Westlake Girls’ High School

Kaitiaki safeguard the land

Our Environmental Prefects have launched a new initiative this year, working alongside Auckland Council. Essentially, Westlake Girls has ‘adopted’ Smith’s Bush, next to Netball North Harbour and Onewa Domain.

Under the leadership of Akoranga House Environmental Prefect Anja Filip, more than 60 students signed up to become kaitiaki (guardians) of the land under Auckland Council’s “Adopt a Park” scheme. The first trip to Smith’s Bush was held in June, where students met with park ranger Anna. There they learnt about the history, biodiversity and threats posed to the land.

After some classroom sessions, the group headed back to Smith’s Bush for animal pest monitoring. Alongside a park ranger, the students laid tracking tunnels and chew cards to identify some of the predators living in the bush. “We were able to use our classroom learnings about introduced animal predators in Aotearoa New Zealand and put these into action,” says Anja. “Along with learning about the role of monitoring tools, we also gained skills in how to set these up ourselves, identify animal tracks and animal bites, and the ways to maintain and reset tunnels and cards.”

Most recently the Westlake kaitiaki planted native trees in Smith’s Bush. A total of 60 trees were planted, which will help to restore and regenerate the area for future generations.

To keep updated with the group’s progress, check out their Instagram page:@westlakekaitiaki

The best in the Country!

You might remember in the last edition of Channel we featured talented orator Isabella Drummond. Well, we are back this edition with more good news. Isabella has won the New Zealand Lions Young Speechmaker Competition final in Palmerston North.

Isabella competed in the final after winning the Auckland District competition earlier this year. At the final, participants presented a five to six-minute prepared speech, as well as a two-minute impromptu speech. Isabella’s prepared speech was titled ‘Let me be a young person today; I'll be a leader tomorrow’. “I decided to stick with the topic of my prepared speech from regionals, as it was something I was still passionate about,” she says.

The topic for the impromptu speech was ‘Should New Zealand host the Commonwealth Games?’ “I said we should as it would be a great opportunity for Aotearoa to gain representation and global attention,” says Isabella.

Many thanks to Hillcrest Lions Club for sponsoring Isabella. Her win not only gives her the national title, but also a cash prize of $2,500. Isabella Drummond.

Making the most of student opportunities

One of the great things about being part of Westlake Girls is the myriad extra-curricular opportunities available to students.

There are more than 60 clubs on offer, along with a range of dance troupes, music ensembles and sporting teams in every code you can think of.

Term 3 has started strongly, with our combined Westlake instrumental ensembles and their directors having a fantastic week at the annual KBB Music Festival recently. At the Gala Concert they received awards including the following: • Westlake Symphony Orchestra: Gold + Best Performance of a Romantic Era

Work • Westlake Chamber Orchestra: Gold + Best Performance of a Baroque Era Work • Westlake Concert Band: Gold + Best Performance of a Work written specifically for Concert Band • Westlake Big Band: Silver • Taharoto Orchestra: Bronze • Westlake Girls Symphonic Band: Bronze

Back on site at Westlake, our Prefects held the first-ever Westlake Variety Show, showcasing 16 performances by students and staff. The Event Centre was buzzing and the night was enjoyed by performers and audience alike.

There were prizes - with third place going to Shivani Arivuchelvan (Bollywood dance), second place to our Jazz Troupe (dancing to Poker Face), and first place going to Nikka Caraig singing 'Someone New'. Thanks to our supporters Escape HQ, Shore City and Platypus.

Hot on the heels of our Variety Show was the annual Westlake Dance Showcase. It was the first time it had been held in three years (thanks to Covid) but was well worth the wait. Westlake Variety Show photos by Alison Fan.

Reaching new heights

As we go to print, there are some fantastic sporting achievements worthy of note. Our netballers beat Rangitoto in the final to become the 2022 Year 9 Harbour Netball Champions. Furthermore, of the nine Year 9 grades at Harbour Netball, Westlake Girls won gold medals in five grades, a silver and a bronze.

Two more of our talented athletes have recently been selected to represent New Zealand. Congratulations to Lucy Cadness-Aspinall who has been selected for the New Zealand Secondary Schools Squash Team. And congratulations also to Emma-Kaye Schroeder who has been selected for the New Zealand Under 15 National Basketball Team heading to Guam in November to compete in the FIBA Oceania Champs.

Our Premier Basketball team (of which Emma-Kaye is a member) is currently leading the Auckland Secondary School Premier League and heads into the New Zealand Secondary Schools Zone 1 Qualifying Tournament at the beginning of September as #1 seeds. Watch this space.