Our Newsletters
Current notices are listed below. Old notices from the last month (if any) are listed below them.
Newsletter Week 6 Term 2 2023
Look us up at www.karāpiro.school.nz and like us on Facebook
Reminder: Friday 16th June Teacher Only Day Across Cambridge Schools - Te Oko Horoi (Kahui Ako)
Week 6, Term 2 2023
Welcome!
This week we are delighted to welcome River to our school. River has turned 5 years old and joined Kowhai Class. We wish you many happy school days ahead River!
School Photo Day on 9 June
Our photo day will be on Friday 9 June from 9am. If you would like a photo with your child/ren and siblings who do not currently attend our school please let Lynda in the office know.
Working Bee
We have some jobs around the school that we need your help with at a time that suits you. If you could please complete this form: Working Bee to indicate the date and time you would be available we would really appreciate it.
Jobs we need help with: Leaves, gutters, weeding gardens, wash down outside of buildings, planting in carpark garden (about 20 plants)
Assembly
You are warmly invited to attend our next assembly here at school in Kauri Class 2.15pm on Friday the 9th of June. The students are looking forward to sharing their learning with you. All are welcome.
Swimming Fun Day
The whole school will be attending a swimming fun day on Wednesday 28 June at the Perry Aquatic Centre in Cambridge. Please complete the permission form: Cambridge Pools Swimming Fun Day Trip for your child/ren to attend.
School Gates
Our new gates and our new system seem to be working really well and we have had positive feedback from families and visitors to the school on the procedures. Can we please remind you to close the gate securely behind you, immediately. Thank you.
School Attendance
School attendance is currently a focus of the Ministry of Education and you may have seen a number of news items about poor attendance levels in New Zealand schools. We continue to monitor attendance at our school. We also have concerns over the number of students arriving late to school, which causes disruption to the classroom programme and also disruption for the child who is late as they often miss key information at the start of the school day. Please can parents support teaching and learning by ensuring students arrive on time. Thank you.
If your child is going to be absent from school, we are required to record parents' reasons for the absence. You can support us by contacting us before 9am either by phone on 07 8277642 (you can leave a message - we check the answerphone regularly) or by using the online link on our school website. Absence link
Credit: Verona School, NSW Education & Community
Pohutukawa Camp Parent Meeting
Planning for senior camp is underway with much excitement. An email has been sent out last week but if you have not seen it, Dan would like to invite you to a short consultation session.
This will be held on Wednesday, June 7th at 2:45pm and will be approximately 30 minutes long. During this session he will pass on our hopes, ideas and current plans for a term 4 senior camp and answer any questions at this time.
Look forward to seeing you there!
Visual Pepeha by Pohutukawa Class
Pōhutukawa created these visual pepeha as part of our Mana Tangata (self esteem, identity, positive self talk) focus.
These pepeha tell a story about each individual student and their whakapapa (ancestry/heritage). They include aspects of their whānau, local area and the things they bring them joy and pride.
Like any visual storytelling, they provide an insight into their creative minds, thoughts and feelings.
We also focused on using this traditional Māori method of greeting as a way to gain a greater cultural understanding of our home, Aotearoa.
Incredible work, Pōhutukawa!
Kaitiakitanga by Kowhai Class
Kowhai has been learning about our school value “kaitiakitanga”. This is when you are a guardian of all things around you.
Roof Repair
Thank you so much to Shaun Higginson from Any Angle Roofing for donating your time and materials to fix our school roof recently. We appreciate it so much!
Driveway Tree Removal
One of the large trees at the entrance to our driveway will be removed during the first week of the school holidays. This means access to the school will be limited during this time as the driveway will be closed. We are looking for families who would be available to help chop up the rings of wood that will remain for us to sell. We will be offering the wood for $200 per trailer load to help raise funds for our school. If you are interested in a load of wood or would be available to help to chop the wood please contact Lynda in the school office.
Scholastic Book Orders
Catalogues have come home with students this week. Extra copies are available from the school office. Orders close on Friday 9 June.
Board Meeting
Our next Board meeting is Tuesday 20 June 2023 @ 3.30pm in Kowhai Class. All are welcome.
Student Prizegiving - The Jones Maanakitanga Award
Thank you to Marilynn Jones and her whanau for the donation of this beautiful new award which will be awarded to a Karāpiro School student for the first time at the 2023 school prizegiving.
Music Lessons
Music lessons are available at school on Thursday’s during school hours. We support this being available to students as we know the benefits learning an instrument has to education.
June MacKenzie is available to teach both individual and group lessons in guitar, ukulele, piano and keyboard. If your child is interested in learning an instrument and does not have access to one please let us know as there may be the option to loan one from the school. Lessons are $160 per term. Please contact June Mackenzie on 021 136 0583 if you are interested.
Karāpiro School Community PlayGroup
Our PlayGroup schedule for term one and two is now up and running and on the flyer below. Please share with friends and family and anyone you know who might like to come along and join us. Please also note the transition dates for our new students starting school with us. Our next session is 7 June.
School Gardens & Sharing Shed
We are looking for some help with our school gardens on a regular basis. Please let us know if you have some time to spare to support us with some general weeding of the car park gardens and gardens in the school grounds. We would really appreciate your support!
We are also looking to set up a ‘sharing shed’ where we can swap surplus food - does anyone know of someone who could build one for us? Alternatively, does anyone have an old bookshelf that we could paint and use?
Keep an eye on our School Calendar which has been updated for the new term ahead.
We wish you all the best for a long weekend ahead with your families. See you back on Tuesday 6th of June.
Ngā mihi
Tina-Maree and the Karāpiro Staff team
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Edventure Young Explorers Camp Mon 10th - Thu 13th July (2nd week of the holidays)
We have an amazing week lined up with bush walks, archery, air rifle, rock climbing, fire building and cooking, hut building, tenting (optional), orienteering, team building and confidence activities, & night activities. Based at Aongatete Lodge- near Katikati, BOP
Check out the NEW: Edventure Tauranga Facebook Page;
or e-mail: todd@edventure.co.nz for more information.
We are supporting Stats NZ to encourage everyone to complete the 2023 Census. So, this is a reminder that you need to return your census forms if you have not done so already. Census data is used to make important decisions that affect us all. The census is the official count of people living in Aotearoa New Zealand, and everyone who was in the country on Census Day, 7 March 2023, is required by law to complete a census form. Your participation will help ensure that our community receives funding for services for the number of people that live in our community. That includes education, health, and social services.
To complete the census, you can do it online at www.census.govt.nz using one of the access codes provided in the letters sent to your household. Or you can fill out paper census forms if you have them. To request a new access code or paper forms, freephone 0800 236 787 (0800 CENSUS) or order online at www.census.govt.nz.
The 2023 Census closes on 30 June, so you should do them online now or as soon as practicable. Ensure your paper forms are posted so they arrive with Stats NZ by 30 June. Census collectors are no longer visiting households providing help to complete census forms (except in the cyclone-impacted areas of the Far North, Te Tairāwhiti, and Hawke’s Bay). If you need assistance or more information:
You can attend a census support event and get face-to-face help to complete forms (for more information go to www.census.govt.nz/census-support). We encourage you to help whānau, friends, and neighbours complete their forms. There is information in New Zealand Sign Language, Braille, Easy Read, Large Print, and Audio formats, as well as in 29 different languages at www.census.govt.nz. The 0800 CENSUS (0800 236 787) helpline will be open until 30 June.
Thank you for your support in making sure our community is accurately represented in the census.
You may already know that Waipā District Council is consulting now on proposed changes to their Dog Control Policy and Bylaw.
There are now just 2 weeks left to take a look at their proposals and make submissions. Closing time is 5pm on Friday 16 June.
The changes are all listed in their Statement of Proposal (the key document). Most of them relate to where and when dogs can be exercised off-leash. But there are one or two new prohibited areas as well.
Most of the dog exercise areas are in the heart of communities, and some are close to schools. Whether you are a dog owner or not, you may have an opinion or some thoughts you would like to make.
The Statement of Proposal, the draft Policy and the draft Bylaw, and maps showing the proposed exercise and prohibited areas are all available online at www.waipadc.govt.nz/dogsreview or at the Council’s offices and libraries.
Please take a look and send your submissions to Council. They have an online submission form, or you can email them at submissions@waipadc.govt.nz (subject: dogsreview).
Newsletter Week 2 Term 2 2023
Look us up at www.karāpiro.school.nz and like us on Facebook
Week 2, Term 2 2023
Welcome to Term 2! This term we are delighted to welcome our new students Cooper, Jahkai and Harley to Kowhai class. Welcome to each of you and your families. It is a pleasure to be part of the beginning of your learning journey and your primary school days. We have many happy and exciting times ahead!
Introducing our Student Leaders
This week we are excited to highlight our student leaders. These students are a really special part of Karāpiro School and they contribute to the fun and happy learning environment for our students. Our student leaders have a genuine say in issues that affect the students and have input into the games and activities the students play in their own time and their environment. Here are our 2023 student leaders:
Survey feedback
Thank you to our families who completed our survey where we explored how parents felt about changing our school start and finish times due to roading issues. We had a small response which will go to the board for discussion at their next meeting which is Tuesday 9 May at 3.30pm.
