Issuu

Te Waka Kura

2024

WH AK AT Ā N E H IGH S C H O O L

EDITOR’S Report

Tēnā koutou katoa, There are many, many, many people who have made our school magazine possible, both students and teachers. Without all of your awesome mahi at school and out there in the community we wouldn’t even have a student magazine to put out! It’s always a delight to see the Whakatāne High School Yearbook come together, and to reflect on all the experiences that 2024 has delivered to our school and the wider community. Like years before, the Whakatāne High School Magazine is filled to the brim with photos and articles that highlight our wonderful art, adventures, showcases and korero that our tauira and kaiako have had. From snow trips to the City of Stars school ball, work placements to university visits - our school calendar was jam packed full of fun and adventure. This year we said goodbye to our lovely and dedicated librarian Rachel Lamb. Her presence has no doubt been missed by the students and staff, and we continue to give aroha to her whānau. I would like to acknowledge our front page this year - a beautiful mural in Kope, painted by our Whakatāne Mural Club. This is a great example of students giving back to the community and putting a little more beauty back into the world. Be sure to take your time to peruse the magazine and bask in the glory that you all bring to this school. I wish you all the best for a restful summer vacation and preparing for whatever 2025 will bring.

Mere Kirihimete me te Tau Hou! Danelle Napier Editor

CONTENTS Editor’s Report.............................................................................................1 Principal and BOT Reports..................................................................... 2-3 Head and Deputy Prefect Reports.......................................................... 4-5 New Staff Profiles..................................................................................... 6-7 Year 13 Leavers’ Pages............................................................................. 8-17 Ball........................................................................................................ 18-20 Sports Awards 2023...................................................................................21 Senior Prizegiving 2024....................................................................... 22-27 Te Aka Matua....................................................................................... 28-29 Kapa Haka..................................................................................................30 Manu Kōrero and Year 9 Māori Matauranga Visit...................................31 The Margaret Mahy Library......................................................................32 Food Technology........................................................................................33 Hospitality..................................................................................................34 Rangiatea - Teen Parent Unit....................................................................35 Multisport/Adventure Racing............................................................ 36-37 Performing Arts..........................................................................................38 Motocross ..................................................................................................39 Drama and Improv Club...........................................................................40 Rainbow Group.........................................................................................41 Badminton .................................................................................................42 Ultimate Frisbee.........................................................................................43 Rowing.......................................................................................................44 Waka Ama..................................................................................................45 English.................................................................................................. 46-47 International Students...............................................................................48 Music..........................................................................................................49 Design Thinking........................................................................................50 Surfing and Surf School.............................................................................51 Netball........................................................................................................52 Mural Club.................................................................................................53 Visual Art............................................................................................. 54-57 Cross Country............................................................................................58 Wider Living Week 2023............................................................................59 Media Studies.............................................................................................60 Trades, Gateway and Noho.......................................................................61 Athletics................................................................................................ 62-63 Interact Club .............................................................................................64 Commerce..................................................................................................65 Outdoor Education.............................................................................. 66-67 Art Showcase........................................................................................ 68-69 Social Sciences............................................................................................70 Design and Visual Communication..........................................................71 Hockey................................................................................................. 72-73 Chess Club.................................................................................................74 Football................................................................................................. 74-77 Rugby.........................................................................................................78 Swimming Sports.......................................................................................79 Rock Climbing and Golf...........................................................................80 Australian Sports Tour..............................................................................81 Science........................................................................................................82 Marine Studies............................................................................................83 Japanese and French............................................................................. 84-85 Technology.................................................................................................86 Basketball....................................................................................................87 Volleyball.............................................................................................. 88-89 Debating.....................................................................................................90 Sport and Cultural Group Photographs........................................... 91-104 Mentor Class Photographs and Staff Photograph.......................... 405-116 Staff List............................................................................................ 118-119 Staff Farewells...........................................................................................120

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

PRINCIPAL’S Report Whakatāne High School continues to be a successful and high performing school in the region. We started the year celebrating continued success in our NCEA results with Level 1, 2 and 3 NCEA results higher than National averages and our University Entrance results the best we have achieved for a number of years. Comparably our Merit and Excellence Endorsements are also the best in the EBOP. This is testament to the work of our staff. From mentors that work to check in on students’ learning and achievement, to teachers that are dedicated to their practice and aim to do the best for every student. To the Heads of Department who coordinate their teams to problem solve achievement challenges and to our Senior Leadership Team who have led the school through considerable change, none of our achievement would be possible without the people who make it happen. I am immensely grateful to the team at the school that have been responsive to the needs of the students and the changing sands of NCEA and the wider curriculum. Understandably these are challenging times for the profession, we are seeing significant shifts in expectations from the Ministry around the curriculum and assessments we are to deliver. The proof in our work has been the seamless transition we have made to the refreshed Level One NCEA and in the co-requisite (CAA) exam. We have led the region with our openness to change and our solutions focussed approaches to managing change. Our community may not have seen the work that has gone on behind the scenes but it has added to teacher workload in our school and across the country. Whilst we always expect the best from our staff I have to acknowledge the energy and commitments they have made this year. Testament to the teachers are the results from the CAA exams where our Literacy and Numeracy results were above National averages. Behind the scenes at our school are amazing people who work hard to support all that happens here. I would like to acknowledge our Teacher Aides, support staff, canteen ladies, finance team and ground staff. They are unsung heroes and often the glue that holds us all together. Our Board of Trustees are also committed to our school, I would like to thank them for their resourcing of our school, in particular their contributions to the new shade sail, basketball courts, L-Block toilets renovations, refurbishment of the school hall, new chromebooks and over $300,000 of capital items which support teaching and learning. The Board are now in the process of engaging project managers for the rebuild of the wharenui which is essential to upholding the work of Te Aka Matua and Ngātiawatanga at our school. At WHS we have tried to make powerful learning experiences in the class and out. I have loved seeing our students engage in a multitude of Education Outside The Curriculum (ETOC). Some opportunities may just be in the school, or outside the school, others have been regional and international. Whether the EOTC opportunities have been curriculum based or sports based we really have got our kids out there doing it! This is further evidence of the commitment our staff have and the culture of learning we have at our school.

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

Sport is another form of EOTC, teaching us so much about ourselves and developing some essential soft skills. This year we had over 600 students engaged in sports with too many teams to mention and so many highlights. I loved our participation from our students, staff and the wider community. This commitment is certainly something that we can build on in future years. Next year we will have an increased roll, testament to the community’s view of our school and their commitment to choosing a school that they believe can make a difference to the lives of our young people. As always, we rise to this challenge and continue to always improve in what we do. I wish you all a relaxing and enjoyable Christmas holiday break. To those that are leaving school, I wish you all the best for the future. Kia Whakatāne Au I Ahau.

Martyn Knapton Principal

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Report A big thank you to the following who contribute to the running of our school via the Board of Trustees. Thank you for the hours you spend in meetings trying to make our school the best it can be. I would like to thank the following members of the Board: Paul Julian, Board Chair Stephen Lamb, Deputy Board Chair Raewyn Iremonger Keith Hamill Hannah Simmonds Tammy Rika Paul Goodman, Staff Rep Akemi Tutua, Student Rep I would like to thank Akemi for her leadership of the Student Council and her work in updating the badge system at WHS. This is important as it now widens the number of students who will be acknowledged for successes in Sport, Cultural, Arts and Academic areas of the school from national to local achievements. The Board has overseen a number of projects this year. Some projects that have recently been completed are the installation of two prefabs for the art department while the ministry fixes the art block that was burnt down. We have funded the extension of the outdoor basketball court. We now have the wonderful shade sail outside B block which provides all-weather space for class time and lunchtime. Thank you to the Interact Club for donating $34,000 which went alongside BOT funding. We have invested in the construction academy which has nearly completed their first house for Kainga Ora. In addition, the BOT is funding a deck that will go outside the music department and an additional canopy outside the Tech block which will create another area of the school where students can hang out at lunchtime and interval. Well done to staff and students for making this happen. Our school roll is around the 1200 mark which has seen us have to take no out of zone enrolments in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13. This is testament to the work that the staff do here, creating a great learning environment which encourages students to achieve and succeed, part of our vision for young people. To control the growth we have allowed up to 40 out of zone enrolments in Year 9. To maintain the quality of learning and provide a nurturing learning environment where there is space for everyone we need to watch this number very closely. We are fully aware that this can affect some families who are out of zone but would like to come to our school. I would like to thank our Principal, Mr Knapton, who is a very hard working, well respected dedicated principal who really cares about every student and every staff member. Mr Knapton is very open and transparent, which makes working with him very enjoyable.

On behalf of the BOT I would also like to thank our teachers and support staff who are constantly recognised as being very good at their jobs. We are lucky to have you all, and your endless efforts are truly appreciated by many families, including mine. Good luck to our Year 13 students who are moving on. You will carry our whakataukī in your hearts for the rest of your life. Kia Whakatāne Au I Ahau. Not a bad motto to have with you. Be brave, be proud, always give your best and remember you are one of us and will always be. Our school is 104 years old. It has been the school of choice for generations. We have many traditions that make our school special. School balls, musical productions, school magazine, school song, Te Aka Matua, Prefects, Dux, shields on the hall walls, sports teams, school uniform, school haka, our motto Kia Whakatāne Au I Ahau. Don’t take these for granted, it is our duty to honour these traditions so that those that come after us have the same opportunities. I encourage departing and current students to be proud of our school. We must wear our school uniform and our sports uniform with pride. We must conduct ourselves in the classroom, on the sports field, in the playground, after school and on the weekends in a way that honours our ancestors, respects ourselves and shows we are proud to be part of 104 years of WHS. To our new Year 9 students who will be arriving in 2025, you will be cared for and you will grow into well-rounded people. Be brave, be proud and always give your best. You are now one of us and will always be.

Paul Julian (BOT chairperson) Kia Whakatāne Au I Ahau

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

HEAD PREFECT Reports Head Girl Report 2024

If I’m being honest, I can’t quite believe I’m sitting here right now, writing this. I started Whakatāne High School in 2020, and now here I am, four years later, the exact same height but nearly 18 instead of 13. The whole experience of high school is hard to capture into words, but if I had to sum it up I would say it’s been a journey of personal growth that seemed to pass in the blink of an eye and, as the moments pass, our hearts keep time. As the future unfolds for me, and for all of you, I find myself looking back at my younger self—remembering the one who faced the challenges, the one who celebrated the small but meaningful victories, and the girl who carried me to this moment. Every step, no matter how uncertain, built the person I am today. As we near the end of this year, make sure to thank your younger selves for their courage and determination in bringing you to this point, because their lively spirits have paved the way for our futures! Head Boy Report 2024

Whakatāne High School, a home away from home. One filled with love and support, amazing teachers and amazing students. My past five years at Whakatāne High School have been the home to so many memories made by me and my whole year group. Whakatāne High School has given me endless opportunities. An opportunity to take up a new sport and excel in it, become a school house leader and give me the opportunity to be Head Boy. Proving that opportunities are

DEPUTY HEAD Reports

My five years at Whakatāne High School have been filled with memorable experiences and countless opportunities. From the moment I started in Year 9, I was amazed by how much there was to get involved in, from sports teams and tournaments to class trips overseas. Every year the trips got bigger and better as I moved up through the school with the pinnacle being The Heron Island Trip.

The ability to explore a variety of sports as a Junior really helped me develop my skills and to then represent the school at a senior level. Being in a positive and supportive class

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

I am forever grateful that I got to meet some of my friends for life at this kura, so shout out to my girls! You’ve made every moment brighter. Thank you, especially to Miss Napier, who has been my mentor teacher throughout this entire ride. You are so strong and kind, and your support has meant so much to me. They say, “Stay close to the people who feel like sunshine”—you beautiful people are exactly that and more. High school wasn’t just a chapter; it was the foundation. And as we stand on the edge of new beginnings, I’m reminded that it is the most uncertain moments that taught us how to grow, how to thrive, and how to become more than we ever believed. Again, thank you to all the staff at Whakatāne High School and to all the people around me who have made me smile in 2024, it’s been such a busy yet fulfilling year! As I begin my studies at university next year, not knowing exactly what awaits, I want to share a special quote from a song I like with those who are still navigating the ups and downs of high school: “All lights turned off can be turned on.” Take this as a reminder to keep moving forward, no matter how tough it gets. You’ve got this, and brighter days are always ahead, waiting for you!

Ngā mihi nui, Neja Kithmini Melville. endless and that it is up to you to take them as they come. An opportunity I was thankful for and will never forget was my chance to attend Outward Bound on a scholarship that let me learn more about myself, gain more leadership skills and make lifelong friends. So a big thank you to Mrs Mckane for that opportunity. To the amazing Year 13 group this year - thank you so much for an amazing five years at high school. I’m proud of us all and can’t wait to see where we all end up and what careers we do. Finally, a huge thank you to my biggest supporters, my Mum and Dad and everyone in between, and even those who aren’t here anymore, you all had an impact on my school life, thank you.

Josh Hansen

when I first started also made a big difference. The friendships I built and the guidance I received from my teachers created a strong foundation for the rest of my high school journey. Before moving to New Zealand at the start of Year 9, I had never played volleyball, done adventure racing or even heard of ultimate frisbee. Since then, I’ve been proud to represent the school in both volleyball and ultimate frisbee in BOP and Nation tournaments. As well as going to the Hillary Challenge last year, with the adventure racing team and placing second in the nation . Overall, Whakatāne High School has given me incredible opportunities to try new things, grow, and succeed. I’m grateful for the support from teachers and my fellow students which has made my time here so rewarding. These experiences have shaped me, and I’m excited to take the lessons I’ve learned into the future.

Fjord Hagger

DEPUTY HEAD Reports

I still cannot believe that my five years at Whakatāne High School have now come to an end. It has been an incredible journey with many highs and lows. When I first began high school as a little Year 9, the thought of entering a new school scared me. Having to find my way around a new environment, meet new people and step out of my comfort zone were all things that seemed frightening, but looking back now it was all worth it. I can now reflect on how far I’ve come and look back at all the amazing memories I’ve made over the years.

For me, Whakatāne High School has been an amazing experience, full of aroha and plenty of support in all areas of the school no matter what you enjoy.

I would like to thank everyone who has shaped my time here at Whakatāne High School. Thank you to my teachers for all the time you have put into helping me grow and develop as a student and pushing me to achieve my best. Thank you to my friends for all the laughs and life-long memories we’ve made together. Thank you to my family who have been there for me every step of the way. Most of all, thank you to Miss CC for everything you have done, not only for me, but for our whole mentor class, you have been the best mentor teacher we could have asked for.

Te Aka Matua has had a huge positive impact on my experience at Whakatāne High School. Being able to be a part of a whānau and learn Tikanga a Kui a Koro ma, and have extra leadership opportunities that it has to offer.

As I prepare to step into the next chapter in my life, I carry not just the knowledge high school has given me but also the memories and lessons I learnt along the way. Being Deputy Head girl has been an amazing privilege and helped me grow as an individual. It has given me the opportunity to lead the younger students and encourage them to explore the highs of high school. Lastly, to the year 13’s who have made it to the end of high school, congratulations. Thank you all for being a part of my journey, good luck next year and have fun wherever life takes you. To the rest of the students: appreciate your last years at high school as, believe me, they go by so fast. Enjoy all the ups and downs of high school and make the most of every opportunity that is given to you.

I started Whakatāne High School in Year 11. I came from a kura kaupapa that only had 80 students enrolled at the time, and moving to a big high school was a very challenging step up in my school career - but making the big move to Whakatāne High School made me feel like I had started in Year 9, with all the support from my mentor and subject teachers, and all other support staff at Whakatāne High School.

Whakatāne High School has given me awesome memories with my peers and the lessons I learnt along the way. Being Deputy Head Boy has been an amazing privilege and helped me grow as an individual. It has given me the opportunity to lead by example and encouraged me to explore high school to its fullest. I thank all the kaiako in TAM and all of my teachers that had to put up with me over my years at Whakatāne High School. Most of all I thank Whaea Hema, she always gave me and our form class her 100% every day, helping me with anything and everything. My memories and all of my ups and downs alongside my peers will always be remembered. Overall, Te Kura o Te Manuka Tutahi has given me an amazing high school experience. Cherish every moment and every opportunity there is to offer and the world will be your oyster.

Naku Noa Nohotahi Lores

These past 5 years at Te Kura Tuarua ō Te Mānuka Tūtahi have flown past and I have had the privilege of being Deputy Head Girl and Te Aka Matua prefect. This role has been an absolute honour and it has been a privilege to work alongside these amazing leaders of our kura. Looking back at my 5 years of high school, it’s been crazy. The amount of opportunities and experiences that have been offered are amazing. Such as being able to go to Heron Island at the Great Barrier Reef, going to Auckland to watch Te Matatini and much more. People say that the last year of high school flies by. Part of me did not believe it, so I told myself every week to just make it to Friday. But now that it’s the end of the year, I wish I never told myself that. Because the truth is, it does go by real fast. I will miss the environment of school, I will miss the friends I have made, and I will miss being a leader within the kura. Te Aka Matua has been a big part of my journey through high school. As a Year 13 Te Aka Matua cohort, we have been through thick and thin, staying by each other’s sides through these five years. We started off as a class of 48, now there are 21 of us left. They have been the best part of my high school experience. To 13TCN, thank you. Thank you to my form teacher, Whaea Hema, who has stuck by me through every decision I have made and asking if we have any complaints every morning for the past 5 years. As I get ready to leave high school to go into university, I am reminded of the lessons I have learnt and the people who have helped me get to where I am today. To next year’s Year 13 students - do not take anything for granted. Cherish every moment possible because before you know it, your high school life will be finished

Nga mihi maioha, Katie Lawrence

Kendall McKane

Whakatāne High School | Te Waka Kura 2024

NEW Staff Profiles

Anne Moon

Arden Loye

Ashley Taylor

Crystal Penny

Jaiden Ragozins

Ko wai au? Who am I? Ko Anne Moon tōku ingoa. I will be teaching in Awanuiārangi Te Whakaruruhau. The subjects I will be teaching are English, Science and Social Studies.

Ko wai au? Who am I? Ko Arden Loye tōku ingoa, l am a Science and Chemistry teacher here at Whakatāne High School for 2024.

Ko wai au? Who am I? Ko Ashley Taylor tōku ingoa.

Ko wai au? Who am I? No hea au? Where am I from? Ko Ruapehu tōku maunga Ko Whanganui tōku awa Ko Uenuku tōku iwi Ko Raetihi marae Ko Crystal tōku ingoa

Ko wai au? Who am I? I am Jaiden Ragozins, a scientist from England. I have a degree in Forensic science with Psychology. I am a big fan of musical theatre and have performed in many shows.

Learning Centre (Awanuiarangi Te Whakaruruhau)

No hea au? Where am I from? No Whanganui ahau. I was born and raised in Invercargill at the bottom of New Zealand. I trained as a teacher in Whanganui where I started teaching in schools. I retrained in Remedial Literacy to better help students who are struggling with learning to read and write. We then moved to Whakatāne for my husband’s work. What am I passionate about? I am passionate about walking and reading What am I looking forward to? This year I am looking forward to seeing positive change in the students I work with.

