Headmaster’s Newsletter 19 August

Dear Parents and families

All of our senior students begin their final internal examinations on Monday next week. Please make sure that your son is working hard in preparation for these assessments.

Congratulations to our 1st XV on their victory in the North Harbour 1A Final last night at North Harbour Stadium. Their 34-3 win over Massey was our second best ever final result. The team and coaches have worked hard all season and I am delighted for them that they were able to secure this title again. They will now take on the winners of the Auckland 1A final next week.

Good luck to our top choirs, Choralation and Voicemale, as they make their way to the national finals in Dunedin next week.

Have a lovely weekend

Regards
David Ferguson
Headmaster

KBB Music Festival in Full Swing – Gala Concerts tomorrow!

The annual KBB Music-sponsored Festival, held in the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell, concludes tomorrow with Gala Concert performances at 2.30pm and 6.30pm. Westlake Chamber Orchestra will perform in the 2.30pm concert, and Westlake Symphony Orchestra in the 6.30pm concert.  Hoping to join the orchestras in the finale performances are Westlake Big Band, which delivered a tremendous performance on Thursday, and Westlake Concert Band, which competes this afternoon.

KBB Music Festival Gala Concert Performances at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell – Saturday 20^th August

2.30pm Concert – Chamber Orchestras and Concert Bands

6.30pm Concert – Symphony Orchestras and Jazz Bands

Tickets available from www.iTicket.co.nz or at the door at Auckland Cathedral. Ticket prices: $15 for one concert; $25 for both concerts, or $20 per concert at the door, $5 for students with id.

Junior Premier Debating Quarter Finals

We had two teams competing in the Junior Premier quarterfinals on Wednesday 17 August at St Cuthbert’s School.

Team 2, comprised of Year 10 students William Price, Josh McSherry and Ian Qiu, were up against Westlake Girls. The moot was ”That there should be a maximum voting age” and we were affirming.  It was a close debate and our team won in a split 2-1 decision.

Team 1 (Duncan Tolmie, Ross Hill-Rennie and Jun Paek) negated the same moot versus St Cuthbert’s and lost in a 3-0 decision.

Congratulations to William Price who has also been selected as an additional member of the Auckland Debating Development Squad – a place usually reserved for students in Years 11 to Year 13.

External Examination Fees Overdue

NZQA and Cambridge Fees are now overdue.

We will accept payments for NZQA examinations until Friday 26 August.  After this date, all payments will need to be made directly to NZQA and could incur a $50 penalty.

Cambridge examination fees were due by 1^st August, and must now be paid immediately to secure entry.

NCEA & Cambridge Exam Revision Classes: 26^th September – 6^th October 2016

Parents can find the timetable at http://bit.ly/wbhshrplist and a course selection form at http://bit.ly/wbhsform

Students will need to complete a Course Selection Form and take this to the Uniform Shop in Student Services, where bookings and payments will be made.

Payments can be made by cash, eftpos, credit or student ID if credit has been loaded onto the shop account on My Monitor at http://bit.ly/wbhsmym or through our Home Page

Places will be allocated on a first come first serve basis with a maximum of 15 places in each session. We expect sessions to sell out, so please make sure to book early to avoid disappointment.

If you have and questions or would like to discuss the possibility of financial assistance, please contact Miss Jihan El-Labany.

Major Diary Dates:

Westlake Sport  

Westlake 1^st XV Wins North Harbour Title

by Trey Tupu-South

Westlake took on Massey for the 1^st XV North Harbour Championship at North Harbour stadium on Thursday night. Although Massey played with confidence and belief at the start of the game, drawn from beating Rosmini the previous week, by half time the game was all but over with Westlake ahead 24-3. In the end, Westlake stretched their lead to an overwhelming 34-3 win.

The perfect pitch and conditions foresaw a great running game, which both teams established early on. However, the initial upper hand was gained by Massey, which had faster pace and a stronger backline who had a try disallowed by the TMO. Fine Inisi’s superior speed saw Westlake take the early lead, after the second five out-ran the opposing team to collect a punt by right winger Spencer McDowall, scoring in the right hand corner. Despite this, Massey maintained their dominance and were certain that they had scored through the hands of their captain. However, Massey was starved of another try as the TMO disallowed this second effort within just two minutes of the first. Nevertheless, Massey halfback Miracle Naititi managed to salvage three points by converting a penalty kick positioned twenty metres out and in front of the posts. Player of the match, Fine Inisi scored his second try and then sealed his hat trick within the first 26 minutes. The second five showcased amazing speed and incredible instinctiveness by supporting his teammates and swerving through Massey’s backline. His brother Lotu capitalized upon Westlake’s great half with a try of his own. Taking a ball off a rolling maul from 5 metres out, he stormed over the try line for Westlake to enter halftime with a comfortable 24-3 lead.

