Wellington East Girls' College / Te Kura Kōhine o te Rāwhiti o Te Upoko o Te Ika
Welink
Issue 6, Whiringa-ā-rangi / November 2020
Embedded Files
Welink is a newsletter produced as a link between Wellington East Girls' College and our community, and is emailed to parents and students. It contains essential information as well as news for caregivers. It is also on our website – www.wegc.school.nz. Please advise the school if you have changed your contact details, or would like to add an email address: wegc@wegc.school.nz
Principal's Message
Principal's Message
Tēnā koutou kātoa,
It was an absolute privilege to attend the school Prize Giving last week. It is always a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge the success of our students in the many different aspects of school life. I experience a great sense of pride at seeing the whole community come together to celebrate and reward the success of our students in academic achievement, service and participation and also excellence in the sporting and cultural arenas.
Senior students are now in their final preparations for their external exams, and we have been fortunate to have an extension of time to work with our students while they ready themselves. The last day for Senior students this year is the 11th November prior to the NCEA examinations starting on Monday 16th November.
I want to acknowledge that this has been a difficult year for all of our students but particularly the Seniors engaged in NCEA. I would like to reassure you that there are many pathways available and Universities are actively seeking ways to engage as many domestic students as they can this year. Communication is key. If your student does not achieve what they hoped to then please be in touch with their Dean and teachers so that we can help you or put you in touch with the people who can.
To all of the students heading into exams, I wish you all the very best.
Ngā mihi nui
Gael Ashworth, Principal
WEGC Board Chair Message
WEGC Board Chair Message
Kia ora kōutou
As 2020 draws to a close, on behalf of the Board I would like to thank Gael Ashworth, her leadership team and all our teaching and support staff for their tremendous work, navigating what has been a very challenging year. I would also like to thank all our students for their resilience this year, and their can-do attitude during these tough times. At prize giving it was wonderful to celebrate the collective achievements of our school, and as always, it was great to see so many of our talented students show-casing what makes WEGC such a special place.
I would like to wish good luck to all our students who are about to sit their exams. It is a stressful time in many homes, and this year perhaps more so because of the disruptions caused by COVID. I hope that the measures the school has taken to ease the pressure of the next few weeks will help everyone - students and whānau alike.
Ngā mihi nui
Jo Lambert, Chair
Wellington East Parents' Association (WEPA)
Wellington East Parents' Association (WEPA)
Tenā koutou kātoa,
Discussion at our monthly WEPA meetings is now firmly centred on the events that signify the end of the school year. As a committee, and as Parents, we are excited to celebrate the end of this not-so-typical year with students, staff and whānau. We will be taking these opportunities to look back on the many achievements and successes that have still managed to happen at East despite the restrictions of a global pandemic.
Our small but sociable team has a lot of ideas for events and projects in 2021 and we are always on the lookout for new friends to help us out with bringing things to fruition. Our group meets once a month and would love to welcome new members to the committee. If you are interested in finding out more about us, or coming along please contact us via email on parents@wegc.govt.nz
Nga mihi nui,
Rochelle Kirby, on behalf of WEPA
Helping Out the Breakfast Club
Helping Out the Breakfast Club
Being a member of the Wellington East Parents Association, has helped me have a greater understanding of ways to not only support my daughter but also other girls at WEGC. A wonderful initiative offered by the school is the Breakfast Club, run by Michelle Kennedy (Year 13 Dean) and the girls themselves. Sometimes having food at home for breakfast or lunch can be a challenge so offering girls that may need some food can help them through the busy school day.
Donations towards this club can help keep the cupboard stocked. If you were thinking about ways you could help girls at East this is a great way to do it, just contact us at parents@wegc.govt.nz.
Rochelle Kirby, WEPA
Please see the Student Calendar below for student events
Please see the Student Calendar below for student events
Student Rep WEGC Board
Student Rep WEGC Board
Isabella Oliver-Clyne has been elected as the WEGC Board Student Representative for the 2020/2021 year. Thank you to all the nominees for standing, and a huge thank you to Lesieli Katoa for her work last year in this role.
Teacher Only Days - 16 & 17 November 2020
Teacher Only Days - 16 & 17 November 2020
We have Teacher Only Days on Monday the 16th and Tuesday 17th November. The Teacher Only Days are focused on teacher reflection and planning for 2021, and a Ministry provided NCEA day, to support the NCEA review.
The school will remain open and any student wishing to be at school should report to Hauora Reception and supervised study will be arranged.
The Supported Learning Classroom, Te Aka, will not be open on Monday 16th November, but will be open on Tuesday 17th November.