No hea au? Where am I from? I was born and raised in Mount Maunganui. I spent a fews years in Hamilton at the University of Waikato studying Chemistry and Ecology. I have recently moved back to the Bay of Plenty from Auckland where I began my teaching journey last year. What am I passionate about? I am really passionate about science and understanding how the world works around us which has led me to become a teacher. I also really enjoy sports and have been involved in Hockey, Swimming and Surf Lifesaving since I was a kid.

Outdoor Education

I’ll be teaching Year 10 and 11 Outdoor Education. No hea au? Where am I from? I grew up in Te Puke and moved to Dunedin to study. This is my first year teaching and I am super excited to be starting my teaching journey here at Whakatāne High School. What am I passionate about? Sport is my number one passion, in particular squash. I also love spending time with family and friends, along with a good Dad joke. What am I looking forward to? I am looking forward to meeting a whole bunch of new faces along with sharing the knowledge I have gained, with you all.

Literacy Teacher Aide

I am a Mum, wife, hairdresser, farmer, and friend. I have been a teacher aide for a few years working in primary schools. What am I passionate about? I enjoy making connections with young ones. I also enjoy getting out on our local walks with my whānau all around Whakatāne. What am I looking forward to? I am really looking forward to working at Whakatāne High School.

What am I looking forward to? I am looking forward to meeting you all this year and getting to know the community better here in Whakatāne.

Science

No hea au? Where am I from? I am from the East Midlands in England and used to live near the city of Nottingham. I have lived there for most of my life, apart from two years that I spent teaching in South Lincolnshire. What am I passionate about? I have a strong love for science and am passionate about inspiring that love, in others. I am also passionate about the performing arts. I have been performing for many years and love getting up on stage to act and sing. What am I looking forward to? Coming from the other side of the world, I am very excited to see how life differs here, and how it is similar. I am very fond of what’s called Jamais vu, the experience of new things, and I believe there is going to be a lot of that sensation this coming year and beyond.

James Taha

Jane Cruz

Jeanne Gagnon

Kimiora Palmer Literacy Teacher Aide

International Homestay Co-ordinator

Ko wai au? Who am I? Kia ora whānau, Ko James Taha tōku ingoa. I am a father to two boys and husband to my lady.

Ko wai au? Who am I? I am a Mum of four beautiful children (two boys and two girls). I am married to Gianne Carlo and we just moved to Whakatāne.

Ko wai au? Who am I? My name is Jeanne Gagnon. I am a maths teacher, but I can also teach French. I have taught both subjects during my career.

No hea au? Where am I from? Our family is from Olongapo City, Philippines. We lived in Arizona, USA from 2018 to July 2023 and moved to Hamilton, then we are finally settling here in Whakatāne.

No hea au? Where am I from? I have been living in New Zealand for the past seven years. I am originally from Canada.

Ko wai au? Who am I? Kia Ora! Ko Kimiora Palmer tōku ingoa, Outside of my commitments I take pride in being the best aunty in the world to my niece and nephew, and just enjoy being with my loved ones.

Ko wai au? Who am I? Ko Lena Loeffelsender tōku ingoa. I have previously worked in Finance and other administrative roles. I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.

No hea au? Where am I from? He Uri ahau nō Ngāti Porou me Ngāi Te Rangi, I am born and bred here in the beautiful Whakatāne and am a proud ex-student of Whakatāne High School.

No hea au? Where am I from? Ko te Germany ahau. I’ve been here 12 years now and absolutely love Whakatāne. I can’t think of a more beautiful place to raise my family.

What am I passionate about?

What am I passionate about? I am passionate about helping people, supporting our students and giving them some aroha while they are away from home.

Attendance Advisor

No hea au? Where am I from? Originally from Taranaki but have lived in the Eastern Bay of Plenty most my life. I live in a small town called Waimana, where there are more horses than houses. What am I passionate about? One of the best things you can do for rangatahi is help, navigate and just invest into their futures. That’s what I’m most passionate about. It is a privilege to be a part of someone’s journey. Personally l’m a simple person. I enjoy restaurant hopping, food and food. What am I looking forward to? Nurturing, meeting new people and looking forward to seeing our rangatahi thrive in whatever ventures they walk in, throughout the year.

Science

Whakatāne High School

Science Teacher

What am I passionate about? Aside from sparking curiosity and instilling a love for learning, I am also passionate in inspiring others, learning new things, and making a difference in the community. I also have a passion for traveling. I’ve been to Hong Kong and South Korea since I’m a fan of Korean dramas.

Mathematics

What am I passionate about? Reading, cycling, swimming and the occasional tennis match keep me busy. What am I looking forward to? Simply exploring the area.

What am I looking forward to? I am looking forward to having a good relationship with you all.

Te Waka Kura 2024

Everything related to Te Āo Māori is my passion, especially guiding our Tauira to their destinations and inspiring them to reach their full potential. What am I looking forward to? I’m excited about being back here at Whakatāne High School and looking forward to working alongside our Tauira.

Lena Loeffelsender

What am I looking forward to? I am excited for my first group of exchange students and to follow them through their time here at WHS as well as finding new/more Homestay Families for our awesome programme.

NEW Staff Profiles

Mark Pouwhare

Paul Speedy

Pauric Patton

Petra Gray

Phoebe Carr

Ko wai au? Who am I? Kia ora koutou my name is Mark Pouwhare, and I am looking forward to teaching Junior P.E here at Whakatāne High School in 2024.

Ko wai au? Who am I? Ko Paul Speedy töku ingoa. I will be teaching Geography, Outdoor Education and Physical Education this year.

Ko wai au? Who am I? My name is Pauric Patton. l am a Science teacher here at WHS.

Ko wai au? Who am I? Ko Petra Gray tōku ingoa. I’ll be working in the attendance team this year with some cool people.

Ko wai au? Who am I? Ko Phoebe tōku ingoa,he uri ahau nō Ngāti Awa me Tūhoe. I am a Social Studies and Geography teacher.

No hea au? Where am I from? On my Mum’s side I am from Ruatoki and on my Father’s side I am from Waiohau. I was born and bred in Turangi, before my parents sent me to Te Aute College for my secondary schooling. I lived in Auckland for 10 years before moving back to the Eastern Bay in 2001 with my son Reuben. I began teaching in 2003 and have taught at Te Whare Kura o Ruatoki, Te Kura o Te Paroa and recently Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Orini.

No hea au? Where am I from? I was born in the Kumara capital of New Zealand - Dargaville. I was brought up in the north then spent four years at Waikato University where my focus was 100% study. After graduating I moved to the BOP and started my teaching career at Edgecumbe College. 13 years later I landed here at Whakatāne High School.

No hea au? Where am I from? Ko Putauaki te maunga Ko Ōhinemataroa te awa Ko mataatua te waka Ko Ngāti Pūkeko te iwi Ko Pūkeko te marae Nō Poroporo ahau

No hea au? Where am I from? I grew up in Ōhope, and am proud to call Whakatāne home.

What am I passionate about? Coaching over the past 18 years has played a big part in my life. I love to share knowledge with the next generation of sports players. I also like to get out and have the odd game of golf or watch a good thriller.

What am I looking forward to? More hunting, fishing, diving and the outdoors. Also, having an awesome year here.

What am I looking forward to? I am looking forward to seeing the pupils at Whakatāne High School progress personally and exceed academically throughout the year.

What am I looking forward to? I’m looking forward to working with our youth, and all the cool school events throughout the year.

Ripeka Koia

Ronan Carton

Sharon Cashell

Shea Ratana

Steve Williamson

Ko wai au? Who am I? Kia Ora ngā whānau katoa. Ngā mihi mahana ki ā koutou katoa. Ko Ripeka Koia tōku ingoa. He uri ahau nō Ngāti Porou me Ngati Kahungunu. Ko au te kaiako mo te akomanga 9 Marumaru Te Aka Matua i tēnei tau.

Ko wai au? Who am I? Ko Ronan Carton töku ingoa. I am a builder by trade and love the job satisfaction that comes with building homes. I love fishing, mountain biking and pretty much what ever my kids are into.

Ko wai au? Who am I? Ko Sharon Cashell ahau. I am a Learning Support Coordinator (LSC) at Whakatāne High School for 2024.

Ko wai au? Who am I? Kia ora, Ko Shea Ratana tōku ingoa. I’m the newest member to the Attendance team this year. I’m a māmā to two tamariki, a partner, and love spending time with my whānau.

No hea au? Where am I from? I am originally from Gisborne Turanganui-a-Kiwa. My Mum is from Nuhaka Wairoa and my Dad is from Tikitiki Te Tairawhiti. I spent my childhood growing up in Gisborne unitl we moved to Whakatāne.

No hea au? Where am I from? I’m Whakatāne born and bred. My mother is from Opötiki of Ngāti Porou descent and my Father is from Belfast, Northern Ireland. I’ve mostly lived in the Bay except for a nine year stint overseas in Australia and the UK.

Ko wai au? Who am I? Kia ora, ko Steve Williamson tōku ingoa. I have come to Whakatāne High School to be the Assistant Head of English. I have been teaching English around the Eastern Bay for 18 years and am excited for the next part of my teaching journey at Whakatāne High School!

Physical Education

Physical Education, Outdoor Education and Geography

What am I passionate about? Hunting, fishing, diving and the outdoors.

Science Teacher

Attendance Advisor

No hea au? Where am I from? I’m from a small seaside town on the west coast of Ireland called Ballyshannon, County Donegal. I studied to become a teacher at Swansea University in 2020 and have worked in Wales since my graduation. What am I passionate about? I am passionate about the study of Science and Biology. I enjoy acquiring and sharing new knowledge. I love spending time outdoors and keeping active by doing many sports like jiu jitsu, surfing and rock climbing.

Social Science

What am I passionate about? My major loves are people and the planet, passions that led me to my mahi today. I am also an op-shop fanatic, and I’ll dabble in any handcraft, most recently knitting.

What am I passionate about? Helping our rangatahi develop skills and gaining confidence in themselves. I love going to the gym, hanging with my friends and playing volleyball with them.

What am I looking forward to? I am looking forward to meeting the new ākonga, hearing their insights, and exploring our society and Earth together.

What am I looking forward to? Having a successful first year here at WHS and helping in any way with the touch, rippa-rugby and rugby teams!!

Marumaru

What am I passionate about? I am a dedicated, committed, and flexible person who has Te Ao Māori at heart. I am passionate about learning and striving for excellence for all our tamariki, rangatahi, mokopuna katoa. I have a passion for Performing Arts, Kapa Haka and all indigenous danceculture. What am I looking forward to? After teaching for 30 years at Te Kura o Te Pāroa. I am looking forward to meeting new kaiako, tauira and whānau. I am excited to be on a new journey.

Construction Tutor

Learning Support Coordinator

Attendance Advisor

No hea au? Where am I from? I grew up in the farming community of Otamarakau and Pikowai, traveling to Te Puke to attend High School and in later years, living and raising my family in Matata.In 2003, I did my Primary School Teacher training through Waikato University’s Mixed Media Programme, and have taught in various roles and primary schools since then.

What am I passionate about? My line of work has been very good to me and helping others to follow a similar path is super important to me. I believe we can all have amazing, fulfilling careers if we are just pointed in the right direction.

What am I passionate about? I have always loved teaching, with a passion, and looking back on my years of teaching I have strived to make learning fun and engaging for my students. I have built some wonderful relationships with students and families along the way.

What am I looking forward to? Having the opportunity to use the skills I have, and the new skills I will learn, to make a real difference to our young peoples’ education.

What am I looking forward to? I am looking forward to furthering my education and having a better understanding of ways in which I can support our students with their learning.

Assistant Head of English

No hea au? Where am I from? He uri ahau nō Te Āti Haunui a Pāpārangi me Ngāi Tahu. I have spent most of my life living in Te Awamutu and have recently moved to Whakatāne last year with my whānau. What am I passionate about? I am passionate about helping rangatahi strive for excellence, gain confidence in all areas of their lives and guide them to reach their full potential. What am I looking forward to? I’m looking forward to getting out into the community, building relationships with rangatahi, their whānau and the wider WHS staff.

Whakatāne High School

No hea au? Where am I from? I was born in Glasgow, Scotland and immigrated to Aotearoa New Zealand when I was two (so sadly, I don’t have a cool Scottish accent). I grew up in Ōtautahi Christchurch where I lived until my early twenties. I travelled and moved around a bit until settling with my family in Whakatāne. What am I passionate about? Swimming, running, surfing, surf lifesaving, reading, and correcting misplaced apostrophes. What am I looking forward to? Working with a great new bunch of staff and students!

Te Waka Kura 2024

YEAR 13

LEAVERS

Class of 2024

Khangminh Vo Quote: Pleasures are fleeting,

Maddison Lynch Quote: FRIENDS: S1E1, 18:55

Cameron Bryan

Jordan Cochrane

Quote: What are ants but little

Quote: This wasn’t like highschool

Logan Howard-hill

Benjamin Jackson

Jacob Hewitt

Kylie Watene

Quote: *Thumbs Up* emoji

Quote: Gambling is beautiful

Quote: Your future is not a path

Quote: Make the most of Year 9

Chey Theobald

Levi Waihi

Aaron Mills

Shaun Miller

Quote: When do you think a Man

Quote: KILLER QUEEN DAISN NO

Quote: “I wish I’d acquired

Quote: In a society where

offering brief escapes from reality. For lasting fulfillment, focus on personal growth, strive to be the best version of yourself and embrace self-love.

because you’re only one win away from retiring forever. But if you lose, you can always try again tomorrow. It’s a win/win.

dies? When a bullet pierces his heart? No. A man dies when people forget him!

Whakatāne High School

BAKUDAN BITES ZA DUSTO

Te Waka Kura 2024

people

waiting for you; it’s a trail you blaze with every step you take. Walk boldly, for the world is yours to shape.

wisdom at less of a price.” - Hosea Matthews

musical at all

and 10 because once you reach Year 11 and beyond, things get tougher, and time flies by before you realize it.

adventure is destroyed, the only adventure left is to destroy that society.

Mac Akroyd

Nathan Willetts

Mitchell Robison

Ryan Pryde

Quote: Mucking up the image is

Quote: Esh gap rip gap schmuck

Quote: “Ms Hughes, heads

Quote: I might not have attended

Charlotte Billings

Kennedy Annan

Dani Capill

Ani Doherty

Quote: We grow through what we

Quote: Everything you like I liked

Alyssa Ledbetter

Josh Walker

Tylah Morley

Quote: Wait so what’s happening.

Quote: Nothing is impossible, the

Quote: “The hardest part of

Niamh Alison

Milla Ainsworth

Aryan Dyason

Katelyn Peterson

Quote: It doesn’t get easier, but it

Quote: School gave me all 13

Quote: Life left a crease on my

Quote: Just take this step. The

just part of the image

go through

does get better.

gap smums

down!”

Quote: I can’t I have training.

200 years ago.

word itself says “I’m possible”.

reasons .

every class, but I attended every wildfire call.

Charlotte Hallberg

ending is starting again”” - Linkin Park

soul, just like my sneakers. Like the seams, guess I reap what I sow.

horizon will look after itself.

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

Entelea Savinelli

Nohotahi Lores

Quote: I either want to be 6ft

under, or under someone who is 6ft.

Jimmy Taylor

Katie Lawrence

Quote: “Be curious, not

Quote: Im gonna miss the naps

judgemental.”

in A1.

- Ted Lasso

Paige Musgrave Quote: Be the reason someone

Jayde Williams Quote: Schools a prison leave

Macy Haddock

Henali Patel

smiles today :)

Quote: Don’t let the noise of others

Quote: “Where’s your white shirt”

Connor Galbraith

Jordan Schick

Isak Tootell

Jorja Fenwick

Quote: The circle of high school is

Quote: Just wait til I grow up!

Quote: I’ve learnt that freedom

Quote: “Do or do not,

while you can.

now complete, when I arrived here, I was but the learner, now I am the master!

Kenna Baker

Prince Sharma

Quote: You have no idea what

Quote: Shoutout to freakbob a

people are going though in their life. Be Kind. Always.

Whakatāne High School

real one, always helping me be two steps ahead.

Te Waka Kura 2024

opinions drown out your own inner voice.

isn’t something you get from a piece of paper with a signature. It’s a 650cc super bike and an open road. That’s freedom.

Jesse Byford-Pothan

- Carole Hughes

there is no try”. - Yoda

Isaac Lamb Quote: You may see me

struggling, but you will NEVER see me succeed.

Caleb Rowe

Cuong Nguyen

Summer Jones

Rhianna Simmons

Quote: Baller in spirit

Quote: I completed my studies

Quote: Thank you to the food tech

Quote: See you in the surgical

Darcy Drury

Tayla-Bree Heath

Anton Kuchenbecker

Liam Bowers

Quote: Skulls for the skull throne

Quote: “Be the bigger person.” I

Quote: Hit the dutch got me

Quote: “Never put off till tomorrow

here in 1 and a half years.

can’t I am only 5’4

microwaves for heating up my lunch everyday :)

focused

room.

what you can do the day after tomorrow just as well.” - Mark Twain

Stacey Lang

Marten Pack

Joseph Doogue

Kendall Mckane

Quote: Ivy frank ocean -0:51

Quote: ”Whats an Assyrian? Aren’t

Quote: “Joe don’t quote me for the

Quote: Sorry I can’t ditch, mum

you just Arab?”

magazine that’s stupid”

will find out.

- Marten Pack”

Emilie Rosset

Joshua Allison

Felipe Arriagada

Daniel Warner

Quote: “The last dandelion in all

Quote: It is what it is.

Quote: Thank u, next.

Quote: ”Me not sad cookie gone.

the season”

- Sid the sloth/me in yr 9

Me happy cookie happened.” - Cookie Monster

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

Lucy Jones

Mark Gibson

Tayla Swainson

Kaitlyn Burke

Quote: Life is only precious

Quote: Life’s to short to fill it with

Autumn Pendleton Quote: Don’t let that soulja boy

Ingbjørg Skolås

Amy Kratt

crank you.

Quote: “No English”. The best

Quote: I’m only here so I can get

Fjord Hagger

Laura Hamill

Kael Mitchley

Kithmini Melville

Quote: A good friend never lets

Quote: Crank that soulja boy

Quote: “Pali Vibes Only, IYKYK”

Quote: “Sometimes you gotta

Quote: Why stay for last period when you can leave at lunch?

because of death.

Ethan Heal Quote: “Drink your coffee,

embrace the silence, do not take people seriously, do not take life upon yourself”

excuse ever!

regrets, just go out there and do it!!

a Porsche!

-Mahmoud Darwish

you do stupid things...alone.

close a door to open a window” - Tyler, The Creator”

Cole Rayner

Ani Taite

Niamh Steens

Shardei Teinakore

Quote: “Keep squares out yo

Quote: Follow your heart and do

Quote: “Gotta Go My Own Way.”