New Fences and Gates
When you drove into school this morning you no doubt would have noticed our new safety fencing. This fencing was provided to us by the Ministry of Education and features Perspex panelling which is climb-proof, and features new gates that swing open into the school (as opposed to outwards into the carpark/driveway). The fences are also higher at 1.8m and the gates are opened by a safety catch at the very top of the gate. These gates cannot be opened or closed by students which means we have developed a new gate procedure.
The Student Gate (at the rear car park) will be latched open from 8.30am. At 9.00am our learning support teacher Whaea Amanda will close the student gate and head to class. Any students arriving after this time will not be able to open the gate themselves and we ask parents to instead park in the visitor car park at the front of the school office. Once parked you will be able to open the Office Gate for your child and then sign them in using the VisTab tablet in the school office.
See the pics of Aaliyah below modelling the procedure for us
In the afternoon, teaching staff will be on duty as usual to farewell the children through the Student Gate. This is a good time to remind you to please use the ‘Drop Zone’ effectively by pulling forward to the very front of the drop zone to allow other cars to come up behind you. We will let the children go to you via the footpath when we see you in the zone. In the interests of safety could we please discourage parents from parking in the Bus Zone as students will need to walk out on the driveway to find you. If you are parking in the car park please come to the gate to collect your child. Thank you.
Our next project is to work on safety fencing for State Highway 1. We have some quotes in and are looking for sponsorship for this.
Ministry of Education School Bus for Term 2
If you are interested in your child taking the bus to and from school please contact Vicky at Cambridge Travel Lines on 07 827 7363 and then let Lynda know the date your child will be starting office@karapiro.school.nz
Student Wellbeing@School programme
To further add value to our Student Wellbeing@School programme, school staff are taking part in the Pause, Breathe, Smile programme provided by Southern Cross. This is a mind health programme designed to equip children aged five to 12 with tools to manage the ups and downs of life and set them up for a healthy future. We will be training in the programme over the course of the term. Further information can be found here: Pause Breathe Smile
Your Cambridge News - Article About June
Our music teacher June Mackenzie was featured in Your Cambridge News for a celebration we held at school for her during book week for a very special birthday. The article can be found here: Thank You For The Music, June with some great photos of our students.
Book Week and Grandparents Day
Beach Education Day
We had an amazing trip to Papamoa Beach with Surf Life Saving New Zealand. Thank you to our wonderful staff who made themselves available so that this trip could happen.
CAM Competitions
The University of Canterbury is delighted to offer the annual Kiwi English, Mathematics and Science competitions for Primary, Intermediate and Secondary schools. The skills based Kiwi competitions are written by New Zealand teachers for New Zealand students and closely align with the New Zealand Curriculum. The online competitions will be run in the last 3 weeks of Term 2 and the first week of Term 3. The competitions take place at school under exam conditions. Parents/caregivers will be provided with an individual student report outlining student performance. All participating students will be awarded a certificate and a prize will be awarded to the top student in each competition. The cost for a student to participate is $9.90 per competition entered. Entry forms are due back to the school office by Wednesday 10 May.
Scholastic Book Orders
Catalogues have come home with students. If you did not receive one, extra copies are available from the school office. Orders are due by Friday 12 May.
Music Lessons
Music lessons are available at school on Thursday’s during school hours. We support this being available to students as we know the benefits learning an instrument has to education.
June MacKenzie is available to teach both individual and group lessons in guitar, ukulele, piano and keyboard. If your child is interested in learning an instrument and does not have access to one please let us know as there may be the option to loan one from the school. Lessons are $160 per term. Please contact June Mackenzie on 021 136 0583 if you are interested.
Karāpiro School Community PlayGroup
Our PlayGroup schedule for term one and two is now up and running and on the flyer below. Please share with friends and family and anyone you know who might like to come along and join us. Please also note the transition dates for our new students starting school with us.
School Gardens & Sharing Shed
We are looking for some help with our school gardens on a regular basis. Please let us know if you have some time to spare to support us with some general weeding of the car park gardens and gardens in the school grounds. We would really appreciate your support!
We are also looking to set up a ‘sharing shed’ where we can swap surplus food - does anyone know of someone who could build one for us? Alternatively, does anyone have an old bookshelf that we could paint and use?
Keep an eye on our School Calendar which has been updated for the new term ahead.
Ngā mihi
Tina-Maree and the Karāpiro Staff team
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Newsletter Week 9 Term 1 2023
Look us up at www.karāpiro.school.nz and like us on Facebook
Week 9, Term 1 2023
Welcome to Week 9! It is incredible how this term is flying by and we are heading into the holiday break already. It has been a busy but fantastic term and there is some great progress being made by Karāpiro School students who have been making the most of the opportunities we provide for them.
The staff would like to say a huge THANK YOU to Mr Churstain for keeping our school pool sparkling over the summer term. Looking after a school pool is a daily job and we appreciate the work you do to keep everything ticking. The pool will close at the end of this term. If you have a pool key, please return it to the school office. We will issue new keys for the 2023/24 summer season later in the year.
THANK YOU also to Marty from Dingo Services for grinding the tree stump outside the school house. A little birdie told us he was trying out some new gear (we are very happy to be guinea pigs for things like this!) Thanks for helping us out.
Birthday Girl - Congratulations Music Teacher June McKenzie 80 years young!
Staff News - Wedding Bells!
The Karāpiro School staff team would like to congratulate Lynda and her fiancé Issam ahead of their upcoming wedding in the school holidays. We are all very excited for the two of you and wish you the happiest future together. The staff are planning a ‘kitchen tea’ on the morning of the last day of school - stand by for a bit of fun! Parents are welcome to join us - 10.30am in the staff room.
Beach Education Trip - Wednesday 5th April
We are very excited to be heading to Papamoa Beach Surf Lifesaving Club next Wednesday for our Beach Education. The school bus will be leaving school at 8.30am and we recommended children arrive at 8.15am so they can use the bathroom and have a briefing with teachers so the bus can leave at 8.30am sharp.
Below is a repeat of the information sent home on the permission form: As part of our Health curriculum programme Pohutukawa and Kowhai students will be taking part in a Beach Education programme at Papamoa Beach Surf Lifesaving Club on Wednesday 5th April. We will travel by bus (Karāpiro Charters & Tours) and be leaving school by 8.30am (sharp) and aiming to return by 4pm.
Beach Education is unique to all other water safety programmes as it provides students with a real experience of Surf Life Saving with qualified instructors. Students are immersed in a Surf Life Saving environment with hands-on experience of beach and surf conditions - that means they will be participating in water activities in the surf environment. The day will involve theory, beach activities and water activities.
Students will need to bring: Togs/wetsuit, towel x 2, warm clothing, shoes, a large packed morning tea, and a water bottle (one that can be easily refilled), school hat, sunscreen, and any medication that your child needs (to be handed to your classroom teacher on the day).
We are planning a 'fish and chips' lunch for everyone on the day which will cost $5 per person which will be invoiced separately. Parent helpers who would like to attend can also order lunch for themselves for $5 per person which will also be invoiced.
There are no other costs for this trip other than $5 per person for lunch. The school thanks 'Jumble Around' for providing us with a grant to cover the cost of the bus (approx. $800) and the school will cover the curriculum cost of the Beach Education instruction.
Student Led Conferences
Teaching staff are looking forward to meeting with families to discuss your child’s progress and learning so far this year. Student led conferences will be held on Monday 3 April and Tuesday 4 April from 2.30pm-5.30pm. To make a booking please use the following link: Student Led Conferences Booking In addition to the teacher, your child has an active role in the meeting and will be practising talking about their learning and sharing their learning goals with you. If you have any questions regarding the conferences please let us know. If you are unable to attend during these times please contact your child/ren's teacher to arrange an alternative time to meet.
School Hours Survey
As you know, the Karāpiro School Board of Trustees is committed to our school vision, which is that our school is a safe and happy learning environment for our students. To this end, the Board continues to lobby for safe roads around our school (see the Safe roads update below).
As a Board we are exploring an idea - and it is only an idea at this stage - that we think has the potential to alleviate some issues school families and staff are facing on the roads - in particular at peak times when the road is congested.
The Board wishes to explore a change to our school start and finish times: moving from a 9am start to 8.30am, and finishing at 2.30pm instead of 3pm.
Before any decisions are made, we want to explore this fully with our families and staff to find out what the potential impact such a change might have on your family. Please answer the survey below and let us know your preferences and use the space at the end of the survey to give us some feedback. I will collate your responses and provide it to the Board for discussion at the next Board meeting on 9 May. It is not expected that a firm decision would be made at this meeting, as further consultation may be required, but it will be tabled for discussion. Your link to the survey: School Hours Survey
School Charter
Our 2023 School Charter has been consulted on and you can find the latest copy on our website Charter 2023
Safe Roads Update - What’s happening?
The school has met with a number of stakeholders to share our concerns about road safety in the area around the school. Despite the government announcing changes to roading work plans recently, our roads remain in the top 1% for government safety concerns requiring attention. We share this view and to this end, in recent weeks I have met with the following groups:
Stantec - They are subcontracted to Waka Kotahi for the roundabout installation and SH1 corridor safety upgrade and I am in communication with them. Progress is being made towards the installation and an update will be made to the public in the coming weeks.
