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Te Reo O Te Roto
The Language of the Lake
Issue 125 | 11 September 2026
From the Principal

Principal's Message

Tēnā koutou katoa,

It has been an exceptionally busy few weeks at Westlake Girls, and we have now reached the end of the first of two weeks of senior school examinations.

These exams provide students with an important opportunity to test their knowledge, recognise what they are doing well and identify where further work is needed as they prepare for the formal NZQA examinations in Term 4.

The learning that takes place after these exams is just as valuable. During the final week of term, teachers will work closely with students to review their performance, provide targeted feedback and help them make clear decisions about where to focus their efforts next. For this reason, it is essential that students continue to attend school throughout that final week. The conversations, feedback and learning that happen during this time can make a genuine difference to their confidence and preparation for the weeks ahead.

Alongside this academic focus, many of our students have been representing Westlake Girls at competitions and performances around the country. We are incredibly proud of their achievements, including the wonderful results from the Big Sing National Finale and across a range of national sporting competitions.

Behind every result are many hours of preparation, determination and teamwork, together with the support of teachers, coaches, tutors, families and teammates. It is always rewarding to see our students embracing these opportunities and representing their school with such commitment and pride.

There is much to celebrate in this issue of Te Reo o Te Roto, and I hope you enjoy reading about the achievements and experiences of our students.

Kind regards,

Jane

Music

Westlake Choirs Strike Gold on the National Stage

Westlake choirs claimed three of only eight Gold Awards presented nationwide at the 2026 NZCF The Big Sing National Finale, adding two special awards to an outstanding season of choral achievement.

Held in Christchurch, the National Finale saw each of Westlake’s three premier choirs perform two recitals before a panel of expert adjudicators, including international clinician and composer David Childs. Choirs required a score of at least 85 points to earn Gold, with Westlake achieving the following results:

  • Choralation, directed by Fiona Wilson: Gold Award and Best Performance of a Pre-20th Century Piece
  • Cantare, directed by Fiona Wilson: Gold Award, continuing an unbroken run of Golds since 2017
  • Voicemale, directed by David Squire: Gold Award and Best Performance in an Other Style

The Finale results followed Nota Bella’s success at the NZCF Cadenza Festival in Rotorua, where Westlake’s junior treble choir earned a Tūī Gold Award.

Across the two festivals, the choirs performed a rich and varied repertoire, ranging from works by Bach, Mendelssohn, Stanford and Fauré to contemporary New Zealand compositions and folk-inspired music from Finland and Latvia. Singing across different languages, cultures and musical traditions gave students an opportunity to explore new forms of storytelling through song.

The students delivered some of their strongest performances of the year while supporting fellow singers and connecting with choristers from throughout New Zealand.

Thank you to Cathy Bennett, Soomin Kim and James Harrison, and to Joo Yeon Lee and Kasey Hani Lui, who supported the students and staff throughout the trip.

The season continues on Sunday 11 October when Cantare performs Britten’s War Requiem with Auckland Choral and the Auckland Youth Choir. Choralation will also perform at a University of Auckland graduation ceremony and open the International Principals Conference in Auckland.

Photography: Louis Park and Craig Forster, Lightchasers
Sports

Westlake Girls Claims Top Seed for Nationals

Westlake Girls Premier will head to the New Zealand Secondary Schools Championship as the tournament’s top seed after defending its Auckland title and winning the BBNZ Zone 1 Qualifier for the sixth consecutive year.

The Auckland Championship final delivered a hard-fought rematch against St Kentigern College, the team that had handed Westlake its first loss of the season only weeks earlier.

Trailing by 17 points at halftime, Westlake produced a remarkable second-half comeback to claim the championship 63–60.

When the teams met again one week later in the Zone 1 Qualifier final, Westlake took control from the outset. The team led 18–12 after the opening quarter before surging to a commanding 47–20 halftime advantage. Westlake maintained its intensity throughout the second half, completing a dominant 39-point victory to secure the Zone 1 title and the top seed for Nationals for the fifth consecutive year.

Several representative players have also brought valuable international experience to the team this season. Mia John represented the Cook Islands Under-18 team at the Asia Cup, while Katie Moore and Imani Rasmussen represented New Zealand at the FIBA Under-17 Women’s Basketball World Cup.

Imani has enjoyed a particularly remarkable year, progressing from the New Zealand Under-17 team to making her Tall Ferns debut at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Mexico.

Westlake Girls Premier now heads to Palmerston North for the New Zealand Secondary Schools Championship, beginning Monday 28 September, where the team will aim to defend its national title.

