Headmaster’s Newsletter 6 May 2016

Dear Parents and Guardians I hope that you all enjoyed the recent break and that your sons used the opportunity to have a rest and began their preparation for the forthcoming examinations. It was great to see so many Year 9 parents at the Parents Evening last night. Parents of Year 10-13 students will have their respective evenings following the examinations later this term. This week sees the start of our winter sports programme. The majority of students in our school will be involved in this programme and we wish everyone representing the school this weekend all the very best. I would be very grateful if parents would have a look at the sporting code of conduct included in this newsletter before the season starts. Happy Mother’s Day to all mums in our community. Have a lovely weekend. Regards David Ferguson Headmaster
Congratulations to New Prefects At Assembly this morning, the following six students were announced as Prefects for the 2016 year. Congratulations to Reuben Barr, Blair Duan, Bradley Hall, John Jiang, Ben Julian and Campbell Teixeira.

2015 Top Scholars Awards Almost 8000 students participated in the New Zealand Scholarship examinations in 2015, with 2381 students being awarded one or more subject scholarships says NZQA Deputy Chief Executive, Kristine Kilkelly. “New Zealand Scholarship is regarded as the most prestigious secondary school award available in New Zealand. Students are required to demonstrate a very high level of critical thinking and clear application of knowledge, skills and ideas.” “The students gaining New Zealand Scholarship are the best of the best and their hard work throughout the school year is reflected in these results.” Congratulations to the following three students from Westlake Boys’ High School who were awarded Top Scholar/Premier Scholar Awards on 4 May at Parliament, in Wellington: Zhengzhe (George) Han – Premier Award. Outstanding Scholarship in Calculus, English, Physics and Statistics. Scholarship in Economics and Media Studies (please note George is currently overseas so was not present at the ceremony) Bohan (Kevin) Li – Top Subject Scholarship Award – Sculpture Jin Cheng (John) Jiang – Top Subject Scholarship Award – English

Australian Mathematics Trust Champions Congratulations to the following Year 9 students who achieved a perfect score in the Computational and Algorithmic Thinking Competition – Junior Division, run by the Australian Mathematics Trust in March: Bruce Bian SM09 Tom Hack UR03 Joon Kang MU10 Samuel Lee MU10 Grant Liu ST10 Aubrey Sima PK06 Samuel Yoo HD09 The competition tests participants’ logic and problem solving skills and requires them to think outside of the box. Several thousand students entered the competition this year and obtaining full marks places the above students in the top 3% of their year level. Well done to 14 other Westlake students who achieved Distinction in the competition.

