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WHAKATANE HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
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PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
E ngā reo, e ngā mana, e ngā rau rangatira mā, ngā matā waka, tēnei te mihi maioha atu mō te tau hou ki ā koutou katoa. Ko te wawata me te tūmanako ka noho ora pai koutou katoa.
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The partnership between school and whānau plays an integral role in supporting student achievement. Over the past few weeks we have had some opportunities to come together to better understand the parts we can all play in supporting our students in achieving their potential.
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In Week 7 we held our Mentor interviews. We want to thank everyone who was able to attend these hui, to establish a shared understanding of how the year has started across their child’s subjects and to look at how their learning journey in 2026 can best be supported. Just over 850 interviews were held, which was a great turnout from our school community.
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In Week 8 an information evening relating to the Common Assessment Activities (CAAs) for Year 10 students and their whānau was held in the school hall. This hui was well attended and was a chance for students and parents to gain a better understanding of the Literacy and Numeracy requirements for Level 1 NCEA. Thank you to the students, staff and whānau that showed up to support this kaupapa.
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A number of this week’s national tournament activities have already concluded. Thank you to the staff, coaches and parents involved in these events for the massive commitment that went into getting our students ready to compete on the national stage this week. Sports included:
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Rowing at Lake Ruataniwha in Twizel
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Waka Ama at Lake Tikitapu in Rotorua
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Volleyball in Palmerston North
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3 on 3 Basketball in Rotorua
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Ultimate Frisbee in Taupo
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- Kayaking at Lake Tikitapu in Rotorua
- Equestrian at the Pegasus Cup Inter-schools Show Jumping (last week)
Thank you to everyone who has supported raising student attendance this term. Regular attendance is a fundamental aspect of student achievement and it is important that we all continue to do what we can to reinforce the importance of this with our students. Please contact the school office if you know your child is unable to attend for whatever reason so the appropriate attendance code can be entered.
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A reminder too that next term cell phones will not be allowed out at school, including during intervals and lunchtimes. This will be a change that will take time to get right and will require everyone's support. A process for exemptions will be shared soon for students that require a cellphone, especially for those that require them for health monitoring purposes. If you need to contact your child during the school day, you can do so through the school office.
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The end of the term is nigh and it is appropriate at this time to acknowledge all of our students, their whānau and teachers. Term 1 is always busy and I know students and staff are looking forward to a well earned break. Thank you to you all for your contributions to our kura this term.
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Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi
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With everyone’s contribution, we can sustain the masses
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Achievement Assembly
On Tuesday, we held a special Achievement Assembly to celebrate our students who achieved NCEA Merit and Excellence endorsements in 2025.
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We also recognised students who received badges in sporting, cultural, and academic areas for their outstanding achievements, both as individuals and as part of a team.
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The assembly also saw the introduction of our 2026 Year 12 Leaders. These students help organise and run house events throughout the year across a range of categories including Academic, Culture, Performance/Arts, Novelty, and Sport. We’re looking forward to introducing these students soon!
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Year 9 Business Studies
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Our first Year 9 Bake Sales were a total sell-out! From hokey pokey and brownies, to meringues and cupcakes, the treats disappeared in record time. The students now move on to calculate their profit and loss to see how successful their business was.
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Year 9 Sculpture
Ms Murphy’s Year 9 Sculpture class have spent several happy weeks creating giant food sculptures inspired by the work of Claes Oldenburg Students began by constructing large-scale food forms using cardboard and paper mâché.
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Once their sculptures were built, they explored colour mixing techniques and learnt how to apply shadows and highlights to enhance the three-dimensional form of their work.
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Their amazing mahi is on display in the library for anyone wanting to check it out!
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Geography
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This month our two level one Geography classes spent the day at Tarawera at the Buried Village. Te Wairoa is a village buried by the eruption of Tarawera in 1886. The site was excavated decades later. Our intention was to learn about the impacts of volcanism on people and the environment, and we were very lucky to step back in time for the day and roam the museum and excavation site.
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Interact Club
The WHS Interact Club has had a busy Term One. We started with the face painting at the Sullivan Lake Art in the Park, Face painting at the Year 9 BBQ and signing up new members, Face painting at the Jazz in the Park, participating in the Zonta High Tea, waiting on tables and supporting the Titoki 50th Jubilee, face painting at the Have a Heart Expo, the Rotary Club of Whakatāne Trolley Derby, and digging agapanthus at the Lyceum Club.
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Our speakers have been Deb Woollett of Zonta International, where we gave $100 for International projects; Jiko and Caiden; Matt Turner Big Brothers Big Sisters to discuss Teen Mentoring; Whakatāne District Council on the Whakatāne Riverbank Enhancement, and next week the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
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We have 50 members to date, in the WHS Interact Club. James McKay is this year’s WHS Interact Club President. There are always events that we are asked to support in the community. We also have now established a fund for students to apply for if they are requiring money for specific events. This application form is available by emailing the WHS Interact Club Secretary sarah.banks@students.whs.co.nz.
