Headmaster’s Newsletter 17 June

Dear Parents and Guardians

Well done to Voicemale, our 63 strong choir, on winning the top male choir award at the Auckland Big Sing Choral Festival this week. This is the third time in five years that Voicemale have been the top male choir in Auckland. They will now participate in the national finals later this year in Dunedin. Our combined choir with Westlake Girls High School, Choralation were runners up in the mixed choir section. They will also compete in the national finals later in the year.

Good luck to all of our sports teams this weekend and thank you to all of our supporters and volunteers for what you do week in, week out to provide opportunities for our young men, outside of the classroom.

Finally, next Thursday is our Parents Evening for Year 10 students.  This is held in the Auditorium on Thursday 23rd June 2016 between 5.30 and 8.30 p.m.  You can now go online to book interview times with teachers. Please use the following procedure:

• Go to schoolinterviews.co.nz
• Enter event code ezswm and press Go
• Follow these three steps:
  1. Enter your details and press Go
  2. Choose teachers and press Go
  3. Choose times and press Go
• Print the list of bookings for your records

Have a lovely weekend.

Regards
David Ferguson
Headmaster

Westlake Study Breakfast Scheme

The Westlake Study Breakfast Scheme is a programme where junior students who are struggling academically are supported by Year 12 Academic Institute students. This scheme has existed for several years and is run by the Academic Council with support from HR Manager, Mrs Mills and Associate Headmaster, Mr Reed. The programme occurs every Thursday morning at 7.30am for eight weeks after the mid-year exams.

A selected group of 30-40 junior students and their academic tutors are provided with a free breakfast, usually in the form of sausages, toast, and Milo, among other things. These students have the option to be tutored in either Mathematics or English, with materials and guidelines supplemented by the Academic Council.

Farewell to Board of Trustees Chairman

Outgoing Board of Trustees Chairman James Sclater was officially farewelled this week after a productive six years at the helm.

Mr Sclater commented that, despite the school’s best-ever academic results and significant property development projects completed during recent years, in his eyes, stand-out highlights during his time on the Board have been the admirable levels of dedication and commitment displayed by Westlake staff and the approachable, positive attitudes of Westlake students that he has both witnessed and experienced. As a chartered accountant by trade, Mr Sclater’s biggest concern is the level of funding that, as a supposedly state-funded school, Westlake Boys’ management need to generate from alternative revenue streams.

James Sclater is a Westlake old boy himself and his two sons, Ollie and Henry, have also become Westlakers during their father’s term on the Board. On behalf of the school, Headmaster David Ferguson presented Mr Sclater with a framed collection of photos of his 1977 WBHS 1st XI Cricket, 1st XV Rugby, Prefects group and Form Class.

Staff and students alike will miss Mr Sclater’s calm, capable leadership, his generous and consistent support and his regular visits on his red scooter! Our sincere thanks to James for his considerable professional contribution and personal dedication over the past six years. He leaves Westlake in a strong position as we face an exciting future.

Pictured are four previous Westlake Boys’ High School Board of Trustee Chairmen, Mr Peter Burn (1985-1988), Mr James Sclater (2010-2016), Dr John Russell (1995-2000) and Mr Graham Darlow (2007-2010).

Kaipara Harbour Field Trip

On Thursday 16 June, our Level 1 Geography classes travelled to the southern end of the Kaipara Harbour to investigate local perspectives. The boys visited a local beef and sheep farm run by former Westlake teacher Mrs Kidd. They also heard from local Iwi, the Kaipara Cruising and Fishing Club, Auckland Council representatives and the Chairman of the Integrated Kaipara Harbour Management Group. This visit will aid the boys in completing their upcoming Geography internal based around the management of the Kaipara Harbour.

Dropping Off and Picking Up Students

When picking up and dropping off students before and after school, please be courteous of our neighbours and only use allocated parking spaces, not driveways or on yellow lines.  Kings Plant Barn is not available for this purpose. 

Auckland Region Big Sing Competition

After a full day at the Auckland Town Hall, singing and listening to other choirs performing in the Auckland Region Big Sing Competition, Voicemale were thrilled at last night’s gala concert to win the award for Best Festival Recital by a Male Choir.  They were also runners-up for Best Performance of a work using a Maori text for their moving rendition of ‘Whakaaraara Pa’ by David Griffiths.