WEGC Health Education Consultation
WEGC Health Education Consultation
We will be holding an evening for parents and whānau to consult with the school about the Year 9 and Year 10 Health Education curriculum
Thursday November 19, 2020
6pm in the Matairangi Building
This is a consultation we undertake every 2 years about the Health curriculum. Please come along to hear about the curriculum and discuss the direction of learning
End of Year Arrangements and Start Dates for 2021
End of Year Arrangements and Start Dates for 2021
Please see below the communication sent out to parents, regarding the end of school year, school exam information and start dates for 2021. Link is also here
Term Dates 2021
Term Dates 2021
Orientation Day - Thursday 4 February 2021
Start of Term 1 - Friday 5 February 2021
Term 1 - 5 Feb - 16 April 2021
Term 2 - 3 May - 9 July 2021
Term 3 - 26 July - 1 October 2021
Term 4 - 18 October - 15 December 2021
Senior Course Confirmation for 2021
Senior Course Confirmation for 2021
This is to be completed online by students. Instructions will be emailed to students. Deans will be available on Monday 1 February 2021, 9.30am– 12.30pm, if you wish to discuss course changes
Public Holidays 2021
Public Holidays 2021
New Year's Day - 1 January
Wellington Anniversary Day - 25 January 2021
Waitangi Day (observed) - 8 February 2021
Good Friday - 2 April 2021
Easter Monday - 5 April 2021
ANZAC Day (observed) - 26 April 2021
Queens Birthday - 7 June 2021
Labour Day - 25 October 2021
Christmas Day - 25 December 2021
Boxing Day - 26 December 2021
Christmas Holiday - 27 December 2021
Boxing Day Holiday - 28 December 2021
School Magazine Memnonium 2020
School Magazine Memnonium 2020
A reminder that the Memnonian, the WEGC yearbook, will be given out on the last day of school to juniors. Many students have indicated payment for this through their school fees but please contact Hwa Tan in the office if you are unsure. Payments of $25 can be made up until the final day of term. You can view and pay right from the Kamar portal: https://kamarweb.wegc.school.nz/index.php
Well done to the Media Prefects, Ella Wipatene, Kate Chu and Annie Cho, and their Committee for all their hours of hard work.
Payment of School Fees
Payment of School Fees
Any outstanding school contributions/subject charges are to be paid before 10 December, (the end of the 2020 school year), either by cash, eftpos, cheque or internet banking. Please contact accounts@wegc.school.nz if you have any queries.
You can view and pay your school account right from the Kamar portal: https://kamarweb.wegc.school.nz/index.php
Direct credit payments can be made using the following details:
WEGC Bank Account Details:
ANZ Bank Wellington
06 0501 0908375 000
Reference: Please use student ID (on invoice) Particulars: payment details (example: ID Card, GE200 Trip)
Payment in person @ School:
Payments are accepted at reception from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm Monday to Friday. The School is closed during public holidays and school term breaks. Payments by cash or EFTPOS are available.
Snapper and School ID Cards
Snapper and School ID Cards
The WEGC Snapper ID card is valid for 5 years at a cost of $20, and have the child concession loaded automatically onto them by Snapper.
Photos for new Year 9 students are being taken at uniform fittings in Term 4 2020, and they will receive their cards in Term 1 2021.
Photos will be taken at the beginning of Term 1 for those students who did not have their photos taken during their fittings in 2020.
New and replacement cards can be ordered for purchase at the Reception. These normally take about a week to arrive. Once a Snapper ID Card has been purchased, students need to register their card online on the snapper website, and then top up the card at one of the Snapper retailers. Details of some outlets can be found online at :
https://www.snapper.co.nz/child-concessions/
Cards ordered after 4 December 2020 won’t be available for collection until start of Term 1 2021.
Uniform Purchases 2020/2021
Uniform Purchases 2020/2021
Both new and second hand uniform are available for purchase from Reception between 8.15am - 3.30pm every day during the school term. Final day for uniform sales is Wednesday 9 December. Full details, including a current price list are available on our website.
All queries to Reception on 385 8514 or by email to: uniforms@wegc.school.nz
Link to website Uniform information
The Uniform Shop will be closed for uniform sales during the summer break from Wednesday 9 December 2020 until 1 February 2021. The shop will be open from 1 February 2021 for uniform collection and purchases. You will need to make an appointment if you need a fitting for a new uniform .
To confirm an appointment or any other queries, please email: uniforms@wegc.school.nz or phone 385-8514.
