WESTLAKE GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL
STRENGTH THROUGH EXPERIENCE
FOREWORD
The adolescent years are particularly important in education, in that students are formulating and stabilising the identity and the values that will underpin their behaviour in future years. A school needs to offer the support of a stable and secure environment, yet at the same time, and perhaps paradoxically, be sensitive to changes in society itself. More than ever before students must learn to be flexible and to develop the judgement and discernment needed to cope with the change in beliefs and attitudes and the explosion of knowledge. I believe that Westlake Girls High School fulfils this dual role by encouraging girls to learn about themselves and their constantly changing environment, while at the same time offering support and guidance as they practise decision making and social skills. The school, as well as fostering high standards of academic, sporting and cultural achievements, endeavours to promote social responsibility and maturity through its corporate life and discipline. This calls for commitment and identity with the school’s activities, and fellowship and co-operation with its standards of conduct. Finally, we welcome an active, continuing interest and involvement of parents in the progress and activities of their daughters while at school. Indeed, this is essential if we are to achieve the best results for them. A J Gernhoefer Principal
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL Westlake Girls High School has been administered by the Westlake Girls High School Board of Trustees since 1989. Before this date, both Westlake Girls and Westlake Boys shared a joint Board of Trustees. The school opened in 1958, and was designed to serve the needs of both girls and boys until Westlake Girls High School opened in 1962. Because of our shared history, Westlake Girls has always had close links with our brother school. Westlake Girls High School is recognised both nationally and internationally as a school with an outstanding level of achievement in academic studies, music and sport. The school has created an environment which supports a wide range of learning experiences for our students. The school is sited in 10 hectares of landscaped grounds. Facilities include classrooms equipped with the latest AV and ICT technologies, a comprehensive computer network, music suite, science laboratories, drama room, dance studio, swimming pool, fitness room and gymnasiums.
MISSION STATEMENT • To create a school climate which fosters self esteem and
SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY • To encourage and support each student to
respect for others, and where the development of emotional
lift her aspirations to the highest level of her
maturity and social responsibility parallels the development
capabilities and interests.
of the intellect.
At Westlake Girls High School we have always worked in close partnership with our school community, as we have recognised the mutual benefits of a co-operative approach to education. This liaison can be on a personal family level, or in special interest support groups formed for a specific purpose, or through the Parent Teacher Association.
• To design a curriculum that involves each student in a wide
• To provide an education that is as humanised and
range of learning experiences. These are designed to
personalised as far as is possible, with programmes
develop communication skills, a flexible outlook, a sensitivity
designed, within the school’s resources, to recognise the
to people, an ability to solve problems and cope with change,
unique way each student learns.
an awareness and appreciation of the world in which we live and the cultural heritage that we all inherit.
• To accommodate those students who have special abilities and disabilities, within the regular school organisation, with
• To foster the personal development of each student so that
adequate auxiliary services.
she may fulfil her potential in as many fields as possible, through a wide range of academic, cultural, social and recreational activities. This concept is exemplified in the
• To display a commitment to education as a lifelong process through the continuing education programme.
school motto Virtute Experiamur, which loosely translated is Strength Through Experience.
• To maintain strong, co-operative links with Westlake Boys High School because of our community of interest. The
• To provide opportunities for our students to acquire leadership skills through practice in a number of different ways, within the context of the school and community.
shared values make our continued liaison desirable, as it will provide enhanced opportunities for meeting students’ needs.
Responsibilities Of Students
Responsibilities Of Parents
To attend school regularly, on time, in correct school
To make sure that their children come to school regularly, on
uniform ready to learn and take part in school activities.
time, refreshed, alert, correctly dressed and ready to work.
To aim at the highest standards in all aspects of school life.
To take an active and supportive interest in their children’s work and progress.
To co-operate with the staff and to accept the authority and rules of conduct of the school.