Photographs will be posted here as they come to hand.

WBHS 2^nd XV Advance to the Semi-Final

Our 2^nd XV played their final game of pool play in the North Harbour 1B Championship round versus Rosmini College  2^nd XV on 13^th August where a win would secure a place in the Semi-Final and ensure a home game.

It was always going to be a hard slog played in extremely muddy conditions against a highly motivated Rosmini 2^nd XV side. Westlake started well and before anyone knew what was going on Victor Misa stretched over for a Try, unfortunately the Referee had his back turned and missed it! Westlake kept the pressure on and were rewarded with a penalty to Jarrod Ferguson. Rosmini fought back with a lineout drive but Lake held their line with some desperate defence. It was never going to be a day for the backs to run the ball but the forwards played very well as a unit. Numerous times No.8 Ryo Ozaki charged it up the middle followed up by some great ‘Pick and Go’s’ from our big man Sebastian Filo. A further penalty from 40m out to Jarrod Ferguson put Rosmini on notice that any infringements in their half would cost them. Final score a win 6-0 to Westlake!

This young side have come a very long way from their pre-season tour to Northland under coaches Mr Hamish McKerrow and Mr Will Gage-Brown. They have despatched with 1^st XV’s from all over the North Harbour region. This Saturday Westlake play Rosmini again in the Semi-Final in what promises to be great conditions on Westlake’s No.1 Field at 12.00pm. Please come along and support the team to repeat the victory and advance to the Final!

Other Rugby Results

•  1st XV beat Whangarei Boys’ High School 32-5
• 2nd XV beat Rosmini College 2nd XV 6-0
• 3rd XV lost to Orewa College 2nd XV 14-36
• 4th XV lost to Mahurangi College 2nd XV 5-17
• 4A lost to St Kentigern College 3-22
• 5A beat Massey High School 25-0
• 5B lost to Kaipara College 5-41
• 6A lost to Rosmini A 13-21
• 6B beat Rosmini B 10-5
• 7 Green beat Rangitoto College 10-5
• 7 Red beat St Peter’s College 34-10

Football Results

1^st XI earn point in second dramatic goal-fest with Auckland Grammar School

Two days after their nine goal cup thriller, Westlake and AGS faced off again in a premier league game – and the drama continued.

Both teams made several changes with the national tournament looming (where they are in the same group) but the goals continued to flow.

Westlake made a lively start with striker Matt Conroy using his pace to outflank the AGS defence but he couldn’t find his striking partner Farnsworth with his cross.  Continue reading here……

Hockey Results 17 August

1^st XI Auckland Semi-Final:  Kristin 3 – Westlake 2

It was a tough night and one we found difficult to swallow. Westlake went 1 – 0 up and were in control of the game but a breakaway and penalty corner led to Kristin equalising. Then a goal scramble meant Kristin were 2 – 1 up. In the second half Westlake improved their play but it was Kristin who went another goal up. Westlake continued to battle hard and scored with a few minutes to go but couldn’t quite get the equaliser.

 Other Hockey Results:

• 1st XI lost to Kristin School 2-3
• 2nd XI lost to Auckland Grammar School 0-3
• 3rd XI beat Northcote College 3-0
• 4th XI lost to WBHS Senior Red 2-4
• Senior Red beat WBHS 4th XI 4-2
• Junior 1 lost to Long Bay College 2-4
• Junior 2 lost to Birkenhead College 1-4
• Junior 3 beat Wentworth College 3-0

Auckland Premier Boys’ Division 1 Squash Champions

Our squash team’s winning ways continue as they win the Auckland Premier Boys Division Season finals. Fresh from defending their New Zealand title at Nationals, the team of Rafa Yam, Gabe Yam, Soo-Myoung Jang and Tom Taylor overcame Auckland Grammar School in the culmination of the weekly school games in a thrilling final with the score of 7 – 6. Other members of this team are Zonal Ali, Sean Kim, Felix Kim and Justin Chung.

