Wellington East Girls' College / Te Kura Kōhine o te Rāwhiti o Te Upoko o Te Ika
Welink
Rāwhiti Taukaea
Issue 4, Hōngongoi / July 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
We are reaching the end of a very busy term and it has been so good to see the different ways that we connect with the community re-emerging.
Earlier this term we hosted our School in Action tours, Open Day and Evening for prospective Year 8 students and their families. They were all well supported events and fantastic opportunities to showcase our school and the learning opportunities for students who choose to come here. I received so many compliments from visitors about our Yr 9 and 13 students who escorted families on tours around the school. They are such positive and proud ambassadors of our school.
We do have an exciting and limited opportunity for some out of zone enrolments this year. Anyone who is interested in being part of the ballot can find the link to the enrolment form on the school website.
Ngā Manu Kōrero Regional Speech Competition was recently held in Palmerston North and three of our students stood and represented Wellington East:
Vera Schmidt (Y9) - Junior English
Lizzie Webber (Y9) - Junior Māori
Kowhai Luke (Y13) - Senior English
All three students performed exceptionally with Kowhai being the Regional Winner. She will go on to represent the kura at the National Competition later in the year.
Our Poly Group is currently preparing for Tu Tagata which will be held the first week of next term. They have been practising tirelessly throughout the term and have been well supported by the student leaders, staff and families. Tonight is an exciting opportunity for the group to perform their bracket for their families at the Fa’aliga evening. We are looking forward to receiving the informative feedback that families provide to the students to continue to develop their performance and support their progress.
We continue to be impacted by COVID and sickness and I appreciate the continued support from families and whānau as we try to navigate this and limit the impact on students. We are looking at different ways to manage this situation in Term 3 and these will be communicated with you when finalised.
I hope everyone manages to take time to rest and focus on their wellbeing over the next two weeks. Look forward to seeing you in Term 3.
Ngā mihi nui
Gael Ashworth, Principal
Board of Trustees
Kia Ora Kōutou,
Firstly I'd like to thank all the students, whānau and teachers that contributed to our recent strategic plan consultation. In all we probably had about 60 people join in the Kōrero either face to face or on-line. The feedback we received was supportive of the main theme of what we want to achieve; (supporting priority learners to help reduce the gaps in achievement whilst continuing to lift achievement for all), the approaches we want to take to achieve this (for example maximising the use of our data to identify students that might be struggling as early as possible especially with year 9's and continuing to develop a culturally responsive curriculum) and how we will evaluate how we are doing (assessed by a reduction in the achievement gap across all our students, whilst our overall achievement improves and being cognisant that achievement is multi-faceted and culturally diverse).
Wellbeing and the ongoing need to build resilience within ourselves and support across our communities was also seen as a high priority theme. So thank you again to all that contributed to the Kōrero and a special mention to the Student Council, the time we had discussing the plan was quite inspirational.
We had the pleasure of hosting prospective students at the open day/evening recently. It was a pleasure to see our students confidently guiding groups of students and their whānau through different learning areas...and after such a long time with Covid .... it was great to see lots of our local community taking the opportunity to come into the buildings and hear about what we are about and what we offer.
A special thank you to our Head Prefects and Year 9's who spoke of their East experiences on stage and a special thank you too to all the students who helped out whether it was through baking, playing music, making short videos or just talking to prospective students about their experiences.
Ngā mihi nui
Andrew Downes, Chair
School Board Elections
The triennial elections are coming up in September. Next week there will be a call for nominations. The Board agreed to move into a staggered election cycle and more information regarding this will follow.
Please see the Student Calendar below for student events coming up
Wellington East Parents' Association (WEPA)
Kia ora
It has been a quiet time for us in terms of grant applications however in line with our ongoing focus on supporting students in hardship this month we approved a grant to purchase a chest freezer and funds towards delicious kai to fill it. Students will be able access nutritious food when they need it. This ties in well with the great work which continues to be done by the breakfast club in the mornings.
In addition we approved funding for a fantastic social action initiative by one of our year 12 students, Pieta Proudfoot. Her plan is to create a calculator rental system for senior maths students at the school. Graphics calculators typically cost $170, and Pieta found that not having access to graphic calculators meant some students were unable to perform to their full potential and some even dropped maths altogether. This initiative hopes to remove the financial barrier this may impose on some whanau. Well done Pieta!