Mothers’ Day is this Sunday! *Dads and sons TAKE NOTE* – we’ve got the answer for the perfect gift for Mum!** Last chance to get your tickets – sales close on Tuesday 10^th May, 1.30pm! Westlake Boys’ Annual Mother Son Breakfast When: Next Thursday 12th May 2016 Time: 6.45am Where: Westlake Boys’ High School Auditorium Guest Speaker: Westlaker, Professor Grant Schofield (more information on the Westlake Boys website here.) Tickets To purchase tickets, download and complete the form available here and return to the Uniform Shop in Student Services with payment. Ticket prices are $25 per person payable by cash/Eftpos/Visa or MasterCard. If you wish to pay by credit card, please call the Uniform Shop on 410 8667 ext. 806 between 9am and 2pm on school days. Please note ticket sales will close on Tuesday, 10^th May 1.30pm. Dads, you won’t miss out on your special event this year – the Westlake Boys’ Annual Father Son Breakfast is scheduled for Thursday 7^th July 2016. Please add the date to your calendar now! If you have any queries regarding this event please contact the Event Manager Christine O’Dowd on 410 8667 ext 786 or codowd@westlake.school.nz
Westlake Careers Information – University Information Evenings Massey University are holding Information Evenings at their Auckland campus in Albany on Tuesday 17 May and Wednesday 18 May from 6pm to 9pm. Students and parents are invited to attend talks on a range of degree programmes such as design, business, sciences, engineering and human nutrition and much more. For session times and further details, go to: http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/prospective/information-evenings/information-evenings_home.cfm
Feedback from Parent Evenings We are keen to hear any feedback from our recent Parent Evenings. Please feel free to contact Deputy Headmaster, Mr Steve McCracken on: smccracken@westlake.school.nz
Host Families Needed for July 2016 Can you host an international student for our school? We would love to hear from you! We are looking to confirm new host families over the next month, for students to commence study with us at the start of term 3 (25 July 2016). Could you host a student for us?
We are fortunate to have a small number of international students attend our school from around the world. These boys would like to experience life as part of a Kiwi family, learn English in a caring environment and have a home away from home. We are looking for school families to provide family environments for these students. English must be spoken in the homestay so that the boys can develop their English skills. We have boys coming for both short term and long term stays.
Hosting is a great way for you and your family to enjoy learning about an entirely new culture while at the same time enabling these boys to enjoy a traditional Kiwi way of life. The boys’ overseas families will be very grateful to you for opening your home and helping their son as he studies in a new culture. You will receive a reimbursement of $270 per week (paid fortnightly in advance) from our school and service and support from our International Team to cover any queries or concerns that you or your student may have. If you would like to host an international student, know of a local family who would like to do so, or would just like to find out more, please contact Helen Martin, our Homestay Manager on 09 410 8667 ext 798 or email hmartin@westlake.school.nz
Trading Post – Second Hand Uniform Shop We need jackets, jerseys and trousers to sell as the weather gets colder. Families can drop items off at the school office or at the uniform shop during our opening hours-Tuesdays between 12.30 and 1.30pm.
Korean Night, Friday 27th May 2016
What: Westlake Korean Night When: Friday 27 May 2016, 7pm Where: Westlake Boys Auditorium Tickets: $4 at the door Come along with your friends and family to celebrate our 7th annual Westlake Korean Night! On Friday 27 May, the Westlake Korean Night will take place in the Westlake Boys Auditorium at 7pm. The event, collaboratively prepared by Westlake Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools, gives students the opportunity to share their Korean culture and music in an evening filled with passion and excitement including traditional dancing and K-pop singing performances.
Tickets are $4 each and can be purchased at the door or from the leaders of the Korean Committee. Refreshments will be available and remember to bring some cash to purchase raffle tickets for the chance to win some excellent prizes on the evening. As has been the tradition for many years, all profits from the night will be donated to charity.
2016 \| 2017 Entertainment Book digital memberships for any smartphone – the PERFECT Mother’s Day gift! Support Westlake Boys High School and have the perfect gift for Mum this Mother’s Day

