Te Kura o Te Pāroa

Tēnā koutou e te whānau,

As we reach the end of Term 3, I think everyone is well and truly due for a well-deserved break! With winter illnesses hitting our kura hard over recent weeks, I know some whanau will be using their break to rest and reset.

Despite the bugs, our teaching and learning journey continues to thrive. Our kaiako have been making real efforts in our classrooms to deliver lessons in ways scientifically proven to help our tamariki take in more knowledge, more efficiently. We have welcomed many visitors from other kura into our classes recently, and I want to extend a massive thank you to our kaiako and tamariki for being so open and willing to share their skills!

It has also been wonderful seeing our tamariki enjoying their new spaces. Thank you to Whaea Sarah for all of her hard mahi—she can officially add "Project Manager" to her kete of amazingness. The potential for our outdoor areas is huge, a blank canvas! Observing where and how the tamariki play now allows us to make exciting plans for the future. Watch this space!

Auraki Takawaenga returned to kura after their awesome noho, the kids were absolutely buzzing! Ngā mihi nui to our parent helpers - we truly can't make these special experiences happen without you.

My first term done and dusted, and what a privilege it has been. Your tamariki are a joy to be around; they try hard, they are kind, and they love their kura.

Have a fantastic break whānau, rest up, and we will see you all back refreshed on Monday 12 October!

Kelly Te Aomarere

Te Kura o Te Pāroa

1. Te Tapoa- Te Tapoa-o-Taiwhakaea is an ancestral land area of great cultural significance within the Ngāti Awa rohe. The site begins just north of the Te Rahu Drain, at the eastern end of the Fortunes Road–Paroa Road intersection and extends north to the Kopeopeo Canal. The name preserves the memory of an important meeting between two ancestors, Taiwhakaea II and Toanatini, ensuring their story remains embedded in the landscape. It teaches that places are not only remembered for moments of conflict or ceremony, but also for the human connections that helped build and sustain the people of Ngāti Awa.
2. Te Totara- Te Tōtara-o-Taiwhakaea II is the traditional name for the area where Te Kura o Te Paroa School stands today. Long ago, the Ngāti Awa chief Taiwhakaea II planted tōtara trees there so they could be used for carving and building wharepuni. He also came to this place to perform karakia and sacred ceremonies. The name reminds us that the tōtara represents strength, wisdom, and planning for future generations, and that caring for the natural world is both a practical and spiritual responsibility. is a powerful reminder that education, growth, and leadership are deeply rooted in the whenua. Just as Taiwhakaea II planted tōtara whose full value would be realised by future generations, schools nurture young people whose contributions will strengthen their whānau, hapū, and iwi in years to come.
3. Awarehe- Te Awarehe-o-Toanatini is a significant ancestral waterway. The site is located opposite Te Kura o Te Paroa, just across the railway line beside State Highway 2. Although today it is a low-lying depression, it was once a flowing stream that connected Te Araruhe at one end and the Orini River at the other, forming part of an important network of inland waterways. The name preserves the memory of Toanatini, whose birth at this place gives the stream its enduring cultural significance. Long ago, the stream connected the Araruhe and Orini waterways, allowing waka to carry people, food, and supplies between nearby villages. Although the stream has changed over time, its name reminds us of the important role that waterways played in the lives of Ngāti Awa and the deep connections between people, whakapapa, and the environment.

💛 THANK YOU, TE KURA O TE PĀROA! 💛

A huge kia ora to all our amazing tamariki and staff who dressed up and supported our fundraiser. 👏

We are pleased to share that we raised an incredible $406.00!

💵 $392.00 – cash donations
💻 $14.00 – online donations

All funds raised will go towards supporting Kiwi kids with cancer. 💛

Thank you to everyone who contributed and helped make a difference. Ka nui te mihi! 🌟

Over the holidays we will have contractors onsite to complete some work as follows:

1. Paint the carpark layout for the staff carpark (behind the hall).

2. Renovate the B Block toilet area

3. General maintenance and tidy up around the kura.

Remember, as part of the Attendance Strategy, kura are expected to contact whānau when tamariki are at yellow, orange and red. Whānau can expect a text, an email, a friendly phone call to check in and see how you are doing. We are always here to help.

If your tamariki are going to be at Rangitaiki next week (and not at kura) please can you still let the office know so we can record the absences correctly.

Our term attendance is doing really well and we thank everyone for making Kura the place to be! 82% of tamariki have been attending 80% or more. Ka rawe whānau!

Lates: We are noticing a pattern of late comers to kura and need your help!

Please help get tamariki ready for kura and get them on the bus to ensure they do not miss out on valuable learning time.

Some tamariki do not have access to the bus so we rely on whānau to get them to kura. If there are issues with arriving on time, please make an appointment to discuss with the attendance team at the office.

Kia ora whānau.

As the term comes to an end, it is a great time to remind everyone about the Stepped Attendance Response initiative. Some whānau would have received emails, letters or phone calls regarding attendance. These are all part of our kura response to supporting attendance.

