2020 Parents’ Guide

2020Parents’ Guide

Key datesfor 2020

Our SchoolStructure

Getting readyfor high school

WGHS 2020 Parents Guide 2

ContentsKey dates 3

Before school starts 4

First Day and beyond 5

About the school system 6

Keeping in touch with what’s happening 12

Key contacts 12


Key DatesTerm Dates 2020Term 1:Wednesday 29 January - Thursday 8 AprilMonday 27 January Auckland Anniversary Day (school closed)Thursday 6 February Waitangi Day (school closed)Friday 10 April Good Friday (school closed)Monday 13 April Easter Monday (in the school holidays)Monday 27 April ANZAC Day observed (school closed)

Term 2:Tuesday 28 April - Friday 3 JulyMonday 1 June Queen’s Birthday (school closed)

Term 3:Monday 20 July - Friday 25 September

Term 4:Monday 12 October - Wednesday 9 DecemberMonday 26 October Labour Day (school closed)

Important Dates in Term 1Monday 13 January School Office opensMonday 27 January Auckland AnniversaryWednesday 29 January Years 10, 11, 12, 13 at schoolThursday 30 January Year 9 students Orientation DayFriday 31 January First day of teaching (full school)Thursday 6 February Waitangi Day (school closed)Tuesday 11 February ID and class photosWednesday 12 February Wednesday 12 February Friday 14 February Friday 21 February Friday 27 March Thursday 2 April Tuesday 7 April Thursday 9 April

ID and class photosNew parents information evening Swimming Sports (competitors only) Athletics Day (all school)Progress reports issued (all years) Report evening 1 (4 - 7pm) Report evening 2 (4 - 7pm) Term ends

Before school starts

StationeryBefore your daughter starts, we recommend you purchase stationery only for her core subjects - English, Maths, Science, Social Studies and PE/Health. You’ll find a list of items on our website. On your daughter’s first day she will receive her timetable and have her option subject choices confirmed. Stationery for these subjects can then be purchased.

Special deals available on BYO devices are available by clicking the ICT/E-Learning button Under “Student Services” on the homepage, www.westlakegirls.school.nz.

UniformOnly a small number of the Westlake Uniform items available are compulsory:

• Skirt• Blouse• Blazer• Footwear (either shoes and socks, or sandals)• PE shorts• House t-shirt

All other items including hats, scarves, jerseys, ties and track pants are optional. You can purchase uniform items online from our website, or you can go into the Uniform Group’s store at Unit 10, 54 View Road, Wairau Valley. Refer to the Uniform Group’s store website (wghs.uniformgroup.co.nz/page/contact-us.aspx) for opening hours.

In January 2020 opening hours are:

Wednesday 15 - Friday 17 January: Saturday 18 January: Monday 20 - Thursday 23 January: Friday 24 January:Saturday 25 January: Monday 27 January:

10am - 4pm10am - 2pm10am - 4pm10am - 2pmClosedPublic Holiday, Closed

Tuesday 28 - Thursday 30 January: 10am - 4pm

Friday 31 January - Saturday 1 February: Closed

During term time, the Parents Forum also run a second-hand uniform shop where you can purchase uniform items. You will receive an email when school begins with opening hours and location for Term 1.


First Day and beyondGetting to and from school on the first daySchool buses will be running from Wednesday 29 January. You can find a list of bus routes on our website under “Quicklinks” on the Homepage (2020 School buses).

If you are dropping your daughter at school by car, we recommend using one of the surrounding streets as a drop-off point. Smales Farm does not allow parking for school drop off/collection and issue infringement tickets.

There are bike racks between B and C Blocks for cycling to school. Please ensure your daughter has a lock for her bike.

The school gates are closed from 3 - 3.30pm each day for the safety of our students, so you will be unable to enter the school grounds to collect your daughter. We recommend arranging a drop-off and collection point in one of the surrounding streets.

Year 9 students - First DayWhenYear 9 students in 2020 start on Thursday 30 January. It will be a full day from 8.45am to 3.15pm, and an orientation day for the Year 9s only.

WhereCovered Courts at 8.45am. You will find a school map in this guide.