Many of you have already shown your support by purchasing a 2016 \| 2017 Entertainment™ Book or Digital Membership. With over $20,000 worth of valuable offers, have you thought about buying a Membership for your Mum, other family members or friends? For every Membership we sell, 20% of the purchase price goes directly to us. The money we raise this year will go to support our School. Take advantage of the great offers instantly on your smartphone with an Entertainment™ Digital Membership. Please click here to order from us
Major Diary Dates:
9^th May	PTA meeting, 7.00pm, PTA Conference Room, Gymnasium
12^th May	Mother Son Breakfast, 6.45am, Auditorium
16^th May	Board of Trustees Meeting, 5.00pm, Boardroom
16^th – 20^th May	Mid Year Examinations
23^rd – 27^th May	Westlake’s Got Talent Heats
26^th May	Years 10 and 11 CIE / NCEA Information Evening
27^th May	Korean Evening
6^th June	Queens Birthday – School Closed
9^th June	Years 12-13 Parents’ Evening
9^th June	Late Start PD No. 3 (students arrive 10.55am)
13^th June	PTA Meeting, 7.00pm, PTA Conference Room, Gymnasium
16^th June	Year 11 Parents’ Evening
23^rd June	Year 10 Parents’ Evening
27^th June	Westlake’s Got Talent Final
29^th June	Board of Trustees Meeting, 5.00pm, Boardroom
1^st July	Westlakers Recent Leavers Reunion, 7.00pm, PTA Conference Room
6^th July	2016 Westlakers London Reunion
7^th July	Father Son Breakfast, 6.45am, Auditorium
8^th July	Chinese Evening, End Term 2
Westlake Sport
Westlake Boys’ High School Code of Conduct
All students involved in our Sports Programme are reminded that academic achievement is our highest priority. All students involved in our Sports Programme are expected to attend school with a positive attitude and committed effort towards their studies. Our Sports Programme is built upon mutual respect for all, every interaction in our programme will respect the rights, dignity and worth of all people involved, regardless of their gender, ability or cultural background.
As a Westlake student I will: Enjoy playing sport, have fun and partake in healthy competition Respect all officials, teammates, coaches, supporters and opponents Commit to every training session, fixture and tournament that I am selected for Play by the rules of my sport at all times Work as hard as I possibly can in everything I do Be punctual to every training session and fixture Ensure I wear the apparel that I have been requested to wear Communicate directly with my coach if I am unable to attend fixtures or training Be humble in victory and gracious in defeat Represent my school with the utmost pride, dignity, honesty and loyalty Never give up
As a Westlake Coach I will: Enjoy being involved in sport Respect all officials, colleagues, coaches, players, supporters and opponents Place the safety and welfare of my players/athletes before anything else Be a positive role model at all times for my players/athletes Be honest and fair with all team selections Organise and plan training sessions for the betterment of my players/athletes
As a Westlake Supporter I will: Respect all officials, players, coaches, supporters and opponents Not enter the field of play, unless requested to do so by an official Observe all fixtures without questioning the decisions of coaches and officials Take time to thank the coach and all volunteers who are giving others a chance to participate in a positive activity Display a positive attitude at every game and be a role model for others
League – Westlake Boys Premier vs Avondale College Westlake Boys High School’s Premier Rugby League team kicked off the season in style with a convincing 28-12 victory over Avondale College. The team were always in control and led 28-0 until the last ten minutes of the match. Winger Lachlan Macintosh scored two tries and was impressive on debut. Zae Wallace’s goal kicking was also a highlight, converting four of the five tries. Next week the boys will travel to Otahuhu College to take on last year’s National Champions.
Waterpolo National Championships
At the end of last term the Junior A water polo team beat Kristin Boys in the A grade final of the North Harbour competition, securing 1^st for the term. Well done team. These boys are coached by old boys, Owen Chambers and Andre Jackson. The Junior B team narrowly missed out in their final, just falling short against Northcote in an exciting game, gaining 2^nd place in the Junior B grade. Year 13 and Premier team players, Logan Fuller and Shahid Dawad coach this team. Newcomers, Junior C, coached by Premier players, Zach Newton Cross and Campbell Knowles gained 7^th place in this grade also. Well done to the teams and good luck for a competitive Term 2 round.
The Premier team went to Nationals over the holiday break and performed admirably despite a string of injuries, and players out for numerous games. With resident Goalie, Reuben Barr out with finger surgery, the team called upon Senior B goalie, Stuart Hofmeyr who performed well against tough opposition. Only year 11, he gained valuable experience at this competition, along with another Year 11 student, Brian Lee who stepped up from Snr B play. The young team, although having several close games couldn’t quite make it into the top 8, narrowly missing out by 1 goal to go through. Ending up in the plate final, the team unfortunately lost to MAGS 10-11 gaining 10^th place overall. Results of games: 8-6 win against Sacred Heart College 6-13 loss against St. Kentigern School 8-6 loss to Green Bay High School 9-2 win against Palmerston North Boys’ High School 7-8 win against SPC 10-11 loss to Mt Albert Grammar School for 9^th/10^th Plate Final Well done to Rangitoto (coached by Westlake old boy, Alex Mackenzie) for gaining 1^st place at Nationals beating St. Kents in the final, exciting match. WGHS won the Girl’s division at Nationals! Great work girls and congratulations to old boy coach, Steve Knights who coaches this team.
Westlake Swimming Champion of Champions Gala – Auckland Congratulations to the following students who earned medals at the Auckland Secondary Schools Champion of Champions Gala at Westwave in Henderson during April: Jonathan Selman – Silver in U13 Butterfly and U13 Backstroke Joshua Lee (MU03) – Bronze in U15 Butterfly Finn Kennard-Campbell – Gold in U18 Butterfly and U18 Backstroke, and Bronze in U18 Freestyle Jason Churches – Bronze in U18 Backstroke Matthew Holder – Gold in U15 Breaststroke Flynn Southcombe – Gold in U13 Freestyle
National Age Group Swimming Championships Eight Westlake students successfully competed at the New Zealand National Age Group Swimming Championships in Wellington during the holidays. Individual medal winners were:
Finn Kennard-Campbell (16) Gold – 50m Backstroke, 100m Backstroke Silver – 50m Fly, 50m Free Bronze – 200m Backstroke Jason Churches (16) Gold – 200m Backstroke Silver – 50m Backstroke, 100m Backstroke
Jonathan Selman (14) Gold – 50m Backstroke Silver – 100m Backstroke Bronze – 200m Backstroke Bailey Wang (14) Silver – 200m IM, 1500m Free Bronze – 400m IM, 100m Breast
Matthew Holder (14) Silver – 50m Breast, 100m Breast, 200m Breast JaeYun Lim (17), Joshua Lee (15) and Samuel Lee (13) also had a strong meet with all swimming in the finals sessions at night.
NZ Open Championship (Rio Olympics Trials) At the end of March, Finn, Jason, Jaeyun, Bailey and Matthew all represented North Shore Swim Club at this key NZ event. Finn and Jason both qualified for the live televised finals with the following places: Finn 3^rd in the 50m Backstroke (in a new NZ 16yr old Age Group record), 5^th 100 Back and 9^th 200 Back. Jason 5^th 200 Back and 9^th 100 Back.
2016 Secondary Schools Teams Sailing National Championships
Westlake took a new team to the 2016 Nationals in Algies Bay during the school holidays. Captain Blake Nicholson and Tom Milne both moved up from crewing to the helm with last year’s new additions Tom Fyfe and Robbie McCutcheon on reserve helm and Matt Jacobi as heavy weight crew. The team also included three new crew members, Henry Wilson, Blake McGlashan and Ethan Berry. With 31 teams from all over New Zealand competing at this year’s nationals, it was one of the biggest fleets to date and our crew sailed well at regional qualifiers to make it to the gold fleet.
Steady sailing on day one saw us take the win against last year’s national champions, Auckland Grammar School. We created promising chances to set up the win for every race but unfortunately luck and experience were not on our side. The boys narrowly lost out to several other teams leading to a sail-off to keep our position in the gold fleet. Stepping up the crew managed to win all three repecharge races to maintain the gold place for day four.
The final competition days were sailed in light winds and the team struggled to keep the winning streak going. That the future of Westlake Boys sailing looks bright is highlighted by the fact that our crew beat all of the top three teams during the regatta and our boys demonstrated that they certainly have the skills and ability to build on this year’s 10th overall position in New Zealand. Westlake Sailing team with left to right Robbie McCutcheon, Blake McGlashan, Matt Jacobi, Tom Fyfe, Blake Nicholson (Capt.), Harry Milne, Henry Wilson, Ethan Berry and Westlaker Sam Wallis (coach)
Double Oceania Judo Gold
Westlake Boys year 12 student Bradlee Wong represented New Zealand at the 2016 Oceania Judo Championships in Canberra, Australia over the school holidays. He competed in the Under 18 55kg division and won the gold medal to become the 2016 Oceania Champion. Bradlee was then selected to participate in the teams’ events and added another Gold to his name when the New Zealand Under 18 team were crowned Oceania team champions.
Bradlee’s efforts in both the individual and team events have earned him an invitation from the International Judo Federation to attend the International Youth Training camp in Fiesch, Switzerland later this year. He will spend a week training with the best youth judo players from around the world under the guidance of Olympic and world judo champions.
Karate Year 12 student Winston Yao competed in the New Zealand Open Karate Championships in Christchurch over the school holidays where he was placed runner-up in New Zealand in his age division.
Cricket Westlake Boys students Benjamin Beecroft, Ryan Schierhout and Adam Baard have recently been included into the Auckland Cricket Future Aces program, a programme that has replaced the previous winter academy system and targets players aged between 16 and 19. Selection for the group is based on three key areas: current ability, potential talent and performance foundations. The players involved receive special training between April and August, this includes everything from their basic cricket skills to their mental approach. Westlake students that have recently been included into the programme include New Zealand U19 representative Ross ter Braak, 2016 Deputy Head Boy Keegan Russell, 2016 1^st XI Captain Angus MacKenzie and 2015 1^st XI Captain William O’Donnell.
Canoe World Sprint Championships
Ashton Reiser (pictured right) has recently been selected to represent New Zealand at the Junior Canoe Sprint World Champs in Minsk, the capital of Belarus in July after a successful season in NZ and Australia. The 15 strong junior team will leave in early July and train for 3 weeks in Slovinia before heading into Minsk for the Championships.
Rowing Triallists Congratulations to the following students who were selected for the North Island U18 team and competed against a South Island team. The South Island team were victorious unfortunately, but this was a great experience for the boys who are looking ahead to the opportunity to trial for the New Zealand U18 team next year. James Brake Jake Jones Sam Jones Baxter Holgate-Simpson. Well done to Mathew Barry who was selected to trial for the New Zealand U18 Rowing team and Baxter Holgate-Simpson who trialled for the North Island U18 team – both narrowly missing out.
Congratulations:

