Wellington East Girls' College / Te Kura Kōhine o te Rāwhiti o Te Upoko o Te Ika
Welink
Rāwhiti Taukaea
Issue 6, Hakihea / December 2022
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
Tēnā koutou kātoa
The end of the year provides us with the opportunity to look back on the year and also to make plans for the future. We wish the students who are awaiting results all the very best, and to all our whānau a relaxing break and a refreshed start in the New Year.
With the ongoing disruption that Covid has brought this year, I would like to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of the staff who have persevered in the face of these challenges and have always put the students at the centre of what they do. I would also like to thank the parents and whānau who continue to work alongside us to support our young people to make the most of the wide range of opportunities available to them at school.
Have a restful Summer.
Ngā mihi nui
Gael Ashworth, Principal
Please see the Student Calendar below for student events coming up
Last Day of Term 4 - Wednesday 14 December 2022
(For Year 9 & 10 students only)
The school will finish at 12.00pm on Wednesday 14 December and there will be NO afternoon school buses.
Start of Year 2023 and Term Dates
Term 1:
25/26 January - Tuakana Noho
26 January - Uniform Shop open 9.30am-2.00pm
27 January - Prefect Training
30 January - Course Confirmation for Senior students
31 January - Teacher Only Day
1 February - Teacher Only Day
2 February - Year 9 and other levels NEW students Pōwhiri & Orientation Day
3 February - Year 9-13 students - All students to be at school as follows:
Year 9 students report to their Ako class at 8.45am
Year 10 & 11 students report to Tawatawa Sports Centre at 8.45am
Year 12 & 13 students report to Tawatawa Sports Centre at 9.30am
6 February - Waitangi Day observed (school closed)
7 February - All Year levels - first day of timetable - school begins at 8.45am
6 April - Last Day of Term 1
Term 2: 24 April - 30 June 2023
Term 3: 17 July - 22 September 2023
Term 4: 9 October- 12 December 2023
Teacher Only Days for 2023 will be updated on the website once confirmed. Link to page here.
End of Year/Start of Year information (below)
2023 SENIOR COURSE CONFIRMATION (Year 11-13)
This is to be completed online. Instructions will be emailed to students.
BOOK RETURNS AND SPORTS UNIFORMS
All textbooks, outstanding library items, calculators and sports uniforms must be returned and outstanding charges paid. We urge you to pay and return these now. Staff will assist in making contact to remind you of any outstanding fees for course materials and your cooperation in this is appreciated.
If any books or calculators are required for exam preparation they may be kept and returned to the box in the Library or the top field on the day of your exam.
LOCKER CLEARANCE
Lockers must be cleared and keys returned to School Reception (in order to get the $20 refund). If you have provided your own padlock, please remove this by the end of the year. All belongings should be removed from the lockers by Monday 12 December 2022. You will be unable to collect your belongings after this date until school opens in February 2023. Keys can be returned to School Reception to claim the refund.
SCHOOL MAGAZINE : Memnonium (He Puna Mahara)
Many students have indicated payment for this through their school fees and can be seen via the Kamar parent portal, but please contact Mrs 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 your school account right from the Kamar portal on the school website
Magazines will be distributed to Year 9 and Year 10 students on Wednesday 14 December. Year 13 students will receive it at their leavers’ event on Thursday 8 December. Year 11 and 12 students will be able to collect them from the Library from Thursday 8 December.
PREFECT TRAINING
There will be Year 13 Prefect training on Friday 27 January at school. Students will be notified of further details by email.
SCHOOL SNAPPER / ID CARD
The WEGC Snapper ID card is valid for 5 years at a cost of $20 and has the child concession loaded automatically onto them by Snapper. If your student is 16yrs or over they will need to renew their travel concession - see more information here Child concessions
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/snapper-locations/
ID Snapper Cards ordered after 4 December 2022 won’t be available for collection until the start of Term 1, 2023.
Photos for new Year 9 students are being taken at uniform fittings in Term 4, 2022, and they will receive their cards in Term 1, 2023.
Photos will be taken at the beginning of Term 1 for those students who did not have their photos taken during their fittings in 2022.
SCHOOL STATIONERY
Wellington East Girls' College Stationery lists are available on the WEGC website from the beginning of December, and over the holiday period. There is also an option to purchase online directly from Office Max on myschool.co.nz.
