Bennett won the Environmental category, and Anchal Sharma won the Leadership category and was also awarded the Overall Distinction Award.

Some recent notable successes for students over the holidays include:

• Kenna Baker who is the Motorsport Off Road racing New Zealand National Youth champion as well as the National M Class champion.

• Aydan Hall 2nd place at NZ Motocross Junior Nationals in the 14 to 16 85cc.

• Jai Julian who finished top Jr in the Waka 100 25km race.

• Kokako Raki who was named BOP U18 Female Player of the Year.

• Noah Tailby, Lucy Carter, Jessie Jones and Huiarau Tutua have recently returned home after playing in the Northern Regional Hockey Tournament for BOP.

This term is packed with celebrations and awards ceremonies to acknowledge the success and achievements made by individuals, groups and teams throughout 2022. See below for key dates and times.

Note: If your child is receiving an award at any of the below events, you will receive an invite. Spaces at these events are limited to parents & caregivers of students receiving awards. If you are unable to attend the Senior Prizegiving, we will be livestreaming this event.

The dates below are for your reference:

• Senior Prizegiving - 2 November

• Sports Prizegiving - 18 November

• Junior Prizegiving - 9 December

As we move through the term I will share with you more information to help us get ready for 2023 and start introducing some of our new staff to you.

Martyn Knapton

Principal

The 2022 Cross Country race will go down in history for its rain, and rain it did! This year's race brought much joy to the hundreds of students out there running. Creating lifelong memories and bringing back those childhood experiences of splashing through puddles, running through streams, and feeling the thrill of rain in the face and mud in the hair. Event coordinator Mr Hanlen explains that despite the conditions it was great to still go ahead. To see such a large number of runners out there having a great time and being active was testament to why sporting events such as this are so important for our school. “We mitigated the issues the rain presented with strong controls in place, staff positioned at key points on the track, hot showers and warm clothes waiting at the gym. Huge congratulations to the following students who gained podium results. In particular the 3 age group records that were broken

Documentary photography work of International Student Johanna Kamrath.

Well done to all our Trades Academy students who received awards at this week's Trades Prizegiving:

• Merit - Ani Rua QRC Hospitality Level 2
• Merit - Shania Nickel QRC Hospitality Level 3
• Merit - Dante Rowe - EmployNZ- IT
• Excellence - Mark Barlass - EmployNZ- IT
• Excellence - Alex Prentice - Automotive Level 3
• Merit - Te Ariki Te Tawhi - Automotive Level 3
• Excellence - Caleb Chater - Boat Building Toi Ohomai
• Merit - Hakeke Mokomoko - Boat Building Toi Ohomai
• Excellence - Nico Woods - YooBee Web & Animation

Kokako has had a busy few weeks, firstly playing for the U18 Upper North Stallions along with Jordyn Shadrock. The girls played in the NZRL Youth Tournament .

Kokako was then a part of the NZ Maori 18s Kotiro team. Also at the recent Bay of Plenty Rugby awards, Kokako was named Female U18 Player of the Year. Huge congratulations Kokako on some amazing achievements.

The team of Whakatane Gold 2/Whakatane Intermediate and Te Kura took 2nd place overall.

Riders were:

• Katelyn Peterson on Glenarden Sky High 4th in Level 0E
• Katelyn Peterson on Glenarden Sky High 7th in Level 1B
• Josephine Henricks on Black hawke 2nd in Level 0E
• Josephine Henricks on Black hawke 5th in Level 1B
• Daisy Hindmarch (for Whakatane intermediate) on The Greatest Showman 2nd in Level OE
• Daisy Hindmarch (for Whakatane intermediate) on The Greatest Showman 3rd in Level 1B
• Danica Heads (for Te Kura ) on Compenero 1st in Level 1 B
• Danica Heads (for Te Kura ) on Compenero 5th in Level 1D

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The Team of Whakatane Gold 1 took 3rd place overall

Riders were:

• Anna Isaac on Besonders 1st in Level 2 C
• Anna Isaac on Besonders 1st in Level 3 A
• Lily Isaac on ii Skipper 2nd in Level 2A
• Lily Isaac on ii skipper 5th in Level 2C
• Bradley Dain on Royal Levado VW 3rd in level 0E
• Bradley Dain on Royal Levado VW 6th in Level 1 B
• Charli Robinson on Arrowtown CE 6th in Level 0E
• Charli Robinson on Arrowtown CE 10th in Level 1B

Nominations are now open for this year's premier sport awards. This celebrates all sporting achievements that each person/team has achieved for the school, a club or other sporting organisation. Nominations must be submitted by 5pm, Tuesday 1st November.

Our Science Department would appreciate any donations of ice cream containers and chinese takeaway containers with lids - any size.

Health services provided FREE in school:

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

Visit the Student Office to make an appointment.

If you require information about your student/s bus route or timetable for any in-zone routes, please contact Go Bus directly on: 07 846 8796. If you're wanting information for out-of-zone bus routes, please contact Uzabus on 07 308 6169. Masks are mandatory on all school buses.