Road to Zero – I have raised the issue of speed, noise and carpark safety with this group who is focussed on state highways. I am looking for furthering lowering of the speed limit outside the school, solutions for double glazing classroom windows to reduce road noise and funding assistance for a SH1 fence (between the school carpark and SH1).
Waka Kotahi – On behalf of the school community I have completed a ‘Social Impact Survey for Stakeholders’ which will feed into the Social Impact Assessment Report for the long term realignment of the expressway (extension).
School Donations
The school Decile System has been replaced by the Equity Index. As a result of the change Karāpiro School is now eligible for the Ministry of Education’s (MoE) School Donation Scheme, whereby the school receives a roll-based payment from MoE in lieu of the school asking for parent donations. Parents will be pleased to know that the school will no longer be asking parents for school donations or curriculum-related costs. For more information you can check the MoE website
Book Week
Get your dress-ups ready! A reminder of our parents, grandparents and special friends day on Friday 31 March. Bring a plate for morning tea and bring a favourite book or two to read with the children. Please see the invitation below for details:
Music Lessons
Music lessons are available at school on Thursday’s during school hours. We support this being available to students as we know the benefits learning an instrument has to education.
June MacKenzie is available to teach both individual and group lessons in guitar, ukulele, piano and keyboard. If your child is interested in learning an instrument and does not have access to one please let us know as there may be the option to loan one from the school. Lessons are $160 per term. Please contact June Mackenzie on 021 136 0583 if you are interested.
Karāpiro School Community PlayGroup
Our PlayGroup schedule for term one and two is now up and running and on the flyer below. Please share with friends and family and anyone you know who might like to come along and join us. Please also note the transition dates for our new students starting school with us.
School Gardens & Sharing Shed
We are looking for some help with our school gardens on a regular basis. Please let us know if you have some time to spare to support us with some general weeding of the car park gardens and gardens in the school grounds. We would really appreciate your support!
We are also looking to set up a ‘sharing shed’ where we can swap surplus food - does anyone know of someone who could build one for us?
Leamington Sports Club
Leamington Sports Club invites you to register for the 2023 winter season, we offer Netball, Hockey and Rugby. Please register using the following links:
Hockey:https://www.sporty.co.nz/leamingtonrsc/Junior-Sports-Registrations/junior-hockey-player-registration
Rugby: https://www.sporty.co.nz/leamingtonrsc/Junior-Sports-Registrations/junior-rugby-player-registration
Please come along to a muster at our club on Carlyle Street on Sunday March 5th at 2pm . You can try on uniforms, talk to our volunteers, kick, throw or hit a ball around and get to know our club. There will be games, food and drink and lots of friendly faces. We would love to see you there! If you have any questions please contact Lara Connors or Sam Ward on leamingtonjuniorsport@outlook.com
Keep an eye on our School Calendar which has been updated for the new term ahead.
As this is our final newsletter for Term 1 we would like to take the opportunity to thank our families for their wonderful support this year. We wish you an enjoyable holiday break with your children and will see you again when Term 2 begins on Wednesday 26th April (the day after Anzac Day). Happy Easter!
Ngā mihi
Tina-Maree and the Karāpiro Staff team
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Newsletter Week 6 Term 1 2023
Look us up at www.karāpiro.school.nz and like us on Facebook
Week 6, Term 1 2023
Kia ora parents, caregivers and whānau,
Karāpiro School extends a very warm welcome to Riverlee and her family. Riverlee has turned 5 and has joined the students in Kowhai Class.
Thank You
Thank you Nicole, Justin, Summer and Chelsea Skivington for all their work at school on a recent Sunday - our edges have been beautifully trimmed up! Thanks so much for your time. Thank you also to the Churstain whānau for tackling the huge pile of oak wood chips (they finished the job started by Mrs Jones and Karāpiro students last Friday). The chip is now beautifully spread out underneath our stunning London Plane trees in the playground (great mulch for the trees and the roots are no longer a trip hazard for humans!) Thank you to everyone who supports our little school.
Industrial Action - Schools closed Thursday 16 March
Last night we received notice of the intention of primary school teachers across New Zealand to take industrial action by way of strike action on Thursday 16th March 2023. The school will be closed for instruction on this day. We will have more information for families on this via email on Monday.
Health Curriculum
Consultation on the school Health Curriculum is due to close at the end of day Friday 10 March. Please follow the link in your email to have your say on our health education programmes.
We are also excited to have been accepted on to the Pause, Breath, Smile wellbeing programme for staff which we will undertake training in Term 2. This programme will be a welcome addition to our Student Wellbeing@School programme.
Before and After School Care
We are exploring running a Before and After School Care programme for parents. Please complete the link as soon as possible to give us an idea of the need: Before and After School Care Survey
Rural Swimming Sports
Thank you to everyone who supported us with transport and timekeeping and supervision for the swimming sports this week. Mr C and I thoroughly enjoyed this day with our students - it was full of personal best efforts and awesome teamwork and support of each other and students at other rural schools. Great work Pohutukawa Class!
Waipa Council Ahu Ake Strategic Plan
Thank you to everyone who came along to the Waipa Council consultation day and shared their views about our school and our region. There is still time to have your say on the future of the Karāpiro region. Send through your views via the link in the poster below.
Thank You
We have been learning about rights and responsibilities and what it means to be a citizen. We are focussing on the people and groups who are there to help us when we need help. This week Pohutukawa students took the time to write letters of thanks to our local Cambridge Volunteer Fire Service.
Book Week
Book week will run from 27 to 31 March with students taking part in lots of activities involving literacy. The week will end with a parents, grandparents and special friends day on Friday 31 March. Please see the invitation below for details:
Music Lessons
Music lessons are available at school on Thursday’s during school hours. We support this being available to students as we know the benefits learning an instrument has to education.
June MacKenzie is available to teach both individual and group lessons in guitar, ukulele, piano and keyboard. If your child is interested in learning an instrument and does not have access to one please let us know as there may be the option to loan one from the school. Lessons are $160 per term. Please contact June Mackenzie on 021 136 0583 if you are interested.
Karāpiro School Community PlayGroup
Our PlayGroup schedule for term one and two is now up and running and on the flyer below. Please share with friends and family and anyone you know who might like to come along and join us. Please also note the transition dates for our new students starting school with us.
School Gardens & Sharing Shed
We are looking for some help with our school gardens on a regular basis. Please let us know if you have some time to spare to support us with some general weeding of the car park gardens and gardens in the school grounds. We would really appreciate your support!
We are also looking to set up a ‘sharing shed’ where we can swap surplus food - does anyone know of someone who could build one for us?
Leamington Sports Club
Leamington Sports Club invites you to register for the 2023 winter season, we offer Netball, Hockey and Rugby. Please register using the following links:
Hockey: https://www.sporty.co.nz/leamingtonrsc/Junior-Sports-Registrations/junior-hockey-player-registration
Rugby: https://www.sporty.co.nz/leamingtonrsc/Junior-Sports-Registrations/junior-rugby-player-registration
Please come along to a muster at our club on Carlyle Street on Sunday March 5th at 2pm . You can try on uniforms, talk to our volunteers, kick, throw or hit a ball around and get to know our club. There will be games, food and drink and lots of friendly faces. We would love to see you there!
If you have any questions please contact Lara Connors or Sam Ward on leamingtonjuniorsport@outlook.com
St Peters Open Day – Friday 16th March
You are warmly invited to St Peter’s School Cambridge, Full School Open Day on Friday 16th March. This is a great opportunity to find out what St Peter’s can do for your child. You will enjoy a student led tour of the school and have the opportunity to hear from existing parents and students first hand.
Please register for this event at stpeters.school.nz or to find out further information please contact Claire Pollock, Director of Admissions on 07 823 3684
RD4 Post Delivery Driver Role - Part Time
A part time driver role is available delivering on the RD4 post run. Please contact Sukhdev Singh on 021 135 8969 if you are interested.
Keep an eye on our School Calendar which has been updated for the new term ahead.
Ngā mihi
Tina-Maree and the Karāpiro Staff team
Find us on Facebook
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Newsletter Week 3 Term 1 2023
Look us up at www.karāpiro.school.nz and like us on Facebook
Week 3, Term 1 2023
Kia ora parents, caregivers and whānau,
Well that was a wild start to the week! Our thoughts are with people in our community and across the country who have been affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. We are so fortunate to have escaped any damage to our school, with only a site clean up of fallen branches and leaves required. Thank you to the Karāpiro staff team and students for the huge clean up job you did on Wednesday :)
Working Bee
We do have quite a lot of work to be done around the school site and would appreciate your support at our next Working Bee this Sunday from 10-12. Many hands make light work! Please bring your own gardening gloves and gear and check out the list below. (Morning tea provided for you!)
Staff News
Karāpiro School is delighted to announce Amanda Tucker will be joining our staff team and providing learning support as a teacher aide. Amanda is an experienced teacher aide and impressed us with her caring personality and her knowledge and experience working with children with special education needs. We are very lucky to have her! Amanda starts work with us next Monday and is kindly popping in to lend a hand at our Working Bee on Sunday so please do introduce yourself and say hello.
Music Lessons
Music lessons are available at school on Thursday’s during school hours. We support this being available to students as we know the benefits learning an instrument has to education.
