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Term 1 at Wairarapa College has been achieved with excellence, hit for six, and worthy of a standing ovation! It has been a very positive start to the year, focusing on enhancing our culture of care and excellence.
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To our new students, well done on embracing our school culture and making WaiCol your own. To our Year 13's and student leaders, thank you for stepping up and demonstrating what it means to be part of this school.
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A special acknowledgment to those who have made the most of the opportunities offered this term—whether you’ve been part of our incredible Shakespeare groups, choirs, sports teams, service groups, or simply turned up every day and given it your best. Every positive contribution matters and helps to enhance the special character of our school.
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As the term comes to an end, it is important to take a moment to farewell some special staff and students. We say goodbye to a fantastic group of Brazilian exchange students, who have been part of a government programme designed to give students the opportunity to experience life in a different country and school. Thank you for being part of our community - we wish you all the best for the future!
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A massive thank you goes out to Mr Gavin McEwan, who has served as a Learning Support Coordinator since mid-2024. His fixed term position has concluded but his invaluable support for both students and staff has been greatly appreciated.
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We also farewell Mr Phillip Roach, who leaves us at the end of this term. Phil's contributions, both in and out of the classroom, have made a significant positive impact on our PE and Basketball programmes.
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With wisdom and courage—kia mātau, kia māia.
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LEAD values
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"We are what we repeatedly do." Students are recognised for displaying our values with LEAD points on our school app, SchoolBridge. Well done to the following students who have gained the most recognitions for Term One in their respective year level:
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Year 9 - Robert Evans and Lilly Brooks
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NCEA Success
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Our NCEA Level 2 results for 2024 were the best since 2018 and our overall results remain above the national average and comparable schools. Congratulations to the following students who excelled gaining Merit and Excellence Endorsements.
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2024 Level 1 Student Endorsements
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2024 Level 2 Student Endorsements
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2024 Level 3 Student Endorsements
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International students
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The eleven Year 12 Brazilian students who have been attending the college since February are about to go home.
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The students, all from the state of Sao Paul, will begin their long journey home on Wednesday of the first week of the holidays.
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Their trip, which will take nearly 30 hours, will involve three flights. From Wellington to Auckland; from Auckland to Santiago in Chile and then from Santiago to Sao Paulo in Brazil.
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We are all going to miss these noisy, happy, bubbly students from our classes, and we hope that they will come back to visit us in the future.
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Another group of ten Brazilian students will arrive in July for a one term stay.
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My Journey as an Exchange Student
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By: Yasmim Santiago, Year 12
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Studying abroad is a life-changing experience, and my time at Wairarapa College has been nothing short of incredible. Adjusting to a new language and culture came with challenges, but each one made my journey even more rewarding.
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The New Zealand education system was a highlight for me. Learning here is engaging, and programmes like Agriculture and LEAD were completely new to me. The school itself was massive—ten times the size of my school in Brazil(!)—yet so welcoming. Students and staff, from teachers to office and cleaning staff, were kind and supportive. The range of extracurricular activities, from sports to arts and cultural events, was also very impressive.
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Beyond school, New Zealand itself left a lasting impact. The friendly people, the breath-taking scenery, and the balance of urban and rural life made every day exciting. One of the biggest surprises for me was the freedom and trust students are given. Compared to Brazil’s stricter school system, students here have more independence and responsibility.
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New Zealand’s strong economy and high living standards were also eye-opening. The cost of living, especially food, was surprisingly affordable, and I always felt safe walking around Masterton—something I don’t always experience in Brazil. The low poverty and crime rates contributed to a sense of security that made my experience even better.
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As my exchange ends in April, I find myself wishing I could stay longer. One thing is certain—I will be back! New Zealand is truly one of the best places to live.
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Relay for Life: $18,000 Raised With Pride
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Relay for Life is more than just a fundraiser; it’s a chance to stand together, remember loved ones, and contribute to a cause that touches so many lives. Wairarapa College students and community once again showed their incredible spirit and generosity at this year’s Relay for Life, raising an outstanding $18,000 for the Cancer Society. Over 150 students took part, walking and running through the night with pride, determination, and a shared commitment to supporting those affected by cancer. Their dedication reflects the heart of our school—a culture of care, excellence, and community engagement.
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A huge thank you to everyone who participated, donated, and supported the event. Your efforts make a real difference!
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Year 12 Road Safety Skills with RYDA
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Our Year 12 students participated in the RYDA (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness) programme, designed to equip young drivers with the knowledge and skills to make safer choices on the road.
