Dear Parents and GuardiansThis week has been senior examination week. Hopefully there has been a lot of studying done and the marks will reflect this. Best of luck to all of our young men with their remaining examinations next week. Please encourage your sons to try as hard in their last examination as they did in their first. For those who finish their examinations early next week, use the rest of the time off to make sure you are ready for the external examinations that are not far away now. Congratulations to all of those involved in our hockey programme. This week has seen our 1st, 2nd and 3rd XI’s respectively winning their championships in what has been a real season to remember. Many of our teams head off to their national tournaments next week. Travel safely and good luck. Have a nice weekend. David Ferguson |
|||
Westlake Groups Take Gold at 2015 KBB Music Festival |
|||
| The KBB Music Festival is New Zealand’s largest regional music festival and is one of the largest band and orchestra events in the southern hemisphere. The combined Westlake schools are probably the largest stakeholders in the festival. Between Westlake Boys and Westlake Girls High Schools, a total of 11 groups were entered. The KBB Music Festival is seen as one of the apex events in the Westlake music department’s calendar and both schools have a long tradition of participation and success.
This year’s festival was held in the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell from 17 to 22 August. Westlake Boys with nine entries, including two Concert Bands, two Jazz Bands, two Symphony Orchestras and three Chamber Orchestras. |
 |
||
| Westlake’s four premier groups – The Westlake Chamber Orchestra, Westlake Concert Band, Westlake Big Band and Westlake Symphony Orchestra, all received Gold awards, placing them all in the highest band of achievement at the Festival. The Westlake Symphony Orchestra received the award for the Most Outstanding Symphony Orchestra as well as Best Performance of a New Zealand work. The Westlake Boys Symphonic Band and Stage Band both received Bronze awards and Taharoto Orchestra and Conchordia Strings were presented with Commendation awards. Westlake Boys Camerata Strings gained a Silver award. | |||
| Three Westlake Groups were invited to perform in this year’s Gala Concerts: The Westlake Symphony Orchestra performed Suppe’s Pique Dame Overture and a portion of the Shostakovich arrangement of Tahiti Trot. The Westlake Concert Band performed Angels in the Architecture by Frank Ticheli with soprano soloist Michaela Cadwgan, and the Westlake Chamber Orchestra performed Vaughan William’s Variations on a Theme of Thomas Tallis, with year 13 student Arthur Close making his conducting debut. The Westlake Big Band were named first reserve to perform at the Gala Concert. |  |
||
| The annual KBB Music Festival is a hugely rewarding experience for all who take part in it. Students are given the opportunity to perform their prepared repertoire in a professional venue and in front of an audience of their peers who value and understand what it takes to bring this kind of music together.
Westlake Boys wishes to thank all staff who organise these groups: Mark Bennett, David Squire, Hayley Barker, Warwick Robinson, Fiona Rouse, Liz Cable, as well as WGHS music administrator Moira Clarke. These inspirational staff members are always challenging the accepted norms of what high school students are capable of achieving in instrumental ensembles. |
 |
||
| Westlake Boys HOD Music, Warwick Robinson (administrator of the KBB Music Festival, along with his wife Miriam) is a firm believer in the value of music festivals. “The KBB Music Festival gives staff and students the impetus to strive for more each year. Awards are an integral part of the festival because they remind groups to focus on the holistic presentation of a piece of music – the adjudicators listen to all aspects of a performance including, technique, musicianship, presentation, ensemble and style. But the festival has other huge benefits, most specifically exposure; there are amazing things happening with Bands and Orchestras in music departments all over Auckland – putting these things on display for everyone to see can be inspiring, informing and encouraging for others.” | |||
| “I’m personally really proud of what our Westlake Students have achieved at the KBB Festival this year. We have an amazing bunch of student leaders, who have set a really good example for music leaders in years to come. There is also an incredible work-ethic amongst all players in the Westlake groups, which is one reason for our consistently high results.” |  |
||
Rengen Parlane – Attended Geography Olympiad in Russia |
|||
| As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, Rengen is now back in New Zealand following his participation in the 12th International Geography Olympiad in Russia. After a selection camp in Wellington, four of the top geography students from high schools in New Zealand were chosen to represent New Zealand at the 12th International Geography Olympiad in Tver, Russia from 11th to 17th August 2015.