WhatDuring the assembly at the Covered Courts, students will be welcomed, divided into Form Classes, and will then go to their classroom with their Form Teacher and classmates. There they will receive their school diary, timetable, be guided to connect their device to the school system, be given their student email address (which is a key way we contact our students) and be provided with the school rules and regulations. There will also be an opportunity for students to get to know each other in their class, and they will be taken on a guided tour for bathrooms, lockers, cafeteria, library, Office, Health Centre, places to eat lunch, and classroom blocks. They will also be shown how to use the library, including topping up printing cards.

LockersOnce your daughter has her timetable, she will be able to go to the Payments Office and purchase the use of a locker for the year ($60). Please note that a locker near her Form Class may not be the best option if her classes are mostly in another part of the school. Staff in the Payments Office, will be able to assign her the most appropriate locker choice based on her timetable. She should place her lock on the locker as soon as practicable. Either combination or key locks are suitable. Your daughter will also require a padlock for her PE locker during PE class.

What to wearStudents should be in correct uniform, including skirt or culottes, blouse, and sandals or shoes/socks. See “Uniform” in this guide for more information.

What to bringStudents will not need to bring their full range of stationery for their first day at high school. However, they should bring:

• School bag• Refill paper• Pen• Laptop• A lock (for the locker)• Lunch/morning tea• Water bottle

The tuck shop will be open for lunch purchases. Your daughter will not be permitted to leave the school grounds until the day finishes at 3.15pm.

Second DayFriday 31 January will be a Timetable Day 5 (see below) and the first day of classes. All Year 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 students go to their Form Class at 8.45am.

Period Times

WESTLAKE GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL – DAYS, DATES & TIMETABLE DAY NUMBERS 2020 TERM ONE (102 half days) TERM TWO (94 half days) TERM THREE (100 half days) TERM FOUR (84 half days)

M T W Th F M T W Th F M T W Th F M T W Th F Wk 1a

27 Jan Akld

Anniv. Day

28 Jan Staff Only

29 Jan Y10, 11, 12 & 13

in

30 Jan Y9 in (+Y13

leaders)

31 Jan

Day 5

Wk 1b

27 Apr Anzac Day

Observ.