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Hosted by Road Safety Education Ltd, RYDA is a nationally recognised initiative that provides students with real-world insights into the responsibilities of being a driver or passenger. The programme includes interactive workshops, expert presentations, and hands-on activities that highlight the dangers of distractions, speeding, and impaired driving.
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Students engaged with experienced facilitators, including road safety professionals and emergency service personnel, who shared powerful stories and practical advice. One of the most impactful sessions involved analysing real-life crash scenarios, which helps students to understand the consequences of poor decision-making behind the wheel.
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Feedback from our students was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing how the programme opened their eyes to the realities of road safety. Parents and whānau can support these learnings by discussing key road safety messages at home and reinforcing safe driving behaviours.
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Careers and Pathways Update
What a great start to 2025 we have had! We have been busy with various short courses, giving back to the community, university visits and the REAP in class programme. The students have been busy planning and getting ready for Work Experience, writing their CV’s, learning how to contribute within a group, how to plan a career pathway, how to write in plain English and how to look for a job.
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Several of our students stepped up to lend a hand with noise production as part of setting up the stage for one of Masterton’s biggest community events, Summer Hummer! It was a great day filled with teamwork, providing not only a chance to give back to the community but also an opportunity to gain valuable work experience.
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Pathways To Work students were lucky to have a visit from Ben and Grace from Wairarapa Chiropractic. The pair came to talk about how they came to be chiropractors which included advice on running a business as well as what to think about when applying for a job.
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In February students completed and achieved Sports Coaching Certificates. It was great to see them applying their new skills in this field and helping out with our junior sports teams.
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During March, 43 students completed Comprehensive First Aid and since April students have attended a First Aid revalidation course to keep their certification valid. We are thrilled to see our ākonga growing and learning new skills.
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83 students from Wairarapa College have had a successful start to their courses at UCOL and we have had great feedback so far.
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Next term our Pathways To Work students will head out to their work experience placements. We have been facilitating their interviews and ‘meet and greets,' which are an opportunity to introduce themselves and meet the people they are going to work with.
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We would like to give the following local businesses an acknowledgement for having already accepted students for work experience:
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· Elite Drainage Wairarapa Ltd
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· PGG Wrightson Martinborough
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· Big Daves Mechanical Services
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· Martinborough Plumbing and Gas
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· Lorna Potter Hair Spa Health
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· Ten O’clock Cookie Café
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· Pohutukawa Early Learning Centre
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· Verhaart & Laffey Plumbing
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· Hunting and Fishing Wairarapa
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· Madison Hair Studio & Nails
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· New Zealand Riding for the Disabled Wairarapa
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If you think your business might consider taking on a student for work experience, please contact Anja (alister@waicol.nz or 063700400 – ext 774).
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This term we have hosted representatives from the various universities. These visits have been informative and helpful for our senior students, who have learned about what the different universities offer, as well as key dates, scholarship opportunities, accommodation options and what life on campus can look like.
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In June, Rhys from Victoria University of Wellington will come back and talk to any interested students about how to apply for a scholarship.
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On Wednesday 11th June we will be taking interested students to the UCOL open day in Masterton.
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A team member from Otago University will visit our college on Monday 16th of June during Period 4.
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At the end of June we are planning on taking a group of students to the Careers Expo in Wellington. More information about this will come.
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We have also teamed up with Mākoura College to host a visit from Massey University's College of Creative Arts on 6 May. Our Kapa Haka and Poly groups will perform, and students will have the chance to explore exciting career pathways in the performing arts.
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Driver Licence Courses Term 2
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Wairarapa REAP - Youth Learner License course (school holidays from 14 - 16 April). For any students wishing to sign up we recommend contacting Trudy at Wairarapa REAP - trudy.sears@reapwairarapa.nz.
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Learner License course (28 - 30 May) for students aged 16 or older. The course fee is $140 and school will pay $40 towards the cost. Please contact Anja (alister@waicol.nz) for the course enrolment form.
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A Defensive Driving Course will be held on 19 through to 28 May from 6-8pm in the careers room with Lee Quayle from the AA. To register go to defensivedriving.aa.co.nz, select Masterton, then select Quayle's Driving Instruction and complete the form. The cost is $279.
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If you have any questions don’t hesitate to get in touch, please send us an email:
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Thanks for everyone’s support in term 1 and we look forward to a great term 2!
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Jane Tiley, Anja Lister, Kylie Souden and Cathy Mabey
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Careers and Pathways in action.
