WBHS Newsletter 2018

Quite obviously the highlight of the past fortnight has been the visit of the Prime Minister last Thursday. It was a momentous occasion for the school, being that it was the first time in 18 years that we had hosted a Prime Minister. I must say, she was a pleasure to deal with and the me-dia persona of her (easy-going per-sonality) was certainly evident. Along with being impressed with the new Science block she specifically men-tioned how impressed she was with the hall of memories – in her words “the most impressive school building she had ever been to”, as well as the Haka performed to her by the school. I have to say how proud I was of the boys – their presentation, singing and conduct was exemplary. A huge thanks also to the cleaning staff and ground staff who worked many extra hours to have the school looking immac-ulate. Great work team!

At this weeks Wednesday assembly we were very for-tunate to have Nick McLen-nan visit us. Nick left WBHS in 2006 and is now a profes-sional rugby player. He plays on the world IRB sevens cir-cuit, representing Scotland. Nick spoke of the commit-ment and dedication needed to be a top athlete.It was a very pertinent com-

ment – as we embark on the winter sports season it is imperative that if we make a commitment to any team that we fulfil all the tasks re-quired by the team management if we are to be successful.Speaking of old boys, congratu-lations to Dylan Kennett (2008 – 2012) who rode superbly in the Commonwealth Games, to claim a bronze medal in the men’s cycling individual pursuit.Still on the theme of old boys, I had the pleasure yesterday to meet Henry Stevens. Henry is now 88

years young and had not been back to Oamaru in 69 years. Looking back through old Waitakian magazines we estab-lished he had been at school here from 1943 through to 1945 under the Rectorship of Frank Milner and Jim Burrows. To see Henry leave the Hall of Memories in tears was incredibly emotional and only emphasises how deeply this place can affect us.

The production which finished last night has been a huge success. Over the past 4 nights nearly 1000 people have been through the Auditorium to watch “High School Musical’. Congratulations to all the students and staff involved – you put on a great show and I know it will be a school highlight for many of you, and the friendships you made over the past few months will last a life time. It is great to see the two Wai-taki schools working together and producing such a superb outcome. Well done to all.

At last Mondays assembly we celebrated the success of our Learning Support boys at the Special Olympics. It was won-

FROM THE RECTOR

Newsletter13th April 2018

Waitaki Boys’ High School

WBHS Newsletter 2018

derful to see so many of their parents at this assembly and the sheer delight of the boys as they crossed the stage was incredibly humbling, please see the photos later in the news-letter.

Congratulations also to the Senior Volleyball team and Coach Boswell who comfortably won the Aoraki Champs recently.

Term 2 starts on Monday April 30th and reminder that on Tuesday 1st May seniors will be having ‘mentoring’ meetings. Your son’s ‘mentor’ should be contacting you over the holi-days to arrange a time between 3.30 and 5.30pm on that day to meet with you and your son to discuss his academic goals for 2018 and how he intends to achieve them.

Finally it is with sadness that we bid farewell to staff mem-bers at the end of the term. Mr Tom Isger and Mrs Lea Scott have finished their long-term relieving positions and we thank them for all their hard work. Fortunately we will see both Tom and Lea about the school as day relief teachers in the future.

Mrs Bev Isger retires after 13 years predominantly as a Teacher Aide in the Learning Support Area. Thanks Bev for your consistent positivity and the special care you have given to our most challenging students. We wish you all the best in your retirement. Mrs Glenice Curry also leaves us after 19 years working in the school canteen. Glenice started here in 1999 as a parent volunteer helper and for the last 8 years has managed the canteen. Over that time she has interacted with thousands of boys and her friendly and empathetic na-ture has helped embed the unique culture that exists in our school. All the best Glenice, I know you are looking forward to spending more time with your wonderful grandchildren.

I would like to wish everybody a relaxing and rewarding holi-day break. Let’s recharge our batteries and hit the ground running again in Term 2.

Ma ponga ma whero ka otiFloreat Waitaki

WBHS Newsletter 2018

SCIENCE BLOCK OPENING

WBHS Newsletter 2018

“HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL”

WBHS Newsletter 2018

SPORTS PRESENTATIONS

SPECIAL OLYMPICS PRESENTATIONS

WBHS Newsletter 2018

CALENDAR - TERM 2

THANK-YOU

Mamma Mia! is coming to Oamaru for the first time. You could be in the show !

We are looking for Senior Students interested in sing-ing and dancing with a great team of people.

Come along to one of our Pre-Audition Nights to see what it’s all about: March 27 and April 3 from 7-8.30

at Oamaru North School Hall on Torridge Street. Please visit www.mto.org.nz for more information on the workshops and auditions. Any questions can be

emailed to mammamia@mto.org.nz

MAYTues 1 Anzac Service, Mentoring meetingsSat 5 Combined senior formalWed 9 King’s Winter Interschool Thurs 17 Year 9 Family nightJUNEMon 4 Queens BirthdayThurs 7 / Fri 8 SCRANO nightsTues 12 - Wed 13 Southland Boys’Thurs 28 Mentoring meetingsJULYMon 2 Winter Sports PhotosFri 6 SKC Rugby game

For a more comprehensive calendar, see http://www.waitakibhs.school.nz/about-us/upcoming-events

This amazing bunch of staff and students were the ones you didn’t see on stage during the production, but without whom it would have never happend. Well done and thank you from the entire school community

The pride of Waitaki - our boys sending off Glenice Curry, our retiring cnateen manager, with a rousing haka outside the canteen at lunchtime today.