February 1957 – First Day

On Tuesday, 5 February 1957, a small group of 117 third formers and a small staff gathered in B Block, at that time the only completed part of the buildings in Wairau Road, for the first assembly. The surroundings consisted of builder’s sheds, building materials, rubble and clay. And on that first day, to add to the difficulties, the heavens opened. In spite of the difficulties that first year, it would be safe to say that neither pupil nor teacher regretted being a Foundation member of a new school. It was a happy, friendly fellowship and cooperation beneficial to all who experienced it.  Westlake High School officially opened on 18 October 1958.

December 1961 – Westlake High School split into Westlake Girls High School and Westlake Boys High School.

When the separate schools opened in 1962, Westlake Girls had 650 pupils. In 2024, it has over 2,300 students. In 1962, Westlake Boys had 607 pupils, and in 2024, it has over 2,300 pupils.

Throughout the last sixty-plus years since the Westlake Schools took their own paths, the two schools have continued to collaborate and combine for many activities and events. There is still a strong unified pride in wearing the Westlake Swan.