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Rampage performing at Rockquest 2024.
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Term 1 has been very busy for our Arts Academy. If you would like to see some of their creative arts skills on display, make sure that you check out their performance of a scene from The Tempest at the Regional Shakespeare Festival – it is directed by one of our Performing Arts Academy students, Nari Kerehi.
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Chicago - Wairarapa College 2025 Major Production
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Have you got your tickets for Chicago yet?! 75 of our passionate Performing Arts students have been working hard rehearsing for the upcoming show season. Students from all year levels have come together to create we know will be an amazing production. This year’s musical will be a huge crowd-pleasing classic – we can’t wait to see lots of our community at the shows next term from the 15 – 18 May.
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We have had our first term of dance rehearsals with our newly formed Dance Troupe. Led by Lana Kerehi, this has been a very popular extracurricular addition to the Performing Arts groups offered. The group will perform in Waicol’s Got Talent at the end of Term 2, so be sure to check out our social media posts for some photos of them at their first performance.
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Regional Shakespeare Festival
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On 8 April, the regional Shakespeare Festival was hosted by Wairarapa College. Schools from all over Wairarapa competed. Wairarapa College had four groups performing, and all students were outstanding.
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Applications are now open for Smokefree Rockquest 2025. Get your entries in before 1 May. Last year, we had some great success with our student bands. This year, we have both solo/duo and band categories. The competition will be held at the Carterton Events Centre on the 27th of June. To enter, go to https://rockquest.playtime.world/
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We were lucky to have the Ugly Shakespeare Company perform this term for our Drama and English students. It was fantastic to see a professional theatre group bring Shakespeare to life on our stage. Students were also treated to a workshop after the performance.
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Another local competition for our talented Performing Arts students. Please view the flyer for details and see Ms Fauvel if you have any questions.
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Cantate had a hugely successful Quiz Night, supported by local members of the community. Chris Cogdale hosted a highly enjoyable evening and we were grateful for the support of a number of parents and students which enabled the night to run smoothly.
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Ugly Shakespeare Company Visit – The Tempest
This term, the entire Drama Department and English students were treated to a high-energy, hilarious performance of The Tempest by the Ugly Shakespeare Company. Known for their bold, contemporary takes on classic texts, the company didn’t disappoint — transforming Shakespeare’s tale of magic, revenge, and forgiveness into a fast-paced, funny, and highly accessible production.
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Set in a modern context with pop culture references, clever physical comedy, and audience interaction, the performance captured the essence of The Tempest while making it relevant and engaging for a 2025 audience. Students were captivated by the dynamic ensemble and creative storytelling, with many commenting afterward on how much easier it was to understand the play after seeing it performed in this fresh and relatable style.
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The visit tied perfectly into both the Drama and English curricula, offering a fantastic live example of reinterpretation and performance style. For our Drama students, it highlighted the power of ensemble work, comic timing, and physical theatre. For English students, it brought the language and characters of Shakespeare to life. We’re incredibly grateful to the Ugly Shakespeare Company for their time, energy, and commitment to making Shakespeare fun and meaningful for young people.
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Year 11 Trip To Two Guitars
As part of their work under the new NCEA Level 1 Drama curriculum, our Year 11 students attended a performance of Two Guitars at the Carterton Events Centre. This powerful, locally-developed play explores themes of friendship, memory, music, and identity, told through a rich blend of dialogue, movement, and song.
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The trip provided students with a live example of New Zealand theatre in action, supporting their learning about dramatic structure, character development, and theatrical conventions. It also offered valuable insights into how storytelling can reflect Aotearoa’s diverse cultural voices, and how music can be used to deepen emotional connection on stage.
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Students were particularly struck by the authenticity of the performances and the intimacy of the storytelling. The show sparked thoughtful class discussions around the use of minimal set, symbolic movement, and the interplay between past and present in the narrative.
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Seeing Two Guitars live was not only enjoyable but also deeply relevant to students’ current work in class. It supported their understanding of live performance analysis and how theatre can communicate complex ideas in powerful and creative ways. A huge thank you to the team behind Two Guitars and the Carterton Events Centre for hosting such an enriching experience.
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As Term 1 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on the outstanding achievements of our athletes and teams.
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We are incredibly proud of three students who have represented or been selected for New Zealand teams:
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- Waka-Toi Heata-Prime (pictured below) – Won three gold medals in his age and weight class at the Asia-Pacific Kickboxing Championship.
