Headmaster’s Newsletter 11 September

Dear Parents and Guardians

Today in assembly we celebrated the original Westlake High School (a co-ed school) which began in 1957, on the site of the current Westlake Girls High School. We welcomed back 55 former students from the late 50’s to our assembly. One of these foundation students, Peter Burn entertained us all with stories of the school then.

Reports for senior students will be posted out next week. Our end of year reports for our year nine and ten students will be emailed as well as being posted.

We have only two weeks to go until the end of term, please make sure your sons are here at school right up until the last day of term.

Have a nice weekend.

David Ferguson
Headmaster

Pat Hanly Art Student Award

Pat Hanly’s wish was to go down in history as a contributor to people’s awareness of their potential.  The awards recognise final year Auckland school students who have demonstrated outstanding commitment and passion for visual art.

Final Tournament Week Results

New Zealand Secondary Schools Hockey Champions

Westlake 1^st XI Hockey wins the Rankin Cup

Fresh from winning the Auckland Championship title and the North Harbour Championship title earlier this season, Westlake Boys 1^st XI Hockey went on to beat St. Andrew’s College from Christchurch in a tense final encounter to win the Secondary Schools Hockey Championship in front of a ‘home’ crowd at Lloyd Elsmore Park on Saturday afternoon.

At stake was the much sought after Rankin Cup, established in 1923 when the Addington Hockey Club from Christchurch presented the Rankin Cup for competition between New Zealand Secondary Schools. The cup was given in memory of Al Rankin, who had been one of the foundation members of the Addington Club and a Canterbury representative player over a long period of years. After winning the Rankin Cup for the first time in 2008, Westlake Boys 1^st XI had made the Zealand Secondary Schools final three times, but until last Saturday’s fourth time their predecessors had not been able to secure the title again.

The road to the final against St Andrew’s College began when Westlake defeated Rathkeale College 5-0, Sacred Heart 5-1 and Hastings Boys 4-3 to come up against Christ’s College in the first knockout match. Christ’s College was defeated 3-0 followed by a 2-0 win over Wairarapa College to advance to the semi-final against St Paul’s Collegiate School, who were beaten 2-1.

The second half was much the same but the telling point for Westlake came when the team got together in a huddle after play was stopped for an injury which needed some medical attention.  Having regrouped and with just fifteen minutes to go, the team managed to keep to its tactics. With five minutes left on the clock St Andrew’s substituted their goal keeper in the hope that an extra outfield player would possibly create an overlap.  Westlake reacted quickly also changing tactics and when with only two minutes to go St Andrew’s were given a penalty corner, Westlake’s defence read the attempt well and there was no shot on target.

St Andrew’s kept up the pressure till the dying moments of the match and when Westlake were awarded a free hit with only 15 seconds to go, the team managed to keep the ball in their possession. After the heartbreak of having finished runners-up in the tournament the previous year the final whistle made way for celebrations as Westlake Boys were crowned New Zealand Champions. A fitting end to an exceptional season.

1^st XI Season Record:

• Played 31 games
• Won 27
• Drew 3
• Lost 1
• Goals for; 149
• Goals against; 19

2^nd XI Galletly Cup Hockey Winners

Full report here

Tanner Cup – Under 15 Hockey

Full report here

Table Tennis Champions

Westlake Boys Table Tennis National Champions for Fourth Consecutive Year

View article here.

New Zealand Secondary Schools Rugby League Championship

The team narrowly missed out on the illustrious top four through points for and against. The highlight of the tournament for this team was a 24 all result against eventual 2015 National champions Otahuhu College, who went through to the finals instead of Westlake on better for and against. Unbeaten until the last day of the competition Westlake’s expelled physical and emotional energy throughout the week caught up with them losing the match against Manurewa College.

More importantly was the conduct and attitude of these 22 fine young men throughout the week. All players stepped up to the plate and were a glowing endorsement for Westlake Boys High School showing outstanding behaviour and sportsmanship on and off the field. Congratulation to all players and coaches Heath Nola and Westlakers Jamie Williamson and Peter Hurst.

Basketball – Tournament Week

Our school had three teams competing over Winter Tournament week:

WBHS Premiers

Westlake Boys Premier Basketball qualified for Nationals, finishing runners-up behind Rangitoto College in Zone 1 and qualifying as third overall seed for Nationals and top seed in Pool 3. The team beat Kristin School 84-34 and St Peter’s College Auckland 102-54 on day one of the Zone One Qualifying Tournament and went on to defeat Massey High School 80-41 to come top of Pool 1.

