www.wghs.school.nz E: office@wghs.school.nz P: (0064) 9 430 4460 F: (0064) 9 430 4410 Lupton Avenue, PO Box 5056, Whangarei 0140, New Zealand
www.wghs.school.nz
Empowering Tomorrow’s Women
Prospectus
Whangarei Girls’ High School
Head Girls & Deputy Head Girls of WGHS 2012
Principal’s
Message
Haere mai, naumai, haere mai Welcome to Whangarei Girls’ High School Founded in 1881, Whangarei Girls’ High School is a dynamic and vibrant school community dedicated to excellence. We are proud of our record of academic, sporting and cultural successes and are committed to a philosophy of continuous improvement as we maintain our position as leaders in education. As a student centred school, we work hard to provide a wealth of opportunities and challenges for our students to acquire the values, competencies and knowledge required for success in the 21st Century. Leadership roles are fostered at every level and numerous student initiatives are encouraged and supported. We have an expectation that all students will make a positive contribution to Whangarei Girls’ High School and share in our proud tradition. Based on a philosophy of mutual respect, our restorative approach encourages and assists every student to reach her maximum potential in an environment that is safe, supportive and secure. The positive relationships which exist between staff and students and between the students themselves, are a strength of our school. The academic coaching programme builds on this by ensuring that every student sets targets and is supported to achieve them. The extensive curriculum, catering for all strengths and interests, contributes to our positive learning community. Learning in all areas is supported by a strong commitment to our bicultural environment and enterprising culture. Education outside the classroom is an integral part of making learning relevant for students. We value our close working relationship with parents/caregivers and our wider school community and are appreciative of the extensive support we receive. We are extremely proud of our students and all that they achieve. We look forward to meeting new prospective students, and their families and whanau, and to your involvement in our school. Anne Cooper Principal
Academic colours recipients for Excellence endorsements in NCEA, 2011
CHARTER - ‘Empowering Tomorrow’s Women’ MISSION We provide opportunities to the students in our all girls’ school to be outstanding young women who will leave us well prepared for the next step in their lives, ready to make a positive contribution to society. We aim to develop a strong learning community in a bicultural environment by: • Being student centred
Our focus is on realising the potential of Maori students by:
• Providing diversity of opportunities
• Providing effective teaching
• Fostering a culture of excellence • Promoting and integrating an enterprising culture • Having a philosophy of continuous improvement • Caring for and supporting each other • Valuing multiculturalism • Providing up to date facilities – with relevant technology and resources
• Using evidence based teaching for continuous improvement • Supporting students’ families to nurture learning • Focussing on literacy and numeracy • By providing Te Reo Maori and Tikanga for students whose parents request it.
• Instilling a desire for lifelong learning
THE FIDELITER CODE
W G H S
orking together
Mahi tahi
Co-operation, caring and support, community participation, problem solving, flexibility. This can be shown by: working with others, listening to other people’s point of view, negotiation, sharing ideas.
iving our best
Tika me te pono
Self-belief, resilience, commitment, self-motivation, innovation, inquiry and curiosity, being the best you can be. This can be shown by: being responsible, extending yourself, being cooperative, working hard, being on time.
aving integrity
Kia kaha, kia toa
Truthfulness, sportsmanship, integrity, equity, responsibility, honesty, fairness. This can be shown by: being honest and truthful, showing sportsmanship, being fair to others, taking responsibility.
howing respect
Manaaki tangata
Respect for young people and property, valuing diversity, tolerance, appreciation, manners, caring for the environment, relating to others, respecting tradition, self-respect. This can be shown by: showing good manners, being polite and thoughtful of others, caring for the environment, always wearing the correct uniform.
Each of these areas of the Fideliter Code contains different aspects: For a student to gain the certificate in each area of the Fideliter Code, she must gain 3 nominations from staff or prefects. When all four certificates have been gained, the WGHS Fideliter badge will be awarded.
Restorative For students to succeed they must believe their teachers care about them, have confidence in their ability to solve problems and experience mutual success. We are aiming to provide a restorative culture which supports students to reflect on and problem-solve breaches of the school rules.
Enterprising Culture It is important for each student to have developed enterprising qualities by the time she leaves secondary school. They include having a passion for new ideas, being prepared to try new things, being flexible with change, being connected to the community, having effective communication skills, being willing to take calculated risks, to learn from mistakes and to have the determination to keep trying, to be focused on future outcomes and to have the ability to gather and manage resources. We provide opportunities both in the classroom and through extra curricular activities for every student to develop these qualities so when they finish High School they will be “well prepared for the next step in their lives, ready to make a positive contribution to society.”