To support the authority and discipline of the school, helping their children to achieve maturity, self-discipline and self-
To consider and respect the feelings and property of other
control.
people in the school. To encourage the development of their children’s use of leisure To care for the grounds, buildings, furniture, equipment
time activities and entertainment.
and books provided by the school.
Parent Teacher Association Westlake Girls High School has been fortunate in that it has always had a Parent Teacher Association, which has supported the school in numerous ways. The Parents’ Association: • is active in ensuring the parents’ voice is heard • ensures close co-operation between home and school
FACILITIES • Facilities include modern classroom blocks and gymnasiums
CURRICULUM • Drama Room
courses in all curriculum areas. A full list of courses
with some older classroom blocks. • Art rooms, which include a senior art • The proposed new developments will see a new
Westlake Girls High School offers a wide variety of
area, design studio, photography and sculpture facilities.
offered is available on the website.
The aim of English is that students enjoy
An overview from core subject areas is provided below.
the subject while focusing on English related skills so as to achieve the best possible results. English is a compulsory
administration block and hockey turf added with new tennis and netball courts plus new playing fields providing Westlake
• Food and Fabric Technology rooms.
Girls with state of the art facilities in the future. • Technical block for Graphics and Design Technology.
• Music Suite featuring keyboard laboratory, classrooms and
• Guidance Suite. • Fully equipped Information Technology Computer Suites.
instrument practice rooms. • State of the art Network facilities. On-line learning • Swimming Pool.
Physical Education
subject to year 12 and the acquisition of literacy credits is
Physical Education aims to:
programme at all levels where students learn to critically
very important for NCEA requirements. We have an exciting evaluate texts in preparation for exam success. We offer
• Library is equipped with state of the art information and communication technology.
English
environment with access from home or abroad. • School website has up-to-date and relevant information for the convenience of the community.
• Help students to develop a belief in the value of Physical
Additional/Alternative English classes and Cambridge
Education and its usefulness to them, to nurture
pathways from year 11 -13 for selected students. Students
confidence in their OWN physical ability, to foster a sense
have options to enter competitions, debating, drama, theatre
of personal achievement, and to encourage a continuing
sports and creative writing groups. In addition, students can
interest in Physical Education/Sport and Well Being.
chose to take Drama and Media Studies courses.
• Develop in students the skills and attitudes which will enable them to cope confidently with the physical demands of everyday life.
Science Science education is a process of helping students to explore and investigate their world in a scientific way, and
• Help students to develop a variety of approaches to solving
construct scientific understandings that are relevant and useful. The courses offered at the school provide a solid
problems.
background for students intending to further their education • Provide a foundation for those students who may continue studies in Fitness and Leisure.
in the Sciences, so that they can enter vocations where applying scientific principles and knowledge is necessary. Science can not be disconnected from the lives of the
• Help to foster and develop Physical/Sporting talent.
students. Learning contexts and teaching strategies need to take into account cultural background, gender, special
Courses available to students. Year 9 and 10
Compulsory to all students.
Year11
A full NCEA programme.
Year 12
A full NCEA programme.
Year12
18 NCEA credits.
Year 13
A full NCEA programme.
Year 13
15 NCEA credits.
Scholarship Programme.
needs and the abilities of all students. The Science Department aims to provide an environment for learning which can: • Enrich students with knowledge and skills that help them make sense of the World that surrounds them. • Engage students in cognitive reasoning and concept formulation based upon scientific principles to assist them develop existing ideas. • Challenge students to develop and apply concepts and skills to new situations that help promote scientific understanding. • Evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching programme and the progression of learning.
