Wellington East Girls' College / Te Kura Kōhine o te Rāwhiti o Te Upoko o Te Ika
Welink
Issue 1, Hui-tanguru / February 2022
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 katoa,
Welcome to the first WELINK of 2022. Ordinarily we would welcome our new Year 9 students, staff and whānau to the school with a pōwhiri. Under the COVID Protection Framework we were unable to do this in our usual way. Necessity is the mother of invention and fortunately, we were able to hold three mihi whakatau to welcome our new students. I hope that many of you were able to join us online. It is always such a pleasure to see new students and whānau join us.
Already we are seeing students settle into a new year of learning and we are fortunate to be able to do so in a face to face environment.
I would like to congratulate all of the students who were successful in their NCEA qualifications last year. We are also delighted that some of our Yr 13 students from last year have been successfully awarded scholarship in a variety of subjects:
Eliza Cartmell Outstanding Scholarship Sculpture
Lia McCallum Outstanding Scholarship Japanese
Rebecca Hutt Scholarship History
Clara Lindsay Scholarship Sculpture
Seraphine Ruch Scholarship Chemistry
May Simpson Scholarship Photography
Scholarship is demanding and requires commitment and dedication from students to perform at this level on top of their NCEA studies. Well done!
It is at this time of the year that students will be setting their own goals for the year. One of the critical keys to being successful in learning is regular attendance at school and punctuality to classes. I would therefore ask families to support us with this message. Please be in contact with your child’s Dean or Ako teacher if you have specific concerns.
We are delighted to welcome our new staff who are already making valuable contributions, connecting with the students and influencing their learning.
Bria Cardno, Science
Karen Hu, Languages
Jane O’Malley, Languages
Mary Richards, Art
Hannah Grant, Science
Jennie Besic, English
Jabeena Khalique, English
Nan Walden, Technology
Hannah Scott, Tikanga ā Iwi
Nadya Yuris, Maths
Keala Senek, Technology
Luc Arnault, Languages
Sadly we received a resignation from Penny Vine who is taking up a permanent position at Wainuiomata High School. We can’t thank Penny enough for her support of our Pasifika students and Poly Group. We also farewelled Jo Divett, Micaela Diedrichs and Cris Roughton as well as Hayley Robinson, who however returns as a Reliever.
Ngā mihi nui
Gael Ashworth, Principal
Board of Trustees
Board of Trustees
Kia Ora Kōutou,
On behalf of the Wellington East Girls' College Board of Trustees, I would like welcome all new students, staff and whānau to our community. To all those returning, welcome back!
2022 will be yet another year where COVID-19 continues to shape our daily lives. There will doubtless be ongoing disruptions for students, staff and whānau during 2022 and I encourage everyone to continue to be flexible as we walk through this next chapter of COVID. Gael and her team have worked incredibly hard to continue to make learning accessible to all during these difficult times. With Omicron, the Hybrid Approach to learning for when students might need to isolate and recover at home is yet another example of this.
Continuing to be resilient as a school community and supporting one another will be important. With this in mind I encourage all whānau to participate in our parent groups. These being:
Te Whānau Tūtahi
Pasifika Parents
New Settlers
Wellington Parents Association
For more information on these groups go to: https://www.wegc.school.nz/parents/parents-groups
2022 is the year for our Charter review and setting the new three year Strategic Plan for the College, and we will be consulting with you on this later in the year.
This year is also the year of the Board of Trustee Elections. The elections are in September (delayed due to COVID of course) and a number of Trustees will be saying goodbye. Being a Trustee is a great way to contribute to the school and our community. It is interesting, you do add value, you achieve things and not surprisingly you continue to learn! Well, it is a College after all.
Last but by no means least, I would like to thank Jo Lambert the previous Chair of the Trustees at the College for her very hard work in very difficult times. Jo stepped down from being the Chair at the end of 2021. I'd like to acknowledge Chelsea Jacobs-Prescott and Thomas Haapu who were our Trustees co-opted from Te Whānau Tūtahi, both of whom stood down from the Board at the end of 2021. I'd also like to acknowledge Sina Lesatele who has also stepped down from the Board as she is leaving for Auckland later this month.