Academic Coaching It is important to us that every student achieves. The Academic Coaching programme provides an opportunity for every student to develop plans, set learning targets, develop pathways and have access to information to make decisions. Everything each student does, “matters” - her involvement in extra curricular activities, work in class, behaviour around school and participation in the Fideliter Code programme all contribute. Our eight Academic Coaches are able to access all student data and use it to encourage each student to reach her potential, make wise choices, involve herself in wider school life and leave school with the best possible preparation for the future.
Year 13 Photography
WHANGAREI GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL – CURRICULUM Year 9
Year 10
Year 11 NCEA Level 1
Year 12 NCEA Level 2 (unless otherwise stated) Services Industry
Year 13 NCEA Level 3 (unless otherwise stated)
Art
*Art
Art Maori Visual Art
Art Art Design & Photography Art Practical & Digital
Art Art – History Art Design & Photography Art – Photography
Commerce
Economics
Accounting Economics Enterprise
Accounting Economics Money Smart
Accounting Economics Enterprise Get Sorted with Money & Work Dance
Art Art – History Art – Design & Photography Art – Photography Art – Painting Accounting Economics Enterprise Management
Subject Departments Academy
Dance
*Dance
Dance
Dance
Design & Visual Communication Digital Technology
Design & Visual Communication *Digital Technology
Design & Visual Communication Digital Technology
Design & Visual Communication Digital Technology
Drama
*Drama
Drama
Drama
English
*English
*English
English English – Alternative English - Literacy Skills ESL
ESL
ESL
ESL
European Languages
European Languages
Food & Nutrition
Food & Nutrition
French German Spanish Food & Nutrition
Design & Visual Communication Digital Technology Computer Media Design Drama English English – Alternative ESL
Health Education
*Health Education
*Health Education
Health Education
French German Spanish Food and Nutrition Hospitality Early Childhood Studies Health Education
Mathematics
*Mathematics
*Mathematics
Mathematics Mathematics Applied I Mathematics Modular
Mathematics Mathematics Applied II Mathematics Modular
French German Spanish Food and Nutrition Hospitality
Dance Design & Visual Communication Digital Technology Drama English English Literature & Communication ESL French German Hospitality Early Childhood Studies Health Education
Music
*Music
Music
Music
Music
Mathematics with Calculus Mathematics (Statistics & Modelling) Mathematics Modular Music
Physical Education
*Physical Education
*Physical Education
Physical Education Outdoor Education
Physical Education Outdoor Education
Science
*Science
*Science Agricultural & Horticultural Science
Physical Education Outdoor & Environmental Education Physical Education - Alt Science Science - Middle Agricultural & Horticultural Science Science in the Environment
Biology - Applied Biology Chemistry Physics
Social Studies
*Social Studies
*Social Studies
Geography History Social Science - Modular
Te Reo Maori
Te Reo Maori *Timatanga Maori *Hard Materials *Textile & Fashion
Te Reo Maori Nga Tikanga Maori Hard Materials Textile and Fashion
Te Reo Maori Maori Performing Arts Hard Materials Textile and Fashion Textile & Fashion Practical
Biology- Applied Biology Chemistry Physical Science Physics Science - Alternative Geography History Classical Studies Media Studies Tourism Te Reo Maori
Geography History Classical Studies Media Studies Tourism Te Reo Maori
Hard Materials Textile and Fashion Textile & Fashion Practical
Hard Materials Textile and Fashion Textile & Fashion Practical
Technology
Subjects Offered (Key * Compulsory)
Academic Year 9 and 10 students have a wide sampling from all the essential learning areas of the National Curriculum, and this gives each student a sound foundation for informed choices in the Senior School. All Year 9 students follow a compulsory programme in English, Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences, Health & Physical Education, Art and Technology. They also choose two option subjects. In Year 10, students follow a compulsory programme in English, Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences, Health & Physical Education and select option subjects from a wide range of choices. In Years 11 and 12, students choose 6 subjects for full year study and 5 subjects in Year 13. These courses lead to higher national qualifications at both academic and vocational levels.
Cultural Whangarei Girls’ High School has a strong commitment to supporting and developing the Arts, and we are proud of our long record of achievement in Design, Fine Arts, Maori Culture, Dance, Drama, Music and Debating. The school has a strong, student-led Cultural Council and a Cultural Co-ordinator who work as a team developing cultural activities within the school. Students take a leading role in all cultural events, and through their efforts have continued to be successful in both regional and national events.
Sport Whangarei Girls’ High School has a strong tradition of excellence in sport, and has achieved national honours in a wide range of sporting activities. School teams participate in local, regional and national competitions, and the sports programme is co-ordinated by the
HOD Sport, Sports Co-ordinator and the student-led Sports Council. Senior students are expected to provide leadership at all levels, and many coach junior teams. There are also exchange matches with schools from outside the region.
