Term 3 Update + coming up

Kia ora e te whānau,
As we wrap up Term 3, it’s worth stopping for a moment and celebrating just how much we’ve packed in together at TAPS. What a term it’s been!

We’ve cheered on our tamariki at Totara Springs Camp, Cross Country, Gymsports, and Volleyball Festivals. We’ve sung our hearts out in House Waiata challenges, celebrated Māori Language Week, and come together for whole-school assemblies that remind us just how strong our kura spirit is.

Learning has been front and centre—our teachers and students diving deep into structured literacy, maths, inquiry, and creative projects. Add in guest speakers, Ready Set Go, Bible in Schools, and the everyday brilliance happening in classrooms, and you’ve got a term brimming with achievement.

And let’s not forget the sparkle of community events—from sausage sizzles and ice blocks to PTA discos and Daffodil Day. Each moment has shown the aroha, energy, and manaakitanga that makes TAPS more than a school—it’s a whānau.

As Edgar Guest reminds us: “Spring’s greatest joy beyond a doubt is when it brings the children out.” That joy has been all around us this term—in every laugh, every challenge met, every proud smile.

Bring on Term 4, team. We’ve got this. 💛🌱✨

🌟 Celebrating the Pulse of Term 3 at TAPS 🌟

As we wrap up Term 3, it’s worth pausing to celebrate the heartbeat of our kura — the people who fill it with energy, kindness, and gratitude every single day.

Over the term, our Pulse check-ins have shown just how strong our sense of whanaungatanga is. More than 1,300 moments of gratitude were shared — with kindness (atawhai), humour (whakakata), and those simple thank-yous (tuku mihi) leading the way. It’s a clear reminder that even the small gestures build a big culture of care.

Our wellbeing scores tell the same story:
✨ Students reported feeling valued, safe, and connected — above the national average.
✨ Engagement in learning stayed strong, with perseverance, cognitive focus, and belonging all shining.
✨ The warmth of home and whānau support came through loud and clear, giving our tamariki the foundation to thrive.

Of course, every journey has its challenges, but what stands out most this term is resilience. Our staff and students leaned into gratitude, lifted each other up, and kept pushing forward.

Here’s to Term 4 and carrying this momentum forward! 🌸💛

This term, more than half of our learners (54%) were regularly attending school, with many classes showing strong commitment to being here, on time, and ready to learn. A big shout-out to Room 7 (74%) and Room 5 girls (67%), who really set the standard for attendance this term!

At the same time, we know that a number of students faced challenges with regular attendance, particularly in Years 1–3. We want to acknowledge that behind every number is a child, a whānau, and a story. Thank you to our parents and caregivers who are working alongside us to get their tamariki into school – every day really does make a difference.

✨ The good news: we’ve seen strong improvements in engagement, wellbeing, and gratitude across the school this term – and attendance is a key piece of that puzzle.

💡 Looking Ahead – Term 4
Our goal for next term is clear: lift regular attendance and reduce chronic absence across the board. Together we can do this by:

• Keeping routines consistent at home and school.

• Staying in touch early if there are challenges getting your child to school.

• Celebrating the small wins – every extra day counts!

Let’s make Term 4 our strongest yet, ensuring all our learners finish the year well, with the best possible chances to thrive.

🌟 Key Dates and Events

• Mon 6 Oct – First day back! Life Education Trust begins; Year 8 HPV immunisations.

• Fri 17 Oct – Calf Club Day (organised by St Joseph’s).

• Mon 27 Oct – Labour Day (public holiday).

• Mon 3 Nov – School Athletics Day.

• Wed 5 Nov – AP&H Show entries due (Event Centre).

• Fri 7 Nov – Gumboot Friday fundraiser.

• Tues 11 Nov – Junior Athletics.

• Wed 12 Nov – Year 3/4 Rippa Rugby Day (Thames).

• Thurs 13 Nov – District Athletics (PP).

• Thurs 27 Nov – Rainbows End Trip (senior students).

• Wed 3–Fri 5 Dec – Senior Camp at Omokoroa (incl. Waimarino).

• Fri 5 Dec – Waihou Hub Fun Night (5–8:30pm).

• Wed 10 Dec – Year 7/8 Dinner (TBC).

• Fri 12 Dec – Prize Giving.

• Mon 15 Dec – Last day of term.

🚌 Ongoing

• Year 7/8 Technology at Te Aroha College continues on Thursdays.

• Bible in Schools / Values Programme most Fridays.

• Ready Set Go sessions fortnightly (Thursdays at 1:40pm, Room 1).

🎉 Other Celebrations and Awareness Days

• Fri 31 Oct – Halloween.

• Wed 5 Nov – Guy Fawkes & Parihaka Day reflection.

• Thurs 13 Nov – World Kindness Day.

• Mon 1 Dec – Summer officially begins!

As we head into Term 4, there’s a real sense of momentum building. Our tamariki will be diving into rich learning opportunities while also enjoying the fun and challenge of athletics, summer sports, and outdoor activities. With longer days and warmer weather, there’s a buzz of energy that carries us through to the end of the year. Term 4 is also about celebration—recognising the mahi, growth, and resilience of every learner. From camps and prize givings to fun days and farewells, it’s a season where we come together as a community to acknowledge just how far we’ve come, and to finish the school year with pride, gratitude, and joy.

“Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tūohu koe, me he maunga teitei.”
Pursue that which is precious, and if you must bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain.

At TAPS, our precious pursuit is the learning, wellbeing, and success of our tamariki—and Term 4 will be the perfect chance to keep climbing together.