CURRICULUM
CURRICULUM
Visual Arts
Music
Social Sciences
Qualifications
The Art Department at Westlake Girls High School is well
Music is an important dimension of the
Social sciences offer courses in a diverse range of optional
The National Certificate Of
known for the innovative and exciting courses that are
school which has excellent music facilities. Students can
learning areas at the senior level including Geography,
Educational Achievement (NCEA):
offered to the students.
choose from an extensive range of musical groups such
History, Social Studies, Sociology, Psychology, Classical
More than half of the school’s population attend core or
as choirs, orchestras, jazz or rock bands, instrumental
Studies and Travel and Tourism plus compulsory Social
Level One
option art classes. Students who select to study an art
ensembles and drama and musical productions. Many of
Studies courses at the junior level. All senior courses provide
80 CREDITS
subject in this school are very successful. Because of the
these activities are combined with students from Westlake
an NCEA assessment pathway from Levels 1-3 with the
8 MATHS
departments size and the range of teacher expertise, a wide
Boys High School.
option of Scholarship examinations at Level 3. History and
8 ENGLISH/TE REO
range of art fields are offered to students.
Many students have been accepted vinto the highly
Geography also offer an alternative Cambridge International
This includes Art History at Year 12 and Year 13, with
competitive performance music degree at Auckland
examination pathway from IGCSE level (Year 11) to AS level
Level Two
Sculpture, Art Design, Photography, Painting and
University specialising in voice, cello, piano, violin and flute.
(Year 12) -and A2 level (Year 13) for selected students.
80 CREDITS At least 60 at level 2 or higher - Reading
Printmaking offered at every level and as single subjects at
Students from Westlake Girls have also represented the
Year 13.
school as members of the New Zealand Secondary Students
Year 9 students are offered an option course of Art Design
Choir and the New Zealand Youth Choir.
and writing credits are required at this level for University
Mathematics
Entrance.
as well as the compulsory Core Art. Year 9 students are
Mathematics is taught across all year levels. Mathematics
Level Three
also offered after school art extension classes in the first
at Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11 NCEA Level 1 are
80 CREDITS At least 60 at level 3 or higher.
two terms. Students work is exhibited annually and parents and the community are invited to attend. The Department has ‘state of the art’ facilities with five general purpose art rooms, exhibition areas, and specialist rooms for Art History, Art Design, Printmaking, Photography and Sculpture. Students have successfully pursued careers as designers or architects. Others have become established New Zealand Artists or have become involved in Education.
TECHNOLOGY We offer a range of courses such as Graphics, Fabric Technology, Food and Nutrition, Hard Materials, Hospitality, and Child Development. In the senior school students sit both Achievement and Unit Standards. Students are given the opportunity to work through the technological process to ensure positive outcomes.
compulsory courses. At Year 12 and Year 13, we provide a continuing opportunity for NCEA Level 2 and 3 Mathematics
Students gain credits towards NCEA and other National
as well as Scholarship at Year 13. As students’ abilities in
Certificates from Achievement Standards and Unit Standards:
Mathematics are diverse, two different courses, in addition to those mentioned previously, are offered: Mathematics
Achievment Standards (AS)
Applied at Years 10, 11 and 12 and Statistics in Practice at
These standards identify the learning outcomes students
Years 12 and 13.
have achieved. Some will be internally assessed by subject teachers during the year and some will be assessed by
An opportunity to take the Cambridge IGCSE examination at
external examination at the end of the year. There are
Year 11 or the AS examination at Year 12, in conjunction with
four possible grades that students can be awarded: Not
the full NCEA examination, is offered to selected students.
Achieved, Achieved, Merit or Excellence. Each standard is
Besides these courses, students have the opportunity to
worth from 1-12 credits and most subjects offer
enter all the mathematics competitions that are run in New
approximately 24 credits.
Zealand schools. The Australian Enrichment Programme is offered to those interested students in Years 9 and 10.
Unit Standards (us) Unit Standards are offered in many subject areas. There are two possible grades that students can be awarded: Not Achieved or Achieved. All Unit Standards are internally assessed. Each standard (AS or US) is worth from 1-12 credits and most subjects offer approximately 24 credits. The school also offers Cambridge Examinations in a number of subject areas. Many other National Certificates are offered - for example, Computing and Employment Skills.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Westlake Girls High School encourages participation in extra-curricular sporting or cultural activities. We believe that
Other activities offered include:
it is an important dimension of a young person’s education, particularly at secondary school level.
