Dear Parents and GuardiansTomorrow marks the first full winter sports programme of the year. The very best of luck to all students representing the school. Can I just remind all of our young men to take pride in their uniform and to conduct themselves as we would want all Westlake students to conduct themselves at all times. On Monday, the mid year exams begin. These are an important stage of the school year and your sons should be preparing for them this weekend. The senior exams begin on Monday and the junior exams begin on Tuesday. I wish all students well. Regards |
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2016 Mother Son Breakfast |
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| Almost 500 mothers and sons gathered for the 2016 Annual Westlake Boys Mother Son Breakfast at school on the morning of Thursday 12th May. The Westlake Rowing mothers missed out on the opportunity to enjoy a leisurely breakfast with their sons and instead, as part of a fundraising initiative for Westlake Rowing, they provided the inviting ambiance and an impressive selection of breakfast fare for the guests while their sons took care of the essential serving and waiting services. | |||
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| The opening act of the morning was a poem entitled “Scaffolding” written and performed by Spoken Word Poet, Year 12 student Joshua Tan who observed that scaffolding is a fitting metaphor for the role mothers play in our lives. Click on this link and please take the time to read Joshua’s poem. | |||
| The second and feature act of the morning was provided by guest speaker, Westlake old boy Professor Grant Schofield, who delivered an informative and entertaining presentation entitled “6 ‘Out-of-the-Box’ Tips to Living an Awesome Life”. Grant’s mother Anne joined him for the occasion and mentioned that she enjoyed being back at Westlake after so many years. Continue reading….. |  |
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| Grant informed us that willpower alone is futile – you need to support your awesome life by creating organised environments around you at home, at work or school and in your sleep. The frontal lobe of the brain is critical to peak performance and, in our teenage years, this part of the brain is still developing. It needs good quality sleep to develop optimally. Factors such as alcohol, drugs and lack of sleep will stunt brain development.
Grant’s final piece of advice: You won’t be awesome the whole time – don’t be scared of failure, it is essential on any journey of success. Special thanks to Westlaker “Dr Fat” Grant Schofield and to all those Mums and their sons who got out of bed early to come and be part of such an awesome Westlake morning! Special thanks also to event photographers Miss McKay and Yu Chen who captured some stunning photographs of our boys and their mums. You can find all the event photos in Flickr gallery located on the school website. The photos are also shared on the Westlake Boys Facebook page in case you would like to share them with family and friends. Please feel free to contact Christine O’Dowd on codowd@westlake.school.nz for a high resolution copy of the photos. |
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2016 Australasian Brain Bee ChallengeSeven Westlake students competed in the recent 2016 Australasian Brain Bee Challenge. This academic challenge focuses on brain structure & function, and neuroscience with the boys completing a research component and sitting an exam. Of the seven Westlake students competing, five have qualified for the national finals (to be held at University of Auckland Centre for Brain Research in June), and the top two students from there will be selected for the Australasian final later in the year to compete against eight Australian students. The winner will go on to represent Oceania at the World Final in Vienna. |
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Congratulations to the following students:
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Board of Trustee Elections – Nominations Close 12.00pm Friday 20 MayNominations are invited for the election of three parent representatives to the Westlake Boys’ High School Board of Trustees. A nomination form and a notice calling for nominations has been posted to all eligible voters. Additional nomination forms can be obtained from the school office. Nominations close at noon on Friday 20 May 2016 and may be accompanied by a signed candidate’s statement. The voting roll is open for inspection at the school and can be viewed during normal school hours. There will also be a list of candidates’ names, as they come to hand, for inspection at the school. D Kent, Returning Officer |
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Westlake Careers Information – University Information EveningsMassey 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 |
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Trading Post – Second Hand Uniform ShopWe 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. |
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2016 | 2017 Entertainment Books available NOW!Get the new digital membership for any smartphone or your copy of the Entertainment Book and help Westlake Boys’ fundraising efforts. Books cost $65 and $13 from every book goes to our school. Thousands of dollars of discounts in every book! |
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Mama Son Learner League – Road Safety on Māori Television |
