Newsletter - Week 10, Term 3 2025

Amanda
Sep 23
3 min read

Kia ora Waitetuna Whaanau, we have come to the end of term 3. What a term it's been! As we reach the end of this busy and successful 10 weeks, we want to extend a massive thank you to our entire school community for your incredible support and hard work. This term has been a big one for our school, packed with learning and events. Your enthusiasm, whether it was helping out, supporting our stu-dents in their various activities, or simply being a positive part of our school community, has been instrumental in making it all happen. We are proud of what the students have achieved. I want to say a special thank you to the teachers and all the staff for their mahi this term.

It was a term of some tremendous learning and opportunities while battling a range of illnesses so it is good to have made it through the coldest wintry term. The students have put in a huge effort in preparation for the Kapahaka festival on Tuesday 14th October - week 2 next term. We are also looking forward to Ag Day on the 22nd October—week 3 of term 4. Please get your Ag Day entries in to the office and it would be wonderful if you can also join us for the Group Day event on Friday 24th October, being held at our school this year. You may have heard in the news that all primary school staff will be on strike on the 23rd October. School will be closed on this day unless an offer is made and accepted before the strike day which will avoid strike action altogether. We appreciate your support during this as we ask the government to look at important aspects of our contract which will ultimately support your children with more teacher time, teacher aide support and resources—so improved outcomes for all tamariki. Continuing to address the teacher shortage must also be made a priority.

A big well done to Julia Fuchs completing her practicum in the Middle room. It has been a pleasure having you with us at Waitetuna School.

I set a challenge to the students to share good news about the week and term with me and I would respond with a range of Te Reo Maaori motivating phrases. Here are some you can try at home—Kei reira—Right on! That’s the one! Tau kee—Awesome, Ka wani kee! Fabulous!, Aanana! That’s it!, Tapatapahi ana! Cool! Choice!, Kia manawanui! Hang in there! Ka pai hoki koe! Good on you! Koina! Yes, that’s it.

Enjoy a well-deserved break with your families. We look forward to seeing you all refreshed and ready for another fantastic term ahead!

I really hope you all have time to slow down and have a break of some sort.

Ngaa mihi nui Amanda and staff.