Term 3, Week 4, 4/8/2025 - 8/8/2025
From the Principal's Desk
Kia ora koutou katoa, Greetings Parents and Caregivers
Hi team, a busy time with a focus on some "rich, real and relevant" learning. I was excited to see Room 1 students gain 150 DoJo points, Room 2 had their dress up day, Room 3 learning about circuits/electricity, Room 4 doing science experiments with liquids, solids and gases, Room 5 with enrichment in literacy, Room 6 sharing their video on sorting out lost property and Room 7 with MathX.
BOT Elections
We have had 8 parent nominations for the new Board of Trustees (BOT). I would like to personally thank all parents who have put their names forward to help our school. This will mean we have an election that will happen in September. Each candidate will write a little bit of information with a photo and this will go out to every parent/caregiver to vote. We had only 1 staff nomination and we congratulate and thank Nicola Reideinger who will continue in her role.
The next BOT meeting at school is in Room 2 on Thursday, 21st of August.
AIMS Games
Congratulations on the students who are practising on their fitness and skills related to the AIMS Games. It was great to hear the excitement about the fundraising they are doing to help cover costs. At the moment, the Football team is starting Wednesday Sausage Sizzles for fundraising and also their footyathon. Our next meeting for all AIMS Games groups is on Monday, 18th of August from 3 - 3.45pm in Room 7.
Tree Planting
Next Tuesday, on the 12th of August. We are taking Room 6 and 7 to help plant 800+ trees on local farms. Next year our aim is to plant trees and bushes around the school. Next year's trees have been set aside to plant out along our streams and fields, we hope to plant 10 trees for every student at Whenuakite.
Camp
Room 6 and 7 go to camp in term 4, The cost is $400 and this has already been subsidised by the Cooks Beach Carnival group and BOT. If parents can start thinking of good ways to fundraise or need help with covering costs, please come in and have a catch-up and chat. Let's work together to get everyone to camp. More information out soon.
Thanks, Nga mihi, Gary Veysi - Principal
Senior students - Year 7/8 practising Kapahaka with Mercury Bay Area School
Board Of Trustees
From the Board of Trustees
In September, we will hold our 3-yearly BoT election. The BoT is an important part of our school in that it provides governance and advice to the teaching staff at our school. The BoT makes policy and financial decisions and represents the school community. If you have any questions, please contact me on 027 837 6004. Nomination forms are at the front desk. Thank you for your support. Ray
Property Updates
Recently, the BOT signed off on the lease of the land behind the school. We have been working in conjunction with Don and Dawn Walker on leasing this space and have had final approval from the Ministry of Education. This means we can create more space for the students to investigate and play in.
Next year, the size of football fields also needs to be at least 70 metres, and we are also keen to have a proper rugby field and running track. For this to happen, unfortunately, we will need to move the dripper lines for the effluent field to the end part of the grounds and chop down some trees. We will have more information after our next BOT meeting on the 21st of August and will run community consultation around this and the specifics of what will need to happen to meet council consents.
As this is a community asset and we have no money, we need community help. If you can help with taking some trees down, removing and mulching, levelling fields, re-grassing and putting up a 7 wire fence, please contact - principal@whenuakite.school.nz
School Bus and Bus Monitor training
A big thanks to Constable Brian Connors for coming to our Bus meeting to talk about the rules and expecations on the bus.
We also appreciate the bus manager and bus drivers who also came to the meeting. Staying safe together.
Brian going over the role and expectations for bus monitors for their job in 2026.
Pet Day Wednesday 17th September 2025
School Carnival 2026 - Pet Day, Local Farming Families - Daisy Dung Drop – Can Your Calf Help?
Our much-loved Daisy Dung Drop raffle is one of the biggest fundraisers at our School Carnival, helping to support valuable resources and opportunities for our kids.
This year, we’re on the lookout for a friendly calf to take centre stage at the carnival – and with Pet Day coming up, it’s the perfect time to find one!
If your child is raising a calf for Pet Day, it could be the next Daisy! We’d love families to consider whether their calf might be suitable for the big event. After Pet Day, it’s important to keep up the care and handling so your calf stays friendly and calm for carnival day.
Thank you for your support – it really makes a difference! Contact April if you can help 0274224988
Being a K.I.T.E Kid Awards
Certificates presented to: -
Room 1 - Yuhansa Wijesuriwardana, Kora Hartnett
Room 2 - Billie Harrison, Tulsi Stephens
Room 3 - Jake McLaren, Ashley Grogan
Room 4 - Lily Blomfield, Jonty Browne
Room 5 - Oscar Frost, Ella Newton
Room 6 -Clara Riddle, Kaia Tuinier
Room 7 - River Sims, Mya Orbell
Principal Awards - Kurtis Seath - Helping with the clean up of the far field.
Sports
U10s Red Dragons
On Saturday we traveled over to Paeroa to play the Paeroa Rangers.
They were short on players, so big thanks to Digby and Brock who each played a half for The Rangers.
There was moments of magic throughout the game but The Rangers came away with the win 5-1. Players of the day went to Ashton and Brock. Well done Dragons!
AIMS Games Fundraiser
Up and coming events
Term 3
Week 5
Tuesday, 12th of August - Tree planting for Rooms 6 and 7.
Week 6
Tuesday 19th of August - MOTAT
Wednesday 20th of August -MOTAT
Thursday 21st of August - BOT meeting at school at 3.30pm
Week 7
Monday 25 th of August - Fire Drill
Tuesday 26th of August - Thames Valley Cross Country (For selected students who qualify from MBAS CC)
Whenuakite Achievements!
Students recieving certificates at Assembly
Room 2 working on literacy
Groups work with each other and with George Jennison
Room 5 working with Leigh
Artwork for our electives groups.