Education: Westlake Boys High School
Westlake Musos - Top in NZ
Two of the Westlake Choirs were selected in the top 18 Secondary School Choirs to attend the New Zealand Choral Federation Big Sing in Wellington this year. Once again, it was the National Top Platinum Award for our combined choir CHORALATION (with Westlake Girls). This is the only choir to have ever won the top award for three years in a row.
Our all-boys choir ‘Voicemale’ were once again given a National Silver which placed them as New Zealand’s highest ranking Secondary School’s Boys Choir.
In addition, Westlake were also the winners of the Best Performance of a New Zealand work by Chamber Orchestra (a work by WBHS old boy Alex Taylor) and were the winners of the Best Performance of a New Zealand work by a Symphony Orchestra (a work by WGHS old girl Sarah McCallum) while the most outstanding Big Band of the Festival was the WESTLAKE BIG BAND – conducted by Alan James, another old boy!
In Choral music 2012, our Barbershop Quartet ‘Three and a Half Men’ won the Boys Auckland Barbershop Competition with singers Prasad Ravi, Lane Ashby-King, Michael Shin and Dallin Niuelua and the WGHS Quartet won the Ladies Auckland Barbershop competition so it was a Westlake win all round at the Schools’ Barbershop this year.
At New Zealand’s largest Band and Orchestra festival, Westlake was the only school to achieve the top honour of a Gold award in every category of the festival.
GOLD: WESTLAKE CONCERT BAND; SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA; CHAMBER ORCHESTRA.
BIG BAND SILVER: WESTLAKE SYMPHONIC BAND; CAMERATA STRINGS; TAHAROTO ORCHESTRA.
BRONZE: WESTLAKE STAGE BAND.
Singing at RWC Matches
Out of over 300 applications (of all ages) six of our students have been selected to sing for the Rugby World Cup National Anthems. These boys have been learning the Anthems for other countries and have to know them from memory. Each anthem is sung by a chosen choir of 30 people.
Mr David Squire (pictured above with Voicemale) had the honour of conducting at seven games and singing at three of them. Michael Lough is singing at one game; Michael Shin is singing at four games; Dallin Niuelua is singing at four games; Lane Ashby-King is singing at seven games; MinKyoo Shin is singing at four games; Arthur Close is singing at two games. In addition, the 12 minute sound and light show which took place before kick-off at the opening match from the Auckland waterfront was Auckland’s biggest and brightest fireworks and light show and was set to music composed specially for the occasion by Don McGlashan, WBHS Old Boy.
Westlake Boys Auckland Schools Debating Champions
The Westlake Boys 2 Junior Premier debating team (James Rankin, Jesse Medcalf, Jono King, Caleb Gemmell and Ryan Mulholland) are the 2011 Auckland Schools Debating champions after defeating St Cuthbert’s College in the Grand Final of the competition. The team successfully negotiated their way through seven rounds to advance to the Quarter-finals where they beat AIC. They then beat a strong Auckland Grammar team in the semi-final to book a place in the final.
PHOTO: Left to right: Jono King; James Rankin and Jesse Medcalf.
Westlake Boys Sport
Top 3 at nationals for 9 premier sports
In addition to winning premier national titles in Volleyball, Beach Volleyball and Water Polo this summer, our premier Winter Sports teams performed extremely well at their National tournaments recently.
Our Premier Tennis team, who were runners up at Nationals this summer were joined by our 1st X1 Hockey team who just missed out on the Rankin Cup, while our Badminton Premier team achieved a second place at Nationals, ending their winning streak of seven years. In addition, our Premier Golf team achieved a creditable third place at Nationals, as did our Basketball Premier team. Our Premier Table Tennis team also achieved a commendable 4th placing at Nationals this year. All in all, a very successful Sports year for Westlake Boys High School.
Westlake Rugby claims four North Harbour titles
2011 has been another excellent year for Westlake rugby. This was confirmed when the 2nd XV defeated Massey High School 30-27 in a gripping final at the end of the season. The 3rd XV also won their final in dramatic fashion with a last minute try to defeat Rosmini 2nd XV. The final score 21-20. In the junior grades the 6A had a comfortable 20-7 win over Massey in their final. The 5A team continued on their winning way with a comprehensive victory in their final 30-3 over Massey. This is also the first time since 2001 that Westlake 1st XV have won the Quad Cup. In doing so, they beat Napier Boys 16-14; Tauranga Boys 39-23 and lost to Hastings 17-18.
Toby and Jack Robinson at duathlon championships
Congratulations to New Zealand champs Toby and Jack Robinson who entered the New Zealand Secondary Schools Duathlon Championships held in Taupo. Toby and Jack entered as a team and won the Under 19 schools category and the open sprint category.
WBHS New Zealand reps
Ben Perham and Owen Chambers have been named in the New Zealand Water Polo schoolboy’s team to play in Sydney for the Trans-Tasman shield in December. Mitchell Goff has been named in the Born 94 silver squad who are playing in Perth from December 26th to January to compete in the Tom Hoad Junior International Cup. This squad is also preparing for the 2012 Junior World Championships. They have the opportunity to be named in the Black team. Owen Chambers has already been named in the Junior Men Born 94 Black team that will play at the Junior World champs next year.
Excellent season for WBHS Basketballers
In Basketball this year, we have had another excellent season. Our boys have performed at the highest levels at every level. One of our very best performing teams this year has been our North Harbour Championship League 2 winning U17 team. Tai Webster has been over in Italy competing in the World Youth 3x3 Championships. There were 36 countries participating in the men’s section. Amazingly, the New Zealand boys finished the tournament as the World Champions, with Tai playing a large role in their close semi-final & final wins (winning both by a single point).
Dylan Soedjasa at national badminton tournament
Congratulations to Dylan Soedjasa who competed in the NZ National Badminton U17 singles tournament held in Palmerston North during the July school holidays. He won the NZ U17 Singles title and was runner up for mixed doubles.
Education: Kristin School
