Headmaster’s Newsletter 29 July

Dear Parents and Families

Welcome back to term three. I hope that you all had an enjoyable break.

Well done to the cast and crew of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  It has been a memorable few nights’ performances.  Good luck with the final three shows, tonight, tomorrow afternoon and tomorrow evening.

Next Thursday is our school’s annual Information/Open Evening when we welcome prospective families to our school who are interested in enrolling at Westlake for 2017. The evening starts at 6.00pm. We encourage younger brothers of current students to come along to the evening, it plays an important part in their transition from Intermediate School into Westlake Boys High School.  For your information, we expect to have a limited number of places available in Years 10 and 11 next year.

Finally from me, next Friday is our Annual Grandparents Day. Last year this event was very well attended.  Further details are included in the newsletter.  The event runs from 10.00am until 12 noon.

Have a nice weekend.

Regards
David Ferguson
Headmaster

Barbershop Quartet Success

Year 13 students, Matthew Bennett, Anthony Ji and Nick Curry and Year 12 student, Blake Scanlen were delighted to take the top spot with their entertaining performance.  This is the sixth consecutive year that Virtutti has won the regional competition and now they move on to the national finals with Westlake Boys’ other quartet, Deez Notes, to be held in Porirua in September.

 Westlake Team in New Zealand Stock Competition

National Brain Bee Neuroscience Challenge Champion

Year 11 student, Stefan Ivanov from SM12 is the 2016 National Champion in the Brain Bee neuroscience challenge, having won the final on July 7^th. Stefan will go on to represent New Zealand in the Australasian final during December in Hobart, Australia.

Stefan won a camera for himself, and a new 65-inch Sony Bravia 4k TV (worth approximately $6500) for the school.

Westlake Production “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” Final Two Days!

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!  Alternatively, you may purchase tickets at the door.

Thank You from Auckland City Mission

Many thanks to our parent community, students and staff for gathering and packing up 10 boxes of goods for donation to the Auckland City Mission appeal last term.

New Zealand Schools Japanese Trivia Championships

Ian Qiu, Forest Yip, Alex Weymouth and Zane Ayris participated in the second New Zealand Schools Japanese Trivia Championships on Friday June 17, 2016 winning 3^rd in the Auckland region and 4^th in the country.

The New Zealand Schools Japanese Trivia Championships is a joint initiative between NZAJLT and JSANZ (Japanese Studies Aoteaora New Zealand). Over 100 teams registered for this year’s event which was held at eight venues throughout the country.  All regions were sitting the quiz at the same time. Students used their cultural knowledge for a real purpose together, with other students of Japanese, that they would not normally have an opportunity to mix with.

Community Curriculum and Option Selection Evenings

• 6.00pm Monday 1^st August: Korean Curriculum and Option Selection Evening. This evening will explain how to help your son succeed in the New Zealand education system, and will be translated into Korean.
• 6.00pm Tuesday 2^nd August: Chinese Curriculum and Option Selection Evening. This evening will explain how to help your son succeed in the New Zealand education system, and will be translated into Chinese.
• 6.00pm Monday 8^th August: Māori Curriculum and Option Selection Evening. This evening will explain how to make important choices for your son’s future, and will also talk about helping our Māori students to achieve as Māori.
• 6.00pm Tuesday 9^th August: Pasifika Curriculum and Option Selection Evening. This evening will explain how to make important choices for your son’s future, and will also talk about helping our Pasifika students be successful in their studies.

We look forward to seeing you. These evenings will be a valuable way to learn a little more about your son’s education and will help you guide him as he thinks about his future.

Please let us know if you are going to attend any of the evenings. If you are going to attend the Māori or Pasifika evenings, please contact Mrs B Sutherland on bsutherland@westlake.school.nz or 09 410 8667 extension 703. If you are going to attend the Korean evening, please contact Mr K Ahn on kahn@westlake.school.nz or 09 410 8667 extension 789. If you are going to attend the Chinese evening, please contact Mrs J Fan on jfan@westlake.school.nz or 09 410 8667 extension 798.