Full details, including price lists, are available online at our website
Prize Giving 2020
Prize Giving 2020
This year we were back at the Michael Fowler Centre for our annual Prize Giving ceremony, and the auditorium was full with whānau and students. The event included performances from our Polynesian Group, the Kapa Haka students, Multichoir and Rawhiti choirs, and a wonderful performance from students Sara, Tofoi and Tava'e with their arrangement of Rise Up. After the Pōwhiri and Whaikōrero by WEGC Board member Thomas Haapu, we heard from our Board Chair, Jo Lambert, and our Principal Gael Ashworth. Head Prefects Sophie Irving and Lorna Hallett spoke to students, staff and community about the school year and working through the challenges presented.
Our Dux this year is Ella Wipatane, and the Proxime Accessit is Neesha Dixon. Congratulations to all our 2020 prize winners. Thank you to our guest prize presenters and our parents and caregivers for joining us at our celebration.
Ella Wipatene (left) is the Wellington East Girls College top Digital Technologies student for 2020. Ella wearing the impressive korowai is also the college Dux. This award was generously sponsored by Catalyst (www.catalyst.net.nz). Presenting the award was Aleisha Amohia (right) now working for Catalyst is a recent Victoria University graduate and former student of WEGC.
Grace Buur Year 10 is the inaugural Wellington East Girls College top Junior Digital Technologies student for 2020. This award was sponsored by SSS IT Security (www.sss.co.nz) and we thank them for their support. We look forward to working with them again in 2021.
Young Enterprise Scheme - Commerce Studies
Young Enterprise Scheme - Commerce Studies
Congratulations to the following Y13 Business Studies students who have achieved excellent results this year through their participation in the Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme.
OneWash and Holey Moly from WEGC are two of only five teams in the whole of Wellington Region that made it to the Regional Finals.
One Wash
One Wash
OneWash is a business owned by Poppy Fogarty, Nga Raiti Ngaia, Eva Galvin, Jazzy Brenton and Hazel Hall.
Despite this being a roller coaster of a year, our business group OneWash has still managed to be successful in both the marketing and sales of our product. Our group has created portable soap droplets. These soap droplets are small balls of hand soap designed to be used one per hand wash lasting the recommended 20 second duration. They are packaged in an eco-friendly glass jar and contain 40 droplets per jar, enough for around two weeks’ use. Being involved in the Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme has allowed each business member to become brilliant entrepreneurs and has allowed us to get involved in all sorts of different events and activities, strengthening each of our business skills. Feel free to check out our product and get in touch with us by following our instagram @onewashnz
By Nga Raiti Ngaia
Holey Moly!
Holey Moly!
The mission for our business, Holey Moly, is to provide fresh, tasty and ethically sourced vegan donuts that satisfy our market and through doing this we aim to be our customers go-to donuts. We would like to see a change within the society surrounding veganism.
Our vision is to have a world in which those who do not happen to follow a vegan lifestyle are still conscious of their ecological footprint and can enjoy our product as well. We have the vision for our product to be sold amongst vegan cafes in the Wellington area, and achieve brand recognition for Holey Moly through doing so. We have had a successful year evidenced by a decent sales volume. We can truly say that participating in this programme has allowed us to grow, and the learning we have had, we will take and build on as we leave WEGC.
By Ariana Kotrotsos, Juliana Quinn, Lucy Reid, Chloe Chan and Alyssa McIntyre
Unitea
Unitea
Unitea was nominated for two excellence categories, and won the Excellence in Financial Management Award, that was accompanied by some prize money.
Unitea was nominated for two excellence categories, and won the Excellence in Financial Management Award, that was accompanied by some prize money.
Hi, we are Unitea, a Year 13 WEGC Business Studies group. Our main aim is to positively impact the lives of women picking tea in Sri Lanka, as well as promoting a more sustainable tea bag option. These reusable tea bags are sold for $6.99 each. Our business members are Ella Russell, Sophie Henderson, Caitlin Moore, Hannah Bertschinger, and Shreeya Patel. We have had the privilege of being a part of the Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme this year which has provided us with great support and many opportunities towards strengthening our business skills. If you would be interested in purchasing a reusable tea bag for $6.99 do check out our social media pages for more information. Instagram: @nzunitea, Facebook: @nzunitea and website: https://unitea.mystorbie.com
Student Art Porfolio Exhibition
Student Art Porfolio Exhibition
At the end of October, the senior students exhibited their Art NCEA Portfolios in the Art Department before assessment. Students working on Year 11,12 and 13 Art subjects Photography, Painting, Design and Sculpture set up their work in the Matairangi Building top floor, and invited staff, students and parents to view.
Junior Dance - October 2020
Junior Dance - October 2020
We held the Junior Dance for year 9 and 10 students on Thursday night 22 October in the School Hall. The theme was "Tropical" and the Hawaiian shirts were out in force. Thanks to the Prefects for organising the Dance and the staff who helped make the event safe and fun.