- Maggie Shields – Selected for the New Zealand Secondary Schools Netball Squad and awarded a Tania Dalton Scholarship to support her netball development.
- Liberty Jones – Selected for the New Zealand Secondary Schools Squash Team, competing against Australia during the holidays. Liberty will play as the #1 seed for the U15 team.
- Sports Leader Jess Monk was named Central Districts' U17 Women’s Player Of The Year.
- Maddie Brown delivered an exceptional performance at the Central Districts Girls' Cricket Tournament, scoring an unbeaten 110 for the 1st XI Girls Cricket Team*. She finished as the tournament’s top run-scorer (261 runs) and top wicket-taker (11 wickets).
Several locally based tournaments took place during Tournament Week, with strong performances from our students:
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- Wairarapa Closed Tennis Championship – 10 students competed, with Liberty Jones winning her division.
- Pickleball Championship – The doubles team of Ella Herrick and Len Teofilo-Larkin won the championship, while they, along with Kelsy Kusak and Zara Atkinson, claimed the team event title.
- Wairarapa Secondary Schools Enduro Mountain Biking Championship – Brooke Miller won the Senior Girls title and was the top female overall. Andrew Wells won the U17 Boys title and placed second overall.
- Central Districts 1st XI Cricket Tournament (Ross Taylor Bat) – Boys 1st XI finished runners-up to St John’s Hastings. Girls 1st XI placed 5th in their equivalent tournament in Whanganui.
Junior Interclub Tennis – Two teams competed in the Wairarapa Junior Interclub Tennis competition. A big thank you to Tori Bunny for her support in making this possible. Waicol Yellow Team (Pia Bunny, Ella Herrick, Frank Liddle, and Logan McKenzie) won the Championship Final, edging out their opponents by four matches to three.
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Wairarapa Intercollegiate Swimming Championship
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After a break of a few years, this competition made a welcome return last week:
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- Sports Leader Tana Baker-Sefo dominated the Senior Boys division, winning all his events and setting a new Wairarapa Schools 50m Breaststroke record (31.94 sec).
- Intermediate Boys Championship – Maikara Goodger and Cooper Grant had a fierce competition with Maikara winning 3 of his events.
- Cooper secured two wins, a second place, and a third, with Maikara taking the overall title.
- AWD Swimmers – Cody Walker won the Senior Boys title and Lachie Dunbar claimed the Intermediate Boys title.
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Congratulations to all our athletes for their dedication and success this term. We look forward to more achievements in Term 2!
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Sports Academy Highlights
Term One has been an exciting and action-packed period for the Wairarapa College Sports Academy, with students engaging in a wide range of activities designed to develop resilience, leadership, teamwork, and their physical fitness.
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Our Year 9 class kicked off the term with a memorable experience with an instructor from Linton Army Camp. The activities focused on character building, resilience, and teamwork. Students faced challenging situations that helped them develop their decision-making and leadership skills, all while learning the importance of working together under pressure.
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The Year 12s took on the challenges at Adrenalin Forest, where they were tested both physically and mentally on the high wires course. This obstacle-filled adventure pushed students to step outside their comfort zones and build confidence in overcoming challenges.
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Meanwhile, our Year 13 students participated in an unforgettable four-day camp at Hillary Outdoors in Tongariro. The camp included a variety of challenging activities such as 30-meter abseiling, rock climbing, caving, and hiking. One of the highlights was the chilly overnight stay on Mount Ruapehu, which added an extra level of difficulty to the experience. The camp focused on resilience, leadership, and pushing students outside their comfort zones, providing valuable life lessons and character growth in the process.
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Strength Nation has worked closely with our Year 13 students throughout the term. Each week, they participated in strength and conditioning sessions in our brand-new Strength and Conditioning facility. These sessions not only improved their physical fitness but also fostered discipline and determination, empowering students to be better physically prepared for their upcoming winter sports.
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Our students also gave back to the community in meaningful ways this term. We had 100 students sign up and participate in Relay 4 Life, and the Sports Academy raised nearly $12,000 for Wairarapa's Cancer Society. In addition, our students volunteered at the Wairarapa Kids Triathlon and helped out at various local primary schools’ athletics and swimming events. These experiences helped our students develop a strong sense of service and community involvement.
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It’s been an action-packed and rewarding start to the year, and we look forward to continuing this journey of growth and development in the coming terms with plenty of further opportunities planned, including the Year 10s heading off to Tough Guy/Tough Girl and the Year 11s heading Mountain Biking!