Congratulations also to Westlaker, Benjamin Tan, (Head Boy in 2010), who won the Professional Development Award for an emerging conductor who shows promise. Benjamin leads Momentum, Westlake Boys’ development choir, who gave a strong recital of which they can be very proud.

Westlake Big Band Visit Royal New Zealand Navy Band

After a delicious afternoon tea, Big Band came together to play some of the pieces they will be performing at the KBB Auckland Secondary Schools Music Festival in August.  The professional navy musicians told the students they were impressed by the standard of playing for their age.  Finally the tutors for the afternoon joined the students to play together, performing a rousing rendition of Count Basie’s ‘Hay Burner’.

Miss Barker and Westlake Big Band are extremely grateful to the RNZ Navy Band for taking the time out of their busy schedule to share their expertise and provide such invaluable advice and support.

2016 Father Son Breakfast

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

Guest Speaker: All Blacks Manager Darren Shand

All students and their fathers, grandfathers and/or male role models are invited to attend the 2016 Father Son Breakfast.

The Westlake Boys Annual Father Son Breakfast event offers dads and sons an opportunity to spend some quality time together.

Hawke’s Bay-born Darren Shand, ‘Shandy’, took on the role of All Blacks Manager in 2004 after a four year, very successful stint with the Crusaders. For over a decade he’s played an instrumental role in the All Blacks management team, overseeing many notable All Blacks achievements, recognised in 2014 when he was appointed as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Read more about Darren here.

Tickets to the Father Son Breakfast are on sale at the Uniform Shop in Student Services until Tuesday 5th July, 1.30pm unless sold out prior. Tickets 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. click here to download the ticket order form

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

2016 Signed All Blacks Jersey – Silent Auction item for Father Son Breakfast

The All Blacks jersey was generously donated by our guest speaker Darren Shand and the All Blacks Team and it has been professionally framed by Factory Frames Mairangi Bay. Please support them for all your framing needs.

All funds raised from the silent auction will benefit the Westlake Boys Distance runners in their quest to become this year’s National Champions.

For information on how to participate in the silent auction of this exciting item, click here.  

Westlake Production “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” 26-30 July 2016

This “…Dream”, however, will be quite different, as the production will incorporate both Physical Theatre and Tikanga/Te Ao Māori, to bring audiences a version of the play that is youthful, vital, energetic, playful and truly bicultural.   Unusually, the production will be played with the audience on three sides, partly simulating the experience of Shakespeare’s original Globe Theatre. Furthermore, the first row of each of the three audience tiers will be “Rumpus Zones”, allowing audience members close contact with the actors, as if they were groundlings at the Globe Theatre.

The production is brought to you by the same students and creatives who staged the thought-provoking and multi-award winning “Assassins”, by Stephen Sondheim, in 2015.

Click here to order your tickets now!

Major Diary Dates:

Auckland City Mission – 1 Can 2 Can Appeal

“The Mission has experienced an unprecedented level of demand in the past 12 months for emergency food support from struggling families across Auckland, and we would not be able to meet this need without the support of organisations like yours!”

Other items which can be donated are:  Jars of spread, Packets of Sugar, Boxes of Tea bags, Packets of rice, Packets of pasta, Toilet paper, Bars of soap, Bottles of shampoo

All donations can be taken to form classes throughout the week. The collected goods will be packed on Friday 24^th June, ready for collection by the Auckland City Mission.

Westlake Sport  

Hillsdene Tournament Champions

The Westlake Boys Year 10 Football Academy team travelled to Tauranga to compete at the Hillsdene Tournament this week. The boys played superbly over the three days. Each team member contributed to the team’s success displaying a determination to work hard, play to the best of their ability and represent Westlake with pride.

The tournament kicked-off on Sunday with a 1-0 win against New Plymouth Boys High School. Tor Keeley was the goal scorer. The second match of the day was played against Western Heights High School from Rotorua, which resulted in a high scoring game with a 12-0 victory. Goals were scored by Ewan Bell, Ikenna Unamadu (3 goals each), Andrew McMillan (2 goals) and Will Parker, Harry Bark, Enoch Chu and Jackson Woods (1 each).