Ngā mihi nui
Andrew Downes, Chair
Please see the Student Calendar below for student events coming up
Please see the Student Calendar below for student events coming up
Wellington East Parents' Association (WEPA)
Wellington East Parents' Association (WEPA)
Kia ora
On behalf of the Wellington East Parents’ Association (WEPA) we would like to welcome all our new whānau and students and all those returning. We hope you all had an enjoyable summer break.
We are a group of parents who meet monthly. We host events to bring our wider school community together and we provide financial support to the girls through funding equipment and experiences that enhance their education outside the classroom. This financial support comes from your donation; the Parents’ Association subscription (tick the box on your invoice) plus from other fundraising ventures throughout the year, where you can show your support.
We welcome all members of the school community to attend our meetings and contribute to the planning and decision making. Please contact us if you are interested... we have a few positions to fill this year, and the time commitment is not onerous... we need you!
Please help us and get in touch via parents@wegc.school.nz
We look forward to meeting you soon.
Nga mihi nui
WEPA committee
WEGC Community Groups
WEGC Community Groups
Partnership with our community groups is an important part of our home /school connection. By becoming involved in these groups you can find out more about what goes on inside the school, and you can work with us to support and enrich the lives of our young people.
WEGC Parents’ Association (WEPA)
WEGC Parents’ Association (WEPA)
The main focus of WEPA is to distribute money raised and donated by the school community to support our students in their extra-curricular activities across sport, culture, arts and academic pursuits. WEPA welcomes all whānau to attend and contribute to the decision making to support the success of our students.
Staff contact: Michelle Kennedy Junior Dean Lead
Te Whānau Tūtahi (TWT)
Te Whānau Tūtahi (TWT)
The whānau support group helps to provide support to all Māori students at WEGC to achieve the best that they can in all areas of school life. Te Whānau Tūtahi works in partnership with the Principal and staff in developing strategic goals for success and engagement of Māori and to provide advice and guidance to help the school meet those goals. Te Whānau Tūtahi is open to all parents, caregivers and whānau of all Māori students and students learning Te Reo Māori. It also encourages the participation of students, staff and other whānau in the school community. New whānau are welcome to join at any time.
Te Whānau Tūtahi meets twice a term . This meeting is attended by representatives of the school leadership, teachers as well as parents and students.
Staff contact person: Amanda Picken Deputy Principal
New Settlers’ Community Group
We are proud at East to have such a culturally diverse student body. Our New Settlers’ community meets together regularly throughout the school year. We hold meetings at least once a term to which parents and their young person are invited. This is a chance to meet other families and make connections. We also share information about how best to support student learning and we also provide advice regarding course selection and careers.
Every year, we celebrate together with a big community dinner and concert. At the end of the year, the achievements of our students are also acknowledged and celebrated in a final community gathering.
This group meets once a term. The meeting is attended by representatives of the school leadership, teachers as well as parents and students.
Staff contact: Melissa Denzler Deputy Principal
Pasifika Parents’ Group
The Pasifika Parents’ Group aims to assist the needs of our Pasifika students and their families. It aims to strengthen the connections between our Pasifika students, our school, our families and our communities. The group offers ongoing, active support across all dimensions of school life. Support from Pasifika parents and families throughout our school community is welcomed and encouraged.
The group meets twice a term. This meeting is attended by representatives of the school leadership, teachers as well as parents and students.
Staff contact: Carl Condliffe Deputy Principal
Attendance Matters - Changes to Absence processes
Attendance Matters - Changes to Absence processes
It has been a challenging start to 2022 and we are working hard to ensure our young people can continue to learn in an ever changing and unpredictable environment.
Accurate attendance records are a vital part of our response to COVID.
We continue to work closely with the Ministry and update our processes according to the latest information we are given. As a result, we have made some changes to our normal attendance processes to reflect their advice. Thank you for your support
COVID Absence process
COVID Absence process
If a student is deemed a close contact of a COVID case - AND has been notified by the Ministry of Health confirming this - OR if they have received a positive COVID test, please contact the school as soon as you can.
If a student is considered a close contact, they will need to isolate for 10 days (from the last time that a Contact was near the case during their infectious period - this is counted as day 0), and return a negative test on day 5 and day 8 if they are a confirmed close contact.
If they have COVID, students must isolate for at least 14 days, return a negative test and be symptom free for at least 72 hours before returning to school.
If a student is displaying COVID like symptoms, has taken a test which is returned as negative, and is now symptom free, they can return to school.
