Kia ora e te whānau o Whangaparāoa

Hello from the principal’s seat. I’ve been standing in for Steve for over a month now, and I can gladly report it’s been great so far. The privilege of turning up every day to ensure our young people learn how to both navigate hurdles and shine in their own right is never lost on me. Our kids are awesome - in so many different ways and for so many different reasons, and I often reflect on how lucky we are to live in a community with such diversity and such opportunity. 

Right now, many of our best Year 9 and 10 multi-discipline athletes are proudly representing us at Sports Camp. That’s a whole week of sports, leadership, fun and competition, vying to be the overall best school there. Over the term break, many learners were of course busy shining in their chosen areas of greatness. Some highlights for me include the recording of Chaotic Blaze’s original track Runaway! Our world class swimmers, Zoe Pederson and Milan Glintmeyer, competed at the Australian Age Championships and each achieved several race qualifying times for the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships. We also now have two World Champion cheerleaders! Mackenzie Brown and Brooke Witherington brought home gold from Florida as key members of the New Zealand Junior Cheerleading Team. 

Last week we celebrated the significant increase in our attendance statistics - something our Deans and Hauora team have been working hard on. Your role in this is of course critical. Keep reminding your rangatahi of the importance of turning up, on time and ready to learn, everyday. Attendance matters. We want all our learners to be successful. Every child/teen/young adult who gets up every morning, organises themselves, and meets the demands of learning, social and character expectations at school everyday, is well on their way to becoming the fully engaged, educated, empathetic citizen our world needs.

Anzac Day was again well-honoured in our community, with several of our learners participating in the Hibiscus Coast Community RSA Commemoration. At our school ANZAC assembly today, we proudly hosted four local returned service men. Through readings, waiata, and speeches, we were reminded to consider the sacrifice of others in the name of our relative peace. I spoke of our personal connections - I honour my grandad and nanna, who each served in WWII in England and France as a soldier and trained nurse respectively. I challenged our learners to reflect on those who have served in times of conflict, some their age or not much older, and their courage, resilience and sense of responsibility. We can all think about what it means to put others before yourself, to stand up for something greater than your own wants or comfort.

These values are reflected in our āhua—Manaakitanga and Rangatiratanga— which we try to instill here at the College. Such stories from the past also remind us that we are kaitiaki—guardians—of the world we've inherited. I often say to my learners at the end of class as we pack up, “Always leave a place better than you found it.” It’s simple advice, but powerful. It applies to our classrooms, our environment, and our communities. I asked our learners: What kind of impact do you want to have? How will you honour the sacrifices made by those who came before?

Ngātahi, Whakapono, Tutuki - Together, Believe, Achieve

Davina Dean
Tumuaki Taupua  | Acting Principal

May
8            Year 7 Camp Parents Information Evening
16          Pink Shirt Day
19 - 23   Year 7 Camp
20           Co-requisite Numeracy Exam
22           Co-requisite Literacy Exams
23           Blood Drive
29           North Shore Careers Expo

June
2             King's Birthday
17           ShowQuest
19           Matariki Festival
20           Matariki
21           School Ball

ANZAC Assembly Further to the Principal’s message above, as a school we were proud to hold today, our annual ANZAC Assembly (delayed due to the school holidays).  We were privileged to be joined by members of the Hibiscus Coast Community RSA with David Dryden sharing his own personal reflections with our learners.  Members of our Prefect Executive and Senior Wānanga spoke, and two of the school’s youngest learners, Preston Gruebner and Mason Turton laid the wreath.  The ANZAC Assembly is a strong tradition at Whangaparāoa College and our learners made us very proud today with their respectful approach to today’s event.

School TV Snus and nicotine pouches are gaining popularity among youth as smokeless tobacco (SLT) products. These products are marketed as safer alternatives to traditional smoking and vaping, yet they still pose significant health risks. To view, visit: Smokeless Tobacco Products

Careers Update University of Auckland are coming to School. Wednesday, 14 May – Lunchtime - Auditorium Year 13 & Year 12 learners are invited to discover what student life is like at NZ’s highest ranked and largest university. Find out about study options, scholarships and get those questions answered. North Shore Career Expo Wednesday, 28 and Thursday, 29 May With a huge range of providers as well as a variety of employers and industry organisations, there really is something for everyone. The college will be taking ALL Year 12 learners on Thursday, 29 May. Any Year 11 -13 learners and whānau are welcome to visit North Harbour Stadium for the evening sessions. Free entry. https://northshorecareerexpo.nz/

School Health Clinic