Quote: Follow my GRWM account

circle

the things you love without anyone stopping you.

- ye

Whakatāne High School

- Vaishali Mcneill

Te Waka Kura 2024

- High School Musical 2

Allyssa Baldicasa

Forsaith Hahipene

Xavier Reid

Ella Murphy

Quote: “Back yourself and look at

Quote: Instead of reading notes

Quote: “If I have seen further it

Quote: Carrot tops are green.

the mirror. If you want to be a piece, make it an original.”

and listening to teachers, I read novels and listen to music.

is by standing on the shoulders of Giants.” - Isaac Newton”

Fifi Portsmouth Quote: Valuable life lesson: “Hey

Lauranze Juan Quote: I hope you guys enter 2025

Shonte Skudder-Jonson

Phoebe Carter

with love and deodorant

Quote: There is always time in a

Quote: “Wait let me fix my hair”

Mikaere Te Maipi

Daniel Zhang

Eva Growden-Jordan

John Tiwha-Smith

Helen-Bye Maaka

Brooke Whitcombe

Jeizhene Biddle

Manawa Barsdell

hachi, no matter how much, or how often people hurt each other, loving someone is never a waste.” -Nana (doesn’t mean you have to stay though)

day to get a pie.

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

Maia Patterson-Foster

Noah Judd

Joel Jones

Josh Hansen

Aidan Venter

Natalia Ropiak

Eva Rongonui-Johnson

Janae Warneford

Josiah Day

Jayla Bacher

Kohen Laurent

Shakeria Bridge

Charlie Cowdery

Finn Hargreaves

Vaughan Hathaway

Jayden Wilson

Braiden Craig

Levi Clements

Ezra Riesterer

Josephine Hendricks

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

Tuakana Wiringi

Mikaere Panasewych-Carr

Pakitua Cairns

Cameron Waaka

Tupaea Te Pou

Mikaere Rika

Kiriwhaakangi Ratema

Parehuia Ratema

Manaia Collier

Bella Paterson

Tyler Young

Breanna HemingwayHamblyn

Jared Schadler

Briet Palsson

Thomas John Mason

Neeve Kushnirenko

Emma Jackson

Jazmine Crawley

Jay McMillan

Carla Roth

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

Mohamed Salah

Kiera Whitley

Caitlan Eivers

Viet Boa Vu

Caleb Hanlen

Jorja Henderson

Emily Chan

Joanna Chan

Jemma Snow

Devyne Temara

Te Okiwa Tutua

Tauwhiri Ainsley

Rylee Smith

Angus Cobb

Matthew Edlin

Rongopai Gillies

Jewels Hata

Kaedan Huntingdon

Nathan John

Lily Kohi

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

Shelby Kohi

Caleb Leach

Ranjit Singh

Bailey McDonald

Cullem McDonald

Laylani McLean-Kingi

Jade Moloney

Lily Muggeridge

Neve Richardson

Breanna Rogers

Jade Roper

The following students are part of Class of 2024, no photos supplied:

Isabella Wilson

Miharo Cass

Aj Joshi

Deonaid Eastwood

Quote: The Office, season 7,

Quote: In life everyone must

Quote: Pocket on raddish and lettuce and blue cheese no ranch

Cuong Nguyen

episode 9, minute 14:45

choose one of two pains, the pain of discipline or the pain of regret.

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

BALL

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

BALL

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

BALL

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

SPORTS AWARDS EVENING 2023 WHS Contribution to Sport - Declan Manning (Adventure Racing) Mere Klock Memorial WHS Coach/Manager of the Year - Craig Julian (Adventure Racing) The Mate Harawira Memorial WHS Team of the Year - Travis Talpos & Alex Iremonger (Rowing) The WHS Sportswoman of the Year - Anna Isaac (Equestrian) The John Park Memorial WHS Sportsman of the Year - Kaedyn Thrupp (Waka Ama)

SPORTING HONORS -

Piri Scott - Basketball, Rugby

Eva Sexton - Hockey, Football, Athletics, Ultimate Frisbee

Nicky Scott - Basketball, Rugby

Aiyana Prasad - Hockey

Jamie Julian - Rugby, Volleyball, Adventure Racing

Naia-Lee Shadrock - Netball

Oliver Forsyth - Volleyball

Camryn Clements - Netball

Shaun Snow - Rowing

Eden Beasley - Netball

Deighton Collier - Rugby

Chevana Larsen - Netball, Volleyball

Fearghus Byers - Rugby

Mia Cole - Volleyball

Ryan Calder - Football

Hera Eruera - Volleyball

Rhys Robertson - Football

Anna Isaac - Equestrian, Adventure Racing

Charlie Waters - Football

Teigan Nolan - Adventure Racing

Callum Giles - Hockey

Olivia Nolan - Adventure Racing

Ashley Giles - Hockey

Grace Iremonger - Rowing

Travis Talpos - Rowing

Maia Purcell - Football

Alex Iremonger - Rowing

Londie Rika - Basketball

Hamish McPherson - Rowing

Monique Prasad - Volleyball

Ollie Peat - Surf Lifesaving

Sophie Growden - Volleyball

Kaedyn Thrupp - Waka Ama

Ariana Dawson - Surf Lifesaving

Kaden Naidoo - Volleyball

Ani Doherty - Volleyball

Fjord Hagger - Adventure Racing

Kendall McKane - Volleyball

Finn Jones - Adventure Racing

Daniel Beck - Basketball, Rugby

Jai Julian - Adventure Racing

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

SENIOR PRIZEGIVING 2024 Results SPORTS AWARDS GIRLS: Trista Baker • Intermediate Cross Country Champion Misty Mika • Rugby: Forward of the Year Te Whetu Allen • Excellence in Basketball Molly Fenwick • Excellence in Senior Netball • Contribution to Senior Netball Lily Hayward • Excellence in Motocross Ani Doherty • Excellence in Volleyball • Excellence in Beach Volleyball Kendall McKane • Volleyball: Most Valuable Player • Excellence in Beach Volleyball Monique Prasad • Senior Athletic Champion Huiarau Tutua • Excellence in Hockey (Molly Mae Cossey Memorial Trophy) Lily Anderson • Intermediate Athletic Champion • Evans McCready Trophy - Excellence in Track • Excellence in Senior Netball • Excellence in Ultimate Frisbee Abby Hindmarch • Senior Showjumping (Isaac Family Trophy) Catelyn Santos • Excellence in Badminton Jessie Jones • Hockey: Fair Play Award (Howard Family Trophy) Emilie Rosset • Excellence in Futsal • Football - Girls Captain of 1st XI Carla Roth • Senior Swimming Champion (Julians Berry Farm & Cafe Trophy) Jade Moloney • Excellence in Equestrian (The Parker Family Trophy) Charlotte Billings • Contribution to Football (Zonneveld Trophy) Rylee Smith • Excellence in Waka Ama (Girls) Niamh Steens • Contribution to Football (Cunningham Cup) Lucy Carter • Greatest Contribution to Hockey (Raewyn Hewitt Trophy) • Lucy also receives the award for • Year 11 Best All Round Sportswoman

Whakatāne High School

Zoe Giles • Senior Athletic Champion • Senior Cross Country Champion • Zoe also receives the award for • Year 12 Best All Round Sportswoman Kendall McKane • Year 13 Best All-Round Sportswoman (The Jan Dickey Cup) BOYS: Sam Knapton • Rowing: Most Improved (The Graham Watt Trophy) Zane Pearson • Intermediate Swimming Champ Che Collier • Excellence in Touch Aidan Hogg • Excellence in Cricket • Coach's Award for Captain of 1st XI cricket team Aydan Hall • Excellence in Motocross Noah Vullings • Excellence in Mountain Biking Jose Rika • Rugby: Under 16 Forward of the Year Te Are Hare • Excellence in Waka Ama (Boys) Travis Talpos • Rowing: Most Valuable Crew Member (The Henry Coad Trophy) Kyan Edwards • Rugby: U16 Player of the Year Alex Iremonger • Commitment to Rowing (The Professionals Trophy) Kaden Naidoo • Football Player of the Year Ash Schutz • Excellence in Rowing (The Professionals Trophy) Finn Jones • Senior Cross Country Champion • Best All-Round Hockey Player (Max Farmer Trophy) • Excellence in Hockey Ariki Roozendaal • Rugby: Under 16 Back of the Year Fjord Hagger • Senior Athletics Champion Te Tokatumoana McGarvey • Excellence in Volleyball - Senior Boys Sam Smith • Contribution to Hockey (E Thomas Award) Mac Andrews and Te Okiwa Tutua • Share the award for • 1st XV Rugby Player of the Year Joshua Allison • Excellence in Futsal Cole Rayner • Contribution to Football

Te Waka Kura 2024

Daniel Zhang • Senior Chess Champion Benjamin Jackson • Senior Swimming Champion (Julians Berry Farm & Cafe Trophy) Xavier Reid • Excellence in Badminton - Senior Boys Mikaere Te Maipi • 1st XV Rugby - Back of the Year Jayden Wilson • Excellence in Basketball - Senior Boys Manawa Barsdell • Volleyball: Most Valuable Player • Tupaea Te Pou • 1st XV Rugby - Forward of the Year Jon Tiwha-Smith • Captain 1st XV (Manly Trophy) Maseo Adlington • Excellence in Ultimate Frisbee • Maseo also receives the award for • Year 11 Best All Round Sportsman Ben Peat • Intermediate Athletics Champion • Intermediate Boys Cross Country • Senior Golf Champion • Excellence in Beach Volleyball • Ben also receives the award for • Year 12 Best All Round Sportsman Fjord Hagger • Year 13 Best All-Round Sportsman (Mitchell Cup) YEAR 11 ACADEMIC AWARDS Taniora Tapara • First in Whakairo Māori Carving Jay McKane • First in Construction Luke Sims • First in Music • Diligence in English Bella Mays • First in Performing Arts • Diligence in English Mia Vercoe • First in Māori Visual Art • Diligence in English Levi Murphy • First in Furniture Manufacturing • High Achievement in Construction Susan Eldhose • First in Financial Literacy • High Achievement in Commerce Tayla Barry

• First in Drawing & Painting (Raewyn Kingley Cup)

• High Achievement in Science Natalie Petrinova • First in Design & Visual Communication • High Achievement in Science

SENIOR PRIZEGIVING 2024 Results Charlotte Westeneng • First in Design & Photography • High Achievement in Science Aria Hale • First in Te Ao Haka • High Achievement in Te Reo Māori Level 3 Mackenzie Reid • First in Geography (The Mavis West Cup) • High Achievement in Science • High Achievement in English Oli Harris • First in Mechanical Engineering • High Achievement in Product Development Hard Materials • High Achievement in English • Diligence in Science Natalie Finlayson • First in English (The Hamertons Trophy)

• High Achievement in Design & Photography

• High Achievement in Mathematics with Statistics • Diligence in Science Kayla Billings • First in Product Development Hard Materials (The Alan Bigwood Cup) • High Achievement in English • High Achievement in Mechanical Engineering • Diligence in Science Summer Downie-Sinclair • First in History (Professor Keith Farquhar Prize) • High Achievement in Mathematics with Statistics • High Achievement in Science • High Achievement in English Jonah Te Whau • First in Digital Technology (The Christine Dickens Cup) • High Achievement in Physics Level 2 • High Achievement in English • High Achievement in Mathematics with Calculus Zoe Laurent • First in Mathematics with Statistics • High Achievement in Outdoor Education • High Achievement in Physical Education • High Achievement in English Cassandra Davy • First in Drama (Te Tohu Whakaari) • First in Media Studies • High Achievement in Science • High Achievement in English • High Achievement in History

Eve Proot • First in Hospitality Level 2

• First in Commerce (The Whakatāne High School Business Studies Trophy)

• High Achievement in Science • High Achievement in English • Diligence in Mathematics with Statistics Lucy Carter • First in Physical Education • First in Science • High Achievement in English • High Achievement in History • High Achievement in Mathematics with Calculus Caiden Simmons • First in Food Technology • First in Mathematics with Calculus • First in Mechatronics • High Achievement in Science • High Achievement in English Trista Baker • First in Chemistry (The Hart Family Trophy) Level 2 • First in Marine and Land Biology (The Burke Cup) Level 2 • First in Outdoor Education • High Achievement in Mathematics with Statistics YEAR 12 ACADEMIC AWARDS Quinn Waters • First in Visual Art - Drawing & Painting Ruiha Vaevae • First in Building and Construction Cody Burke • First in Mechanical Engineering Acacia Hose • First in Financial Literacy Reremoana Sisley-Renata • First in Te Ao Haka Te Tokatumoana McGarvey • First in Whakairo Māori Carving Leroy Cobb • First in Furniture Manufacturing Bea Knapton

• First in Geography (Holland Beckett Award)

• Diligence in History Jasper House • First in Media Studies • Diligence in Business Studies Ethan Clements • First in Music • Diligence in Outdoor Education • Diligence in Physics • Diligence in Chemistry Dasian Christian • First in Computer Science • High Achievement in Mathematics

Chelsea Picard • First in Visual Art - Photography (Lazer Photos Award) • High Achievement in English Waimania Papuni • First in Te Reo Māori • High Achievement in Mathematics with Statistics Ashlyn Bennett • First in Physical Education • High Achievement in Mathematics with Statistics • Diligence in Chemistry Chanavae Ruki-Fisher • First in Māori Visual Art • High Achievement in Visual Art Drawing & Painting • Diligence in Physical Education Sam Smith • First in English (The Hamerton's Award) • High Achievement in Biology Level 3 • High Achievement in Chemistry Level 3 Monique Prasad • First in Food Technology • High Achievement in Outdoor Education • High Achievement in Physical Education • High Achievement in English Harleen Kaur • First in Mathematics with Calculus • High Achievement in Marine and Land Biology • High Achievement in Chemistry • High Achievement in Physics • Diligence in Economics Erin Walker • First in Business Studies • High Achievement in Geography • High Achievement in History • High Achievement in Marine and Land Biology • High Achievement in Mathematics with Statistics Sophie Clyde • First in Design & Visual Communication • High Achievement in English • High Achievement in Marine and Land Biology • High Achievement in Mathematics with Calculus • High Achievement in Physics

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

SENIOR PRIZEGIVING 2024 Results Finn Jones • First in Product Development - Hard Materials (The Whakatāne Printers Trophy) • High Achievement in English • High Achievement in Marine and Land Biology • High Achievement in Mathematics with Calculus • High Achievement in Physics • Diligence in Chemistry Temuraoteahi Kalan • First in Visual Art - Design • High Achievement in Māori Visual Art • High Achievement in Design & Visual Communication • High Achievement in English • High Achievement in Marine and Land Biology • Diligence in Physical Education Keira Brown • First in Classical Studies • High Achievement in Mathematics with Statistics Level 3 • High Achievement in Economics • High Achievement in English • High Achievement in Chemistry • Diligence in Marine & Land Biology Belle Warner • First in English (The Hamerton's Award) Level 3 • First in Music Level 3 Zoe Thomas • First in Drama • First in Performing Arts • High Achievement in Media Studies Jayden Hartley de Gouveia • First in Economics • First in Mathematics with Statistics Level 3 • High Achievement in Mathematics with Calculus Level 3 • High Achievement in Physics Catelyn Santos • First in Biology (The Shearer Cup) Level 3 • First in Earth and Space Science Level 3 • High Achievement in Physics Level 3 • High Achievement in English • Diligence in Chemistry Level 3 Riley Rutter • First in Mechatronics • First in Physics • High Achievement in Computer Science Level 3 • High Achievement in Mathematics with Calculus Leel 3 • High Achievement in Marine and Land Biology

Whakatāne High School

Zahra Whale • First in Tourism • First in Earth and Space Science • High Achievement in English • High Achievement in Media Studies • High Achievement in Performing Arts • High Achievement in Drama Holly Mees • First in History (Professor Keith Farquhar Prize) • First in Mathematics with Statistics • First in Outdoor Education (The Dave Allan Cup) • High Achievement in Physical Education • High Achievement in Marine and Land Biology YEAR 13 ACADEMIC AWARDS Noah Judd • First in Toki - House Construction Deonaid Eastwood • First in Automotive Engineering Charlotte Hallberg • First in Visual Art - Design Ranjit Singh • First in Sport In Education Lucy Jones • First in Visual Art - Photography (Lazer Photos Award) Kael Mitchley • First in Performing Arts Ryan Pryde • First in Marine and Land Sustainability (The Ferguson Trophy) Rongopai Gillies • First in Visual Art - Painting Caleb Hanlen • First in Te Reo Māori Breanna Rogers • First in Health (OLC) Manawa Barsdell • First in Furniture Manufacturing Katie Lawrence • First in Te Ao Haka Rhianna Simmons • First in Food Technology Eva Growden-Jordan • First in Hospitality Autumn Pendleton • First in Geography (Holland Beckett Award) Daniel Warner • First in Computer Science Kendall McKane • First in Physical Education (The Brosnahan Family Trophy) Vaughan Hathaway • First in Mechatronics • Diligence in English

Te Waka Kura 2024

Kaitlyn Burke • First in Financial Literacy • Diligence in Earth and Space Science Niamh Alison • First in Drama • High Achievement in Earth and Space Science Charlie Cowdery • First in Sociology • High Achievement in English Dani Capill • First in Design & Visual Communication • High Achievement in Visual Art Design Neve Richardson • First in History (Professor Keith Farquhar Prize) • High Achievement in Design & Visual Communication • Diligence in Visual Art - Design Emilie Rosset • First in Media Studies • High Achievement in Mathematics with Statistics • Diligence in Chemistry Summer Jones • First in Business Studies • High Achievement in English • High Achievement in Visual Art Photography Xavier Reid • First in Mathematics with Calculus • High Achievement in Physics • High Achievement in Chemistry Marten Pack • First in Product Development Hard Materials • High Achievement in Mathematics with Calculus • High Achievement in Physics • Diligence in English Fjord Hagger • First in Outdoor Education • High Achievement in Marine Studies • High Achievement in Product Development Hard Materials • Diligence in Physics Daniel Zhang • First in Physics • High Achievement in Mathematics with Statistics • High Achievement in Chemistry • Diligence in Physical Education Niamh Steens • First in Classical Studies • High Achievement in Physical Education • High Achievement in Mathematics with Statistics • Diligence in Chemistry

SENIOR PRIZEGIVING 2024 Results Emily Chan • First in Chemistry • First in Economics • High Achievement in English SPECIAL AWARDS Hamish McPherson • Rotary Interact Trophy Nav Kaur • Environmental Excellence (The Kiri Allan Cup) Kael Mitchley • Gibbs Cup for Singing Belle Warner

• Contribution to Music (Campbell Trophy and Lyceum Club Prize)