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| Westlake Boys Year 12 student Tom Taylor and his mum Lynda will be starring in the upcoming television show Mama Son Learner League. The new show that premieres on Māori Television at 8pm next Wednesday (18th May), pits three mother-son teams against each other testing their cooperation, communication and nerves facing obstacles and tricky tasks designed to push their skills and relationship to the limit. |  |
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| With the support from NZTA and the NZ Police, Mama Son Learner League aims to teach young male drivers about road safety and decision making and gives parents a glimpse of challenges young drivers face. Good luck to Tom and mum Lynda for the show that will no doubt bring about hilarious antics and family dynamics we all can relate to. | |||
Korean Night, Friday 27th May 2016 |
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| 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! |
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| 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. |
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Indonesia Conservation Expedition fundraising 2016 |
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| On the last day of the holidays seven boys from Westlake participated in a fundraiser for their conservation trip to Indonesia later this year. Sponsored by an independent business, the boys accompanied by Dr Holden and a handful of parents, drove up to Tawharanui Regional Park about an hours drive from Auckland. Every first Sunday of the month a group of volunteers from TOSSI, a non-profit organisation working to preserve the park for both the people and the many native bird species that inhabit it, many of which are currently endangered, participate in a variety of jobs from clearing tracks and laying gravel to planting new native trees and grasses. |  |
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| The boys joined this group and were tasked with planting an area where the critically endangered native bird the Takahe, newly introduced to the park, were known to frequent. Meeting at the woolshed towards the front of the park the boys went with some senior members of TOSSI to the site. In two and a half hours the boys with help from parents and Dr Holden had planted just under 600 Sedge plants, which are grasses that the Takahe love to feed on and create a perfect hiding place for them. After the work was done everyone was treated to a free lunch of sausages, fresh fruit and biscuits for their efforts. | |||
| Our students, together with their supportive parents, have recently finished their Sausage Sizzle fundraiser held at Mega Mitre 10 Wairau. We had 3 sizzles raising $1068 towards the exciting Indonesian expedition in July. Members of the public were very supportive and impressed with the awesome opportunity our boys have being involved in this incredible trip. Pictured are Ben Steele and Josh Shaw cooking up a storm on Anzac weekend.
Written by Alexander Lochore-Ward. |
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| When: Thursday 7th July 2016 (last week of term 2)
Time: 6.45 am Where: Westlake Boys’ High School Auditorium Tickets: $25 per person from the Uniform Shop – click here to download the ticket order form Special Guest: To be confirmed |
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| After the sell-out Mother Son Breakfast this week, it is time to treat our dads and granddads at the annual Westlake Boys’ Father Son Breakfast, held on Thursday 7th July in the Westlake Boys Auditorium (the last week of Term 2).
The annual Westlake Boys’ Father Son Breakfasts are a special, once a year occasion and are a wonderful chance for you to spend some quality time with your son enjoying a delicious buffet breakfast. All students, fathers, grandfathers or male role models are invited to attend. We are currently in the final stages of confirming this year’s guest speaker, so keep an eye out for more information on the school website, Facebook page and in this newsletter. Tickets to the Father Son Breakfast will go on sale next Tuesday (17th May) from the Uniform Shop in Student Services. Click here to download the ticket order form. Tickets are $25 per person payable by cash/Eftpos/Visa or MasterCard. Call the Uniform Shop on 410 8667 ext. 806 to order and pay by credit card. |
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Major Diary Dates: |
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| 16th May | Board of Trustees Meeting, 5.00pm, Boardroom | ||
| 16th – 20th May | Mid Year Examinations | ||
| 23rd – 27th May | Westlake’s Got Talent Heats | ||
| 26th May | Years 10 and 11 CIE / NCEA Information Evening | ||
| 27th May | Korean Evening | ||
| 6th June | Queens Birthday – School Closed | ||
| 9th June | Years 12-13 Parents’ Evening | ||
| 9th June | Late Start PD No. 3 (students arrive 10.55am) | ||
| 13th June | PTA Meeting, 7.00pm, PTA Conference Room, Gymnasium | ||
| 16th June | Year 11 Parents’ Evening | ||
| 23rd June | Year 10 Parents’ Evening | ||
| 27th June | Westlake’s Got Talent Final | ||
| 29th June | Board of Trustees Meeting, 5.00pm, Boardroom | ||
| 1st July | Westlakers Recent Leavers Reunion, 7.00pm, PTA Conference Room | ||
| 6th July | 2016 Westlakers London Reunion | ||
| 7th July | Father Son Breakfast, 6.45am, Auditorium | ||
| 8th July | Chinese Evening, End Term 2 | ||
Westlake Sport |
