Extra-Curricular Activities
At Westmere your child has the opportunity to take part in a wide variety of extra-curricular activities.
Sport
Auckland Marathon (school-based)
Basketball (school-based)
Flippa Ball and Mini Polo (school-based)
Netball (school-based)
Playball (run by Playball)
Rugby (club-based)
Ski Team (school-based)
Soccer (club-based)
Swim League (school-based)
Tennis (club-based)
Touch Rugby (run by Touch Rugby)
Playing sports is a great learning opportunity for children.
Some sports have traditionally been organised through schools, while others are entirely club-based.
When teams are organised through a club, they establish fees and teams.
When teams are organised through school parents are responsible for coaching and managing teams. The school supports players by organising the teams and supplying equipment for parents who volunteer to coach. Most volunteers arrange a time to practice on our school grounds.
The fees are established annually by the school based on the number of players that we expect to play. We don’t aim to make a profit. If there is an excess when fees have been paid to the club this is used to buy coaching equipment, uniforms and to sponsor students to participate in sporting opportunities.
We hope that this newsletter will be a good resource for you if you are thinking about encouraging your child to take part in a sport.
Most codes follow the research that playing in teams with friends and engagement in play are the most important factors in retaining participation. Whatever sport they play, your child will have fun, and develop fitness and skills to help them work as a team.
Auckland Marathon
In 2024 we would like to offer students the opportunity to take part in the Auckland Marathon.
The special race for school-aged children is 2.2km and there are lots of viewing opportunities for parents.
If you would like to help out with supporting this event please contact office@westmere.school.nz
Basketball (school-based)
Registrations for basketball will open in term 1. Information will follow in the sports newsletter.
Basketball is played at Ponsonby Intermediate School after school. It is a venue that is easy to get to and games are fast-paced with lots of court time for all children.
Basketball is a fast-growing sport and an entry point into other team sports for many children.
Flippa Ball and Mini Polo (school-based)
Flipper Ball and Water polo are sports that have an entry requirement. Children can register from year 3, but they need to be a strong swimmer to participate (can easily swim 25m without needing to stop to touch the bottom). Children play in the Atlantis League.
As this is a sport that is organised through school it relies on parent support for coaching and managing.
Participation requires practice on a Saturday afternoon (Epsom Girls pool) for 1 hour then games on a Sunday afternoon (either Dio or St Cuth's pool). The games are 20 minutes in duration and can be played in a shallow pool where the children can touch the bottom (Flippaball) or a deep pool where they need to tread water (Mini Polo).
Teams will be entered into the league starting in term 2. Leagues are available in terms 3 and 4, but we do not always have enough players for the term 3 leagues as some children prefer to play other sports at the weekend during the winter.
Like netball, the fees are set by the school and are set based on the number of children expected to play.
Details on registrations will be in following newsletters as dates become available.
Flippa Ball
Key Information:
Players from Year 3 - Year 6
8 games
Beginners welcome, need to be able to swim 25m confidently
More information will become available in the sports newsletter
Netball (school-based)
At Westmere, we support netball at Windmill Road in Mount Eden. The club supports Auckland Netball's approach.
The youngest children play small games on modified courts. There are fewer rules with an emphasis on having lots of ball contact.
The season starts in late May and concludes in early September (depending on any weather cancellations).
There will be information in upcoming newsletters about registrations.
The philosophy at the club is that children play in social groups so there are no trials for any of the age groups. This link takes you to the website.
The future FERNS competition at Windmill Park, Mt Eden is divided into four key stages of development, from the youngest children in Year 1 right through to intermediate-age children in Year 8. The modified game transforms and becomes more challenging as the players get older and continue to develop their netball skills. The competition is open to both boys and girls.
If your child is new to the sport you may also want to consider a holiday or coaching program as a way to build skills and confidence.
Netball is organised through school. This means that it is much cheaper than many other club sports, but it does rely on parent volunteers to coach and manage teams. The cost of playing covers registration, training equipment and we also loan the school uniform needed to play.
What you can expect from the school:
Organise children into social teams
Register players
Support coaches and managers through the season
Timetable for practice sessions at school
What helps us:
Families being willing to share coaching and managing
Signing up early so we can organise teams
Encouraging your children to get involved
Connecting with your team to support each other
Details of the games will be made available in the upcoming sports newsletter.
Playball
Playball is a specialised sports and movement programme aimed at 2-8 year olds.
