STRENGTH THROUGH EXPERIENCE

WESTLAKE GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL

STRENGTH THROUGH EXPERIENCE

FOREWORD

The adolescent years are particularly important in education, in that students

are formulating and stabilising the identity and the values that will underpin

their behaviour in future years.

A school needs to offer the support of a stable and secure environment,

yet at the same time, and perhaps paradoxically, be sensitive to changes in

society itself. More than ever before students must learn to be fl exible and

to develop the judgement and discernment needed to cope with the change

in beliefs and attitudes and the explosion of knowledge.

I believe that Westlake Girls High School fulfi ls this dual role by encouraging

girls to learn about themselves and their constantly changing environment,

while at the same time offering support and guidance as they practise

decision making and social skills.

The school, as well as fostering high standards of academic, sporting and

cultural achievements, endeavours to promote social responsibility and

maturity through its corporate life and discipline. This calls for commitment

and identity with the school’s activities, and fellowship and co-operation with

its standards of conduct.

Finally, we welcome an active, continuing interest and involvement of parents

in the progress and activities of their daughters while at school. Indeed, this

is essential if we are to achieve the best results for them.

A J Gernhoefer

Principal

HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL

Westlake Girls High School has been administered by the

Westlake Girls High School Board of Trustees since 1989.

Before this date, both Westlake Girls and Westlake Boys shared

a joint Board of Trustees.

The school opened in 1958, and was designed to serve the

needs of both girls and boys until Westlake Girls High School

opened in 1962. Because of our shared history, Westlake Girls

has always had close links with our brother school.

Westlake Girls High School is recognised both nationally

and internationally as a school with an outstanding level of

achievement in academic studies, music and sport. The school

has created an environment which supports a wide range of

learning experiences for our students.

The school is sited in 10 hectares of landscaped grounds.

Facilities include classrooms equipped with the latest AV

and ICT technologies, a comprehensive computer network,

music suite, science laboratories, drama room, dance studio,

swimming pool, fitness room and gymnasiums.

At Westlake Girls High School we have always worked in close partnership with our school community, as we

have recognised the mutual benefi ts of a co-operative approach to education.

This liaison can be on a personal family level, or in special interest support groups formed for a specifi c purpose, or through the

Parent Teacher Association.

Responsibilities Of ParentsTo make sure that their children come to school regularly, on

time, refreshed, alert, correctly dressed and ready to work.

To take an active and supportive interest in their children’s

work and progress.

To support the authority and discipline of the school, helping

their children to achieve maturity, self-discipline and self-

control.

To encourage the development of their children’s use of leisure

time activities and entertainment.

Responsibilities Of StudentsTo attend school regularly, on time, in correct school

uniform ready to learn and take part in school activities.

To aim at the highest standards in all aspects of school life.

To co-operate with the staff and to accept the authority

and rules of conduct of the school.

To consider and respect the feelings and property of other

people in the school.

To care for the grounds, buildings, furniture, equipment

and books provided by the school.

Parent Teacher Association

Westlake Girls High School has been fortunate in that it

has always had a Parent Teacher Association, which has

supported the school in numerous ways.

The Parents’ Association:

is active in ensuring the parents’ voice is heard•

ensures close co-operation between home and school•

SCHOOL AND COMMUNITYMISSION STATEMENT

• To create a school climate which fosters self esteem and

respect for others, and where the development of emotional

maturity and social responsibility parallels the development

of the intellect.

• To design a curriculum that involves each student in a wide

range of learning experiences. These are designed to

develop communication skills, a fl exible outlook, a sensitivity

to people, an ability to solve problems and cope with change,

an awareness and appreciation of the world in which we live

and the cultural heritage that we all inherit.

• To foster the personal development of each student so that

she may fulfi l her potential in as many fi elds as possible,

through a wide range of academic, cultural, social and

recreational activities. This concept is exemplifi ed in the

school motto Virtute Experiamur, which loosely translated is

Strength Through Experience.

• To provide opportunities for our students to acquire leadership

skills through practice in a number of different ways, within the

context of the school and community.

• To encourage and support each student to

lift her aspirations to the highest level of her

capabilities and interests.