西湖男子高中诚挚的邀请学校社区成员来参加2016年课程设置和如何选课的说明会。如果您的儿子目前在读九、十、十一或十二年级，并且您愿意多了解一点有关新西兰的教育体系以及如何帮助孩子在2016年及以后的几年作出明智的课程选择，我们期待着您的出席。

我们将在学校的教工休息室举行四场说明会。每场将持续大约45分钟。

8月1日周一下午6点：课程设置与如何选课的韩文说明会。此说明会将讲解如何帮助您的儿子在新西兰教育体系下获得成功，说明会内容将被翻译成韩文。

8月2日周二下午6点：课程设置与如何选课的中文说明会。此说明会将讲解如何帮助您的儿子在新西兰教育体系下获得成功，说明会内容将被翻译成中文。

8月8日周一下午6点：课程设置和如何选课的毛利说明会。此说明会涉及如何针对您儿子的未来做出重要选择，同时也将讲解如何帮助我们的毛利学生取得进步。

8月9日周二下午6点：课程设置和如何选课的太平洋岛屿族裔说明会。此说明会将讲解如何针对您儿子的未来作出重要选择，同时也将讨论如何帮助我们的太平洋岛屿族裔的学生在学业上获得成功。

我们期待着您的光临。这些活动可以有效的让您了解一些关于您儿子的教育，从而可以帮助您引导他关于他自己对自己未来的认知。

如果你有意向参加其中的任何一个说明会，请您通知我们。如果您要参加毛利人或太平洋岛民说明会，请联系Mrs B Sutherland，邮箱bsutherland@westlake.school.nz或电话094108667分机703。如果你要参加韩文说明会，请联系Mr K Ahn，邮箱kahn@westlake.school.nz或电话094108667分机789。如果你要参加中文的说明会，请联系Ms J Fan ，邮箱jfan@westlake.school.nz或电话094108667分机798。

커뮤니티 교육과정 및 옵션 선택의 밤

웨스트레이크 남자 고등학교는 2016 교육과정 및 옵션 선택의 밤에 커뮤니티 회원님을 초대하길 원합니다. 현재 9~12 학년 학생들의 부모님들, 뉴질랜드 교육에 대해 조금 더 배우고 싶으신 분들, 자녀를 돕고 싶으신 분들, 그리고 2017년의 현명한 과목 선택에 도움이 되고자 하시는 분들 모두 만나 뵙길 원합니다.

행사는 4회에 걸쳐 학교 교무실에서 열리게 됩니다. 각각 약 45분 정도 진행됩니다.

8월 1일 월요일 오후 6시: 한인 교육과정 및 옵션 선택의 밤. 귀하의 자녀가 뉴질랜드 교육 시스템에서 성공하도록 도와줄 수 있는 방법을 설명하는 행사이며, 한국어로 통역됩니다.

8월 2일 화요일 오후 6시: 중국인 교육과정 및 옵션 선택의 밤. 귀하의 자녀가 뉴질랜드 교육 시스템에서 성공하도록 도와줄 수 있는 방법을 설명하는 행사이며, 중국어로 통역됩니다.

8월 8일 화요일 오후 6시: 마오리 교육과정 및 옵션 선택의 밤. 귀하의 자녀의 미래를 위해 중요한 선택을 할 수 있도록 설명하는 행사이며, 마오리 학생들이 마오리로서 성취함을 돕는 방법들도 얘기할 것입니다.

8월 9일 목요일 오후 6시: 파시피카 교육과정 및 옵션 선택의 밤. 귀하의 자녀의 미래를 위해 중요한 선택을 할 수 있도록 설명하는 행사이며, 파시피카 학생들의 성공적인 학업을 돕는 방법들도 얘기할 것입니다.

