Monday 1 September 2025

Headmaster and Head Prefect

Welcome and nod to stand

Karakia/Whakamoemiti - Zane Bradley

Reading - Dante Johnson Bell & Reuben Stevens

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori was born out of activism. It began in 1972 with just one day dedicated to the language, Māori Language Day. Two years later, in 1974, that seed grew into a full week, and by 1975, Te Wiki o te Reo Māori had taken off.

Now, 50 years on, we celebrate the growth of te reo Māori and the many gains made through that movement.

This year, Te Wiki takes place in Week 10, from the 14th to the 20th of September. Because of possible interruptions with strikes and DGE’s, we’re promoting it a little early today.

Here’s what’s happening during Te Wiki:

• Monday – Flag raising at 8:15am of our Tino Rangatiratanga flag, a symbol of sovereignty and identity.
  

• Tuesday – Voting for the new Tū Tamatoa symbol in Te Whare. There’s a prize for the winning design! Entries emailed to Whaea Katie.
  

• Wednesday – Sausage sizzle outside the AGC. Use your reo, and you’ll score a free sausage.
  

• Friday – Tuakana/Teina Talks: WC Old Boy Tānemahuta Gray will be speaking about his haerenga in the world of mahi toi, the arts. We also have our House Haka Competition. Karawhiua koutou mā!
  

For members of Tū Tamatoa we’ve got a special Te Wiki Bingo Card to complete. Hand it in by Friday 19th at 3:30pm to reception, and you could win house points and Brew vouchers. Collect the cards from the front reception on Monday week 10.

And if you’re not yet a member, it’s not too late to join! We meet every Tuesday interval in Te Whare, everyone is welcome.

Mauri ora!

Associate Headmaster's Address - Mr Glen Denham

Waiata - Tama Tū

Speakers

Guest Speaker - Predator Free

This morning we welcome Alistair Henshaw from Predator Free Wellington, who is going to talk about the current Predator Free project. If you would like to learn more about this, Alistair will also be delivering a presentation in the Prep room at lunchtime. Please come along and see how you could get involved.

Arts and Culture - Patrick Jones

The Big Sing Finale

Last week, Ngā Korimako travelled to Dunedin to perform in the Big Sing Finale. The event brings together the top 24 choirs from across the country as selected from the regional events. Each choir presented two programmes of music across three days on the amazing Dunedin Town Hall stage. 

Ngā Korimako, our auditioned choir combined with WGC students, performed excellently in both performances and was awarded Silver overall. A great achievement. 

Well done to all our singers - we will acknowledge the choir and present their trophy in an upcoming assembly. 

Auditions for Ngā Korimako will be happening over the next couple of weeks - so if you are interested in being in the group in 2026, keep an eye on the Daily Notices for details. 

Music Works Ensemble Festival Aotearoa (MEFA) 

Week 10 will see the AGC, Theatre, and Music Block taken over by the Music Works Festival again this year. This will see music groups from schools around the country come to perform and take part in workshops. A number of our groups will be performing. 

Members of the Orchestra, Concert Band, Black & Gold Collective, Big Band, and Jazz Combos should have received an email from Mr Boyle with information about this. 

Sports Report - Lorenz Rere

Winter Tournament Wrap Up

Well done to all those that competed and huge thanks to the coaches, managers and staff who ensured that this could happen in such a positive and worthwhile manner.

Basketball
It was job complete for the Senior A basketball team. Qualification for nationals with a decent seeding by making it through to the final unbeaten to lose out to a very strong Napier team. The Highlight was probably the buzzer beater by Boston Perez in the quarter to take them through against Palmy Boys.

The Senior Bs had a great few days in Wellington, making the final where they were beaten by Kāpiti. A great effort with several changes due to injuries.

Football

1st XI Football finished 19th certainly not disgraced. The 2nds finished in 5th losing only one game to Hamilton Boys who made the final.

