Newsletter 1 Term 1 2026

Te Karere o te Tumuaki/Principal's Message

Kia Ora e te Whanau,

Welcome back to 2026. I trust you had an enjoyable holiday break and that some of the dreadful weather we experienced has not affected your whānau. The staff had 2 very successful staff only days before the children returned to school. Not only was it a chance to reconnect, but there was some great learning had which got us back in the frame of mind for school.

I am sure you will have noticed the installation of the new big playground is well underway. I can see there are a lot of opportunities for challenge and fun. The soft fall is due to be installed next week, so it wont be too long before we can get ready for opening with the appropriate tikanga. I am very lucky to have the perfect view of the swimming pool out of my office window. I love watching the tamariki swimming, splashing and laughing as they enjoy their time in the pool. How lucky are we to have a heat pump to warm the water when usually the nights cool it down. The tamariki will be able to enjoy the pool right to the end of the term.

There has also been some activity in the gardens. The installation of the sensory garden is underway and we look forward to seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting and smelling the result. There was also a wonderful working bee in the vegetable gardens which has tamed the weeds that got away in the holidays and added additional soil nutrients to keep our garden flourishing for Garden-to-Table. Thanks to Shaelagh, Gabrielle and their amazing team of volunteers who have whipped this space into shape. Thanks also to Julian from our local New World who fed them all with a delicious morning tea.

We have all settled back into school smoothly and it is fantastic to see and hear the joy the children bring to the environment. We are all excited for another fantastic year ahead.

Ngā mihinui

AnnMaree MacGregor

Principal

School Board News

The school board have had their first meeting for the year and are pleased to let you know that Kat Lester continues to be the Presiding Member. The board will meet this year on the following dates:

April 22

May 20

June 17

August 19

September 23

October 21

November 18

December 16

2026 Road Patrollers

A brand new cohort of keen Road Patrollers has been trained up and are already helping your students arrive safely at our kura in 2026. A big thanks to all these tamariki, and to their parents who have offered to support them. Just a reminder to our community that if you are arriving at school via our Church St entrance, we do appreciate you taking the time to cross safely at our pedestrian crossing. This is manned both mornings from 8:30-8:55am and afternoons from 3:00-3:10pm. We also have dedicated wardens stationed at our back gate entrance on Raumati Cres from 3:00-3:30pm also.

Attendance

At Onerahi School, our aim is for all learners to attend regularly so they can engage, achieve and thrive at school. All students in Aotearoa are legally required to attend school every day (when well), on time, and schools are also legally required to have an attendance management plan in place to support this expectation. We appreciate your co-operation in ensuring your tamariki arrive on time and ready to learn each day. If they are unwell, or will be absent for another reason, we ask that you to contact us via any of the following:

Skool Loop App

Website - https://www.onerahi.school.nz/parent-information/attendance/

Phone: 4360521

Class Dojo

email: office@onerahi.school.nz

Text: 0210489221

If you are unsure if they are well enough to attend, please check out the link below which provides advice and guidance to help make this decision.

https://info.health.nz/keeping-healthy/healthy-homes-environments/knowing-if-your-child-is-well-enough-to-go-to-school-guidance-for-parents#symptoms

Neurodiversity Week 2026

Great news! Neurodiversity Week is happening this term!

From Monday, 16 March to Friday, 20 March (Week 7), we will be hosting a series of engaging and informative presentations in the library. Join us each afternoon between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. for sessions covering relevant topics, including supporting your tamariki to make and maintain friendships; Neurodiversity: The parent's perspective; Understanding Dyslexia; and the Three Facets of Neurodiversity.

Keep an eye out for further information coming soon!

Honey/Honi

Honey is available for purchase at the school office. The honey has been kindly donated by our partner beekeepers,Tahi honey, and we have further been gifted larger sized jars of Honeyeater honey - also from local Pataua hives. The honey is priced amazingly from $5 per jar (250gm) to $20 (the big 1kg jars) so why not pop in and pick some up. It's delicious!

2nd hand Uniform

Uniforms come and uniforms go! Stock levels are constantly dropping on our school shirts in many of the sizes. Especially the bigger ones! (Size 10, 12, 14, etc.) If your child has outgrown their uniform and you have no further need of it, please feel free to drop it in to the school office. The sales of these help the school purchase additional items that our former PTA used to supply, such as sunscreen, etc. Stock of the jackets and jumpersa are depleting again and there are few or none to be found now in most sizes. At $10 they are a great bargain!

Tino rā nui/Important Dates

* Tuesday 24 Feb - Whanau Picnic

* Monday 02 Mar - In-school EPRO 8 Competition

* Wednesday 04 Mar - Middle school Beach trip

* Friday 06 Mar - NEST classes Sports Field trip

* Mon 09 Mar - New Entrant Mid-Term Cohort start

* Wed 11 Mar - WPSSA Swimming Sports

* Friday 13 Mar - Swim Fest

* Mon 16-Fri 20 March - Neurodiversity Week

* Wed 18-Fri 20 March - Reorua Camp

* Thurs 26 Mar - Epro8 Inter School Competition

* Mon 30 Mar - School Triathlon

* Thurs 02 Apr - Last day of Term 1

* Mon 20 April - First day of Term 2

* Mon 27 Apr - ANZAC Day celebrated - Public Holiday

Reminders/Ngā manatu

Summer

Summer is officially here! Just a reminder to all that in Terms 1 and 4 it is compulsory for all students to wear a hat whilst outdoors. No hat will mean having to remain in the shade. This is in line with our sun safe policy. Additionally, with the pool open for swimming a reminder to all to check with your children when their timetabled sessions are. On these days, please ensure you send them with some togs and a towel, ready to hop in the water. As always, please name these items so they know who to come home with.

SCHOOL HOURS

8:15am School gates open to students and whānau

9:00am School begins

11:00-11:30am 1st Play Break

1:30-2:00pm 2nd Play Break

3:00pm School finishes

3:15pm School gates close

There are two eating breaks within the day, taken at times that suit each class. Please ask your child's teacher when their times are. We would like to remind all whānau that during school hours, your child is expected to be present and learning. Where possible, we ask that appointments be scheduled outside of school hours, so as not to impact on your child's learning. We also ask that every effort is made to arrive at school in time for learning at 9am. Being present at the start of day routines sets them up for a successful day.

Our Website

IMPORTANT NOTICES/TINO PANUI NUI

Medication: If your child requires medication to be brought or kept at school, please be aware that due to health and safety concerns, this must be kept secure in the school sick bay. It is not to be kept in children’s schoolbags during the day. This is to protect the safety of not only the child requiring the medication but also all other students. All medication requires an accompanying permission/approval form signed by their parent or caregiver. This includes epi-pens for allergy management, inhalers for asthma or any other medication your child requires on a short-term or as needed basis.