28 Apr

Day 7

29 Apr

Day 8

30 Apr

Day 9

01 May

Day10

Wk 1b

20 Jul

Day 6

21 Jul

Day 7

22 Jul

Day 8

23 Jul

Day 9

24 Jul

Day10

Wk 1b

12 Oct

Day 6

13 Oct

Day 7

14 Oct

Day 8

15 Oct

Day 9

16 Oct

Day10

Wk 2b

03 Feb

Day 6

04 Feb

Day 7

05 Feb

Day 8

06 Feb Wait. Day

07 Feb

Day10

Wk 2a

04 May

Day 1

05 May

Day 2

06 May

Day 3

07 May

Day 4

08 May

Day 5

Wk 2a

27 Jul

Day 1

28 Jul

Day 2

29 Jul

Day 3

30 Jul

Day 4

31 Jul

Day 5

Wk 2a

19 Oct

Day 1

20 Oct

Day 2

21 Oct

Day 3

22 Oct

Day 4

23 Oct

Day 5

Wk 3a

10 Feb

Day 1

11 Feb

Day 2

12 Feb

Day 3

13 Feb

Day 4

14 Feb

Day 5

Wk 3b

11 May

Day 6

12 May

Day 7

13 May

Day 8

14 May

Day 9

15 May

Day10

Wk 3b

03 Aug

Day 6

04 Aug

Day 7

05 Aug

Day 8

06 Aug

Day 9

07 Aug

Day10

Wk 3b

26 Oct Labour

Day

27 Oct

Day 7

28 Oct

Day 8

29 Oct

Day 9

30 Oct

Day10

Wk 4b

17 Feb

Day 6

18 Feb

Day 7

19 Feb

Day 8

20 Feb

Day 9

21 Feb

Day10

Wk 4a

18 May

Day 1

19 May

Day 2

20 May

Day 3

21 May

Day 4

22 May

Day 5

Wk 4a

10 Aug

Day 1

11 Aug

Day 2

12 Aug

Day 3

13 Aug

Day 4

14 Aug

Day 5

Wk 4a

02 Nov

Day 1

03 Nov

Day 2

04 Nov

Day 3

05 Nov

Day 4

06 Nov

Day 5 Wk 5a

24 Feb

Day 1

25 Feb

Day 2

26 Feb

Day 3

27 Feb

Day 4

28 Feb

Day 5

Wk 5b

25 May

Day 6

26 May

Day 7

27 May

Day 8

28 May

Day 9

29 May

CoL TOD

Wk 5b

17 Aug

Day 6

18 Aug

Day 7

19 Aug

Day 8

20 Aug

Day 9

21 Aug

Day10

Wk 5b

09 Nov

Day 6

10 Nov

Day 7

11 Nov

Day 8

12 Nov

Day 9

13 Nov

Day10

Wk 6b

02 Mar

Day 6

03 Mar

Day 7

04 Mar

Day 8

05 Mar

Day 9

06 Mar

Day10

Wk 6a

01 Jun Queens Birthday

02 Jun

Day 2

03 Jun

Day 3

04 Jun

Day 4

05 Jun

Day 5

Wk 6a

24 Aug

Day 1

25 Aug

Day 2

26 Aug

Day 3

27Aug

Day 4

28 Aug

Day 5

Wk 6a

16 Nov

Day 1

17 Nov

Day 2

18 Nov

Day 3

19 Nov

Day 4

20 Nov

Day 5 Wk 7a

09 Mar

Day 1

10 Mar

Day 2

11 Mar

Day 3

12 Mar

Day 4

13 Mar

Day 5

Wk 7b

08 Jun

Day 6

09 Jun

Day 7

10 Jun

Day 8

11 Jun

Day 9

12 Jun

Day10

Wk 7b

31 Aug

Day 6

01 Sep

Day 7

02Sep

Day 8

03Sep

Day 9

04 Sep

Day10

Wk 7b

23 Nov

Day 6

24 Nov

Day 7

25 Nov

Day 8

26 Nov

Day 9

27 Nov

Day10

Wk 8b

16 Mar

Day 6

17 Mar

Day 7

18 Mar

Day 8

19 Mar

Day 9

20 Mar

Day10

Wk 8a

15 Jun

Day 1

16 Jun

Day 2

17 Jun

Day 3

18 Jun

Day 4

19 Jun

Day 5

Wk 8a

07 Sep

Day 1

08 Sep

Day 2

09 Sep

Day 3

10 Sep

Day 4

11 Sep

Day 5

Wk 8a

30 Nov

Day 1

01 Dec

Day 2

02 Dec

Day 3

03 Dec

Day 4

04 Dec

Day 5

Wk 9a

23 Mar

Day 1

24 Mar

Day 2

25 Mar

Day 3

26 Mar

Day 4

27 Mar

Day 5

Wk 9b

22 Jun

Day 6

23 Jun

Day 7

24 Jun

Day 8

25 Jun

Day 9

26 Jun

Day10

Wk 9b

14 Sep

Day 6

15 Sep

Day 7

16 Sep

Day 8

17 Sep

Day 9

18 Sep

Day10

Wk 9b

07 Dec

Day 6

08 Dec

Day 7

09 Dec

Day 8

Wk 10b

30 Mar

Day 6

31 Mar

Day 7

01 Apr

Day 8

02 Apr

Day 9

03 Apr

Day10

Wk 10a

29 Jun

Day 1

30 Jun

Day 2

01 Jul

Day 3

02 Jul

Day 4

03 Jul

Day 5

Wk 10a

21 Sep

Day 1

22 Sep

Day 2

23 Sep

Day 3

24 Sep

Day 4

25 Sep

Day 5

Wk 11a

06 Apr

Day 1

07 Apr

Day 2

08 Apr

Day 3

09 Apr

Day 4

10 Apr Good

Friday

(V1 24-Sept 2019)

You can find this timetable near the back of this guide.