June MacKenzie is available to teach both individual and group lessons in guitar, ukulele, piano and keyboard. If your child is interested in learning an instrument and does not have access to one please let us know as there may be the option to loan one from the school. Lessons are $160 per term.
Please contact June Mackenzie on 021 136 0583 if you are interested.
Karāpiro School Community PlayGroup
Our PlayGroup schedule for term one and two is now up and running and on the flyer below. Please share with friends and family and anyone you know who might like to come along and join us. Please also note the transition dates for our new students starting school with us.
Teacher Only Days 2023
We want to give you advance notice that the Ministry of Education has provided schools with teacher Only Days for the implementation of the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum. After consultation with the Cambridge Principals Association (in an effort to coordinate this day to support our families across Cambridge with students at multiple schools) the first of these dates will be Monday 24 April 2023. This means Term 2 will start on Wednesday 26th April 2023 (the day after Anzac Day.
The Ministry of Education is provided a second day later in the year and we will advise this once it is released. Thank you.
Notice of Paid Union Meeting for Teachers (PUM’s)
School Gardens
We are looking for some help with our school gardens on a regular basis. Please let us know if you have some time to spare to support us with some general weeding of the car park gardens and gardens in the school grounds. We would really appreciate your support!
Board of Trustees Meeting
The next meeting of the Karāpiro School Board of Trustees will now be held on Tuesday 21st February at 3.30pm in the Science Lab. All are welcome to attend. If you would like to attend please advise the Presiding Member, Mrs Marilynn Jones at marilynn@karapiro.school.nz
Winter Sports
Hautapu Sports
Planning for Hautapu Sports Clubs Junior Sports 2023 is well underway. We are excited and cannot wait for the Hockey, Netball and Rugby 2023 seasons to start and to see all our Hautapu Junior superstars out on the turfs, courts and fields learning and improving their skills, playing as a team and most importantly having fun!
Online registrations for primary and intermediate hockey, netball and rugby are live on our website here Junior sports - Hautapu Sports Club You will also find information there about each of our junior sports, the costs, what is required, season dates and playing venues.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.
Junior Hockey, Marie Dale, juniorhockey@hautapusports.com.
Junior Netball, Jody Anderson, juniornetball@hautapusports.com.
Junior Rugby, Josh Bull, juniorrugby@hautapusports.com
General Club Enquiries, Andrew Douglas, gmanager@hautapusports.com
Leamington Rugby and Sports
TVP (Primary and Intermediate Hockey)
We are awaiting registration details, for any questions please email tvpjuniors@gmail.com
Community Consultation - Our School Charter
It’s that time again when we review our school charter. Please take the time to read our charter and offer any suggestions for our 2023 update, which the Karāpiro School Board of Trustees will finalise in the coming weeks. You can find a copy of our charter on our school website or click the link: Charter for review If you have any comments or suggestion please send these to office@karapiro.schoo.nz
https://www.waipafunrun.co.nz/ see flyer below for more
Waipa Girl Guiding
Are you up for fun, friends and adventure, then GirlGuiding could be for you?
We have four units in Cambridge, Pippins (5-7),Brownies (7-9 1/2), Guides (9-12 1/2) and Rangers (12-17), if you are interested then email Michelle on michellegirlguide@gmail.com to find out more.
What does Waipā look like in 2050?
Waipā District Council is in the early stages of developing Ahu Ake - Waipā Community Spatial Plan which will be a blueprint for our district for the next 30+ years.
This plan will have a direct impact on our future, and the future of our children and grandchildren and will be the most important plan we create. Now the plan needs you.
Council will be coming to our school on Wednesday 1 March from 2.30pm-4pm to speak with parents about what is important to them for the future of our village and the wider district.
There will also be entertainment for kids and the chance to win some cool prizes.
So, when picking up your children on Wednesday, please feel free to drop-in at their event and have your say. They’ll be in the courtyard if the sun is out or in the assembly room if it is raining.
If you can’t make it, they’ll also be at the Karāpiro Lookout from 5.30pm-8.00pm that evening to speak with residents.
You can find more information about this project and have your say online at www.ahuakewaipa.nz/have-your-say.
Keep an eye on our School Calendar which has been updated for the new term ahead.
Ngā mihi
Tina-Maree and the Karāpiro Staff team
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Newsletter Week 1 Term 1 2023
Look us up at www.karāpiro.school.nz and like us on Facebook
Week 1, Term 1 2023
Kia ora parents, caregivers and whānau,
Welcome back to the new term! We are very excited about the new year ahead. A special welcome goes out to new students Summer and Chelsea who have joined us and were welcomed to Karāpiro School at assembly.
Thank you to Tina Turkilsen and Dan Churstain who met with me during the holiday break to plan the curriculum for our learners for the year ahead. Our focus is on foundation literacy and number skills with a major focus on our Reading programme. The upcoming Census will provide context for part of our mathematics programme https://new.censusatschool.org.nz/ . We will also be learning about the Treaty of Waitangi and New Zealand history as well as taking a closer look at what makes the Waikato River so special - where it comes from, what lives in it and how it is used by people, throughout history and today. Our Health & Physical Education programme will focus on swimming with all students participating in daily swimming, building water confidence and learning basic swimming skills. Please ensure your child brings their swimming togs and a towel every day!
Community Award for Karāpiro School
Karāpiro School was delighted to win the Your Cambridge News ‘Person of the Year’ award for 2022. This was a huge surprise to us, following editor Roy Pilott’s ‘secret’ visit to the school late last year when he took our photo. Your Cambridge News noticed our persistent advocacy for the safety of the school and that despite our size we can get action when we work together. You can read more about the award at Your Cambridge News Playing it Safe - Karāpiro School award winners
Welcome to Louie the Dog
Louie the Dog has enrolled at school and is very excited to be coming to school with us! My daughter Abby and her partner Rhys have relocated to the Sunshine Coast in Australia recently and their dog Louie has come to live with Steve and I. Louie is a 7 year old Shih Tzu / Maltese dog who is very friendly and loves dog treats. Louie is already known to the students from his previous visits to the school. Louie will be helping to teach our dog safety programme this year as part of our Health curriculum ‘Keeping Ourselves Safe’ programme. You can find out more information about dog safety for children here https://www.dogsafety.govt.nz/dogsafety.nsf
Term Dates for 2023
Our term dates for 2023 are set as follows (with some additional teacher only dates to come as advised by the Ministry of Education):
Term 1: 31 January - 6 April
Term 2: 24 April - 30 June
Term 3: 17 July - 22 September
Term 4: 9 October - 15 December
Staffing for 2023
We continue to enjoy a stable staffing team at Karāpiro School and our staffing plan for 2023 is as follows:
Thank You Aleesha
This term we say farewell to Aleesha Steele who has been providing learning support at our school. Aleesha has decided to return to the University of Waikato in 2023 to undertake teacher training. We are very excited for Aleesha and thank her for all her work in 2022. We wish Aleesha all the very best for her studies and we are excited to welcome her to the teaching profession.
Community Consultation - Our School Charter
It’s that time again when we review our school charter. Please take the time to read our charter and offer any suggestions for our 2023 update, which the Karāpiro School Board of Trustees will finalise in the coming weeks. You can find a copy of our charter on our school website or click the link: Charter for review If you have any comments or suggestion please send these to office@karapiro.schoo.nz
Stationery
Stationery is available to purchase from https://www.myschool.co.nz/karapiro. Please ensure that you do this as soon as possible so that students have all that they need for the start of the school year.
Enrolments for 2023
If you have a child starting with us in 2023 and have not yet completed an enrolment form please do so to help with our planning for next year: Enrolment Form
Karāpiro Hydro Dam
As you will be aware there is ongoing work at the Karāpiro Hydro Dam and this has caused road closures. We continue to keep our community informed with regular updates posted on our school Facebook page as we receive them. You can also check the website at the following link: https://www.mercury.co.nz/karapiro-dam
Keep an eye on our School Calendar which has been updated for the new term ahead.
Ngā mihi
Tina-Maree and the Karāpiro Staff team
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Newsletter Week 8 Term 4 2022
Look us up at www.karāpiro.school.nz and like us on Facebook
Week 8, Term 4 2022 MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Kia ora parents, caregivers and whānau,
Merry Christmas!!! It is hard to believe that it is December already and we are in the final days of the school year. We would like to say a huge thank you to all our parents and families who have supported us throughout the year and contributed to making Karāpiro School such a great place to learn and grow. We are hoping to see you at our ‘Thank You’ morning tea next Monday at 10.30am - please come along and join us.
Events for the Rest of the Year
Reporting to parents - Snap Shot Report
Written school reports will be sent home with students tomorrow and uploaded to your child's Seesaw account before the end of the school year. We encourage you to read your report with your child and engage them in talking about their progress and achievement. Teachers are happy to make time to meet with you and your child should you wish to discuss the report with them. Congratulations to all of our students for your success this year.
Celebration Assembly
This Friday at 2.15pm we are holding our celebration assembly. We have some class and principals awards and a very special new award for one of our students. You are all welcome to come along and join us in Kauri Class.
End of Year Prizegiving
Our end of year prizegiving for all students will be held at 6pm on Tuesday 13 December in Pohutukawa Class. Put this date in your diary now!! We are hoping that ALL students will attend to receive their certificates and yearbooks.