WBHS Senior 2^nd

Westlake Senior 2nd Team played in the A-Grade (Non-Qualifying Teams) at the Premiership Tournament. The team defeated Long Bay College 102-57 and Whangarei Boys High School 98-58 followed by a close 75-73 win over Northcote College and loss by 1 point to Birkenhead College, 68-69. The team had a great 106-47 final pool win over Green Bay College and faced Birkenhead College in the A-Grade final at North Shore Events Centre on Saturday afternoon.

Winning their final convincingly by 93-72 the team are well-deserved A-Grade Champions, a fantastic effort in an all-premier team competition. Congratulations to all players and coach Nic Sullivan.

WBHS Junior Premiers

The Junior Premiers played their Upper North Island Tournament ending fourth in the competition in Rotorua. Thanks to Mr Jorgensen who did an excellent job coaching the team.

New Zealand Secondary Schools Football Tournament

Westlake finish tournament and season on a positive note

WBHS 2 – St Kents 1

Team: Zac White, Jack Pirie, Clarke Foulds, Luke. Johnson, Greg Nimmo, Bronson Kelly, Daniel Lough, Sean Skeens, Oscar Ramsay, View Rungpao, Jaidyn Hendriks. Subs: Keanen Baghaloo, Trent Baker, Finn Medemblik, Breadan Acarapi, Matthew Wood. Scorers: Bronson Kelly, Own goal.

Westlake finished their Lotto Premier National Tournament and their season on a positive note as they beat St Kentigern College 2-1 to finish in seventh place in New Zealand.

In a match that was shortened due to the poor state of the pitch Westlake showed more enthusiasm and energy than their opponents to take the win. Bronson Kelly opened the scoring when he played a nice wall pass with Daniel Lough before lashing home his shot. St Kents equalized shortly afterwards after some tired Westlake defending allowed the St Kents striker a clear sight of goal and his deflected shot beat Finn Medemblik in goal. The Westlake keeper then made an acrobatic save to tip a close range header around his right hand post.

Both sides began to tire in the second half as the effects of six games in five days began to show. However it was Westlake that looked the most likely to score and they did so when View Rungpao’s corner was headed into the St Kents goal by one of their own defenders.

For other match reports, please click here

The Duke of Edinburgh’s award – Bronze registration

If your son is interested in registering please encourage him to sign up in the last week of term (the Daily notices will give more specific details).

If you want to find out any more about the award please view the Awards website:

http://www.dofehillary.org.nz/Site/default.aspx.  Email enquiries to:  Mr Foden Jfoden@westlake.school.nz

2015 Westlake Boys Sports Awards Dinner, Friday 6 November 2015

Click here for the Sports Awards Dinner ticket order form.

University Course Planning Dates – Term 3

The 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 sign up at Heron House if they wish to attend.

Important Dates:

Congratulations:

• Zae Wallace and Fine Inisi were selected for the New Zealand Secondary Schools team to play in Australia later this year.
• Hamish Forde (pictured right) has been selected to play for New Zealand Under 20 Ultimate Frisbee team against Australia this month. Hamish is the youngest ever player to be selected for this team.
• Kiardyn Hatch (Year 9) has been selected for the New Zealand Maori Rugby League Under 13 Representative Squad for 2015.

Westlakers News

Westlake High School Gathering

Morning tea in the Headmaster’s foyer gave everyone the chance to catch up with old friends and share memories and stories, as they looked through their yearbooks and searched for photos of themselves.  David Ferguson and WGHS Principal Roz Mexted gave updates on the two current Westlake High Schools and several current members of staff joined the guests to share their Westlake experiences.

A number of guests finished the morning with a tour of the school to see how much it has grown and changed since the boys first had some classrooms on this site in 1961.  The tales and recollections of these first Westlake students are a treasured part of the history and heritage of the school.

Jason Bae in Concert

With the ink barely dry on his Royal Academy of Music Master of Arts in Piano Performance (complete with the highest distinction award DipRAM), Jason Bae is returning from London to perform a piano recital for his home audience and to release his first CD.

“An imperturbable soloist…” – The New Zealand Herald

Tickets $15-$30   www.ticketmaster.co.nz or call 0800 111 999