You can notify the school by:
emailing absence@wegc.school.nz or phoning 385 8514 ext 848
Sending a notification through our app
Emailing the student’s Ako teacher or dean
Our deans will enter the correct attendance codes on our student management system and send a note to all teachers about how long the student will be away from school.
If your student is isolating, but well, we code the attendance as F ( learning from home) and the student should continue online learning.
If your student is isolating, but unwell, this is M ( medical) and the student is not required to be online learning.
Please keep in contact with the school during your student’s isolation period so we can continue to be of support and update our attendance records.
It is useful to check if you have been at a location of interest. You can check the Ministry of Health’s website here.
An easier way to be automatically notified about whether you have been at a location of interest by the Ministry of Health is to turn on bluetooth on the COVID Tracer App. Instructions can be found here.
Stay on site, Late to school
Stay on site, Late to school
Another change to our attendance processes is that this term our Year 13 students are not able to leave school grounds during lunch times. We will revisit this in Term 2. We are doing this to reduce the risk of students spreading the virus.
We have revisited our late processes in order to more accurately reflect session 1 attendance. If a student is late to session 1, they are expected to sign in first at the main office. Once they arrive in class, they need to let their subject teacher know they have arrived and they will be marked late on the electronic roll.
Scan in at the Library
Scan in at the Library
We are also asking students who use the library during their study session to check in with the QR code that is displayed on the wall. Again, the more accurate our roll, the better able we are to notify students and whānau if we are required to by the Ministry of Health.
School Driveways
School Driveways
We appreciate how busy drop off and pick up times around the school can be, and recently have received feedback on the increasing risk created during these times. Ensuring pedestrian safety is a high priority on school driveways and surrounding areas. The traffic congestion at the beginning/end of day on the Paterson Street drive are of particular concern and creates a significant hazard.
To avoid blocking the flow of traffic and students on the road, we ask all parents and caregivers to avoid the area and drop off/collect your student well away from the gates. Coupon parking continues to be available near the school (free for the first two hours). These arrangements will operate both inside and outside school hours.
Driveways Closed during start and end of school day
Driveways Closed during start and end of school day
School driveways are closed at the start and end of the school day. Barriers may be in place restricting vehicle access during this time. Only vehicles authorised for drop offs to Te Aka Class or due to accessibility requirements are permitted to use the driveways
Thank you to those families who have been following the guidelines
Term Dates 2022
Term Dates 2022
Term 1 - 4 February to 14 April
Term 2 - 2 May to 8 July
Term 3 - 25 July to 30 September
Term 4 - 17 October to 14 December
School Day
School Day
School begins at 8.45am finishes 3.20pm each day (not Wed)
Mon,Tue,Thur:
Interval 10.15-10.40am, Lunch 12.50-1.50pm
Wednesday:
Interval 10.15-10.45am, Lunch 12.15-12.45pm
Early finish at 2.15pm
Friday:
Interval 10.30-10.55am, Lunch 12.40-1.35pm
School contacts
School contacts
All our information can be found on our website www.wegc.school.nz or here https://www.wegc.school.nz/our-school/staff
Who to contact :
Who to contact :
It is important for parents to be aware of whom they should approach at school on matters concerning their student
- Subject Teachers
Please contact Subject Teachers to discuss on-going progress and achievement within a subject or to raise subject specific queries. Subject teachers can also be contacted to discuss course information.
- Ako Teachers
Please contact Ako Teachers to discuss general progress and achievement, or to pass on good news. Ako teachers can also be contacted to raise concerns about attendance, discipline/behaviour, health and wellbeing.
- Deans
Please contact Deans to discuss on-going progress and achievement or to pass on good news. Deans can also be contacted to discuss major concerns about academic progress, attendance, discipline/behaviour, health and wellbeing. At course selection time Deans can be contacted with queries regarding course selection and timetabling.
Year 9 Michelle Kennedy
Year 10 Tracy Tsai
Year 11 Camielle King
Year 12 Melissa Reeve
Year 13 Jakki Galloway
- Attendance Officer/Absence
Ph 385 8514 then dial 1. Please phone regarding student absence, lateness or illness. Available 8.30am to 3.45pm daily. You can also email absence@wegc.school.nz
- Learning Support
Please contact the Learning Support Coordinator with any information or queries about your student's learning needs: bridget.dixon@wegc.school.nz
- Careers
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.