Wet and Wild Day
We are holding this fun day on Tuesday 13 December. Please ensure your child/ren bring their togs, two towels, a change of clothes, water guns (if you have some) and apply sunscreen before coming to school. We will provide a free lunch of a sausage sizzle and juicie for all students.
Toys at School
Please keep toys at home as they are a major distraction in the learning environment. From time to time families may have something really special to share - please coordinate this with your child’s teacher so that we can share with the children but also keep the special item secure during the school day. Sometimes, teachers will arrange a special ‘pokemon card day’ for example and make this a special event to look forward to. All toys that are brought to school come on an ‘at your own risk’ basis. We will do everything we can to ensure items come home at the end of the day but this cannot be guaranteed. Thank you for your cooperation.
Term Dates for 2023
Our term dates for 2023 are set as follows (with some additional teacher only dates to come as recently announced by the Ministry of Education):
Term 1: 31 January - 6 April
Term 2: 24 April - 30 June
Term 3: 17 July - 22 September
Term 4: 9 October - 15 December
Staffing for 2023
We continue to enjoy a stable staffing team at Karāpiro School and our staffing plan for 2023 is as follows:
Enrolments for 2023
If you have a child starting with us in 2023 and have not yet completed an enrolment form please do so to help with our planning for next year: Enrolment Form
Year 6 Graduation Dinner
The annual Year 6 Graduation Dinner was held on Monday 12 December at 5.30pm at Joe’s Garage, Swayne Road Cambridge. Mr Churstain, Miss Turkilsen and Miss Thatcher thoroughly enjoyed spending the evening with our Year 6’s before they leave us for Cambridge Middle School.
Pool Keys for Sale
Our school pool is open! Pool key hire is $50 for school families and $70 for community members. There is a $10 key bond in addition to this. Forms and keys are available from the school. If you hired a key last season please return your key to the school office.
Keep an eye on our School Calendar which has been updated for the new term ahead.
A reminder that school ends at 1pm on Wednesday 14 December.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Ngā mihi
Tina-Maree and the Karāpiro Staff team
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Newsletter Week 5 Term 4 2022
Look us up at www.karāpiro.school.nz and like us on Facebook
Week 5, Term 4 2022
Kia ora parents, caregivers and whānau,
Welcome to your Week 5 newsletter.
Welcome to Our New Students
A special welcome to new students Kiki and Tiuma. We are very happy to have you join us. And also a special welcome to Dre’zhana and Eden who have been away but now returned to us! It’s so great to have you back!
Covid-19
Covid-19 is circulating again in the Cambridge community and we have had some staff and families reporting positive cases this week. Please keep your children home if they are unwell and continue to test and advise us of any positive case. (We have a huge box of RAT tests here at school if you would like some). We will be short-staffed this week and may need to combine our classes. Please bear with us! We will continue to keep up our school hygiene practices and ventilate classes.
Keep up to date with the latest information on Covid-19.
Swimming
Swimming is part of our Health and Physical Education curriculum. Our school pool is open and we plan to swim every day. We are very fortunate to have solar heated water! Please ensure your child has togs and towel ready for school - or a note from home is there is a reason they can’t swim. If your child is unwell please keep them at home.
100 Year Celebrations
Thank you to everyone who was involved in our special 100 year celebrations. What a wonderful day! Keep an eye on our school website for a selection of photos of the day, coming soon.
Board News
The Karāpiro School Board of Trustees is pleased to announce Mrs Marilynn Jones has been co-opted onto the board and is our new presiding member (board chairperson). Marilynn is passionate about teaching and learning at Karāpiro School and we are delighted to welcome her back to this role.
Our next board meeting will be held at 3.30pm on Tuesday 6 December in the staffroom. If you would like to attend please email Marilynn at marilynn@karapiro.school.nz
Junior Athletics Day
We will be hosting a combined Junior Athletics (5, 6 and 7 year-olds) at our school with Horahora School and Te Miro School on 24 November from 9.30am. Lunch orders are available to all students on this day and order forms have gone home this week. Please return lunch orders by Friday, 18 November. Put this date in your diary now and come and join us on the day!
Senior Athletics Day
This has now been postponed to Monday 21 November. Parents of students 8 years old and older please complete the permissions link below:
Safe Roads Update
Please join Tina-Maree in attending the Waka Kotahi consultation meeting at the Town Hall today, from 1-6pm. This is your opportunity to have your say on the planned road safety upgrade on our school roads.
Thank You Morning Tea
Our thank you morning tea will be held on Friday 2 December at 10.30am to say thank you to all of those who have given their time to help our school this year. All welcome!
End of Year Prizegiving
Our end of year prizegiving for all students will be held at 6pm on Tuesday 13 December in Pohutukawa Class. Put this date in your diary now!!
Weetbix Tryathlon
We’re a month away from the Weetbix Tryathlon, so if you’re interested in having your child participate or helping to organise a team of their friends. Head over to weetixtryathlon.co.nz to register and for additional details.
Cambridge Middle School Enrolments
Meet the Teacher Evening for Year 6 students and parents will now be on Wednesday 30 November at 6.00pm. Cambridge Middle School will be emailing families with more information.
Pool Keys for Sale
Our school pool opened on Monday. Pool key hire is $50 for school families and $70 for community members. There is a $10 key bond in addition to this. Forms and keys are available from the school. If you hired a key last season please return your key to the school office.
Student Absences
All schools are required to identify and record the reasons why students are absent from school. When students are absent from school you will be receiving an automated text message from our student management system querying the absence of your child. Please ensure you contact the school office on 07 827 7642, office@karapiro.school.nz or use the student absences form on our website Student Absences when your child/ren will be absent.
School Arrival Time
Thanks to all the parents/caregivers for getting their children to school for a 9.00am start. We are seeing an increasing number of children arriving before 8.30am and after 9am. Our teachers arrive at school early to plan the day and the time prior to 8.30am is for teacher time. Thank you for understanding.
Keep an eye on our School Calendar which has been updated for the term ahead.
School will finish for the 2022 school year on Wednesday 14 December at 1pm.
Ngā mihi
Tina-Maree and the Karāpiro Staff team
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Newsletter Week 1 Term 4 2022
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Week 1, Term 4 2022
Kia ora parents, caregivers and whānau,
Welcome
Welcome to our new students Matthew in Kōwhai and Emily in Pōhutukawa. We know you will enjoy your time learning with us at Karāpiro School. Welcome also to Taniera who had joined Pohutukawa Class!
Thank you
From Tina-Maree: I really appreciated my time away on sabbatical and it's great to be back this term. I’d like to say thank you to Marilynn Jones who was our Acting Principal. Thank you Marilynn for looking after our students and staff and holding the fort. We are very fortunate to have you and we so appreciate your energy and passion for our school. You have launched our Kapa Haka which is the realisation of a much anticipated goal. Thank you.
Thank you also to Rob Naumann for stepping in as our Acting Presiding Member of our board of trustees last term. Rob is a friend of the school and it was an exciting opportunity for Rob to return and provide guidance to our new board. Thank you Rob for your continued support of Karāpiro School.
Next Board meeting
Our next board meeting will be held on Wednesday 2 November at 3.30pm in the staffroom. Please contact Tina-Maree principal@karapiro.school.nz if you would like to attend.
Ag Day 2022
100 Year Site Celebrations
Our committee is busy finalising preparations for our 100 year site celebrations. Watch out for more Information coming home next week!
Pool Keys for sale
Thank you to Mr C for getting our school swimming pool up and running for the summer season. The pool will re-open on Monday 31st October. Pook key hire is $50 for school families and $70 for community members. There is a $10 key bond. Forms and keys will be available from the school office from 31 October. If you hired a key last season please return your key to the school office.
Cambridge Life Skills Fundraiser - Wacky Hair & Dress-Up Day
Join us in celebrating Cambridge Lifeskills on Friday 4 November. Dress-up on the day and wear your wacky hair! Your donations are very welcome to support this fantastic charity which supports Cambridge children.
Did you know families can self refer for counselling, our school can make a referral on your behalf. You can find more information on the website https://www.cambridgelifeskills.co.nz/
School Lunches
School lunches will be available every Friday through to the end of the school term. Lunch order forms will be sent home every Monday, to be returned by Wednesday.
Student Absences
All schools are required to identify and record the reasons why students are absent from school. When students are absent from school you will be receiving an automated text message from our student management system querying the absence of your child. Please ensure you contact the school office on 07 827 7642, office@karapiro.school.nz or use the student absences form on our website Student Absences when your child/ren will be absent.
School Arrival Time
Thanks to all the parents/caregivers for getting their children to school for a 9.00am start. We are seeing an increasing number of children arriving before 8.30am and after 9am. Our teachers arrive at school early to plan the day and the time prior to 8.30am is for teacher time. Thank you for understanding.
Keep an eye on our School Calendar which has been updated for the term ahead.
Have a wonderful and safe holiday break with your family, we will see you back on 17 October.
Ngā mihi
Tina-Maree and the Karāpiro Staff team
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Week 10 Term 3 2022
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Week 10, Term 3 2022
Kia ora parents, caregivers and whānau,
We have had a wonderful term 3 at Karāpiro School. A big thank you to Marilynn Jones for being our acting principal this term. We really appreciate your support and all you have done for our school. Tina-Maree Thatcher will return for the start of term 4.