Now we are back into the swing of sports and cultural activities we anticipate more grant applications coming our way. Please use the following link to the grant application form if you would like our support. https://drive.google.com/file/d/12MIcHLTjYzjRkLTj3GSjFHU0LfrNgtiK/view
We have a number of WEPA committee members with students in their last year at school. Whilst we don't have any official roles vacant at present we are always keen to get new members. If this is of interest, please do join us at one of our monthly meetings. It is a great way to keep abreast of what is happening at school and support our students. Please get in touch via parents@wegc.school.nz
Wishing everyone a relaxing break over the school holidays.
Ngā mihi nui
WEPA committee
Dates for Year 9, 2023 Enrolment
We are accepting enrolments now for 2023 - all enrolments are to be completed online
25 July 2022, All Year 9 applications (including Out of Zone applicants) to be received. In zone applications can be accepted at any time.
1 August 2022, Ballot held for out of zone Year 9 2023 places
4 August 2022, Parents of out of zone applicants to be notified of Year 9 ballot outcomes
18 August 2022, Deadline for Parents acceptance of Year 9 (out of zone) ballot places
16-25 August 2022 Enrolment meetings (to help with transition to college)
For planning purposes we request applications for students who live in our home zone, for entry into Year 9 in 2023, to be in the hands of WEGC Enrolment Officer by Monday 25 July 2022. This is not a deadline. In-zone applications can be accepted at any time by the enrolment officer.
Ngā Manu Kōrero Regional Speech Competition 2022
The competition was held at the end of June, and we had three wahine toa competing in the formal manu kōrero speech competition hosted in Ōtaki!
Kowhai Luke - Senior English Section
Lizzie Webber - Junior Māori Section
Vera Schmidt - Junior English Section
All three students performed well, and our head prefect Kowhai Luke won the Senior English section. Congratulations Kowhai, Lizzie and Vera. Thank you to Frances Dreaver, Matua Hemi Akuhata, Whāea Rewhia King, Matua James Tawhiti, Whāea Arihia Latham for all your support
The Wellington Regional Readers Cup
East took first place at the Wellington Regional Readers Cup for the third year in a row! Congratulations to the Great Eastpectations team, Amelia Turner, Emelia King, Dylan Mein, Violetta Jajjo and Eve Scanlon, who went on to represent Wellington at the national competition in Auckland.
The Annual Food Fair is back !
One of the highlights of our school calendar is our annual Food Fair. This year we are holding a Winter Wonderland Food Fair on August 12. It's a major community event for our school - each year we have stalls selling the most amazing food from many cultures. If you would like to run a stall, please complete the google form below.
Music winners at the Big Sing 2022
This year has been a tough one for singing, but on Thursday 9th June, two of our WEGC choirs took the stage at the Michael Fowler Centre for The Big Sing Wellington Regionals.
Multi Choir wowed the audience with their infectious energy, beautiful solo/trio work and a huge sense of fun. The sound Multi Choir creates always brings joy to people and today was no different. Well done Mrs Hunt, Maylani , Faith and Multi Choir.
Rāwhiti performed beautifully, and debuted Brent Stewart’s arrangement of Tagi Hina. Congratulations to Rāwhiti, their director Penelope Isaac and accompanists Bethany Angus and Jade Te Hira for being awarded the VUW Cup for their performance of Tagi Hina.
Thank you to the staff and student leaders involved in making The Big Sing a successful day
Mrs Isaac, Mrs Hunt, Barbara Paterson, Bethany Angus, Frances Dreaver
Maylani Framhein, Faith Tautiaga-Mamea, Amalia Lau-Young, Jade Te Hira , Rāwhiti Section Leaders, Leilani Pedro
A special mention to Leilani, the Isopo, Kisona and Pedro families for sharing knowledge, culture and showing us a piece of the beautiful Tokelauan community. This has been an experience we will hold close to our hearts for a very long time.
Well done to all students, staff and whānau involved!
Chamber Music Contest
Congratulations to Sounds of Matairangi (our WEGC Chamber Group - Naya Espelita, Tallulah Farrow and Katia Reid) who have been preparing and rehearsing for the NZCT Chamber Music Competition. Unfortunately, Covid got in the way of the group competing, but their hard work, dedication, and resilience did not go unnoticed.
Take The Mic
Congratulations to Year 12 Vocal Studies student Betty Smith who has made it through to the top 12 of TVNZ's new series Take The Mic. Take The Mic follows 12 singer/songwriters between the ages of 15-18 as they embark on a competition to record their work. Betty was selected from a large pool of young musicians and we cannot wait to follow her journey.