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Interact Club and the Trolley Derby
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On the 14th of March, Interact Club students, accompanied by Mrs. Bonne, volunteered at the annual Trolley Derby held at Appenzell Drive, Whakatāne. The event was organised by the Rotary Club of Whakatāne, MenzShed, and BlueLight, bringing whānau and friends together for a day of racing and outdoor fun.
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The Interact Club members helped out by encouraging and ensuring everyone had a safe and enjoyable experience. The day was a great way for the Interact Club students to work alongside community volunteers and contribute to a fun local event.
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Outdoor Education
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Our Outdoor Education students have achieved some fantastic milestones recently. The Year 12 and 13 classes successfully completed their tramping expeditions, while our Year 11 students have all wrapped up their stand-up paddleboarding assessments.
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Summer Tournament Week
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There has been a number of different tournament week teams out competing around NZ this week. Check out all the results on our Sports at Whakatane High School Facebook page.
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Mt John Trip 2026
Ms Nolan is taking a group of senior students to the South Island during the Term 3 holidays (5-10 October) where they will visit the Antarctic Centre, Air New Zealand’s Engineering Department, the University of Canterbury and the Mt John Observatory.
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Any senior students interested should email erin.nolan@whs.co.nz for more information.
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First Aid Certificate
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This week at school we have had 40 students gain their First Aid Certificate. The students are from our TOKI construction academy and Early Childhood Education class with a few other Gateway students. This is in preparation for the students to enter work based Gateway Placements in Term Two. We had the services of instructor Karen from Life Care Consultants.
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CRICKET
On Thursday last week, Trident High School and Whakatāne High School met at Trident for the annual Braddock Block Challenge cricket match. It was an awesome occasion and a memorable experience for everyone involved.
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Trident batted first and, despite a couple of early edges to the keeper off the bowling of Daniel Handley-Elder and Flynn Watkins, they settled in well. Their innings was progressing steadily until their opener, who was looking comfortable on 20-odd, was run out after getting caught out of his crease in a scramble to get back. The middle overs saw their scoring stall somewhat, but a late surge from the final pair lifted their total to 104/4 from 20 overs.
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In response, WHS made a slightly shaky start, losing a wicket in the early overs. From there, however, it was smooth sailing. Opener Corey Munn and number three Aaron Nillesen combined superbly, guiding the team to the target in the 18th over. They played some scintillating shots all around the ground and offered very few chances. Aaron capped off an outstanding captain’s innings by bringing up his half-century with the winning run, while Corey showed great composure to carry his bat through the innings, finishing unbeaten on 34 – no mean feat.
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Whakatane High School won the match scoring 105/1 to Trident's 104/4.A massive thank you to everyone at Trident High School for once again hosting such a fantastic event. We greatly value the opportunity to be your counterpart in growing high school cricket and have appreciated working together throughout the season in regional competition. Thanks also to our players who made themselves available on the day – including our first-timer, who added plenty of entertainment to the occasion.
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Well done to all involved.
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NETBALL
Congratulations to Manaia Jobe on being selected to represent the Waiariki Netball Waka U15 team at the 39th AMNOHL National Tournament this Easter in Whangārei.
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A special mention also to Aurora Eruera, who has been named as a non-travelling reserve for the same team, and to Ariana Dawson, who was selected for the U17 team but is unable to attend the tournament.
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We are incredibly proud of you all—well done ladies!
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ATHLETICS
WaiBOP Athletics ChampionshipsWhakatāne High School had 11 students compete at the WaiBOP Athletics Championships in Tauranga. Athletes qualified for this event by placing in the top three at the school athletics day, followed by a top-six finish at the Bay of Plenty Championships.
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A special congratulations goes to the following students who achieved podium finishes and have qualified for the North Island Secondary School Championships next week:
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- Stepanka Tunova – Senior Girls: 1st in 1500m, 2nd in 800m. Stepanka was also awarded the Camille French Cup for her 1500m performance.
- Lara Barton – Intermediate Girls: 1st in High Jump
- Brooke Te Maipi – Junior Girls: 3rd in Shot Put
- Kaylene Kemp – Senior Girls: 3rd in 100m Hurdles
Other notable Whakatāne High School placings:
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- Hendrik Nel – 4th Senior Boys Shot Put
- David Kemp – 4th Intermediate Boys 100m Hurdles, 12th High Jump
- Olivia Hyndman – 4th Senior Girls 400m, 10th 100m
- Blake Shipton – 5th Senior Boys Shot Put
- Mia Hyndman – 7th Junior Girls 3000m
- Azelle Stansloski – 9th Junior Girls 3000m
- ihaka Savage-Sanson – 9th Senior Boys Javelin
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Well done to all athletes for their outstanding efforts and for representing the school with pride.Thanks Steph Walker for capturing some awesome pics of of our athletes in action
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BADMINTON
Whakatane Badminton Club junior sessions commence in terms 2 and 3 for all Intermediate and High School students at the War Memorial Hall. This will be every Tuesday evening from 6pm to 8pm beginning on 21st April. Registrations are open on the Whakatane Badminton Club website.
For more information please email whk.battledore@gmail.com
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