Week 8  -  Term 4  -  2018

 
 
 
View Online
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Visit    https://goo.gl/JATwKZ    to follow  Whanau Time live. 

 
 
 
 
 
 

WHS YouTube  with 109 school videos https://goo.gl/OECvhD

 
 
 
 
 
 

Click on the Calendar icon for our Live Community Calendar

 
 
 
 
 

Calendar of Events - through to end of Term 4:

 
 
 

Our Junior School Christmas Concert is ON Tomorrow - Rain or Shine, It’s ON: 

Junior Christmas Concert on tomorrow will be going ahead rain or shine

If it is sunny the concert will be outside on the middle school courts. Please bring your picnic from 5.30pm. If it is raining the concert will be relocated to the hall (no picnic) and children are to be dropped off to their classroom teacher by 6pm. The hall doors will be opened if the concert will be taking place in the hall and chairs will be set up for you to sit on. 

After the concert teachers will take ALL children back to their classrooms. Please only collect your child then. Thanks from our Junior teachers

 
 
 

Our Junior School is excited that Santa is visiting us next week -  Thursday 13 at around  9am. Juniors will do three jump jam songs then the children will be seated all ready for Santa's visit.

Tuesday 11 :            Water Day 1:30 - 2:30pm

 Wednesday 12 :    Class party 12 - 1.30pm

Thursday 13  :          Santa visit 9am  - 10am (in our hall).

 
 
 

Last Day of School is Next Friday December 14 at approximately 12:30pm:

Please note unless your child is enrolled in After School Care there will be NO supervision available for your child from 12:30pm onwards on Friday 14 December. Thank you.

 
 
 
 
 

Farewell Assembly this Friday at 1:45pm:

 
 
 

We are saying farewell to three very special people this Friday afternoon.

Mina Andrews has given 34 years of sterling service to Western Heights School as Caretaker, cleaner, sports coach and Kapa Haka tutor. 

By the looks of it, she was also a body doubled for Farrah Fawcett Majors (see below for proof)

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Mina started here in 1986 as a cleaner. Three months later she was our Caretaker. There were 154 children and six classrooms here at that time. Mina remembers that room 10 was our Hall at that time!

Her three children - Chris, Nicky and Ayesha - all attended Western Heights, as did granddaughter Kaana, and as does her granddaughter  Ngiculela. Mina and Steve were caregivers for 20 years, so they had a number of children here through that as well.

The biggest change Mina has seen is the growth and the change to a really multi-ethnic, multi-cultural mix here. The thing she loves most here is the children. When asked what she will miss most Mina chooses to focus on what life after work now offers. 

Mina chose for her humorous memory an occasion when then principal Megan Bowden - who was very short and light - was being chased by an angry student three times her size. She had never seen a principal run so fast!

Mina remembers the opening of our school pool and Animal Days - where horses and all sorts of animals were brought to school - as highlights of her time here. Also Galas and Hangi on the fields.

Thanks for all you have given our school over your 32 years here Mina - you leave a big gap behind you.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Bronwyn started here in 1995 as a part time cleaner. Twelve months later she was our Assistant Caretaker and Groundsperson. There were only 11 classrooms here at that time.

Her two children - Nicky and Toni - both attended Western Heights, as do grandsons Aiden and Chase.

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 

The biggest change Bronwyn has seen is the growth - from 11 classrooms to 30 now. The thing she loves most here is the staff. When asked what she will miss most Bronwyn said the staff and the gardens. 


Bronwyn chose for her humorous memory a time when she was walking past the junior toilets and heard a strange slurping sound. On investigation it turned out to be a little guy who was drinking from the water outlet on the boys’ urinal. He didn’t know that was not what it was for, poor little guy.


Bronwyn remembers going on school trips to the beach and weekend camps at school where the kids made their own camp fires as some of her favourite memories. 


Bronwyn will not miss cleaning messy toilets but is looking forward to sleeping in and going to the beach when she feels like it. Also to the move to Nelson with her daughter and newest grandchild later next year.