Under the Government’s Stepped Attendance Response (STAR) initiative, the goal is for at least 80% of students to attend school regularly (attending over 90% of the time, or missing fewer than 5 days per term) to give them the best chance of academic success. To help raise student achievement, our kura is required by government expectations to reach out to whānau whenever tamariki cross attendance thresholds—whether absences reach 5, 10, or 15+ days in a term. The primary focus of this outreach is not to punish, but to work together to support whānau and ensure our tamariki are in school all day, every day, so they have every opportunity to thrive.

If you want to discuss further, please reach out to Whaea Sarah or Whaea Kelly, who are part of our Attendance team in the new term.

Whakatāne GP Clinics

The Doctors Phoenix

 Address: 11-13 Pyne Street, Whakatāne 3120

 Phone: 07 307 0586

 Email: thedocs@ph.thedoctors.co.nz

 Details: Accepting new patients. Open Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

The Doctors Kopeopeo

 Address: 11 James Street, Whakatāne

 Phone: 07 308 5771

 Email: admin@kopehealth.co.nz

 Details: Open Monday–Friday, 8:15 AM – 5:00 PM.

The Doctors Total Health

 Address: 252 The Strand, Whakatāne

 Phone: 07 308 8267

 Email: admin@totalhealthdrs.co.nz

 Details: Open Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

Thrive Medical

 Address: 36 Domain Road, Whakatāne

 Phone: 07 242 9299

 Email: admin@thrivemedical.co.nz

 Details: Walk-in and urgent care services available with limited new patient enrolment

criteria.

Rehua Medical Centre

 Address: king street, Whakatāne

 Phone: 0800 628 228 (0800 MATAATUA)

 Email: reception@rehuamedical.co.nz

 Details: Taking new enrolments for those not currently enrolled at a GP clinic in the area.

Edgecumbe Medical centre

 Address: RIVERSLEA MALL

 Phone: 073049106

 Email: info@riversleamdedical.co.nz

 Details: Taking new enrolments however a very limited capacity, please contact reception

TANEATUA medical centre

 Address: Taneatua

 Phone: 073049106

 Email: TMC@NGAITUHOE.iwi.nz

 Details: Taking new enrolments

Rehua medical clinic AFTER HOURS:

(THEY ACCEPT THE FIRST 20 PEOPLE IN THE QUEUE)

Opening Hours

 Monday to Friday:

5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

 Weekends & Public Holidays: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Note: Some alliance listings note

extended holiday hours until 6:00 PM) Contact & Fees

 Phone: 0800 628 228

 Standard Casual Fees:

 Children (0–13 years): Free

 Youth (14–17 years): $13.50

 Adults (with Community Services Card): $20.00

 Adults (without card): $30.50

If unable to be seen at this clinic and are unwell copy this link for 24/7 virtual

GP Clinic with Te whatu ora into your search (google)

https://www.healthnz.govt.nz/online-phone-healthcare/online-gp-care

Access to SchoolDocs:

• Available to the principal, board, and school community (parents, caregivers, whānau).

• How to log in:

1. Go to schooldocs.co.nz.

2. Search for "Te Kura o Te Pāroa."

3. Enter credentials:

• Username: paroa

• Password: turukihia

4. Use the search bar to find specific policies.

🏉 Aotearoa NZ Māori Rugby League – Tamariki Tournament 2026

Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui!

All the best to all our tamariki representing their whānau, hapū, iwi, me ō rātou rohe at the Tamariki Māori League Tournament in Rotorua this weekend.

Play hard, play fair, and most importantly, have fun! Enjoy the experience, make new friendships, and be proud of who you are and where you come from.

Haere atu rā, whakangahau mai, ā, tukuna tō tino kaha ki runga i te papa tākaro.

Ka whawhai tonu mātou mō ake, ake, ake! ❤️🖤

Kia ora whānau,

Our school enrolment forms are now available online. Please click on the link below to complete the enrolment form:

https://etap.co.nz/OnlineEnrolment/EnrolmentForm/?access=1888:1

Please also upload a copy of your tamaiti’s birth certificate as part of the enrolment.

You will need to download the Device and Website Agreements, complete them, and return them to the kura.

If you prefer, you are welcome to come into the kura and complete the online enrolment here.

Ngā mihi nui

Our raffle is $5 per ticket and only a limited amount are being sold.

It starts on the 25th September, runs through the school holidays and will get drawn on the 14th October.

Tickets are available from both our Hospice Shops in Whakatane and Kawerau throughout the duration of the raffle, as well as from the Hospice offices on Goulstone Road, from Flatline Computer Co on Valley Road.

On Friday 2nd and 9th we'll also be parked up in the foyer of New World Whakatane selling tickets.

All of the money raised will go directly to our local Hospice and help to keep palliative care free for our community.

Thank you so much for your help - we really appreciate it!

Lydia Tulip
Media and Community Relations

Email: office@paroa.school.nz
Website: https://www.paroa.school.nz
Location: 34 Paroa Road, Whakatane 3191
Phone: 073086652

School Mobile phone: 0274471900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/910834023142312