Congratulations to Oxana Repina from Rutherford College who won a Gold medal, and Rengen who won a Silver medal. Pictured left to right are: Oxana Repina (Rutherford College), Alysha Johnson (Avondale College), Luke Dixon (Napier Boys’ High School) and Rengen Parlane. |
 |
||
Student LoansUseful information about applying for Student Loans and budgeting for tertiary study after school are on this website: http://www.studylink.govt.nz/applicants/index.html |
|||
University Course Planning Dates – Term 3The following sessions have been arranged by the Careers Department for Westlake students applying to study at these universities in the 2016 intake. Staff from the universities will be on hand to help Year 13 students plan degree courses/papers with focus on their first year. Students should make it a priority to attend if their degree involves a choice of papers or majors/minors etc (E.g. Not necessary for HSFY at Otago University). |
|||
| Tertiary Provider | Date | Time | Venue |
| Otago University | 9 September | 12:50pm | Heron House |
| Auckland University | 10 September | ALL DAY | Auditorium |
| Massey University | 16 September | 12:50pm | Heron House |
| AUT University | 17 September | 12:50pm | Heron House |
| Victoria University | 18 September | 12:50pm | Heron House |
| Canterbury University | 22 September | 12:50pm | Heron House |
Important Dates: |
|||
| 31 August – 5 September | Winter Sports Tournament Week | ||
| 11 September | Westlake High School Reunion 10.30am | ||
| 17 September | Winter Sports Photographs | ||
| 21 September | Senior Reports Issued | ||
| 23 September | Board of Trustees Meeting | ||
| 25 September | Senior Prizegiving 12.00pm | ||
| 25 September | End Term 3 | ||
| 28/29 September | Academy of Sport Coaching Programme (email dhodge@westlake.school.nz for info) | ||
| 28 September – 9 October | Holiday Revision Programme | ||
| 12 October | Start Term 4 | ||
| 20 November | Westlake Boys’ High School Gymnasium Opening | ||
| 25 November | Junior Sign Out and text book return | ||
| 2 December | Senior Sign Out and text book return | ||
Westlake Sport |
|||
Westlake Hockey Take Treble TitlesThe depth of the Westlake Boys hockey programme shone at its brightest on Wednesday night when Westlake 1st XI, 2nd XI and 3rd XI each won their championship finals. Westlake’s first team beat last year’s winners King’s College 3-2 in the Supercity Tier 1 Final, the seconds won against Sacred Heart College 1st XI in the the Supercity Tier 2 Final and the undefeated thirds won their Harbour 1A Final against Mahurangi College 1st XI. |
|||
 |
|||
WBHS 1st XI v Kings College 1st XI |
|||
| For the second year in a row, the 2015 Auckland Supercity Hockey final proved to be a true ‘clash of the titans’ between Westlake Boys High School and King’s College. Having started in 2013 as a league based event, The Auckland Supercity competition title was evenly shared. Westlake were crowned Champions in 2013 however, as the format evolved, King’s took the title off Westlake last year. |  |
||
| The two teams met twice earlier this season, with the results being shared. In the round robin play, King’s College defeated Westlake Boys High School 1-0; however, at a Quadrangular tournament in Tauranga, Westlake turned the result, winning 4-1. | |||
| For the 2015 final both teams were determined to finish the regular season on a positive note and King’s started well managing to grab two penalty corners early but both were saved by the Westlake goalkeeper. This shook Westlake into action and the team started to dominate play creating some opportunities which were only prevented by King’s good goalkeeping and last ditch challenges. With the score still level, a quick tackle then pass by Netesh Sukha allowed Jord Glandorf to calmly put Westlake one goal ahead. |  |
||
| With the score 1-0 to Westlake, King’s stepped up the pace and controlled the game which resulted in them leveling the score. It wasn’t until the last 10 minutes in the match that Westlake scored again with Keegan Russell and Benji Edwards adding a goal each to Westlake’s tally. Westlake kept a strong structure and _1st XI winnersonly in the last 10 seconds did they lose concentration. King’s was awarded a penalty corner and scored after the final whistle (which is allowed in hockey), taking the final score to 3-2 to Westlake. A fair result after a good game by both teams.