• Piano (The Margaret Stockwell Award) Maddison Lynch • Senior Speech Champion (Maureen Ally Cup) • Contribution to the Corporate Life of School (The Paul Tocker Cup) • Senior Debating Trophy Hyuri Garbin • Contribution to Music (Band) Whakatāne Music Society Prize Keira Brown • The award for Excellence in Literacy (Rachel King Memorial Trophy) • Margaret Mahy Library Prize Catelyn Santos • Excellence in Science & Technology (Whakatāne Business Women's Cup) Isaac Lamb • George Mason Scholarship Macy Haddock • Outstanding Achievement in Visual Arts (The Sue Whale Cup) Noah Judd • Henry Robinson Award

Joella Anderson

• Iti Pounamu Parth Khatri • Global Citizenship Award Caitlin Lowe • Entrepreneur of The Year (Enterprise Cup) Paige Musgrave • Leadership Award (Hammond Family Trophy) Jesse Byford-Pothan • Achievement & Contribution to School (The Bev Grammer Trophy) Charlotte Billings • Prefects Award For Extra Curricular Dedication - The Pyne White Trophy Fifi Portsmouth and Daniel Zhang. • Bay of Plenty Education Trust Scholarship

Emilie Rosset and Emma Jackson. • Ohope Beach Lions Club Scholarships Noah Judd and Rhianna Simmons • Tasman Charitable Trust Awards Katie Lawrence • Deputy Head Girl (The Anderson Trophy) Kendall McKane • Deputy Head Girl (The Anderson Trophy) Fjord Hagger • Deputy Head Boy (The Anderson Trophy) Nohotahi Lores • Deputy Head Boy (The Anderson Trophy) Kithmini Melville • Head Girl Principal's Award Josh Hansen • Head Boy Principal's Award School interhouse competition • Winning house Matai (Emilie Rosset and Fjord Hagger) Drae Moon • The Joel Martin Memorial Trophy Mauri/tuu he tamaiti tautoko • Year 12 student who has consistently displayed both determination and perserverance. Te Mahea Hei Hei-Kalolo • Year 11 Student who supports the ideals of Te Aka Matua kaupapa in all areas of the school Waimania Papuni • Year 12 Student who supports the ideals of Te Aka Matua kaupapa in all areas of the school Akemi Tutua • Year 12 Student who supports the ideals of Te Aka Matua kaupapa in all areas of the school • Contribution to School Council (The Clarke Cup) Manawa Barsdell • Year 13 Student who supports the ideals of Te Aka Matua kaupapa in all areas of the school Waiwhakaata Hunia and Jaz Black • Whakaruruhau poipoi tangata • Year 11 Student who supports those who face challenges across all school areas - tuakana/teina Temuraoteahi Kalan and Waimania Papuni • Whakaruruhau poipoi tangata • Year 12 Student who supports those who face challenges across all school areas - tuakana/teina

Manaia Collier • Whakaruruhau poipoi tangata • Year 13 Student who supports those who face challenges across all school areas - tuakana/teina Temuraoteahi Kalan and Renae Kiripa-Ihe • Robinson Family Scholarship Te Tokatumoana McGarvey • The Peter Thompson Award for Leadership & Potential Katie Lawrence • He Manukura Wahine a ia. I whaiwhai ana e ia i te ara o ona matua tupuna. • Student who upholds the teachings and tikanga of our ancestors in their attitude and completion of mahi. Nohotahi Lores • Huia Woods Memorial Taiaha Katie Lawrence • Best All Round Māori Student - Te Mauri o Tane nui a Rangi

Whakatāne High School | Te Waka Kura 2024

SENIOR PRIZEGIVING 2024 Results PREMIER AWARDS BEST ALL ROUND BOY OR GIRL AT EACH YEAR LEVEL Mackenzie Reid Best All Round Year 11 Girl

Some highlights of her achievements include:

• First in Geography (The Mavis West Cup) • High Achievement in Science • High Achievement in English • 61 Excellence credits so far for Level 1 • 1st in EBOP Badminton Qualifiers and 3rd in BOP Badminton Finals • Selected to represent the BOP U17s top badminton team • 1st in NZ Junior Team Badminton Div 2 • Part of the WHS Enviro Club • Coaches badminton from primary through to senior high school students • Part of the WHS Student Council Chris Martin • Best All Round Year 11 Boy Some highlights of his achievements include:

• High Achievement in English, Physical Education and Drawing and Painting • Diligence in Mathematics with Calculus • Excellence endorsement at Level 1 • Captain of the Junior A Football Team • Part of the Senior B Football Team • 3rd in Intermediate Boys Cross Country • Vice captain of the WHS cricket team • Competed in the National Blue Lake 24 hour 50km Ultra Marathon • Part of the WHS Surf School • Member of the WHS Interact Club • Jobs at various businesses around Whakatāne • Reffing for junior football teams and primary school events Zoe Giles • Best All Round Year 12 Girl Some highlights of her achievements include:

• High Achievement in Biology Level 3, Chemistry Level 3 and Mathematics with Statistics Level 3 • Diligence in Physical Education Level 3 • Level 2 endorsed with excellence and Level 3 endorsed with Excellence as a Year 12 student • Selected to compete at the Regional Analytical Chemistry Competition • 3rd at the Open Women’s Australian National Schools Cup Volleyball • Member of the 1st XI Hockey Team

Whakatāne High School

• 1st at the Jenny Hair Cup for hockey at tournament week • Senior Athletics Champion • Senior Girls Cross Country Champion • Captain of the U18 BOP Development Hockey Team • 1st single, tube and assembly rescue B Finals at the North Island IRB Champs • Volunteer lifeguard • IRB Crewman and driver certification • President of the WHS Interact Club • Lifeguard for Year 9 Big Day Out • Open Day and Evening Helper • Year 12 Matai House Leader Te Tokatumoana McGarvey • Best All Round Boy - Year 12 (The HMS Craig Family Trophy) Some highlights of his achievements include:

• Excellence in Volleyball - Senior Boys • First in Whakairo Māori Carving • The Peter Thompson Award for Leadership & Potential • Member of the Senior A Boys Volleyball team and the 1st XV Rugby team • Captain of the 1st XV Rugby Team for the Australian Tour • Captain of the Aotearoa NZ U19 Boys Volleyball Team • Powhiri for the Year 9 first day, Japanese and Hawaiian visits, and International students • Year 12 house leader • Whaikorero and leader of Maurakau at Year 9 Marae visit • Emerging Māori Achievement Day at University of Waikato • Mataatua Te Toki Kapa Haka set up and powhiri • Junior Boys Volleyball coaching assistant • Open Day usher Emilie Rosset • Best All Round Girl - Year 13 (McGougan Cup) & RSA Prize Emilie Rosset Some highlights of her achievements include:

• First in Media Studies • High Achievement in Mathematics with Statistics • Diligence in Chemistry • Scholarships for the University of Wellington, Otago, Auckland and AUT totalling $49,500, as well as an Ohope Beach Lions Scholarship of $3,000 • Excellence in Futsal • Captain of the 1st XV Girls Football Team, BOP Futsal Team and Australian Sports Tour Girls Football team

Te Waka Kura 2024

• 3rd in 100m freestyle, 50m breaststroke, and 25m freestyle at the BOP Swimming Champs • First in Div 3 BOP badminton • 2024 Arts Festival host • Supporting lead role in Stage Door’s production of Little Women • Sport and House Prefect • Member of the WHS Interact Club • Student Volunteer Army ambassador – blue and bronze badge awarded • Level 2 First Aid Certificate • Lifeguard at the Aquatic Centre Cole Rayner • Best All Round Boy - Year 13 (McKinnon Cup) & RSA Prize Cole Rayner Some highlights of his achievements include:

• High Achievement in Hospitality • Diligence in Media Studies • Merit or above in all Statistics internals this year as well as Merit in English and Physical Education • Co-captain of the 1st XI football team who were division winners and unbeaten all season • Captain of the school futsal team • Shield winner at BOP Squash Champs • Member of WHS cricket team • Coaching different school football teams and refereeing junior games • Member of the ball committee • Publicity Prefect • Volunteer for Hospice Whakatāne

HEAD STUDENTS DEPUTY HEAD GIRLS Monique Prasad Akemi Tutua DEPUTY HEAD BOYS Jai Julian Lucas Jensen HEAD GIRL FOR 2025 Cassie Bennett HEAD BOY FOR 2025 Te Tokatumoana McGarvey TOP ACADEMIC STUDENTS TOP OF YEAR 11 (ROTARY TROPHY) Trista Baker TOP OF YEAR 12 (MCLAY CUP) Riley Rutter RUNNER UP YEAR 13 - PROXIME ACCESSIT (TWADDLE FAMILY TROPHY) Fifi Portsmouth THE DUX OF WHAKATĀNE HIGH SCHOOL FOR 2024 (THE NITA SHANNON TROPHY) Daniel Zhang

SENIOR PRIZEGIVING 2024 Results

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

TE AKA MATUA Report I have the privilege to talk about Te Aka Matua and share my experience with you all. I am a Year 9 TAM tamaiti. My core class is Marumaru. This class supports tamariki who come from total immersion Kura, or it is for those that need awhi with English subjects. My kaiako is Whaea Ripeka and she comes from my old kura, which made my entry into Whakatāne High School much easier. We also have Whaea Kimiora, Matua Ngamanu, and Matua Mark Pouwhare who came from our old kura as well. Our two Te Aka Matua Pou are Koro Te Kapua Riini and Whaea Hemarangi who ‘manaaki’ and respects everyone in TAM. Whaea Titihuia our Kuia, Kaikaranga, and one of the Councillors of WHS; our beautiful nurse Leah Dixon who travels from Papamoa every day; Matua Dwayne Hudson HOD Māori; our Senior Dean-Whaea Ami Hudson; and Junior Dean Matua Tashkoff me tonā hoa rangatira Drew Sloane; Whaea Hine Maui who has us for PE; Whaea Rebecca Wright Mahi Toi; Matua Joe Duffy who is our Year 9 Mentor; and Whaea ‘T’ Te Aorere Walker for Marine Studies. Kei raro katoa rātou i te Marumaru o Whaea Renae rāua ko Matua Pete. All of these teachers of Te Aka Matua, at Whakatāne High School, has made us rich with Te Reo Māori me onā Tikanga, Manaakitanga, me te Aroha. That is why I am so lucky to have landed in Te Aka Matua. Nā Rongomaianiwaniwa Williams

Whakatāne High School | Te Waka Kura 2024

TE AKA MATUA Te Whakatōhea Native Tree Planting

On September 13th, students from Year 9 MAO & Year 9 Marumaru travelled to Ōpōtiki, and received a speech from Danny Paruru (jnr) about Te Whakatōhea Hītori and connections to Mataatua Waka. We were privileged to ’walk’ along and enter the new Wharf/ Harbour Development and plant native trees. He mihi hoki kia Whaea Tithuia nāna nei mātau i waimārie! Mayson Ruha- Harris from Year 9 MAO - his highlight of the Haerenga Ki Ōpōtiki was planting the native trees. He is a native of Ōpōtiki and was excited to be part of the first people to cross over the new Wharf. Rhonda, I loved listening to the stories of Te Whakatōhea and I’m glad I took part in planting native trees. Oliver T enjoyed listening to the stories of Muriwai We had two exchange students from Germany, Philipa Henie and Lucy Clasen. We were both happy and lucky that we got to go there and be part of the roopū. We made history that day.

Rongomaiāniwaniwa - I’m grateful to have gotten a sense of Te Whakatōhea . Not only did we get to learn about their interesting stories of their tipuna, but also had the privilege to make history by planting native trees around the brand new harbour. It was a fabulous experience and I hope we can revisit in the future. Maneaitewai - Rawe te ako pana ki te whenua, me ngā pūrakau anō hoki. Pai hoki te ako pana ki ngā tīpuna, ngā rangatira me kī. Pārekareka hoki mātou te kite i Ōpōtiki, te ataahua hoki. Whakataretare mātou te haere anō.

Javiel I loved learning about all the Māori history, planting the native trees and learning about the warriors and how and why they were murdered. Makaera - It was fun planting the plants and learning about the ancestors and how they died. Taane I loved how we listened to the kōrero about Whakatōhea . I did mihi to Whakatōhea . Moko I enjoyed planting the trees and listening to the kōrero about Whakatōhea and being one of the first to go on the wharf.

Araikura - I enjoyed listening to the kōrero behind the Māori carvings in the Māori trust board, I also loved planting the trees. It was very cool and something for us to learn about. Tunui It was such an amazing, exciting day to experience planting trees and listening to all the kōrero about Whakatōhea. Hopefully, in the future we can go back and see how far it has come, from the start all the way to the end of its journey.

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

KAPA Haka

The Annual Showcase is our area of strength. The annual showcase saw us seniors and juniors of Te Aka Matua tauira join Kapa Haka to perform in the School Showcase. The lights were bright as the cheering from the audience could be heard from A2, and we were nervous. We practised and dressed under the watchful eye of our kaiako, Whaea Ripeka and Whaea Kimi, who put in hours of teaching us all our waiata, while Matua Dwayne and Nohotahi had the young boys. It was nearing our turn to perform and the excitement took hold of us. We went on stage and we were welcomed by our parents who whistled and clapped before we even sang. It took so long waiting, but it was over in fifteen minutes. We had enough time to see the other acts. It was an enjoyable night.

Nā Tunui Hohapata-Ngatea. Kapa Haka Te Aka Matua prepares ākonga to participate confidently in both worlds, Te Ao Māori and Te Ao Whānui. Ākonga apply for entry into Te Aka Matua on enrolment and along with their whānau will be interviewed by a Te Aka Matua staff member. Kapa Haka is open to all students within Whakatāne High School. In 2025, we will be building towards the Mātaatua Kapa Haka Regionals, hosted by Tauranga Moana.

| Whakatāne High School | Te Te Waka Waka Kura Kura 2024 2024

YEAR 9 MĀORI MATAURANGA Visit

This year all Year 9 students visited Wairaka Marae where they participated in learning tikanga Māori, Māori kēmu, Pūrakau, Haka and Waiata. This was organised by Matua Dwayne and all Te Aka Matua teachers, with the help from WHS Prefects and Te Aka Matua students. We began the day with a haka pōwhiri to welcome the mainstream Year 9 students and their teachers to Wairaka Marae. Throughout the day, all students engaged with the activities and for some, this was their first time on a marae. We took much care in making them feel welcomed and safe. Those that have been on a marae enjoyed sharing and showcasing their knowledge of what happens on a marae. The whole day was a student led event where all prefects and Te Aka Matua students had a role in leading each event. We ended the day with all students performing a mass haka and waiata that they had learnt during the day in front of the Wharenui. It was a cool day being able to see all students embracing our culture. Nā Katie Lawrence (Te Aka Matua Tuakana, WHS Deputy Head Girl)

XX MANU Kōrero Each year we have the task of choosing who will represent our kura for Ngā Manu Kōrero . What made it harder was that there were students who came from our ‘Contributing Schools’ who had represented their Primary, Intermediate and also kura and they were all looking forward to representing Te Kura Tuarua ō Te Mānuka Tūtahi at the Mataatua Rohe Manukōrero. Although Te Aorangi Stewart and Rongomaiāniwaniwa were the two that were chosen to represent Te Kura Tuarua ō Te Mānuka Tūtahi; the speeches by Jack Jenkins, Seth Manawatu and Wiremu Doherty’s were at an excellent level as well. On the day of the Mataatua Rohe Manukōrero Whakataetae, our Year 9 Marumaru class traveled by van to Tauranga to watch Te Aorangi and Rongomaiāniwaniwa. They were both in the Junior Māori and English section. Koro, Whaea Hemarangi, Whaea Ripeka, Whaea Kimi, and Matua Dwayne looked after us all. We all felt nervous for our speakers. When we arrived at Waikato University, we saw lots of schools, students in their uniforms, everyone talking Māori - it was choice to listen as well. What really caught our eye were the whakairo on the walls, the decor which changed colour. The building was buzzing with people everywhere! When it was our time to speak we were on our best behavior sitting nicely and listening to the kōrero . We followed them up with ‘I poua’, giving it our all to back up their kōrero . When we were finished, some left while others stayed and listened to the other kaikōrero . It was nice to hear the different types of speeches and see the other schools. Te Aorangi was placed 3rd and Rongomaiāniwaniwa 5th. We look forward to 2025 Manu kōrero Nā Maniaitewai Herewini-Clay

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

THE MARGARET MAHY Library

On the 7th April 2024 our lovely, beautiful, passionate Rachel Lamb’s fight with cancer was over and she went on to be with the Creator in His library to help those seeking to read better books. We had a memorial service for her on the morning of her funeral, the flag was lowered, then we went into the library where Koro spoke on behalf of the school. We honour her time and service to the Margaret Mahy Library and wider Whakatāne High School community. In her memory, the Library has bestowed the Rachel King Literacy Cup. She is sadly missed by many and has forever left her mark on the Library. Claire Langley joined the Library team after Easter from Whakatāne Library and embraced the role at such a tough time for staff. She has brought both library and teaching experience to the Margaret Mahy Library; she brings a fresh energy, ideas and enthusiasm. Book borrowing remains high; with classes making regular bookings and enjoying what the library has to offer and finding a love for reading. The junior reading programme encourages young readers. Thank you, also, to the helpful and committed student librarians who do all sorts of tasks for us, from covering books to putting up displays. It is great to see both students and staff pursuing recreational reading. Thank you to all the staff members who supported the Margaret Mahy Library’s ‘Get Caught Reading’ competition; it was a great success and congratulations to the Science Department for winning.

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

The library space had a lot of use from both school and outside groups for workshops and presentations this year, including a film company working with Media Studies students, the school speech competition, Defensive Driving, First Aid, university presentations and PD for our staff. Most of all, we have appreciated the students who fill up the library with chat, laughs, and work. From our lovely study students, to fiercely competitive Chess, Uno and Bananagrams players, to those who just want a warm and comfortable spot to hang out - thanks for making the most of the library, and we will see you next year!

Lisa Hay

FOOD Technology The Food Technology department has been humming all year with students who have been eager to learn their culinary skills from the best. 2024 has seen Food Technology encompass the science behind food products and packaging as well as social issues surrounding sustainably sourced ingredients, food design, nutrition, recipe development, personal hygiene, and food safety issues. The end of each term is Year 9 Haakari. This is an exciting project for students in Junior Food Technology, encouraging them to reflect on their learning from the term, cook their beloved family recipes, then inviting and sharing with some of their favourite teachers. This project has been a success throughout our school as students enjoy working towards this event at the end of the term and the teachers are thrilled when they are invited to sit down and share some kai with their ākonga. Year 11 students have been working hard on curating a bespoke School Leaver’s CookBook for Year 13 students which we are looking to publish in 2025. Our classes researched what a young adult might be facing when leaving home and moving into new accommodation with a limited budget. Students then designed a recipe through testing products and techniques to produce a recipe fit for purpose. The most popular topic for our Year 12 students was experiencing a real life catering scenario for a class at Apanui where they were tasked with designing a healthy school lunch for a Year 2 student. 2FTE worked hard to research what their students liked, what their needs were and what options would best suit. After a crazy morning of cooking and dishing up, their meals were delivered to Apanui and the students of Tuturiwhatu were excited to see their chefs created for them. One of the topics the class of 3FTE were challenged with was to create a dish that would suit a Foodie Festival environment. Students participated in practical lessons where they would learn various types of street food and cooking techniques. After a lot of planning, they produced sample products for other classes to test which were a hit!