UNIFORM
Both new and second hand uniforms are available for purchase from Reception between 8.15am - 3.30pm every day during the school term. Final day for uniform sales is Tuesday 13 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 Tuesday 13 December 2022 until Thursday 26 January 2023. The shop will be open from 26 January 2023 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 the school uniform shop: uniforms@wegc.school.nz or phone 385-8514. Full details, including price lists, are available online on our website
Payment of Voluntary Donations and Optional Charges 2022
Any outstanding school contributions/subject charges and other activities to be paid before 14 December, (the end of the 2022 school year), either by cash, eftpos 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 3.30pm Monday to Friday. The School is closed during public holidays and school term breaks. Payments by cash or EFTPOS are available.
He Huarahi Tamariki Students' Prize Giving
Wellington East is the host school for the He Huarahi Tamariki Teen parent unit based in Tawa, and each year their prize giving is an opportunity to celebrate all the successes throughout 2022 and give thanks to all those who have worked with our young people to support them in their endeavours.
Kaiārahi Paula Hay summed up the kaupapa of He Huarahi Tamariki in her address:
"Aroha mai - love received
Aroha atu - love returned/love given.
To me, this is what HHT is all about. Everything we do - from asking if you are OK today, checking in to see why you are not at school, to coming and picking you up from home - feeding you, leaving you to have some peaceful time - it all comes down to aroha mai, aroha atu. As a whānau we ask to have aroha atu - love and kindness returned. This may not be now, it might be tomorrow, it might be next week or next year. It might be after you graduate and head on to other things. Just know that part of you will always be here at HHT. We will always be here for you.
These have been complex and complicated times that we are navigating through.
That you are here. You are connected to HHT. You are awesome. You provide HHT with aroha and HHT gives you back aroha - aroha mai, aroha atu."
We are looking forward to 2023, and are already planning new opportunities for our ākonga to experience new things, learn and grow as inspirational and outstanding people.
HHT graduates (from left to right in the photo) are: Gardenia Teina, Catherine Motusia, Pina Maihi, Caci Borren-Robertson, Bridget Martin, Shanaia Rapira
WEGC Careers and Gateway work experience
We would like to congratulate all of our amazing students who participated in Gateway work experience this year. We had good feedback from many of you and we’re sure you’ll go on to do great things. A big thank you also goes out to all of the employers who participated this year: Mane Hair; Kilbirnie Community Centre; Te Hopai Rest Home; WEGC Te Aka, Reception and Cafe; Newtown ELC; Kiwiclass; APM Workcare; Youthline; Wellington City Council; Countdown; the Warehouse and McDonalds.
We welcome all members of the school community to contact our Gateway Coordinator Laura Goulden if they are interested in supporting a student in their workplace. Gateway is a fantastic opportunity for Y12/13 students to gain insight into a career and get experience and we appreciate our employers for it. We have students wanting placements in all industries!
Lastly, the Careers Department hosted a ‘Give it a Go’ Day on Friday 2 December in M1-23. All Year 9 and 10 students were welcome to attend information/practical sessions on different careers including baking and cookery, construction, hairdressing, midwifery and nursing.
Please contact the Careers Advisor, Cathy Matthews, with any queries about your student’s career choices or future pathways. Careers information can be found under the Learning/Careers bar on the WEGC website. Alternatively, please contact the Gateway Coordinator, Laura Goulden, for information on a Gateway placement for your student or your workplace.
Yr10 App Designers Win
Earlier in the year, our Year 10 Digital Technologies class were working on designing wellbeing apps for the Student Wellbeing Digital Design Competition run by the Ministry of Education. Out of over 50 submissions nationally, one of our teams (Team U-Daily) was the only Wellington school to be selected as a finalist. They attended the official awards ceremony at Te Papa and walked away with prizes for themselves and the school. The Ministry of Education is going to use aspects of U-Daily's design submission as part of the official tool they will roll out to schools around the country.
PC4G Competition
Recently, a group of 10DT students competed in the national PC4G Mark II competition hosted by Wellington Girls' College. This competition is aimed at Year 10 girls who are problem solvers and are interested in computer programming. This competition is an initiative to increase the number of girls coming through to the Informatics Program, and start addressing the gender imbalance at the IOI (International Olympiad Informatics). Students worked in teams of two to solve problems using the Python programming language and competed against students from Newlands College, Wellington Girls' College and 9 high schools from the Canterbury Region. One of our teams came first in the Wellington region and 6th place nationally - well done! A great achievement for our Year 10 DT students.
International Students : Ākonga Tuawhenua
The end of this school year sees the graduation of three of our international students, all of whom remained in New Zealand through our years of covid lockdown and disruption to air travel. Their resilience and ability to remain focused and engaged without seeing their direct family in person has been admirable. All three will continue their New Zealand education and have enrolled at Otago University.
We wish Quan Nguyen, Becky Chen and Kristy Ning all the very best for their next steps in life!
