The Westland High School Ball
We are getting closer to the annual WHS social event of the season. The Westland High School Ball!
Students have all been sent application forms for partners who are not from Westland High School. They can also pick these up from the school office. Some students may have been sent reminders about attendance criteria. if you are concerned about your attendance you can see your whanau teacher or your APL for further support.
Below is a reminder of the expectations for the Ball event:
The Senior School ball is a wonderful opportunity for our young adults in year 11 to 13 to come together in a formal social situation. The ball is an annual event and forms part of our school culture looked forward to by all students. We want to ensure that the ball is enjoyable for all so it is important students, partners, parents and Whanau are aware of the arrangements and the standards required to attend. The cost has yet to be determined - parents and students will be notified when this has been calculated.
Ball Date: Friday 20th September
Ball cost: TBC
Start time 7:00pm
Finish time 11.00pm
Theme Enchanted Forest - An overgrown kingdom
Venue Ka Tiritiri o te Moana - Westland High School Hall
The school has the support of the New Zealand Police, and prior to the ball both the School and Police will talk with students about responsible behaviour with a view to promoting and ensuring everyone has a great time.
Leaving the Ball
Students need to make arrangements to be collected by a responsible adult or have provided written consent by their parents, caregivers if walking home.
Ball attendance criteria
The ball is a formal school occasion and as such, all school rules and expectations apply.
Any student who appears or suspected to be under the influence of alcohol, drugs or acting in a manner that is out of character will be refused entry and or will be sent home immediately. A parent/caregiver will be called to collect them.
Students are responsible for the behaviour of their partners and the school rules apply to partners, regardless of age.
All partners must have approval from the school PRIOR to attending the ball and ticket purchases (see partner application form).
Students must satisfy the school attendance rate of 90%.
Students and partners who have recently left the school (within 20 days of the ball) with prior unsatisfactory school behaviour and attendance history will not be permitted to attend.
Ball tickets must be paid in full prior to attending, tickets will be issued a week prior to the ball.
Ball Attendance
To attend the school ball students must have a 90% attendance record. Every Late mark on your attendance record also counts towards your overall attendance mark so make sure you are on time to every class.
Doors Close
The doors close to the ball at 7:45 pm, there will be no late access permitted.
Partners
Westland High School students may bring a partner to the ball. The partner must be year 11 or above, can be from another school or have recently left school. In all instances, the students must complete the “Partner Application form” and submit this to the Principal for approval. Approval for a partner to attend is at the complete discretion of the school.
Alcohol and substances
The school ball is alcohol, vape, smoke and drug-free, therefore, no substances are permitted.
Breath Testing
The event is a zero alcohol event. The school reserves the right to breath test attendees prior to and during the event at its discretion. Students will be refused entry should they fail or refuse to comply with breath testing.
Start and Finish times
Once the Ball has started students are not permitted to leave the venue, students need to have arranged for parents or a responsible adult to collect them from the venue. Students aged 18 or over do not require parental permission to leave independently at the conclusion of the event, but if leaving early they will not be permitted to return.
Pre-event briefing.
All students must attend a pre-event briefing usually held a week prior to the Ball during school time. The briefing reminds students of their responsibilities, expectations and requirements when attending the school ball. The NZ Police also provide information and advice relevant to safe ball procedures.
Security
Security will be at the ball event and will be monitoring all access points to the event etc.
Tickets
Ball tickets are available from the school office at the advertised price per person. Tickets must be paid for in full, prior to the ball. Students must bring their ticket to the event. No ticket = no entry.
After Ball functions
We would also like to mention the issue of ‘After Ball’ functions. We cannot say strongly enough that such functions are not organised, condoned or encouraged by the school. Parents/Whānau who give their sons or daughters permission to attend such events need to be sure that they are personally satisfied by arrangements for transport, security and personal safety and particularly the supply of alcohol. Supply of alcohol to young people