Tuesday saw another three pool matches lined up, starting off with a 13-0 victory over Rotorua Boys High School and a much tighter clash against tournament hosts Tauranga Boys College in which we won 2-1. The last game of the day was played Hastings Boys High School with another good result, a 5-0 win. Will Parker was top scorer on the day, slotting in 7 goals in the three matches. Other goal scorers were Andrew McMillan with 4 and Taylor Ugava 3 and Ewan Bell, Jackson Woods, Enoch Chu, Ikenna Unamadu and Owen Bentley 1 each.  Continue reading here….

Snowsports Competition

On Monday 13^th June, two hundred Secondary School students took to the indoor slopes at Auckland’s Snowplanet to contest the College Sport Auckland Secondary Schools Ski and Snowboard Championships.  The event is a unique opportunity to mix up different skill sets with each student competing in Giant Slalom as well as a freestyle competition.

Whilst we did not have any individual podium finishers, our students competed well in both the Ski and Snowboard events and ended up placing 2nd overall in the combined Snow Sports Competition.

Snowboarding Team:

Nick Burt, Jack Gilligan, Kevin Li, Luke M
oriarty, Sam Readman, Blake Readman and Martin Wright

Ski Team:

Cameron Brownsey, Ollie Charlesworth, Bailey Dawson, Ryan Dawson, Caleb Dobson, Lewis Dol, Torin Lance, Callum McGaw and Jake Scott

Rugby Results 11 June

Westlake Boys 1st XV vs Takapuna Grammar School

Westlake put early pressure on their opponents did not score until the 10th minute when Tupou Afungia crossed the line. Tupou, who fractured his finger in the pre-season game against De la Salle, made his presence felt in his first competition game and his strength and hunger were clearly evident. From the kick off the move around the short side allowed Fine Inisi to again show off his skill and pace to run 50 meters to score a try.  It took another 13 minutes before Spencer McDowall was put into space and also ran a good 50 meters to score. Cameron Hey scored the next try after sustained pressure and Casey Smith followed up with a another try under the posts from the kick off after some slick handling, taking the score to 31-0 at half time.

Captain Jack Heighton opened the scoring in the second half and tries came at regular intervals from Ariki Hood-Kaitapu, Jack Fuller, Casey Forsyth and Harry Forbes. Jack Fuller scored his try from a set piece that came straight from the training field, whilst Ariki, Casey and Harry used their strength to break the tired Takapuna defence to score.

The team have now successfully defended the Woodhouse Shield five times and have earned the right to have their name engraved on the shield. Leon Thambiran was also recognised at the after match function, having represented Westlake’s 1st XV more than 50 times since his debut in 2014. Well done to the team and congratulations to Leon on this remarkable achievement.

Scoreboard: Westlake 64 Takapuna Grammar 5 (Half time 31 – 0)

Other Rugby results here

Football Results 10 and 11 June

WBHS 1 vs Sacred Heart College 5, Premier League, 10th June 2016, QBE stadium

Westlake fell to a heavy home defeat against reigning Auckland champions Sacred Heart College in a flood lit match on Friday evening. After a positive and competitive start to the game Westlake fell behind in the seventh minute when a wayward header allowed the opposition striker a clear run on goal and his deflected shot found the back of the net. Westlake had a chance to equalize after 17 minutes when Matt Conroy’s pace allowed him to get across of his marker and hit a shot that just beat the far post.

Sacred Heart doubled their lead 15 minutes later when some hesitant defending allowed an easy wall pass to be played and the ball dispatched into the home side’s goal from 10 yards. Westlake spent most of the rest of the half defending but as the half time whistle sounded they were still in the game.

Unfortunately the home side were unable to turn things around and Sacred Heart scored three quick goals in the second spell to end the game as a contest.  Westlake did grab a consolation goal when the hard working Conroy headed home from 10 yards.

Westlake’s next game is a Premier League match against Macleans College, Saturday 18th June, 12 noon kick off at WBHS.

