Ed
Junior Member 
Posts: 87
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Post by Ed on Apr 28, 2007 11:36:20 GMT
I love the report and the pictures. My favorite is the same as everyone else's: that of the three siblings together. Sophie is growing up and growing prettier as she does so. Isaac is showing potential to become a heart-throb for tweens everywhere, should he launch a recording career (I haven't heard him sing, but surely he can match or exceed Jesse McCartney's singing). The picture is a beautiful shot.
Ed
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Post by Caitlin on Apr 30, 2007 16:56:55 GMT
What a great treat and report Belinda! I'm so glad you were able to go, chat with Hayley and her family and have a wonderful time. Thanks for the lovely pictures. It's nice to see the Westenra siblings together again.  Thanks again!! <3 Caite |
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Post by Stuart H on Apr 30, 2007 18:25:38 GMT
Hi Belinda What a great report - many thanks an sorry for the belated recognition - the forum moves so fast these days that I missed this one. I am so glad that you got the chance to see Hayley again and to meet her to reassure you that she has not forgotten where her real home is. Thanks again. P.S. hope you get online again soon - I miss catching up with all things NZ on MSN!!! Stuart  |
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Post by postscript on May 1, 2007 20:03:44 GMT
Wonderful news report, thank you Stephany. her parents must be awfully proud of her. When your own Alma Mater names a building after you you know you have arrived. Being recognised and honoured by your peers is often one of the last hurdles on the journey of recognition. When your own teachers recognise it, oh wow! Are Sophie and Isaac at the school at present Belinda?
Now, being mischievous in I hope a friendly bantering way, is the teacher still there, the one not named but I think quoted in The World At Her Feet? She was taking the register and found Hayley was there. 'How nice of you to drop in on us, Hayley? Are you intending to stay with us long?
I believe there was at least one element on the teaching staff who thought they were over-rating or over-accommodating Hayley's extra curricula activities. If so, I'm sure Hayley would have been all sweetness and light and not made her feel foolish or embarrassed!
Peter S..
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Post by postscript on May 1, 2007 20:16:40 GMT
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 I think we had all agreed September 2007 was out. I've put in April in my diary with a 50 week reminder to keep tabs. It was January 2 years ago when a wonderful opportunity arose to be out there for me but I wasn't well enough to undertake that sort of journey and enjoy. Ironically, since I told her I intended to see her in Christchurch in September this year, matters have slid somewhat in reverse for me. Hopefully all will be sorted by the end of this year so... maybe I could make either January or April--or the full stretch. There is a lot to see, as well as Hayley in her home town town hall, that would indeed be a wow! Peter S. |
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Post by postscript on May 1, 2007 20:31:38 GMT
Well done, Belinda.
How wonderfully generous of the Westenra's to see you were invited. Superb photos and a lovely report. Jolly well done. Thank you for sharing.
Peter S.
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Post by Belinda on May 2, 2007 2:17:00 GMT
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Post by Stephany on May 2, 2007 4:55:07 GMT
April i'm sure she will just be returning for her Birthday, Or i hope so 21st should be spent with family and friends Belinda Hi Belinda, That's what Hayley intends to do. You should be invited  Source : The Dominion Post |
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Post by Gene on May 2, 2007 17:01:14 GMT
Belinda, thank you so much for the great report and the wonderful pictures. I'm glad that you were able to make the occasion. We are all lucky that you were there! What an honor for Hayley and what beautiful kids Jill and Gerald have.....
Gene
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Post by postscript on May 2, 2007 17:10:08 GMT
Hi Belinda.
Can you remember the exact wording on the plaque before which Hayley and her siblings are standing?
I have looked at all the pictures and one can 'guess' the wording but it is really too wonderful a plaque to guess. No one thought of taking a picture of the plaque alone or noting the words?
At the moment I am re-acquainting myself with Pure. Oh boy, what memories that brings back. It was her singing Pokarekara Ana that I first heard her voice on Classicfm as I was driving and was determined to track down who that was.