여러분의 참여를 기대합니다. 이 행사들은 귀하의 자녀의 교육에 대해 조금 더 배울 수 있는 소중한 기회가 될 것이며, 자녀가 계획하는 미래로 안내함에 도움이 될 것입니다.

참석하기 원하실 경우 학교에 알려 주시길 바랍니다. 마오리나 파시피카 행사에 참석하기 원하실 경우 bsutherland@westlake.school.nz 또는 09 410 8667 내선 703을 통해 Mrs B Sutherland에게 문의 하시기 바랍니다. 한인 행사에 참석하기 원하실 경우 kahn@westlake.school.nz 또는 09 410 8667 내선 789를 통해 Mr K Ahn에게 문의 하시기 바랍니다. 중국 행사에 참석하기 원하실 경우 jfan@westlake.school.nz 또는 09 410 8667 내선 798을 통해 Mrs J Fan에게 문의 하시기 바랍니다.

2016 Westlake Boys Grandparents’ Day

What: Westlake Boys 2016 Grandparents’ Day
When: Friday 5 August 2016, 10.00am-12.00pm
Where: Westlake Boys High School

Registration: Click here to register on Eventbrite (Please note that Registration is required for this event – thank you)

Westlake Boys High School invites all grandparents (and “adopted grandparents”) to join their grandsons for a morning at school on Friday 5 August 2016.

For catering purposes, please register for this event on Eventbrite.co.nz by Tuesday 2^nd August.

Register before Friday 29th July and go into the draw to win a night for two at the Spencer on Bryon Hotel in Takapuna, including breakfast!

We look forward to welcoming you to Westlake on Friday 5 August!

欢迎您来参加，届时您的（外）孙子会陪着您参加学校的学生大会，招待您参加学校家长委员会在学校健身馆办的早茶会，随后还有专人引导您参观学校。

为了我们准备招待事宜，请您在8月2日之前务必上网Eventbrite.co.nz注册出席事宜。如果您在注册时需要语言方面的帮助，可以请你们的（外）孙子帮忙。

如果您在7月29日周五之前注册，还有机会赢取在位于Takapuna的Spencer on Bryon Hotel酒店的双人含早餐住宿一晚。

任何问题请联系Vicki Fowler 或Christine O’Dowd 或致电09 4101814。

我们期待着在8月5日周五见到您!

손자들과 함께 강당에서 열리는 학교 조회, 새 웨스트레이크 체육관 내의 PTA 컨퍼런스홀에서 PTA가 주최하는 모닝티, 그리고 상세한 학교 투어의 기회를 놓치지 마시기 바랍니다.

음식 제공을 위해 8월 2일 전까지 Eventbrite.co.nz 사이트에서 등록 하시길 바랍니다. 등록 하실 때 손자들이 도와줄 것입니다.

7월 29일 금요일 전에 등록 하시면 타카푸나 Spencer on Byron 호텔에서 2명이 하루밤 묵을 수 있는 (조식 포함) 상품권 추첨에 포함됩니다.

문의 사항은 커뮤니티 관계 담당Vicki Fowler 와 Christine O’Dowd 의 이메일 또는09 4101814 전화번호를 통해 연락 주시기 바랍니다.

웨스트레이크에서 8월 5일 금요일에 뵙기를 기대합니다!

Conservation Biology trip to Indonesia 2-22^nd July 2016

Trekking up through the rainforest was just spectacular, with so many beautiful waterfalls and wildlife en route in contrast to having to avoid the treacherous sticky mud and tiny leeches which seemed to want to attack us from all angles. Whilst in the Jungle camp, all luxuries were left behind and we relished in being able to experience bathing in the river and sleeping in hammocks. Each day we would head out on a number of projects with the scientists and help them to collect data on the plants and animals they were researching.

After a farewell BBQ and party, it was time to leave the scientists and locals behind and head back to the much anticipated hotel and pool in Makassar. Here we had a few days sightseeing in the city and the surrounding area of Malino, taking in the sights, smells and atmosphere. What a truly magnificent experience.