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Wairarapa College Cricket
Term 1 has been a highly successful and action-packed period for Wairarapa College Cricket. Our Boys 1st XI team showed great competitiveness in the Premier 2 CSW Competition, with a number of positive individual and team performances. The team also enjoyed an impressive run at the 3-day Ross Taylor Bat Tournament, finishing as runners-up after a hard-fought final against St John’s Hastings. In the two-day McBride Peterson Cup, the Boys 1st XI triumphed over Rathkeale 1st XI, winning on first innings in a game where the team showed a lot of pride and determination.
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The Girls 1st XI had an outstanding term, with three remarkable victories at the CD Girls 3-day 1st XI tournament. A highlight of their campaign was Maddy Brown’s brilliant knock of 110* against SHGC in their crucial playoff match. Maddy was also both the top run scorer and wicket taker in the tournament. The girls also finished 4th in the competitive CD Kotahitanga Cup, showcasing their growth and potential.
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Despite regular midweek weather disruptions in Term 1, our Girls Development Team showed significant progress, while the Junior Boys Midweek Team were in action and also had a couple of positive results. A special mention goes to the newly formed Boys Social team, which played a key role in fostering a fun and inclusive cricket culture. Thanks to the efforts of Luke Fairbrother, Jonny Barrs, and Isaac Murphy, this team took to the field with enthusiasm and spirit.
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Cultural Class Trip
On Friday 28 March the English As An Additional Language (EAL) students embarked on a journey to Wellington whichwas filled with learning, adventure, and camaraderie. The trip was designed to improve language skills through cultural immersion.
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The day began with a scenic journey to the capital via train. Many of the students had never been on a train before and this alone was a highlight for many. Upon arrival, we walked to the Beehive and then to Te Papa Tongarewa. An interactive scavenger hunt offered the students a fascinating glimpse into New Zealand's history, culture, and environment, sparking lively discussions among the students, especially with our most unique photo competition.
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We then had pizza along the waterfront, soaking in the city's vibrant atmosphere. The meal included churros from a nearby food truck which was manned by an ex-pat Brazilian! We then took a rise up the iconic Wellington Cable Car to enjoy panoramic views from the Kelburn lookout point and visited the Botanical Gardens. By the end of the day, we made time for the ‘Cuba Street’ vibe and then it was back home by train. The group returned with not only cherished memories but also improved language skills and deeper bonds with their peers.
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A reminder that we are using SchoolBridge as our new communication platform, replacing SchoolAppsNZ. Please discontinue the use of our old app.
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SchoolBridge is designed to make communication easier and more effective by providing a central sign-in point for both parents and students. It will allow for seamless access to important tools and information, all in one place.
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Key Features of SchoolBridge:
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Absence reporting and exit passes
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Permission slips and forms
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School calendar and event updates
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News and school-wide information
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Easy access to the School.Kiwi portal (previously KAMAR portal)
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How to Get Started with SchoolBridge:
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1. Visit our website at www.waicol.nz and click the LOG IN button on the homepage.
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2. Select your account type: Parent/Caregiver or Student.
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3. Students will sign in using their school Microsoft account details.
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4. Parents/Caregivers can sign in with the email address registered with the school. If your email is linked to a service like Apple, Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, or Facebook, you can use it for easy access.
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5. If your email address is not connected to one of these services, you can use the Magic Link option. This will send an email with a link that allows you to log in without needing a password.
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Download the SchoolBridge app by searching for it on the App Store or Google Play, or by scanning the QR code.
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Once installed, tap the app icon on your device and log in using the same details as the web version.
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The app will keep you signed in for convenience.
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SchoolBridge offers a more user-friendly and efficient experience for both families and students, allowing us to provide timely updates, manage forms and permissions, and keep everyone informed about school activities.
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We encourage all families to download and set up SchoolBridge before the start of the school year to ensure you’re ready to stay connected.
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If you have any questions or need help getting started, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
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Term 2 Events
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28 May Term 2 starts - Day 6
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1 May Whānau Teacher Evening 1
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6 May Whānau Teacher Evening 2
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12 - 18 May School Production - Chicago
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16 May InterCol Cross Country
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28 May Napier Boys High School Exchange
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2 June King's Birthday- school closed
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3 June Teacher Only Day - school closed
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12 June Wairarapa College Open Evening
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14 June National Cross Country
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20 June Matariki - school closed
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27 June LEAD reports, House Singing , RockQuest, End of Term 2
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