2017-2018 PROSPECTUS - Wakatipu High School
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2017-2018 PROSPECTUS
Q U E E N S T O W N | N E W Z E A L A N D
Welcome to Wakatipu High School
Wakatipu High School’s mission is to deliver a ‘great all-round education that
enables our students to reach for their heights’ – and that is what we do every day.
The key priority in this great all-round education is student engagement, learning,
progress and achievement. Our academic results are testament to the high levels
of achievement of our students and our recent Education Review Office (ERO) report
states that our “rich and varied curriculum provides many opportunities for students
to learn, be challenged, explore their local environment and develop competencies for lifelong learning”.
Wakatipu High School students also achieve success in vocational pathways through our Careers,
Trades Academy and Gateway programmes. In addition, we provide learning support in literacy and
numeracy as well as a Gifted and Talented programme to support all of our students to reach their
potential. This year we have introduced a new timetable which allows junior students greater
opportunity for choice and engagement while experiencing the breadth of the curriculum. ERO’s also
noted that we have ‘continued to extend the breadth and depth of our curriculum to better provide
meaningful learning pathways for an increasing number of students to achieve success’.
As well as our academic foundation, Wakatipu High School offers students a wealth of ‘all-round’
extra and co-curricular opportunities in sport, arts, music, culture, community and leadership.
From our Ski Academy and rowing, to our jazz band, school Musical, Stage Challenge, Kapa Haka
group, Model United Nations, Duke of Edinburgh, and trips and exchanges to places like Aspen,
Japan, Sri Lanka, Noumea and France – we offer students an incredible range of opportunities in
which to learn, grow and develop holistically.
Geographically the Wakatipu Basin is a unique environment, enabling us to offer outstanding
Outdoor Education programmes including the iconic Branches Camp. Our environment also attracts
international students from around the globe, giving our students the chance to learn and grow as
members of a multicultural community - an opportunity normally reserved for larger urban centres.
Students’ wellbeing and engagement is very important to us, and the very high results of our
‘student voice’ surveys show that our students feel safe and enjoy coming to Wakatipu High School.
ERO’s report included that ‘a positive tone, respectful relationships and interactions are strongly
evident’ and that ‘together with clear expectations they promote high levels of engagement, learning
and wellbeing across the school’. Pastoral support is through our Whanau (House) structure, including
Deans and the newly-introduced Kaiārahi, as well as our Guidance Counsellor. This structure also
provides the basis for our very keenly-contested Inter-House competitions.
Well-governed by a very capable Board, and generously supported by the Wakatipu High School
Foundation, Wakatipu High School is on an exciting journey. This is especially so with our move to
our new innovative learning environment school at Remarkables Park in 2018.
We welcome you to the Wakatipu High School community, where students truly receive a great
all-round education and ‘reach for their heights’ in one of the most special places in the world.
Mr Steve Hall
PRINCIPAL 1
Academic success
Student achievement is the key priority and responsibility of schools, and over the
last few years Wakatipu High School has had an increased focus on student Senior Leadership Team
engagement, learning, progress and achievement which has yielded great academic
results and success.
Principal
Mr Steve Hall
Over that period, a particular focus for the government and Ministry of Education
has been students achieving NCEA Level 2. We have embraced this educational Senior Deputy Principal
challenge and have worked very hard to support and enable as many of our students Mr Oded Nathan
as possible to achieve this important qualification and last year 91% of our Year 12
students achieved NCEA Level 2, including 94% of our Maori students and 100% of Deputy Principal
our Pasifika students. Mr James Rasmussen
Our approach to supporting these levels of student achievement has included Assistant Principal
focusing on great teaching and learning, and the introduction of new systems for Mrs Sonia Panapa
monitoring and tracking students. As part of our new timetable, this year saw the
introduction of ‘Kaiārahi’ (Learning Advisers) who serve as mentors for all students Board of Trustees
as they strive to achieve their academic and holistic goals.