Then of course, The Palladium, Derngate where I first met her face to face and made what will be my most memorable encounter with her. Then other memories come to mind. Chatting animatedly with her but prior to that with Jill at Milton Keynes while we waited with Steve as she signed a queue of CDs and programmes.
That reminds me, she nearly left her booklet on William Cowper and the Olney Poems behind when she departed towards the rear of teh theatre and I called her back to collect it.
She had obviously had some time late morning or early after-noon to visit Olney. I think I threw her momentarily because I used the pronounciation 'Cooper' as opposed to 'Cowper' and she must have had the latter drummed into her at Olney. Being her, she was too polite to contradict me, especially as I mentioned it in the context he had been born in my home town of Great Berkhamsted, which at one time was a place or extensive pilgramage for Cowper enthusiasts.
Then in Shrewsbury where my avatar photo was taken.
Pokarekare Ana comes as fresh as ever. I have just paused for a third re-run of Benedictus. It is a superb rendition, but could she really have been as young as she was to have sung like that? To have followed that transition if only for the last of the three years of arguably the key 6 years to date is an incredible, extraordinary insight and wonderful opportunity for my life-long memory banks.
For the family to think back over those years and beyond when they celebrate her 21st, oh boy. What an extraordinary family they are. What extraordinary memories they have and experiences so singular in their uniqueness. Just by being her family they too have had an extraordinary trip through a life they could never have dreamed possible.
Well done, family Westenra. Good luck, You are a wonderful group of people. Thank you for all your fun, bonhomie and just being you, all of you: Hayley, Sophie, Isaac and of course Gerald and Jill--and Nana... etc.
Peter S.
Addendum for Mods. I did think this might be split and I would create a 21st birthday thread. I then thought, she's only just 20; she's already feeling old etc, so I left things as they are. We don't want to rush her years away for her sooner than her speed of light galavanting round the world must seem to her they do. I can't belive we are in May--I too feel old, but I have cause and time does seem to fly faster.
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Post by Belinda on May 14, 2007 23:18:09 GMT
Hi Belinda. Can you remember the exact wording on the plaque before which Hayley and her siblings are standing? I have looked at all the pictures and one can 'guess' the wording but it is really too wonderful a plaque to guess. No one thought of taking a picture of the plaque alone or noting the words? Hi Peter, I'm quite sure this is what the plaque says HAYLEY WESTENRA SUITE Opened by and named in honour of former student Hayley (1998-99) celebrated international singer on 23.4.07 Belinda |
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Post by postscript on May 15, 2007 10:46:33 GMT
That's great, Belinda, thank you. That's not quite what I had interpreted so worth asking. I think it is a great plaque superbly worded. So, perhaps Sophie isn't there yet, or is in her first year, or she is not following the same path? presmably this school is the 'final' school for university entrance exams (UK's Adanced GCE's)?
Peter S.
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Post by scoobedoo on May 15, 2007 11:18:40 GMT
That's great, Belinda, thank you. That's not quite what I had interpreted so worth asking. I think it is a great plaque superbly worded. So, perhaps Sophie isn't there yet, or is in her first year, or she is not following the same path? presumably this school is the 'final' school for university entrance exams (U K's advanced GCE's)? Peter S. Hi Peter,maybe I can answer your question. Cobham Intermediate School is the next grade from primary (I think you call them infants school) Sophie and Isaac are well and truly through this school, from memory what Gerald was saying when I met him and Isaac earlier this year with Thomas. Intermediate is for 11 to 13 yrs form 1 & 2 secondary school is from form3 onwards to form 7 which I believe it is where Sophie is now and Isaac is form 4. I think Sophie goes to university next year. cheers, Rodders |
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Post by Belinda on Jun 23, 2007 13:10:53 GMT
Hi Everyone, Here are two more pics from the23rd April Belinda |
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Post by Stephany on Jun 23, 2007 13:17:52 GMT
Hi Belinda, Thanks a million for sharing these gorgeous pictures. It's amazing to see how much Jill & Hayley look alike.  Best wishes, Stephany |
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