Issue 22: Week 3, Term 3 2025

Principal's Message - Karere a te Tumuaki

Kia ora e te whānau,

Firstly, a huge thank you to everyone who braved the dreadful weather yesterday and last night to attend our 3 Way Conferences. We know how valuable these conversations are in strengthening the connection between home and school, and they play such an important part in supporting our tamariki in their learning journey. Mr Dyer and I were especially proud of the way some of our senior students stepped up to run cultural and sporting activities in the Hall during the afternoon – great leadership in action!

You may have noticed on Monday a whole lot of bark and mulch being delivered and distributed around the school. I want to thank Timberline, Scarborough and the Bryant family for their very generous donation (which was not only really kind but also saved the school a substantial amount of money). A huge shout out to the amazing parents who pitched in to help, especially Mr Dyer, Lynley Alderson and Simon Lowther. I did happen to drive in the school gates just as Lynley was zipping around in her tractor and I have to say she looked right at home!

It’s been another action-packed week, especially on the EOTC (Education Outside the Classroom) front. Ka pai to all of the students who represented Karaka at the ECCS Cross Country last Wednesday – your determination and grit didn’t go unnoticed. A special congratulations goes to our Year 7&8 students who qualified to represent ECCS at the Counties Cross Country next Friday – this is one of the largest groups we’ve ever sent through, and we’re incredibly proud.

On Friday, our Middle and Senior students had an absolute blast taking on the Tough Guy & Gal Challenge (aka the Mud Run) out at the Pukekohe Showgrounds. It was awesome to see our whole Karaka team turning up in their red accessories and giving it their all. Thank you to Mrs Redshaw for coordinating this event – it’s always a highlight of the year!

Today, our Year 5&6 Wearable Arts entries hit the stage for judging at the Due Drop Events Centre. We are really looking forward to seeing them in action again at the Showcase tomorrow evening, and we can’t wait to share photos of the stunning outfits they’ve created. Tino kaha (outstanding effort) to our talented group of students: Nicola S, Lucy M & Harper A; Charlotte T & Georgia B; Livia C, Darcy C & Isla C; Amaya G – as well as their wonderfully supportive parents who have also put in loads of time and effort to support them. A very special shout out to Mrs Christensen for coordinating everything and giving our students the chance to enter the Wearable Arts event for the second year in a row.

And finally, tomorrow I’m off to Ardmore School with Mrs Collie to support our Year 5–8 Mathex teams at the Hunua Principals’ Association Mathex Competition. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with these sharp mathematicians during their practice sessions – their quick thinking and teamwork have been super impressive. Good luck to all of our competitors!

Ngā mihi nui,

Anna Powrie

Celebrating Learning and Achievement

Assembly Certificate Recipients 25th July

Notes from the Office

• Bus fees - payment of Term 3 bus fees due by Friday 1st August.
• 2026 Enrolments - following on from the Board of Trustees meeting on 21st July the Board has now indicated the numbers of spaces available for the out of zone ballot for 2026.  Please see below the following information which has been posted on our Website:

  Applications close – Wednesday 8th October 2025

  Ballot Date – Wednesday 15th October 2025

  We are accepting out of zone applications for 2026 for those who fall into the Priority 2-5 categories.

  We have a limited number of spaces for Priority 6 students by ballot. See details below:

  • 2026 Year 0 – 0 spaces (we will review Year 0 enrolment numbers in March 2026; this will determine whether a second ballot will be held for Year 0 enrolments for the remainder of the 2026 school year. Note that this will be only for students born on or after 1st May 2021 and their birthday falls before the end of the 2026 school year).
  • 2026 Year 1 – 0 spaces
  • 2026 Year 2 – 2 spaces
  • 2026 Year 3 – 5 spaces
  • 2026 Year 4 – 2 spaces
  • 2026 Year 5 – 0 spaces
  • 2026 Year 6 – 0 spaces
  • 2026 Year 7 – 2 spaces
  • 2026 Year 8 – 4 spaces

  Spaces in Year 7 and 8 are reviewed each term and parents are welcome to contact the school regarding Intermediate enrolment .

  If the number of out of zone applications exceeds the number of places available (as outlined above) students will be selected by ballot.

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