Jonathan Gow, Year 10 (pictured far right), and former Westlake students Lyle Cueto, Mohammed Al-Hilali and Akram Al-Hilali were Runners up in the NASA Space Apps Challenge held at AUT during the holiday break. The 48 hour challenge is hosted by AUT University in conjunction with the US Consulate in Auckland and the Kiwi Space Foundation. The team, named Hololaunch, came up with an app aimed at students up to high school level with directions on how to make a clear prism which made rocket launch videos appear three dimensional. Click here for full information. View presentation at NASA site here: http://spaceapps.nz/2016/#touchdown. (Note: The Westlake presentation shows at 43 minutes, with awards presentations showing from 2hrs 6 mins.)
Michael Onetardi, Year 12, won the Auckland Secondary section of the New Zealand Writing Competition, beating the record by 14 points. Overall Michael gained 96 from a possible 100 points.
Good Luck to: Our Premier Basketball team who play Kelston Boys’ High School at 7.30pm on Friday 6 May at WBHS Our 1^st XI Football team who play Mt Albert Grammar School 1^st XI at 7.00pm o Friday 6 May at North Harbour Stadium Our 2^nd XI Football team who play Mt Albert Grammar School at 9.45am on Saturday 7 May at WBHS Turf Our 14A1 team who play St Kentigern School at 8.30am on Saturday 7 May at WBHW Turf Our 14A2 team who play St Peter’s College A1 at 9.00am on Saturday 7 May at WBHS Grass Our 1^st XI Hockey team who play Orewa College 1^st XI at 6.20pm on 11 May at Harbour 1 Our Rugby League team who play Otahuhu College at 4.00pm on Wednesday 11 May at Otahuhu 1 Our 1^st XV who play Rangitoto College 1^st XV at 12.00pm on 7 May at WGHS 1 Our 2^nd XV who play Rosmini College 2^nd XV at 12.00pj on 7 May at WBHS 2 Our 3^rd XV who play Orewa College 2^nd XV at 9.30am on 7 May at Orewa College 1
Movie Night: X-men and Florence Foster Jenkins Fundraiser
A team of 10 boys are fundraising for their conservation field trip to Indonesia in July 2016. The film night is on Thursday 26 May at the Bridgeway in Northcote. There is a choice of two movies -either X Men Apocalypse or Florence Foster Jenkins . We have two cinema screens playing the films at the same time. The details are in the attached flyer. Tickets are $20 each and you get not only a movie, but canapes on arrival, silent auctions, raffles, spot prizes and a slide show presentation by anthropologist Dr Nicholas Malone on his studies of primates in Indonesia. The trip is part of Operation Wallacea, a UK conservation and educational organisation. www.opwall.com The boys will be collecting data to assist scientists and researchers study birds, small mammals, bats and an array of marine life. It’s not all hard work though as they get to learn jungle survival skills and scuba diving as well as staying with local families for a few nights, and meeting other students from UK, Canada and elsewhere. Tickets available from Miss El-Labany – jellabany@westlake.school.nz
If you have information and/or photos which you feel may be included in a future newsletter, please contact the Headmaster’s EA, Mrs Sandra White: swhite@westlake.school.nz