Parent Trustees
Our reporting system (see more on Pg 6) reports to parents every three weeks and Dean Hamilton CHAIRMAN
enables parents and students to see progress in real-time. Niki Hawke
As well as NCEA Level 2, an important focus for us is the University Entrance (UE) Charlie Phillips
qualification as many of our students go on to study at University. Last year more Grant McCulloch
than 80% of eligible students achieved this qualification. Susan Mawhinney
Tony Balfour
As well as key educational qualifications we also have a real focus on ‘high performance’,
which includes Merit and Excellence endorsements and Scholarships. We have also Wha-nau Trustee
made continued progress in this area, consistently getting double-digit Scholarships, Jackie Kukutai
and with student Meg Jolly achieving the Top Scholar award for New Zealand in
Photography in 2016. Staff Trustee
Michelle Loggenberg
In terms of our ‘preparing students for life’ goal (i.e. students leaving Wakatipu High
School with either NCEA Level 2 or being on a vocational pathway) last year 96% of Student Trustee
our students achieved this.
Kiki Clarke-Liechti
WHS ACADEMIC RESULTS 2016 2015
NCEA Level 2 (roll-based) 91% 86%
University Entrance (participation-based) 80% 75%
12 16
Scholarships (incl 3 Outstanding, (incl 2 Outstanding)
1 of which was Top Scholar)
Students on a ‘Pathway’ (NCEA Level 2 or Pathway) 96% 96%
2 Students ‘engaged’ in school and learning (NZCER Survey) 91% 94%
Curriculum Timetable
At Wakatipu High School, we believe that Students in Year 9 and 10 select twelve classes per year
students should have the opportunity to – each of which runs for half the year, while senior
experience the full breadth of the curriculum students select up to six classes per year – each of
in the junior years before becoming which runs for the whole year. Each class runs for
increasingly more specialised and seven and a half hours over a ten-day cycle, with
individualised in the senior years. three 60 minute periods and three 90 minute periods
over that cycle. Student choice is a key characteristic
As we prepare for the innovative learning
of the timetable, as we believe that choice is a key
environment (ILE) of the new school, we are
facilitator of engagement which supports learning,
also redefining our curriculum, incorporating
progress and achievement.
future-focussed and personalised learning,
student voice and ‘Bring Your Own Device’ The seamless timetable for juniors and seniors supports
to drive student engagement. student option choice and gives students the flexibility to
study at a level that best suits them.
Students in Year 9 and 10 experience the
eight learning areas of the New Zealand The students are divided into five Houses which are then
Curriculum and get to choose subjects to further split into Ako groups. Each Ako group has a
allow them to explore their passions, while Kaiārahi who supports students with their pastoral and
ensuring that they meet the literacy and academic needs, and monitors students’ well-being.
numeracy thresholds required for academic Students meet with their Kaiārahi three times per week.
success in the senior school. As students
move to the senior school, they become
more specialised in their chosen pathway.
We offer a broad range of subjects in the
senior and junior school, as well as literacy
and numeracy support, ESOL classes for
second language learners, a Talent
Development (Gifted and Talented) GREAT
programme, separate Scholarship support,
plus extension and accelerated learning TEACHERS...
opportunities across all the learning areas.
are inspired and passionate
Students are supported with their learning
by a Kaiārahi (Learning Adviser) who have high expectations
connects with and supports students and are student-centred
their families from the day they enter our
learning community to the day they exit. give effective feedback
We promote a great all-round education and differentiate
actively encourage students to engage in know their impact
education both in and out of the classroom (use data and evidence)
to support the students haoura or health and
well-being. = great learning, progress and
achievement for 5/5 students
5
Reporting BYOD
We believe all parents and students should receive regular and
(Bring Your Own Device)
timely feedback that best supports student engagement, learning, Our students use digital devices to
progress and achievement. communicate and learn both inside and
Our Learning Engagement Learning Engagement Report
outside the school environment. Since the
Reports (LE Reports) are John Smith
beginning of 2016, all students at Wakatipu
issued every three weeks to High School have been required to bring a
XXXX
Junior Science 22 June 2015
parents and students via Ms Jones Attendance: 46 / 48
device to school each day to assist with
email and through our online their learning.