NZ Secondary Students' Choir 2021/22 - new members from Wellington East!
NZ Secondary Students' Choir 2021/22 - new members from Wellington East!
A big congratulations to Anastasia Reid (Yr 12), Lesieli Kesaia Lavengamonu Katoa (Yr 12), Francesca Fagan (Yr 11), Tofoipupu Sio-Lolesio (Yr 12) and Katia Reid (Yr 9) who have successfully been selected for the 2021-2022 New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir
The national choir for secondary school students, aged 13 to 18 years, the New Zealand Secondary Students Choir has about 60 members, auditioned every second year. Each school holidays the choir meets for a week of rehearsals and concerts throughout the country, and (pre-Covid 19), culminating in a tour to an international choir festival or competition.
NZSSC performs a wide variety of music, including works from New Zealand's top composers.
Cyber Safety: Netsafe Tips
Cyber Safety: Netsafe Tips
As part of a school-wide approach to cyber-safety, we are going to be posting one tip on how you can support your child to be safe online in each school newsletter. For more in-depth information, please visit Netsafe’s advice for parents at https://www.netsafe.org.nz/online-safety-parent-toolkit/.
CYBER-BULLYING
CYBER-BULLYING
Know how to make social media as private as possible and sit down with your child to get the best settings for each app or site. Each social media site has policies on blocking, unfriending and reporting content on their ‘safety centre’ page. Some sites have even more specialised functions, like on Instagram you can filter comments on posts. It may also be useful to know how to block cell phone numbers and take screen shots of posts to use as evidence.
If there’s a cyber-bullying incident that occurs at school or involves other students from school, contact your Ako teacher or Dean or request an appointment with a guidance counsellor through the form on the student intranet which can be found in the ‘Cyber Safety’ page.
If it’s a serious incident, or doesn’t involve school, contact Netsafe. They can mediate with sites to take content down and will know if the content needs criminal action as well.
For more information on this, please go to: https://www.netsafe.org.nz/parents-bullying/
Our Kids Online Documentary about online porn and teens : Review
Our Kids Online Documentary about online porn and teens : Review
Two Wellington based parents and film-makers, Rob Cope and Zareen Sheikh-Cope, have created a documentary on the growing issues around teens watching online porn. It covers the differences around online porn today compared to what it was like for previous generations (more accessible, anonymous and affordable), the mental health issues around porn addiction, the negative representation it gives about actual sexual relationships (the images can be degrading and non-consensual) and associated issues like sexting and online predators.
'Our Kids Online' is an informative documentary that has interviews with a range of experts from NZ and abroad and some eye-opening statistics and personal stories. It is targeted at parents wanting to get their head around this issue and ends with some practical tips on how to protect your children’s use of technology and discuss this issue openly with them. This documentary has been viewed by some staff at WEGC and we think it would be useful for any parents in our community wanting to get more in-depth knowledge around this issue.
The documentary is currently $4.99US to hire for 48 hours. Go to their website to find out more: www.ourkidsonline.info .
Netsafe also has some free tips on how to discuss porn with your children at https://www.netsafe.org.nz/porn-advice-parents/.
Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award
Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award
Tena Koutou,
Tena koutou. It is exciting to be able to share the good news from our Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award program this term! As you know, the Award is all about setting goals, persevering and having the resilience to manage the risks and change the plan if needed. 2020 has certainly been a year to put all those skills into action and it is heartening to say we have come through with flying colours!
The photo (top) is of our Award participants this year. To help you out, there are 157 students in this photo and at least ten unable to make it on the day! Wow! Each and every one of these young people goes above and beyond the daily curricula of school to keep active, learn new skills and serve their community. It is incredibly rewarding to have such a strong programme here at WEGC.
Bronze Award news
Bronze Award news
In addition to the activities mentioned above, a core component of the DOE programme is learning how to adventure safely into our great NZ outdoors and in the past three months we have been doing just that. In September the Bronze cohort were able to carry out three qualifying tramps into the Rimutaka Forest Park. Whilst it was the same plan each time, the three trips were quite different. The first trip was under level 2, and with strangers in Turere Lodge the students tented at Catchpool Valley campground instead. It was pretty chilly (that’s an understatement) but not a single complaint was heard and the long second day only demonstrated the mental toughness of the students. The second and third trips had the relative luxury of overnighting in the Lodge but the challenges of a slippery wet track. We still have one more trip to execute in order to finish off the adventurous journeys for our 100 Bronze 2020 students - it is a blessing that the National Award Body negated the need for a practice tramp this year!