Tuesdays: after-school 3-4pm under the supertop
For more information: www.playballkids.com/franchise/aucklandcbd
Rugby (club-based)
Ponsonby Rugby Club is the most local club.
Junior registrations are open now. Please contact the club for fees and there may be reductions for additional siblings enrolling. There is also a requirement for the kit and boots will also be needed.
There is an option to join a girls league as well as mixed leagues.
As with soccer, the club does its best to place children in teams with some children from their school. There is no trialing for teams, although for some older children, there are weight restrictions.
Ski Team (school-based)
The school has traditionally supported a ski team to enter the North Island Schools competition.
Please check newsletters for updates.
Soccer (club-based)
Western Springs is the club closest to our school. The grounds are on Meola Road.
Registrations are open now. Children need boots. shin pads and the Western Springs kit which can be purchased from the club. Fees need to be paid as part of registration but, like many clubs, payment options are available.
Games take place throughout the weekend, depending on the grade.
Children usually get to play on a team with some of their peers from Westmere as well as children from other schools so it is a great way to broaden friendships.
Swim League (school-based)
Lucy Farrugia is our coordinator for the Auckland Swim League.
Teams are usually a mix of year 5-6 swimmers, but strong swimmers from year 4 are also welcome. Teams are between 8 (minimum) and 16 (maximum) swimmers. Events include individual racing and relays.
To take part children need to be able to swim one length of 25m pool for the stroke entered in.
All sessions are run out of Trent Bray Swim School on a Saturday afternoon in Kingsland.
Westmere School would like to enter a swim team or two in the Auckland Swim League for Term 2. If your child is keen to give it a go please email Lucy Farrugia at lucyafarrugia@gmail.com to register your child before the end of term one. Please include the following;
Child’s name:
Child’s studio and yr group:
Parent or caregiver’s email address and contact number:
The Primary School League is Saturday afternoon, normally a 1:30 start (TBC), and runs for 30-45 mins.
Teams are a mix of Yr 5 and 6 swimmers however strong Yr 4 swimmers are also welcome.
Teams are between 8 (minimum) and 12 (Maximum) swimmers, events include individual racing and relays.
Minimum swimming skills for swimmer participation - to be able to swim one length of 25m pool for the stroke entered in.
Any questions, please email lucyafarrugia@gmail.com
Tennis (club-based)
Herne Bay Ponsonby Rackets Club is a local club with lots of options for junior players. Children need to be age 7 before they can join.
Outside of club nights there are opportunities for taster sessions, group coaching, individual coaching, and holiday programs.
Family options are also available. Club nights are free for club members and $10 for non-members.
Touch Rugby (run by Touch Rugby Auckland)
Summer touch rugby is starting and there are still some spaces free if your child is keen to join a Yr 3/4 or Yr 5/6 team.
The season starts on Tuesday, 7 February, and runs for seven weeks.
Games are 30 minutes and are played at Coxs Bay fields.
Yr 3/4 grade plays at 4.30 pm and Yr 5/6 grade at 4.30 pm or 5.05 pm.
No touch experience is necessary.
Please get in touch with our touch co-ordinator, Sarah-Jane Lawson, on 021 710 897 or sarahjanepuch@gmail.com
The Arts
Holy Moly Arts & Crafts
Lewis Eady: Music Lessons
PerformanceNet: Drama, Dance & Performing Arts
Westmere Drama
Holy Moly Arts & Crafts
After school Tuesdays & Thursdays in Te'Are
Lewis Eady Music Lessons
Fridays: onsite during school hours
PerformanceNet: Drama, Dance & Performing Arts
Fridays: onsite during school hours
Westmere Drama
Fridays drama club continues this year with well-known Shortland Street/Celebrity Treasure Island actor/teacher/ motivational speaker Lynette Forday.
Lynette became a household name on NZ television and was a pioneer in getting a minority face onto mainstream television.
Her passion lies in helping children believe that they are enough, that they are extraordinary and they can take on the world no matter what.
Lynette grew up being the only little Asian face in the playground and knows from her childhood the importance of feeling enough and having the skills to stand up and be heard.
In her class there’ll be drama games, charades, improvisations, public speaking practise and script work but most importantly lots of fun learning.
All in the name of self-confidence, positive body language, creativity, and confidence speaking in front of others.
$153 a term.
These lessons run on Friday during school
By design, it’s a small club so if you’re interested get in touch with Lynette at ljforday@icloud.com or 021367329.
