Hayley at Cobham Intermediate

[Stephany]

Hi everyone,
Here is a new article about Hayley opening the "Hayley Westenra" music wing at Cobham Intermediate.
Belinda....where are you ?
Best wishes,
Stephany

STAR QUALITY: Hayley Westenra opens a music wing named in her honour at her old school, Cobham Intermediate, in Christchurch yesterday. She said she was 'chuffed' at the gesture. Westenra will appear on Dancing with the Stars tonight.

Hayley honoured by Anzac role
KELLY ANDREW
The Dominion Post
Tuesday, 24 April 2007

Hayley Westenra's soprano voice will cut through the chilly dawn air when she sings the national anthem at Wellington's Anzac Day ceremony tomorrow.

Westenra, whose new album Treasure debuted at No1 in the New Zealand album charts last month, said she was not usually a morning person but it was an honour to be invited to perform at the memorial service here.

Three of her great uncles served as fighter pilots in World War II and one was killed.

"I think Anzac Day is something everyone has some connection to through a family member who was involved. It's really nice that we have an opportunity to pay our respects to the people who did give their lives, and paid the highest price for us."

Westenra will sing Danny Boy, a personal favourite, at the Pipitea Marae RSA after-function.

She spent yesterday in her home town, Christchurch, where she was "chuffed" to open a new music wing named after her at her old school Cobham Intermediate.

She will make a guest appearance on Dancing with the Stars tonight. Westenra learned ballet for 10 years but said she did not plan to do any sashaying on the show: "I hope not, I haven't prepared anything."

Westenra met one of the show's high profile judges, Brendan Cole, at a function in Britain recently and despite his smooth reputation with the ladies he was well behaved. "I was warned," she said laughing.

She is in New Zealand for just a week and will resume a tour of the United States with the group Celtic Woman early next month. She was "thrilled" to have been asked to sing at the Rugby World Cup in France later this year.

Westenra celebrated her 20th birthday in London last week, but she is planning to have her 21st party at home next year. "I'm sure my mum will be hauling out the baby photos and the video camera footage.

"I'm hoping to get back for a tour around New Zealand, I mean, gosh, a tour around New Zealand is well overdue for me."

Source : The Dominion Post

[Martin]

Stephany, thanks for the almost "instant" report. It's great to keep up to date with Hayley's activiites on the other side of the world and I am sure that all our NZ members are really pleased to hear that she hopes to tour next spring (around her birth date).

Martin

[Stephany]

Another one :

Cobham music wing named for Hayley
By IAN STEWARD
The Press
Tuesday, 24 April 2007

BACK TO SCHOOL: Cobham Intermediate's most famous ``treasure'' returned to the Christchurch school yester day to open a new hall and a music wing named after her.

Classical singer Hayley Westenra took time out of her busy international touring schedule to open the $1.2 million complex, which features a gymnasium, stage, and music rooms with specialty music computers.

Westenra said having a wing named after her made her "suddenly feel very old".

She has recently turned 20.

"I have such fond memories of my time at Cobham and I just know those students are going to get so much out of those new facilities."

She hoped the children would take to singing with the gusto she did when as a pupil she scored the lead role in Cobham's production of Alice in Wonderland.

The new music computers sported by the Westenra music block also excited her.

"It's great to see the kids working with the music notation program Sibelius because that's what all the professionals use."

Westenra travelled to Wellington last night to appear on tonight's television show Dancing with the Stars.

Tomorrow she will sing the national anthem and Danny Boy at the dawn Anzac Day commemorations in the capital.

Westenra said she had three great-uncles in World War 2, one of whom was killed.

The young diva said after New Zealand she would be back on the road touring her recently released album Treasure, a collection of new works and songs passed down to her from her grandmother.

She was travelling to the United States for concerts, then returning to London.

Though she had met Prince William several times she did not say whether she would be calling him up now that he was single. "Everybody keeps asking me that."

Source : The Press

[Stephany]

The same picture but this time bigger.
Hayley looks thrilled to be there with the kids.

[Dori]

How honoured must she feel?
Dori

[Stephany]

I can't even imagine such an honour.
At her age, it's really an outstanding achievement.
I understand her very well when she says it makes her feel old, haha.

[Andrew]

Hi All,

Gosh... I feel rather "Chuffed" and "Westenwowed" at the same time...

[glow=red,10,300]Hayley Dee... Woweee!!![/glow]

Go Hayley!!!

Andrew xxx

[grant]

stephany said:

Westenra celebrated her 20th birthday in London last week, but she is planning to have her 21st party at home next year. "I'm sure my mum will be hauling out the baby photos and the video camera footage.

"I'm hoping to get back for a tour around New Zealand, I mean, gosh, a tour around New Zealand is well overdue for me."

Hi Martin

I see you have put two and two together and come up with four

I don't necessarily read it the same way; we know Hayley always goes home for Christmas and I would suggest that January would be a better time for a NZ tour because it would then give her the chance to go home for her birthday and spend much deserved time with her family without having to think about work.