The 3rds finished 17th in Trident – top of those that did not progress from pool play. Wonderful commitment with only 13 players well done boys.

The Yr 11 1st XI were 5th beating Newlands college in their final game – a great end to a great season for these lads.

The Yr 10 1st XI finished 6th, definitely not disgraced.

Hockey

The 1st XI hockey ended a tough week with a strong 6-1 win over Southland Boys to place 23rd. Most importantly, retaining qualification for next year.

The 2nds had a wonderful tournament at Galletly Shield missing out on the bronze medal to CBHS but a young team with great heart and showing the depth we have at WC.

Rugby

The U 15 rugby team in Auckland had a tough week against strong opponents but undoubtedly went from strength to strength as the week progressed, culminating in a very close game against MAGS which went down to the wire. The team showed great heart and the potential to be better. Thanks to coaches and management for their commitment and support of the boys through this week.

The U14s playing in the Hurricanes festival competed well throughout Blacks losing to Papamoa in their last game while the Golds finished with wins in a game of 3 halves with Queen Charlotte and St Bernards. A great experience for all the boys.

Badminton

The badminton boys had an exceptional tournament, the As going through to the Div 2 Final unbeaten, dropping only two matches on the way. They lost 4-2 to a very strong Papamoa team, the Bs finished a very creditable 6th. With 31 teams in this division, these were great results. I would like to bring the A team up on stage to receive the congratulations of the school, please hold your applause until all are on stage:

Captain Paul Yong, Zung Nguyen, Bharat Lather, Oskar Li, Inniyian Cumarasundaram and Neev Panchal.

Underwater Hockey

The Underwater Hockey finished their tournament Yesterday with outstanding performances from the teams involved. Three junior teams competed with 4th, 7th and 8th finishes. Great results from a large number of boys new to the sport.

The senior A team finished the season on a high, winning the Senior Open Title for the first time since 2011 beating Nelson on golden goal after finishing full-time 1 all. Well done to all concerned, we would like to bring the team on stage to receive the congratulations of the school. 

Please come up as I read your name, hold your applause until all are on stage.

Captain Hamish Wright, vice captain Hamish Hull, Liam Marsh, Campbell Burdon, Myles Hogg, Jacob Allison, Oscar Coram, Tom Riley, Heath Dixon, Jack stirling, Charlie Kerse.
They were coached by Cam Jones, Pierre -Alban Lalys and managed by Grant Wright. Well done Senior A Underwater Hockey 2025 National Champions.

Community Report - Jesse Rumball-Smith

Library Survey

The Girvan Library is conducting its annual survey and we need you to answer it! Completing the anonymous survey, takes just 5 minutes, lets us know what you actually want from Library, and puts you into the draw for 1 of 10 Hell Pizza vouchers! All responses also earn house points! Check your emails or visit the Library Website. The Survey closes this Friday so make sure you get in before then!

House Report - Caleb Mallet

Plenty to update you on today, starting with House Masterchef. Huge thank you to everyone who competed and supported — it was an awesome event.
The results:
in fifth place was Hauwai,
fourth went to Te Aketārewa,
third to Te Ranga-ā-Hiwi,
second place to Waitangi,
and Kaipapa took out first place.

Looking ahead — House Colours Day is happening on Wednesday of Week 10. On the same day, we’ll also be running the House Haka Comp and House Football. Emails for football sign-ups will be going out soon, so keep an eye out and get involved. It’s set to be one of the biggest days of the year for house spirit.

Here’s where the leaderboard stands now:

In 5th with 2,786 points — Hauwai.

4th with 2,879 points — Waitangi.

3rd with 3,488 points — Te Ranga-ā-Hiwi.

2nd with 3,575 points — Te Aketārewa.

And just ahead in 1st with 3,584 points — Kaipapa.

Closing Karakia - Journey Thomas

Associate Headmaster - Mr Phil Bergin

Closing messages for students.