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Weekly Wrap Up

The Wrap Up (Week 3, Term 3), 2025

Share the buzz from last week’s Blank Canvas exhibition and catch former staff and students on screen in NZIFF. Look at the wealth of opportunity ahead: Board nominations, our Kāhui Ako Rā Kapa Haka, Future Focus evening, Senior Parents evening: sign up and join in. All this and more in this week’s Wrap Up.

Important Dates

  • Monday 4 August: Careers Expo and Future Focus evening
  • Thursday 7 August: Kāhui Ako Rā Kapa Haka
  • Monday 11 August: Senior Parents Evening 2.00-5.30pm
  • Monday 18 August: Board meeting 6.00pm
  • Friday 22 August: Mid-term break
  • Monday 25 August: Te Whānau a Taraika whānau hui 6.00pm
  • Monday 25 – Friday 29 August: Winter Tournament week.
  • Tuesday 2 September: Sports Awards
  • Thursday 4 – Friday 5 September: Writing CAA exam.
  • Monday 8 – Friday 12 September: Derived grade exam week. Numeracy and Literacy Reading CAAs and DCAT exams
  • Monday 15 September: Board meeting 6.00pm
  • Thursday 18 September:  Music Evening
  • Friday 19 September : Term 3 ends

Important Information

Board elections – last call for nominations

Nominations close: 12:00pm (noon) on Wednesday 6 August 2025

The Board plays a crucial role in ensuring that WHS provides a high-quality and inclusive education for all students, overseeing school property, finances, and setting the school’s vision and values.

We encourage all eligible parents and caregivers who are passionate about our school’s future to consider standing for election. Your unique skills, perspectives, and commitment can make a significant difference.

Nominations can be submitted electronically by visiting www.electionpilot.nz and clicking on the ‘Find my election’ button. 

A nomination form and information sheet are attached to this email. Completed nomination forms can be emailed directly to nominations@electionpilot.nz

If you have any questions regarding the election process or the role of a Board member, please do not hesitate to contact the Principal or Board Secretary.

Careers Expo and Future Focus evening – Monday 4 August

The annual Careers Expo and Future Focus evening take place on Monday 4 August. 

During the day, the Careers Expo will feature over 20 exhibitors including universities, polytechs, government agencies and other Wellington course providers. Years 11 – 13 will visit during the day and Year 10 can visit at lunchtime. Whānau are welcome at any point but should be aware that no parking will be possible. 

The Future Focus evening runs from 3.45-5.45pm on MBlock Levels 3 and 4 for Years 10-12. This involves presentations from different learning areas and drop in opportunities with the Careers Department, the Learning Support Faculty and Deans. There will also be a presentation on how NCEA works. Presentations are offered on a 14 minute rotation basis so students and whānau can choose the areas they would like to focus on. 

Rā Kapa Haka – Thursday 7 August

Come tautoko and support Kapa Haka rōpū across all the eight kura that form Te Kāhui Tonga o te Upoko o te Ika. Let’s celebrate Kapa Haka and Māori Performing Arts.

Three sessions are running, each featuring kura from within the Kāhui Ako. WHS’s rōpū will take to the stage at lunchtime.

Tickets are free and can be booked here.

Please note that we cannot offer car parking and recommend taking public transport. If you need support related to mobility issues please contact Lily Whitehouse.

Senior Parents Evening – Monday 11 August

We are running our second Senior Parents’ Evening on Monday 11 August from 2pm to 5.30pm. Note that school will finish at 1.20pm on that day for all students.

Year 13 reports were published on 26th June and Year 11 and 12 reports were published earlier this week. We ask that priority is given to learners in whose reports teachers have specifically requested a meeting. If you would like to book a meeting, but one has not specifically been requested, please do not book for your student until Monday 4 August.

Click here to make a booking.

Pathways advisor Chuni Bhikha will be available in the Library if you would like to make a booking with him.

We run all our interviews across five rooms: the Library, PA101, 102 and 103 and the Riley Centre. If you would like to request a quiet space for your interviews please contact Alison Jeffery on admin@whs.school.nz

ERO – ‘Phones away for the day’ survey

The Education Review Office is carrying out some research to learn more about how ‘Phones away for the day’ is going. They want to hear your thoughts on what’s working, what’s not working, and what could make it better. Take 5–10 minutes to share your thoughts in this quick survey — your input really makes a difference.

Could you please take 10 minutes to complete this  whānau / parent /caregiver survey  before the 15th August. 

What’s happening?

Blank Canvas

The annual WHS Blank Canvas exhibition was held at Massey College of Creative Arts (CoCA) last week. Students and staff showcased their creativity with a variety of artworks from sculpture, printmaking, painting and photography, knitting and mixed media. Thank you to those who participated, attended and bought an artwork from Blank Canvas! Thank you to Massey University for hosting and supporting us.

Payments for artworks: if you bought an artwork and haven’t paid online already, you can pay at Student Services – quote your invoice number and the catalogue number for the artwork. 

Pick up will be available in Week 4 (next week). Hold on to your receipt with the name and number ofthe artwork on it, you will need your receipt  to pick up any purchased work.

If you have any questions, email ckr@whs.school.nz

WHS connections on screen

If you’re heading to NZIFF, watch out for former WHS staff and students on screen. Finnius Teppett (former Library staff) starts in The Weed Eaters. A horror-comedy that Finn has co-written. On at the Embassy 16 August, 9pm. Finn also stars in the film, as does ex-student Samuel Austin.

Also on screen is former student Mia Van Oyen (also a lead actor in the TVNZ series ‘Dead Ahead’) who can be seen in Puti. This is a short film that will be screened as part of a collection on Saturday 16 August, at 3:30pm, also at the Embassy.

And there may be more WHS students on screen in future. This week WHS hosted a casting call for CK Casting’s Natano Keni. Natano is currently holding casting calls across Wellington and around the motu for a coming of age move due to be filmed in 2026.

Careers

  • Pathways Newsletter
  • Website
  • Careers Expo—Monday 4 August
  • Hands On at Otago 2026

Pathways Newsletter

Please read this week’s Pathways Newsletter!

Contact Chuni Bhikha bac@whs.school.nz or drop into S502 if you require further information on the above events.

Website

Please take the time to watch Exploring Our New Careers and Pathways Website video. The video introduces our new website, designed to support your career pathways. A wealth of information on scholarship, universities, training and job opportunities has been gathered together and is all accessible through easy-to-navigate tabs. Explore the site and subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. From the middle of this term, the newsletter will only be available in this format so subscribe now to ensure you keep receiving updates from the Careers team.

If you have any suggestions or opportunities to share, reach out to the Careers team directly through the contact section at the bottom of the homepage.