Wellington East Girls' College / Te Kura Kōhine o te Rāwhiti o Te Upoko o Te Ika

Welink

Issue 7, December / Hakihea 2023

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

As we approach the end of the year, our senior students have now completed their examinations, marking a significant milestone in their academic journey. It was a pleasure to acknowledge our Year 13 students and bid them farewell during our recent Prize Giving. The end of the year provides us with the opportunity to reflect on the past, and to make plans for the future. We wish our departing students all the best in their prospective pathways.

I would like to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of our staff who 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, supporting our young people in making the most of the wide range of opportunities available to them at school.

As we all look forward to a well-deserved break, I wish you a restful and rejuvenating holiday.

Ngā mihi nui

Gael Ashworth, Principal

Board Message

Kia ora kōutou,

Thank you to the East school community for entrusting me to lead the school board into 2024. I’m honoured to have the opportunity to work alongside a team so committed to delivering a fantastic education for our young people.

Congratulations to all our students who have achieved success this year – large or small, public or personal, in your studies, cultural activities, music, arts or sporting endeavours. And thank you to all those in the East community who supported those successes. I’m always incredulous at how much talent we have in our school community, and how well we celebrate that with East spirit and pride – it is amazing to see!

So as our seniors have finished their year and are hopefully now enjoying some sunshine (along with the wind), the Board has also farewelled our previous Presiding Member, Will Peet, and Trustee, Anna Jellie. Thank you both for your valuable service and contribution to East. At our final meeting for 2023 we welcomed our two newest Trustees – Vito Lo Lacono and Mason Malagamaali’i, and continued our planning for next year.

I would like to wish our departing Year 13s and their whānau the very best as they take their next steps in the world. We are very proud of your efforts and achievements, as you should be too! Take all you have learned and the wonderful friendships you have made during your time at East, and go out there and thrive!

Lastly, I’d like to wish everyone, students, staff and whānau, a relaxing summer holiday – take care, and I look forward to seeing you all refreshed and full of enthusiasm for 2024.

Ngā mihi nui

Fleur Howard, Presiding Member

Please see the Student Calendar below for student events coming up

What's coming up ?

12 December - Term 4 Ends midday

31 January 2024 - Term 1 2024 Powhiri Year 9s & other new students

1 February 2024 - Year 9 only on school timetable

2 February 2024 - All year levels on school timetable

End of Year / Start of Year 2024

Tuesday 12 December is the final day of Term 4 and of the school year for 2023. Students will be dismissed at midday, there will be morning buses as usual, but not afternoon buses.
The first day/s of Term 1 2024 will be staggered for year levels.
Wednesday 31 January - We will be holding our Welcome Powhiri for new Year 9 students at 9.15 - meet in the lower carpark by Heritage Gates by 9.00am. Students to be wearing uniform. The day ends at usual school time of 3.20pm for Year 9 students.
Thursday 1 February - Year 9 will be the only students in school for a full day starting at 8.45am, wearing uniform.
Friday 2 February - All Year levels at school, staggered start, for a full day, and in uniform.
- 8.45am - Year 9 and Tuakana (go directly to Manaaki Class)
- 8.45am - Year 10 students arrive at school and go to Assembly in the Hall
- 10.30am - Year 11 students arrive at school and go to Assembly in the Hall
- 11.30am - Year 12 + 13 students arrive at school and go to Assembly in the Hall

School buses will run in the afternoon only on 31 January 2024. Full Service from Thursday 1 February.

Stationery

Stationery lists for 2024 are available now on the WEGC website You can also find them from 11 December at Office Max at https://www.myschool.co.nz or Qizzle on https://schoolpacks.co.nz/ (from 15 Dec 2023). You can also purchase at your local stationery outlet