Welcome
Welcome to our new students Celestine and Zina in Kōwhai and Taniera in Pōhutukawa. We know you will enjoy your time learning with us at Karāpiro School.
Acting Principal Role
I want to take this opportunity to thank the students, staff and community for continually supporting our wonderful school in so many ways. My highlight this term whilst acting principal, is the development of our Kapa Haka group and the purchase of our ceremonial costumes. Thanks to those who have helped make this possible. You’ll all have a chance to witness the special performance at our School Reunion on 11 and 12 of November. Karāpiro School will continue to be my focus to ensure it continues to thrive and grow. Arohanui!
Cross Country
Well done to all of our students who competed in our rural schools cross country. Well done to Ronja (1st), Alice (4th), Aylah (1st), Levi (4th), Ben (4th), Ava (1st), Dakotah (2nd), Aaliyah (3rd), Tristin (4th).
Town Schools Cross Country
Congratulations to Ava who placed 8th and Levi who placed 10th.
Cambridge Schools Speech Competition
Congratulations to Leo who represented Karāpiro School at the speech competition. Leo was awarded the special judge’s award. Well done Leo!
Kapa Haka
Our students have been busy preparing for their first kapa haka performance at our school centennial celebration in November. Thank you to the Williams family who donated the costumes to the school, and to Marilynn and Sharon for their help with sewing. They look amazing!
Ag Day - 19 October
Our Ag Day will be held on 19 October starting from 9am. Could any donations for baking to be sold by the PTA please be brought to school that morning. There will also be a white elephant store, petting zoo, pony rides, games to play to win prizes, raffles, mystery bottles to purchase, a sausage sizzle, an ice cream truck and a coffee truck available. If students would like to bring some money for the day they are welcome to. If you are able to assist with food sales or running the games please let us know. We rely on parent help for big events like this and appreciate your support.
Ag Day - School Holiday Activities
A reminder for activities that can be completed during the school holidays by students:
Ag Day Mystery Bottles
We are seeking contributions for our mystery bottle sales for Ag Day. These can have any contents (please no alcohol) and wrapped bottles can be dropped off to the office.
White Elephant Stall
We are taking donations for the white elephant stall for Ag Day. Items can be dropped off to the school office. Please no computer/electrical gear and any clothing/fabric must be washed.
Student Absences
All schools are required to identify and record the reasons why students are absent from school. When students are absent from school you will be receiving an automated text message from our student management system querying the absence of your child. Please ensure you contact the school office on 07 827 7642, office@karapiro.school.nz or use the student absences form on our website Student Absences when your child/ren will be absent.
School Arrival Time
Thanks to all the parents/caregivers for getting their children to school for a 9.00am start. We are seeing an increasing number of children arriving before 8.30am and after 9am. Our teachers arrive at school early to plan the day and the time prior to 8.30am is for teacher time. Thank you for understanding.
School Centenary 100 Years on Site
Celebrations for this reunion will be held on 11 and 12 November this year. We are planning to form a committee to oversee and plan this event. If you are interested in being on this committee please email me, marilynn@karapiro.school.nz. Thank you
Registration Fee $20 for individuals, $50 for family to cover food for the two days. This can be deposited into the Karāpiro School Account 12-3268-0092296-00. Please use your surname as a reference.
Friday 11 November- all children to attend
10.30: Arrival at school for registrations
11.00: Tour of school and classrooms, talk with the children/tamariki, and share your Karāpiro stories.
12 Noon Break: - a chance to mingle and eat (Coffee Cart on site).
1.00pm Welcome and speeches
1.30pm School Cultural Performance
Saturday 12 November - all children to attend
11.00: Meet and Greet
11.30: Speeches
12.00: Photos
1.00: Cutting of Cake, finger foods (Coffee Cart on site).
Keep an eye on our School Calendar which has been updated for the term ahead.
Have a wonderful and safe holiday break with your family, we will see you back on 17 October.
Ngā mihi
Marilynn and the Karāpiro Staff team
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Does your child require further support, over and above what can be offered at school?
Would your child benefit from bespoke and nurturing learning sessions from a highly experienced teacher designed to accelerate learning and boost confidence? We would love to help. We are a team of dedicated teachers, specialising in English and Maths support, for primary, intermediate and college students. Visit www.boostyourlearning.co.nz for more information or contact Jenny 021 223 3349 to book a free consultation.
Newsletter Week 7 Term 3 2022
Look us up at www.karāpiro.school.nz and like us on Facebook
Week 7, Term 3 2022
Kia ora parents, caregivers and whānau,
Welcome to our new student Eden in Kōwhai Class. We know you will enjoy your time learning with us at Karāpiro School.
Cross Country
The rural schools cross country will be held on 9 September at the Lake Karāpiro Domain. Please remember that students need shoes to run in and to bring a packed lunch and water bottle. There will also be some food available to purchase on the day. Students will need to run in a red Karāpiro school shirt, if you don’t have one please arrange to borrow one from the school office. You are welcome to take your children home after they have completed their race, please make sure you sign them out with their teacher.
PROGRAMME (with approximate times):
9.30 am Schools arrive and assemble next to the kitchen
9.50 Welcome and briefing (for marshalls and juniors)
10.05 Preschool race
10.10 5 year old girls
10.15 5 year old boys
10.20 6 year old girls
10.25 6 year old boys
10.40 7 year old girls
10.45 7 year old boys
11.00 Prizegiving 1 (for 5 – 7 year olds)
11.10 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 year old Course Walk Around/Marshal briefing
11.25 Junior Girls 8 years old
11:35 Junior Boys 8 years old
11:45 Junior Girls 9 years old
11:55 Junior Boys 9 years old
12:05 pm Intermediate Girls 10 years old
12:15 Intermediate Boys 10 years old
12:25 Intermediate Girls 11 years old
12:35 Intermediate Boys 11 years old
12:45 Senior Girls 12 + years old
12:55 Senior Boys 12 + years old
1:20 Prizegiving 2 (8 – 12+ year olds)
All age groups will participate in a warm up prior to their race.
School Shirts and Jackets
Could all school shirts and jackets borrowed for school events please be returned to school on Monday 12 September. Also if you have any school shirts your child no longer fits we would love if these could be donated to the school for other students to use when representing our school.
Student Led Conferences
Student Led Conferences will be held on 26 and 27 September. We would love to see you all there. Please book at www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code/mphcn or scan the QR code below:
Father’s Day Raffle
Congratulations to Damian for winning the raffle. Thank you to our families for your support with our PTA fundraising.
Cambridge Schools Speech Competition Tuesday 13 September 6pm, Cambridge East School Hall
Congratulations to Leonidas (Leo) Smith Serei representing Karāpiro School with his speech ‘Life at School 100 Years Ago’.
Cambridge Schools Kapa Haka Festival
Year 4-6 students attended this festival, which was a very enjoyable, worthwhile event. It highlighted the cultural performances from primary through to secondary school. Our next step is our cultural performance scheduled for the reunion celebrations and possible entry into the festival in 2023.
The Cambridge High School Kapa Haka group inspired us with their singing, skill, and overall performance. Such great role models and future aspirations for our students!
Ag Day Mystery Bottles
We are seeking contributions for our mystery bottle sales for Ag Day. These can have any contents (please no alcohol) and wrapped bottles can be dropped off to the office.
White Elephant Stall
We are taking donations for the white elephant stall for Ag Day. Items can be dropped off to the school office. Please no computer/electrical gear and any clothing/fabric must be washed.
Student Absences
All schools are required to identify and record the reasons why students are absent from school. When students are absent from school you will be receiving an automated text message from our student management system querying the absence of your child. Please ensure you contact the school office on 07 827 7642, office@karapiro.school.nz or use the student absences form on our website Student Absences when your child/ren will be absent.
School Arrival Time
Thanks to all the parents/caregivers for getting their children to school for a 9.00am start. We are seeing an increasing number of children arriving before 8.30am and after 9am. Our teachers arrive at school early to plan the day and the time prior to 8.30am is for teacher time. Thank you for understanding.
School Centenary 100 Years on Site
Celebrations for this reunion will be held on 11 and 12 November this year. We are planning to form a committee to oversee and plan this event. If you are interested in being on this committee please email me, marilynn@karapiro.school.nz. Thank you
Registration Fee $20 for individuals, $50 for family to cover food for the two days. This can be deposited into the Karāpiro School Account 12-3268-0092296-00. Please use your surname as a reference.
Friday 11 November- all children to attend
10.30: Arrival at school for registrations
11.00: Tour of school and classrooms, talk with the children/tamariki, and share your Karāpiro stories.
12 Noon Break: - a chance to mingle and eat (Coffee Cart on site).
1.00pm Welcome and speeches
1.30pm School Cultural Performance
Saturday 12 November - all children to attend
11.00: Meet and Greet
11.30: Speeches
12.00: Photos
1.00: Cutting of Cake, finger foods (Coffee Cart on site).
Working Bee Car Park Area Sunday 25 September 10am
This will be a big clean up getting ready for our reunion. “Many hands make light work”! Mark this date on your calendar, thank you!
Keep an eye on our School Calendar which has been updated for the term ahead.