Thank you to everyone who supported the boys through their dedicated fundraising efforts over the past 12 months. Without you, we would just not have been able to get there.

Ms J El-Labany, 2Ic Biology and trip organiser

An exciting opportunity for Year 10 students – Spirit of Adventure 5-Day Spirit Trophy Voyage: 19^th – 23^rd November 2016

Interested students need to submit an application form which can be collected from Mr Tillett in Deans Suite. Applications due 12^th August.

See the Spirit of Adventure website for more information: https://www.spiritofadventure.org.nz/

2017 Enrolment Information and Open Evening

The 2017 Information Evening will include student-hosted school tours; sports and music performances and a general information session presented by the Headmaster. All prospective parents, caregivers and students are welcome to attend.

Year 9 Enrolment Dates

In-Zone Enrolments – 9^th August 12 noon – 4pm and 10^th August 12 noon – 8pm

Out-Of-Zone (Including Out-Of-Zone Priority Enrolments) – 17^th August 9am – 4pm and 18^th August 9am – 8pm

Out-Of-Zone Priorities

1. Sibling of current student
2. Sibling of former student
3. Son of a former student
4. Son of an employee of the school

Enrolment forms will be available for collection from the Westlake Boys High School main office or on our website from 25^th July 2016.

Limited places will be available in Years 10-13.  Expressions of Interest forms will be available on our website from the 25^th July 2016 and must be returned to the main office before 21^st October 2016.

Enrolment Information

2017 Enrolment dates and information are available on the school website www.westlake.school.nz

Enquiries to Michele Cain on 410-8667 ext 818.

Students Using Public Transport

This is a reminder that students should use School buses where they are provided, and only use Express buses when it is absolutely necessary.

Would you like to work at Westlake?

We currently have two vacancies for important full-time, non-teaching roles. If you know of anybody who might be suitable for either of these roles please help us spread the word amongst our community.

Events & Communications Executive, Community Relations Department

As the result of Christine O’Dowd’s relocation to the UK, we are looking for a super-organised “people person” with superb writing skills to join our small team in the Community Relations Office.

The purpose of the events co-ordination and marketing communications role is to ensure that members of our community are provided with memorable opportunities to connect and re-connect with Westlake Boys High School.

Key responsibilities include:

• Co-ordination of community events (e.g. Father Son and Mother Son Breakfasts; Graduation Dinner; Grandparents’ Day; Westlakers Golf Day and Reunion events)
• Copywriting for media, websites, yearbook and e-communications
• Social media content creation and execution – Facebook and Instagram
• Relationship management with old boys, school supporters and parents

The successful applicant will need to be:

• Super-organised
• Efficient and productive i.e. a “do-er”!
• Very kind and thoughtful
• Positive i.e. glass half-full person
• A proficient communicator – written and verbal communication skills are essential
• Accustomed to working as part of a team in a demanding, deadline-driven environment
• Self-motivated, adaptable and flexible
• Some experience with Photoshop or similar, and an interest in photography would be a distinct advantage

This is a full-time, salaried position with six weeks annual leave per year (to correspond with school holidays). Hours are 8am until at least 4pm, five days per week. Extra hours are often necessary in the lead-up to events.

For a full Position Description please contact Community Relations Manager, Vicki Fowler on vfowler@westlake.school.nz or 09 410 1814.

 Applications must include the applicant’s current CV and a clear statement explaining why they would be suitable for the role. Applications close on Wednesday 10^th August at 5.00pm.

Property and Maintenance Assistant

We seek a motivated person to join our Property Team.  This full time role involves property and grounds maintenance and other duties associated with the day to day running of our large modern school.

A reasonable level of fitness is required and all applicants will require a police clearance.

Please email your CV and covering letter to Jclough@westlake.school.nz.  Applications close 5 August 2016.

Major Diary Dates

Westlake Sport  

Squash Success at 2016 North Island Age Group Championships

New Zealand Under 17 number One ranked player, Matthew Lucente, competed in an age division higher, finishing third in the Under 19s. David Matthews improved on his eight seeding in the Under 19 division and finished the tournament in fifth spot.