Dear Parents and Guardians

Congratulations to New Prefects

2015 Top Scholars Awards

Australian Mathematics Trust Champions

Mothers’ Day is this Sunday! Dads and sons TAKE NOTE – we’ve got the answer for the perfect gift for Mum!

Westlake Careers Information – University Information Evenings

Feedback from Parent Evenings

Host Families Needed for July 2016

Trading Post – Second Hand Uniform Shop

Korean Night, Friday 27th May 2016

2016 | 2017 Entertainment Book digital memberships for any smartphone – the PERFECT Mother’s Day gift!

Major Diary Dates:

Westlake Sport

Westlake Boys’ High School Code of Conduct

League – Westlake Boys Premier vs Avondale College

Waterpolo National Championships

Westlake Swimming

Champion of Champions Gala – Auckland

National Age Group Swimming Championships

NZ Open Championship (Rio Olympics Trials)

2016 Secondary Schools Teams Sailing National Championships

Double Oceania Judo Gold

Karate

Cricket

Canoe World Sprint Championships

Rowing Triallists

Congratulations:

Good Luck to:

Movie Night: X-men and Florence Foster Jenkins Fundraiser

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Mothers’ Day is this Sunday!
**Dads and sons TAKE NOTE – we’ve got the answer for the perfect gift for Mum!**