Ngā mihi
Marilynn and the Karāpiro Staff team
Find us on Facebook
Does your child require further support, over and above what can be offered at school?
Would your child benefit from bespoke and nurturing learning sessions from a highly experienced teacher designed to accelerate learning and boost confidence? We would love to help. We are a team of dedicated teachers, specialising in English and Maths support, for primary, intermediate and college students. Visit www.boostyourlearning.co.nz for more information or contact Jenny 021 223 3349 to book a free consultation.
Newsletter Week 4 Term 3 2022
Look us up at www.karāpiro.school.nz and like us on Facebook
Week 4, Term 3 2022
Kia ora parents, caregivers and whānau,
Welcome to our new student Anthony in Kōwhai Class. We know you will enjoy your time learning with us at Karāpiro School.
Board of Trustees
We would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Board of Trustees members: Silvana Ferreira, Sharon Marriott, Aneka Sieverts, JP Daly and Michelle Bennett. The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, 14 September from 3.30pm in the school staffroom.
Cross Country
The rural schools cross country will be held on 9 September at the Lake Karapiro Domain. Please complete the permission form for your child/ren: Cross Country Permission Form. Remember that the Karāpiro Dam road is closed until January next year! We are in urgent need of parent help on the day so please let us know if you are available.
We need a trailer or horse float to be able to transport the equipment for the cross country from the school to Karāpiro domain. Please let us know if you have one that we can borrow.
Cross Country Baking
Thank you to all of those who have offered to provide baking for the event. Could this please be dropped off to the staffroom on 8 September for the PTA to organise for the next day. We appreciate your support in fundraising for our school.
PTA - Your School Needs You!
We are looking for some parent helpers to join our PTA and support the school with school lunches run three Fridays a term. We have two major fundraisers for the year coming up - Rural Cross Country day at Lake Karāpiro on 9 September and Ag Day on 19 October. Please contact Lynda in the school office if you are interested in joining our team of helpers which we will need on the day. All funds raised go to supporting the learning of our students.
Father’s Day Raffle
Tickets have gone home with students and the raffle will be drawn on 2 September. Extra tickets are available at the school office. Thank you to those who have donated prizes, we really appreciate your support.
Ag Day
Our Ag Day will be held on Wednesday 19 October. Animal registration forms have been sent home. Could these please be returned to the school office by 26 August.
Ag Day Mystery Bottles
We are seeking contributions for our mystery bottle sales for Ag Day. These can have any contents (please no alcohol) and wrapped bottles can be dropped off to the office.
White Elephant Stall
We are taking donations for the white elephant stall for Ag Day. Items can be dropped off to the school office. Please no computer/electrical gear and any clothing/fabric must be washed.
Student Absences
All schools are required to identify and record the reasons why students are absent from school. When students are absent from school you will be receiving an automated text message from our student management system querying the absence of your child. Please ensure you contact the school office on 07 827 7642, office@karapiro.school.nz or use the student absences form on our website Student Absences when your child/ren will be absent.
Parenting Support
Looking for some parenting support? Try the following link which takes you to a website that has a free parenting course that focuses on anxiety in children Triple P Parenting free
School Centenary 100 Years on Site
In March 1922 the school was officially opened on our present site. A local landowner Mr Harris had offered the land for the school in exchange for the old school site. The school Board chairperson Mr E.C Banks emphasised that now the school was open he expected children to attend regularly and he appealed to parents to keep their children at school until they passed the sixth standard at least. He then declared the school open! The beginning roll started with 56 children, all in one room. Mr J. Haughey was headmaster and Miss L. Reeks, assistant.
Celebrations for this reunion will be held on 11 and 12 November this year. We are planning to form a committee to oversee and plan this event. If you are interested in being on this committee please email me, marilynn@karapiro.school.nz. Thank you
Working Bee
Thanks to Lalo, Ah Lung, Dev, Gareth, Joanna, Manuela, Louy, Ben, Ronya, Theo, Eve, Dan, Tina, Charlotte and Griff for helping out with the sandpit garden, pruning, planting, cleaning windows and spouting. Your support is appreciated.The next working be will be September to give our grounds and buildings a big spruce up for the reunion in November.
Music Lessons - Spaces Now Available!
Karāpiro School students are very fortunate to have Mrs June McKenzie teach music at Karāpiro School each Thursday. You can contact June on 021 136 0583 with regards to your child learning to play the ukulele, guitar, keyboard or piano.
Keep an eye on our School Calendar which has been updated for the term ahead.
Ngā mihi
Marilynn and the Karāpiro Staff team
Find us on Facebook
Does your child require further support, over and above what can be offered at school?
Would your child benefit from bespoke and nurturing learning sessions from a highly experienced teacher designed to accelerate learning and boost confidence? We would love to help. We are a team of dedicated teachers, specialising in English and Maths support, for primary, intermediate and college students. Visit www.boostyourlearning.co.nz for more information or contact Jenny 021 223 3349 to book a free consultation.
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Newsletter Week 1 Term 3 2022
Look us up at www.karāpiro.school.nz and like us on Facebook
Week 1, Term 3 2022
Kia ora parents, caregivers and whānau,
Welcome to the first week of term. With the colder weather please make sure children are dressed warmly and have a jacket for outside activities.
Welcome to our new student Peter in Kōwhai Class. We extend a very warm welcome to Peter and his family. We know you will enjoy your time learning with us at Karāpiro School.
Triennial Board of Trustees Elections
Nominations are open for the election of four parent representatives to the school board.
All eligible voters will receive a nomination form in the post in the next week. Use this form to nominate yourself or someone in your community. You will also receive a nomination cover letter calling for nominations. Information on who is not eligible to be a board member is provided with the nomination form. If you need more nomination forms, contact the school office.
Nominations close at noon on 5 August 2022. You may provide a signed candidate statement and photograph with your nomination. The electoral roll is held at the school and can be viewed during normal school hours.
As nominations are received, there will be a list of candidates’ names kept at the school up until election day, which you can view. Voting closes at 4pm on 7 September 2022.
Further information is available at NZSTA Parent Information
PTA - Your School Needs You!
We are looking for some parent helpers to join our PTA and support the school with school lunches next term. We also have a major fundraiser for the year coming up - Rural Cross Country day at Lake Karāpiro on 9 September. Please contact Lynda in the school office if you are interested in joining our team of helpers which we will need on the day. All funds raised go to supporting the learning of our students.
Student Absences
All schools are required to identify and record the reasons why students are absent from school. When students are absent from school you will be receiving an automated text message from our student management system querying the absence of your child. Please ensure you contact the school office on 07 827 7642, office@karapiro.school.nz or use the student absences form on our website Student Absences when your child/ren will be absent.
Parenting Support
Looking for some parenting support? Try the following link which takes you to a website that has a free parenting course that focuses on anxiety in children Triple P Parenting free
Karāpiro Dam Closure
The road will be closed from 1st August 2022 – December 2022 and then weekend-only opening for a time from January 2023
The closure is to enable one part of the planned major works on the station, replacement of the turbine headgates. These act as a valve and close off the water to allow maintenance of the station generation equipment. The wider program of work on the dam and power station started last year, and will be underway until 2025. Closing the road is necessary to keep everyone safe, and we thank road users for their patience during this time.
SH1 Closure
Fulton Hogan are returning to complete tree-felling activities on SH1 Tirau Road. The trees are located between Keely’s Reserve and Moana Road Reserve. To undertake this work safely and efficiently we need to close the road. SH1 will be closed to through traffic from Monday 08 August, between the hours of 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. While the road closure is in place, we will take the opportunity to undertake routine road maintenance activities, including water-cutting and road surface repairs. Residents and businesses will have access to their properties throughout the day, however as we will have machinery throughout the area please take care when driving through the closure. There may be short delays while machinery is moved to provide access. The hard closure points will be at Keely’s Reserve and just north of Beck’s Nursery; we recommend residents and business owners access from the end most relevant to their property location. The detour route is via Karāpiro Road, Taotaoroa Road and SH29.
The contingency date should this work be postponed, is the following week commencing Monday 15 August.
School Centenary 100 Years on Site
Celebrations for this will be held on 11 and 12 November this year. We are planning to form a committee to oversee and plan this event. If you are interested in being on this committee please email me, marilynn@karapiro.school.nz. Thank you
As part of the celebration the students will be part of a cultural performance. We desperately need help in purchasing 40 school outfits.
Each child will be wearing a piu piu ($22),black t-shirt ($5) and black bike shorts ($5). $32 per student. If you can help in any way or know of any businesses that could sponsor us, please contact Lynda or Marilynn.
Oxford Pie Orders
Delivery of pies will be on 5 August. These will be available to collect from the staffroom.
Scholastic Orders
Catalogues have been sent home with students this week. Orders are due to the office by 12 August. Additional copies of the catalogue are available from the office.
Thank you!
A big thank you to Michael who cleaned our gutters and water blasted around the school for us during the school holidays. It looks amazing and we really appreciate it!
Congratulations to Griff
Griff and his mum Tahlia represented Waikato at the Auckland Cavy Club purebred show on Saturday. Griff won Best In Show, with his Self Black Guinea pig Claremont Basil Brush. He was also awarded Reserve Junior Exhibitor, Best Novice Exhibitor & Best Adult Cavy in Show. Well done Griff!