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

HOSPITALITY The Level 2 and 3 Hospitality has seen many students gain fundamental culinary experience across handling knives, food safety, a range of cooking skills involving pasta making, baking and understanding the complexities and science behind techniques like frying, roasting, and poaching. Our annual restaurant event He Hākari o Te Kōanga was unable to go ahead this year due to alterations taking place on our kitchen building. In its place the Level 3 Hospitality students will be put through their paces in Term 4 with a series of culinary challenges over a week to determine the top chef of 2024. The top chef will join our overall top Level 3 Hospitality student and Miss Eves at Rosewood Cape Kidnappers in Hawkes Bay for a luxury culinary experience. Moving forward into next year, Miss Waller will be making ‘food photography’ a focus across the Hospitality programme. With her eye for detail and amazing style we hope to create not only delicious food but foundational skills for our Hospitality students to create visually stunning plates of food. Yes, that means more dishes to wash, but we cannot wait to see all of the culinary artistry in 2025!

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

AWHI MAMA AT RANGIĀTEA Whakatāne School for Young Parents It has been another really productive year at Rangiātea - Whakatāne School for Young Parents. We have had lots of new students join us and celebrated the births of five pēpi. Our ākonga have been challenging themselves to achieve their learning goals and to step out of their comfort zones. The core of our kaupapa are our values: Whakawhanaungatanga: to build, maintain and sustain healthy relationships with each other, whanau and the community. Mana: valuing and respecting ourselves and our hopes and dreams for the future. Whainga: making the most of all opportunities Hauora: understanding and nurturing all aspects of wellbeing. We want to create a learning environment where our actions match the values we have. It is awesome to see students stepping up and displaying our values by welcoming new students and helping them to settle into our space and valuing themselves by doing their best and turning up with a positive attitude. It’s also awesome to see them challenging themselves to try something new or stretch their skills and knowledge. This year we have also been making the most of every opportunity to support our hauora.

Ka Ora, Ka Ako We were grateful to receive funding starting in Term 4 2023, to produce our own food as part of the Ka Ora, Ka Ako (Healthy Lunches in Schools) Programme. As part of this we have been able to appoint a Kitchen Co-ordinator. She has developed a delicious menu of meals which meet the nutritional requirements of our students and are also delicious. Our students have been so impressed with the kai and we have all been trying new foods. This programme helps us support our students through their pregnancies and into breastfeeding, as well as modelling healthy and budget friendly food which can also be prepared at home for whanau. Having a delicious lunch each day feeds our brains and makes coming to school a lot more enjoyable! We are hoping that with the changes to this programme in 2025, that we will continue to be able to provide healthy lunches for our ākonga. Netball Fun Day In Term 3 we had a special focus on netball. Students worked towards NCEA credits in planning and leading beginners netball coaching sessions and we trained weekly as we prepared to host a Netball Fun Day for other Schools for Young Parents, across the Bay of Plenty. On the 19th of September we welcomed Te Ahuru Mowai to the Cutler

Crescent Netball courts for a day getting to know each other, practising our netball skills and playing some fun games together. It was awesome to make connections with other young parents and to test out the skills we had learned over the term. A huge thank you to our PE and Health teacher Cathryn Rowland, for her huge effort in making our learning relevant. We also would like to thank Nga Mihi Moses for her expert netball coaching skills and time which she shared so generously with us. Celebrating our Graduates We are so proud to see graduates of Rangiātea experiencing success after they have taken their next steps. This year we have celebrated a number of previous students who have graduated with degrees in nursing, one in psychology and two others who are enrolled into tertiary courses. Others are in full time and part time employment and juggling all the demands of this with raising their children. We want to see all students who move on from Rangiātea achieve success, in whatever avenue they choose. “E kore au e ngaro, he kakano i ruia mai i Rangiātea.” “I will never be lost, I am a seed, planted in Rangiātea.

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

MULTISPORT / Adventure Racing Hillary Challenge After a long 6 months of training the Hillary team finally made it to the National Final again to compete against the best 12 teams in New Zealand. They made their way down to the Hilary Centre on the Central Plateau and experienced a week they will never forget. Coached by Craig and Ella Julian they were ready for the challenge. The first 2 days consisted of 12 activities that challenged the mind and body. We got off to a slow start but then the second activity involved frisbees so we blew that out of the water, ending up so far ahead of the other 11 teams it was quite amazing (thanks Mr Sexton for the Ultimate Frisbee tournaments!!). Other activities included hire wire skills, running, problem solving, biking blindfolded and paddling. At the end of the second day WHS was placed 2nd overall.

Wednesday and Thursday was the big challenge of two days on the mountain (Whakapapa) in minus 2 degrees and snow/sleet. Locating checkpoints and navigating some tough terrain was the goal. WHS did superbly well with their choice of routes and were one of the top 4 teams off the mountain. Sleeping in sub zero temps under a tarpaulin is not the best but they did it and will always remember that. Friday was the 6 hour race which required the teams to bike, paddle and run like their lives depended on it. It was the toughest day, as they were tired from the trek. The team placed 5th in this and ended the week 4th with only 100 points separating 2nd to 4th place. This is the closest margin they have had for years. Motueka took out the title (to be expected with the line up of their team ) but we were so proud of the WHS team. Farewells to Fjord, Finn, Zoe and our International Maylien. Let’s hope we can find a team for next year as it is such an experience. Congratulations to Jai, Ben, Lucy and Lily who live to fight another year in 2025. A massive thanks to the coaches as they put a huge amount of time in training and supporting during the week. Awesome work Craig and Ella!

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

MULTISPORT / Adventure Racing

Our team proudly secured 4th place out of 32 teams at the regional “Get to Go” event, competing in mountain biking, climbing, orienteering, and kayaking. We achieved 2nd place in kayaking and 3rd place in both climbing and mountain biking. While we need to improve in orienteering, our team’s overall performance was outstanding, showcasing their dedication and skill. Congratulations to all participants! - Mr James Hagger

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

PERFORMING Arts What a year it has been in Performing Arts! This year we have continued to have Performing Arts at every year level. The students have shown resilience, perseverance and gone from strength to strength. Some highlights this year have included workshops and a performance by Footnote Dance Contemporary Dance Company, the production of Little Women, workshops at Steps Dance Studio, and the Arts Showcase. From Salsa to Fose, Hip Hop to Contemporary, Bollywood to Jazz and a bit of karaoke for fun. Ka pai to mahi ākonga ma!

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

MOTOCROSS Liam Burgess

Ms Moore

2024 Motocross at Whakatāne High School has been a year of events, friendships and great rides.This year we had a super bunch of energetic individuals, ranging in ability and experience. It has been exciting to see the improvement in the riding technique throughout the year. A special thank you to Awakaponga Bike Park and everyone who supports us when we ride. Symon Hall continues to grow the team and train us in technique and safety. Kelly Rothwell aka ‘mumma in charge’ was integral in managing the team and keeping everyone motivated and organised. We are so grateful to everyone involved in our sport. Zara Briscoe

I have been lucky enough to be a part of the Whakatāne High School Motocross team for the last three years. This year has been a really good year for our team as we had Awakaponga interschools in May. Our team got 8th overall at interschools. We also have five people from our team going to Rotorua Interschools on the 28th of September. For me, motocross is for making new friends, learning more about bikes and having fun. This year has been a pretty good year for me. As I am sitting 4th for our local rounds at Awakaponga. I have also been lucky enough to have my dad take me to the 2 stroke nationals all the way in Otorohanga. I did pretty well considering I had to start a whole lap behind my race due to my bike having maintenance problems. But I was lucky enough to have someone let me borrow their bike for that race. Overall I got 14th at 2 stroke nationals. I’m looking forward to racing in the senior women’s next year, doing more tracks, and also looking forward to making memories. Millie Brady Interschools

This year has been a great year of riding with Whakatāne High School. This is my first year at High School and it has been a blast racing. I am right now sitting in 3rd for our local rounds at Awakaponga with one more race to go in October. I’m also going to Rotorua interschools on September the 28th. I’m looking forward to summercross at the end of the year. Kayden Gibson

Zara Briscoe

2024 Motocross is a great sport for Whakatāne High School. This year I have been taking photos for the team while they were riding. All the riders have improved this year, jumps are higher and I have seen improvement in the team throughout this year. Our motocross group is a friendly group and we are always looking out for each other on and off the track. I look forward to the 2025 motocross and hopefully, I will be able to compete. Tayla Cloke

The Whakatāne High School Motocross Team is a wonderful opportunity to take up. I have been a part of the motocross team for two years and it’s been a blast. This team is encouraging and supportive of all riders and their capability. Not only does this team help you push yourself and improve, but you can make so many new friends and so many memories along the way. I am currently 4th overall in junior novice for the BOPMCC winter series held at Awakaponga. I have made so many friends and memories throughout this sport and I look forward to the 2025 motocross.

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

DRAMA It has been another awesome year in Drama. We started with our senior trip to the ASB Waterfront Theatre to see Hyperspace by local playwright Albert Belz. We had Ugly Shakespeare Co. visit us to perform Macbeth and do a workshop with our students. We also had a full day devising workshop with Massive Theater. We performed ‘Puck’, ‘Dawn Raids’ and ‘Bang, Bang, You’re Dead’. We have some incredible actors here at WHS!

IMPROV Club Improv Club is a place to showcase your creativity, make friends, and just have fun! In improv, we play many improv games, also known as theater sports, but no matter the game, everyone is included and encouraged to give it a go! Huge thanks to Eastern Bay Road Safety for supporting our performance of ‘Driving Me Crazy’ by Sarah Delehuntry.

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

CELEBRATING DIVERSITY Embracing Diversity Together By Quinn Waters

Whakatāne High’s Rainbow and Diversity group is an enthusiastic group dedicated to building a welcoming and inclusive environment and community for all who come through our school. We aim to promote understanding, respect, and solidarity for all LGBTQ+ and Takatāpui students. Our Rainbow and Diversity group was founded and led by students to create a welcoming space where everyone can freely express themselves. This year we participated in National School’s Pride Week, an event hosted by Inside Out to highlight LGBTQ+ identities and the issues faced by the community. The week included a charity bake sale for a local charity for trans and non-binary people in the Bay of Plenty, and a quiz for people to learn more about the community and its history, and build connections with other people in the area. At the end of Term Two, we celebrated Pride month and the end of Schools’ Pride Week with a roller disco event in town. This was a new activity for this year, but already Gender Dynamix is keen to host each year, helping to bring the community together and build a stronger and more united group. What is great to see about events like this are the people who often shy away from groups or from activities suddenly feeling that they are comfortable and safe in spaces. It’s so vital to find the people you belong with and even more vital to know you have support. Next year, we are going to start the year off with more fundraising and a painting event! So, watch this space - 2025 is going to be a year of branching out and welcoming our new young members.

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

BADMINTON The 2024 Badminton season has been an outstanding one for our school’s badminton team, marking significant achievements and growth in participation. With over 100 students actively involved, the sport has seen a surge in popularity, reflecting the hard work and enthusiasm of both players and coaches.

• BOYS team - Xavier Reid, Daniel Warner, Nathan Reihana-Asquith, Kapiera Whaitiri and Oli Harris finished 15th • GIRLS team - Mackenzie Reid, Catelyn Santos, Emily Dippie, Jorja Henderson, Kaitlyn Burke finished 9th

A key highlight of the season was the team’s success at the BOP Champs, where several teams secured medals, showcasing the depth of talent in our ranks.

BOPSS Championships

In addition, a number of students earned the honour of representing Bay of Plenty at regional and national competitions, highlighting the high standard of performance and dedication throughout the year.

• 1st Div 2, Senior Girls - WHS E (Emilie Rosset, Maia Patterson-Foster, Fifi Portsmouth, Laura Hamil)

For the first time ever, our school fielded a team at the prestigious New Zealand Secondary Schools (NZSS) Badminton Championships, a remarkable milestone that underscores the growing strength of our program. This achievement not only represents a historic first for our school but also sets the bar high for future seasons. Overall, this has been a season of firsts, growth, and success, and with such a strong foundation, the future of badminton at our school looks brighter than ever.

RESULTS FOR 2024 WERE NZSS Championships

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

• 3rd Div 1, Senior Girls - WHS A (Mackenzie Reid, Catelyn Santos, Lauranze Juan, Lily Hayward)

• 1st Div 1, Junior Boys - WHS B (Lochie Holding, Reon Blommerde, Maxwell Martin, Phoenix Riini) • 3rd Div 1, Junior Boys - WHS A (Ryan Lambert, Conrad House, Ethan Robison, Billy Butterworth) • 2nd Div 2, Junior Boys - WHS D (Aiden Cox, Julian Cardinal, Ryan Heiberg, Alex Harland • 3rd Div 3, Junior Boys - WHS E (Luka Hagger, Harry Martin, Ben Willoughby, Jacson Heal)

ULTIMATE FRISBEE Whakatāne High School sent two teams to compete at the NZSS Ultimate Frisbee Champs in Taupō. The boy’s team had a great time playing Ultimate Frisbee against some incredible teams during the week! It was a week filled with high-energy games, great sportsmanship, and unforgettable moments on the field. Every match tested our skills and brought us closer as a team. While the competition was fierce, the spirit of the game and the camaraderie made it all worth it. We’re proud of our performance, thankful for the experience, and excited for more tournaments in the future! Our girl’s team fought fiercely and proudly secured second place after making the final thanks to an epic one-point win in the semi final! After months of dedication, hard work, and teamwork, we pushed through intense games against the country’s best teams. Though we didn’t take the top spot, our journey was filled with unforgettable moments, growth, and passion for the game. We’re incredibly proud of this achievement and grateful for the support from our fans and community. This Silver finish is a testament to our resilience, and we’re already looking forward to returning stronger next year!

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

ROWING Whakatāne High School’s rowing team had a stellar season, competing in both the North Island Secondary Schools Regatta and the prestigious Aon Maadi Regatta. With 15 rowers and coxswains participating in eight events at the North Island Regatta, the team showcased their depth of talent across both junior and senior squads. This year, the school entered a U15 coxed octuple sculls crew, which made a strong debut reaching the A Final and finishing 7th. The U15 quad sculls teams also performed admirably, with one making the A Final and the other competing in the B Final. These boys, most in their first year of rowing, demonstrated exceptional determination and hard work throughout the season. Their dedication to the sport has sparked a passion, and they are eagerly preparing for another season, with their sights set on the next MAADI Regatta. The senior boys continued to dominate, with Ash Schutz taking 1st in U16 Single Sculls. Travis Talpos and Alex Iremonger won the U17 Double Sculls, and together with Ash, Leon Mahy, and Hamish McPherson, claimed gold in the U17 Quadruple Sculls. At this years’ Maadi Regatta, the pinnacle of school rowing in New Zealand, Whakatāne High School’s smaller squad of eight rowers and two coxswains continued to shine. All rowers secured places in the A Finals of their respective events. Ash Schutz earned a silver in U16 Single Sculls, placed 5th in U17 Single Sculls, and, alongside Leon Mahy, Alex Iremonger, Travis Talpos, and coxswain Hamish McPherson, won bronze in the U17 Quadruple Sculls. Alex and Travis also added a bronze in the U17 Double Sculls. Both events involved significant logistical efforts, from transporting boats to securing accommodation. The team’s success was made possible through dedicated support from their families and the wider community, with fundraising initiatives and a generous $5000 grant from the Whakatāne and Ōhope Community Board playing crucial roles. Special thanks go to coaches Graham Watt, Gary McAdams, and Leighton Hale for their expert guidance. The unwavering support of parents and the exemplary sportsmanship displayed by the boys both on and off the water made Whakatāne proud, embodying the school’s strong values and the spirit of rowing.

Whakatāne High School

SENIOR ROWERS REPORTS:

Overall this season was a great one. We had many ups and down all throughout the season, but in the end it all came right. Early in the season we really showed domination in our racing at regattas getting many clean sheets. Later on in the season the great results were still coming in with us gaining multiple medals at both North Island Secondary Schools and North Island Club Champs regatta getting all set and ready for Maadi down in Twizel. From the day that we flew down to the day that we came back it was such a great experience. There were many tense and stressful moments while down there, but there were also many great experiences that we got to do and see. We went into finals day showing promising signs of all of us coming home with medals which did end up happening. We ended up claiming two bronzes and one silver medal which was a bittersweet ending as we had high hopes for golds in all three of our events. But overall the trip and season was extremely successful and positive with two of our members Ash Schutz and Travis Talpos going on to compete in the North vs South regatta and cleaning up there which was a great end of the season for our crews, club and school. - Alex Iremonger (Y12) Last season was challenging with victories at regional and provincial level and multiple wins and podiums at national level. Representation at national level was a high of the season wearing the fern definitely brought the season full circle. Whakatāne high has a rich rowing background that many of us thrive off of. We expect defeats coming off the back of last season to fuel this coming season as it is most of the boys last rowing for Whakatāne High School - Ash Schutz (Y12)

Te Waka Kura 2024

WAKA AMA Whakatāne High School’s Waka Ama Journey: From Podium Glory to Future Aspirations

Whakatāne High School has a proud history in waka ama, with the last podium finishes dating back 16 years ago, when the Te Manuka-Tutahi U19 Girls team came away with 2 gold medals at the 2008 Waka Ama Secondary School Nationals. They claimed victory in both the 250m and 500m W6 events, demonstrating their talent, teamwork and determination in the sport. Fast forward to 2024 and our Waka Ama teams continue to demonstrate resilience and skill on the water. The competition at Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) in Rotorua was fierce, and our paddlers faced tough challenges. The results were as follows: • Kaedyn Thrupp U16 Boys 250m W1 Sprints: 6th in NZSS, demonstrating his individual prowess on the water. • WHS U19 Girls 250m W6 Sprints: 11th in their Plate final, a commendable effort. • WHS U16 Boys 500m W6 Turns: 7th in NZSS, demonstrating their potential for future growth. • WHS U16 Boys 250m W6 Sprints: 3rd in NZSS, a fantastic achievement from our boys team coming away with Bronze medals! Waka Ama is not just about racing; it’s about fostering teamwork, resilience, and a connection to our culture.The dedication and hard work of our coaches, managers and paddlers signal a promising future for Waka Ama at Whakatāne High School, even more so with the sport introduced into the Level 1 Outdoor Education programme this year, where students gained 15 Level 1 NCEA credits by participating in Waka Ama. I would like to acknowledge our coach, Dave Marshall, for his patience, hardwork and dedication to our teams, and I would like to send a special thank you to our sponsors: Aotearoa Superette and Galatea Eggs for giving us the funds to attend this years nationals and supplying team sleeves for our paddlers. Ngā mihi nui,

Whaea Nancy Vercoe

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

ENGLISH

This was my first year as the Head of English, so I was keenly aware of the shoes I had to fill! However, this academic year has filled me with immense pride and gratitude. In the heart of our vibrant high school community, the English classroom has once again served as a dynamic space for exploration, creativity, and connection. This year, we embraced a curriculum that not only focused on literature and language but also encouraged students to express their unique voices. From dissecting classic texts to diving into contemporary issues, our students engaged in rich discussions that fostered critical thinking and empathy. I was particularly inspired by their passionate responses to our speech competition, which saw our highest number of Junior and Senior school participants speaking about issues that deeply mattered to them, highlighting perspectives on local and global issues. One of my favourite moments of any year is seeing our new cohort of Year 11 students tackle their first NCEA assessments. I have been delighted to see them embrace the challenge and overcome their fears and doubts to gain greater confidence. It’s not

Whakatāne High School

always been easy, but the dedicated teachers in our department have been there, sitting alongside them with encouraging words and kind patience (and sometimes a stern word!).

