Wednesday 9th October was an historic day in Westlake’s history, as demolition started on our 1957 school hall, to make way for our new Event Centre. The hall was built when Westlake was a co-ed school and it had hosted thousands of assemblies, events and performances. The new multi-purpose building taking its place will be a welcome addition to the Westlake community. Construction began at the end of 2019 and it is expected to be open ready for Term 1 2021.

We outgrew our hall a while ago, so the new Event Centre will become a new heart of our school community, where students can meet, connect, celebrate and grow as young leaders. It will have seating for 1,350 people and a large stage, with flexibility to adapt to different uses. Backstage will be a large percussion room, doubling as a teaching area and green room. The large foyer will have multiple uses including a study space, exhibition area and function room.

On 12th December, a ground-breaking blessing ceremony was held to mark the start of construction. Included in the group of 30 attendees were construction company staff, architects, a representative from The Ministry of Education, a former Head Prefect, current Senior Leadership Team reps, current and past board members, and two Foundation Students - Peter Burn (1957 co-ed Westlake school) and Sue Newman (1962 all-girls school). Proceeded over by Kaumatua Eddie Hudson, the ceremony included ground-breaking by Peter Burn, along with current Principal Jane Stanley and current Board Chair Joy Bradfield. Property Manager Grant Brown also scooped soil into a bucket which will be used in the garden of the new centre.

We have several fantastic giving opportunities available to help raise the remaining funds required for the centre. These include naming rights to a space within the centre or surrounding grounds, purchasing a seat with inscription or purchasing a note of our school song, which will feature as an art piece in the foyer of the centre. If you’d like to know more about these opportunities, please email Christina Pollock at cpollock@westlakegirls.school.nz

Prefects prepare for the year ahead

While most students were still enjoying their summer holidays, several of our students were busy preparing for their roles as prefects in 2020.

In mid January, seven of our top prefects spent two days and an overnight stay at AUT Millennium, undertaking a series of workshops and activities on leadership. The students learnt about what it means to be a leader, speech writing and presenting skills, and about how to utilise their personality strengths – amongst other things.

Late last year, all 90 of our 2020 prefects spent a day at Westlake Girls High School gearing up for their new roles. Highlights included brain-storming sessions, team-building activities, leadership trainings, some sound advice from our outgoing 2019 prefects – and a little bit of frivolity. We’re looking forward to seeing our prefect team in action during 2020.

Sports year ends on a golden high

Volleyball

The Westlake Girls Junior A Volleyball team ended 2019 on a stunning note. Emulating the success of the school’s National Champion Premier team, they won their inaugural North Island Junior Volleyball Championship title at Mt Maunganui to accompany the Auckland Junior Championship, Auckland and North Harbour Super League titles they won a week earlier.

Heading into the gold medal round, WGHS lost just one game at the tournament against the other finalist, Trident High School, in three sets. WGHS’s skillset, determination and unity enabled them to outplay the 2018 runners up and beat them in two sets (25-20, 25-23).

The Lucille Vukets-coached team was further heralded with four players being selected for the Tournament Team. Congratulations to Mackenzie Chatfield, Sarah Moors, Delphi Houlding and Holly Isherwood. Mackenzie Chatfield was also named Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Congratulations also to Westlake Junior B which is the Year 9 A team for finishing third in Division Three.

Badminton

Westlake badminton players won the Secondary School Junior Badminton Competition held at the end of 2019. The Year 9 and 10 team beat Avondale College (2nd) and Macleans College (3rd) to take first place.

Touch Rugby

After qualifying top of the North Harbour region, the Westlake Girls Junior Touch team qualified to compete at the Auckland Secondary Schools Junior Touch Championships late last year. The team completed the season unbeaten in all games and competitions, winning Gold at the Auckland Secondary School Junior Touch Championship by beating Auckland Girls Grammar School 6-5 in the final.

Tennis

Talented tennis player Elys Ventura (Year 13 in 2019) has been accepted into the University of Missouri to continue her athletic and academic career. Elys will join the university for the Northern Hemisphere spring semester 2020.

Golf

The WGHS Junior Golf team placed second overall at the North Harbour Junior Ambrose Tournament at the end of 2019. The team of Daeun Kwon, Connie Jarm, Serena Chen and Yena Seo shot four under the card, finishing with a gross score of 66 to win the Girls competition and finish second overall. The competition consisted of 14 teams made up of Boys, Girls or Mixed teams from around Auckland who all played off the same tee.

 

Term 1 2020

Important Dates

Thursday 6 February	Waitangi Day (school closed)
Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 February	ID and class photos
Wed 12 February	New parents information evening
Friday 14 February	Swimming Sports (participants only)
Friday 21 February	Athletics Day

 

Friday 27 March

Senior and Junior Progress Reports issued

 

Thursday 2 April

Parent and Teacher Evening 1, 4-7pm

Tuesday 7 April                                    Parent and Teacher Evening 2, 4-pm
Thursday 9 April                                 Term ends