Three Westlake choirs returned from The Big Sing National Finale with gold awards – accounting for three of just eight golds awarded nationally at this year’s prestigious choral festival.
Cantare, Choralation and Voicemale travelled to Christchurch for the finale, where each performed two recitals before three adjudicators and needed a score of at least 85 to achieve gold. Choralation also received the Pre-20th Century Piece Cup, while Voicemale received Best Performance in Other Styles.
The results continue an extraordinary Westlake choral legacy. Cantare has achieved gold at every National Finale it has attended since 2017, while Choralation’s gold record stretches back to 2008. Junior treble choir Nota Bella also celebrated success at Cadenza in Rotorua, receiving Best Piece in Te Reo.
Westlake’s singers performed repertoire spanning classical choral works, contemporary New Zealand compositions and music from around the world, another outstanding chapter in the schools’ nationally recognised choral programme.
Gold standard at KBB
Westlake musicians struck gold at the 2026 KBB Music Festival, earning an outstanding collection of awards among 166 ensembles from 57 schools. Westlake Concert Band, Big Band, Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra all received gold, while Westlake Girls Jazz Band and Symphonic Band earned silver, and Taharoto Strings received bronze.
Karanga, composed by Warwick Robinson, received Best Performance of a New Zealand Work by a Concert Band, while Westlake Symphony Orchestra received the Soloist Award, featuring pianist Shan Liu. Westlake Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra were also invited to perform at the festival’s gala concert.
Climbing to the top
Just 10 points separated Westlake Girls from the top of the Auckland College Climbing Series, with the team finishing an outstanding second overall after four rounds. Bailey Welch and Amaya Tan-Peters finished equal first overall in the senior division, while Jessica Allen secured fifth overall in the junior division.
The final round also saw all three reach their respective finals, with Bailey and Amaya taking first and second in the senior division. The team now turns its attention to the NZSS Bouldering Nationals, where Westlake’s climbers will compete against some of the country’s best secondary school athletes.
Westlake designers take to the runway
Two Westlake Girls students took their designs from the classroom to the catwalk at New Zealand Fashion Week.
Year 12 Eva Makarova-Paton and Year 13 Yashica Lal were among just 78 finalists selected from a record 108 entries for youth fashion showcase 'Walk The Line'. Eva also received an honourable mention in the High Fashion category for her striking ocean-inspired blue two-piece, featuring an extensively hand-sewn bodice.
For both young designers, the runway was an opportunity to showcase the creativity, technical skill and countless hours behind their finished garments.
Ten titles. Ten seasons. One extraordinary legacy.
Westlake Girls’ Year 9-1 netball team has secured its tenth Harbour Championship across 10 contested seasons – continuing an extraordinary winning tradition stretching back to 2016. The unbeaten 2026 team defeated Takapuna Grammar 31–26 in this year’s final. Across the decade, players from the Year 9-1 programme have gone on to represent New Zealand in netball, basketball, athletics, touch, water polo and skiing.
Ten titles. Ten contested seasons. An incredible decade of Westlake sport.
Record-breaking Mathex results
Westlake Girls mathematicians recorded the school’s best Mathex results to date at this year’s fast-paced Auckland-wide competition.
Both Year 9 teams scored an outstanding 95/100, the strongest Year 9 result in Westlake Girls history, while one Year 10 team achieved the highest Mathex score the school has ever recorded. Four Westlake teams competed, combining mathematical knowledge, teamwork and quick thinking to set an exciting new benchmark for 2027.
Teeing up for a great cause
The annual Westlake Girls Golf Day returns to Pupuke Golf Club on Friday 6 November, raising funds for the Westlake Girls Empowerment Fund and helping ensure financial hardship doesn’t prevent students from participating fully in school life. Gather a team of four, come on board as a Hole Partner, or support the event with a raffle or silent auction prize.
Friday 6 November, Pupuke Golf Club, Tee-off 1pm
Hole Partner: $575 incl. GST; Team Partner: $345 incl. GST
Prize Partner: Raffle or silent auction prize donation
For further information or to get involved, contact Dean Flyger at dflyger@westlakegirls.school.nz
Cricket reunion
Westlake Girls cricket is bringing past and present players together for a special cricket reunion on 14 October. Former players, coaches and supporters are invited to reconnect, share memories and celebrate the people and moments that have shaped cricket at Westlake Girls. For further information contact Dean Flyger at dflyger@westlakegirls.school.nz