- Guidance Counsellors
Please contact the Guidance Leader Joy Maehe, or Lynley Goodisson with any student social/emotional concerns or mental health issues. This may include: stress, bereavement, difficulty adjusting to a new school, family issues, depression, teenage issues, links to outside agencies, etc. You can find more info on our website here: https://www.wegc.school.nz/wellbeing-hauora/about-us
- Deputy Principals
Please contact Deputy Principals for whole school matters or for issues of a serious nature.
Email Contact
Email Contact
If any parent wishes to make email contact with a teacher at the college, the standard format for the email address is:
firstname.surname@wegc.school.nz (eg – mary.jones@wegc.school.nz)
School Office
School Office
School phone number: 04 385 8514
School email address : wegc@wegc.school.nz
School website : www.wegc.school.nz
Learning at Red Setting
Learning at Red Setting
We’ve been busy trying to keep our students up to date with what school looks like at Red Setting.
Please click on his link if you’d like more information about this.
As part of our COVID response, WEGC is using a hybrid learning approach so students are able to learn both in school and online. An important part of being part of our online learning community is online etiquette - or Netiquette.
This slideshow has been shared with all students during Ako so they have a clear understanding of our school’s expectations in this learning space.
Click here for slideshow
Red Traffic Light Setting at School
Red Traffic Light Setting at School
Starting off this year in the Red Traffic light of the COVID Protection Framework has meant a few changes to how we normally run things, and the students and staff have been adjusting to these changes. These changes have included:
mask wearing inside and on all buses
eating outside where possible
singing and exercising outside and
getting set up for online learning if the need arises
Events, trips and celebrations are being adjusted to meet the requirements of the Red setting as and when this is needed. It has been great to see everyone positively getting on board with these changes, and supporting each other.
Ventilation
We have used the Ministry of Education self-assessment tool to review all our ventilation in readiness for the start of the year. Providing fresh air remains the most important thing we can do in our learning spaces to minimise risk for ākonga and kaiako (and the same goes for our homes). We also have CO2 monitors in Matairangi which allow us to increase the levels of ventilation through the Building Management System when required.
Face coverings
Staff and children in Years 4 – 13 must wear face coverings when inside at school when we are at Red. Students will also be required to wear masks on school buses as well as public transport.
Public health advice is that an appropriate face covering will fit snugly and seal well around facial contours. This can include single use, disposable masks (medical masks) and re-usable fabric masks with three layers.
The Unite Against COVID-19 website also has information on how to make a face covering (https://bit.ly/3rTrxGb).
Visiting school site
If you need to come into school to meet with teachers, or for any other reason, you will be asked at Reception to show your vaccine pass as proof of vaccination. If you are not vaccinated then alternative online arrangements will be made for you.
There will be no non-essential visitors on site.
Students on site
Students must remain on site throughout the day. If a student has a medical appointment then they must sign out at Hauora showing evidence of their appointment.
Staff enjoying waiata Wednesday outside in the Quad before school following the red setting guidelines
Students enjoying lunch in the sun in the Quad
Translated and accessible information on COVID-19
Translated and accessible information on COVID-19
A reminder that students, parents and whānau can find a wide variety of COVID-19 information in 27 languages and four alternate formats on the Unite Against COVID-19 website.
Key information includes:
Getting your booster dose
Protecting your tamariki from COVID-19
Wearing a face covering
Testing
Support for if you get COVID-19
Support for individuals and families
Translated information will continue to be updated regularly.
Tuakana 2022
Tuakana 2022
Well done to our Tuakana 2022 who participated in our training day in readiness for our Teina (Yr 9) joining the Wellington East community. Our Tuakana showed the spirit of service and commitment we have come to expect from our senior students. We have 66 Tuakana, 95% of whom turned up on our training day - an awesome turnout. Tuakana work in our Yr9 Ako classes and four of our current Yr 10 Ako classes. Each week our Tuakana deliver activities to help our students learn and live the school values :
Whanaungatanga : belonging kinship and connection
Rangatiratanga : leadership, self-determination
Aroha : patience, kindness and empathy
Our Tuakana are expected to walk the talk, showing our young Teina that values are as much about what you do as what you say. Our Prefects, Riana Ngaia, Yasmin Kesry, Maddie Brown will keep you updated throughout the year.
