Issue 32: Week 3, Term 4 2025
Principal's Message - Karere a te Tumuaki
Kia ora koutou,
It’s been another bright and busy week here at Karaka School — and fittingly so, as we celebrate Diwali – the Festival of Lights! A huge ka pai and thank you to two of our Cultural Leaders, Ruhaani S and Izna K, who have shown fantastic initiative and leadership in coordinating a fun and creative Diwali activity for all of our classes this week. It’s been wonderful to see our students sharing their culture so confidently and spreading the message of light, kindness and togetherness around our school.
A quick reminder that school will be closed for instruction tomorrow (Thursday) due to the teachers’ Strike Day.
We have a very small number of students whose parents have requested supervision (please note this must be requested through the office - admin@karaka.school.nz), and we truly appreciate the support from our families who have been able to keep their children at home. As school is officially ‘closed,’ there will be no impact on attendance records — we’ll simply be keeping an internal register for those on site.
Today, a big group of our Year 5–8 students are representing Karaka at the ECCS Touch Tournament, and we hope they’re having an awesome day of sport and teamwork! We’ll be sure to share some photos and results later on. Looking ahead, the PTA Halloween Disco is coming up next Friday, and it’s shaping up to be a fantastic night of spooky fun (and a great, safe alternative to trick or treating, especially for our younger tamariki!).
Here are a few more upcoming dates to mark on your calendars:
* Friday 14th November – Cultural Day: We loved this event so much last year that it’s now officially an annual tradition! Children are invited to come dressed in clothing that represents their culture or heritage and to bring along a small plate of food to share with their class. It’s always such a vibrant and heartwarming day – see the poster attached below for more details.
* Friday 5th December – Karaka’s Got Talent: Back by popular demand! Mrs Redshaw is helping to coordinate this year’s show (taking over some of Mr Dyer’s reins), and we can’t wait to see the variety of acts our talented students put together. Keep an eye out for more details on auditions and timings.
* Friday 12th December – End of Term: Our final day of the school year will finish at 1:00pm. A few parents have already been asking, so please pop that early finish time in your diaries.
As we head into the second half of the term, there’s certainly plenty to look forward to!
Ngā mihi nui,
Anna Powrie
Celebrating Learning and Achievement
Assembly Certificate Recipients 17th October
Notes from the Office
End of Year Trophies for Prizegiving
It's that time of year again! If you were awarded a trophy last year (or a member of your family who has now left), could you please return the trophy to the office (polished would be great!). There will be a box in reception to put them in.
Intermediate Uniforms for 2026
We sent home this week to our Year 6 students who will be going into Year 7 next year, intermediate uniform order forms. Please return these by 14th November so we can place the orders so that we receive them back to hand out by the end of term.
Absentees / Attendance
PLEASE if your child is going to be absent, has an appointment, going on holiday or any other reason that they will be away or late, can you contact the school by any one of these methods -
- Hero post
- Dedicated phone absentee line
- Email the teacher
- Email the office (admin@karaka.school.nz)
- Send a sibling into the office to let us know
As part of our Health and Safety criteria and the Ministry attendance regulations, if we haven't heard from you, we will be phoning and/or emailing to find out where your child is for that day.
PTA News
The PTA are excited to be running a Halloween Disco on Friday 31st October! The perfect, safe and fun alternative to trick or treating. A large portion of the funds raised from this night will be going towards the Middle Team Sleepover at Camp Adair, helping to significantly reduce the cost of this extra curricular event for families - how amazing! Kindo Orders are open NOW to secure tickets and pre-order hot food. Kindo Orders close next Tuesday 28th October.
We really need some extra helpers - both in the lead-up and on the night - to make this event a frightfully fun success! If you’re able to help, please get in touch, with Hayley Ballard - hayleyb@karaka.school.nz
Ngā mihi nui for your support and community spirit.
Next PTA Meeting - Wednesday 19th November 7.00pm in staffroom
Uniform Shop
- The uniform shop will be open on Tuesday 28th October due to Monday being Labour Day.
- House Shirts and Hats are available to purchase. If you order through Kindo they will be delivered to your child's class.
Any questions/fundraising ideas or if you require uniform items urgently, you can email the PTA on karaka.pta@gmail.com
The Karaka School PTA account is 12 3031 0851231 00
Updates from the Wider Community