Arts & Culture

Te Puna Celebrates a Term of Leadership and Connection

From making history at Ngā Manu Kōrero to welcoming international hockey teams, celebrating Matariki and strengthening connections with Ngāti Pāoa, Te Puna ō Hiwa-i-te-Rangi ākonga embraced a remarkable range of cultural, leadership and learning opportunities throughout Term 2.

For the first time in Westlake Girls’ history, students represented the school across all four divisions of the regional Ngā Manu Kōrero speech competition. Amelia Moke, Blake McLeod, Avia Masaga and Olivia Retimana delivered powerful speeches exploring identity, unity, environmental responsibility and belonging.

Olivia earned third place with her moving speech, Home: The Place Your Soul Bookmarks. Blake and Avia each placed fifth, while Amelia secured sixth place in the highly competitive Senior Māori division.

Te Rerenga Wāna also represented Westlake on an international sporting stage, performing haka pōhiri throughout the Hockey Nations tournament in Auckland. Groups of 10 ākonga welcomed the New Zealand Black Sticks and visiting international teams onto the turf before each game, demonstrating considerable commitment across a demanding week of performances.

Back at school, ākonga led lunchtime activities during Matariki Week and attended weekend wānanga to prepare for their Matariki performance at Westlake Boys. Te Puna students also contributed to the school’s ANZAC assembly, welcomed new citizens at a citizenship ceremony, performed for residents at a local retirement village and helped welcome Hamilton Girls’ High School for the schools’ inaugural sports exchange.

A three-part wānanga series hosted by Ngāti Pāoa gave students further opportunities to learn about significant whenua, history, whakapapa and environmental restoration. Their experiences ranged from visiting Pūkorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre and sites across East Auckland to an overnight stay at Piritahi Marae on Waiheke Island.

Year 9 ākonga strengthened relationships during their Term 2 camp, while Māhina Browne celebrated success closer to home by winning the Year 9 speech competition with her presentation on why respect is important.

Together, these experiences made Term 2 one of learning, service, performance and connection – with Te Puna ākonga representing Westlake Girls proudly both within the school and across the wider community.

    
Music

Four Golds for Westlake at KBB Music Festival

Westlake musicians earned four Gold, two Silver and one Bronze award at the 2026 KBB Music Festival, alongside two special awards recognising an exceptional soloist and the performance of a New Zealand composition.

The annual festival brought together 166 secondary school ensembles from 57 schools, with musicians from Westlake Girls and Westlake Boys achieving an outstanding set of results:

  • Gold: Westlake Concert Band, Westlake Big Band, Westlake Symphony Orchestra and Westlake Chamber Orchestra
  • Silver: Westlake Girls Jazz Band and Westlake Girls Symphonic Band
  • Bronze: Taharoto Strings

Westlake Concert Band received the award for Best Performance of a New Zealand Work by a Concert Band for Karanga, composed by the band’s director and Westlake Boys Head of Music, Warwick Robinson.

Westlake Symphony Orchestra also received the Soloist Award for its performance of Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto, featuring pianist Shan Liu.

All four Westlake premier ensembles earned invitations to the festival’s Gala Concerts on Saturday. Under a recent rule limiting the number of ensembles able to perform from each school, Westlake Chamber Orchestra and Westlake Symphony Orchestra were selected to take the stage, showcasing their musicianship alongside some of the festival’s leading ensembles.

These results reflect the dedication of the students and the year-long support of conductors Joo Yeon Lee, David Squire and Jono Howan, together with Westlake’s instrumental tutors.

Congratulations to everyone involved in an exceptional festival campaign.
Sports

Westlake Girls Books Its Place at Netball Nationals

Westlake Girls Premier Netball has secured a place at the 2026 New Zealand Secondary Schools Championship after an impressive top-four finish at the Upper North Island Secondary Schools tournament in Hamilton.

Under new coach Stacey Rasmussen, Westlake confirmed its place at Nationals on the penultimate day of competition, with the team’s experienced defensive unit playing a pivotal role throughout the tournament.

Tall Fern Imani Rasmussen was a standout, bringing international-level composure, defensive awareness and expertly timed pressure to the court. At goal defence, co-captain Aaliyah Sina’au was equally influential. Her high work rate disrupted opposition attacks, while her leadership proved invaluable both on and off the court.

The tournament also provided an important development opportunity for Year 10 players Alice Whyte, McKenzie Te Awa and Jaime Roozendaal. Competing at premier level allowed the trio to test themselves against some of the country’s strongest school players, learn from their experienced teammates and experience the demands of high-level tournament netball.