Kaiako: Mrs Joy Maehe. Mrs Michelle Kennedy, Lynley Goodison
February 2022: Welcome to new students
February 2022: Welcome to new students
Our new students started with us on 3 February with an amended welcome, and in groups, to allow for COVID Red Light Traffic restrictions. Our usual Powhiri couldn't take place under red settings, so we held a shorter Mihi Whakatau. Each group of students were welcomed into the Hall, with livestreaming available for parents if they wished. After welcoming the students the Orientation continued for the groups, including school tours and school information for each Ako class.
2022 Prefects
2022 Prefects
Our new prefects for 2022 began their duties from the start of term. The list of student prefects is here
NCEA 2021
NCEA 2021
A reminder that although students can access their results through Kamar, the NZQA website is the official site for NCEA results. At the end of 2020 NZQA added a feature for schools where we can now check the last time students logged into the system. Ako teachers can work one-on-one with any Year 12 or 13 students who have not recently logged in to help support them.
Students can order through their learner login any documents for which they are eligible and want a copy. One free copy of each certificate is available.
Students should wait for the results of a review or reconsideration before ordering a certificate.
Wanted ! Reader/writers needed to support students
Wanted ! Reader/writers needed to support students
We need people who would be able to support during assessments and exams by reading questions, writing or typing answers and or supervising students. If you have some time available to help us please contact Bridget Dixon, Learning Support on bridget.dixon@wegc.school.nz for more information.
Join a Music Group
Join a Music Group
MULTI CHOIR is directed by Mrs Hunt and welcomes any student from any year level. Multi Choir compete at The Big Sing and are well known for their brilliant gospel singing and many members are also part of Poly Club. Rehearsals are on Monday lunch times in the Music Recital Room. No audition required. Rehearsals start Monday 21 February.
SENIOR CHOIR is a fun student-directed choir run by Scarlett Prescott-Mason and Music Prefect Zoe Kerr-Le-Grange. The choir is open to all year 11 - year 13 students. Rehearsals are Tuesday lunch times & some Tuesday’s after school in the Music Recital Room. Senior Choir combine with students from Rongotai College to compete at The Big Sing, where they have previously won major regional awards. No audition required, rehearsals start Tuesday 15 February
YOUNG VOICES CHOIR is a student-directed choir for year 9s and 10s only, run by Katia Reid & Molly Dreaver-Stimpson. The choir performs at the Music Department Concert and other school events. This is a great transitional choir for Rāwhiti. Rehearsals are Tuesday lunch times starting on 15 February.
ORCHESTRA (Terms 3 & 4) is an all-comers orchestra for any student who plays an orchestral instrument. Orchestra is run by Year 13 Cellist, Libby Watson. The orchestra welcomes students of all abilities, including beginners. Rehearsals are Friday lunch times, Terms 3 & 4 in the Music Recital Room. No audition required.
JAZZ BAND brings together all sorts of musicians from drummers, guitarists, trumpeters, saxophonists, flautists, to pianists. If your desire is to play Jazz but you play the violin, come along! Jazz band is directed by our Clarinet and Saxophone teacher Frankie Curac. Rehearsals are straight after school on Wednesdays (2:20pm) in the Music Recital Room starting Wednesday 16 February. No audition required.
CHAMBER MUSIC FRIDAY If you play an instrument and would like to work in a small group with others of similar abilities to you, then please come and see Mrs Isaac in the Music Office. Rehearsals will be Friday lunch times in the Music department. No audition required.
ROCKQUEST. Wanna put a rock band together? Contact Mrs Isaac. If you like, enter your band into the Rockquest. Loads of fun and we can help supply the instruments and mentoring.
2022 Payment of School Fees/Donations
2022 Payment of School Fees/Donations
You will be sent a statement later in Term 1 with Fees/Donations.
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.
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 www.facebook.com/wegcsport
Ways to help WEGC - Fundraising :
Ways to help WEGC - Fundraising :
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. Every time you purchase products from New World Wellington City, they will pay the school 1.5% pa of the total $ sales value.
Welink Newsletter : Wellington East Girls' College, Austin Street, Mt Victoria 6011, Ph 385 8514, www.wegc.school.nz
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