IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS
Torbay School Learning Powers – RIC
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
Tena Koutou e te Whānau
Welcome back to school! It was terrific to see the enthusiasm of our Tamariki as they raced into school on Monday. I hope you have all enjoyed the summer period and sent some valuable time with family and friends.
It gives me a great deal of pleasure to welcome our new staff members. Welcome to Anastasia (Anna) Coughlan who will be teaching in Motuihe alongside Mrs Toerien. I would also like to welcome three new learning assistants, Sophie Long (Rangitoto), Lizel Boy (Motuihe) and Tina Baines (Rakino). Tina will also be playing a lead role in our Garden to Table Programme. Amos Watene who will be well known to many of you as a parent of the school has also joined us as a student teacher for the full year. Amos will be working in Whānau Rakino for the first half of the year and Whānau Motuihe in the second half of the year.
I would also like to welcome our international students and their families into our school. I hope you have a fabulous time while attending Torbay School.
The first few weeks of the school year are vitally important as the children settle into their new classrooms and get to know their teachers and create new friendships. To assist this process, we provide two opportunities to meet with you child’s teachers in the first couple of weeks of each year. I encourage you to take the time to attend our Meet the Teacher Picnic Evening and our Whānau Feedback meeting. The broad details of these events are below. More detailed and booking information for Whānau feedback will be provided by email.
PTA
Our PTA are an important and valued group in our Kura. They work hard to bring us together as a community and fundraise for projects providing resources that we might not otherwise be able to afford. We are currently in the process of refurbishing the school’s library and this would not have been possible without the funds raised last year by the PTA.
With a number of our PTA members moving on with their children to the next stage of their education journey we need some new volunteers to become members of the PTA. If you have the time and inclination to become a member of this group then please come to our next meeting in the school staff room on Tuesday 17th March at 6.30pm. You will not only contribute to our school but make new friends and have a good time!
Sports at Torbay
As sports teams are organised and competitions start for the year we remind parents that our new sports uniform is available through NZ Uniforms. You can buy online or visit their store at 19A Douglas Alexander Parade, Rosedale.
Open Hours Monday · Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm, Saturday 9:00am – 4:00pm
This year your child will receive a “Sports at Torbay” handbook once they are registered. Please keep an eye out for this document it answers most questions about sport at school.
Reminders
Hats and Sun Block
Please ensure that your children come to school with hats. The wearing of hats is compulsory at break times in term 1. Also apply sun block when necessary. We do have sun block available in our classrooms.
Electric Scooters
I would like to remind you that electric scooters are not allowed to be used by children as a means of transport to and from school.
Hot Pots
Please do not send your children to school with hot drinks or food in thermos type containers.
Phones
All children with Phones are to hand them in at the office in the morning and collect them at 3pm.
Swimming
It is exciting to see the impact our heated pool has had on our swimming numbers. Please remember to use swimming caps when in the pool.
Car Parks and Drop Off
Our Alexander Ave Car Park is for staff only please do not use it for pick up or drop off unless you are authorised to use the accessible parking spaces. Please discuss the use of the accessible car parks with our Admin team.
Our deep Creek Rd Car Park is a visitor only car park only with no access for pick up and drop off between 8.30am – 9.15am or 2.30pm – 3.15pm.
Please ensure you respect these rules. Our drop of Zone on Deep Creek Rd is a busy place morning and night.
- Please make your drop off and pick up quick and efficient and move to the front of the Zone when waiting.
- Do not leave your car unattended.
- Do not turn right when leaving the drop off zone.
- Only drop of or pick up children when parked by the curb.
- Do not park over our neighbours drives even for a short period.
Please comply with these rules to ensure the safety of our children.
Important Events
Please save these dates in your calendar:
School Picnic and Meet the Teacher Evening: Tues. 10th February.
Our first event for the year will be the annual school Picnic and Meet the Teacher evening. We will be holding this event during the second week of school on Tuesday the 12th of February starting at 5pm. More information will come from your children’s teachers regarding venues.
For our new parents who have not experienced this before, we invite you to bring a picnic to school and have your evening meal here. Teachers will hold a session in their classrooms to introduce themselves and some elements of their practice and programme. Each teacher will hold two sessions. Session one at 6.00 pm and session Two at 6.45 pm. This is also an opportunity to reunite with other parents and for new parents to meet others.
If you do not wish to have a picnic at school, we encourage you to attend the meet the teacher sessions. It is also great opportunity to get to know other parents from your children’s class.
Whanāu Feedback Evenings. Tues. 17th and Wed. 18th of February
This afternoon / evening event gives you the opportunity to personally meet your child’s teacher. The meeting is designed as an opportunity for you share information about your child and family that may help our teachers meet their students needs. One of the most important factors for children to succeed at school is their relationship with their teacher and so I urge you to make the time to attend these meetings to help our teachers develop a deep understanding of your children’s needs.
You will be able to book a time slot ranging from late afternoon through to early evening.
Staff Only Day: Friday 1st of May (Term 2)
We currently have three Staff only days planned for 2026. Two of these three days are mandated by the Ministry. Our first planned day is currently the 1st of May in Term 2. This is a Ministry directed Maths curriculum day. We will finalise dates for the other two in the coming weeks.
Important dates for term 1 include:
Waitangi Day 6th Feb. (School Closed)
School Picnic and Meet the Teacher 10th Feb.
Whānau Feedback 17th & 18th Feb.
Lunar Year Celebration 16th – 20th of Feb.
Senior School Swimming Sports 12th Feb.
Year 3 Sleep Over 27th March
Class Photos 30th March
End of Term 1 2nd April
It is terrific to be back at School. Our Kura is buzzing with excitement for what 2026 will bring. We look forward to working with you to ensure exceptional outcomes for our children.
Thankyou for your continued support of all we do here at Te Kura O Waiake. Please do not hesitate to contact me about any subject.
Nga mihi nui
Gary O’Brien
Principal
Nga mihi nui
Gary O’Brien
Principal
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