A defining performance came against Hamilton Girls’ High School. Westlake made a blistering start, racing to a 10–4 lead by the end of the opening quarter. Hamilton worked to close the gap over the following two quarters, but Westlake remained composed before pulling away to record a convincing 29–19 victory. The result secured Westlake a place in the semifinals and confirmed its qualification for Nationals.

Westlake is one of four teams affiliated with Auckland Netball to qualify for this year’s national tournament, which will be played at the Auckland Netball Centre.

There will also be a familiar Westlake connection among the opposition: South Island champion St Hilda’s Collegiate will be supported by its new principal, former Westlake Girls Associate Principal Nicky Whitham-Blackwell.

Westlake Girls is accustomed to strong support from its school and wider community, and competing close to home will give family, friends and supporters a valuable opportunity to get behind the team. That home-court support will provide an important boost as the players prepare to take on the country’s best secondary school sides.

With a strong blend of experienced leaders and emerging talent, Westlake Girls Premier heads into Nationals ready for its next challenge.

2026 New Zealand Secondary Schools Qualifiers

UPPER NORTH ISLAND  LOWER NORTH ISLAND SOUTH ISLAND 
Mt Albert Grammar St Marys College St Hilda’s
Trident High Scots College St Margarets
Hamilton Girls Queen Margaret St Andrews 
Westlake Girls Wellington East Ashburton 
St Kentigern Wellington College Columba
St Marys

 

Arts & Culture

Three Westlake Songwriters Named National Finalists

Westlake Girls students Hollie Blackwell, Piper Donaldson and Paula Quiambao have been named finalists in the Lion Foundation Songwriting Competition, earning each of them the opportunity to record and master an original song in a professional studio.

The competition is the largest event on the Play It Strange calendar, attracting submissions from young songwriters throughout New Zealand and featuring judges including acclaimed musicians Bret McKenzie and Gin Wigmore, and Play It Strange founder Mike Chunn.

Hollie, Year 13, was selected for her song Ghosts, while Year 12 students Piper and Paula were recognised for What’s This For and Next to You respectively.

All three songs were created through Westlake’s Contemporary Music programme, taught by music teacher Jono Howan. Having three students selected from a large national field is an outstanding achievement and reflects the strength of emerging songwriting talent at Westlake.

As finalists, Hollie, Piper and Paula will each spend a full day in a professional recording studio, where industry specialists will record and master their work. The finished tracks will feature on the Play It Strange album later this year, giving the students valuable experience taking an original song from composition through to a professionally produced release. Each songwriter retains full ownership and rights to their work.

This is Hollie and Paula’s second Play It Strange success of 2026, with both students also selected as finalists in the Peace Song Competition earlier this year.

We look forward to hearing all three finished tracks when they are released.

Sports

Climbing to the Top

Just 10 points separated Westlake Girls from the top of the Auckland College Climbing Series, with our climbers finishing an outstanding second overall after four rounds of competition.

The team completed a strong series in the fourth and final round, with three Westlake Girls climbers reaching the finals. Bailey Welch and Amaya Tan-Peters finished first and second respectively in the Senior Division, while Jessica Allen placed fifth in the Junior Division.

Across the overall series, Westlake accumulated an impressive 666 points, finishing narrowly behind Takapuna Grammar School on 676.

Individually, Amaya and Bailey finished equal first in the Senior Division standings, while Jessica secured fifth place overall in the Junior Division.

The team now turns its attention to the New Zealand Secondary Schools Bouldering Nationals, where the climbers will once again test themselves against some of the country’s best.
Sports

Westlake Riders Rise to the NISS Challenge

Westlake Girls riders demonstrated skill, resilience and outstanding team spirit at the 2026 North Island Secondary Schools Equestrian Tournament, earning three top-six placings despite fierce winds and a substantially larger field.

With more than 100 additional horse-and-rider combinations competing this year, the five-member Westlake team faced strong competition across the event.

Hazel Wilson-Watts placed fourth in the 90cm Show Hunter, while Neve Anderson secured fourth place in the 90cm–1m Two-Phase Show Jumping. Skyla Warner also delivered an excellent performance, finishing sixth in her dressage class.

Alongside Hazel, Neve and Skyla, Rhea Bourhill and Mikayla Gow contributed to a memorable week of competition, supporting their teammates and representing Westlake Girls with pride.

Congratulations to all five riders – and their very pretty four-legged teammates – on a fantastic tournament!

 
STEAM

Building Stethoscopes and Engineering Curiosity

Year 9 STEAM students stepped into the role of biomedical engineers during a hands-on Robogals workshop, designing and testing their own working stethoscopes using everyday materials.