Thanks for all you have given our school over the years Bronwyn - you too leave a big gap behind you.


 
 
 
 
 
 

Stuart Jones may have been with us for only three years, but they have been three wonderful years.

Stuart was given leave from his school in Melbourne for a year to join us. The fact his school extended that leave to three years shows how much they value him. Stuart is a wonderful teacher. Our children and his colleagues have absolutely loved working with him and he will be greatly missed.

I refer to him as my brother from an Aussie mother - yes our hair styles match - but beyond that it’s probably pretty unfair to Stuart (and his mum).  

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 

Western Heights School - Zone Athletics Champions:

 
 
 

Last week WHS sent 48 athletes to compete at the West Auckland Zone Athletics Championships held at Trust Stadium.

Our outstanding achievement was down to the hard work and  outstanding training from Nuree Greenhalgh and Tim Taura. They established training squads who trained daily for weeks before we even held our athletics sports day. Thus our children were exceptionally well prepared when it came to the Zone Champs. So much so, we totally dominated - for example winning all High Jump events bar one. Winning all relay events bar two.

Nuree has represented New Zealand at both  Open and Masters level. Her depth of knowledge and expertise is outstanding, and led to our children gaining a quality of training not available to most.

The coaching is for nothing without the right attitude though, and the attitude of our athletes has been awesome - training every lunchtime, listening and learning and putting the advice into action.

On the day we totally dominated, scoring 450 points; beating Ranui in second by 100 points and Summerland in third by almost 200 points.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

There were too many outstanding performances to go into full detail, but a list of our results is included below. It wasn’t just our athletes who stood out on the day, our staff drew special mention in a Facebook post from a mum from another school.

I am a parent whose children go to another school and who attended the Zone Athletics at Trust Stadium yesterday.

I wanted to pass on a compliment to the staff members from Western heights who ran the Shot Put events all day.

It was run so well and efficiently, the teacher (Tim Taura) giving clear instructions and coaching and teaching to make sure all kids had the best opportunity to be successful.

The judging was fair - if a child threw instead of putting the shot, their effort was not counted.

Many thanks for the effort and energy they put into making the event a great day for all.

Bernadette

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

West Fest:

 
 
 

Our Kapa Haka Ropu and our Indian Dance Troupe both performed with elan at this annual festival.

Special thanks to teachers Smita D’Lima and Aaron McGreal, and to all their parent helpers. Also thanks to Adele for logistics support. A great job by all.

 
 
  
 
 

Special thanks to Mereanna, Kiikii and Nancy for all the hard work in preparation with our Kapa Haka Kids.

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 

Special thanks to Ali, Tracy, Aarti and Chantel for all their help with our Indian Dance Troupe.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Child vs Wild Visit to Titirangi Primary:

 
 

Last week intrepid explorers from room 20 at WHS travelled to Titirangi Primary to have a Child vs Wild Bush Experience. A sudden, heavy downpour of rain just after they arrived turned the bush to mud but this did not deter our explorers one bit. They made bivouacs and solved problems collaboratively, and got very muddy in the process. The main thing was they had heaps of fun, worked together brilliantly, made lots of new friends, caught up with ex WHS teacher Linda Hall and learned lots. Well done all.

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Congratulations ex Pupil Cody Cama:

 
 
 

We received this email from Cody’s proud dad:

I would like to inform you and your staff that we have just been informed that Cody Cama has been announced as the Head Boy for Henderson Intermediate School for 2019. 

I and Mrs Cama are very proud of his achievement and would like Western Heights School to share this proud moment with us. Please pass on our thanks and appreciation to all his teachers at Western Heights who have nurtured him throughout his years at your school. 

Cody has surely carried on the LOVE TO LEARN TO LEAD school value that has been a driving force on him to be chosen as the Head Boy.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Christmas Calendar Fundraiser

 
 
 

Last chance for late orders - if you want to order a cool calendar for an even cooler Christmas gift, let us know asap. Thanks. 