• To provide an education that is as humanised and

personalised as far as is possible, with programmes

designed, within the school’s resources, to recognise the

unique way each student learns.

• To accommodate those students who have special abilities

and disabilities, within the regular school organisation, with

adequate auxiliary services.

• To display a commitment to education as a lifelong process

through the continuing education programme.

• To maintain strong, co-operative links with Westlake Boys

High School because of our community of interest. The

shared values make our continued liaison desirable, as it will

provide enhanced opportunities for meeting students’ needs.

English

Science

The aim of English is that students enjoy

the subject while focusing on English related skills so as to

achieve the best possible results. English is a compulsory

subject to year 12 and the acquisition of literacy credits is

very important for NCEA requirements. We have an exciting

programme at all levels where students learn to critically

evaluate texts in preparation for exam success. We offer

Additional/Alternative English classes and Cambridge

pathways from year 11 -13 for selected students. Students

have options to enter competitions, debating, drama, theatre

sports and creative writing groups. In addition, students can

chose to take Drama and Media Studies courses.

Science education is a process of helping students to

explore and investigate their world in a scientifi c way, and

construct scientifi c understandings that are relevant and

useful. The courses offered at the school provide a solid

background for students intending to further their education

in the Sciences, so that they can enter vocations where

applying scientifi c principles and knowledge is necessary.

Science can not be disconnected from the lives of the

students. Learning contexts and teaching strategies need

to take into account cultural background, gender, special

needs and the abilities of all students.

The Science Department aims to provide an environment

for learning which can:

Enrich students with knowledge and skills that help them •

make sense of the World that surrounds them.

Engage students in cognitive reasoning and concept •

formulation based upon scientifi c principles to assist them

develop existing ideas.

Challenge students to develop and apply concepts •

and skills to new situations that help promote scientifi c

understanding.

Evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching programme and •

the progression of learning.

Physical Education

Physical Education aims to:

• Help students to develop a belief in the value of Physical

Education and its usefulness to them, to nurture

confi dence in their OWN physical ability, to foster a sense

of personal achievement, and to encourage a continuing

interest in Physical Education/Sport and Well Being.

• Develop in students the skills and attitudes which will

enable them to cope confi dently with the physical demands

of everyday life.

• Help students to develop a variety of approaches to solving

problems.

• Provide a foundation for those students who may continue

studies in Fitness and Leisure.

• Help to foster and develop Physical/Sporting talent.

Courses available to students.

Year 9 and 10 Compulsory to all students.

Year11 A full NCEA programme.

Year 12 A full NCEA programme.

Year12 18 NCEA credits.

Year 13 A full NCEA programme.

Year 13 15 NCEA credits.

Scholarship Programme.

CURRICULUM

Westlake Girls High School offers a wide variety of

courses in all curriculum areas. A full list of courses

offered is available on the website.

An overview from core subject areas is provided below.

• Facilities include modern classroom blocks and gymnasiums

with some older classroom blocks.

• The proposed new developments will see a new

administration block and hockey turf added with new tennis

and netball courts plus new playing fi elds providing Westlake

Girls with state of the art facilities in the future.

• Library is equipped with state of the art information and

communication technology.

• Music Suite featuring keyboard laboratory, classrooms and

instrument practice rooms.

• Swimming Pool.

• Drama Room

• Art rooms, which include a senior art

area, design studio, photography and sculpture facilities.

• Food and Fabric Technology rooms.

• Technical block for Graphics and Design Technology.

• Guidance Suite.

• Fully equipped Information Technology Computer Suites.

• State of the art Network facilities. On-line learning

environment with access from home or abroad.

• School website has up-to-date and relevant information for

the convenience of the community.

FACILITIES

CURRICULUM

Social Sciences Qualifications

Social sciences offer courses in a diverse range of optional

learning areas at the senior level including Geography,

History, Social Studies, Sociology, Psychology, Classical

Studies and Travel and Tourism plus compulsory Social

Studies courses at the junior level. All senior courses provide

an NCEA assessment pathway from Levels 1-3 with the

option of Scholarship examinations at Level 3. History and

Geography also offer an alternative Cambridge International

examination pathway from IGCSE level (Year 11) to AS level

(Year 12) -and A2 level (Year 13) for selected students.

