Westlake Girls’ High School

Head Prefect Ivy Mitchell, Principal Jane Stanley and Deputy Head Prefect Ella Dorward.

Head Prefects announced for 2022

Ivy Mitchell and Ella Dorward have been announced as Westlake’s 2022 Head Prefect and Deputy Head Prefect respectively.

They are part of a group of 96 Prefects and Tuakana (students who help our Year 9s settle into school), which includes three International Prefects. Each of our five Houses has a House Captain, Academic, Arts, Environmental, Sports & Wellbeing, Service, and Cultural Prefect, as well as a Tuakana Coordinator leading a team of Tuakana.

Our House Captains for 2022 are:

Akoranga: Ella Borrie Hauraki: Tallulah Salmon Onewa: Holly Williams Pupuke: Lucy Jobbins Wairau: Aimee Euston-Stewart

Ella Dorward playing for the Northern Rovers. Ivy Mitchell receiving her award at MUNA.

Ivy and Ella found out in mid-November that they had been chosen as next year’s Head and Deputy Head Prefect.

“Receiving the call from our principal Mrs Stanley, was an amazing surprise,” says Ivy. “Initially, I was so shocked I was lost for words - something that doesn't happen very often, being someone who loves to talk! [Ed’s note – Ivy was named runner-up Most Engaging Speaker at this year’s MUNA event]. When the news finally sunk in, I was ecstatic and couldn't wipe the smile off my face. I was thrilled to be able to share the news with my family and was especially over the moon to hear my good friend Ella received Deputy Head Prefect. What a cool way to end the year!”

A talented footballer, Ella was equally as excited. “I was actually out bike riding when the call came, so I was a bit flustered and puffed but super excited once I heard it was Mrs Stanley. I haven't stopped smiling since receiving the call. I couldn't really believe it. After hearing I was Deputy, I was super keen to find out who the Head Prefect was. I was even more excited when I found out it was one of my best friends. I am really looking forward to working with Ivy in 2022.”

Ivy says the role of Head Prefect is a huge honour. “I am very proud to be a Westlake student, and always wear my blazer with pride. Being in the position to represent the school community has been a goal of mine since Year 9. Throughout my time at Westlake I have been spoilt with amazing teachers, opportunities and student leaders who have guided me throughout my high school journey. To have the opportunity to represent the school that has given so much to me, and to be able to pass on this Westlake warmth to future students is very humbling.”

Both students have been active during their time at Westlake – Ivy in the humanities, public speaking and several groups such as Amnesty International, MUNA, and the UNICEF Committee. Ella has a passion for sports and the outdoors (currently undertaking her Gold Duke of Ed); she has also been Westlake’s Student Head Librarian, part of the Future Problem Solving team and Student Council.

Ella says her goal next year is to do “the best job possible” in representing the students of Westlake.

“This is a position that I have had in my sights since my junior years, so it is amazing to be writing this now knowing that my aspirations have become my reality. My focus will be to inspire other students to strive for excellence by taking the opportunities that arise for them. I want to be known as an approachable person who is genuine and leads by example.”

Ivy says her primary focus as Head Prefect will be as a mentor. “I want to empower students to step outside their comfort zones and grab opportunities that define who they are. I hope to continue the legacy of the former Westlake Head Prefects, and continue to inspire.”

Jonine Tiakia. Audrey Guo. Rachel An. Alanah Jones. Annika Yang.

The sweet sound of success

Like all schools at Alert Level 3, we were unable to hold our usual end-of-year award ceremonies. However, we still made sure our top achievers were suitably acknowledged within Alert Level 3 guidelines. If you check out our website, you’ll find lots of virtual award ceremony videos!

Usually held over a fancy dinner, this year’s Music Awards weren’t quite the style we are used to. However, a wet lunchtime couldn’t dampen our spirits as we celebrated the tremendous success of our very talented students.

It was a pleasure to be able to watch our music groups perform in the Big Sing Regionals, where Cantare and Choralation both won Gold Awards. At the KB Music Festival, Westlake again performed outstandingly, with great results.

Westlake Concert Band – Gold and Best Performance of a pre1950s work Westlake Symphony Orchestra – Gold and Best Performance of a Romantic Era Work Westlake Big Band – Silver Westlake Chamber Orchestra – Silver Taharoto Orchestra – Bronze Westlake Girls Symphonic Band - Commended

Madi Jagger. Hannah Jones. Danielle Tzankov.

Congratulations to:

Instrumental Music: Rachel An Choral Music: Hannah Jones and Alanah Jones Leadership in Music: Hannah Jones Creativity in Music: Jonine Tiakia Junior Accompanist: Annika Yang Excellence in Music Performance: Alanah Jones Excellence in Ensemble Performance: Audrey Guo Most Promising Song Writer: Danielle Tzankov Music Blues Awards for National Representation: Alanah Jones, Madi Jagger, Audrey Guo

Sportswoman of the Year - Holly Williams. Student Coach of the Year - Islay Martin Hill. Sporting Allrounder of the Year - Holly Williams and Mackenzie Chatfield. Junior Sportswoman of the Year Amanda Ting. Student Official of the Year - Paige Kershaw. Coach of the Year - Bronwen Davidson.

Sporting stars celebrated

It wasn’t the celebration we’d expected, but we still enjoyed honouring our 2021 Sports Awards winners. We enjoyed a vast array of sporting success this year, including National finals for our Premier Touch Team (Silver), Rowing U17 Coxed Four (Silver), Softball (Bronze), Squash (Bronze) and Beach Volleyball (Bronze).

Our winter sports missed out on their National tournaments, however our Premier Basketball team was winner of the Auckland competition, First XI Hockey were runners-up in the Super City Premier competition and retained their North Harbour Hockey title, while our Rugby 12s won the North Harbour Secondary School Premier competition for the first time.

Team of the Year - Premier Touch.

Our top winners at this year’s virtual awards ceremony were:

Sportswoman of the Year: Holly Williams Sporting All-rounder of the Year: Mackenzie Chatfield & Holly Williams Student Coach of the Year: Islay Martin-Hill Student Official of the Year: Paige Kershaw Junior Sportswoman of the Year: Amanda Ting Team of the Year: Premier Touch Coach of the Year: Bronwen Davidson