Christian Fellowship Community Service
Aims: • to foster an active participation. • to provide opportunities to develop personal skills, including leadership. • to encourage commitment and loyalty to the activities of the team/group. • to provide opportunities for social interaction in a range of settings. • to develop and practise a strong sense of fair play.
Westlake Girls High School is one of New Zealand’s leading sporting schools with a long-standing tradition and strong commitment to sporting excellence. The school encourages participation in extra-curricular sporting activities offering over thirty sports for students from Aerobics to Water Polo. The aim is to foster an active participation, provide opportunities to develop personal, leadership skills, social interaction and practice a sense of fairplay. Participating in sport enables students to experience the special benefits that it offers while building a strong school spirit with staff and students involved together leading to mutual enjoyment and positive benefits to the classroom teaching/learning environment.
Management
Homework
Westlake Girls High School is administered by the Board of
Students need to develop sound work habits. Parents can
Trustees through the Prinicipal and Senior Management Team
assist in this development by helping their daughter(s) organise
of Deputy Principals and Assistant Principals.
homework. At Year 9 and 10 level, on average 1-1.5 hours homework is set for each week night. It should be noted in
Debating Drama Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme Future Problem Solving
Interviews With The Principal
International Association
The Principal welcomes any opportunity to meet personally,
Kapa Haka
particularly the parents of new students, and those who
Outdoor Education
have any matter they would like to discuss concerning their
Spirit of Adventure
daughter(s). Appointments to do so should first be made with
Stage Challenge
the Principal’s Secretary (direct line (09) 4893070).
Theatre Sports Young Enterprise Scheme
Sports
ADMINISTRATION, PASTORAL CARE AND GUIDANCE
the student’s hand book. Homework includes: • reading • preparation for new work • completion of work started in class • revision and practice exercises • preparation of projects or assignments • background research (e.g. current events) • learning vocabulary or important facts
School Organisation
• revising for class tests or examinations
• Each of the Assistant Principals is allocated a year level
• taking an interest in homework
and has general oversight of all of the activities of that level.
Parents can assist by: • checking the student’s plan book once a week • helping students to plan their time effectively
• Each student is placed in a form class with a form teacher who is responsible for all day-to-day matters. The Form Teacher is the person to whom routine notes about absence, health matters, progress and homework should be addressed. • Deans work closely with the Deputy Principal or Assistant Principal who is in charge of their year level and are involved with class placement, monitoring of absences and academic progress. In consultation with the Assistant Principal, they may be involved with minor matters of discipline. However, serious matters of discipline are referred to the Principal and Board of Trustees. Fortunately, this happens rarely.
• providing a quiet room, a straight chair, a table and a good light
ADMINISTRATION, PASTORAL CARE AND GUIDANCE
UNIFORM
Guidance
The school takes pride in the appearance of all of its
If a student is representing the school in
students, as this contributes to the school image.
any sport, she must wear the officially
Confidential help is available to all students and their parents on any matters of concern to them, on an individual basis. Generally, the student should first seek assistance, whether for personal or academic reasons, from the Form Teacher. She/he is responsible for the organisation and administration of matters which concern the form or tutor group, and for the welfare of its members. Students may also refer themselves to the Deputy Principal, or Assistant Principal in charge of a year level, or directly to members of the Guidance Department. However, all teachers share a part of the guidance and counselling and, according to the need and circumstances, it is given by Form Teacher, Dean, Careers Counsellors, Guidance Counsellors and Senior Administrative staff members. The school respects the privacy of each student and family and will not disclose any confidential information to outside agencies, unless authorised to do so by the student and family concerned. The Guidance Counsellors have had specialised training to assist students with personal difficulties that they may not wish to share with other teachers. They also have access to various community agencies, should this be required. In addition, the school offers extensive career education, which takes a different form at each level, appropriate to the needs of the students. All students, at whatever level, may take the opportunity to learn interview and job searching skills. The Careers Counsellors, in conjunction with the Career team, organise displays, talks, careers evenings and welcome interviews with students and parents.