Period Mon Day 1 Day 6

Tue Day 2 Day 7

Wed Day 3 Day 8

Thur Day 4 Day 9

Fri Day 5 Day 10

FORM TIME/ ASSEMBLY

8.50am – 9.15am

8.50am – 9.05am

Late start Form Time 9.35am – 10am

Warning Bell at 9.30am

8.50am – 9.05am

8.50am – 9.15am

ONE 9.15am – 10.05am

9.05am – 10.05am

9.05am – 10.05am

9.15am – 10.05am

TWO 10.05am – 11.05am

10.05am – 11.05am

10.05am – 11.05am

10.05am – 11.05am

10.05am – 11.05am

Morning Tea 11.05am – 11.30am (Warning bell at 11.25am)

THREE 11.30am – 12.25pm

11.30am – 12.25pm

11.30am – 12.25pm

11.30am – 12.25pm

11.30am – 12.25pm

Lunch 12.25pm – 1.20pm (Warning bell at 1.15pm)

FOUR 1.20 – 2.15pm 1.20 – 2.15pm

1.20 – 2.15pm 1.20 – 2.15pm 1.20 – 2.15pm

FIVE 2.15 – 3.15pm 2.15 – 3.15pm

2.15 – 3.15pm 2.15 – 3.15pm 2.15 – 3.15pm


About the school systemHere are a few helpful things to know about how our school runs.

Student ID CardsAll students are required to have an ID card, which will be issued after Form and ID photos are taken on 11 and 12 February. Cards cost $6. Photos and payment will be taken on the day of Form photos. New students joining after 12 February will have their photo taken at the School Office. The ID card allows access to the school library, and printers and is a means of identification for students travelling on buses. If a card is lost or stolen, it should be reported to the School Office.

AttendanceAbsence: It is a Ministry requirement to have a written or emailed explanation of a student’s absence in order for the correct attendance code to be assigned. Parents or caregivers should contact the school in the morning either by emailing attendance@ westlakegirls.school.nz AND your daughter’s Form Teacher, remembering to give the reason for the absence.

Alternatively you can call 489 4169 to talk to the Attendance Officer or press 1 to leave a message. A message must be followed up with an email or note to your daughter’s Form Teacher within three days of returning to school. For parents or caregivers unable to email, a written note on the student’s return to school is expected. Medical certificates are required for extended periods of absence, or if a student is unable to sit an NCEA internal assessment or examination.

Lateness: Students must bring an explanatory note and give it to the Attendance Officer upon arrival in the main reception at the Gernhoefer Admin Centre. Alternatively email the Attendance Officer and Form Teacher.

Exiting during the day: Students needing to leave school for appointments need to collect a form from the Attendance officer at reception before signing out.

Going away on holiday: If there is a planned family holiday during term time, or your daughter needs to take time off school, she must see her House Dean with a letter from a parent/caregiver to get a Leave Form. That form must then be filled out by all her teachers, signed by a parent/caregiver and then returned to her Dean before the leave date.

Sickness: If your daughter becomes sick at school, she will be sent to the School Health Centre and you will be notified if she needs to be sent home. It’s important your daughter sees the Nurse at the Health Centre before she calls you for collection.

UniformUniform items can be purchased online or in person through the Uniform Group, which has a store at Unit 10, 54 View Road, Wairau Valley. There is also a parent-run second-hand shop at the school in term time. For more information please visit our website. Please ensure all uniform items are named.

PE Uniform includes your specific House shirt, PE shorts and PE sport socks (long-sleeved sports jumper is optional but highly recommended).

Robust black lace-up shoes must be worn in Terms 2 and 3 and must be of a similar style to those sold through the Uniform Shop. Jandals and fabric shoes are not permitted. Black sandals may be worn in Terms 1 and 4. These must have a back strap which must be worn done up. Safety at school is an important issue, particularly in Technology and Science classes. Only regulation closed-in shoes can be worn during these classes.

Students who have pierced ears may wear up to two sets of solid/plain gold or silver studs (two in each ear) lower lobe only. Diamante and dress earrings of any design are not acceptable. No other jewellery is permitted, except a watch. Permission to wear necklaces of cultural significance may only be given with written permission from the Principal. No make-up or nail polish is permitted, and hair must be well groomed and off the face. Ribbons or ties must be black. Only hair colours in the natural human hair range are acceptable.

