COASTAL TARANAKI SCHOOL

Office Hours

8:30 am-4:00 pm

Hours of Instruction

8:40 am - 3:00 pm

Email: office@coastaltaranaki.school.nz
Website: https://sites.google.com/coastaltaranaki.school.nz/coastaltaranakischool/home
Location: 92 Carthew Street, Ōkato, New Zealand
Phone: (06)7524022 - 027 320 1267
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coastaltaranakischool

Tēnā koutou e te whānau o Te Kura o Coastal Taranaki kei Ōkato,

I te tuatahi, tēnei rā te mihi aroha atu ki ngā whānau o ngā mate kua taka mai nei ki runga i ā koutou. Kei te hotuhotu te manawa i tō wehenga atu. Haere atu rā, okioki atu rā e ngā mate.

Ka huri mātou ki a tātou te hunga ora, nō reira, tēnā tātou katoa.

Term 2 is now well underway, and across our kura we are seeing fantastic engagement, creativity, resilience and achievement from our students. It has been wonderful to see learners embracing opportunities both inside and outside the classroom while continuing to uphold our Coastal Taranaki School values.

Our tirohanga (vision), “Mā te whānau te tamaiti e puāwai” — Through collaboration our learners will thrive, continues to guide us. As a Year 0–13 school in Ōkato, we are proud to foster resilient, curious, and engaged learners within a holistic and supportive environment. This includes our commitment to our uara | values:

• Ako: Empowered Learners – promoting self-management, critical thinking, and personal growth.

• Whanaungatanga: Collaborative Community – creating purposeful learning spaces grounded in Whanaungatanga.

• Manaakitanga: Holistic Well-being – fostering trust, mana, and a positive environment where learners feel safe and supported.

• Ako: Active Engagement – encouraging Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) experiences and the development of specialised and technical skills.

You will see our uara | values reflected in the updates and information shared in this edition of our Pānui ā-Kura | School Newsletter, including curriculum highlights, upcoming events, sports opportunities, and key notices.

At Coastal Taranaki School, our students thrive in so many different ways. Whether it’s through their WITT pathways with Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki in performance and the arts, during mathematics learning, in our design and cooking spaces, or out on the sports field, we are proud to offer a range of opportunities for our ākonga (learners / students) to shine and excel.

This term has seen the exciting launch of a lunchtime Dance Club led by our Senior Leader, Kayla. The response has been incredible with a large and enthusiastic group attending each week. The club has become so popular that Kayla is now exploring ways to further support and grow our creative crew potentially, through additional lunchtime sessions or even an after-school opportunity.

ANZAC Day was a special moment for our kura community. Our Senior Student Leaders represented us with pride and incredible mana. From laying the wreath, lowering the flag, speaking with confidence, and supporting the wider community, they showed great respect and leadership throughout the commemorations of ANZAC Day.

As the 1st of June approaches, we recognise that this is a time of transition for some of our farming whānau. We will be farewelling valued members of our kura and wish them all the very best for their next adventures. At the same time, we look forward to welcoming new students and families as they make Ōkato home. If your whānau will be moving on to another kura, please let us know so we can support a smooth and positive transition.

On this note, we also acknowledge the relocation of one of our teachers, Philippa Hofmans, and her whanau. Philippa has made the decision to resign from her Year 1/2 teaching position, with her final day being the end of Term 2, 2026. This decision comes as Philippa and her family prepare to relocate on 1 June 2026. While we are naturally saddened to see her go, we fully support this next step for her and her whanau. We are excited to announce that Sarah Warren will be the main teacher in the Year 1/2 classroom beginning next term. Sarah has extensive experience in the junior school, with a strength in literacy.

In addition, Philippa will be on leave during Weeks 5, 6, and 7. During this time, Rebecca Connelly will be in the classroom to ensure continuity of learning and a settled environment for our tamariki. In the meantime, we extend our very best wishes to Philippa and her whanau as they prepare for this transition and the opportunities ahead.

Our Year 5/6 interschool netball team is in full swing with two wins from two games – an outstanding start to the season! Tuesday’s game was a real nail-biter – going goal for goal right to the final whistle. Congratulations to the team for showing skill, determination, and grit. Also, a huge thank you to our amazing parents who give their time to coach, manage, and support the team. We truly appreciate your calm, positive presence on the sidelines. The next game is in two weeks, and we’re looking forward to it!

Enhancing Our Mathematics Programme (Y0–8)

A New Approach to Mathematics

As part of our implementation of the Maths - No Problem! (MNP) programme and recent teacher feedback, we are introducing cross-grouping for our Year 0–6 students.

This change ensures every learner receives the right level of challenge and support. By grouping students within their specific year levels, our teachers can provide targeted instruction to ensure every student is appropriately challenged.

Staff Acknowledgement

The Senior Leadership Team would like to acknowledge all who have been involved in Professional Learning and Development (PLD) and ongoing hui (meetings) regarding Maths - No Problem!. Our Y0-8 teaching staff have demonstrated understanding and proactive measures in transitioning to the new pedagogical approaches and timetabling to ensure students can engage in cross-grouping learning opportunities. Ka nui te mihi ki a koutou.

Our New Morning Routine: Y0–8 Consistency

To ensure consistency, we have aligned our Year 0–8 timetable. All students from Year 0 to Year 8 will now engage in Mathematics during the first period of every morning. This consistency allows for seamless movement between groups and ensures our learners are at their most focused when tackling new mathematical concepts. There will be some Year 7 and 8 accommodation for Kapahaka and Technology.

Mā te whānau te tamaiti e puāwai

Through collaboration our learners will thrive

Tēnā koutou e te hāpori o Coastal Taranaki School,

We hope all whānau are well as we head into the cooler months. Good luck to the tamariki who have just started playing winter sports, and the parents supporting from the sidelines.