Mathematics is taught across all year levels. Mathematics

at Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11 NCEA Level 1 are

compulsory courses. At Year 12 and Year 13, we provide a

continuing opportunity for NCEA Level 2 and 3 Mathematics

as well as Scholarship at Year 13. As students’ abilities in

Mathematics are diverse, two different courses, in addition

to those mentioned previously, are offered: Mathematics

Applied at Years 10, 11 and 12 and Statistics in Practice at

Years 12 and 13.

An opportunity to take the Cambridge IGCSE examination at

Year 11 or the AS examination at Year 12, in conjunction with

the full NCEA examination, is offered to selected students.

Besides these courses, students have the opportunity to

enter all the mathematics competitions that are run in New

Zealand schools. The Australian Enrichment Programme is

offered to those interested students in Years 9 and 10.

The National Certifi cate Of

Educational Achievement (NCEA):

Level One 80 CREDITS

8 MATHS

8 ENGLISH/TE REO

Level Two80 CREDITS At least 60 at level 2 or higher - Reading

and writing credits are required at this level for University

Entrance.

Level Three 80 CREDITS At least 60 at level 3 or higher.

Students gain credits towards NCEA and other National

Certifi cates from Achievement Standards and Unit Standards:

Achievment Standards (AS) These standards identify the learning outcomes students

have achieved. Some will be internally assessed by subject

teachers during the year and some will be assessed by

external examination at the end of the year. There are

four possible grades that students can be awarded: Not

Achieved, Achieved, Merit or Excellence. Each standard is

worth from 1-12 credits and most subjects offer

approximately 24 credits.

Unit Standards (us)Unit Standards are offered in many subject areas. There

are two possible grades that students can be awarded:

Not Achieved or Achieved. All Unit Standards are internally

assessed. Each standard (AS or US) is worth from 1-12

credits and most subjects offer approximately 24 credits.

The school also offers Cambridge Examinations in a

number of subject areas. Many other National Certifi cates

are offered - for example, Computing and Employment

Skills.

Mathematics

CURRICULUM

Visual ArtsThe Art Department at Westlake Girls High School is well

known for the innovative and exciting courses that are

offered to the students.

More than half of the school’s population attend core or

option art classes. Students who select to study an art

subject in this school are very successful. Because of the

departments size and the range of teacher expertise, a wide

range of art fi elds are offered to students.

This includes Art History at Year 12 and Year 13, with

Sculpture, Art Design, Photography, Painting and

Printmaking offered at every level and as single subjects at

Year 13.

Year 9 students are offered an option course of Art Design

as well as the compulsory Core Art. Year 9 students are

also offered after school art extension classes in the fi rst

two terms.

Students work is exhibited annually and parents and the

community are invited to attend.

The Department has ‘state of the art’ facilities with fi ve

general purpose art rooms, exhibition areas, and specialist

rooms for Art History, Art Design, Printmaking, Photography

and Sculpture.

Students have successfully pursued careers as designers or

architects. Others have become established New Zealand

Artists or have become involved in Education.

Music

Music is an important dimension of the

school which has excellent music facilities. Students can

choose from an extensive range of musical groups such

as choirs, orchestras, jazz or rock bands, instrumental

ensembles and drama and musical productions. Many of

these activities are combined with students from Westlake

Boys High School.

Many students have been accepted vinto the highly

competitive performance music degree at Auckland

University specialising in voice, cello, piano, violin and fl ute.

Students from Westlake Girls have also represented the

school as members of the New Zealand Secondary Students

Choir and the New Zealand Youth Choir.

TECHNOLOGY

We offer a range of courses such as Graphics, Fabric

Technology, Food and Nutrition, Hard Materials, Hospitality,

and Child Development.

In the senior school students sit both Achievement and

Unit Standards. Students are given the opportunity to

work through the technological process to ensure positive

outcomes.

Management

Westlake Girls High School is administered by the Board of

Trustees through the Prinicipal and Senior Management Team

of Deputy Principals and Assistant Principals.