Subject Choice, Careers, And Vocational Guidance
accepted sports uniform, available from The Board of Trustees seeks the full co-operation of all students
the school, for that code, in the school colours. A school
and parents in maintaining a high standard of dress code.
tracksuit may be purchased from the Uniform Shop or hired for special school occasions.
All students are individually counselled by senior staff members when they are making decisions about
Years 9, 10, 11 and 12
Uniform Stockist
academic courses for their next year of study. Parents are The uniform for these levels is a mix and match, all year
The school uniform is available only at the school’s Uniform
round, wardrobe consisting of:
Shop. Opening times are available on website.
to maintain a broad programme of study for as long as
Green pleated skirt
possible. This ensures that students have a wide range of
Tartan pleated skirt
Uniform Exchange
options when making decisions about future study.
Short sleeved blouse
welcome to attend these interviews. Generally, the school policy is to encourage students
Long sleeved blouse Long sleeved green jumper
Items of uniform which are in good condition but have become too small are available for sale in the school Uniform Shop.
Sleeveless green vest Green blazer
Hair Regulations
Black pantyhose or white socks
Hair must be well-groomed, tidy and off the face in working conditions.
An additional choice for Year 11 and 12 students only is green trousers.
Any teacher has the right to insist on hair being tied back in the interest of safety, hygiene or concentration.
Year 13 students are not required to wear school uniform, but intending Year 13 students will be given details of an
Only natural hair colours are acceptable. Ribbon or
appropriate dress code.
scrunchies used to tie the hair back must be in the school
Footwear Students may wear black or brown sandals during summer.
colours of green or red.
However, they must be worn correctly, with the back straps
Jewellery
up. At other times, black leather (not suede) walking shoes
Students who have pierced ears may wear one set of gold
are to be worn.
or silver studs (one stud in each ear), but all other jewellery is unacceptable with school uniform and may not be worn.
N.B. Jandals and fabric shoes are not permitted and sports
The only exception is a watch.
shoes may only be worn during Physical Education periods.
Special Uniforms For Physical Education and sports Year 9 and 10 students
NOTE: Nose studs/rings, eyebrow studs/rings or any other visible body piercings are not permitted under any circumstances.
must wear the PE uniform. All other students must wear suitable shorts or track pants, short sleeved blouse or T-shirt, sports shoes (essential for safety). The school polo shirt may be worn for Physical Education.
Students are not to wear make-up at school.
Code Of Conduct
Student Hand Books
• All New Zealand laws and North Shore City by-laws are
School student hand books are designed as
automatically school regulations.
a communication link between school and home. They can be used to note down the student’s timetable, homework,
• Acceptance of the school rules and discipline is a condition of enrolment.
absence notes, teacher or parent comments, as well as listing the uniform requirements. Hand books are available for purchase at the beginning of the school year.
• Students are expected to show consideration and respect for others. • Students are expected to show respect for the property of other people.
Canteen The canteen provides a wholesome lunch at a reasonable price. A varied menu including sandwiches, rolls, hot pies, fruit, cakes etc is available every day.
• Students are forbidden to have in their possession tobacco, alcohol, unauthorised drugs, offensive and dangerous weapons or matches or lighters.
Transport To School Motor vehicles and power cycles: • Students may drive motor vehicles and power cycles to school, with parental consent and school approval. There is no student parking available within the school grounds, and there is very limited parking available in adjacent streets. • Each student must abide by the terms of her drivers’ licence. • Passengers may be carried only with written permission of the parents of both the driver and the passenger.
Buses • Public bus companies provide a variety of school bus services before and after school at normal student rates. Timetables/services are available on the school website.