We cannot wait to see how our 2025 Year 12 students tackle the course, but undoubtedly, they will be guided and shaped by an excellent practitioner along the way.

For 2024, we also saw the arrival of Mr Steve Williamson to our department. His years of experience across schools in our motu have given the department a fresh voice, and his kind and calm nature has seen his classes quietly flourish. We have been incredibly lucky to have his contributions to our school, and his leadership of the speech competition will mean that we will go from strength to strength in the years to come! I hope you feel truly welcome, Steve, and settled in the WHS way of life!

Reflecting on this year, I am reminded of our students’ resilience and creativity, especially in the face of challenges and loss. Their growth has been a testament to the power of literature and the arts. As we move forward, I am committed to nurturing this passion for language and storytelling, ensuring that our students continue to thrive as thoughtful and articulate individuals.

As we look ahead, I am excited about our plans to further integrate environmental literature into the curriculum, with Ms Joss Matthews leading the way. New Zealand’s unique landscapes and cultural narratives offer a rich tapestry for exploration, and I believe our students will benefit greatly from engaging with these themes. Those who have been taught by Ms Matthews and have the honour of working with her know what a wealth of knowledge and experience she is.

Te Waka Kura 2024

As I come to the end of this year, I am reminded of a cherished whakataukī: Ko te pae tawhiti, whāia kia tata, ko te pae tata, whakamaua kia tīnā. Seek out the distant horizons, cherish the ones you have attained. Let us all be grateful and celebrate what we have now even whilst aspiring for greatness in the future. May 2025 be better than this year, but let us all take in what a wonder it is to be here and to be happy.

By Ms Laura Abbott

ENGLISH Creative Writing

The Totara Tree I am sitting on the grass looking up through the branches of the gnarly old totara tree. The tree found a home at the bottom of a hill. Its roots reach towards the swamp feeding off the water trickling down from the gully. I don’t know whether the tree chose to grow here from a seed blowing in the wind or if it was planted by someone who thought it would add to the scenery of the gully. The sun makes a dappled light on the tall scraggly grass around me. I wonder how old this great beast of a tree is. It’s thirty metres high and its trunk two metres wide. The rough bark peels off creating piles of debris that makes homes for spiders and slater beetles. The old battered bamboo wind chime has moss growing on it and it moves slowly donking and clunking in the breeze. The ground beneath me is damp but I don’t care because the warmth from the fire makes me feel content. In a rusty old rim of a truck wheel a small fire burns gently crackling and popping. The rust on the rim flakes off, much like the bark on the tree, and falls in small piles on the ground. The stream trickles around the reeds and produces a home for the eels. I squint as the smoke relentlessly blows in my face and reminds me of early morning picnics.

This totara tree has watched me grow up over the last thirteen years. It has seen Easter campfire breakfasts of bacon and eggs and endless Easter egg hunts; it has seen birthday parties with friends, humongous eels, and the time Bella the goat jumped in the fire. The tree may not be able to move with me, but it can move by scattering its seeds in the wind. I hope it will meet someone new and enjoy being a part of their stories. I have contemplated what it would be like to live in the totara tree with the falcons and magpies, but I have never managed to leave my spot under the branches. I have never mustered the energy to climb its giant limbs and explore life in the canopy. I imagine what the totara tree has seen through its long life. From being a small sapling, surrounded by bush and watching everything change around it, to the giant of a tree that is now creating a landmark on the horizon. As I sit sheltered under the tree’s protection, I dream of what it might see in the future once I have left and moved like one of its seeds, to my own place where I will grow like this tree.

Evan Faithful - Year 9

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

INTERNATIONAL Students Each year we welcome International students to Whakatāne High School. 2024 has seen approximately 45 students arrive from all over the world including Central Europe, South America, Asia and Scandinavia. The students come to experience what New Zealand has to offer and certainly make the most of this. Trips this year have included Hobbiton, Chiefs rugby games, fishing, mountain biking, diving, snorkelling, and much more. This year, 8 of the Internationals trained as lifeguards and spent the summer weekends patrolling Ohope Beach. Five of them went on to gain a 3rd place in U19 Canoe Race at the National Surf Life Saving Champs held at the Mount in February, which was awesome to see. They live with local families and experience many wonderful things through these families which give long lasting memories of their stay here in New Zealand. Several of our July intake represented the school at Winter Tournament week and one student was part of the Hillary Team that went to the National Final, held at the Sir Edmund Hillary centre, in the October holidays. The aim of the programme is to embrace different cultures in the school so that the local students can learn about these cultures and hopefully travel overseas to see these countries and widen their experiences.

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

MUSIC

In 2024, our Music students had an exciting year performing a wide range of songs using instruments such as guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, and vocals. With the support of Ms. Taylor and Mr. Paraha, our senior students achieved notable success in their NCEA qualifications while our junior students have been sharpening their musical talents in preparation for 2025 and beyond. Throughout the year, students demonstrated their skills in several live performances including lunchtime concerts, Year 8 open evening events, assemblies, the Smokefree Rockquest competition, Light Up Whakatāne, Loud at the Library and the Arts Showcase. They also had the exciting opportunity to perform alongside their teachers at MATA Brewery. We’re eagerly looking forward to the upcoming tour during Wider Living Week, where junior students will perform at various primary schools. We have continued to use cloud-based music software, allowing students the flexibility to work on their compositions anytime, anywhere. We bid a heartfelt farewell to our talented Year 13 Music students of 2024 and look forward to hearing about their future musical journeys beyond secondary school.

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

DESIGN Thinking 2024 has seen some exciting progressions in the Design Thinking subject area, with the addition of a Year 10 class and two new teachers taking on the Year 9 classes. Mr Pearce and Mr Hurley have been a great addition to the team, each bringing new elements to the course from their respective specialities of Computer Science and Art. The Year 9 classes this year have produced a wide array of products including t-shirts, 3D printed jibbitz, laser cut easter egg holders and more. Students have learned about the 5 steps of the Design Thinking Process; Empathising, Defining Problems, Ideating, Prototyping and Testing. Using this process to trial and test solutions teaches our tauira to think critically about their ideas and consider the needs of the wider world around them, local community and individual users. The Year 10 class has designed and produced lights for the Light Up Whakatāne Festival. In Term 1 each student learned about our local community and recycled design through a class trip, met with the Festival Organiser and Council Events Coordinator, and worked individually to design a laser cut lantern on the theme ‘What Whakatāne Means to Me.’ These lanterns made up a class exhibit which was displayed at the entrance to Mitchell Park during the festival. In Term 2 the Year 10s worked alongside a product engineer and electrician, either individually or in small groups, to design and make their own lighting displays. Each group had a different focus, including our natural environment, reuse and recycling, and interactive design. Their final lights were very impressive and made an excellent addition to the Festival. Special thanks must be given to the Whakatāne-Ōhope Community Board and Arts Whakatāne Trust and Creative Community Scheme for the Arts grants which made this project possible.

Ms N Cattell, TIC

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

SURFING

The 2024 Raglan Surf Nationals saw our team of eight surfers taking on fantastic conditions across two legendary locations: the under-16 competitors at Manu Bay and the seniors at Bone Yards. It was a week filled with exciting performances, skillful manoeuvres, and some close calls. A standout moment for our team was Ayllsa Ledbetter’s incredible run. As our first-ever female competitor in the event, Ayllsa made history by advancing straight to the semi-finals. She skillfully navigated some massive waves and executed great bottom turns. Jesse also delivered a strong performance, successfully making it through his heat and showing his prowess on the waves, even before the buzzer. Fjord found himself in the highest-scoring heat of the competition. Despite catching some solid waves, it wasn’t enough to secure progression. Noah Vullings also showcased his talent, surfing impressively and advancing through his heat. He narrowly missed out on further progression, but his performance was commendable. Overall, our team represented us with skill, determination, and sportsmanship. We are incredibly proud of their efforts. For many of them, that was their last event. We look forward to building a new team. I hope to see some new faces at surf school next term.

Mr James Hagger

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

NETBALL

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

MURAL CLUB We successfully completed two new murals this year, including the vibrant Kopeopeo mural Puāwaitanga, which quickly became a community favourite. Our large awa mural, on-site at WHS, was steadily painted over the cooler months and we pushed to finish just in time for the Arts Showcase. To our community members who provided support, feedback, and encouragement—thank you for believing in our mission and helping us create art that resonates. We had some new members join our mural team this year, and we look forward to welcoming more next year. Together, we learned skills such as idea and concept planning, using the grid method for enlarging our murals onto site walls, stencil making, and spray

painting (well done, Esther, for NAILING those bubbles!!). A heartfelt thank you to our incredible student artists and volunteers—your dedication and creativity have truly made an impact in our community. You take time out of your own life and put energy into making life more beautiful for others - a very selfless and generous gift. We partnered with the District Council, the Whakatāne-Ōhope Community Board, and the Whakatāne High School Interact Club to create impactful murals that reflect our shared values and stories. We deeply appreciate our partners and sponsors, whose generous contributions made our projects possible. A special thank you to our Year

10 member Nate Parsons for his exceptional contributions this year — turning his social action idea into a collaborative art-making opportunity for the WHS Mural Club. He created an amazing video that documented the process in its entirety and brought our community together. Another special shout out to senior art student Belle Warner for turning Nate’s ideas into a finalised concept from which we worked from. This year, we’ve made our community more colourful, connected, and inspired. Here’s to even more creative adventures in the coming year! Come and join us in 2025 - Mural Club is for anyone and everyone; nau mai haere mai.

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

Visual Arts

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

VISUAL Arts

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

Visual Arts

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

VISUAL Arts

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

CROSS COUNTRY This year’s Cross Country was another fantastic success, with enthusiastic participation from students across all year levels. Once again, the course followed our traditional school route, established in 1962, covering an 8-kilometer trail through rugged terrain. Whakatāne High School prides itself on offering a genuine cross country experience, with challenging hills up the birdwalk elevating up to 150 meters, testing even the most experienced runners. Race day conditions were excellent, making the event enjoyable for both runners and spectators. A special thanks goes out to the teachers who ensured the track was wellprepared and safe, allowing participants to focus on their performance. Congratulations to everyone who took part, whether aiming for a podium finish or simply pushing their limits. Your determination and effort made the event memorable!

JUNIOR GIRLS 1 Addison Davis 2 Estelle Kappely-Parsons 3 Madie Carter

JUNIOR BOYS 1 Ollie Peat 2 Theo Henderson 3 Harry Martin

INTERMEDIATE GIRLS 1 Trista Baker 2 Addie Tetze 3 Maylien Hartmann

INTERMEDIATE BOYS 1 Ben Peat 2 Noah Vullings 3 Christopher Martin

SENIOR GIRLS 1 Zoe Giles 2 Monique Prasad 3 Niamh Steens

SENIOR BOYS 1 Finn Jones 2 Jai Julian 3 Fjord Hagger

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

WIDER LIVING Week 2023

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

MEDIA STUDIES Report Junior Media Studies

Media Studies continues to grow! We are definitely missing our other Media Studies Genius Mrs Kelly. In 9MSS and 10MSS students were introduced to basic Media concepts such as social media, production (planning, filming and editing) and all learning how to break down a genre. Most importantly, they learnt about being vigilant out there in the digital world. As we navigate the ever increasing technology advancements we need to make sure Media students know what, and who, to trust.

Senior Media Studies

This year has been a learning curve for the 1MSS class. They were introduced to new standards, but they were introduced to many new concepts and learning that may not have been taught with the old standards! We were able to deep dive into the evolution of social media, looking at #metoo and #BLM, and look at the harmful ramifications of reality TV.

Trips

In May we took 15 Year 12 and 13 students to Wellington to check out some of the capital’s many media outlets and universities. The highlight for many of the students was visiting CoCa at Massey University. There, they got to tour Massey’s state of the art technology creative studios - everything from podcasting, radio, television, production, and SFX. This definitely impressed the students! We also visited the Classification Office to learn how they classify content that comes into the country. We got a tour from Jamie Serkis, Academy Award winning editor and producer, who coowns the beautiful Roxy Cinema. We finished off with a visit to the world renowned SFX Weta Workshop. Thank you to Mr Patton for your help driving, the comradery you built with them won’t be forgotten soon! Watch this space for epic photos of what is going to be Media Studies first overseas trip to Los Angeles in 2025!

Miss Danelle Napier

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

GATEWAY AND FUTURES ACADEMY TRADES This year our students have enjoyed a variety of exciting courses offered in Whakatāne, Tauranga and Rotorua. Courses offer our students a deeper understanding of learning in specific areas of employment such as Barber, Hair and Make-up, Go Cart construction, Electrical Trades training, Early Childhood, Nursing, Automotive Engineering, Building and Construction, Farming and Agriculture and Diving. Thank-you to our outside providers for the opportunities our students have, Bay of Plenty Trades Academy, Toi Ohomai, ETCO, Hair to Train, Employ NZ and Dive Zone Tauranga.

TE TOKI Ō TE KAKAU - WHS CONSTRUCTION 2024 has been our inaugural beginning of our 5 day a week construction academy, Te Toki ō te Kakau. This has been an opportunity for WHS to develop a partnership with Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa, Bay of Plenty Futures Academy and The ministry of Education - Mahi Whakamana. The 12 students took on a full year project to build a 2 bedroom house from foundation to roof, exterior painting to internal wall lining and cabinetry instals, for Kainga Ora. All students have been involved with our Whakatāne trade community completing work Gateway experience across all trade aspects: plumbing, electrical, roofing, scaffolding and construction. Students have also deepened their understanding of Ngati Awa Tanga, Marae Tikanga, and Health and Wellbeing. Thanks to our all partnership in the community for helping fulfil our program.

GATEWAY We would like to thank the following businesses for their support of all ‘Gateway’ work experience placements undertaken during 2024: Whakatāne Roofing, Dunstan Builders, Hiwa Construction, JH Painters, Placemakers Whakatāne, Modern Builders, Thompson Electrical, Sunbound Solar & Electrical, DB Plumbing, John Klein Builders, Braithwaite Builders, Versatile Whakatāne, Red Stag Scaffolding, Beulah Concrete, Robert Harris, Cafe 4 U, New World Whakatāne, Countdown/ Woolworths Whakatāne, The Warehouse Whakatāne, Riding for the Disabled, Goddess Brows, Life Pharmacy, Unichem Pharmacy Kope, Pak ‘n Save Whakatāne, Ngati Awa Group Holdings, Falcon Electrical & Air Conditioning, Fonterra Edgecombe, Whakatāne Information Centre, Outback Solutions, Thomson Electrical, Cafe CoCo, Opōtiki Butchery, Allandale Primary School and Zespri Aims Games.

NOHO The Whakatāne High School Noho programme has had another successful year. Students have continued to learn building skills which has been taught by legendary tutor Bill O’Neil (Te Wānanga o Aotearoa) who at 77 years old continues to impress our tamariki with his work ethic and great attitude towards mahi. This year the Girls and Boys Noho have built raised gardens, large sheds (donated around the community) and chairs, while learning Tikanga on local Marae. Thank you to Rewatu Marae, Hokowhiitu and Tauanui Marae for letting us use your facilities and supporting the Noho Programme.

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

ATHLETICS Day A Celebration of Sport and Spirit Athletics Day this year was a showcase of competitive track and field events and school spirit. Students from all year levels participated in a variety of events, from sprints and long-distance races to high jump, shot put, and relays. The atmosphere was electric, with classmates cheering from the sidelines, encouraging every competitor to give their all. A special congratulations to Lara Barton, who broke a 20-year-old junior girls high jump record by clearing 1.50m, an incredible 9cm improvement! While there were many standout performances, the day was more than just about winning—it was about participation, teamwork, and celebrating personal achievements. Whether running, jumping, or throwing, everyone played a part in making the 2024 Athletics Day a memorable and spirited event.

RESULTS: Junior Girls 1st Ariana Dawson 2nd Lara Barton 3rd Asiah Kinghazel

Junior Boys 1st Robert Whitecliffe 2nd = Gavin Nuku-Thrupp & Zandre Herbst 3rd Conrad House

Intermediate Girls 1st Lily Anderson 2nd Addie Tetze 3rd Kaia Hiki

Intermediate Boys 1st Ben Peat 2nd Abel Bresler 3rd = Finn Anderson & Kaedyn Thrupp

Senior Girls 1st = Zoe Giles & Monique Prassad 2nd Ingbjoerg Skolass 3rd Tylah Morley

Senior Boys 1st Fjord Hagger 2nd Finn Jones 3rd = Brayden Craig & Ray Maaka

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

ATHLETICS Day

BOPSS ATHLETICS Whakatāne High School had 28 students compete in the BOP Athletics Champs. Lara Barton - Junior Girls - 1st High Jump Robert Whitecliffe - Junior Boys - 1st 300m Lily Anderson - Intermediate Girls - 1st 400m, 2nd 100m, 2nd 200m, 2nd Long Jump Ariana Dawson - Junior Girls - 1st Long Jump, 2nd 100m, 3rd 200m Olivia Hyndman - Intermediate Girls - 3rd 400m Zoe Giles - Senior Girls - 3rd 1500m Kaylene Kemp - Intermediate Girls - 2nd 80m Hurdles Braiden Craig - Senior Boys - 2nd Discus Ollie Peat - Junior Boys - 2nd Triple Jump Intermediate Girls 4x100m relay team - 1st place - Kaylene, Ariana, Maraea, Lily Junior Boys 4x100m relay team - 3rd place Ollie, Hato, Nicholas, Robert

WAIBOPSS ATHLETICS Some great results from our students at the WaiBOp Athletics Champs this year Lily Anderson - 1st Int Girls 400m Lara Barton - 1st Jnr Girls High Jump Ariana Dawson - 3rd Jnr Girls 100m Braiden Craig - 3rd Snr Boys Discus Int Girls 4x 100m Relay Team (Asaiah Kinghazel, Ariana Dawson, Maraea Brown, Lily Anderson) - 1st Int Girls

NISS ATHLETICS Whakatāne High School had 3 athletes compete at the North Island Athletics Champs this year. JUNIOR GIRLS Ariana Dawson - 1st place 4x100m relay team (new NISS record of 49.68s) Lara Barton - 2nd High Jump INTERMEDIATE GIRLS Lily Anderson - 2nd 4x100m relay

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

INTERACT Club The Whakatāne High School Interact Club is a group of students (Year: 9-13), who work together towards making a positive difference in the community. Our club is filled with dedicated individuals who enjoy volunteering within the school and community. The club aims to nurture students’ leadership and teamwork skills, setting students up for a successful future, while building friendships and memories. As we conclude another successful year of Interact, the club reflects on numerous accomplishments, and eagerly anticipates the future. In 2024 the club volunteered in events such as the Have a Heart Expo, Art in the Park, Jazz in the Park, Wild Food Festival, Tamariki Foodie Festival, planted a tree for Earth day and put on another outstanding Pink Ribbon Breakfast raising over $3000. This year the Interact club funded the B-block shade sail, for students to enjoy in the years to come. Before the conclusion of the year, the club aims to once again bake thousands of christmas cookies, as well as a clean up for Keep NZ Beautiful, Whakaari Memorial Concert. Our Interact club meets every Friday lunchtime and often features a wide range of speakers who provide the club with fun engaging workshops and allows students to ask questions on potential careers or gaining understanding about the community. We have had a wonderful range of speakers this year from Derek Caudwell to exstudents sharing university expectations. Our club also provides financial support to students representing the school overseas, which is achievable by the hard work that many students have volunteered. On behalf of the Whakatāne High School Interact Club we wish to extend our gratitude to each and every one of our members: Zoe Giles, Taylor Dain, Anwen Brown, Aardia Bointon, Harry Marten, Hamish McPherson, Annabell Caudwell, Charlotte Billings, Madison Lynch, Ester Ferguson, Nate Parsons. We also appreciate all the support from Linda Bonne, the club would not be where it is without your dedication and ongoing support for many years. We eagerly anticipate what 2025 has to offer and are excited to watch the club continue to thrive.