That's what I would wish for her

Best wishes
Grant

[Belinda]

Hi
It was certainly a wonderful day yesterday having the chance to see Hayley after so long, i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

I arrived there before two , Being meet by a pupil from the school and escorted through the new buildings,
watching all the activities they would be using the hall and music suite for in the future,
I had to duck as a basket ball flew close to my head ,Omg i hope the television camera that was there was filming something else at the time
I was given a programme and then shown to a seat, there was mainly the school pupils, teachers ,school council and invited guests and a few parents,
the kids practiced their music and songs before Hayley's arrival.
when the Westenra family arrived they sat up the front with the Headmaster,
The national anthem was sung and the music students played some music ,then the Chorale sang Pokarekare Ana

The Headmaster made a speech as did a few others then Hayley was asked to open the buildings.
she made a short speech and mentioned she thought she should still call the headmaster Mr Beaton and not just Trevor
Ha ha she said she felt old.
In the headmasters speech he mentioned how the pupils are very proud of Hayley and she is an inspiration to them.
Hayley then cut a red ribbon and opened the Hayley Westenra Suite,
then we moved to the foyer for Hayley to unveil the Plaque
Drawing back a white curtain.
Hayley was surprised at the large plaque as was her parents .
I think she said WOW she was westenwowed herself i think.
Lots of photos were taken in the foyer by press and Gerald made sure i got some photo's i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
There is a lovely one of Sophie Hayley and Isaac in front of the plaque and one Hayley and the school kids ,also a pic of the Cake Hayley had to cut up in the staff room.The pic on the cake is the HW Suite and at back the gymnasium and in real life its more purple,
.
I've sent them to Roger as i can't add them at this cafe so he may put them in this post or another one i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
After photos in the foyer Hayley was whisked away for a interview i stayed talking to Gerald and Jill then we all went up stairs to the staff room,
Hayley and the rest of the Westenra family mingled with the quests it was a great chance for Hayley to catch up with people she had not seen for a while in a relaxed manner..
A lot like the event at Stuarts school i think.
Certainly the best day i've had for a while.
i had a chat with Hayley 2 or 3 times durig the time i was there,
I never asked her when she was returning for a NZ tour.
I know she wants too and will come home when she can.
Sophie and Isaac were also a credit to their parents and took time to talk to everyone .
I left just before the Westenras,
Hayley giving me and some of her past teachers a hug and promising to come back to NZ as soon as she can. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
Cobham Intermediate did a great job of making Hayley her family and invited guests very welcome, i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif.
Thanks Cobham for Honouring Hayley with such a lovely plaque and building.
And Gerald and Jill for inviting me i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Belinda

[Stephany]

Belinda, thank you for the fabulous report.
I had a great time reading it.

belinda said:

I think she said WOW she was westenwowed herself i think.

I didn't know that was possible

belinda said:

Certainly the best day i've had for a while.
i had a chat with Hayley 2 or 3 times durig the time i was there,
I never asked her when she was returning for a NZ tour.
I know she wants too and will come home when she can.

Very thoughtful, Belinda.
But I'm sure Hayley read it in your eyes that you wanted her back for a tour

belinda said:

Sophie and Isaac were also a credit to their parents and took time to talk to everyone .

How are they, by the way ? Both still in school ? Did Sophie talk about her projects ? She's nearly 17 after all. Time to think about her future

[Richard]

Thanks for your wonderful report, Belinda!

I'm pleased you had a great day at Cobham Intermediate School, and it is a truly well-deserved honour for Hayley to have a wing named after her. I'm sure she will be honoured in this way many more times in the years to come! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Many thanks Stephany for all your hard work in posting these articles. It's great to read these stories while Hayley is back home in New Zealand. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Best Wishes from London,

Richard

[scoobedoo]

Hi Belinda & everyone,thats a wonderful report Belinda thanks very much. Which TV chanel covered the story Belinda? I watched Monday nights news on TV One but no mention of the school function at all. It wasn't on tonights news either (Tue) has it been shown do you know?


That will be a lasting landmark for Hayley good on her i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif


cheers all,

Rodders

[roger]

belinda said:

There is a lovely one of Sophie Hayley and Isaac in front of the plaque and one Hayley and the school kids ,also a pic of the Cake Hayley had to cut up in the staff room.
Which has a pic of the new music suite on it.
I've sent them to Roger as i can't add them at this cafe so he may put them in this post or another one i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Belinda

Thank for sending the photographs. Belinda. Here they are:

Roger

[Cherry]

what a lovely hayley we see~~~
but i do see a little tired in hayley's face...........

[Martin]

Great photos and wow - how Sophie is growing up!

But what really amazes me yet again is that Hayley always knows where to look at the camera unlike everyone else in shot (except the cake).

Martin