Interviews With The Principal

The Principal welcomes any opportunity to meet personally,

particularly the parents of new students, and those who

have any matter they would like to discuss concerning their

daughter(s). Appointments to do so should fi rst be made with

the Principal’s Secretary (direct line (09) 4893070).

School Organisation

• Each of the Assistant Principals is allocated a year level

and has general oversight of all of the activities of that level.

• Each student is placed in a form class with a form teacher

who is responsible for all day-to-day matters. The Form

Teacher is the person to whom routine notes about

absence, health matters, progress and homework should

be addressed.

• Deans work closely with the Deputy Principal or

Assistant Principal who is in charge of their year level

and are involved with class placement, monitoring of

absences and academic progress. In consultation with

the Assistant Principal, they may be involved with

minor matters of discipline. However, serious matters

of discipline are referred to the Principal and Board of

Trustees. Fortunately, this happens rarely.

Homework

Students need to develop sound work habits. Parents can

assist in this development by helping their daughter(s) organise

homework. At Year 9 and 10 level, on average 1-1.5 hours

homework is set for each week night. It should be noted in

the student’s hand book.

Homework includes:

• reading

• preparation for new work

• completion of work started in class

• revision and practice exercises

• preparation of projects or assignments

• background research (e.g. current events)

• learning vocabulary or important facts

• revising for class tests or examinations

Parents can assist by:

• taking an interest in homework

• checking the student’s plan book once a week

• helping students to plan their time effectively

• providing a quiet room, a straight chair, a table and a

good light

ADMINISTRATION, PASTORAL CARE AND GUIDANCE

Interviews With The Principal

The Principal welcomes any opportunity to meet personally,

particularly the parents of new students, and those who

have any matter they would like to discuss concerning their

daughter(s). Appointments to do so should fi rst be made with

the Principal’s Secretary (direct line (09) 4893070).

School Organisation

• Each of the Assistant Principals is allocated a year level

and has general oversight of all of the activities of that level.

Westlake Girls High School encourages participation in

extra-curricular sporting or cultural activities. We believe that

it is an important dimension of a young person’s education,

particularly at secondary school level.

Aims:• to foster an active participation.

• to provide opportunities to develop personal skills,

including leadership.

• to encourage commitment and loyalty to the activities of

the team/group.

• to provide opportunities for social interaction in a range

of settings.

• to develop and practise a strong sense of fair play.

SportsWestlake Girls High School is one of New Zealand’s leading

sporting schools with a long-standing tradition and strong

commitment to sporting excellence.

The school encourages participation in extra-curricular sporting

activities offering over thirty sports for students from Aerobics to

Water Polo.

The aim is to foster an active participation, provide opportunities

to develop personal, leadership skills, social interaction and

practice a sense of fairplay. Participating in sport enables

students to experience the special benefi ts that it offers while

building a strong school spirit with staff and students involved

together leading to mutual enjoyment and positive benefi ts to

the classroom teaching/learning environment.

Other activities offered include:

Christian Fellowship

Community Service

Debating

Drama

Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme

Future Problem Solving

International Association

Kapa Haka

Outdoor Education

Spirit of Adventure

Stage Challenge

Theatre Sports

Young Enterprise Scheme

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

The school takes pride in the appearance of all of its

students, as this contributes to the school image.

The Board of Trustees seeks the full co-operation of all students

and parents in maintaining a high standard of dress code.

Years 9, 10, 11 and 12

The uniform for these levels is a mix and match, all year

round, wardrobe consisting of:

Green pleated skirt

Tartan pleated skirt

Short sleeved blouse

Long sleeved blouse

Long sleeved green jumper

Sleeveless green vest

Green blazer

Black pantyhose or white socks

An additional choice for Year 11 and 12 students only is

green trousers.

Year 13 students are not required to wear school uniform,

but intending Year 13 students will be given details of an

appropriate dress code.

FootwearStudents may wear black or brown sandals during summer.

However, they must be worn correctly, with the back straps

up. At other times, black leather (not suede) walking shoes

are to be worn.

N.B. Jandals and fabric shoes are not permitted and sports

shoes may only be worn during Physical Education periods.

Hair RegulationsHair must be well-groomed, tidy and off the face in

working conditions.