BlazersBlazers are compulsory on your daughter’s House assembly day. However, the wearing of blazers is optional in February (except for class and ID photo day) due to the warmer temperatures. At other times blazers should be worn as the first choice of an extra layer. Jerseys may be worn under the blazer. House Assembly days are:

• Monday - Akoranga/Hauraki• Wednesday - Onewa• Friday - Pupuke/Wairau

Westlake NetworkEvery student has an individual account on the Westlake Network. Here students can create and save files, print documents, and access email and the internet for school use.

Her personal username is her school ID number, and her Form Teacher will give her a password in the first week of school. She should immediately change the password to her own personal password. To change a password, log into the school network. Press “Ctrl + Alt + Delete” and from the menu choose > Change Password.

Who’s WhoYou’ll find a list of the Senior Leadership Team, Deans, teachers and support staff on the website. If you need to email someone at WGHS, use the first initial of their Christian name followed by their surname @westlakegirls.school.nz. IE, John Smith would be [email protected].

Board of TrusteesOur School is run by a Board of Trustees comprising (as of January 2020):Chairperson Joy BradfieldDeputy Chair Carolyn RansonPrincipal Jane StanleyTrustee Russell ClementsTrustee Kim TayStaff Trustee Carol WrightStudent Trustee Grace Chen

The Board is the governing body of our school and is responsible for setting policies by which our school is controlled and managed. Meetings are held in February, April, May, July, August, September, November and December. For a list of dates see our website. You’ll also find our Annual Reports there.

Parents ForumOur Parents Forum is a group of parents who volunteer their time at Westlake Girls, and is led by Barbara Scholten. Primarily the group runs the Second-Hand Uniform Shop and organises events. If you are keen to get involved, email Barbara at [email protected].

Supplementary Curriculum ResourcesAlong with stationery and uniform costs, there are also Supplementary Curriculum Resources costs associated with your daughter’s study.

A list of Supplementary Curriculum Resources can be found on our website. You can pay online through the website by clicking the Online Payments button.

WGHS 2020 Parents Guide7

If you have concerns over the payment, please contact one of our Learning Enhancement team (see “Support”).

School donationOur parents help provide a quality education for our students by giving a voluntary contribution. The donations are used to give your daughter opportunities beyond what is funded by the government, because we know they will make a real difference to her success:

• Employing more than 20 additional teachers so wecan offer a wide range of subject choices and smaller classes in some cases.

• Resources to support learning, ie:- updating and maintaining IT equipment, such as audio-visual gear, projectors and state-of-the-art computers.- technology equipment for specialist subjects such as STEAM and robotics.- specialist equipment for areas such as music, sports and performing arts.

• Subsidising curriculum trips to the community, including teacher relief costs. These are an important way for students to connect their classroom learning to the workplace, and create opportunities for future career paths.

• Extra coaching and tuition costs for groups such as sports and music.

The school donation for 2020 is $540 per student, or $725 for families with two or more students at WGHS. The quickest method of payment is through the parent portal which can be accessed from the school website, and you will receive a receipt immediately. Payments can also be made directly into the school bank account: 02-0272-0471113-000 or at the Payments Office which is open from 8am to 3.15pm.

Things to note:

• Your annual donation can be a one-off payment, you can pay instalments weekly ($10.38 single student/$13.94 two or more students), fortnightly ($20.77/$27.88), monthly ($45/$60.41) or per term ($135/$181.25) via internet banking.

• While a full donation provides more opportunities for our students, we appreciate a partial donation if there are financial constraints within your family. Every bit helps.

• You can claim one third of your full or partial donation as a tax credit - so for the $540 donation you can receive $180 which means your donation costs you$360 (receive $242 for the $725 donation which makes it $483). Send your receipt with the IR526 form to Inland Revenue.

• A donation of more than $100 enables your daughter to receive a free Year Book at the end of the year.

• Value option of $725 for families with two or more students at WGHS.

• If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to email [email protected] or call Camila on 09 4894169.

Your daughter benefits from the contributions of current parents and those of previous parents. Each generation "pays it forward" to support the high standard of teaching and facilities that benefit every student. We invite you to join us in continuing to create a culture and a school where every student can thrive.