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Football: Westlake 1st XI start season with Goal Fest DrawWestlake opened their season with a thrill a minute 5-5 draw against Mount Albert Grammar on Friday night under lights at QBE stadium. Westlake were fast out of the blocks and striker Matt Conroy gave his team a deserved lead with six minutes gone when he capitalized on a lovely through ball from View Rungpao to slide a calm finish past the MAGS keeper. Six minutes later Rungpao’s accurate free-kick found Lough who stooped to direct his header past the stranded MAGS keeper to double the home teams lead. Westlake were completely dominant and looked like racking up a big score only for two lapses in defensive concentration to cost them dearly. |
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Rugby 7 May 2016Westlake Boys 1st XV vs Rangitoto College 1st XV – By Trey Tupu-South The 1st XV North Harbour college season got off to a great start last Saturday as Westlake secured a dominant performance over Rangitoto. Despite both teams’ history of a few close outcomes in recent years, Westlake was able to overrun their opposition in all areas of the game, securing the 43-12 win on their home patch. |
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| After a thrilling first fifteen minutes, Westlake had strung together three tries. A series of well-drilled backline moves saw winger Jack Fuller, fullback Cameron Hey, and open-side flanker Jacob Katipa scoring in the corner. Westlake kicker No.10 Cooper Green struggled to convert early on but kicked well later in the game. While the Westlake players continued to play off one another, passing when possible and creating opportunities, Rangitoto continued to play as individuals despite their lack of success against Westlake’s strong defence. Another series of good passes saw Hey dot down his second try, capitalizing on the thoroughly one-sided first half. Westlake led 23-0 at halftime. |  |
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WBHS Premier Basketball vs Kelston Boys High SchoolOn Friday night Westlake’s Premier Basketballers played their first competition game in the new gym facility. Kelston Boys High School, newly promoted for 2016 were very keen to test themselves in the Auckland Premier Competition and brought great intensity from the opening Tip Off. The first quarter showed the offensive skill of both teams with great ball movement, leading to easy shots and open lanes. Both teams could not contain the other team on the defensive end and by the end of the quarter there was only 3 points in it. Both teams brought much better defensive pressure in the second quarter. Westlake managed to limit Kelston’s top scoring threat Jakzst, thanks to some great man on man denial defence from Scott Telfer. On the offensive end Isaac Letoa led from the front, scoring and creating a lot of ball movement. Reuben Fitzgerald and James Moors kept the scoreboard ticking over with some great shooting. Westlake had pulled away into the half, to lead 58-44. During the third quarter Westlake kept pulling away with some great defence, continuing great shot making from the first half. By now all the Westlake players were easing into the first game of the competition season. Going into the final period Westlake was leading by 25 points. |
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Rugby League 11 MayWestlake Boys High School 18 vs Otahuhu College 12 |
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| Westlake Boys Premier Rugby League made a huge statement in this year’s CRL tournament defeating defending New Zealand Secondary Schools champions Otahuhu College 18-12. Westlake Boys scored four tries to Otahuhu’ s two in a bruising and enthralling contest.
Westlake started the match strongly getting out to a four nil lead courtesy of a try to the hard working Anthony Po-Ching. Otahuhu replied soon after and went in front 6-4, but Westlake responded with a fine individual try to Fine Inisi. Otahuhu hit back right before halftime to lead 12-10 at the break. The second half saw Westlake come out with a committed defence to keep Otahuhu at bay. Hemi McCarthy then proved to be the man of the hour crossing for two crucial tries, the result of some brilliant Zae Wallace grubber kicks. Westlake held on stoically to the end and recorded a famous victory for the school. Even the bus breaking down on the Southern Motorway and having to wait 45 minutes for a replacement bus didn’t dampen the boys spirits. Next week sees the boys at home to Papakura in a game in which a win will all but guarantee the team a spot in CRL’s top six competition. Tries: Hemi McCarthy (2), Anthony Poching, Fine Inisi (1) |
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Hockey Results 11 MayWestlake Boys 1st XI vs Orewa College The first league game of the season was a classic game of two halves. With many injuries the team only had one substitute instead of five that are allowed. Westlake started off the game at fast pace and scored goals consistently throughout the first half taking the half time score to 7-0. With fatigue settling in during the second half, the boys struggled to capitalise on the many chances available and ended the match adding only 3 more goals to the total. Goal scorers: Craig Templeton (3), Cameron Jones Moore, Charl Ulrich (2), Oscar England, Josh Arnott, Netesh Sukha (1) Other ResultsSeniors |
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Congratulations:
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Good Luck to:
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Movie Night: X-men and Florence Foster Jenkins Fundraiser |
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| A team of 10 boys (below) 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 |
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| 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 | |||