Whakatane High School has closed in compliance with the Government's nationwide lockdown due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

School closure - Distance learning

The Miistry of Education has announced changes to the school holidays dates. More information here.

Distance learning means that students are accessing their classwork via Google Classroom, remotely. Teachers are assigning work and guiding students, remotely.

Students will receive an outline of coursework with instructions and expectations, from their teachers, via Google Classroom at the start of each week (during the closure). 

Students will receive Google Classroom notifications via Gmail and should check their WHS email account regularly.

Parents and caregivers will be invited to Google Classroom via email, as Guardians. Please check your email to accept the invitation. This will provide a summary of your student’s classwork, assignments, and due dates. 

Teachers will be available to students and their families via email appointment. 

For students who do not have connectivity at home, no device, and do not have an alternate way to access their classwork online; our aim is to provide a hardcopy of the coursework. Please contact the school if you have not got work for your child.

Navigating a school closure
Principal, Mr Martyn Knapton, runs the closure

Deputy Principal Curriculum, Ms Shannon Crook, in charge of curriculum

Deputy Principal Pastoral, Ms Carole Hughes, in charge of pastoral care

Senior leaders will be checking email frequently and are also available via phone: https://www.whakatanehigh.school.nz/contact

Tech Support, eHub Team support@whs.co.nz

Finance and support staff, Mr Phil Barnett

Counselling
Counsellors: Judith Graham and Titihuia Rewita are our school counsellors and will be available via email appointments.
 

Covid-19 Updates

FAQs

How does my student access their learning?

All staff have set up all of their classes on Google Classrooms. This is an online platform which allows teachers to put resources, assignments, videos and readings that relate to the learning that is taking place. Your child will have a school Gmail address that they use at school and the classrooms can be accessed through the G-Suite apps from their Gmail. Each subject your child has on their timetable should have a Google Classroom setup with all learning resources and activities loaded that will enable each student to continue their learning.
 

How do I access my student’s learning?

Your child’s classroom teacher will have shared their Google Classroom with you via Gmail. Please contact the teacher if you do not have access to this. (See staff contact list).

How do I contact the school for support with my student’s learning?
First contact your student’s subject teacher via email (See staff contact list). 
Then Head Of Departments:
English - Gail Zonneveld, Maths - Declan Manning, Science - Karen Asquith, Social Science - Linda Bonne, Art - Aaron Hurley, Music - Adam Warner, Careers and Transition - Jo-Anne Stuart, Learning Centre - Jose Howe, PE - Mark Hanlen, Technology - Paul Goodman. (See staff contact list). 

How do I access technical support for issues with the Chromebook or Google Classroom?
email: support@whs.co.nz

How do I seek guidance for my anxious student?
Our Guidance team  Judith Graham and Titihuia Rewita  will be available via email appointments.

What happens to my Trades Academy and Gateway placements?
If the school is closed then there will be no Trades Academy or Gateway placemements.

How will classes that require practical work run?
In most classes where there is a large practical component there is still a theoretical element that needs to be studied. These more theoretical aspects will form work to be completed whilst the school is closed.

How will we know when the school re-opens?
The school will be following the Ministry of Health guidelines for closure and re-opening. The Pandemic Manager (the Principal: Mr Knapton), will communicate details of the re-opening of the school consistent to the guidelines from the Ministry.

Whakatane High School Sport, Media Release

The Whakatane High School Sports department is currently following the advice of each sport's national governing body in regard to the running of sport within our school. Each of these governing bodies is in communication with the NZ Ministry of Health and their decisions are based on advice received from the Ministry.

The majority of sports have already suspended both training and competitions, based on this advice and our own assessment of the situation, Whakatane High School is implementing the following policy on sport while restrictions are in place due to Covid-19.

Want to keep up to date with what is going on at Whakatane High School?
As well as downloading the Whakatane High School App, we encourage all of our students, parents and whānau to join our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

Download the Whakatane High School APP: whakatanehighschool.apps.school.nz/share/ and sign up to the various groups, report absences and stay up to date with student notices.

Whakatane High School

@WhakataneHighNZ

whakatanehighschool

Parent Portal
The Whakatane High School Parent Portal provides access to information about your student’s timetable, attendance, fees, results in real time, and accurate contact details. Portal url: http://www.whakatanehigh.school.nz/parent-portal. Sign in details have been sent home. Enter the username and caregiver password when prompted. We suggest that you keep these details secure for future use. You may contact the eHub via email at toni.martin@staff.whs.co.nz for assistance.

Student Portal
http://www.whakatanehigh.school.nz/student-portal. Student sign in details share the same username as the parent portal but require the student password (details have been sent home).

Whakatane High School Digital Newsletter
The newsletter is emailed fortnightly, on Thursdays. Please email anne.nillesen@staff.whs.co.nz if you have news about your student’s achievements. Subscribe to the newsletter and stay informed: http://goo.gl/AeV8q4

Report an Absence
Absentee Hotline: 308 8251 ext 702. Email: absent@whakatanehigh.school.nz.
Web: http://www.whakatanehigh.school.nz/report-an-absence, or use the WHS APP.

Whakatane High School Centennial Reunion - POSTPONED

For the most recent updates, visit: Whakatane High School Centennial

School fees, charges and donations

In 2020 Whakatāne High School has opted into the Ministry funded school donations scheme. Full details can be found by clicking here. In a nutshell the Ministry funded donations scheme means that the Ministry will pay the school $150 per student directly. This means that there are no school fees for trips, resources, tuition or activities (including sports) that are part of your child's core learning programme (curriculum). For more information: https://www.whakatanehigh.school.nz/school-fees

2020 Term Dates

Term 1 -  Wednesday 29 January to Friday 27 March

Term 2 - Wednesday 15 April to TBC

Term 3 - Monday 20 July to Friday 25 September

Term 4 - Monday 12 October to Tuesday 8 December