Issue 7: Week 8, Term 1 2025

Principal's Message - Karere a te Tumuaki

Kia ora koutou,

With the weather changing a bit and reminding us we're definitely in Autumn now, we have found that class swimming sessions are slowing down. Optional lunchtime swims for teams are still happening for those who want to make use of the pool - thanks to the teachers giving up their lunchtimes to supervise this.

Our Disco on Friday night was a real hit and it was great to see so many of our families there catching up and enjoying the evening with their kids. A huge shout out to our fabulous PTA who pulled together (as always) to set up, prepare all the food, work like trojans throughout the evening, and help pack up at the end of the night. DJ Rob was in full swing and kept the music pumping - thanks Rob! Mr Dyer didn't disappoint and spent the evening ramping up the energy on the dance floor. And to top it all off, we raised the most money from a Disco ever, which was a little 'win' for the PTA too. 

Last week we had just over 30 Year 5&6 students attend the ECCS Football Funday - and with at least 6 games and not much time in between, the kids came back to school both happy and exhausted! Thank you to Mrs Redshaw for organising this event and to the parents who went along to help referee and manage the teams. A special congratulations to our two Intermediate students who trialed and made the Year 7&8 teams to represent ECCS at Counties Football - Milan B and Emily P.

I have a bit of news to share on the staffing front. Sadly, Mr V will be leaving Karaka School at the end of this term and is looking forward to new ventures as he takes on his new role at Ararimu School (where he will get to teach alongside his wife!). Mr V has really enjoyed his time with us here at Karaka and we know he will miss the students and their families dearly. We wish him all the best for the next chapter in his career. Moving into Mangopare from the start of Term 2 is none other than Mrs Collie who is currently teaching in Kōkako space. Mrs Collie’s teaching background prior to Karaka School was with Intermediate aged students (secondary too) and she is excited about putting these skills back into good use. Mrs Dallimore, who currently teaches in Mrs Collie's āwhina in Kōkako on Thursdays and Fridays, is taking over the class for 4 days a week. We are really grateful to Mrs Dallimore for making this transition as smooth as possible for the class. The 5th day will be covered by Mrs Fong who also works in Mokomoko on Wednesdays and is very familiar with the Middle Team.

And that's all from me this week. Please remember school is closed for our Teacher Only Day this Friday to allow our teachers to spend the day at Ardmore School unpacking the new Maths Curriculum with Ministry facilitators. Have a good rest of the week.

Ngā mihi nui,

Anna Powrie

Celebrating Learning and Achievement

Enviro Help

If you buy any veges at home to plant over the next few weeks and have extras we would love them here at school, we are getting ready to plant a winter garden and any vege donations would be welcome.
Thanks Enviro Team 

Notes from the Office

Sports Camp 2025

Would your business like to be one of this years sponsors for our Intermediate 2025 sports camp team?

Every year in Term 2, Karaka School take a large number of Intermediate students to sports camp to compete in up to 40 different sports, against other schools for cups.

Your name would appear on the back of their sports camp hoodie, which then becomes part of the Karaka School uniform for the rest of the year.

Please email Kim Sutton if you are interested for your business to be a sponsor in 2025 - kims@karaka.school.nz

PTA News

Uniform Shop

We’d like to add trackpants (with school logo) to the school uniform, available to all ages/sizes. They will be the same ones as the intermediates wear to sports camp. The aim is to reduce the wide mix of trackpants/leggings/tights worn in winter.

They will be $40 each. Sizes 6/8/10/12/14/S/M/L.

Pre-orders (and pre-payment) can be made through Kindo to gauge interest.

The uniform shop are currently waiting for some sample sizes so you can try them on to check your size.

REMEMBER - NO SUSHI ORDERS FOR TEACHER ONLY DAY!!

Updates from the Wider Community

World Dance Crew Championship

The World Dance Crew Championship is coming to Auckland for the very first time! This Aotearoa-owned major event will take place at Due Drop Events Centre, Manukau, from April 14th – 19th 2025, showcasing the world’s best dance crews—including our own local legends The Royal Family & ID CO—as they compete against top teams from the US, the Philippines, and beyond.

We'd love to extend an exclusive 20% discount to make this an unforgettable and affordable experience for your students and their whānau. There will be crews from all ages such as youth (under 12) and juniors (under 18)— students get to see dancers their own age on a world stage!Special Offer:

Now further 20% off tickets 

Offer valid until 30th March 

Use code SCHOOL20 via checkout at Eventfinda