Westlake Girls’ High School

Holly Isherwood with Cantare.

Cantare Shines in ANZAC Day Performances

Cantare (WGHS’s premier girls’ choir) was privileged to Choir Lead Hannah Jones (pictured left second from perform at the Auckland War Memorial Museum back left). "Considering we didn’t have a lot as part of the ANZAC commemorations on of performances last year, it was amazing 25th April. to perform together as a choir to a full

The choir, with Director Fiona Wilson, audience again, and share the product performed two reflective concerts in the of our hard work over the last few Hall of Remembrance to the general weeks of term. I couldn’t be more public, after the formal services finished proud of the performances we put outside the museum. The choir was on. excited that the Prime Minister Jacinda "Another great part of the Ardern was in attendance at the event. day was getting to watch and Cantare’s 20-minute programme support other Auckland choirs featured a piece about ANZAC like the Auckland Youth Choir and poppies by David Hamilton (WGHS Macleans College Chorale. It was composer in residence), with bagpipe such a privilege to perform in such soloist Charlotte Rhodes and snare a beautiful venue on such a special drummer Holly Isherwood. day in New Zealand and Australia’s

Despite the early start, Cantare then went history. It is important we remember the on to perform an afternoon concert at Mayfair sacrifices the ANZACs made, and singing Retirement Village as part of their ANZAC service. The singers were thanked with gifts of ANZAC biscuits, Some of the Cantare singers at the Museum. in the Hall of Remembrance with the names of the fallen all around us was such a poignant home baked by the residents. reminder of what NZ lost in WWI." "As Cantare’s first big performance of the year, I think all of us Centre image supplied by Brian Sarmiento of the Auckland were understandably pretty nervous about this performance," says Photography Group – with thanks.

Come to our Open Night

If you’re currently in Year 8 and thinking about what high school to attend next year, come along to the Westlake Girls High School Open Night! It’s being held on Tuesday 27th July, and is a great opportunity for you to take a look around our school, meet some of our teachers and current students, and hear about all the exciting opportunities we can offer you. Plus you get to take home a cool bag filled with goodies and information.

There are two identical sessions – at 4pm and 6pm. We look forward to meeting you (feel free to bring mum and/or dad too).

Internships open up World of Learning

Our STEAM and ESTEAM programmes at WGHS not only provide creative and project-based in-class learning, but thanks to our parent community, our ESTEAM students also got to experience hands-on learning at some of New Zealand’s leading businesses.

We have connected with our parent community and designed meaningful 1-day internship experiences for our students, providing them with a taster of what the world of work is like. Parents Axel Wolhlfarth (Principal Pipeline Planning & Governance, IAG), Vanya Walker (Agile Coach, The Warehouse Group) and Nicola Richardson (Lead, People and Culture, Genesis) welcomed students to their respective businesses recently.

During the internships, students learnt about use of Agile and Sprints, high-performance teams, and the application of emerging technologies such as augmented reality, mobile 3D mapping and the wearable tech used in the Genesis Team Emirates New Zealand t-shirt. There were office tours, team-building activities, opportunities to sit in on actual business meetings and listening to various speakers. The students also learnt about diversity by working with teams of students from other schools.

Pupuke Kāhui Ako STEAM Power-ED Initiative

The Pupuke Kāhui Ako STEAM Power-ED Initiative aims to develop a framework, aligned with the Pupuke Kāhui Ako community. It promotes connections between schools and local businesses through the parent community as the interface, by building on already existing powerful relationships including our ESTEAM Internships mentioned above. This initiative benefits from the support of the Ministry of Education.

By creating a framework, we are encouraging communities to address skill shortage locally and support our young people transitioning into the workforce by: 1. Exposing learners to a wider range of career pathways, including emerging careers. 2. Supporting students to identify their strengths and values and aspire to a broader range of careers including those in STEAM, especially in Tech. 3. Supporting students to develop skills for the workforce such as communication, collaboration, and problem solving. 4. Bridging the gap between schools and work. 5. Gaining a better understanding of the world of work.

The Pupuke Kāhui Ako is organising a community event in August to engage our parent community as industry representatives who can support our learners. Parents work as industry mentors to support students’ transition to work and promote the uptake of STEAM careers.

Potential areas of support include: • Helping to raise awareness of pathways into digital roles and building a digital pipeline. • Supporting teachers to upskill in digital technology. • Exposing students to emerging careers - especially in the primary and intermediate setting. • Supporting senior students to become STEAM ambassadors for younger students. • Running strength-based career workshops. • Running challenges that model STEAM skills for the workplace. • Mentoring Senior students. • Providing work place experience.

If you are interested in being part of our community event in August - please email Across School Lead Susana Tomaz at: stomaz@westlakegirls.school.nz.

Rower makes the squad

Congratulations to Sofia Greenhalgh (Year 12) who has made the U18 North Island Squad for the Rowing NZ North v South Regatta. Sofia is pictured second from front competing at this year’s Maadi Cup. Photo: Conrad Blind / Picture Show Ltd