The after match presentations were made to both teams by special guest, longserving staff member and hockey coach Phil Tisdall, who has been a Westlake Boys Hockey stalwart for many years. Phil will retire at the end of this school year and yesterday’s finals booklet included an article to honour his many years of service and dedication to Westlake Hockey – see article below. Congratulations to all players and coaches Steve McCracken and Charlie Meredith as well as manager, Westlaker Warren Wild. The team will now travel to Nationals and have set their sights on returning with the Rankin Cup. |
|||
WBHS 2nd XI v Sacred Heart 1st XIThe 2nd XI travelled to Lloyd Elsmore Park to play Sacred Heart 1st XI in the Supercity Tier 2 final match. Sacred Heart were favourites to take the win with a large group of supporters on the side lines. The match was physical and played with high intensity and pace and when Westlake made a mistake in the second minute, the conceding PC was converted by Sacred Heart. Westlake were awarded a PC in the 17th minute and Alesh Sukha managed to score to level the score. There were several more opportunities for both teams in the first half but both keepers pulled off some amazing saves. Half time score 1-1. The second half started at the same pace and intensity with Sacred Heart on top. They were awarded several PC’s which Westlake managed to keep out but with mounting pressure and another PC awarded, Sacred Heart eventually managed to score again after several Westlake saves. Westlake kept fighting and slowly started to dominate the last quarter of the game. A good transfer ball and some quick passing eventually gave Thomas Patrick the chance to score taking the end result to two goals each and into a penalty shoot-out. Continue reading… |
|||
WBHS 3rd XI v Mahurangi College 1st XIWestlake 3rd XI went into their North Harbour 1a hockey final undefeated, scoring 67 goals and only conceding 9 on the way. Having beaten Mahurangi 1st XI 3-1 earlier in the season, Westlake were technically the ‘favourites’, but the Northern-most team in the competition were certainly wanting the North Harbour Championship to go their way. Westlake started very strong, testing the talented Mahu keeper early on before forcing an error resulting in a penalty stroke. Kieran Reid took the pressure shot calmly, slotting the ball low and hard. The half then ebbed and flowed with both teams gaining and conceding penalty corners before Mahurangi eventually drew level from a well-executed move. This reinstated the Mahu belief and Westlake were put under the pump for the remainder of the half before a break-away run down the left by Ryan Dawson ended in a calm finish under the keeper to end the half 2-1 up. |
|||
| A strong, inspirational team talk at half time from coach Westlaker Nathan Fouhy, brought the 3rd XI back onto the park to play with the same vigour as the start of the game. Before long a dazzling run out of the defence from left back Nishaan Patel saw him dribble and jink the ball up the left wing beating six opposition players on the way into the D before setting up striker Chris Lawrence who flicked the ball into the roof of the net with great composure to end a remarkable move. This only served to shake the Mahurangi hornet’s nest and they came forward with wave after wave of attack which the Westlake defence dealt with handsomely until a fortunate deflection saw Mahu pull a goal back with nine minutes to go. Continue reading… | |||
Results for all Hockey teams:
|
|||
Rugby Results |
|||
|
|
|||
North Harbour Rugby 1st XV Final Westlake v RosminiIt was not the finish Westlake’s 1st XV wanted to their 2015 season but the team could not be considered failures in the eyes of those who watched them grow throughout the year. The score line of 13-12 to Rosmini highlights an intense and close encounter which culminated in the victors not allowing the final of 2014 to repeat itself, where Westlake stole the win in the dying stages of the match. Rosmini were resolute in the way they approached the game and played the conditions and Westlake perfectly; well done to them. Westlake could not grumble at a lack of support, given the presence at QBE Stadium on Thursday evening. They were proud to be Westlake students playing for the pride of the school. Sincere thanks to all who turned out to support the team with a vibrant vocal flair. |
|||
WBHS 2nd XV v Mahurangi 1st XV, semi-finalThe Westlake 2nd XV produced their most comprehensive performance of the season against Mahurangi College 1st XV on Saturday. Right from the kick-off Westlake controlled field position, a hold they never relinquished the entire game. Conditions were heavy underfoot which suited the Westlake pack who rumbled over for the first try. Cameron Abrahamse’s boot was on song and took Westlake into half-time 13-0. In the second stanza Westlake grew from strength to strength. Capitalizing on the open space created by a Mahurangi yellow card, Westlake backline ran in several tries. Mahurangi managed a consolation try but Westlake were too strong on the day, running out victors 49-5. |
|||
Other Rugby Results1st XV lost 12-13 to Rosmini College |
|||
Football Results |
|||
Westlake Ends Football League Season on a High NoteWestlake first XI finished their Premier league season with a convincing 5-0 home win over King’s College. The home team dominated possession and territory from start to finish but only really found their scoring touch in the second half. |