Leadership Leadership opportunities exist at every level in the school. The Prefects run a number of committees made up of students from all year levels. They include areas such as Environment, Citizenship, Social, International, Health, Global Issues, Sports, Cultural and the six Houses. Vertical form classes are now firmly established and a camp for Year 13 students is held at the beginning of the year to prepare our senior students for their leadership roles in their form classes. The Student Council, made up of students from all year levels, is an important “voice” for the students. They take on a variety of projects and have an important role in decision making. Many students provide leadership in other ways such as coaching sports teams, leading Stage Challenge, organising the school-wide House Day and the Writing Club. New initiatives are welcomed and students are supported in the implementation of their ideas.
Personal Development As we work towards preparing our students to leave us well prepared for the next step in their lives and ready to make a positive contribution to society, considerable emphasis is placed on personal development. Some of the ways this is developed include fostering an enterprising culture, academic coaching, the values based Fideliter Code programme, the CREATE and CONTRIBUTE programmes, camps and seminars focusing on how to learn.
What can I do at Whangarei Girls’ High School?
Student Parent Teacher (SPT) Meeting
PASTORAL NETWORK Whangarei Girls’ High School has a strong team which attends to the pastoral care and individual needs of the students to ensure they have a safe and supportive learning environment.
Form Teacher
Careers Department
All students have a form teacher who is a key person in their pastoral care. Students and their form teacher remain together in the same form class each year. The 54 vertical form classes are divided into six Houses and each have students from Years 9 to 13. The senior students play an active role in supporting the junior students in their form.
The Careers Department has a Careers Counsellor who offers assistance and guidance to students who are having difficulty in decision making associated with careers related issues and two Careers Advisers who ensure that career information is easily accessed throughout the school and that students are well informed on available career options. The Gateway Coordinator runs the Gateway programme which provides the opportunity for students in the senior school to apply their general skills and knowledge in a workplace context.
The form teacher sees his/her form class four days a week and checks progress, monitors attendance and uniform and encourages each student to make the most of her time at Whangarei Girls’ High School by being actively involved in House and extra curricular activities.
Dean Each of the six Houses: Bell, Lovelock, Manaia, Mansfield, Rutherford and Seddon has a Dean who has a complete overview of the form classes in his/her House. The Dean takes responsibility for the progress and welfare of your daughter and is the first point of contact for parents/caregivers.
Student Mentor The Student Mentor provides support to those students who need someone to “touch base with” and to assist them in making the most of their opportunities at Whangarei Girls’ High School.
Guidance Counsellors The Guidance Counsellors offer girls a confidential service to look at difficult issues, to gain support and to be empowered to lead successful lives. Parents/whanau members are also welcome to use this service.
School uniform
Prefect uniform
2013 SCHOOL UNIFORM Years 9-12
Hair
• • • • • • •
• •
Black skirt with school logo (no more than 5cm above the knee) Black trousers with school logo (length not to be below the top of the shoe) White shirt with school logo Blue Jersey with school logo Black polar fleece with school logo Plain, flat black polishable leather shoes with a full back, or flat black slave style sandals with no more than one thin strap around the ankle (Boots are not permitted) White ankle socks or black or natural stockings to be worn with shoes only
Regulation shorts and tee shirt (with embroidered logos) must be purchased from authorised uniform retailers Appropriate footwear Appropriate one piece swimwear, board shorts or rash vests, or any combination of these. MUST BE SWIMWEAR MATERIAL. COTTON IS NOT PERMITTED.
ID or medic-alert bracelet. Neck chain or bone carving - that has special significance. Wristwatch, ring, studs or small sleepers in pierced ears. No other jewellery. No other visible body piercing is permitted
All uniform should be clearly named.
Year 13 Prefect uniform is pictured above. All other Year 13’s dress code can be viewed on our website.
Uniform Suppliers • Bethells Uniforms The strand Arcade Whangarei 09 438 6566 •
Jewellery Items • • • •
Notes Yr 13 Uniform & Dress Code
Physical Education Wear • • •
No extreme hairstyles or colouring – at the discretion of the Principal. Little or no makeup is permitted – if it is clearly noticeable it is too much
Lastrite Footwear Ltd 48 John Street Whangarei 09 438 8907
• Northland School Wear 3/392 Kamo Road Kamo 09 435 2576 View website for price lists. Second hand uniforms available through WGHS PTA. Contact the school for details.
www.wghs.school.nz E: office@wghs.school.nz P: (0064) 9 430 4460 F: (0064) 9 430 4410 Lupton Avenue, PO Box 5056, Whangarei 0140, New Zealand
Prospectus
Whangarei Girls’ High School
www.wghs.school.nz E: office@wghs.school.nz P: (0064) 9 430 4460 F: (0064) 9 430 4410 Lupton Avenue, PO Box 5056, Whangarei 0140, New Zealand
www.wghs.school.nz
Empowering Tomorrow’s Women
Prospectus
Whangarei Girls’ High School