Key Dates for 2024

Sunday 28/Monday 29 January: Tuakana Noho
Monday 29 January: Timetable Confirmation - Students invited by Deans
Tuesday 30 January: Prefect Training
Wednesday 31 January: Pōwhiri for Year 9 and new students at 9.15am
Thursday 1 February 2024: Year 9 only on Timetable - starts at 8.45am to 3.20pm, and Group Leader training
Friday 2 February 2024: All Year levels in for Orientation Day‍
1. - 8.45am - Year 9 and Tuakana (go directly to Session 1)
  - 8.45am - Year 10 students arrive at school and go to Assembly in the Hall
  - 10.30am - Year 11 students arrive at school and go to Assembly in the Hall
  - 11.30am - Year 12 + 13 students arrive at school and go to Assembly in the Hall
Monday 5 February: Timetable Begins (Week 2 - Day 6 of the timetable)
Tuesday 6 February: Waitangi Day - School closed
Wednesday 28 February: House Sports Carnival (onsite at WEGC)
Thursday 14 + Friday 15 March: Learning Conferences
Monday 18 - Friday 22 March: Summer Tournament Week
Friday 29 March: Good Friday
Monday 1 April: Easter Monday
Tuesday 2 April: Easter Tuesday
Friday 12 April: Term 1 Ends
Term 2: Monday 29 April - Friday 5 July 2024
Term 3: Monday 22 July to Friday 27 September 2024

WEGC Sport Registration 2024

WEGC Sport registrations for 2024 will be open on January 1st and you can register online.

The WEGC Sports Department offers sporting opportunities for all students outside of classroom hours. We have over 30 different sports available and students can choose to play in teams that have been trialled and selected or SENIOR students may put teams together with friend groups. These Social Competitive teams play in the same competition as the trialled teams. We encourage all students to participate and enjoy the sports offered at WEGC.

To register for sport :

o https://www.wegc.school.nz then click on the following

o Sport

o Sport website

o Sports on offer – choose the sport you wish to play, read the information to make sure can commit and then click register

In-house opportunities for our students once again in 2024 are:

Give it a Go Badminton (Tuesday lunchtimes in the gym)

Give it a Go Volleyball (Friday @ 2.30-3.00pm early finish, school gym)

Pickle Ball (Thursday lunchtimes in the gym)

Any questions please just email sport@wegc.school.nz

Look forward to seeing you on the sports field in 2024 :)

Our new Year 9 students for 2024 visit WEGC

Our incoming Year 9 students for 2024 got a glimpse of college life on Thursday 23 November, during their morning visit to Wellington East Girls' College. Upon arrival, they received a warm welcome and were organised into groups for rotations and various activities. The morning included brief sessions in Science, Maths, Design and Make, Tikanga-ā-iwi, PE, Te Ao Māori, and Languages, along with a mapping activity to familiarize themselves with the school layout. A few of our Year 10 students, acting as Tuakana, were there to guide and support them throughout the event. We look forward to welcoming our new students to college next year.

Staff Professional Development trip

The ridgeline along which the Southern Walkway runs was known in pre-European times as Te Ranga a Hiwi – the hill ridge of Hiwi. Staff recently completed a hīkoi up to Te Ranga a Hiwi, Te Raekaihau Reserve (Mount Alfred) with Ricky Prebble, (a former teacher at East) as part of ongoing Te Reo professional development.

We visited what was the site of Te Akatarewa Pa, an old stockaded village inhabited by Ngai Tara. The Mount Alfred area has a network of tracks for walkers, runners and mountain bikers (Hataitai to City track, Newtown to Hataitai track, and the Southern Walkway). It was a nice day for what was an unexpectedly steep climb!

International Students

Planning is well underway for the arrival of a group of new International Students at the beginning of our new school year in 2024.

We are still seeking a few more homestay hosts for some shorter term stays for a group of Japanese students. They will come to New Zealand at the end of January and stay for about 8 weeks. The homestay fee is $340 per week. Please get in touch with athena.london@wegc.school.nz, our fabulous Homestay Manager who will be able to answer any questions you may have and help you to sign up and take care of one of these lovely young visitors.

Year 9 and 10 students in Term 4

What have the junior students been up to in class while the senior students are away on exam leave ? They have been working in class and utilising all the areas of the school including outside in the Quad in good weather. We have had Te Whare Whakapakari who have been creating a collaborative weaving beginning with harvesting the flax to preparing it and weaving their screens in groups. Another connected class Making Waves (Music/Science) are investigating and creating musical instruments in the new Ahumairangi classrooms.

