Important Dates
- Monday 15 September – Board meeting 6.00pm
- Thursday 18 September – Music Evening
- Friday 19 September – Term 3 ends
Important Information
PPTA – Partial strikes next week
Further to the email sent to all whānau and caregivers on 14 August, this serves as a reminder that the PPTA partial strikes are in place to run between 15-18 September 2025. On these days PPTA members will not instruct or supervise students in certain year levels but will continue to teach other students. These affect different year groups on different days. Please note that students do not come into school on the day that affects them.
Monday 15 September – Years 12 and 13
Tuesday 16 September – Year 11
Wednesday 17 September – Year 10
Thursday 18 September – Year 9
Note that Friday 19 September is a normal school day.
What’s Happening?
Kapa Haka Wero tuatahi
We have organised a wero/challenge for Kapa Haka to keep engaged as a rōpū. One of the challenges is Ten Pin Bowling taking on some of our kaiako and parents. With very little practice the kaiako and parents may have come out on top. Keep watching here for updates, there are four wero/challenges, this is wero TUATAHI! No bowling balls or pins were damaged in the process!
Climate talk
This kōrero has been postponed from this week into Week 2 (Oct 13) of next term.
It’s free, and you can sign up through the QR code on the poster!
WHS Music Evening
Treat your earbuds to an extravagant evening of musical genre’s at Wellington High School on Thursday 18 September at 6.30pm
Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/nz/events/landing/17166
Achievements
Katherine Mansfield Short Story Award
Congratulations to Maytal Noy, whose short story, (D)idn’t we say (N)ever (A)gain was shortlisted for the Katherine Mansfield Short Story Award. On Tuesday 9 September Maytal joined eleven shortlisted candidates from throughout the region at an awards ceremony hosted by the National Library.
Judging the competition was award-winning writer Anthony Lapwood who noted that to be shortlisted from a record number of entries this year is a huge deal, “It’s a recognition not only of your skill, but of having a voice that stands out. Your superpower as writers is to help others see the world, and themselves, in a new light.”
The stories are now on the website with photos from the evening
Geographers achievement
A huge congratulations to Miro Ireson for being selected as one of the top 50 Geographers in Aotearoa New Zealand! Miro has now qualified for the next stage of the process to be selected to represent Aotearoa in the Olympiad next year in Istanbul Turkey. Good Luck Miro!
Tournament of Minds
Big congratulations to the 3 teams that participated in Tournament of Minds on 30 August.
Teams worked hard in the lead up to this creative thinking and presenting competition. All three teams delivered well put together presentations and one team made it through to the National Round taking place on the 13 September. All the best for The Welly High Flies as they take on schools from across the country!
Sport
Kickin’ It – WHS Girls Programme
Kickin’ It is a fun, social football and futsal programme designed to get more girls active and involved. It’s all about creating a positive, inclusive space where confidence and enjoyment come first – no pressure, no judgement.
At WHS, the programme is open to all girls, whether you’ve played football or futsal before or not. No experience needed! No cost. Just come along, give it a go, and enjoy playing with friends.
On the turf after school on Tuesdays until the end of the year.
Library
What a great example of democracy in action!
The library was packed on Friday as the candidates for Student Board Representative delivered their address to the student body.
Careers
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
Gateway work experience
Applications for Gateway and now open for Year 12 and 13 students in 2026.
Gateway work experience is one day a week for a term/ 10 weeks or over a school holiday period. Being on Gateway, students will achieve a minimum of 10, up to 20 credits on a Health and Safety course, a Work Ready course, or Industry-based unit standards.
Gateway is not a timetabled class. Successful students will have to catch up on the school work they miss due to the work placement. They can choose a day that works best for them and that least impacts their school timetable.
Some areas our students have completed their work experience in are:
| Animal care | Horticulture (WCC) |
| Aviation/Airport work | Landscaping |
| Baker | Live sound, Event management |
| Beekeeping | Physical fitness trainer |
| Butcher | Predator control |
| Cafe/barista | Radio host |
| Chef | Retail |
| Childcare | Police prep |
| Computer repair
Corporate office work Hairdressing |
Trades: building, electrician, plumber, mechanic, panel beating, metal fabrication & joinery |
| Youth Services |
Learners Licence preparation sessions
Every Wednesday lunchtime (in M410) until the end of the term (we have already had 3 sessions) students are coming to do preparation to sit their Learners test. Students can come along to M410 and get some support. Currently we are working through modules on www.drive.govt.nz – students are encouraged to work on this in their own time also.
To prepare for the New Zealand learner licence test, practice with online quizzes and study the official NZ Road Code to learn about road rules, signs, and hazards. The computerised, multiple-choice test has 35 questions, and you must answer at least 32 correctly within 30 minutes to pass. Reputable websites for practice questions include drive.govt.nz, the AA New Zealand, drivingtests.co.nz, and www.nzta.govt.nz.
VTNZ will come with staff and tablets for students to sit their Learners test without having to go off site on Thurs 18 Sept and Fri 19 Sept. Interested students can register their interest with me bac@whs.school.nz and I will check their timetables and schedule their assessment time.
The cost for the testing is $96.00 and must be paid at the time.
COMMUNITY
Wellington Phoenix Girls Only Experience Camp
We are hosting a Wellington Phoenix Girls Only Experience Camp at Fraser Park on the 24 and 25 of September between 9am – 3pm for girls born between 2011 and 2016.
Our experience camps provide a unique opportunity for us to engage with young football enthusiasts from diverse communities across New Zealand. It serves as a platform for local talents to interact with Wellington Phoenix Staff, offering from a glimpse into a life of New Zealand’s sole professional football academy. Moreover, it marks the initial step in our talent identification process and aid us on our mission to bridge the gap between grassroots and academy-level football.
Join us this school holidays for a fun, engaging football environment that includes:
- Technical, tactical and physical development run by our Wellington Phoenix Staff.
- Workshops that give insight into life as a Wellington Phoenix Player.
- Build new friendships and deepen your love for the game.
For further information including how to register please visit: https://wellingtonphoenixacademy.com/girls-only-camp-auckland/
Wellington City Libraries
The school holidays are next week, and here at Wellington City Libraries we’ve put together another exciting programme of school holiday events and activities for the tamariki and rangatahi of Wellington!
As Seen on the Screen – bring your favourite films, TV shows, and games to life at the library these holidays, 20 September – 5 October! Craft your own mini TV, write an original script in a hands-on scriptwriting workshop with Andrew Thomson, let loose with games inspired by your favourite blue dog, create your own stop-motion film, and much more!
All events are totally free, but some do require registration as spaces are limited. Visit wcl.govt.nz/kidsholidays/ to browse the full programme on our event calendar.