Week 4 7 10 13 16 19 24 27 30 34 Average
Classwork 3 3 4 3 3 3 3.17
WHS Portal. These reports Homework 0 3 3 0 3 3 3
A student-owned device is an important part
2 3 3 3 3 3
provide a clear and concise
Organisation 2.83
Behaviour 3 3 4 3 3 3 3.17
of their toolkit, giving them instant access to
overview from every class and unlimited resources and enabling them to
teacher relating to a student’s support, extend, communicate and share
effort and engagement in their learning. This ultimately prepares
classwork, homework, them for life beyond school in a global and
organisation and behaviour. 4 = Exemplary 3 = Good 2 = Needs Improvement 1 = Serious Concern 0 = N/A
digital environment.
Classwork Homework Organisation Behaviour
The reports enable students There are many advantages to student-owned
to modify their learning devices and teachers are experienced in using
behaviours as needed, and these devices to extend students learning
give parents the information they need to engage with and opportunities. Details about the required
support learning and achievement. specifications of devices can be found on
We also make extensive use of the Portal to provide parents our school website.
and students with useful and timely feedback on academic We do know that some families may struggle
learning, progress and achievement. Teachers report on the financially with providing devices and so our
level that the student is working at, provide feedback on what Awhi Fund (see more on Pg 16) supports
the student can do to improve and next steps for learning. students and families with this.
Senior students and parents receive feedback each term as
to how students are tracking towards their NCEA Qualification
and the academic goals they set for themselves at the start
of the year.
Kaiārahi provide mid-year and end-of-year comments
summarising students’ academic achievement, engagement
indicators, extra and co-curricular involvement as well as an
overall summary in relation to student citizenship.
We also have a number of ‘Next Steps’ parent-student-teacher
interviews throughout the year that give parents and students
the chance to have face-to-face discussions with teachers
about next steps for learning.
6
WHS visit from Willie Apiata VC and Steven Adams.
Pastoral Student leadership
Our pastoral network has built a solid foundation based around caring There are numerous student
for individual student needs, either academic, social or emotional. leadership opportunities available
The pastoral network involves the entire staff working in a safe, caring at Wakatipu High School, many
environment, ensuring each student is able to reach their full potential. of which are fostered through our
Key members of staff in the pastoral team are our House Deans and Inter-House competition.
Kaiārahi (Learning Advisers).
The Student Council and its
The Kaiārahi supports and enables students’ educational achievement sub-committees are responsible
and holistic development. Kaiārahi are the key point of contact for parents, for developing our vibrant
students and staff when dealing with the pastoral life of students. Inter-House competition which
Additional specialist pastoral staff include our Guidance Counsellor, includes events such as Participation
Careers Counsellor and the Senior Leadership Team. Day, Swim Sports, Haka/Waiata
Competition, Debating, Waka-Maths
Deans are responsible for the overall welfare of all students in their House,
and much more.
with a role that encompasses coordination, guidance and discipline within
their House, as well as encouraging student leadership. There are multiple sub-committees
of the Student Council, including
Pastoral care is a shared responsibility - in partnership with parents,
Academic, Arts, Community and
we ensure that each student has optimal opportunity to become an
Service, Environmental, Sports, and
independent, caring, reliable and responsible member of the community.
Whanaungatanga (Support) Councils.
The pastoral network continues to strive toward developing our school-wide
values of Excellence, Responsibility, Resilience, Diversity and Respect. House Leaders are responsible for
organising students, developing
House spirit and leading the charge
Houses in the Inter-House competition.
The school is divided into five Houses whose names are taken from early We also run the Duke of Edinburgh
settlers in the Wakatipu Basin – Arthur, Duncan, Fox, Hay and Mackenzie. programme.
Each House has a Dean who has the oversight over the entire House and
is divided into a number of Ako groups who meet three times per week.
Students remain in the same Ako groups throughout their time at
Wakatipu High School and as a result Kaiārahi get to know their students
very well over five years.
A strong and important aspect of the House system is the Inter-House
competition. This is a fiercely-fought feature of the school calendar.