We can make as many copies as you require, just get your last minute orders in  asap, as our this is a big job for our volunteer helpers. 

Huge thanks to volunteers Calleena, Sarah and Talia for their massive efforts on this project.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 

Tour Diary Snippets and Stories 

 
 
 

Greece:

Next ports of call were Crete, Athens, and Katakolona. Forgive me if I digress into some facts and figures that reflect the reality of life in Greece. To me it has always looked idyllic - white sand, white buildings, blue dome roofs and blue doors and window-frames.

Olives, grapes, black coffee and Ouzo complete the picture. The reality is very different.

Unemployment is in Greece sits at 28%. That is an horrific figure. For the rest of Europe it sits at 9 to 14 percent.

Wages for professionals with a University degree in Greece are less than a third for of what they are for their counterparts in northern Europe.

Greece has a population of 11 million, with five million of that 11 living in Athens. Cruise ships alone bring over 30 million visitors a year to Athens. Without them the Greek economy would collapse - it is almost at that point as it is.

Rent is expensive. The average wage is 600 Euros per month and the average rent per month in Athens is also 600 Euros per month.

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 

A young woman training to be a kindergarten teacher said she will have to have two jobs to survive.

We were told Greece has great doctors but not enough doctors, beds, nurses or hospital supplies. So if you want decent health care you have to go private and pay for it. The same applies with education. The same applies to the beaches - to go to a nice one costs 25 Euros a day.


There are five million people in Athens, also three million cars and 16,000 taxis, plus tourists - all this in a city that was originally designed for half a million people.

To compensate they provide cheap public transport. Over two hundred thousand people use electric trans each day. More than a million use the train services each day. You pay one and a half Euros and can travel as far as you like in seventy minutes before you have to buy a new ticket. Tickets are transferable between transport types too.

Greece has had a tough time of it. They fought off many invaders - in some cases against all odds. The Romans were a bridge too far however. After the Romans ruled for many centuries, they were overthrown and eventually Turkey invaded and ruled Greece for 400 years. It still rankles with Greeks. Turkey is still trying to claim disputed territories and islands here and there also.


When Greece broke free from Turkey in 1820 it was with European Nations support. As a result they felt they had the right to ensure Greece had a government they approved of. Therefore a 17 year old German prince was installed on the Greek throne. He was inexperienced, spoke no Greek and had no appreciation of the country, its history or culture. After all those years under foreign rule, freedom for Greeks didn’t feel much like it.

Prince Otto of Germany became King Otto of Greece, and he did move the capital of Hellas (Greece as foreigners call it) to Athens.


In 1974 Greece held a referendum and the people voted to end the Monarchy and become a Republic. A dictator then installed himself - Papadopolous. He ruled with a dictator’s approach and corruption and nepotism was rife. His ‘public service’ cronies had amazing salaries, amazing holiday schemes, and the general standard of living built on debt and unreality meant the country went broke.

Once Greece joined the European Union, they were expected to sort their stuff out. Austerity measures were required. Hoards of public servants lost their jobs, subsidies were removed and taxes went up. The people were in a total uproar and marched in the streets. Sadly the austerity measures have not really worked and Greece is still in deep financial strife.

There are many who want the dictatorship back. Everything was “organised” is the response you hear and people had money, services, benefits and jobs.


As in many parts of Europe - and the United States - the far right party is growing steadily in popularity. It is currently ranked third in the polls in Greece.

As with most Far Right parties, it is Anti immigration. Two million Syrian war refugees have arrived into a country of 11 million - that is already broke. Add to this that half million young people leave Greece each year, taking their education, their skills and their potential taxes with them to find better paying jobs elsewhere in Europe.

As a result Greece is left with immigrants, the unemployed and the aged.All of which are a drain on the fragile economy.

Greece has no industry. They generate electricity via Coal Powered plants. This is what we would call dirty energy in New Zealand, but they have no real choice. Solar and wind power is being developed, but slowly.