The classroom systemYour daughter will remain in the same Form Class and House for her entire time at Westlake Girls High School. Her subject classes, however, will have a mix of students from across the same Year level. This is a great way for her to meet new people and make friends across a wide section of the school.

Homework, assessment and examsAt Year 9 and 10, students will receive an average 1-11/2

hours homework each week night. Your daughter will have units of work that are assessed by tests and assignments during the year, and end-of-year exams in mid-November that will be marked by her subject teacher, based on a strict set of criteria standards determined by the school.

At the end of the year your daughter will receive either Achieve, Merit or Excellence for each subject - similar to our Senior School assessments, however she will not receive NCEA credits. At the start of the year she will receive a booklet containing an assessment calendar for all of her subjects, and other information such as details on what to do if she is sick for an assessment. If you have concerns over assessment or testing, please contact your daughter’s House Dean or subject teacher.

Parent Teacher InterviewsThere will be two Parent Teacher Interview evenings in Term 1; on 2 and 7 April. You will be able to book appointments through the Parent Portal, and details will be provided with your daughter’s report, which you will receive through the Portal on Friday 27 March. Teachers will be in classrooms right across the school, so please allow time to walk between buildings when making your bookings.

SupportWe understand the jump from intermediate to high school can be a big one, and we have a dedicated team to support our students during their studies. First point of contact for any small issues will be your daughter’s Form Teacher, and there are also two Deans who oversee her House.

Our Learning Enhancement Department consists of a team of four trained counsellors who students can talk to, and there is also a Learning Support team if they need a little

more assistance to achieve their academic goals. Parents are also able to make appointments with our counsellors to discuss their daughter. To make an appointment, contact one of the counsellors:

Linda Clouston [email protected] Lee Foo [email protected] MacKay [email protected] Piper [email protected]

Students can book an appointment by:• Using the Request Counselling form in the sidebar

menu of the Westlake Girls School App• Emailing our counsellors directly• Completing a counselling request form in the

counselling offices area in the administration building• Visiting counsellors before school, at interval or at

lunchtime to book an appointment

Our Health Centre is located in the Gernhoefer Admin Centre and is staffed every day from 8.30am to 3.30pm by a registered nurse. If your daughter has a chronic illness, condition or injury, contact one of the nurses so we ensure the right people know.

Ashia Ismail-Singer (Senior Nurse)Sally McGhee

Both can be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 489 4169 Ext 759

When your daughter is getting close to leaving high school, our Careers Department will be able to guide her to take her next steps.


TutoringDepartments offer free tutoring in all of our core subjects during lunchtimes throughout the year. The times and dates for these will be notified in the Daily Notices (see Keeping in Touch). There is no need to book.

We also offer the Smart Swans tutoring programme. Year 12 and 13 students who have a high academic record volunteer their time to tutor younger students. It can be in any subject and usually kicks in around the middle of the first term. In the Daily Notices, students will be asked to sign up if they would like tutoring. They are then buddied up with an appropriate Smart Swan, and the pair arranges to meet – usually after school or at lunchtime. When and how long the tutoring continues is up to the students.

StreamingWe do not have a streamed system for Year 9 students. Students who perform at a high level in Year 9 may be invited to enter an enrichment or extension class in Year 10.

English, Maths, Science (Extension Class)Socials Studies (Enrichment Class)

If your daughter is being considered for one or more of these classes, you will receive a letter before Subject Choice selection takes place (see below). If you’re interested to know what sort of level your daughter needs to achieve in Year 9 to be considered for an Extension/Enrichment class in Year 10, talk to her subject teacher at our Teacher Parent Interview Evening in April.

Subject choices for Year 10You will receive an email during Term 4 notifying you of when subject choices are available, including instructions on how to make selections. Your daughter will find out on her first day in Year 10 which subject choices she has received. Generally most students receive their first choice. Subject choices for 2021 can only be changed until early December 2020.

What is STEAM?The STEAM enrichment programme is a two year programme which offers Year 9 and 10 students an integrated approach to learning. This Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics curriculum provides a pathway to deep learning that strengthens links between subjects, providing opportunities through project-based learning; for students to become life-long learners, leaders and changemakers of the future.