It kicks off with our Participation Day early in the year and includes a range 9
of activities from the arts, sports and academic areas of the school.Sports and recreation
As part of our great all-round education our goal is to have all students New Zealand Alpine Sports Academy
involved in extra and/or co-curricular activity. To enable this, we offer a wide
range of sport, cultural, leadership and arts opportunities to our students. For over a decade the New Zealand Alpine Sports
Academy has been an invaluable programme
The school employs a Sports Coordinator and an Arts Coordinator to promote
enabling aspiring young athletes to pursue
and enable student participation and excellence in their sport or activity.
sporting and academic excellence. Participants in
A wide range of sports are offered locally. These can take place before or the Academy’s winter programme train in their
after school, during breaks and/or at the weekend. Some sports are hosted chosen alpine skiing or snowboarding disciplines
at school, while others are offered in conjunction with local clubs. with expert coaching from the Queenstown Alpine
Competitions and tournaments are held locally, regionally and nationally Ski Team. The athletes train on snow up to four
depending on the level of achievement. Over the years we have had multiple days a week and have their school work delivered
athletes succeed on the national and international stage in a variety of sports. over the afternoon on three of these, so that
academic achievement is maintained. Wakatipu
The Sports Coordinator also arranges our major sports exchanges of which
High School has a long legacy of athletes
we have two at present - with James Hargest College in Invercargill, and
representing New Zealand in the Winter Olympics.
Mount Aspiring College in Wanaka.
Our unique location means we also take part in several annual international
school visits, with competitions in many sports. Outdoor Recreation
The school rewards sporting and cultural excellence at our prestigious We also offer a unique Outdoor Recreation
Blues Night – a formal function that culminates in the presentation of our programme, making the most of the amazing
school’s Blues Awards. local environment. Year 12 and 13 students gain
credits and experiences in kayaking, tramping,
bushcraft, mountain expeditions, snow caving
Student camps and safety management.
Some of the most memorable school days at Wakatipu High School are Highlights of the programme include tramping
those spent on school camps. Outdoor Education provides excellent the Rockburn Valley, kayaking the Clutha River and
opportunities for holistic growth, learning outdoor skills, appreciating and a snow expedition at The Remarkables.
caring for the environment, developing personal responsibility, and social
interactions and friendships with others.
The school has developed a comprehensive and coordinated junior
Year 9 Snow Programme
Outdoor Education programme in our unique Queenstown environment. Students in Year 9 have a one day per week
Most activities involve trips away from school, the cost of which varies. ski/snowboard programme running for six weeks
Year 9 students participate in a river-based Outdoor Education camp at during Term 3. We make the most of our close
Greenstone Station in the first few weeks in Term 1, and in Term 3 they have a proximity to Coronet Peak and the expertise of
‘Journeys’ experience travelling by non-motorised means around the Wakatipu mountain staff for this teaching and learning
Basin including horse trekking, tramping, mountain biking and kayaking. programme. This programme gives all students
access to this very special aspect of our local
The Year 10 Outdoor Education camp to Branches Station, is an event
environment and enables them to learn to
all past students remember for the rest of their lives. For 12 days the entire
ski/snowboard under the guidance of professional
year group is isolated from normal life, living under canvas while experiencing
instructors as part of our Health and Physical
outdoor pursuits including abseiling, rafting, tramping, bushcraft, survival
Education programme.
skills, kayaking and shooting, as well as developing personal, interpersonal
and leadership skills. This camp at Branches Station at the head of the
Shotover river, has a tradition of over 50 years now and is one of the
10 longest-running camps under canvas in the country!Arts and culture
We offer an extensive Arts programme through our
visual arts, music and drama departments, along
with exciting extra-curricular opportunities.
Participation and excellence in the Arts is encouraged
and supported. The Arts are offered from Year 9 and
can be studied at all NCEA levels. Every year, we
produce a very successful school Musical involving
a number of students from Years 9 to 13 in both
technical and performance areas. At Years 12 and 13
the students produce and perform a high-quality Charlie Hotop Hannah McInnally
dramatic piece to a small live audience.
Our acclaimed jazz bands compete annually in the
Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival in Blenheim, and
the Southern Schools Jazz Fest in Invercargill, and
perform publicly at local events such as the
Queenstown Winter Festival.
Numerous school rock bands compete in the
Smokefree Rockquest competition every year, and
also perform on stage at the Queenstown Winter
Festival in conjunction with ‘Big Break’.
Our opportunities for singing include junior group
tuition with an outside tutor, as well as involvement Tessa Joiner Anoushka Guillot
in a variety of musical events and activities.