Using balloons and paper-towel tubes, students explored how the heart functions, why a heartbeat produces sound and how medical professionals monitor cardiac health.

Once their stethoscopes were assembled, the students listened to heartbeats and breathing before measuring how their heart rates changed after exercise. They then refined their designs to improve the quality of the sound — putting the engineering process of building, testing and adapting into practice.

The workshop gave students an engaging, real-world demonstration of how science and engineering work together to improve human health.

Thank you to the Robogals team for creating such an inspiring learning experience for our future engineers.
Music

Record Turnout for Junior Treble Voices Festival

More than 450 young singers filled Westlake Girls with music when the school hosted its fifth annual Junior Treble Voices Festival — the largest in the event’s history.

Held on Sunday 9 August, the festival brought together junior choirs from Belmont Intermediate, Carmel College, Takapuna Normal Intermediate, Kristin Junior School, Ficino School, North Shore Junior Music, Murrays Bay Intermediate, Northcross Intermediate, the New Zealand Children’s Choral Academy and Westlake Girls’ own junior choir, Nota Bella.

Created especially for young soprano and alto singers, the festival offered a supportive, non-competitive environment in which participants could develop their skills, connect with other choristers and learn from experienced clinicians.

Throughout the day, singers rotated through workshops with Canadian clinician Kelsey Taylor and Westlake Head of Faculty Fiona Wilson, composer Takerei Komene, vocal development sessions led by singing specialists Margo Button and Kate Webber, and music games with Gnesyer Gomez.

Kelsey also led massed rehearsals in preparation for three combined pieces performed at the festival’s sold-out concert. Family and friends were treated to performances from each participating choir before all 450 voices came together for the massed numbers.

The singing, laughter and new friendships shared throughout the day captured the spirit of an event that continues to grow each year.

Special thanks to festival organiser Kasey Hani Lui for coordinating such a successful and complex event.
Sports

Young Football Team Makes Its Mark at Nationals

A young Westlake Girls football team reached the Round of 16 at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Nationals in Taupō after an impressive group-stage campaign in which first place was decided only on goal difference.

Westlake finished second in its group to progress to the knockout stage, where a tightly contested match against New Plymouth Girls’ High School was ultimately decided by a penalty shootout. The result brought Westlake’s tournament run to an end, with the team placing 16th overall.

Year 10 students Neeva Harvey, Mae Shaw and Vanessa Harrison each found the back of the net during the tournament, highlighting the exciting young talent developing within the squad.

The tournament also marked the final national campaign for Year 13 players India Munro, Mia Ishihara and captain Olivia Buxton, whom we thank for their contribution to Westlake football.

We also farewell Year 12 student Ruby Harwood, who is moving out of Auckland. Ruby marked her final appearance for Westlake in memorable fashion by scoring her first goal for the school.

Music

Nota Bella Earns Gold at Cadenza

Westlake Girls’ junior choir Nota Bella earned a Tūī Gold Award and the trophy for Best Performance of a Piece in Te Reo Māori at the 2026 Upper North Island NZCF Cadenza Festival in Rotorua.

Directed by Elise Bradley MNZM, Nota Bella was one of only 12 Upper North Island choirs selected for the festival, held at the Sir Howard Morrison Centre from Monday 17 to Wednesday 19 August.

Across the three-day event, the choir’s 36 Year 9 and 10 singers rehearsed, refined their technique through workshops and formed new friendships with choristers from Auckland, Tauranga and Rotorua.

Nota Bella presented two outstanding recitals featuring repertoire in English, te reo Māori and Malay, as well as the festival test piece, Scarborough Fair, arranged by adjudicator Brent Stewart.

The choir’s performance of Tūī Canon by Takerei Komene earned the trophy for Best Performance of a Piece in Te Reo Māori. Takerei, Nota Bella’s conducting intern, also conducted the work during the competition.

The two awards reflect months of dedication and musical growth from the young singers. Special thanks to vocal tutor Kate Webber and collaborative pianist Sofia Onishko for their outstanding musical contributions, and to the Westlake staff, families and friends who supported the choir throughout its Cadenza journey.
Arts & Culture

Dance Students Step into the Spotlight

Dancers from every year level took to the stage for the 2026 Dance Showcase, celebrating a year of creativity, commitment and growth through an energetic programme of class, troupe and scholarship performances.

Each group brought its own style and character to the stage, with students demonstrating the confidence and performance skills they have developed throughout the year.