Yr 9 WEGC Science Fair - 8 December

On Friday 8 December, the Year 9 Science Investigations class of Semester Two held their WEGC Science Fair afternoon from 3.00pm until 4.00pm in room A22. Whānau of these students were invited to attend to celebrate their young person's success and to provided an opportunity for them to explain what they have learnt from their investigation. Students were awarded an Investigation Badge and afternoon tea provided

Georgette Lampitt , Science teacher

Year 10 Artist and Activist Showcase

On Friday 8 December parents and caregivers were invited to visit the Year 10 students showcase of work on artists and activists. Panels painted by students were displayed along the art studio, and parents also viewed documentary film work the students had created over the semester.

Yr 10 - Pasifika Day at Victoria University

Wednesday 15 November was one of those “worth it” moments that absolutely impacted our East sisters. Our Pasfika students were given the opportunity to explore Victoria University and the different concepts of Education.

To start of the day, we did a few rounds of school chants, than we learnt about the NCEA system and the benefits to Universities. We then divided into 4 different groups (Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesian and Aotearoa) and throughout the day we did 4 different workshops. Each workshop was fun and exciting. We were able to socialise and connect with other people with similar cultures.

One of my highlights would probably be the quality time we got to spend with one another and also the friendly environment that everyone got to be around. This experience was such a blast. If I had to take back time, I would do this all over again!

by Grace Aperila Foliga

Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award 60 Years celebrations with HRH Prince Edward

Wow, what an exciting time it has been for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme here at WEGC in the last few months. Acknowledgements, adventures, awards, princes and parties - and that was only one weekend!

This year marks 60 years of the Award being delivered in Aotearoa New Zealand and on the 20 November a very special visitor arrived to help celebrate this milestone - HRH Prince Edward, the [new] Duke of Edinburgh and patron of the Award. HRH attended a number of events throughout the day and there were lots of wonderful moments where WEGC shone.

Gaining Gold

A big congratulations to Mauve O’Regan-Smith and Shannon Palmer, two of the 80 strong contingent of young people from all around New Zealand that received their Gold Awards from HRH at a ceremony at Wellington College on Saturday morning. Both Shannon and Maeve have been a big part of the Te Aka DOE programme, being wonderful role models and demonstrating tuakana-teina. Congratulations to you both for all your amazing mahi and achieving your Gold Awards!

WEGC was shining in other ways at this event too. Deb Remacha was one of two Award Leaders invited to read out the names and citations of the recipients at the ceremony and meet HRH as part of the official party. In addition our former and current WEGC students / sisters and Gold Award participants, Anastasia and Katia Reid, sang and played piano for the anthems at the close of the ceremony. Thank you so much to both of you for your wonderful musicianship - you made us very proud.

In the afternoon Deb Remacha and Leonie King attended an education panel discussion and workshop with HRH, Sir John Kirwan and others, with the purpose of discussing how access to the Award could be made more equitable, and acknowledgement that access is still very limited to many groups of marginalised young people. At that function WEGC was called out as an example of where a school was doing great things in using the programme to support a more inclusive school. How cool was that?!

Leaders Awarded

Last, but absolutely not least, a huge congratulations to Leonie King who was one of six Award Unit leaders from around New Zealand to be presented with an inaugural Exceptional Service Award by HRH. This took place at the cocktail party at Government House, hosted by Governor General, Dame Cindy Kiro. Congratulations Leonie - ten years of amazing work within the DOE framework and an award well deserved!

Participating in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award is more than just earning a prestigious honour; it's about the journey itself. Our students emerge from this experience with a newfound sense of confidence, resilience, and a broader perspective on the world around them. The skills acquired through the program are invaluable, preparing them for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in their academic and personal lives.

That journey is not just for student participants, it is for all those that are part of the journey - Award leaders, volunteer helpers, parents, teachers, coaches, mentors, contributors, advocates and champions. Thank you to all of you for supporting and sustaining the DOE Award here at WEGC. Ka pai!

HRH Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh presenting Leonie King with her Exceptional Service Award

Sue Perry, Maeve O'Regan-Smith, Shannon Palmer, Leonie King, Deb Remacha

Katia and Anastasia Reid with HRH Duke of Edinburgh

Exceptional Service Award recipients, HRH Duke of Edinburgh and Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro

Te Aka Adventure trip

During week five a group of students from Te Aka Class went to Blue Mountain Adventure Centre as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award. The Duke of Edinburgh philosophy is about working in groups, developing independence and relationships with each other. Students take ownership for the adventurous journeys. This meant that students cooked meals in groups, sorted their gear for the day and worked together to keep the place clean. Students were challenged to step out of their comfort zone, to go as high or far as they think they could go and then to take one step more. This saw students traversing over rock faces on Mt Ruapehu, racing down rapids in rafts and going as high as they could on a big swing. It was inspiring to see how far the students have come with taking on challenges and supporting each other to be the best they can be.