In Katakolona their are many empty buildings and businesses. Broken windows and high weeds feature prominently. Even the local Peugot dealership had swathes of long, straggly weeds out in front of the building.

In spite of this there is no crime in Katakolona. People leave their house key on the front fence so their visiting friends can come inside and wait until the owners get home.

Austerity after EU didn't which means angry people.

There were lots of broken windows and shut down businesses. The economy here is in bad shape

But there is no crime in Katakolona


The pantheon of the gods is very important to Greeks and to their history.

Nike is the goddess of victory and there were many statues erected to her in honour of their various victories over their numerous foes. None of the statues I saw had her in running shoes though, so I am a little confused…

Speaking of victory. I was talking football and a local said Greece was no good. I mentioned Greece had done pretty well in the European championships a few years back.

My local friend said that was just an accident. 


We learned a lot about Olympic games. While they were about peace, friendship and honour, they were also all about events that were important for soldiers - running, wrestling, throwing the javelin, jumping etc.

Temperatures during the set time for the early Olympics were 46 or 47 degrees Celsius with 90% humidity. This made it tough on the athletes.

By the by - Gymnasium means naked. Gymnastics means exercising naked. Thus the Olympics were competed in naked form. This also avoided possible cheating, as nothing could be hidden.

Women were not allowed to watch the games.

There were separate games for women, and women competed clothed. Their events were set at 60% of the men’s - so a 100 metre race became a 60 metre race for women.

In all events only winners only acknowledged - with an Olive wreath. No other place getters were recognised. With the only prize being an olive wreath it was truly amateur sport.


Sadly Universities, the Olympics and schools of philosophy were all shut down by the Christian Byzantine Roman emperor in the fourth century, as they were seen as practices and influences counter to Christian values and theology. On the other side of the coin, Rome brought aqueducts and water management technologies which transformed Greece.


The last day of the cruise had no excursions, so I took the opportunity to run my second ten km run in three days. At 11am in 37 degree heat made it a bit of a challenge, but an enjoyable one nonetheless.

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Seen This Week 

 
 
 
 
 
 

At Right:  Izzy was so proud of her awards on the weekend and wanted me to share the photos with you !!

She came second in her Jazz exam, won most promising dance student for Juniors and won the Examiners Choice Award for her hip hop exam.

 
 
  
 
 

Above:  Room 16  have been talking about the impact of littering has on our environment. They discussed the importance of trying to cut back on our plastic use and recycling ♻. As a team they picked rubbish around the school. This is what they collected in just ten minutes!

 
 


 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 

During our recent Teacher Strike day part of an interview I did was used in a story John Campbell put together. That story featured interviews with the wonderful Nathan Mikaere Wallace (who recently held a sold-out even at Western Heights School on brain development in kids.

John Campbell then requested to follow me on Twitter, so now I have a challenge to start putting up some worth-following Tweets I guess.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday’s Thoughts:

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 

“It is easier to act yourself into a new way of thinking, than it is to think yourself into a new way of acting.”

— Millard Fuller 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Let’s Hack Life:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 

This Week on Twitter

 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
   
   
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 

Western Heights School

126 Sturges Road

Henderson

Auckland 0612

P -  09 8361213

E -  macash@mac.com

M - 021 779 009

Office eMail

admin@westernheights.school.nz

 
 
 
 
 
 
Website 
 
Facebook 
 
Twitter
 
 
 
 
  
 
Facebook  
 
Twitter 
 
 
 
 

Update Email Address

Unsubscribe

View Online

 
 
 
 
 
 

As part of our ongoing initiative to move towards Zero Waste, we no longer send home printed newsletters. This way of keeping you in touch with our school is mobile friendly and enviro-friendly.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Should you not want to receive our newsletter via email, please click the Unsubscribe link above.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Ash Maindonald

Principal

 
 
 

Thank you for reading our newsletter.

Thank you for supporting our awesome school and wonderful teachers.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct Mail for Mac This email is powered by Direct Mail for Mac. Learn MoreReport Spam