Among the evening’s highlights were the scholarship works, which showcased the technical ability, creativity and individuality of some of Westlake’s accomplished dancers. The Dance Troupes also delivered polished performances, while the class pieces gave students across all year levels an opportunity to share their work with a live audience.

The showcase reflected not only the talent of the dancers, but also the dedication of the teachers and support staff who guided them throughout the year.

Thank you to the families and friends who filled the audience and helped make the 2026 Dance Showcase such a special celebration of dance at Westlake.
Music

Gala Week Sets the Stage for Competition Season

    

Musicians from Westlake Girls and Westlake Boys filled two packed evenings with exceptional choral and instrumental performances during Gala Week – gaining valuable experience under concert conditions before taking their music to major competitions around the country.

The annual Gala Concerts began with the Choral Gala, featuring choirs from both schools. Westlake’s premier choirs, Cantare and Choralation, led the programme alongside Nota Bella and Cigno Voce, with Westlake Boys’ Voicemale and Momentum completing an evening that showcased the strength and variety of choral music across the two schools.

Later in the week, the Instrumental Gala brought together the combined premier ensembles: Westlake Big Band, Westlake Symphony Orchestra, Westlake Concert Band and Westlake Chamber Orchestra. They were joined by Westlake Girls’ development ensembles, Westlake Girls Jazz Band, Westlake Girls Symphonic Band and Taharoto Orchestra, whose performances demonstrated how far their young musicians have progressed this year.

The concerts provided an important final opportunity to perform before live audiences ahead of the season’s major competitions. Our instrumental ensembles went on to perform for adjudicators at Auckland’s Holy Trinity Cathedral during the KBB Music Festival, while our choirs prepared for the next stage of The Big Sing. Cantare and Choralation travelled to Christchurch for the national Finale, and Nota Bella headed to Rotorua for Cadenza.

Across two memorable evenings, Gala Week celebrated the depth of musical talent at Westlake and gave every ensemble valuable experience before stepping onto the competition stage.
Music

Westlake Choirs Take Their Music into the Community

Westlake’s three premier choirs shared their music with audiences across the North Shore during a special day-long tour – culminating in a memorable performance for Stuart Mannings, the first music teacher at the original co-educational Westlake High School.

In the final stages of preparation for the New Zealand Choral Federation’s Big Sing National Finale, the singers performed at Takapuna Normal Intermediate, Murrays Bay Intermediate and Mayfair Retirement Village on Friday 21 August.

At the two intermediate schools, the choirs offered younger students a lively introduction to Westlake’s choral culture and a glimpse of the musical opportunities awaiting them at secondary school.

The final performance of the day held particular significance. Among the audience at Mayfair Retirement Village was 89-year-old Stuart Manins, whose work helped lay the foundations for Westlake’s enduring musical legacy.

Performing for younger students, members of the wider community and a remarkable figure from Westlake’s history made the pre-Finale tour a memorable experience for everyone involved.
Arts & Culture

Senior Portfolio Exhibition 2026

Discover the creativity and talent of our Year 11–13 Visual Arts students at the 2026 Senior Portfolio Exhibition.

Featuring more than 255 portfolios across painting, design, sculpture, photography and printmaking, this annual exhibition celebrates the ideas, skill and dedication our students have developed throughout the year.

Join us in the Art Department, A Block, on Tuesday 27 October from 3.30–6pm.

 

Alumni

Calling Our Former Cricketers!

We’re looking forward to welcoming former Westlake Girls cricket players back to school this October for a special Cricket Reunion.

It will be an opportunity to reconnect with former teammates, share memories and celebrate the people and history that have helped shape cricket at Westlake Girls over the years.

Whether your time on the team was recent or several decades ago, we’d love to see you there – and please help us spread the word to former teammates who may have lost touch with the school.

Full event details are included in the flyer.

To register your interest or find out more, contact Dean Flyger at [email protected].

Notices

Teeing Up for a Cause!

Our annual Westlake Girls Golf Day returns this November, bringing our community together for an afternoon of friendly competition while raising funds for the school’s Empowerment Fund.

Teams of four will take on an Ambrose format across either the front or back nine at Pupuke Golf Club, with competitions for Closest to the Pin, Longest Drive, Best Dressed and Winning Team.

There are plenty of ways to get behind the day – gather a team, support us as a Hole Partner, or donate a prize for the raffles and silent auction.

Every contribution helps the Empowerment Fund create opportunities for Westlake Girls students.

For further information or to get involved, contact Dean Flyger at [email protected].

Thanks to our valued partners!

Volvo North Shore Shakespeare Orthodontist

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