 Term 3 Issue 4 |
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Kia ora e te whānau ō Whangaparāoa
It has been another busy few weeks. On Monday, we had a large number of learners sitting their Numeracy co-requisite examinations, a fundamental part of the qualification system. Today, we have had Year 10 and 11 learners also sitting their literacy reading and writing exams. I hope all learners get the results they deserve as a reflection of the amount of effort they put in.
Our senior learners begin their Derived Grade Exams this week. They know what is expected of them for these, but as parents, please remind them of the importance of these exams. Yes, they give them practice for the end of year, but more importantly, if they are unable to complete the November exams, these are the grades that count towards their final mark. Please ensure they know the seriousness of the exams, and support them to attend every exam and do their best.
For our Year 7 to 10 learners, it is school as normal until the end of the term.
Today we welcomed the Minister of Education, Erica Stanford, and local Minister, Mark Mitchell, to our school. We were able to share the exciting developments and progress we have made recently directly with them, and they were equally delighted to hear our progress. They both acknowledged some of the challenges we face with classroom space as we have grown so quickly in recent years, but also acknowledged the exceptional work we are all doing to support our young people to be the best they can be. It was also good to be able to show them our Trades Academy site and platform and discuss how the new vocational pathways will ensure our learners are work-ready when they leave school.
Today, you should receive an email from us regarding the changes to the sports uniform that will come into effect in 2026. There are some details that can be found within the newsletter, also.
On the sports field, we have had a great fortnight. In the National Secondary Schools tournaments last week, we had teams in Netball, Lacrosse, Rugby League, and Football. This week, we have over 150 Year 7 and 8 learners at AIMS Games in Tauranga. This concludes on Friday, but we have already had successes in individual sports, and our team sports are going incredibly well. Check out the Whangaparāoa College Sports Facebook page for regular updates.
Our Performing Artists have continued to excel, also. Our Dance NZ Made troups made us incredibly proud with ‘Proud Mary’ earning 3rd place. Congratulations to our dancers.
With less than three weeks to go until the end of Term 3, winter sports and extra curricular activities nearing completion, school work should now become the highest priority for every learner. As a parent, connect with your learner, ask them how school is going, and see if they need any help. Now is the time to support them and ensure they are on the right track.
Ngātahi, Whakapono, Tutuki - Together, Believe, Achieve
Steve McCracken
Tumuaki | Principal  |
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September04 - 12 Whangaparāoa College Derived Exam Week (Seniors)
10 Wig Wednesday
Board Voting Closes
15 Year 12 & 13 rostered home
16 Year 11 rostered home
17 Year 10 rostered home
18 Year 9 rostered home
19 Term 3 Ends
October06 Term 4 Starts
09 Sports Prizegiving
14 Wānanga Prizegiving
Enrolment Interviews
23 Performing Arts Prizegiving
31 Seniors last day
November04 - 28 NZQA Exams (Seniors)
13 Senior Prizegiving
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Recent NewsPartial Strike DaysReminder between 15 September and 18 September there will be a series of partial strikes.
These partial strikes have rotating year levels required to stay home.
Monday, 15 September - Year 12 & 13
Tuesday, 16 September - Year 11
Wednesday, 17 September - Year 10
Thursday, 18 September - Year 9 | |  |
Whangaparāoa College Derived ExamsTomorrow is the start of our Derived Exam Week.
Thursday, 4 – Friday, 12 September
Learners only need to attend school for their scheduled exams or to complete portfolios. On days without an exam, they should stay home to study.
Learners will also need to attend the exams and portfolios in full school uniform.
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School TVExam Stress Tips
"Kids Helpline has put together a list of strategies that may help young people manage exam stress.
It lists what signs parents should look for and what students can do to help themselves through effective study as well as sleeping and eating habits. There is also a video from ToastedTV to help kids understand they are not alone when experiencing exam stress".