The team continue to work hard and are determined to defend their New Zealand title at Nationals next month.

2016 NZ Secondary Schools Orienteering Championships

• Sprint Race – Ryan Williams 3rd, Andrei Popovici 10th, Luke Mercieca 11th, Ashton Philo 16th, Oliver Lawrence 25th, Tayler Haynes DNF
• Long Race – Ryan Williams 1st, Andrei Popovici 2nd, Ashton Philo 14th , Luke Mercieca 17th, Tayler Haynes 21st, Oliver Lawrence 31st
• Relay Team Race – Team 1 finished third (Ryan Williams, Luke Mercieca, Andrei Popovici) and WBHS Team 2 finished fifth (Ashton Philo, Oliver Lawrence, Tayler Haynes)

Special congratulations to Andrei Popovich on his selection into the New Zealand Secondary Schools Senior Boys team who will compete against the six Australian states and the Australian Capital Territory in the 2016 Australian Schools Championships from 24 September to 2 October 2016 for the Southern Cross Trophy.

North Island Cycling Championships

Our Westlake cyclists competed in the North Island Schools Cycling Championships during the holidays at Mighty River Domain, Karapiro in the Waikato with the following results:

• Jaydn Harris: 6^th Under 15 Road Race
• Senior A Team (Blake Sunde, Eamonn Jack, Reuben Soares, Finn Buckeridge, Chris Thomas): 8^th Team Time Trial
• Junior A Team (Daniel Maddren, Blake Scanlen, Nick Thomas, Ewart Bower): 8^thTeam Time Trial

Congratulations to all the students who have trained hard and competed in this event.  The teams now look forward to further improvements and opportunities in Term 3.

Sailing Success in The Netherlands for Tom Fyfe

Currently the boys are competing in the 29er World Championships in Medemblik and after Day 3 have made the Gold Fleet with 228 boats competing. There’s still three days of racing to go to complete the long series of 20 races, in difficult racing conditions. You can click on this link for more information on the 29er World Championships.

Hockey Results 26 & 27 July

Due to King’s College having an extra week of holidays, the original game date was rescheduled for Tuesday evening.  King’s were a very organised and tactically smart outfit but Skipper Keegan Russell managed to score from a breakaway when King’s were down a player for a two minute sinbin.  However, King’s recovered quickly and responded with a goal taking the score to 1-1 at halftime.  Westlake’s Netesh Sukha scored late in the second half and the team managed to hang onto the lead at the final whistle.

Westlake played Mount Albert Grammar School away on Wednesday and went up 2-0 through early goals by Keegan Russell and Netesh Sukha. The team held on until just after half time, when MAGS came out well after the break to level the score with two goals.  It wasn’t until late in the game that Keegan Russell got his hat trick for the game and Craig Templeton scored another one in very quick succession to take the score line to 5-2.

Click here for all Hockey results

Congratulations to:

• Joshua Feng ST05 and Oscar Guo MU06 represented North Harbour Badminton in the New Zealand Under 17 Junior Team Championships 2016 at Palmerston North during the school holidays with the team winning national titles.  Joshua has been selected to join the New Zealand Junior Badminton team to play Pan-Pacific Championships in September this year.

• Westlaker, William Barnes is the newly-crowned 2016 New Zealand Mastermind Champion. William attended Westlake Boys’ High School from 1993-1997 and now teaches at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Te Ara Hou in Napier.  http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/82377363/havelock-norths-william-barnes-wins-mastermind

• Winston Yao competed in Wellington at the National Karate Championships and the National Secondary School Championships receiving Gold and Silver medals respectively in his age group. Winston also qualified as a Regional B-Grade referee during this time.
• Alex Jarrold and Nathan Monkton have been selected for the New Zealand Trampoline Team to attend the Indo Pacific Competition in Napier during October.

