As we head to towards the end of a very busy term and I reflect on all that we have achieved this term, I celebrate our Tamariki, our Staff and you the parents and caregivers of our children. Our production was an absolute highlight and was so well supported by you all. This event was not just a performance but a celebration of the integrated curriculum in practice. Our children learned so much from all areas of the curriculum as they also learned what resilience, curiosity, collaboration and excellence mean. Indeed, all of our care values and learner powers were in action during this period, and many other curriculum areas were explored by our children. It was outstanding to see all of our children participate and grow over the duration of our production’s preparation and performance.

I want to thank Nic Davis for her fantastic work in producing and directing the show and Nikki MacBeth for the amazing job she did in managing the logistics and organisation. I also want to acknowledge Todd Goodman and Claire Kelly for their magic in producing such a high-quality audio and visual display. Lastly to our teaching and support staff my thanks and admiration for your tireless work and reaching such high standards.

Last week we celebrated Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori with a week-long celebration of Te ao Māori and Te Reo. Susan Ye led the organisation of a great week with each class cycling through some great activities. The week culminated in an assembly and then a community event on Sunday. Thankyou once again for your support, our children gain so much from our Kapa Haka programme, and they love it when their parents come along to watch them perform. Thankyou Susan for your tireless work.

Our School is making a significant change to our enrolment system commencing in Term 1 2027. We will be joining a growing number of schools who use the cohort entry system for children enrolling in year 0/1. Children will now enter school in two cohorts each term rather than the Monday following their 5th birthday. 

Start days for the year are prescribed by the Ministry of Education. The enrolment dates are timed to be at the start of and approximately halfway through each term. Children will start school on the cohort entry day following their fifth birthday. 

The cohort entry dates for 2027 are:

Flexibility will be provided for those parents who have already enrolled their children for 2027. Parents of these children will be contacted and asked to chose between the appropriate cohort entry date and the date already allocated to their child.

All children who enrol from today forward will be allocated a cohort entry date.

This decision was made by the Board at a meeting held on the 10th of September 2026 following consultation with our community, future parents and local ECE Centres. A summary of the outcomes of that consultation and the rationale supporting the decision can be found here. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about cohort entry.

You can find the Ministry information on cohort entry here.

We are pleased to welcome Lisa Venturi to our staff for term 4. Lisa will be teaching our final new entrant start up class for 2026. Lisa has been teaching at Torbay as reliever this year and we are pleased to have her available to fill this role. She will be working alongside Anne Naude. Anne and Lisa’s classes will be in Room 1 and 2.

As our year 3 children move to year 4 they move into our Bring Your Own Chromebook programme. Each year we have a parent information evening about digital technology, and it’s use in our school. This evening is specifically targeted at parents of year 3 children. This year this meeting will be held on the 3rd of November at 6pm. Please save this date. More information will be available next term.

As we head into the 4th term and end of year reports, I would like to make you aware that our reports will remain in the same format as the midyear reports. They will cover the same areas of the curriculum: Reading, Writing and Mathematics. They will also include comments on Care Values and Learner Powers as per our previous reports. There has been no further clear information or guidance around the reporting processes that can effectively be applied and so we will be maintain the status quo for end of year reports. As per our mid-year reports they will be available online and there will be no paper version unless requested.

 

Please take care during the holiday period. I hope you manage to have some wonderful family time with your children and I look forward to seeing you in the final term for 2026.

Thank you for your continued support of all we do here at Te Kura O Waiake. Please do not hesitate to contact me regarding any matter.

It is wonderful to see our tamariki and whānau biking, walking and scootering to school. For the safety of your child and their friends, please remember to observe the parking and drop-off zone restrictions near our school. Always use the school patrolled crossing and choose safety over convenience. Wherever possible, join a Walking School Bus with your child and try to avoid the stress and congestion at the school gate by parking 500m+ away from the school and let your children walk the remaining short distance.

Waka Kotahi | New Zealand Transport Agency has released an informative Whānau and Caregivers Guide. This booklet describes the things you need to know to help your child learn about staying safe on the roads, cycling, walking and taking the bus and near railways. Hike it, Bike it, Scoot it, Skate it: Safer Journeys for School Children: A Whānau and Caregivers’ Guide.

 

A huge thank you to all of our students, families, and staff who stepped up to support our recent mufti days. Thanks to your remarkable generosity and enthusiasm. 

100% of the proceeds from both events go directly to the organisations to support their essential work and research. Thank you for your incredible kindness and for coming together to help those in need.
 

CONGRATULATIONS to the following tamariki who received certicates from their class teachers: Minnie Guo & Xin tong Wang Rm 3, McKenzie & Eliza Rm 4, Adam & Asher Rm 5, Lily & Jake Rm 6, Shane & Brodie Rm 7, Arshan & Phoenix Rm 8, Jameson & Michelle Rm 9, Hadley & Manny Rm 10, William & Sisi Rm 11,  Chloe & Yuvraj Rm 12, Liam & Ben Rm 13, Malea & Noah Rm 14, Cohen & Charlotte Rm 15, Alexis & Olivia Rm 16, Maddy & Talon Rm 17, Jack & Mila Rm 18, Jack, Jordyn & Nyla Rm 19, Lily U & Aria C Rm 20, Alice & Mara Rm 21, Diana & Joe Rm 22, Coby & Diederik Rm 17, Bronson & Maisy Rm 24, Skye & Cian Rm 25, Cooper & Harper Rm 26, Lauren & Katia, Aerie & Imogen Rm 28

RICC REWARDS, for displaying our C.A.R.E Values – Riley Rm 18, Danny Rm 24, Maclain Rm 19, Maite Rm 19, Amy Rm 4, Kinsley Rm 12, Liam Rm 4, Jessi Rm 11a Ka pai!

KA RAWE AWARDS For using Te Reo Māori - Peyton Rm 24, Irene Rm 23, Cooper Rm 24, Autumn Rm 13, 
Fox Rm 14, Jude Rm 5 – Tino pai!