Homestay accommodation : we would still love to hear from families who are interested in hosting one of our international students, either short or longer term Please do get in touch, we can provide you with as much information as you may need to help make a decision - international@wegc.school.nz Roz Malkin and Jo Moir
Dance and Drama showcase
On 17 November the Year 9 Dance and Drama classes performed their Myths and Legends theatre pieces for parents. It was well attended by over 100 families; there were flips and tricks, heroes and villains, and great dance numbers. Our Year 9's worked hard to make this a fun evening out for their whanau.
East selections for NZ National Choirs
Congratulations to the following WEGC students, alumni and staff who have been selected for NZ National Choirs.
New Zealand Youth Choir - Academy Choir
Francesca Fagan (Yr 13)
Molly Dreaver-Stimpson (Yr 13)
New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir
Eden Leota (Yr 12)
Katia Reid (Yr 11)
Grace Tautiaga-Mamea (Yr 12)
New Zealand Youth Choir
Anastasia Reid - WEGC Alumni
Voices NZ - Ensemble Member
Penelope Isaac - Design & Evaluation Lead, Arts Performance.
Rāwhiti Choir at the Polish Christmas Market
On 19 November the Wellington Polish community held their annual Polish Christmas Market in Newtown. The Fagan whānau (current students Francesca and Lydia) alongside others are the organising team behind this festive event and this year Rāwhiti got to be one of the performing acts. It was an honour to give back to the Wellington Polish community who have supported WEGC Music throughout the years. The rain didn't put the performers or punters off and it was a great day enjoyed by many. Many thanks to our WEGC supporters who came out to cheer on Rāwhiti and enjoy the festivities.
Rāwhiti performing
Rawhiti students and Choir Director Penelope Isaac with the Polish Ambassador Grzegorz Kowal.
Sports at East
You can check out Instagram - @wegcsport - and Facebook page for WEGC Sport at www.facebook.com/wegcsport
You can find information on all sports offered at East - the link is here and is also on our school website.
Te Ahu o te reo Māori Course for Parents/Caregivers of WEGC
Kāuru Education’s Te Ahu o te reo Māori course is offering courses to whanau from the week starting 30 Jan 2023 – Week ending 23 April 2023. Initally these courses were offered by the Ministry of Education for teachers but expanded to family members this year. They are held on Wednesdays evenings 6pm-9pm for 12 weeks. The courses are free and include face to face teaching. If parents/whanau would like to sign up for this course they can do so here : https://www.tereochampions.com/
Memorial for Janice Campbell held at WEGC
Our Rāwhiti choir sang at the memorial service held recently at the school for one of our longest-serving Principals, and former student, Janice Campbell. On Saturday 28 November, Janice's whanau, her ex students and staff attended to remember her life and service to our community, in a thoughtful and caring celebration.
L-R: Mandy Kay, Joy Maehe, Whaea Rewhia King
Our Guidance Team
Tena Koutou Katoa
The Guidance Team at Wellington East are committed to our school values, enhancing the mana of ourselves and others through aroha, whanaungatanga and Rangatiratanga.
I did not want to get to the end of 2022 without introducing the Guidance Team We are a small group however, we work with many in our school community. We support students and families throughout the year in many different ways. Our service is open to students and families and we hope in 2023 not have the numerous interruptions we have had in 2022.
My name is Joy Maehe I am the Guidance Leader and work with students and their families. Mandy Kay is a qualified counsellor and works full time; Carina Allen is a qualified counsellor and works part time. Whaea Rewhia King is our whanau liaison person working with our whanau in the community and here at school, she works part time. To access our team please contact me directly and we can work out how we can help together
Mrs. Joy Maehe
Guidance Leader M Couns, BSW, Dip Teach (Sec)
Ph:04 388514 ext. 837 Email: joy.maehe@wegc.school.nz
Affordable counselling available for parents
Parent Help counsellors have helped hundreds of families to restore peace and balance in their lives. Request a counselling session by registering online here: www.parenthelp.org.nz/counselling. Do you need parenting strategies you can implement right away? Speak to our warm and supportive parenting experts. Call now for free on 0800 568 856. Available from 9am – 9pm 7 days a week.
Ways to help WEGC - Fundraising :
Entertainment Book
Thank you for your support this year purchasing the entertainment book to help our students - 20% of the membership goes directly to support our fundraising
https://subscribe.entertainmentnz.com/fundraiser/105u644
Thank you
Welink Newsletter : Wellington East Girls' College, Austin Street, Mt Victoria 6011, Ph 385 8514, www.wegc.school.nz