Shakespeare Globe Centre NZ/Morrison Music Trust Shakespeare Composition Competition
Year 12 Music students, Eden Leota, Saffiya Johnson and Hannah Young were all finalists in the Shakespeare Globe Centre NZ/Morrison Music Trust Shakespeare Composition Competition for their Shakespeare-inspired music compositions they completed in class.
The results were:
Shakespeare inspired instrumental composition:
2nd place - Saffiya Johnson
3rd place - Hannah Young
Shakespeare inspired vocal composition:
1st place - Eden Leota
Supreme Winner (over both categories)
Eden Leota
Eden will now have the opportunity to be a Student Composer at SGCNZ/s National Shakespeare Schools Production in October. She will also be considered for selection as a member of SGCNZ YSC 2023 representing NZ in the UK at the Globe and Stratford Upon Avon.
Congratulations Eden, Saffiya and Hannah
Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival 2022
This year the annual Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Regional Festival was held at Wellington East over 3 evenings on 11,12 and 13 April. This festival is always hosted at Wellington East and includes schools from around the Wellington Region. Despite COVID we managed to have a live event, with some performances being live-streamed, or a filmed performance. The Sheilah Winn event helps develop skills of young people, including collaboration, co-operation, compromise, and at the same time, leadership, self-presentation, self-confidence, self-esteem, time management, project management and performance evaluation.
Alyssa Ta and Arabella Adlington performing The Taming of the Shrew in the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival.
Purple Power Week
From Monday 27 June to Friday 1 July we held our now annual PPW - this is it's seventh year and was established to empower and uplift women - this year we focused on uplifting mana wahine and promoting body neutrality and women supporting women.
Our head prefects noted "We have schools across wellington joining us in celebrating PPW this year and we believe this sense of community is crucial to making change. From our fellow girls' schools who are facing similar issues and taking a stand alongside us, to the boys' schools acknowledging the key part women play in this world and using their voices to empower the woman around them. This week is a reminder to all members of the East community that regardless of your identity we can all play a part in uplifting women".
The events held to celebrate the week included mural painting with a theme of body neutrality, Tie dye t-shirts, bake sales, game show with sister schools, and a Dance party on the Friday.
International Students
For the past two and a half years the New Zealand border has been closed to international students. This is due to change very soon as we welcome the arrival of seven new students from Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong and China. They will arrive in July and begin their study at Wellington East Girls' College at the beginning of Term 3. These students will join a small group who remained in New Zealand and have for the past almost three years not seen their natural families. We are thankful to the wonderful host families who take such great care of our students and have made them feel connected and settled.
2023 will see the arrival of more international students. If you would like to find out more about hosting a student please email us and we can share some information. international@wegc.school.nz
Te Aka News
We have a number of Te Aka students who regularly attend the Wellington RDA (Riding for the Disabled). The programme is fantastic for supporting students to meet their learning goals. NZRDA is a member association made up of over 50 local RDA groups who are in local communities throughout New Zealand to provide interaction with horses to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for people experiencing disability, or who have specific challenges or needs. Their aim is to enable and support disabled people to achieve good lives including meaningful participation in, and contribution to, important life activities and roles in their community.
A group of students and staff attended a 60th Birthday celebration breakfast for RDA at Parliament. It was such a special occasion and the students represented WEGC well.
As well as this event, as part of their 'service' for their Duke of Edinburgh award the students bake each week, and we donate it to a charity. Last week we popped into the hospital to see if one of the wards would like to receive our baking. Raewyn from the Neonatal ward - 'The Little Miracles Trust' was very happy to receive our baking and are looking forward to weekly deliveries for the parents lunch that they host each week. Ka pai !
International Languages Week
During the week from 13 to 17 June we celebrated International Languages week with themed events. We had Chinese Mahjong, a Lion Dance in the Quad, Calligraphy with a Chinese artist, and we also had chalk writing in different languages in the Quad. Our café provided themed food for the week including curry, dumplings, satay, pork bao buns and mac and cheese! Students were encouraged to wear their own cultural attire during the week. The staff also got involved by holding a French quiz, set by Mr Arnault, during morning tea.
Korowai Workshop
On Wednesday 3 June, nine teachers from across Te Whanganui a Tara gathered at Wellington East Girls College to engage in learning around traditional and contemporary Korowai/Kakahu construction and Tikanga practices. We would like to say a huge thank you to Hutt Valley High and Wellington Girls College for coming to Whanaugnatanga with us and create contemporary kakahu to be gifted to a special person in their life. The teachers will be taking this learning back to their schools and looking at how they can implement teaching and learning programs based on this.
