Nga mihi nui kia koutou katoa. Welcome to the Westland High School September newsletter.

Kia ora koutou e te whanau

Congratulations to the students who have worn the school uniform with pride and the significant improvement in attendance across the whole school this year, this is very pleasing to see. Attendance is directly related to students achievement, i.e if you are at school learning then you are achieving, our NCEA results to date support this with increased pass rates which is a positive trend for the school.

Over the past two weeks, many of our students have engaged in a range of cultural and sporting activities. We had four teams competing at the Koru games in Selwyn/Rolleston in Netball, Rugby, Soccer and Basketball. Each team, coach and every supporter can be proud of the way our students played and an extra big thank you for the travelling supporter and coaches who made this possible. The results of the Koru games are located further in this communication.

On Monday, Westland High School’s Kapa Haka Roopu participated in the annual Te Hui Ahurei o nga Kapa Haka o te Tai Poutini competition. The performance by our rangatahi was outstanding winning almost every section and taking out the overall winners section, well done to all involved.

Over the past two weeks, we have been interviewing prospective students who intend to come to WHS in Year 7 and 9, the number of enrolments is well up on previous years. It has been wonderful to meet so many new parents and students who by enlarge are very excited to be nearing their high school years and have chosen to come to Westland High School. An orientation day in November is planned as part of a smooth transition for new students.

During the winter months, four students from Westland High School played in the Senior Men's West Coast soccer competition. The players were Joshua Nolan, Keigo Itani (International student), Aiden Carpenter and Alex Morris. Impressively Alex Morris was voted as player of the year for the whole West Coast by the other teams across the coast, this is an amazing feat given Alex is the youngest player in the competition. Well done to Alex and to his school teammates who played so well during the season. The men's team finished in third place in the league.

NCEA EXAMINATIONS

Students completing NCEA are aware external examinations commence on 8th November, the time has almost run out to complete internal school assessment(s) before our Rangatahi are released for external examination leave. Parents and Whānau, please continue to encourage your sons and daughters to remain focused and provide as much support at home as you can. Students are always welcome and encouraged to talk with their teachers if they feel additional help is needed to complete units of work and to prepare for their external examinations.

Study advice for Students

Be prepared,

1. Go to all revision sessions for your subjects 2.Have up-to-date course notes. If you don't, ask your teachers for the latest versions 3. Practice assessments and examination papers. 4. Know what is required for each achievement standard.

Planning

1. Set regular routines of study. 2. Choose a quiet, airy, well-lit place to study. 3. Set study goals, daily goals, weekly goals and Long-term goals

Know your deadlines. 4. Make a study timetable 5. Do a small amount of study on each subject every night.

Relax

1. Have lots of breaks e.g. break every 40 minutes for 10 minutes.

2. Eat healthily, sleep regularly and exercise.

3. Reward yourself regularly.

4. If stressed, ask for help. Your teachers want you to succeed; ask them!

Further information examination and study tips can be found here

http://www.studyit.org.nz/studyandexam/study.html

SENIOR SUBJECTS for 2020

All senior students have been presented with opportunities and information to look at and choose their senior class options for next year, for the small number of students who have yet completed this process this needs to occur before the end of the term. Senior students are encouraged to speak with a senior staff member to ensure decisions on subject choice are appropriate for the future pathways they intend to follow. Parents should also involve themselves in this decision-making process by discussing subject choices with their children.

Year 9 and 10 students for 2020 are now commencing the selection of their option class for next year.

Koru Games

Full results are here for every game, an outstanding result for the students competing across all four sports.

Basketball
Final Pool A - Win to Westland High School
Westland High School Girls v. Rakaia Girls 6-3
Full results here

Soccer
Final Pool B - Win to Westland High School
Westland High Boys v. Oxford 1-0
Full Results here

Rugby Sevens
Final Pool A - Win to Westland High School West Coast
Westland High School - West Coast v. Oxford 1-0
Full Results here

Netball
Final Pool A - Runner-up Westland High School
Westland High School v Merrin 7-8
Full Results here