Other Football Results here

Basketball Results 10 June

Westlake Suffer First Loss of the Season 71-63

A number of teams were shorthanded in round 6 of the Auckland Secondary Schools Boys Premier competition due to New Zealand teams attending the Medibank Classic in Melbourne. In contrast Westlake Boys High School welcomed back Isaac Letoa from his trip to Kazakhstan with the NZ 3×3 Under 18 team. Letoa showed no ill effects from the long trip scoring his team’s first three baskets as they opened up an early 8-2 lead at Rosmini College.

Rosmini replied with baskets from Nathan Curran and Taine Wattie to pull back to 8-6 five minutes in. Turnovers blighted the efforts of both teams in the period shaded by Westlake 16-15. Reuben Fitzgerald scored three baskets in quick succession for Westlake in the opening two minutes of the second period and when a third foul was called on Nathan Curran midway through the period things didn’t look so rosy for the hosts. However, Peter Jenkins stepped up admirably and with Mitchell Dance and Will Heather making triples as Rosmini squeezed ahead 29-28.

The lead didn’t last long as Letoa made a tough and one play in traffic, he led all scorers at the break with 17 points, Mitchell Dance the beast for Rosmini with a dozen. Heather and Wattie were the first scores of second half before Letoa made yet another tough play.

The lead changed hands repeatedly in the third before a bench technical called on Westlake allowed Marvin Williams-Dunn a trip to the foul line to put Rozza ahead 48-44 at three-quarter time.  Keep reading here……..

Other Basketball Results here

Hockey Results 15 June

Westlake Boys 1st XI vs Rosmini College 1st XI

Last night saw the first match of the Auckland Super City Hockey Competition where Westlake’s 1st XI came up against the recently crowned North Harbour Champions, Rosmini College. Having lost out to their neighbours in hard fought battle only a few weeks back, the Westlake team was determined to steal the win in the opening round.

Westlake started the match well but failed to take their opportunities. It was Rosmini who opened the scoring, capitalising from broken play after a penalty corner.  Westlake, however, did find their scoring touch and managed to score four goals.  Rosmini fought hard and scored a penalty corner near the end but it was Westlake who took the win in the first round of the Super City competition, 4 to 2. Westlake Hockey Captain Keegan Russell led the way with two goals and Charl Urlich and Vice-Captain Netesh Sukha each scored one goal.

Other Hockey Results

Rugby League Results 15 June

Westlake Boys Premier League vs Kelston Boys High School

Westlake Boys hosted last year’s CRL champions Kelston Boys High School in the second match of the CRL Championship round last night. The match began well for Westlake who opened up the scoring with a Lachlan Macintosh try to lead 6-0. Unfortunately, ill-discipline led to Kelston being given an opportunity to get into the Westlake half and the visitors scored just before halftime to level the score at 6 all, heading into the second half.

The second half began poorly for Westlake, conceding a try to go behind 10-6 and yet again due to ill-discipline, Kelston scored to skip away to a 16-6 lead. The home team scored late to close the score to 16-12 but Kelston held on to secure the victory.

Stand out performers for Westlake were Lotu Inisi and debutant Victor Moses along with Fine Inisi. Next week, the team will travel to St Paul’s College and will be desperately seeking a victory to get back in the winner’s circle.

Squash

With the absence of our top players, Westlake Boys Premier 1 went down to Auckland Grammar School in last week’s games. Westlake Premier 2 consisting of Rafa Yam, Tom Taylor, Soo-Myoung Jang and Zonal Ali overcame Pukekohe College 11-4.

Congratulations:

• Westlakers Sam Brotherton and Moses Dyer (pictured right) represented New Zealand in the OFC Nations Cup. Both players are ex 1^st XI footballers and were part of the All Whites team that beat Papua New Guinea in last week’s final.  Well done and good luck for the Confederations Cup later this year.

• Sam Readman who is one of three finalists for Under 16 Sportsman of the Year for Northern Region Surf Lifesaving Awards of Excellence.

• Well done on some fine performances by Westlake students at the Auckland round of the National Chamber Music Competition last weekend. Ben Wester, Victor Wei, Jun Lee and Eden Li all made it to the semi finals while Sean Yang and Henry Close went all the way into the finals and winning the KBB Award for best group, including a wind/brass player.

