Extra Curricular

WAKA AMA 2019

The waka ama group entered two teams "Waiopehu Waka Hoe" and "Te Hau Aroha into the Wellington Sports Regional Secondary Waka Ama Championships Saturday 16 March 2019 in Porirua.  They have only been doing waka ama for the past five weeks and the main aim for entering this competition was to gain experience racing in a regatta and prepare them for the National Secondary Waka Ama Championships next week in Rotorua.  They were very surprised at themselves as to how much their waka ama skills have developed and improved and we gained a place in the bowl final coming second in their heat.  We still have a long way to go but everything is looking great on the water.  "He waka eke noa" - A canoe which we are all in with no exception.

(see photo slideshow below right)

Year 13 Camp 2018 

Evento 2017

CACTUS

Each year, Term 2 at Waiopehu College includes very early starts for a group of 25 students, all of whom have been through a rigorous selection process and have been chosen to participate in the CACTUS programme. (CACTUS stands for the Combined Adolescent Challenge Training Unit and Support programme).

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays see the students reporting to the school gym by 5.30am, ready for uniform checks prior to starting their training routine at 6.00am sharp. This starts with a roll call and the organisation of students into their ranks ready for action. Following training, the group joins together for breakfast in Te Hau Aroha before setting their goals for the week or hearing from a guest speaker.

I have written in a previous Heads Up about our Pehu PRIDE values of Positivity, Respect, Integrity, Determination and Excellence. These core values are central to CACTUS and they are helping to develop young people who can achieve their very best not only in their academic endeavours but in the wider sense too.

CACTUS is a fabulous 8 week programme which is led by our local Neighbourhood Policing Team, alongside up to 20 local volunteer parents and supporters. It is designed to extend both the mind and physical capability, with a focus on teamwork, goal setting, leadership and discipline. It always ends with the longest day which is the ultimate challenge beginning at 6.00am and finishing at 4.00pm. The location of the activities on this day remains a closely guarded secret until the morning itself. The day, and the whole CACTUS programme, concludes with a formal dinner and graduation ceremony at Horowhenua District Council. We look forward to reporting on the success of our 2018 recruits later in Term 2.

Mark Robinson

Principal

(see slideshow below)

Thank you to George, Carter, Millie, Holly, Chiara and Octavia who all travelled down to Wellington (some in an electric vehicle!) to represent Waiopehu College at the climate change rally at parliament on Friday, 24 May 2019. Our young people are right to stand up for our planet and challenge not only political leaders but all of us in doing our bit to ensure we get global warming under control. There is no plan B! Well done team!