 Term 1 Issue 5 |
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Tēnā koutou e te whānau o Whangaparāoa,
We are rapidly approaching the end of Term 1, 2025, and what a term it has been. We have celebrated our schools best ever NCEA results and international and national champions. We continue to ensure our learners are focused on literacy and numeracy inside the classroom, and we have met with you as whānau, to ensure we work in partnership for our learners to achieve their potential.
Earlier this week we hosted a full auditorium for prospective students and whānau for the 2026 school year. It was great to meet so many new learners and see the sense of excitement alongside trepidation and nerves of coming to ‘big school’. Following the Open Evening, we have our first enrolment event for the 2026 school year next Wednesday, 9 April. Please share this date widely with friends and community members.
Tomorrow, we have a significant number of learners performing at Polyfest. Polyfest is the largest cultural festival in the southern hemisphere, and this year the event is 50 years old. Our Kapa Haka rōpū take the Māori stage at 11.30 am, and our Pasifika group, in conjunction with Hibiscus Tuakana and Ōrewa College, take the Diversity stage at 4.30 pm. There have been hundreds of hours of rehearsal and costume-making to get to this point. All the very best to all performers and supporters.
I have been fortunate enough to be awarded a Ministry of Education 10-week Principals sabbatical, and I will begin this from next Monday onwards. I am honoured to have received this award and will use the opportunity to attend the World Edulead Conference in Singapore and visit schools that are world-leading in their respective fields, to bring back some fresh ideas and concepts for us here at Whangaparāoa College. In my absence, Ms Davina Dean will be the Acting Principal for Term 2. She will lead the school exceptionally well and has an amazing Leadership Team supporting her. I know you as whānau will support her and the school across the term.
When the time comes, please have a restful term break. Our learners do need the break, as Term 2 is where the ‘heavy lifting’ of learning takes place, knowing that every moment matters for their learning and achievement at the end of the year.
Ngātahi, Whakapono, Tutuki - Together, Believe, Achieve
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April03 Polyfest
09 Enrolment interviews
11 Full School House Day
Last Day of Term 1
28 First Day of Term 2
May19 - 23 Year 7 Camp |
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Recent News
Arriving to school on timeWe'd like to take a moment to emphasise the importance of arriving to school on time.
Starting the day on time, before 8:40 am, is crucial for creating a positive and productive learning environment for all our learners. When learners arrive late, it can disrupt the flow of the classroom, causing them to miss valuable instructions and feel rushed. We appreciate your partnership in ensuring all learners have a smooth and successful start to their school day.
Thank you for your support in helping our learners develop this important life skill. | |  |
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Hibiscus Coast Youth Hauora HuiA number of our learners participated in the recent HBC Youth Hauora Hui, hosted by the Youth Network. This network brings together individuals and organisations focused on improving the hauora of rangatahi along our coastline. Our learners, alongside peers from Orewa College, offered crucial youth voices during the hui. We look forward to continuing these important conversations about youth wellbeing and facilitating connections between our learners and these vital community resources. | |  |
Canoe Racing NZ Secondary School NationalsNoah Elmiger, Carter Hills and Mika Elmiger competed at the Canoe Racing New Zealand Secondary Schools Nationals at Lake Tikitapu, Rotorua.
Together, Noah and Carter came 3rd in U16 K2 250m sprint. They also took out another 3rd place in the K1 100m relay in a composite team with Glendowie College.
Individually they came 10th (Noah) and 11th ( Carter) in the country for the long distance event and both made the B Final in U16 K1 250m sprint taking 4th (Noah) and 5th (Carter) place.
Mika joined forces with Carmel College and Katikati College to take a 3rd place in the K1 100m relay!
Individually she came 6th in the country for her long distance individual race and impressively made the A Final in the K1 250m sprint coming 9th overall.
Not only did they achieve fantastic results individually but the highlight for them was becoming the Secondary School National Champions winning 1st place GOLD in the K1 Mixed 100m relay!!
Exciting for Whangaparāoa College to hold this title for 2025! Well done team! | |   |
Te Whare Hauora Wanting to tips to manage anxiety?
Our Te Whare Hauora Clinic have provide some important tips and tricks on how to help your child on managing their anxiety.
We also encourage you to read Helene Wignans' moving article, "Please Stick with Me," as a reminder of the vital role we play in our teenagers' lives.
Please Stick With Me Article | |   |
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Haere rā Lisa WhiteIt was a truly emotional and memorable morning at Taipa Area School as they welcomed our very own Lisa White with a beautiful pōhiri, celebrating her appointment as their new Tumuaki (Principal). We were honored to join Lisa's whānau in this significant handover, a moment that reflected the love and respect we hold for her. Lisa has been a cornerstone of Whangaparāoa College since August 2004, and as she begins this new journey, we send her with all our aroha and support. We will miss her dearly, but celebrate this exciting opportunity.
Ngātahi Whakapono Tutuki.
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