Good Luck to:

• Our 1^st XV who play Rangitoto College 1^st XV at 12.00pm on 18 June at Rangitoto College 1
• Our 3^rd XV who play Takapuna Grammar School 2^nd XV at 9.30am on 18 June at TGS 1
• Our 4^th XV who play Northcote College 2^nd XV at 9.30am on 18 June at WBHS 1
• Our Premier Basketball team who play Kelston Boys High School at 7.30pm on 17 June at Avondale 1
• Our 1^st XI Football team who play Macleans College 1^st XI at 12.00pm on 18 June at WBHS Turf
• Our 2^nd XI Football team who play Macleans College 2^nd XI at 9.45am on 18 June at WBHS Turf
• Our 3^rd XI Football team who play Kristin School 2^nd XI at 10.00am on 18 June at WBHS Grass
• Our 1^st XI Hockey team who play St Kentigern School at 5.10pm on 22 June at LEP1
• Our 2^nd XI Hockey team who play Sancta Maria College at 6.20pm on 22 June at Harbour 2
• Our Premier Rugby League team who play St Paul’s at 4.00pm on 22 June at St Paul’s 1
• Our Premier Squash team (1) who play Pukekohe High School at 4.15pm on 17 June
• Our Premier Squash team (2) who play Liston College at 4.15pm on 17 June at Henderson 3-4

Westlakers News 

Frittelli Cup – Westlakers Vs WBHS 1st XI Hockey

NEXT FRIDAY 24^th June 2016, North Harbour Hockey Turf, kick off 7.00pm 

It’s time for old boy hockey players to put their strip back on and take the field to play against the Westlake 1^st XI. Up for grabs is the Frittelli Cup, currently held by the Westlakers team – Westlake 1st XI has won it once before.  It’s not too late to be considered for selection! Please get in touch with Steve McCracken on smccracken@westlake.school.nz before 20^th June.  All Westlakers are very welcome to come and watch and catch-up with former WBHS hockey mates. Kick-off at 7.00pm at North Harbour Hockey turf. Click here for more event details

New Zealand Youth Choir Tour

Westlakers Jeffrey Chang, Oliver Fetherston, Benjamin Tan and his brother Benedict are all members of the current New Zealand Youth Choir, who depart on a major European tour at the end of June.  Their music director is David Squire, who also directs Voicemale.  The choir will perform a farewell concert before the tour at 7pm on Sunday 26th June at Auckland Girls Grammar School. You can purchase tickets from Eventfinda at the following link.

http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2016/nz-youth-choirs-auckland-farewell-concert/auckland/newton?utm_campaign=also-visited-events&utm_medium=click-through&utm_source=2016%2Fnz-youth-choirs-wellington-farewell-concert%2Fwellington

Upcoming Westlakers Events

Westlakers Committee

The dedicated Westlakers Committee is: Richard Stevens, Lester de Vere, Andrew Howson, Brady Arblaster, Anson Davies, Dale Gooding, Jeff Knight, Sam Viskovich, Gavin Roberts and Jimmy O’Brien. If you’d like to be part of the team and help us spread the good news to Westlakers around the globe, please come along to the AGM on 13 July, details below.      

2016 Westlakers Recent Leavers Reunion

Friday 1 July 2016, 7.00pm-9.00pm Westlake Boys Gymnasium

2016 Westlakers London Reunion

Wednesday 6 July, 6.30pm-9.30pm – The Pepys Riverside Bar, Stew Lane, London EC4V3PT

Westlakers are gathering again in London – this year’s London Reunion has moved back to one of our old favourites, The Pepys Riverside Bar and Dining (formerly The Samuel Pepys) on Wednesday 6th July for another opportunity to catch up with your schoolmates for a few beers.

The evening will be hosted by Westlake Boys Headmaster, David Ferguson. Tickets just £15 available online. Tell your mates to lock in the date and click here to register and purchase your ticket on Eventbrite NOW!

2016 Westlakers Annual Reunion – New Venue!

Friday 12 August, 5.30pm-9.00pm – Westlake Boys Gymnasium

• Catchup with your mates and former teachers
• School tours (5.30pm-6.00pm), including the new fitness centre, artificial turf, honours boards and our world class Auditorium
• Storytelling of “tall tales and true”

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