It’s been great to see positive momentum across the school, particularly on the primary side with curriculum development. We acknowledge the appointment of Wes Mau stepping into a strategic curriculum development role, and the launch of the new maths-focused programme this week in classes. We appreciate the ongoing mahi and commitment of all staff in supporting our tamariki and strengthening learning opportunities across the school.

Our Board have also been busy building knowledge and skills around governance responsibilities, policy review, and strategic planning as we work toward a shared vision for our kura and community.

Whānau can now view the updated Strategic Plan (1.0) on the school website to see the future direction of our kura. Whānau are also welcome to view our school policies and procedures through SchoolDocs, available via the school website. We are a progressive board focused on continuous school improvement and through this focus, we will be visible and responsive.

We would like to acknowledge Simon Ripia, outgoing parent representative for his contribution to the school, particularly through his cultural leadership and work leading the school property committee. Thank you, Simon, for your service to the kura. Ka nui te mihi ki a koe e te rangatira.

We appreciate the positive interest in the current vacancy and confirm that we are undertaking a selection process to fill this position. We will inform you of the outcome in due course. Finally, our Presiding Member, Kathryn Moffit, has taken 3-months leave and Jarran Colman is Acting Presiding Member for the duration of leave.

Ngā manaakitanga, nā

Jane Bowden Dobson
Deputy Presiding Member
Coastal Taranaki School Board

Term 2 is a busy time for English in the senior space!

CAA May Window

During Week 6, Years 9 to 11 students will be sitting their Common Assessment Activities (CAAs) in reading.They have been working hard in English lessons to prepare for these tests. Their focus in each lesson is blowing me away. Their mahi is appreciated and are starting to pay off. Students will need a fully charged chrome book when they complete these tests on the day.

NCEA Level 2

Our Year 12s are meeting that ‘L2 Step Up’ at the moment. They have demonstrated resilience in the face of academic challenges. We are busy completing assessments this term with a quick novel study of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Learning resources and deadline dates are available on Mrs Fung’s 2026 class site:

https://sites.google.com/coastaltaranaki.school.nz/2026english/home

Term 2 Important Dates:

Term 2 Week 6 (25th May onwards)

• CAA literacy and numeracy window

Fri 29th May

• Year 12/13 Internal Deadline 3 - Stimulus Writing 2 (Speeches).

Fri 19th June

• Year 12/13 Internal Deadline 4 - Text 3 and Text 4 responses.

Term 2 has begun well and we are fully into our learning programmes. We have welcomed 3 new students (Delphi, Jovie and Reid) from the new entrant room into our class and they are settling in well and learning our routines.

Here is a link to some photos from reading time. Each group practises writing using their focus area for that week as a little boost of extra writing time during reading.

Kaitake classes have been exploring the wonderful world of poetry this term. Students have been creating a range of poems, including cinquain poems, noun and verb poems, and list poetry. It has been fantastic to see their creativity shine through in their writing.

Alongside this, Room 21 have been learning about the unique creatures of Aotearoa New Zealand. Students had lots of fun creating their own imaginative artworks by swapping the tops and tails of animals, inspired by our class book Crazy Kiwi’s Tops and Tails.

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What a fantastic day our Yr 5/6 students had at Tackle 5 this week. A fast paced, 5 aside, 5 minute halves, introductory to tackle, rugby tournament run by Taranaki Rugby, hosted at Hickford Park in Bell Block.

Coastal Taranaki entered two teams in addition to one of our students amalgamate with Tikorangi and enter the girls grade.

We showed outstanding sportsmanship, effort and teamwork and continued to improve as the tournament progressed. Across both teams we faced 12 opponents winning 7, drew 2 and dropping 3 games over the course of the day which is a massive achievement the kids sound be super proud of themselves.

Our kura showcasing some very athletic talent, are a tonne of fun and a pleasure to coach. We look forward to the beginning of rugby season to see their strength and growth continue.

A big thanks to supportive parents who came along.

Steve, Alyssha and Alana

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Ella and Sophie Terrill danced in the Fancy Dancing Taranaki competition over Easter weekend. They danced solo tap, slow tap and a tap duo, coming away with ribbons, memories and experience.

COASTAL TARANAKI SCHOOL

Sonia Mau Principal

Sarah Oke Senior School Deputy Principal, Careers/Pathways, Tech on 45

Wes Mau Innovative Curriculum & Design Project Lead (Y0–6)

David Cripps SENCO

Viola Fung English

Ros James Maths Term 1

Steve Leppard Hard Materials Technology, Tech on 45

Natalie Bound Science, Principals Nominee

Sarah Warren Release Teacher, P.E Teacher

Keegan Bruckner Social Sciences, Geography, P.E Teacher

Hayley Gilmour Release Teacher

Liana Roberts Pouakai Team Leader, Year 7/8 Teacher

Dee Heath Year 7/8 Teacher

Renee Leathley Kaitake Team Leader, Year 5/6 Teacher

Emily Finey Year 5/6 Teacher

Johannah Poutini Year 4/5Teacher

Annie Harris NE Transition Teacher

Jemma Moorby Year 2/3 Teacher

Philippa Hofmans Pukeiti Team Leader, Year 1/2 Teacher

Tara Ross Year 3/4 Teachers

Jacky Kopu Office Manager

Alana Campbell Office Receptionist

Delwyn Pearce School Librarian

Kirsty Koboski Publicity Officer

Ole Bucka Grounds & Maintenance

Amy Mills Guidance Counsellor

Learning Assistants

Darryl Levett

Kirsty Koboski

Paula Fleming

Ruth Barron

Nicole Whittle

Fon Julian

Lisa Schrader