Congratulations to Talia Connell who on completion of this adventure has now earned her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award!

Thanks to Leonie King for all of the hours she put into planning and supporting students to achieve so much; Amber Cox and Pieta Proudfoot our fabulous Prefects who are such great tuakana; and to the staff who volunteered their time to make this happen. The adventure was supported by the Jeff Trust who gave a very generous grant, making the adventure accessible for all.

Check out the video created by Brooke Carpenter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ONyPX9FjTg&ab_channel=lydiahare

Prize Giving Event at He Huarahi Tamariki Unit

The end of year Prize Giving event for the students and tamariki at He Huarahi Tamariki was held this week, on 5 December. Alongside the prize winners and leavers, some of the tamariki also graduated at the ceremony marking their move from day care to Primary School. The Prize Giving event was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all the successes throughout 2023 and give thanks to all those who have worked with our young people to support them in their endeavours.

YES Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme

Congratulations to Pieta Proudfoot, Liv Deane, Olivia Wu and Sophie Crombie, members of Gecko Grips, who made it to the National Finals of the Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme. Check out what their product is about below.

Seeing a gap in the market for a more customisable and affordable grip sock, Gecko Grips has created iron-on grips for socks, to offer their customers a versatile alternative to regular grip socks. The grips can be ironed onto any pair of socks, giving the customer the freedom to cut them to the perfect size and choose the placement of the grips on the socks. Gecko Grips has incredibly innovative packaging that doubles as an insert for when customers iron the grips onto their socks.

While their primary target market is sportspeople who use grip socks to improve performance, their product may also be useful for young children and the elderly.

After a successful year in the Young Enterprise Scheme, Gecko Grips are excited about the future. With stocks still available Gecko Grips are the perfect Christmas present. They can be purchased from https://geckogrips.mystorbie.com/ or you can contact geckogrips.co@gmail.com if you would like to make a bulk purchase of 10+ pairs at a discounted price.

https://geckogrips.mystorbie.com/

Creative Technology Exhibition

If you have been in to school reception recently you may have seen the Creative Technology exhibition work by our current and past Year 10 and Year 11 students who had a brief of "Contemporary Korowai" Thanks to teachers Aine Kennedy and Nan Walden, and students Indie Fowler, Kara Seyborne Georgie Mulligan , Issy Taylor. Thanks also to past student Neishyn Marsters for the loan of her piece made in 2017 (second from left).

WEGC need a Netball convener for 2024

WEGC has up to 28 netball teams playing each week. We are on the look out for someone to support our teams each Saturday. This would involve attending games at Akau Tangi Sports Centre in Kilbirnie in the early morning, moving to Hataitai courts from mid-morning until the last game of the day generally around 2.30pm. You will be the face on the ground each week, making sure our teams are in the right place at the right time, helping teams find an umpire replacement should an umpire not turn up, supporting teams to field players if they are short, checking in with coaches (many are students) and managers and generally making sure Saturday netball runs smoothly.

This is a paid position for the duration of the season, (beginning term 2 finishing midway through term 3). If you are interested or would like to find out more please contact Pip and Anna sport@wegc.school.nz

Sports at East

You can find information on all sports offered at East, as well as our latest achievements on our school website.

You can also check out Instagram and Facebook pages for WEGC Sport at @wegcsport www.facebook.com/wegcsport

2023 Payment of School Fees/Donations

You can view and pay your school account 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:

Direct credit payments can be made using the following details to our NEW bank account.

ASB Bank

12-3140-0365902-00

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 8:15 am until 3.30 pm Monday to Friday. The School is closed during public holidays and school term breaks. Payments by cash or EFTPOS are available.

Ways to help WEGC - Fundraising :

Entertainment Membership

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!

Receive fantastic savings while you eat, play and shop with Entertainment. Memberships are convenient and easy to use for you and your family over any 12 month period from activation.

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 link below!

https://www.entertainmentbook.co.nz/orderbooks/105u644

Thank you for your support

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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