Our other team of Matthew Lucente, David Matthews, Akil Afghan, Jien Lim, Matt Peagram, Jono Beazley, Chris Kim and Eric Lee finished third after they defeated Liston College with a 9 – 4 score in the last round.

Congratulations to our Premier team who have again dominated all school competitions at district and national levels.

• 1st in New Zealand – Secondary Schools Nationals
• 1st in Auckland – College Sport Auckland Team Championships
• Champion – Premier Boys Division 1 Season Competition

Auckland Badminton Championships

Congratulations to:

• Oscar Guo – Auckland U19 Badminton Champion
• Joshua Feng – Auckland U15 Badminton Champion
• Edwin Lie and Evan Wong – 2nd in the U19 Doubles

Junior Water Polo Results

• Our Junior A team beat Northcote College 13-3
• Our Junior B team lost to Carmel College 9-4
• Our Junior C team beat Westlake Girls’ High School 11-3

Congratulations to:

• Dan Hoy PK10 won his 3^rd New Zealand School’s title last weekend in the Under 19 New Zealand Schools Duathlon and the Under 20 Duathlon at Pukekohe
• Our Senior Lacrosse team who beat Orewa College 12-0 this week.

Good Luck to:

• Our 2^nd XV who play Rosmini College 2^nd XV at 12.00pm on 20 August at WBHS 1
• Our 3^rd XV who play Rosmini College 3^rd XV at 9.30am on 20 August a WBHS 1
• Our 4^th XV who play Glenfield/Hato Petera 1^st XV at 9.30am on 20 August at WBHS 2
• Our 1^st XI Football team who play Macleans College at 12.00pm on 20 August at Macleans College
• Our 2^nd XI Football team who play Macleans College 2^nd XI at 10.00am on 20 August at Macleans College
• Our 3^rd XI Football team who play Rosmini College at 10.00am on 20 August at WBHS Grass
• Our Premier Basketball team who play Rosmini College (Auckland Semi-Final) at 7.30pm on 19 August at North Shore Events Centre
• Our Senior Lacrosse Team who play St Peter’s College at 4pm on 19 August at WBHS
• Our 1^st XI Hockey who play Rosmini College 1^st XI at 5.10pm on 24 August at Harbour 1
• Our 2^nd XI Hockey who play Macleans College at 6.15pm on 24 August at Diocesan School

2017 European Hockey Tour Movie Fundraiser

Sunday 23 October at Berkeley Cinemas, Takapuna starting at 3.30pm.  There are two movies to choose from – Jack Reacher 2 or Keeping up with the Joneses.  Tickets are $20 which includes free popcorn and a drink.  Come along for spot prizes, goodie bags and raffle tickets on the night.

Click Here for further details. Ticket Order Form

Westlakers News

2016 Westlakers Annual Reunion – Mateship and Memories!

Abercrombie attended Westlake Boys shortly after the school opened its gates in the late sixties and recalls Westlake as being a fairly unpleasant place to be as heavy machinery moved soil from the fields down to the area that became the Northern Motorway. The entire campus was shrouded in a cloud of dust for months on end and the drone of graders, diggers and trucks a constant accompaniment to teacher’s lectures.

The second guest speaker was Pete Warren who, since leaving Westlake in the mid-70’s, has made his mark on the local and international music scene as a highly acclaimed drummer. His early career through the early 80’s was spent with Dave Dobbyn and iconic Kiwi band, DD Smash (Outlook for Thursday). Warren kept the crowd entertained as he recalled several stories from school years and professed that he believed the 70’s was the decade when the relationships between teaching staff and students developed from a foundation of authority to one of collaboration.

While still at Westlake, at the age of 14 (!), Pete and fellow Westlaker Don McGlashan were members of a band called Ethos that had a regular gig at North Shore’s first night club located on the roof of Shore City. Over the next three decades, Pete’s drumming talents provided him with a ticket to gigs all over the world including, in 1993, an invitation to audition for legendary rock band, Led Zeppelin for their 25^th anniversary tour. The audition and the proposed tour never happened but Pete’s musical career endured. For more on the life and music of Westlaker Peter Warren click here.

The 2016 Westlakers Annual Reunion also featured performances by the talented Westlake Barbershop quartets who performed a medley of hits from 1966, 1976, 1986, 1996 and 2006. There was definitely something for everybody at the 2016 Westlakers Annual Reunion – an occasion that will be remembered for many years to come!

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