Westlake Boys’ High School

Mums and Sons enjoying their early breakfast. Martin Henderson with mum, Veronica.

Head Boy, James Houliston with his Mum. Happy raffle winners with Martin Henderson.

Virgin River star stole the show and some mothers' hearts!

This morning we held our Junior Academic moving to the U.S. He confessed that auditions were Prizegiving where we were delighted to tough in the highly competitive industry, but he recognise so many students for the work persevered and refined his craft at an acting they have done at school this year, both school in New York. In 2015 he joined the inside and outside the classroom. cast on the popular U.S. drama Grey’s

The 2021 Mother Son Breakfast Anatomy and more recently played the sold out in record time which did not lead male role of Jack Sheridan in the come as a surprise since Netflix star, Netflix romantic drama 'Virgin River' Martin Henderson, was coming in to which topped Netflix’s streaming charts share his story! This event is usually last December. He expressed his heartfelt held close to Mother’s Day, but this thanks to his mum, Veronica, who he year a little reshuffling was necessary to said was always in his corner offering her accommodate Martin’s busy schedule. unwavering support and has been a key As always, the breakfast was a lovely way element in his success. He also emphasised for mums to spend time with their sons, the importance of the special bond between enjoying an assortment of treats right here at Martin Henderson mothers and sons and reminded us all to Westlake. Westlake Boys is proud to claim Martin addressing the 500+ audience. appreciate these special women in our lives. Headmaster David Ferguson delivered the closing Henderson as a Westlaker. He attended from 1988 to 1992 address by wishing all the mothers (and grandmothers) a and despite winning a scholarship for accounting, decided to follow Happy Mother’s Day for May. He reminded the boys to be grateful his passion and pursue acting. He was a familiar face on Shortland for everything their mums do and encouraged them to give them a Street in the early 1990s, then worked for a while in Australia before loving hug of thanks. And they did.

Stage band getting in the groove. Adding drama on the Timpani .

Voicemale – the premier male choir. Choralation – the premier combined choir. The woodwind section in action.

Two-year wait too long

We were delighted, and relieved, to invite the Westlake community to this year’s Equinox Concert after being forced to cancel the 2020 concert because of the Level 4 Lockdown.

Delight, excitement, and pride was evident on the faces of our musicians and choirs as they performed to the large live audience who seemed equally happy and grateful to be there.

The annual Equinox Concert is designed as a casual ‘first performance’ away from the glare of spotlights and formality of the main stage, and in many cases was the first time the students had performed in front of a large audience. The concert featured performances with students from both the Westlake Boys' and Westlake Girls' High Schools and included the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Chamber Orchestra, Momentum Choir, Stage Band, Voicemale, Choralation Choir, Camerata, Big Band and the Symphony Orchestra. Each group performed one piece from the repertoire they are preparing this year, and judging from the audience’s enthusiastic applause they are on track to have their performances polished and ready for the approaching competition season. Watching as these talented students treated us to their melodious medley only confirmed that it had been too long since we have been able to enjoy this privilege together.

Congratulations to George Yang who was named our 2020 DUX and to Brian Kim, our 2020 Proxime Accessit at our recent Scholars Assembly that celebrated and recognised the outstanding academic successes of the past year.