|||
| Jaidyn Hendriks used his pace to terrorize the King’s defense on numerous occasions early in the match without finding the back of the net or a supporting team mate. However, in the 16th minute he beat his marker again and this time his pass found Braedan Acarapi who bundled the ball into the net from six yards. The rest of the first half consisted of Westlake pinning King’s into their defensive third without finding the accuracy needed to extend their 1-0 lead. King’s were a threat from set pieces but struggled to keep possession for long enough to ask serious questions of the Westlake defense. |  |
||
| The second half followed much of the same pattern though Westlake’s keeper, Finn Medemblik, had to be on his toes to palm over a good long range shot early in the piece. In the 51st minute Westlake doubled their lead and it was Jaidyn Hendriks again, who outpaced the King’s defense before squaring the ball to substitute Matt Conroy who tapped home from six yards for his debut goal for the first team. |  |
||
| Ten minutes later Sean Skeens dribbled through the heart of the King’s defense before being fouled in the penalty box. The striker took the resulting penalty which the King’s keeper saved only for Sean Skeens to smash home the rebound. Sean had his double soon afterwards when Bronson Kelly set him up and the striker drilled the ball home from 20 yards out with a great strike. Dynamic midfielder Bronson Kelly had the last word when he met a cross from the left and looped a lovely header over the King’s keeper for his team’s fifth and final goal. |  |
||
| This home win confirmed Westlake’s fifth place in the premier league. The team now travel to Nelson to compete in the top 16 of the New Zealand Secondary Schools Lotto National tournament (31st August-4 September). | |||
Football Results:
|
|||
Basketball Results |
|||
WBHS Premiers vs Onehunga High School, Auckland Premier Competition Semi-Final |
|||
| Westlake Boys took on Onehunga in the Auckland Premier Basketball semi-final last Friday night. Westlake came out looking to stamp their mark on the game, right from the tip-off. They managed to do just that with their best first quarter so far this season, scoring 32 points and limiting Onehunga to only 17. Great intensity and ball movement on the offensive end lead to great open looks; both Isaac Letoa and Matt Freeman had the shooting stroke on early, getting 12 points (2 3-pointers) and 9 points in the quarter respectively. |  |
||
| Onehunga did not give up and made a push in the second quarter, but Westlake came back at the end of the quarter and pushed their lead out to 26 points. Throughout the third quarter Westlake continued to maintain their lead with fantastic defensive pressure inside and winning the rebounding battle. To start the final quarter Westlake was in control (83-60) and was able to give all its players some court time. Onehunga made a final push but Westlake maintained their composure, with the final score at 99-85. Continue reading… | |||
WBHS U17 A in the Greater Auckland U17 Basketball TournamentWestlake U17 A Team reached the Greater Auckland U17 Basketball Tournament at Otara Recreation Centre on Thursday 20/8. They were in a pool with Kelston Boys (West), Pakaranga (South) and Auckland Grammar (Central). Game 1 was against a very large and skillful Kelston Boys team. Westlake Boys went behind early and were not able to recover. Kelston Boys got the win 52-32. With game 1 not going their way, Westlake knew it had to win its final two games to make sure it was in the Semi-Finals. Game 2 saw Westlake take on a slick shooting, quick Pakuranga team. In this game the boys started off switched on and worked hard on both ends of the floor. The game was tight throughout but Westlake were able to control the game in the fourth quarter and get the win, 49-43. The final pool game was against a winless Auckland Grammar team. Westlake took control of the game from the tip-off and through a great defensive effort maintained their lead. Westlake won well, 57-35. This meant they would qualify for the Semi-Finals on Friday against the top seed from the other pool, Western Springs College. Continue reading… |
|||
Logan Hunt – 100 Premier Games for WBHS Premier Basketball |
|||
| Year 13 student Logan Hunt has surpassed 100 Premier Basketball games for the Westlake Boys Premier Basketball team after starting in the Auckland Premier Semi-Final last Friday night against Onehunga High School. | |||
| Logan, who has been a member of the Premier Basketball team since fourth form, is this year’s co-captain together with Matt Freeman. Over the past three years Logan has played an integral part in the successes of the Premier team. Representing Westlake Boys, he has won two National Championships so far, in 2012 and 2013 and he was part of the team that were runners up last year. Logan has also won an Auckland Premier Title in 2012 and a runners up title in 2013. |  |
||
| For his 101st game this Thursday, Logan is hopeful to lead Westlake to another Auckland Premier title over rivals Rangitoto College. In October Logan will look to help steer Westlake to its sixth National team title which would be his third as player.