• Sean Yang (HD08) competed at the biennial Wallace National Junior Piano Competition as part of the International Piano Festival in July. Sixteen young New Zealand school-age pianists were selected by DVD audition to compete and Sean reached the final of the competition.  On 16^th July, Sean also competed for Norah Howell Recital Award at Hamilton competitions.  From the six contestants, including four university students, Sean won the third prize.  http://www.lect.co.nz/wallace-national-junior-piano-competition-2016/

Good Luck to:

• Our 1^st XV who play Massey High School 1^st XV at 12.00pm on 30 July 2016 at WBHS 1
• Our 2^nd XV who play Mahurangi College 1^st XV at 12.00pm on 30 July at Warkworth 2
• Our 3^rd XV who play Massey High School 3^rd XV at 10.40am on 30 July at WBHS 1
• Our 4^th XV who play Orewa College 2^nd XV at 9.30am on 30 July at Orewa College 1
• Our Premier Basketball team who play Auckland Grammar School at 7.30pm on 29 July at AGS1
• Our 1^st XI Football team who play St Peter’s College 1^st XI at 6.30pm on 29 July at St Peters 1
• Our 2^nd XI Football team who play St Peter’s College 2^nd XI on 30 July at a time to be advised
• Our 3^rd XI Football team who play Rangitoto College 2^nd XI at 10.00am on 30 July at WBHS Grass
• Our 1^st XI Hockey team who play Kristin School at 6.20pm on 3 August at Harbour 2
• Our 2^nd XI Hockey team who play Mahurangi College at 5.10pm on 3 August at Harbour 2

Westlakers News  

2016 Westlakers Annual Reunion – New Venue!

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

Join us after work in the recently opened $5 million Westlake Boys High School 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”

Entry is just $20 per person and includes finger food and your first beer or glass of wine. Click here to register NOW!

New Zealand Youth Choir Takes Top International Prize

Westlake Boys’ High School Music Teacher and New Zealand Youth Choir’s Music Director, David Squire and Westlakers Jeffrey Chang (2007 Cultural Captain), Oliver Fetherston (2014 Cultural Captain) and Benjamin Tan and Benedict Tan (2014 Westlakers Red Blooded Award Winners), along with Westlake Girls alumni Luana Prictor and Natasha Wilson have just returned from a tour where they performed in Singapore, the Czech Republic, France and England.  One of the highlights of the trip was their win at the 24^th International Festival of Academic Choirs in Pardubice, Czech Republic with the following results:

*Category A1: mixed choirs (1st place, Gold standard)
*Category B2: folklore of the choir’s nation (1st place, Gold standard)
*Category C2: jazz, pop, spiritual, gospel (1st place, Gold standard)
*Category C1: compositions of one style of art music (1st place, Gold standard)
*Special prize: outstanding vocal culture [i.e. blend, ensemble, vocal technique, choral tone]

The choir was then invited to compete and were ultimately named winners of the Grand Prix.  To participate in the Grand Prix, the five invited choirs were required to sing a completely new programme.

Click here for a clip from Te Karere last week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7DHPxm0qKk

And an article from Stuff:  http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/82054320/new-zealand-youth-choir-takes-top-international-prize

Young Westlakers Aim For World Domination

Spalk’s Xone Business Accelerator grant is valued at a cool $150,000 and enables the young Westlaker entrepreneurs the unique opportunity to work within and alongside Vodafone, tapping in to mentoring and support as well as having access to a $19 million innovation lab facility.

The Westlake connection doesn’t end there. Two of the key figures behind Xone are also Westlakers – 2008 prefect Kevin Park (pictured with Sam in the photo) and 2010 Head Boy Ben Tan.

We can’t think of anything more rewarding than seeing our old boys reconnecting in the business world and making their dreams come true.

If you are interested in learning more on Xone (https://xone.vodafone.co.nz/) or fancy yourself as a Spalk commentator, sign up to Spalk at www.spalk.co.nz