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Weekly Wrap Up

The Wrap Up (Week 6, Term 2 2024)

Sharpen your debating skills at Parliament and prepare to be enthralled by our Year 12’s crime and murder inspired productions. Discover your inner artist for Blank Canvas and rock to the impressive musical energy as our students showcase their talents across festivals and competitions. This and much more in this week’s Wrap Up.

Important Dates

  • Monday 10 June – Open Evening for 2025 – school finishes at 3pm
  • Friday 28 June – Matariki holiday – school will be closed
  • Friday 5 July – End of Term 2

Important Information

Principal’s message

Dominic’s mid-term Principal’s message is now online here

Open Evening 2024 

Our Open Evening will take place on Monday 10 June. We will be offering three sessions. Tickets for all sessions must be pre-booked.

  • 4.30pm – tour followed by Principal’s address at 5.45pm
  • 6.00pm – tour followed by Principal’s address at 7.15pm

To book, click here: https://www.trybooking.com/nz/SGF

For our rangatahi Māori and those akongā passionately interested in learning in Te Ao Māori spaces, we offer the following programme:

  • 4.30pm – Welcome, kai and kōrero from our senior Māori students and kaiako involved in Toi Māori, Māori Performing Arts, Te Reo Māori, Kapa Haka, Waka Ama. Hosted by Te Whānau a Taraika in Taraika Marae, followed by tours around the kura at 6pm and Principal’s address at 7.15pm

To book, click here: https://www.trybooking.com/nz/SGG

Polytechs and vocational pathways workshop – Monday 17 June

The Careers Team’s Polytechs and vocational pathways workshop will take place on Monday 17 June from 6.00-7.00pm. The workshop is aimed at students in years 12 and 13 and their whānau and will take place in the Riley Centre. 

To help us manage numbers, booking is essential. Tickets are free and can be booked at: https://www.trybooking.com/nz/SLI

When you book please include tickets for students who wish to attend.

What’s Happening

Murders inspire Year 12 Drama productions

Drama students are busy rehearsing for their class productions, both of which are inspired by violent crime. In week 8, Year 12 Drama presents 12 Angry Men by Reginald Rose. Made famous by the classic 1957 film, the play follows the dramatic process of 12 jurors as they deliberate the conviction or acquittal of a teenager charged with murdering his father. Shows are on 19 and 20 June at 6.00pm.

Tickets are $5 student and $10 adult and available at Trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/nz/SOJ 

In week 9 you can see Daughters of Heaven by Michelanne Forster. This play is a retelling of  the infamous 1954 Parker/Hulme murder that features in the Peter Jackson Film Heavenly Creatures – a disturbing and fascinating story of obsession and hypocrisy.

Tickets are $5 student and $10 adult and available at Trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/nz/SOO

2024 Blank Canvas

We’re thrilled to announce the Blank Canvas Exhibition is on again this year, and we want to see your creativity on full display! This is a school wide exhibition and your chance to showcase your artistic talents and be part of a fantastic event that celebrates the unique artistic spirit of Wellington High School.

We welcome all forms of creativity from Students and Staff – whether it’s painting, sculpture, photography, jewellery, dynamic doodles, character designs, collages, or any other craftiness or medium you can think of.

Your imagination is the limit!

To participate, simply submit your artwork to the art department by Week 9, Thursday, June 27. This exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to share your talent and contribute to our vibrant school community.

Important dates to remember:

  • Opening Preview for Whānau: Thursday 4 July 4-6pm in the Drama Gallery.
  • Public Viewing: Saturday 6 July from 10am to 2pm.

Find the entry form on the notices or scan the QR codes on posters around the school. If you have any questions, feel free to talk to any of our art teachers – they’re here to help.

Let’s make this exhibition a spectacular showcase of our creativity and artistic spirit. I can’t wait to see your amazing work!

Free Speech Union Grand Final of the New Zealand Schools’ Debating Championship

Last week, three debating students attended the Free Speech Union Grand Final of the New Zealand Schools’ Debating Championship held in the legislative chamber at Parliament. We were able to witness some extremely high level debating between the Otago regional team and the Auckland regional team, culminating in an unanimously decided Otago win.

At the start of this tournament, WHS attended Wellington regionals, but unfortunately did not make it through to future rounds. The final was exceptional, and all three of us took away some valuable information and skills to be put to future use.  Thank you to Elsie Dun for her high level participation in regionals, Santoso Winatan for his regional participation and final attendance, and Miro Ireson for his final attendance. Recognition should also be given to our interschool Premier A team, for winning 3 out of 4 rounds, looking highly likely to move into semifinal (written by Kade Leogreen).

 

Rockquest Finals

Wellington High has an impressive history of turning out rock stars, and 2024’s crop of brilliant bands is no exception. With 11 groups entered in the regional heats, and now 5 selected for the regional finals this Saturday 8 June at Sacred Heart College Performing Arts Centre (in the Hutt).  Why not jump at the chance and get along to see what’s up!!! The event kicks off at 7pm.  

Big Sing Regionals

Finally for the Arts, we would like to wish our School Choir all the best for their performance at the Big Sing Regionals this week. We would like to acknowledge the time and work staff and students have done preparing for this important event on our Arts Calendar.  WHS will be up on the prestigious Michael Fowler stage Friday 7 June between 10.30am-12.45pm. 

Music Evening – 2 July 2024

Anticipation and excitement is growing for the first of our Music Evenings 2024.  This term will be a real showcase of the full spectrum of music at WHS. Choir, combos, orchestral groups and of course we will end the night with a solid dose of rock from our numerous bands and Rockquest finalists.

Japan Trip 2025

We are delighted to have received a $5,000 grant from the AsiaNZ Foundation to help towards costs for the Japan Trip which will take place in April next year.  20 students will be heading off to spend a week at a language school in Northern Japan, a further week of home stay at one of our sister schools either in Sapporo or Osakikamijima (an island in the Inland Sea near Hiroshima) and then finishing up with a few days in Tokyo.  We can’t wait!

Achievements

Manawatu Jazz Festival

Congratulations to the 24 students who attended the Manawatu Jazz Festival on Saturday 1 June. We had 3 Combos and the Big Band performing across the day. Perry Jo in Year 12 was awarded best Pianist. Miro Holland in Year 13 won the innovation award for his original combo composition. And the Big Band won Best Band! Special thanks to the amazing band leader John Rae!

Careers

It has been a busy couple of weeks here in the careers department.  On Friday 31 May students attended a Mahi Exposure Day at Wellington Regional Hospital which was designed for Years 9, 10 & 11 Maori and Pasifika students.  The day consisted of giving students a valuable chance to ask questions of health professionals and to see jobs in action.  Short sharp workshops are beneficial to give every student a brief insight into a day in the life of a health professional and to start formulating ideas about their own career options.  Thank you to Wellington Regional Hospital for a fun and interactive day had by all.

Opportunities such as this and more are posted in this week’s Careers Newsletter

If you are interested in any upcoming events see Chuni Bhikha, Dean/Careers Advisor, Yr13 Dean’s office by Student Services.