Other Westlakers who have also accomplished this amazing achievement for Westlake Basketball are……. |
|||
Lacrosse ResultWell done to our Lacrosse team who beat Pinehurst School 12-2 on Friday 15 August. The defence were brilliant keeping the opposition score to just two goals. |
|||
Good Luck to:
|
|||
Congratulations:
|
|||
Westlakers News |
|||
Westlake High School Gathering, Friday 11 September |
|||
| What: Westlake High School Gathering
When: Friday 11 September 2015, 10.30 am – registration at 10.10am Where: Westlake Boys High School |
|
||
| All Westlake High School Foundation Students (1957-1962) are invited to the 2015 Westlake High School Gathering, this year held at Westlake Boys High School.
The morning at Westlake Boys includes assembly in the Auditorium, followed by a morning tea in the Headmaster’s Foyer and the chance to catch up with old school friends and acquaintances. For those who are interested, there will be the opportunity to take a guided tour of the school after morning tea. Please RSVP with your name and the years that you attended Westlake High School by Friday 4th September to Christine O’Dowd or call 09 410 8667 ext 786. Feel free to pass on this invitation to anyone you know who was at Westlake High School during the co-educational years and we look forward to welcoming you to Westlake Boys High School on Friday 11th September. |
 |
||
Phil TisdallLongserving staff member Mr Phil Tisdall arrived at Westlake Boys’ High School in 1978 which was the start of a long and fruitful history with Westlake hockey. |
|||
| A talented and keen hockey player himself, Phil took on the role of coach of the 1st XI in his first year at school, taking over the reins from Martin Gillion. For nine years Phil coached the 1st XI, travelling from Papatoetoe to Rodney College, from Henderson to Howick, bagging one Auckland title and many other high placed competition finishes along the way. He briefly relinquished his duties to Bruce Tong and then took up the coaching job once again, assisting Jeff Hall for a further three years, enjoying even more successes. |  |
||
| While coaching the 1st XI Hockey team, Phil was also the Master in Charge of the entire hockey programme. This was in the days when matches were played on grass turf – often ruined by thoughtless rugby and football teams, training on it without permission. In winter Phil remembers that, being too wet for the mower, the field had to be cut by hand motor mowers. During his time as 1st XI coach there were three years when Phil felt that his team was not getting the required level of competition to improve their standard. To give them more game time and exposure he also entered them into a men’s competition on a Saturday afternoon. Many a time the players, splattered in mud from their school match, had to race to the club game.
These were the days that the New Zealand Secondary Schools Tournament was by invitation only and very much depended on hosting and running the tournament. Westlake would join up with other local schools to run the national tournament. As if he wasn’t busy enough already, Phil was also on the Auckland Secondary Schools Hockey Committee where he helped out with the running of the hockey programme in Auckland. He also served on the New Zealand Secondary School tournament committee and at the same time kept up his own participation in hockey as Takapuna Hockey Club Captain and later Chairman. |
|||
| When the North Harbour Association was formed in the 1990’s Phil was still in charge and it was no surprise then that Westlake was the first team to play on the new North Harbour turf, playing the week before it officially opened.
After such long and dedicated service, many would have happily allowed younger teachers to take over completely, but not Phil. He took the 2nd XI for a number of years as well as many social teams who enjoyed his ability to impart skills and enthusiasm for the game. Louis Borok vividly recalls the time he watched Phil standing at Rosedale Park number 4, in the pouring rain on what surely was the coldest and bleakest turf on earth. Not once did Phil complain. It was only when the travel distances made it too difficult for Phil to continue his involvement that he finally decided he could no longer take a Westlake Hockey team. Even though the game and playing conditions in those days were totally different, Phil’s dedication and commitment created a legacy that has become the healthy culture that ensures Westlake Hockey’s continuing success today. |
|||
| Phil’s teams over the years:
1978-86 1st XI – 1984 winners Olympic Stick Tournament; 1985 Auckland Champions and winners of the Indian Shield Tournament; 1987-88 2nd XI; 1989-U15; 1990-2nd XI; 1994-95-U15; 1996-2nd XI – North Harbour Turf; 1997-3rd form team; 1998-1st XI; 1999-2nd XI; 2000-4th XI; 2001-02-1st XI; 2003-04-3rd form team; 2005-08-4th XI; 2009-Sen Social and 2010-12-Senior 1. |
|||
|
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 |
|||