To visit, click here
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Dance NZ MadeOur four dance squads were absolutely exceptional last Wednesday at Dance NZ Made, delivering powerful, passionate performances that made us incredibly proud. Each team brought their energy, talent, and hard work to the stage, showcasing the dedication they’ve poured into their routines this year. A special congratulations to our Jazz teams—‘Proud Mary’ placed an outstanding 3rd in their division, and ‘I’m Fabulous’ secured a strong 6th place finish. What a phenomenal effort from all our dancers! | |   |
Artrageous37 incredible pieces of artwork by our learners will be on display at the Artrageous Secondary Schools Exhibition!
This event is a fantastic showcase of the hard work and creativity of emerging artists from across the North Shore. Our art department teachers hand-picked a variety of pieces to highlight the amazing talent at our school.
For those who want to view, the exhibition will be on display from 12pm Saturday, 6 September to 2pm Tuesday, 16 September at the Mairangi Arts Centre. | |  |
Sport Uniform RefreshYou may have already spotted the first pieces of our refreshed sports uniforms on our First XV rugby team and sports camp participants — and we’re excited to share that the full new look will be rolled out from 2026 and fully in place by 2028. From 2026, players will purchase their own uniforms through NZ Uniforms, helping us keep our sports programmes strong and sustainable.
You can read the full update with all the details by clicking on this link:
Sport Uniform Refresh
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Te Whare Hauora TipsSickness is one of the main reasons learners are absent from school.
To support learners to attend 90%+, parents can find information here.
90% attendance allows for 20 sick days per year.
Does your child suffer with low moods?
See the image for tips put together from our Wellness Clinic. | |  |
Careers UpdateNZ Defence Forces - 17 SeptemberAll Year 11-13 learners will have the chance to discover exciting career opportunities in this session with the NZ Defence Forces. With over 100 roles to explore, learners will gain valuable insight into what’s on offer and what to expect with a NZDF lifestyle. Does your Year 13 learner have a plan for next year?We are here to help! Mrs Heta and Mrs Vink are available for one on one careers appointments with learners to help them plan their next steps. We will be available during the school exam period and Term 4, parents are welcome to also attend. To book, please ask your learner to fill in the form and book an appointment. You can find the form here or on SchoolBridge. University Course Planning SessionsIt was great to see so many of our learners attend the course planning sessions last week with representatives from AUT, University of Auckland, and University of Canterbury. They had a variety of excellent questions to ask the Uni experts.
We’re looking forward to the University of Waikato, Massey University, and Victoria University of Wellington visits in Week 10. These sessions are a great way for learners to get a handle on how to plan their future studies—a completely different experience from high school! | |  |
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Junior Swimmers Make Waves on the World StageWe are thrilled to celebrate the incredible achievements of two of our very own rising stars, Zoe Pedersen and Milan Glintmeyer at the recent World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships! Their dedication, talent and hard work have truly shone through, bringing home both a gold medal and a national record! Zoe Pedersen: World Champion!We are proud to announce that Zoe Pedersen is a World Champion! Zoe clinched the gold medal in the women's 50m Butterfly, showcasing an absolutely dominant performance. She powered through the water to clock an astounding 25.63 seconds, not only securing the top spot but also lowering her own national age record, which she had already set in the semi-final! This is a phenomenal achievement and a testament to Zoe's unwavering commitment and skill. Congratulations Zoe on this incredible milestone. Milan Glintmeyer: Setting New Records!We are also proud to acknowledge Milan Glintmeyer for her outstanding performance in the women's 50m Backstroke at the same championships. Milan demonstrated incredible talent and determination, reaching the highly competitive semi-finals and ultimately finishing an impressive 9th overall. Even more remarkable, Milan set a new New Zealand age record for a 17 year old woman with a time of 28.35 seconds! This is a truly special accomplishment, highlighting Milan's exceptional potential and dedication to her sport. Well done Milan!  Zoe Pedersen | |  Milan Glintmeyer |
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