Any teacher has the right to insist on hair being tied back

in the interest of safety, hygiene or concentration.

Only natural hair colours are acceptable. Ribbon or

scrunchies used to tie the hair back must be in the school

colours of green or red.

JewelleryStudents who have pierced ears may wear one set of gold

or silver studs (one stud in each ear), but all other jewellery

is unacceptable with school uniform and may not be worn.

The only exception is a watch.

NOTE: Nose studs/rings, eyebrow studs/rings or any

other visible body piercings are not permitted under any

circumstances.

Students are not to wear make-up at school.

UNIFORM

For Physical Education and sports Year 9 and 10 students

must wear the PE uniform. All other students must wear

suitable shorts or track pants, short sleeved blouse or T-shirt,

sports shoes (essential for safety). The school polo shirt may

be worn for Physical Education.

Uniform StockistThe school uniform is available only at the school’s Uniform

Shop. Opening times are available on website.

Uniform ExchangeItems of uniform which are in good condition but have

become too small are available for sale in the school

Uniform Shop.

Special Uniforms

If a student is representing the school in

any sport, she must wear the offi cially

accepted sports uniform, available from

the school, for that code, in the school colours. A school

tracksuit may be purchased from the Uniform Shop or hired

for special school occasions.

Guidance

Confi dential help is available to all students and their parents

on any matters of concern to them, on an individual basis.

Generally, the student should fi rst seek assistance, whether

for personal or academic reasons, from the Form Teacher.

She/he is responsible for the organisation and administration

of matters which concern the form or tutor group, and for the

welfare of its members. Students may also refer themselves

to the Deputy Principal, or Assistant Principal in charge

of a year level, or directly to members of the Guidance

Department.

However, all teachers share a part of the guidance and

counselling and, according to the need and circumstances,

it is given by Form Teacher, Dean, Careers Counsellors,

Guidance Counsellors and Senior Administrative staff

members.

The school respects the privacy of each student and family

and will not disclose any confi dential information to outside

agencies, unless authorised to do so by the student and

family concerned.

The Guidance Counsellors have had specialised training to

assist students with personal diffi culties that they may not

wish to share with other teachers. They also have access to

various community agencies, should this be required.

In addition, the school offers extensive career education,

which takes a different form at each level, appropriate

to the needs of the students. All students, at whatever

level, may take the opportunity to learn interview and job

searching skills. The Careers Counsellors, in conjunction

with the Career team, organise displays, talks,

careers evenings and welcome interviews with students

and parents.

Subject Choice, Careers, And Vocational GuidanceAll students are individually counselled by senior staff

members when they are making decisions about

academic courses for their next year of study. Parents are

welcome to attend these interviews.

Generally, the school policy is to encourage students

to maintain a broad programme of study for as long as

possible. This ensures that students have a wide range of

options when making decisions about future study.

ADMINISTRATION, PASTORAL CARE AND GUIDANCE

Student Hand Books

School student hand books are designed as

a communication link between school and home. They can

be used to note down the student’s timetable, homework,

absence notes, teacher or parent comments, as well as

listing the uniform requirements. Hand books are available for

purchase at the beginning of the school year.

Canteen

The canteen provides a wholesome lunch at a reasonable

price. A varied menu including sandwiches, rolls, hot pies,

fruit, cakes etc is available every day.

Code Of Conduct

• All New Zealand laws and North Shore City by-laws are

automatically school regulations.

• Acceptance of the school rules and discipline is a condition

of enrolment.

• Students are expected to show consideration and respect

for others.

• Students are expected to show respect for the property of

other people.

• Students are forbidden to have in their possession

tobacco, alcohol, unauthorised drugs, offensive and

dangerous weapons or matches or lighters.

Transport To School

Motor vehicles and power cycles:

• Students may drive motor vehicles and power cycles to

school, with parental consent and school approval. There

is no student parking available within the school grounds,

and there is very limited parking available in adjacent

streets.

• Each student must abide by the terms of her drivers’

licence.

• Passengers may be carried only with written permission of

the parents of both the driver and the passenger.

Buses

• Public bus companies provide a variety of school bus

services before and after school at normal student rates.

Timetables/services are available on the school website.