Make a real difference
We need a few more people who would be able to support students throughout the year, during assessments and exams by reading questions, writing or typing answers and or supervising students.
Students who have a diagnosed learning condition ( ie-Dyslexia, Dyspraxia) approved by the Ministry of Education are eligible for supported assessment conditions in their NCEA assessments and exams. This entitles students to a Reader/Writer and/or extra time to allow their ability to be acknowledged and accessed.
If you would like to become a valuable support person, as a Reader/Writer, or would like more information, please contact Bridget Dixon, Learning Support on bridget.dixon@wegc.school.nz for more information.
Kia ora koutou,
As I write this we have just celebrated our first Matariki as a country. It is a privilege to be part of this ‘moment in time’, as Sir Pou Temara put it, to be part of something so special and I am thankful to the people who have made this a celebration for all of Aotearoa. It reminds me of how lucky we are to be living in this special part of the world.
The celebration of Matariki asks us to take time to reflect, to connect and to look forward and plan for the coming year. So too does this time of year give our Award programme the chance to reflect, connect and plan.
Reflecting on the continued success of the Award programme at East, here is a small snapshot of some of the certificates given out recently to Bronze and Silver recipients. What a great achievement given the challenges of the last 12 months! Ka pai everyone for your hours of commitment to your goals, your community and to challenging yourselves.
Coming up in August will be a chance to connect with others in the Award whanau as we meet at Government House to celebrate the Gold Award recipients. WEGC has six (!) alumni receiving their Awards at this ceremony and photos will be shared in the next newsletter.
Looking ahead, next year, 2023, will be the 60th Anniversary of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award here in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Award organisation is planning a year-long celebration for past and present Award participants, volunteers and organisation so watch this space.
Kua mahuta a Matariki i te pae, ka mahuta ō tātou tūmanako ki te tau.
When Matariki rises above the horizon, our aspirations rise to the year ahead.
Nga mihi nui
Deb Remacha
WEGC Online Safety Parent Seminar
On Thursday, June 23, WEGC hosted an Online Safety parent seminar. The presentation addressed the potential online dangers our young people face and how we can better protect them. The first half of the presentation covered the impacts of:
'Not My Kid' Myth;
Cyberbullying;
Social Media;
Gaming;
Exposure to Pornography;
Self-Generated Content;
Inappropriate Content Sharing;
Exposure to Predators; and
The Developing Brain
The second half covered practical solutions & emotional wellbeing tips including:
Educating Ourselves;
Educating our Children;
Recognising Vulnerabilities;
Finding Balance;
Family Connection;
Filters & Apps; and
Creating a Family Safety Plan
You can read a comprehensive summary of the evening here Cyber Safety Presentation link
We aim to continue our parent seminars. If you have any suggestions for topics for these sessions, please contact Ms Melissa Denzler and we will endeavour to bring in experts to deliver relevant workshops for you.
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.
Victoria University interview participants required for research
Are you the parent of an adolescent aged 15-18? Have you accessed Mental Health Services for your child in Aotearoa/New Zealand, within the last 2 years? Let’s talk about it. Be part of a conversation.
Through an interview, this research aims to investigate the practices that parents use to access scarce mental health resources for their adolescents in Aotearoa/New Zealand. You will also be offered a small koha in appreciation of your contribution.
For more information please contact the researcher:
RESEARCHER: Charlotte Anderson-McEwen , SUPERVISOR: Mary Breheny
charlotte.andersonmcewen@vuw.ac.nz mary.breheny@vuw.ac.nz
(This research has been approved by the Victoria University of Wellington Human Ethics Committee)
Ways to help WEGC - Fundraising :
Entertainment Book
Please support Wellington East as we sell Entertainment memberships. We are fundraising to ensure that all East girls are able to access the same opportunities. 20% of your Membership purchase comes directly to us!
It is Entertainment's birthday and to help celebrate you will receive an extra 2 months free when you purchase any 12 month membership. This offer is only available from 8pm Friday 1 July until 11.5pm Sunday 31 July.
There are three different types of memberships:-
· Single City Membership
· Multi City Membership – unlocks 21 cities in New Zealand and Australia
· Multi Plus Membership – double the savings of a multi city membership for two years
Get yours today online by clicking the below link!
https://www.entertainmentbook.co.nz/orderbooks/105u644
Thank you for your support
Welink Newsletter : Wellington East Girls' College, Austin Street, Mt Victoria 6011, Ph 385 8514, www.wegc.school.nz