Zoe Giles

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

COMMERCE 2024 across financial literacy, business studies, commerce, and economics we have; through NCEA reform saw our Level One numbers dwindle from four classes to just two. We have retained two Year 12 classes and two Year 13 classes, as well as one class that is a combination of both. Junior classes have been very successful as we have had six Year 9 Business Studies classes, two Year 10 Business Studies classes, and one Year 10 Commerce class. The highlight of our junior school programme is definitely the bake sale. Across the year to date total sales are at a whopping $5,602.50 with a class breaking our record total sales by drawing in $1,111.00. However, it is not all about money. We are very proud of the skills we teach the kids, which includes; understanding of markets, promotion, person to person selling, business planning and teamwork. Moving into the senior school we are committed to teaching and nurturing the understanding of; market situations, human resources, motivation theories for staff, supply and demand, financial interdependence and so much more. Again, this year we have had a stellar team who have worked extremely hard to give exciting opportunities to our students. Ms Kim Moore, thank you for your continued efforts behind the scenes with our Young Enterprise students - this work gives our students such a great opportunity to experience running their own businesses and all that entails. Mr Caleb Tashkoff, thank you greatly for your work with our junior programme, you are now most certainly “Mr Bake Sale” so thank you for providing our kids an enjoyable atmosphere to learn in. We’d also like to thank Mrs Frisby for joining the team and taking some junior classes for us. Finally, a big thank you goes out to all of our students who joined our programme over the course of the year. We hope to see those of you who aren’t leaving again next year. To those who are we wish you the very best for your future.

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

OUTDOOR EDUCATION

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

OUTDOOR EDUCATION Senior Outdoor Education: Adventure and Skill-Building

Outdoor Education continues to thrive at WHS. The 2024 program was packed with exciting challenges that pushed students to their limits while deepening their connection with the outdoors. Water activities included paddleboarding, surfing, rafting, waka ama, surf survival and river crossing techniques where we learnt to balance ourselves on and in the water and work together as a team. Tramping through rugged terrain and mountain biking over winding trails tested both our endurance and navigation skills. Camping trips were a major highlight, offering lessons in fire lighting, constructing survival shelters, navigation, foraging and learning to thrive in the wilderness. These experiences taught us more than just practical outdoor skills—they fostered self-reliance, resilience, and teamwork. Whether it was mastering the art of navigation or sharing stories around the campfire, each adventure created lasting memories. From riding the waves to surviving the elements, the programme offered the perfect mix of excitement, growth, and camaraderie. It left us not only more confident in the outdoors but also more connected to each other.

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

ARTS SHOWCASE This year, Whakatāne High School put on an arts festival to showcase all the amazing creative talent of our students. On August the 14th and 15th Whakatāne High School was overflowing with dance, music, drama and visual arts all of which had been created by our amazing students. As guests entered the school they were greeted by our school leaders and prefects before walking into the foyer that was awash with the art that our students have been working on throughout the year. Outside, our mural was on display for all to see along with some other surprise features. After guests settled in to watch the show, we kicked off strong with a Kapa Haka supported by Dwayne Hudson and Ripeka Koia and then our hosts for the evening guided us through a night of entertainment. Guests got to experience dances choreographed by Jarrah Burns, drama pieces directed by Angela Harland, bands coached by Adam Warner and videos from students mentored by Danelle Napier. The talent brought by students during those nights was positively overwhelming. In fact, during rehearsals the talent of our students proved too hot to handle and we all had to leave the hall whilst the fire alarm was sorted. At least we got to have a break! Behind the scenes our students and staff were also working hard. Setting up microphones, arranging sound and lighting equipment, and untangling wires. The show could not have looked and sounded as good as it did without the hard work of Adam Warner, Jared Cochrane and our student backstage crew. As I turn my thoughts now to next year’s performance, I can’t help but grin with anticipation, excited to see what we will create. My heartfelt thanks go out to all those involved with the showcase. Congratulations on a great show.

Jaiden Ragozins

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

ARTS SHOWCASE

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

SOCIAL Sciences It has been another busy year in the Social Sciences. We have welcomed back Holly Shanks and Steffi Gilmour after their maternity leave. There have been plenty of opportunities over the years for students to apply the skills they have learned in class and apply them to the real world. Here are some of the many highlights from the year. Students were able to take part in Model United Nations against Mount Maunganui College which involved how the world is preparing for upcoming challenges in the future. Our Year 9 and 10 students were able to work in teams and use a wide range of skills to solve problems in a practical manner. Luka Haggar, James McKay and Conrad House won Best Year 10 team, Julian Cardinal was Best Year 9 speaker, and Maddison Lynch was best overall speaker of the competition for the senior students. The Year 9 and 10

Whakatāne High School

students also participated in the BOP Model UN competition, where Esther Ferguson and Annabel Caudwell won the best delegates awards. We took eighty students from the junior school out to a planting site at Walker Road, Thornton. This allowed students to plant Thornton Kanuka, an endangered plant that is rarer than the Kiwi. Our students will be able to see this site develop over time. Special thanks to CoastCare who made this project possible. In other volunteer efforts a mural in Kopeopeo has resulted from 2023’s Social Action campaign. A great reminder to students that they can make a difference. In History we strengthened our relationship with the local Museum by allowing students to see a wide range of items from our rohe’s history as well as many primary sources from World War One and Two.

Te Waka Kura 2024

Geography students kept up their travels and field trips around the Motu. They looked into different aspects of our coastline at Levels One and Three, with a trip that covered from Matata to Ohope and looked at human intervention and sustainability of our coastline. Level Two Students had the opportunity to explore the Taupō Volcanic Zone in a one day trip to Ruapehu and to Tongariro National Park to study vegetation zonation for their NCEA Examination. Sociology has reemerged in our school this year. The year thirteen students organised a campaign to try and end $5 prescription fees. Classics has grown steadily over the past few years, this has been helped by the addition of a Classical Book Club started by the ever passionate Rebecca MacKay.

DESIGN & VISUAL Communication

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

HOCKEY 1st XI Girls This past hockey season has been an incredible journey filled with teamwork, growth, and unforgettable moments. From the very first practice, our team was determined to improve our skills and build strong connections on and off the field. Each game brought its own challenges, but we faced them head-on, learning valuable lessons about resilience and strategy. As the season progressed, we honed our techniques and developed a cohesive playing style. Our hard work was evident as we secured victories in several matches, building our confidence and camaraderie. The support from our coaches and fans played a crucial role in motivating us to push our limits and strive for excellence. The culmination of our efforts came during the year-end tournament, where we faced tough competition in the Jenny Hair Cup held in Carterton. Each match was a test of our skills and teamwork, but we remained focused and determined. In an exhilarating final against Sacred Heart Girls College, we emerged victorious, claiming our entrance into Fed Cup! Celebrating this achievement together was the perfect way to end an amazing season, leaving us with cherished memories and a strong foundation for the future. Thanks to our coach Hikitia Tutua, Assistant Coach Lyndell Jones and Manager Clare Knapton - Huarau Tutua (Y12) Co-captain As the season concludes, the team bids farewell to their departing players: Kendall McKane, Kithmini Melville, Ani Doherty and Zoe Giles, thanking them for their dedication and contributions to this successful year. 2024 1st XI Girls hockey team: Ashlyn Bennett, Kayla Billings, Lucy Carter, Madie Carter, Addison Davis, Ani Doherty, Zoe Giles, Jessie Jones, Bea Knapton, Kendall McKane (co-captain), Kithmini Melville, Chloee Munn, Esther Pearce, Lucie Ploeckl, Monique Prasad, Addie Tetze, Huiarau Tutua (co-captain)

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

HOCKEY 2nd XI Girls The XI 11 girls hockey team have had an awesome season filled with amazing progress from our first game. Since our first game, we have learned how to trust and communicate as well as work together as a team. Every single one of our players has improved their hockey skills this season and has always been ready and listening to improve our game. By the end of our regional competition, we were winning most of our games and feeling strong for our tournament in Auckland at North Harbour Hockey. Although our team didn’t get the results we wanted at our tournament we were able to take away lots of experience. It was the first time for most of our girls to go away for a winter tournament and they can’t wait for next year. We couldn’t have become the players we are today without our coach Kim who is so kind and committed to getting us to play at our full potential. We wouldn’t be the team we are today without manager Shannon, who would also help out with everything and get us to the right places. Over the weeks before the tournament, our team did a lot of fundraising to get our girls up to Auckland. None of our fundraising would have happened without Heather organising everything for our fundraiser and parents putting in the extra work to help their kids out. The team has had an awesome year and we can’t wait to see what happens next year. - Kenna Baker (Y13) Co-captain This is the second year we have fielded a 2nd XI and the core of the team stayed together. They were keen to develop their 11-aside game further and wanted to play strong, competitive hockey. During the first round the girls really found their game and began to play some fantastic hockey. We watched players go from strength to strength and saw some great play both at home and away. We chose to go to Tournament Week this year to give the team a chance to play higher level hockey and experience tournament hockey. This meant we played a lot of 1st XI teams. Travelling to North Harbour and playing at their amazing facilities was a treat for the girls. It was a huge learning experience and heading into 2025 the team now has a new set of experiences to bring to their game. We say goodbye to Kenna Baker who has been a strong leader in the team with her positive attitude and determination on the turf. We look forward to having her sideline at some games next year.

Boys Hockey The Whakatāne High School 1st XI Boys’ Hockey team’s season proved to be a season of many challenges. Initially putting a team together was a trouble but with a bunch of junior players coming through, gave the senior boys some great leadership opportunities and excellent learning experiences for the juniors. The team fell into place quickly, the boys getting on well and despite a few losses to start the season, we focused on the positives of improving and also beating Tauhara 4-2 in a close fought match. While the games didn’t always go our way the boys always pushed through, keeping our heads high and smiles all round. We became closer as a team each week and while the season’s results didn’t always reflect this, the improvement seen throughout was amazing. While sadly we didn’t make it to tournament this year, a standout highlight from the season was winning our last game against Rotorua Boys High 2nd XI, a tight game with the first goal scored by Captain Finn Jones off a PC and the second by striker Tom Hamill through the keeper’s legs. We held the opposition off (shout out to Sam Smith and Jonothan Hyde), finishing 2 nil. Finishing strong was a theme throughout the season, the boys always went hard despite the scoreline and kept pushing right to the end. Massive thanks to our coaches Jono and Miss Loye for getting us through the tough times and really bringing the team together, we cannot thank you enough for all the time, hard work and knowledge you gave this team. Also huge thanks to our team of managers, Rebecca and Paul Smith and Keith and Carolyn Hamill, your work behind the scenes was greatly appreciated by us all.

Note from Coach Jono Edmeades: I would like to acknowledge those boys who chose to commit to representing their school with pride this year - particularly those who were giving hockey a go for the first time, as well as those more experienced players who welcomed them in. The boys were recognised by opposition teams for their improvement in skill over the course of the season, but also for their considerate interactions with other schools, particularly through their efforts to use Te Reo Māori. Particular acknowledgement needs to go to senior players leaving the team for new opportunities in 2025 - Finn, Sam, Ranjit and Ethan, as well as to our outstanding management and driving team, Rebecca and Paul Smith, Keith and Carolyn Hamill and to cocoach, Miss Loye.

2024 2nd XI Girls hockey team: Kenna Baker (co-captain), Milla Best, Quinn Best, Charlotte Beynon, Tuesday Briscoe, Zara Briscoe, Summer DownieSinclair (co-captain), Jorji Dunstan, Niysa Hartley, Amelia Mackenzie, Emily Martin, Jesike Moore, Samantha Nillesen, Evelyn Roza, Lily Vullings.

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

CHESS Club It has been a quiet year for chess compared to previous years but the team did perform very well at the 2 tournaments they attended. The first tournament was the Regional Chess Power event held in Rotorua in May. We took over one minibus of students, consisting of experienced players and several new to the game. They all enjoyed the experience and will hopefully be back for more in 2025. The second tournament was the BOP schools Chess Championships held in Tauranga. Due to other commitments we only had 1 team of 4 but they did exceptionally well coming a very close second, losing out by 1 point to Rotorua Boys, in the 10 team event. The team consisted of Daniel Zhang, Daniel Warner, Jonah Te Whau and Brandon Hunter. We farewell the two Daniels as they head off to University next year. I would like to thank all those who played for the school this year and to the big numbers of students playing at lunchtime. It is a great way to exercise the mind and learn all about concentration.

FOOTBALL 1ST XI

The 2024 season was marked by an impressive unbeaten streak for the boys’ first eleven. With key contributions from returning players and new additions. The team, under coach Mr. Knapton, won their first match 4-1 and continued to dominate throughout the season. They faced challenges during tournament week but still managed to secure a commendable 24th place overall. The season culminated in a thrilling 3-2 victory against Tauranga Boys Senior C, which clinched the league title and ensured they finished with an unbeaten record. This success set a strong foundation for moving to the Premier division next year.

2ND XI

The Whakatāne High School 2nd XI football team had a season filled with a mix of wins,and losses, but it turned out to be a truly rewarding experience. The boys built strong bonds and faced every challenge with determination. As the season progressed, their skills and teamwork improved remarkably, and by the end, they were playing at a much higher level than when they started. Everyone enjoyed the season, creating memorable moments for the entire team. Great job, boys!

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

FOOTBALL SPECIAL MENTION

We would like to thank Collin Harrison on his continued support of Whakatāne High school football. Colin has been available all year to Referee up to three football games every Saturday during the season.

JUNIOR A TEAM

The WHS Junior A Football Team finished a season that had its ups and downs. Though we got off to a tough start, our team improved over time and kept fighting until the end. Led by our coach Mr Hagger, our players worked hard to adjust their style. Even though the results weren’t always in their favour, the team’s effort and determination were clear. Some good results at the end of the season ensured that the team is looking forward to coming back stronger next season.

JUNIOR GOLD TEAM

The junior gold team had never played together before but this did not stop them developing as a team. By the end of the season, their skills and gameplay had improved immensely. Every player had a lot of game time and this aided their personal improvement & enjoyment of playing football. I look forward to seeing how the boys develop next season. Thank you to Scott and Renske for your help and support throughout the year & the parents who supported the boys.

JUNIOR BLACK TEAM

This season, the Whakatāne High School Junior Black football team experienced a mix of both wins, losses and draws, but overall, it was a rewarding and positive journey. The boys displayed great camaraderie, working hard together through every challenge. As the season progressed, their skills and teamwork noticeably improved, and by the end, they were playing at a higher level than when they began. It was a pleasure to watch their growth, both on and off the field, and to see their dedication pay off. Everyone enjoyed the season, making it a memorable experience for the entire team. Well done boys.

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

GIRLS FOOTBALL Girls Football 1st XI 2024

We would like to thank:

What an awesome season we had! Qualifying in the top 4 of the Bay competition, with some good wins under our belt. We faced off against Bethlehem, Trident and Lakes FC U19 side (a strong club team consisting of the best players from across the Rotorua schools: Girls High, Lakes High, Western Heights and JPC. We had some good close games throughout the season but the highlights were:

Susi and Sarah for all their football knowledge and care of us on and off the field. Tristan, for jumping on board from the get go and supporting us with our Liquid Fuel and sideline hydration needs, and our training tops (sponsored by his business Manuka Performance). Also, Jaz for coming in clutch as team mum for the 2nd half of the tournament, and all our awesome parents for their support throughout the season.

Beating Katikati 4-3 in a real nail-biter and only clinching the win in the final moments of the game; winning 8-3 vs Aquinas after being down 2-0 in the 1st 6 minutes, and having 6 different goal scorers; and beating the 1st XI boys 4-3 in our penalty shoot out.

Awards:

Tournament week in Taupō was an absolute blast and, although we didn’t get the results to progress through the competition very well, we scored 6 goals from 7 games and had 4 different goals scorers, 8 different PODs and 4 MVPs (as voted by opposition). The vibes were high and we came out of the week as close as ever with long lasting memories and friendships which included:

Molly Wratt - Excellence in Football, Junior Girls

*All you can eat pizzas *The Diddy streak #IYKYK *Ten pin bowling in some extra fancy clothes *Bathing at DeBretts *Sushi lakeside We will miss our Year 13 leavers: Ems, Niamhy, Ella, Laura and Jorja and our 2 international Lucies!

Whakatāne High School

Emilie Rosset - Captains Cup, Juniors

Olivia Allison - Contribution to Football, Junior Girls Tournament MVP - Lucie Kellermann Most Improved - Jorja Fenwick Players Player - TBC Rising Star - Molly Wratt Player of the Year - Niamh Steens

*Huka Falls

Niamh Steens - Contribution to Football

Te Waka Kura 2024

GIRLS FOOTBALL Girls Football 2d XI 2024

The 2nd XI Girls Football team had an exceptional season, focusing on skill development, teamwork, and fun. Their hard work paid off as they finished 2nd in their division in the Baywide competition. Special recognition goes to Claudia Milne, who earned the Most Improved award. Captain Milan Laurent was named Best Defender, while Hellen Robinson shone as Best Goalkeeper. Aramia Hanlen took home both Best Striker and the Golden Boot award, Holly Mees was awarded Best Midfielder, and Bea Knapton claimed Best Assist. Charlotte Billings’ positive energy earned her the Best Attitude award. Well done, girls!