The STEAM programme aims at developing global competencies such as critical thinking, collaboration, communication, character, creativity and citizenship. Science and Mathematics will be enriched with projects linking the two disciplines whilst English and Social Studies will strengthen written, oral and digital literacy, global appreciation and critical thinking. Integrated in to STEAM are robotics, coding electronics, 3D printing design and virtual reality.

During the second year of the programme, our STEAM students are encouraged to be innovative and creative as they work alongside a mentor to identify a community project and implement an innovative technological solution. Students present their project to the community, including industry, at the end of the year at the STEAM Innovation Expo. A recent winning community project involved a storybook to teach young children about the impact of plastic pollution and how to take action. The book included augmented reality auras and a virtual world which further immersed the reader in the storyline.

Graduate Profile:- Global citizens- Resilient and innovative problem solvers- Engage with community issues- Changemakers of the future- Collaborate on a shared purpose- Communicate effectively- Use emerging technologies in a meaningful way- Adaptable and committed to learning as life-long learners

Year 9 and 10 Students

A non-STEAM student:EnglishSocial StudiesMathematicsSciencePE and Health

Year 9 optionsLanguage optionsArt optionsTechnology options

Year 10 options3 options

A STEAM student:EnglishSocial StudiesMathematicsSciencePE and Health

Year 9 optionsLanguage optionsArt optionsRobotics and Papertronics

Year 10 optionsFutureTech and Kinetic Sculptures (ART)Community project1 Further option

How does NCEA work?NCEA is recognised by universities and employers both nationally and internationally as an academic pathway designed to challenge and extend students of all abilities and in all learning areas.

There are three levels of NCEA which are usually attained by students in specific year levels, starting with Level 1 in Year 11, Level 2 in Year 12 and finishing with Level 3 in Year 13. University Entrance is also attained in Year 13 via an NCEA pathway. Students are assessed by a combination of assignments which are internally marked to strict guidelines by the school’s teachers, and by portfolios and examinations which are externally marked.

Each level can simply be Achieved, or endorsed with either Merit or Excellence which denotes a higher quality of work. In addition to the overall level endorsement, individual courses can also be endorsed with Merit or Excellence, acknowledging students who have performed exceptionally well in that subject.

High-achieving students can elect to sit Scholarship exams, which provide recognition and monetary rewards for top performing students in the country. Students wishing to continue their studies at university in New Zealand must meet the minimum requirements for University Entrance (UE):

• NCEA Level 3• Approved subjects: 14 credits in each of three approved subjects at Level 3• Literacy requirement: 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of 5 credits in

reading and 5 credits in writing• Numeracy requirement: 10 credits at Level 1 or above, made up of

achievement standards in a range of subjects; or all three numeracy unitstandards 26623, 26626 and 26627

For more information on University Entrance, please see NZQA’s website www.nzqa. govt.nz/ncea

More information will be available at our NCEA parent information evening for Year 11 parents at the beginning of each year.

Cell phonesCell phones are specifically included in the Westlake Girls High School “Cybersafety Use Agreement for Students” as Privately-Owned ICT and thus all provisions of the agreement apply to the appropriate use of cell phones at our school. If students use their phones during class time without the permission of the teacher, they will be asked to put the phone away and given a warning that if they infringe again during the lesson they will be given an after-school detention. Students who repeatedly offend will be referred to the Deans. This protocol will also apply to the inappropriate use of ipods, cameras and any other similar technologies.

BullyingIf your daughter is being bullied, she should approach her Form Teacher, House Dean, Learning Enhancement Team or any staff member. Bullying is not tolerated at WGHS. If you have concerns about your daughter’s welfare – for any reason – you can contact her Form Teacher, House Dean, or a member of the Learning Enhancement Team who offer free and confidential counselling (see "Support" in this Guide).

DetentionDetentions are given for a range of reasons, including uniform violations, and are held either over a lunchtime, or after school for the more serious offences. After school detentions are held on Tuesday and Thursday between 3.30 - 4.15pm. Your daughter will be given at least 24 hours’ notice of an after school detention and it takes precedence over other activities, including after-school employment. Our detention policy is on our website.