Childcare & Transport to School
We have a couple of families who are looking for help with transport to school from Leamington and wondered if there are any of our families who are interested in carpooling?
We also continue to look for a person able to run Before/After School Care - this could be a business opportunity for someone (we can provide the students and a classroom). Please contact the school office if you know of anyone who can help.
Music Lessons - Spaces Now Available!
Karāpiro School students are very fortunate to have Mrs June McKenzie teach music at Karāpiro School each Thursday. You can contact June on 021 136 0583 with regards to your child learning to play the ukulele, guitar, keyboard or piano.
School Maintenance
We rely on the school community to help us keep our school grounds in shape (we don’t employ a caretaker). We really appreciate any time families are able to give to us with this work.
Thanks to Dev’s uncle Michael who cleaned the gutters and water blasted the paving stones and buildings during the term break. There will be a working bee on Sunday 14 August at 10am. Please add this to your calendar and let Lynda know your availability. “Many hands make light work”. If we have enough volunteers we will arrange a sausage sizzle. Thank you!
Here is a list of the things that need attention:
School Events
Cross Country Training
The students will be taking part in a variety of activities to improve their fitness and endurance for our upcoming cross country in September. They need to have suitable shoes to run in and a change of clothing each day.
Keep an eye on our School Calendar which has been updated for the term ahead.
Thank you to everyone for your support through the term. We wish all our families a very happy holiday break. See you again soon!
Ngā mihi
Marilynn and the Karāpiro Staff team
Find us on Facebook
Does your child require further support, over and above what can be offered at school?
Would your child benefit from bespoke and nurturing learning sessions from a highly experienced teacher designed to accelerate learning and boost confidence? We would love to help. We are a team of dedicated teachers, specialising in English and Maths support, for primary, intermediate and college students. Visit www.boostyourlearning.co.nz for more information or contact Jenny 021 223 3349 to book a free consultation.
Newsletter Week 10 Term 2 2022
Look us up at www.karāpiro.school.nz and like us on Facebook
Week 10, Term 2 2022
Kia ora parents, caregivers and whānau,
Welcome to the last week of what has been another very busy term!
Recently we welcomed our new student Dev to Karāpiro School and he has quickly made new friends in Kōwhai Class. We extend a very warm welcome to Dev and his family. We know you will enjoy your time learning with us at Karāpiro School.
Staff News
We extend a warm welcome to our new staff member Aleesha Steel who will join the Karāpiro staff team next term. Aleesha will join our team as a Learning Assistant and she will be working predominantly in Kōwhai Class. Please join us in welcoming Aleesha to our school.
Principal Sabbatical Term 3
Over the last few weeks I have been preparing to hand the principal role to Mrs Marilynn Jones as I head off on a Primary Principals’ Sabbatical at the end of this week. Sabbaticals are entitlement awards for principals who have completed 5 years or more in their current role. This will be the first sabbatical I have taken in 12 years as a principal. The purpose of the sabbatical is to provide a sustained period during a principal’s career to engage in a balance of professional learning and reflection.
During my time away I will be undertaking research into the history of New Zealand schools and taking a critical look at the changes to legislation (the Education Act) over time. I look forward to sharing my research with the Board, my colleagues and the community when it is complete.
The sabbatical is fully funded and we are very fortunate to have Mrs Marilynn Jones join us in the role of Acting Principal during my absence. The Board welcomes Mr Robert Naumann to the role of Presiding Member of the Board of Trustees (Board Chairperson) for the term. It is good to know our school and our people are going to be in very safe hands. I look forward to seeing you all again on my return at the start of Term 4.
Reporting to Parents
Written Snap Shot Reports 2022 are complete and now available to view on your child’s individual Seesaw page. These reports provide you with an overview of your child’s progress and where your child is at in relation to the New Zealand Curriculum. Please read through the report with your child to share their success and their next learning steps, which teachers have provided for you. We extend an invitation to families to make a time to meet with teachers if there is anything in the report you would like to discuss.
Reading Eggs and Mathletics
A reminder that Karāpiro School pays a subscription for Karāpiro students for the Reading Eggs and Mathletics online learning platforms, which are available for your child/ren to access at any time - a great idea for some winter holiday fun at home!
National Young Leaders Day 2022
Thank you to Mr C for taking our Year 6 students through to the National Young Leaders Day 2022 earlier this term. Our students listened to some inspirational stories and messages from some extraordinary human beings and learned a few more tools for their leadership toolkits.
Triennial Board of Trustees Elections
Nominations are open for the election of four parent representatives to the school board.
All eligible voters will receive a nomination form in the post in the next week. Use this form to nominate yourself or someone in your community. You will also receive a nomination cover letter calling for nominations. Information on who is not eligible to be a board member is provided with the nomination form. If you need more nomination forms, contact the school office.
Nominations close at noon on 5 August 2022. You may provide a signed candidate statement and photograph with your nomination. The electoral roll is held at the school and can be viewed during normal school hours.
As nominations are received, there will be a list of candidates’ names kept at the school up until election day, which you can view. Voting closes at 4pm on 7 September 2022.
Further information is available at NZSTA Parent Information
PTA - Your School Needs You!
We are looking for some parent helpers to join our PTA and support the school with school lunches next term. We also have a major fundraiser for the year coming up - Rural Cross Country day at Lake Karāpiro. Please contact Lynda in the school office if you are interested in joining our team of helpers which we will need on the day. All funds raised go to supporting the learning of our students.
Student Absences
All schools are required to identify and record the reasons why students are absent from school. When students are absent from school you will be receiving an automated text message from our student management system querying the absence of your child. Please ensure you contact the school office on 07 827 7642, office@karapiro.school.nz or use the student absences form on our website Student Absences when your child/ren will be absent.
Parenting Support
Looking for some parenting support? Try the following link which takes you to a website that has a free parenting course that focuses on anxiety in children Triple P Parenting free
Road Safety Week
Karāpiro School students did a great job participating in Road Safety Week recently, with thanks to our special friend Ruben the Road Safety bear. There is lots of information for families available online. Go to Ruben the Road Safety Bear
Pink Shirt Day!
We celebrated Pink Shirt Day and our key message this year was about using our virtues and values to build a positive and safe learning environment, for ourselves and for others. Sometimes, things don’t happen as we expect them to…. and that’s when we need to use our strategies! Ask a Karāpiro student about the strategies they know they can use when things don’t go according to plan.
Oxford Pie Orders
Forms have gone home with students and there are extra copies available in the school office. Please ensure order forms are returned to school by 27 July. Delivery will be on 5 August.
Our School Virtues & Values
Our virtues focus is on the virtue of Honesty.
Our values focus is on Kaitiakitanga. We are learning to be considerate guardians of all that is around use - ourselves, others and our place.
Covid-19 Update
New Zealand is at the Orange setting on the Covid Protection Framework. We have reviewed our Covid-19 Management Plan. Mask wearing is no longer compulsory but is recommended for students in Pōhutukawa Class. We continue to ask visitors and parents to wear a mask inside our school grounds when indoors. For further information please check the Ministry of Education Covid-10 website.
Childcare & Transport to School
We have a couple of families who are looking for help with transport to school from Leamington and wondered if there are any of our families who are interested in carpooling?
We also continue to look for a person able to run Before/After School Care - this could be a business opportunity for someone (we can provide the students and a classroom). Please contact the school office if you know of anyone who can help.
Music Lessons - Spaces Now Available!
Karāpiro School students are very fortunate to have Mrs June McKenzie teach music at Karāpiro School each Thursday. You can contact June on 021 136 0583 with regards to your child learning to play the ukulele, guitar, keyboard or piano.
Wheels Day Wednesday
Every Wednesday Karāpiro students are invited to bring their wheels from home. We block off the school car park and staff supervise the students having some lunchtime fun whizzing around on their wheels. The only rule is that they must wear their helmet! We have spare helmets, two unicycles and a scooter for the students to share.
Do you have any spare wheels or helmets at your place that you could donate to our wheels collection? We would love to use any wheels items you no longer use. Thank you!
School Maintenance
We rely on the school community to help us keep our school grounds in shape (we don’t employ a caretaker). We really appreciate any time families are able to give to us with this work. Here is a list of the things that currently need work and could be done anytime during the week or weekends or holidays. Thank you.
School Events
Keep an eye on our School Calendar which has been updated for the term ahead. We look forward to our next PlayGroup which is this Friday 9-11am.
Thank you to everyone for your support through the term. We wish all our families a very happy holiday break. See you again soon!
Ngā mihi
Tina-Maree and the Karāpiro Staff team
Find us on Facebook
Edventure Young Explorers Camp.
July 18th - 22nd, 8-13yr olds, $525
OSCAR Available
We have an awesome week planned that includes rock climbing, archery, target shooting, bush walks, orienteering, team building and confidence activities.
A typical "Kiwi Outdoors" camp with an emphasis on mountain safety and bush survival skills.
Planned and run by local teacher Todd Burton and based at Aongatete Outdoor Education Centre, this one's going to be awesome!
drop off / pick up Hamilton, Tauranga, or at the venue.
More info and to book now visit www.edventure.co.nz, phone 02102241576 or email mark@edventure.co.nz
See you on your next EDVENTURE