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

RUGBY

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

SWIMMING Sports Swimming Sports: Fun, Competition, and RecordBreaking Performances

This year’s Swimming Sports brought a fantastic mix of fun and fierce competition to the pool. Year 9 students enjoyed friendly house competitions alongside loyal prefects, with each house cheering loudly from the sidelines during the novelty events, adding to the festive atmosphere. The day also featured competitive swimming events, as athletes aimed to break some of the school’s long-standing records. A special congratulations to Zandre Herbst, who set new records in the Junior Boys’ 2-length freestyle and 4-length medley, showcasing incredible talent. Whether participating for fun or chasing records, everyone made the day memorable. It was a true celebration of school spirit and athleticism!

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

ROCK CLIMBING Our climbing team recently competed at the Bay of Plenty Champs, held at The Mount, where the competition was fierce and the route setting tougher than ever. Despite the challenges, our team delivered outstanding performances, with Tuumanako leading the way by securing an impressive 2nd place—our best result to date. We are eagerly looking forward to seeing Tuumanako and the team take on the national competition. A special thanks goes out to the parents who generously volunteered their time for driving and supporting the team’s training efforts. Your dedication makes all the difference!

GOLF The year started with what we hoped to be an annual fixture against Trident High School. Up for grabs was a trophy donated by the Whakatāne Golf Club. The team, led by our senior players of Jai Julian and Ben Peat, showed great skill, perseverance and effort to dominate on the scoreboard, only to lose the match due to a player’s card not being handed into the officials. In other tournaments our players showed great resilience after some tough starts, contributed some steady scores and kept their composure when under pressure. One of the most rewarding aspects of the season was the camaraderie among the players. Regardless of competition results, the players always supported each other. Looking ahead to 2025, with a core group of players returning and new talent joining up, the future of golf at Whakatāne High School is looking bright.

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

AUSTRALIAN Sports Tour Whakatāne High School sent 88 students and 11 adults, representing seven teams for a Sports Tour to the Gold Coast in the July Holidays. The teams stayed at the Gold Coast High-Performance Centre for 10 days and participated in a high-performance programme before playing games against local opposition and taking in some tourist activities. The purpose of this trip was to expose students to a highperformance environment and during the intensive three-day programme at the center, they covered topics such as Goal Setting, Sports Psychology, Strength and Speed, Fitness Testing, Nutrition and Injury Prevention. The students played games against local clubs and schools, watched 2 NRL games, hit the theme parks and beaches, and did a lot of shopping.

Results

Rugby - WHS 17 vs Gold Coast Eagles 16, WHS 36 vs Surfers Paradise Dolphins 24 Boys Football - WHS 2 vs Bayhawks 2, WHS 4 vs St Johns 7, WHS 2 vs Redfield College 2 Girls Football - WHS 0 vs Bayhawks 7, WHS 8 vs Ormeau Woods 0 Netball - WHS 39 vs St Hildas 9, WHS 46 vs Ormeau Woods 8 Boys Hockey - WHS 0 vs Labrador 2, WHS 3 vs St Johns 3 Girls Hockey - WHS 0 vs Labrador 1, WHS 1 vs St Johns 0

Basketball - WHS 52 vs St Johns 62, WHS 61 vs Ormeau Woods Sophomore 27, WHS 52 vs Ormeau Woods Senior 48 Volleyball - WHS beat St Johns 3 sets to nil

A big thank you to all the adults who went on the trip with the students and a big shout out to our team sponsors: Boys’ Football - Dawson Insurance

Rugby - Beulah Services Concrete Basketball - Whakatāne.info

Netball - Magnus Lennie 1984 Limited Girls’ Hockey - Whakatāne Roofing

Girls’ Football - Waingarara Valley Wedding & Event Venue

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

SCIENCE Junior Science ākonga carried out practicals for chemistry in the kitchen, studied earth and space science and brought our kura together to celebrate Matariki sharing rēwana bread that was made from scratch. For ‘How Things Work’ ākonga looked at energy transfers and electricity, which was followed by carrying out a project to help our local ecosystem for Manaaki Taiao. Ākonga in Year 11 Science carried out different investigations on Wainui te Whara Stream to determine if it was healthy or not. Hokey Pokey was made as a type of decomposition reaction when looking at the different types of reactions. Ākonga studied hard for their external on how the sun, earth and moon interact, and finished off the year investigating the phenomenon of electricity and energy transfer in dropping Year 12 Chemists have had a great year. We covered all our practical internals first and everyone enjoyed getting all the titration gear out. This term we have focussed on our external and we have delved into knowledge about the structure, bonding and energy of matter. Year 13 Chemists have had a great year. We started the year with a practical investigation looking at Vitamin C in cooking and how much is lost when broccoli or silverbeet is cooked. This term, we have taught organics while building a lot of practical work to make the learning meaningful. Year 12 Physics has been an exciting journey across different levels of learning. In Level 2, students have been developing their mathematical skills and applying them to real-world contexts, particularly focusing on physics principles found in playground dynamics. This has helped bridge the gap between theory and practical application, making physics more relatable and engaging. In Year 13 Physics, the focus shifted to the study of waves, where students explored the fascinating nature of light. One of the highlights was using a microwave to calculate the speed of light, providing hands-on experience with key scientific concepts and fostering a deeper understanding of wave behaviour. Year 13 Biology Our Level 3 Biologists have had a great year learning in class with a few out of class excursions. Students had fun hunting for slaters in the birdwalk and visiting the Hamilton gardens and zoo. We have learned about humans, other animals and plants this year, including natural selection, niche and adaptations. This is the first year Year 12 Earth & Space Science has run and it has been a great year. Students have analysed sands from all of our beaches then linked this back to the origins of the river. We have done an observatory trip to help with learning about stars and planets. This is the first time that Year 13 Earth & Space Science has run and students learnt about an eruption out of Tarawera that happened in 1314. They then learnt about how past geological events can be dated. This term, they have been learning about oceans and atmospheres. Year 9 Horticulture Year 9 horticulturalists have been learning about planting in the garden this Spring. They have made posters about atua in the garden, as well as investing in germination and cooking with homegrown produce. Year 10 Horticulture students have had a great start to the year, with the bountiful late summer garden. They learned about soil physics and plant anatomy as well as cooking what they grew.

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

MARINE Studies Year 9 Marine Studies In Year 9 Marine Studies our classes delved into the pūrākau ‘Kia Whakatāne au I ahau’ where we focused on learning how our town and important marine ecosystems in our rohe were named. We then looked into understanding the ecological niche of common fish species in Aotearoa and studying their anatomy through fish dissection. We learnt to tie our own fishing traces and put our learning into practice on our fishing trip to the Ohiwa Wharf.

Year 10 Marine Studies In Year 10 Marine Studies our students took a dive into traditional Māori navigation, looking at the journey the Mataatua waka took across Te Moana Nui a Kiwa to get to Kakahoroa. We even tested our own waka-building skills and constructed waka to race off down Wainui Te Whara stream. Our learning then moved to focus on our freshwater taonga species, specifically Tuna, learning about their biology and conservation status in Aotearoa. We crafted traditional Māori eeling tools and utilised these to catch, identify, and record data on Tuna we caught. As the water warmed up we honed our snorkeling skills, putting them to the test during our trip to explore the marine ecosystem surrounding Moutohora.

Year 12 Marine & Land Biology Year 12 Marine & Land Biology examined the rocky shore of Ōtarawairere, explored how 1080 information is presented to the public, and studied gas exchange in humans, fish, and plants. In preparation for the ‘Cells’ external, students completed a microscopy assessment to comprehend how organisms’ cells function to aid survival on land or in the ocean.

Year 13 Marine & Land Sustainability In Level 3 Marine & Land Sustainability ākonga carried out some really cool Manaaki Taiao projects to help improve the sustainability of their chosen biosphere. We also adventured to Manawahe Eco Trust and snorkelled Motouhorā. To Heron Island, Year 13 did roam, To study coral reefs, far from home. Two trips of students, with eyes wide and bright, Explored Australia’s waters in tropical light. In April, we watched tiny turtles take flight, New lives to the sea in the soft moonlight. In July, the whales sang a deep ocean tune, Breaching in splendour under the sun’s warm noon. Learning with laughter, we snorkelled with glee, Helped with shark research, wild and free. On Heron Island, discovery had just begun, A trip where knowledge met adventure and fun. Both the Year 9 and Year 10 trips to Fiji involved 18 students exploring the Blighs Passage marine life, and local culture around Volivoli. Dive Zone Whitianga supported four groups of 20 students throughout the year to complete their Padi Scuba Diving courses. A huge thanks to the instructors for providing exceptional dive training and exploring the kelp forests and marine reserves.

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

LANGUAGES French Bonjour!

What an incredible year it’s been for French in 2024. Classes have been filled to the brim with lovely and eager young people who were wanting to get out of their comfort zone and learn about French language and culture. The learning goal for every Year 9 French student is that, by the end of the Module 1 course, they will be able to: • Understand and use basic French greetings and expressions. • Introduce themselves and others in French. • Use basic vocabulary related to everyday life (e.g., numbers, colours, days of the week, food, family). • Form simple sentences and questions. • Develop an awareness of French pronunciation and intonation patterns. • Gain an introductory understanding of French culture and customs. This learning is taught in a myriad of ways; through speaking and listening, reading and writing and cultural activities like games, cooking and local excursions where possible. Here’s what some students had to say about their experiences in French this year… “French this year was Awesome, I have always wanted to learn a language. The subject was full of activities, taste testing french foods, and of course learning the awesome language itself. I would highly recommend the French module at Whakatāne High school!” Corban Meekel “French was definitely something I really loved this term. I never had a single lesson that I didn’t enjoy and was always super excited to come to french. The posters, games, and just overall learning the language was such an awesome experience. “ Chloe Musgrave “I loved the French food!” Tareti Tawhara “What I enjoyed most about French as a Year 9, was learning about the fascinating culture of France in the most creative ways. The vibrant lessons brought the language to life and I loved exploring French culture through music, movies and food. My favourite moments were engaging in conversations with my classmates and discovering a captivating new language.” Evelyn Roza “French was so fun it had so much stuff to do. In French, you can do and try so many things.” Georgia Gallagher Merci aux élèves! Joyeux Noël à tous.

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

LANGUAGES Japanese 2024 was the year that the Japanese course fully embraced the art of Japanese Ryouri or cooking to help teach our students about Japanese culture and Language. From our base in I2 students were taken to our local Sushi-Ya NIKONIKO Sushi for a range of oishii tabemono. The Year 10 students were also able to stop by the new Oriental Grocer store to pick up Pocky, Choco Pies and Okashi from Japan on their way to Sushi. Inside the classroom Morris Sensei added curry rice, sushi and kimchi nabe with Udon to his usual okonomiyaki-making lessons. Students described the new dishes as umai, karai and oishii. Neighbouring classes struggled to concentrate with the smells emanating from the various cooking lessons. In Term One we were introduced to a group of Japanese students who spent two weeks in the Eastern Bay of Plenty learning English. They were extremely helpful in introducing our students to Japanese culture and making links that will last with their homestay families. Ms Crook’s Senbazuru or 1000 Cranes project is slowly taking shape as I2 hosts a wonderful display of origami created by the numerous 9 Japanese 1 students. もし、この言葉が読めればモリス先生はプライズをあげたいです。２０２５年に B7 にきて “プライズください”と言ってください。最大3つのプライズです。

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

TECHNOLOGY This year, the Technology department has seen remarkable progress across all levels, with students excelling in various projects that demonstrated their technical skills and creativity. At Level 1, students focused on the new NCEA standards, which challenged them to push their boundaries in design and manufacture. They successfully completed two projects, displaying their understanding of fundamental technological principles and their ability to translate theory into practice. Moving to Level 2, students undertook multiple projects that involved working with a mixture of wood and metal, reflecting the department’s commitment to developing versatile skill sets. These projects allowed students to explore the properties of different materials and learn how to combine them effectively to create functional and aesthetically pleasing products. At Level 3, the students took on a range of impressive and diverse projects, each requiring complex problem-solving and high levels of craftsmanship. Notable projects included the design and construction of a folding staircase, a motorbike support rack, surfboard storage solutions, and camp cooking equipment. Additionally, one student focused his project on creating products that promote animal welfare, emphasising the department’s encouragement of socially and environmentally conscious design. Each of these projects not only met but exceeded expectations in terms of innovation and technical difficulty. The Furniture Making class has stood out as a prime example of successful multi-level learning. This class has worked seamlessly across various year levels, with students demonstrating both skill and understanding of industrial processes and equipment. They have embraced challenges, displaying a keen understanding of materials, design, and construction techniques. Across all levels, the Technology department has fostered a strong sense of achievement and practical learning, preparing students with valuable skills for future endeavours in technological industries.

Whakatāne High School | Te Waka Kura 2024

BASKETBALL Basketball End of Season Report 2024 was another solid year for Whakatāne High School. Throughout the season we had many positives including; high participation numbers, a successful exchange in Australia, Bay Championship division 2 wins, continued improvement of the girls programme and a fun end of season event that showcased our teachers, coaches and staff. However, our shining light was the achievement of the Junior Boys A team who won the EBOP junior championship for the first time since 2020. This year at Whakatāne High we had 7 teams compete in the local competition with upwards of 85 kids wearing the colours playing the game they loved.

Results are as follows: Senior A Boys - 2nd EBOP - 1st Bay Championships Division 2 - 7th Bay of Plenty Senior A league

Claire House Photography

- 18th Region 2 National Qualifying Tournament - 2/1 record on Australian Sports Tour Senior B Boys - 5th EBOP Senior Girls - 2nd EBOP - 2nd Bay Championships Division 2 Junior Girls - 2nd EBOP Junior A Boys - 1st EBOP - 1st Bay Championships Division 2 Junior B Boys - 8th EBOP Junior Boys C - 10th EBOP On the Australian trip the boys’ play was awesome and the atmosphere of winning at the buzzer in the first overtime won’t be forgotten. Another awesome occasion this year was our annual end of year break-up evening. This event saw our girls’ sides team up to face a combination of Junior boys B and C, the girls getting a well deserved win here with the whole crowd cheering them on. Our Junior A boys played against the Senior B boys, with the juniors getting the job done in a game that was on a knife’s edge throughout. Finally, our staff, coaches and parents team went up against the Senior A boys team in a niggly contest that had many enjoyable moments, but the old boys went down 65-47. A big thank you to our coaches for their efforts this season and a thank you to the parents for your support. We will see most of you again next year. To our year 13’s - you will be missed.

Mr Jarrod Braddock

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

VOLLEYBALL 2024 Senior Volleyball Girls Report

Well, this is hard for me to write. I have been with these girls for the past five years and I really didn’t want it to end. I have had the privilege to coach this fantastic bunch of strong young ladies for both junior and senior volleyball. I have watched their skills develop from not being able to get their serve over a full court net to acing the best teams in NZ. We have had lots of laughs, a few tears (mainly me), great dance moves on and off the court, tough training, tough games, amazing wins and devastating losses and I’ve enjoyed it all. This season started in December 2023 with an amazing trip to the Gold Coast for the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup - a trip Karen and I had talked about since the girls were Year 9s. We went into the Senior BAY secondary schools competition ranked 2nd from last year’s seedings and found ourselves in Pool A. We made the final quarters and beat Tauranga Girls College 3-0 to have a showdown in the semi finals with BC - it was a fantastic game with the girls winning in the 5th set - Jordy getting the winning spike! Our final was an epic game with the 2nd set going to 3230!! Unfortunately we lost 15-13 in the 5th set against Otumoetai A - so once again finishing the BAY Competition placed 2nd. It was now onto the New Zealand Secondary School Nationals - the highlight of the school volleyball calendar and the biggest secondary school competition in New Zealand. Unfortunately not the ending we wanted for our Year 13 girls but that’s sport. To my Year 13s who are leaving school this year - Ani, Jordy, Tayla and Kenny; thank you for the amazing journey you took me on and the wonderful relationships I have made with each and everyone of you. To the others - see you on the court next year! I also have to acknowledge Karen McLeod - she has also been on this journey with these girls and I thank her for her patience, calm manner, volleyball knowledge and friendship - you helped make this team AWESOME!!!

Mrs McKane

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

VOLLEYBALL Senior Girls Volleyball Trip to the Gold Coast: A Thrilling Adventure!

Last year, our senior girls volleyball team embarked on an unforgettable journey to the beautiful Gold Coast, Australia, to compete in the prestigious Australian Volleyball Schools Cup. Competing in the Open Honors Grade, our talented athletes showcased their skills, teamwork, and determination, ultimately placing an impressive 3rd overall! From the moment we arrived, the stunning beaches and sunny weather set the stage for an incredible experience. The tournament itself was intense, with teams from across the country battling for glory. Our girls played fantastic volleyball, demonstrating not only their athletic prowess but also their resilience and sportsmanship. Each match was a testament to their hard work and dedication throughout the season. Between games, we took advantage of the gorgeous surroundings. The girls enjoyed sightseeing, exploring local attractions, and soaking up the vibrant atmosphere of the Gold Coast. This trip was not just about competition; it was also about bonding as a team and creating lasting memories. From the thrilling matches to the unforgettable adventures, our senior girls volleyball trip was a remarkable experience that will be cherished for years to come. Congratulations to the girls for their outstanding performance and for making us all proud! Also a massive thanks to Karen McLeod who came on the trip and to all the parents and family members who supported the girls while we were away.

Helen McKane

Whakatāne High School

Te Waka Kura 2024

DEBATING Challenge Accepted: Let’s Debate! By Sarah Banks

Our school’s debate team had perhaps its best year yet. Led by Laura Abbott, the Head of English, we learned much about debating format, strategy, and various styles. We had several informal debates within the club during a Monday lunchtime and then attended the Bay of Plenty competitions, participating in both the British Parliamentary style and regular debating three versus three format. Several Year 9s joined us this year, myself included. Sadly, this is also the year Year 13s Maddison, Jordan, and

Whakatāne High School

Charlotte leave us for their respective universities. They will be missed, but universities offer their own debating clubs and we know that they will flourish in their new environments. As Jordan said once, he could be debating with the future Prime Minister. Or, as I replied, he could be the future Prime Minister!

the adjudicators, practiced many forms of debating and hung around to watch some very heated finals! Lastly, our very own Te Aorangi Stewart was recognised as a promising young debater and will be honing her skills in the Bay of Plenty Development Squad - a huge achievement for a Year 9 and some new to the team.

A couple of our main highlights of the year was attending a BOP competition at Tauranga Boys’ High, debating with schools from across the North Island. We received feedback from

We learnt much from our competitions, and we’re all looking forward to future ones, where we will definitely be in the finals!

Te Waka Kura 2024