Lost propertyAll property that is labeled will be returned. Any unlabeled items will be held in the Admin Building and students should check in with the School Office.

Clubs and making friendsA great way to get connected and make friends at high school is to join a club. We have more than 30 on offer including philosophy, robotics, writing, kapa haka, debating, Amnesty International and dance.

If your daughter isn’t sure what sort of club to join, we have Mello, where students can just hang out and play board games and get to know other students in a relaxed environment. If your daughter enjoys sports, she can Just Play – an after-school opportunity to give new sports a try.

Keep an eye on the Daily Notices at the start of the year for a list of clubs and sign-up days.

What happens at lunchtime?Lunchtime can be a little daunting at the start, but there are lots of places around school to meet friends. Our school canteen is open at morning tea and lunchtimes, offering a range of food items that can be paid for by cash or Eftpos.

Keeping in touch with what’s happeningWe love communicating with the parents and caregivers of our students. There’s so much that happens in the life of our school, and we want to make sure you have your finger on the pulse!

The VoiceYou’ll receive our newsletter by email every second Friday during term time, starting on 9 February 2020.

EmailsFrom time to time you’ll receive emails from the school over various matters. It will come from [email protected]. Please do not hit reply as the address is for outgoing email and not checked regularly. If you have a general query, email [email protected] or contact a Dean or teacher.

APPThe Westlake Girls app is the best way to find out what’s happening in the Daily Notices. That is where we announce sports trials, club sign-ups, mufti days and other upcoming information. It’s your portal for:

• Key school contacts and absentee link• The Parent Portal, Daily Notices, the school calendar

and The Voice• Term dates, maps and important school updates• Sports information and other useful links

You’ll find it in the App Store under Westlake Girls High School.

WEBSITEOur school website is updated regularly and is a great source of news and information including our curriculum, extra-curricular activities, examination timetables, upcoming events and contact details.www.westlakegirls.school.nz

FACEBOOKWe have several Facebook pages officially associated with the school, including some student-run pages. These are where we post photos, celebrate success, publicise events and activities, and share some of the interesting things that are happening around our school. You’ll find our latest school video there, for example. Our primary Westlake Girls page is designed to be interactive – we want you to Like us!

www.facebook.com/Westlakegirlswww.facebook.com/WestlakeGirlsHighSchoolAlumniwww.facebook.com/WGHSLibrary

Parent Portalwww.westlakegirls.school.nz/Portal. Daily notices are available here and it is where you will receive your daughter’s reports.

Student emailYour daughter will be assigned a school email address at the beginning of the year. This is the main way the school will contact her, so it’s a good idea to get in the habit of checking emails first thing in the morning.

Key contactsWebsite: www.westlakegirls.school.nz Attendance: [email protected] Nurse: [email protected] Enquiries: [email protected] Staff contacts: www.westlakegirls.school.nz/staff-contacts

House DeansAkoranga: Jemma Field / Will AndertonHauraki: Louise Clouston / Soo LeeOnewa: Pamela Meyer / Maggie Cogger-OrrPupuke: Gillian Crowe /Nicola OvWairau: Ella Wilson / Claire Guy


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Departments and other Important Places

Building Departments

AdministrationPrincipal, Office, SLT, Deans, Attendance Officer, Nurse, International Department, Conference Room, Staffroom, Accounts, Payroll, Property Manager, Marketing Manager

Extension of M Block Reprographics

A Block (New)Art Department, Social Studies Department, Science Department

A Block (Old) Business Studies Department, ESOL Department

B BlockGolden Swan Cafe and Hospitality facilities, Media Studies, Tech Support

C Block Mathematics

D BlockMathematics Department, Fabric Technology, Graphic Design and Hard Materials Departments

G Block Physical Education and Health Department, Gyms

H Block English Department, Drama

Library Library, Reading Room

M Block Music Department, Careers

S Block Science Department, Japanese

P Block (prefabs)Māori Studies Department, Health/PE, Languages Department, Sports Department

2020 Parents’ Guide

Documents

Transcript of 2020 Parents’ Guide