Gold and Silver Award news
Gold and Silver Award news
Continuing the adventure, during the second week of the October holidays 18 Gold Award students and four keen adults practiced their multi-night tramping skills along the Queen Charlotte Track. The weather was favourable and we had the added bonus of dolphins on the boat ride out to Ships Cove. Seventy-one km in three days is a hard going, as plenty of blistered feet will tell you, but loads of fun was had by all and what a great trip to prepare the students for the four day qualifying tramp into the backcountry early next year.
To round off the expeditions, the Silver cohort will be walking the Tongariro Northern Circuit in December as their qualifying journey. It is exciting to know that, despite all the challenges of the year, we have been able to achieve all our adventurous journeys - Yay!
Celebrations this year are also numerous. In early September the (was to be April) Gold Award presentation was held at Government House. Three former WEGC students were acknowledged for their Gold Award achievements: Isabella Alloway (who delivered the speech on behalf of the participants), Georgia Brown and Anneke Hutt (absent from the ceremony). As the ceremony took place during level 2 there was no shaking of hands with the Governor General but everyone got to pose for a photo and Government House gave out special morning tea bags to take away with the requisite tiny sandwiches and sweet treats!
Staying with the Gold theme, a number of students have just achieved or are about to achieve their Gold Awards: Kate Chu, Demi Soulis, Hannah Bertschinger, Holly Alloway, Ella Wipatene and Faith Hewitson. Congratulations to all of you! At this rate WEGC will need their own ceremony with the Govenor-General.
Thank you !
Thank you !
With all the busyness of the programme the need for safety is paramount so a huge thank you to WEPA who provided funding for a PLB specifically for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme. This allows us to have two PLBs for large multi-directional trips and not have to keep borrowing the Outdoor Ed PLB for smaller trips. Thank you for your support. In addition, a special thank you to Kathmandu Rongatai who donated 80 pegs for our tents - we are now secured for all occasions!
Continuing the thankful theme, a big thank you goes out to all the parents who support the DOE programme by helping out with training, trips, car rides and more. The programme cannot operate without support and it’s success is due in no small part to the enthusiasm and assistance of the parent community. Thank you.
What's next ?
What's next ?
Looking forward to 2021, there will be a parent and student information session on Monday 16th November, 7pm in Matairangi, Level 1, for all Year 9 students and their families interested in finding out about beginning their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award journey in 2021. As a school based Award Unit we are able to deliver the Award to all students in the Year 10 cohort, regardless of when in the year they turn 14. For more information you can check out the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award website www.dofehillary.org.nz or contact me, Deb, Coordinator, DOE WEGC at deb.remacha@wegc.school.nz. I look forward to meeting you all then.
Deb Remacha, Co-ordinator,
Entertainment Book 2021
Entertainment Book 2021
Connecting Communities - There has never been a more important time to support us with our fundraising and local business at the same time.
20% of each Membership sales goes directly to supporting Wellington East Girls' College to help us ensure that all East girls have access to the same opportunities.
Entertainment memberships are now completely digital, with three new digital memberships: Single City, Multi City and 2 year Multi City. All new Entertainment Memberships run for 12 months from activation and do not expire in June 2021. If you want to wait a little while, you have 3 months to activate your new membership after you renew. Once you activate, you will have a full 12 (or 24) months to use your Entertainment Membership.
Entertain yourself and save from the comfort of your own home, shop in your favourite online stores and enjoy movies, TV shows, games and much more for less with Entertainment.
You can purchase your WEGC Membership here https://www.entertainmentbook.co.nz/orderbooks/105u644
Sports Prize Giving
Sports Prize Giving
The Sports Prize Giving event was held on Wednesday 21 October here at school. Congratulations to all the students who won, and thank you to all who helped organise the event. Thank you to the students who are involved in sport for Wellington East Girls' College and parents/caregivers who give their time to allow all the sporting codes to go ahead. More details will go up in the Sports at East site in due course.
Sports at East
Sports at East
You can find information on all sports offered at East, as well as our latest achievements - the link is here and is also on our school website. You can also check out Instagram and Facebook pages for WEGC Sport at @wegcsport .
Ways to help - Fundraising for WEGC:
Ways to help - Fundraising for WEGC:
When you are shopping at Wellington City New World:
- Have your docket stamped at the time of purchase by a checkout Supervisor
- Deposit your docket in the East drop box provided in the main entrance of New World.
- Duplicate receipts can be requested, at time of purchase, if the original is required.
Welink Newsletter : Wellington East Girls' College, Austin Street, Mt Victoria 6011, Ph 385 8514, www.wegc.school.nz
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