Our extensive visual arts department offers students
courses in painting, design and photography, and
their folio work is exhibited at the end of the year
along with varying local exhibitions.
The ‘Artz’ Council, comprised of senior students,
holds many events throughout the year, actively
involving students in different areas of the Arts.
Emma Gamson Stephanie Arrowsmith
13
Meg Jolly Beatrice OnionsInternational student programme
Wakatipu High School has developed an excellent programme for
international students. We currently have 42 students from 15 nationalities.
Mrs Joan Potts
DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL
ERO’s review noted that “the school provides well for international students. STUDENTS
They receive appropriate support and pastoral care, along with appropriate
Mrs Potts assists with
levels of support with the English language. Students are involved in a range
everything from enrolment
of school activities, including education outside the classroom.”
to visa application, subject selection,
We offer: communication with agents and
• A safe and supportive community parents, and general pastoral care
of students.
• Full pastoral care and support
• An approved study programme for English for Speakers of Other
Languages (ESOL) Mrs Donna Baldey
HOMESTAY COORDINATOR
• Integration with New Zealand classes to study for New Zealand
qualifications Mrs Baldey inspects
prospective accommodation,
At Wakatipu High School we place high priority on the happiness and
interviews hosts and
wellbeing of our international students. To achieve this we provide:
carefully matches students to
• Dedicated support services homestays. Students are met at
• Quality homestay placement and support the airport on arrival and given
• Excellent school guidance support ongoing pastoral support.
International students are also offered career and guidance counselling to ESOL Teachers
ensure that their subject selection and progress matches their tertiary goals.
We have two specialist teachers who
Students are provided with pathways to study in New Zealand universities, provide classes at five different
overseas universities, and/or return to their home countries. levels. They offer skills, pathways
14 For further information on our international student programme, to NCEA and IELTS (International
please contact jpotts@wakatipu.school.nz English Language Testing System).The new school Wakatipu High School
A particularly exciting aspect of being a Wakatipu High School student in
Foundation
2018 will be the move to our brand new school. The Wakatipu High School Foundation was
Situated in the sun at Remarkables Park, our new home will be a state-of-the-art established in 2014, in part to offset the
secondary school, designed to deliver a future-focused education. Notably it lower level of funding that Wakatipu High
will feature larger and more open ‘innovative learning environment’ teaching School receives as a Decile 10 school, but
and learning spaces, as well as specialist spaces including science labs, technology primarily as a vehicle for the community to
workshops, food technology and hospitality, and a theatre and gymnasium. support the school in delivering a great
all-round education.
We are very excited about this move and the opportunities it presents for
Wakatipu High School. In a short time it has been hugely successful,
raising over $1 million to date.
The Wakatipu High School Foundation has
funded a range of initiatives, including
strategic and current projects. Initiatives
funded include our Awhi Fund (see below),
professional and leadership development
for staff, strategic resourcing and positions
within the school.
While it has only been in existence for a short
time, the Wakatipu High School Foundation
is having a very real and positive impact on
the school, its students and its future.
Awhi Fund
Awhi means to help or support, and our
Awhi Fund is a very important feature of
Wakatipu High School. The fund is used for
a wide range of things which families and
students can struggle with financially,
including uniforms, school fees, camps and
trips, educational assessments and even
some extra and co-curricular activities.
Funding is in partnership with families and
their ability to contribute, with the Awhi
contribution also determined by whether
the application is for a compulsory expense
(e.g. uniform or fees) or extra or co-curricular.
Awhi is very generously funded by the
Wakatipu High School Foundation.
Our Guidance Counsellor is the key
contact for further information and
confidential applications.
16OPEN FOR LEARNING JANUARY 2018
Excellence
Te kairangitanga/
Panekiretanga
Striving to achieve our
personal best,
in everything
we do
Responsibility Resilience
Takohanga
Choosing our responses, and Te manawanui me te u-
being accountable for our Being able to cope with
decisions, actions and and grow from challenge
consequences
Diversity Respect
Kanorau Te whakaute
Valuing difference Respecting self,
and uniqueness others, WHS and
the environment
our values
Private Bag 50080, Queenstown 9348
68 Fryer Street, Queenstown 9300
Phone: +64 3 442 7370
Email: office@wakatipu.school.nz
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