Te Kura o Te Pāroa

Tēnā koutou e te whānau whānui,

Nau mai ki te wahanga whakamutunga o te tau. He nui tonu nga mahi i mua i a tatou i mua i te whakamutunga o te tau. He rite tēnei wahanga ki nga wahanga i pahure - kua kī i nga mahi hei akiaki i te whakaako, i te whai wheako mā nga tamariki.

E whakaneinei atu ano tatou ki nga mahi kei te haramai pera i tēnei!

We have some exciting news to share! Our Kura has been scheduled for an Education Review Office (ERO) evaluation in November 2026.

This is a really positive opportunity for us – a time to celebrate our tamariki, our kaupapa, our mahi, and our aspirations for the future. ERO’s role is not to test our children, but to work with us to understand how our kura is supporting ākonga learning, wellbeing and engagement, and to help us plan our next steps.

When is it happening?

Our review will happen in two parts:

Phase One – Tai Timu – Online: Week beginning 23 November 2026
ERO will meet with us online and look through key kura documents, plans, and information about progress, achievement, attendance and wellbeing.

Phase Two – Tai Pari – Onsite: Week beginning 30 November 2026
ERO reviewers will visit our kura in person for 1-2 days. This is the part where you will see them around – in classrooms, in the playground, and kanohi ki te kanohi with whānau and kaiako.

The onsite visit will focus on:

• Understanding our kura context and special character
• Hui with whānau and observations of learning
• Bringing all the information together and sharing findings with us

How can whānau be involved?

Whānau voice is a very important part of this process – ERO really wants to hear from YOU. Here’s how you can take part:

1. Join our Whānau Hui with ERO – Week of 30 Nov

We will be holding a special whānau hui with the ERO reviewers during their onsite visit. This is your chance to kōrero about what you love about our kura, your aspirations for your tamariki, and your ideas for the future. Nau mai, haere mai – everyone is welcome. Date/time to be confirmed – keep an eye on Seesaw / notices.

2. Share your perspective
You may be invited for a short, informal kōrero with a reviewer – either in person or online. There are no right or wrong answers. Just be yourself and speak from the heart about your child's learning, wellbeing, culture and identity.

3. Be present and be proud
If you’re around the kura during that week please manaaki and welcome our ERO visitors and encourage your tamariki to as well. Attendance matters – please support us by ensuring your child is at kura during review week if possible.

ERO loves to hear things like: What makes our kura special? How do we support te reo, tikanga, and identity? How do we communicate with you? What would you like to see more of?

We are beginning our preparations now, including completing our Kura Motuhake Self-Review and gathering stories and evidence of our ākonga mahi.

If you have any questions about the ERO process, or would like to be part of the whānau hui, please contact the office on 073086652 or office@paroa.school.nz.

Thank you for your continued tautoko. This is our time to shine – as one whānau, for our tamariki.

Ngā mihi nui,
Erin Te Pou – Tumuaki

Marama Studer - Board Chair

Te Kura o Te Pāroa

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

Kia ora whānau,

We would like to let you know that Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngāti Awa (NASH Nurse) have updated their consent forms to ensure our tamariki can receive care and treatment when needed.

If you would like your tamaiti/tamariki to be seen by the NASH Nurse, please take a moment to complete the online consent form and give your permission.

When tamariki come to the sickbay with sores or require further follow-up treatment, only those whose parents or caregivers have completed the online consent form and provided parental consent can be added to the nurse’s weekly list for assessment and treatment.

Your support helps us ensure our tamariki receive the care they need to stay healthy and well at kura.

Ngā mihi nui, whānau, for your ongoing support and care for our tamariki! 💚

https://forms.gle/pxZebSwJr1t9hDbb9

1. Moutohora- Moutohorā (Whale Island) is one of the most significant ancestral landmarks in the Ngāti Awa rohe. Located approximately 9 kilometers off the coast of Whakatāne, Moutohorā has been a place of occupation, refuge, food gathering, healing, and spiritual importance for centuries. For Ngāti Awa, it is not simply an island—it is a taonga that embodies whakapapa, history, and the enduring relationship between people, Te Taiao and Te Moana-a-Toi. Standing offshore, Moutohorā continues to watch over Te Kākahoroa, the Whakatāne coastline, and the people of Ngāti Awa, reminding each generation of their responsibility to Honor the past, care for the present, and protect this treasured taonga for those yet to come.
2. Taumatakahawai-Taumatakahawai is one of the significant ancestral pā sites on Kōhī Point (Koohi Point), located on the high cliffs beyond Wairaka, as you travel toward Ōhope. Taumata Kahawai provides a powerful example of how mātauranga Māori integrated ecology with community wellbeing. The lookout was as much about reading the rhythms of the natural world as it was about keeping people safe
3. Hinepare (Staffroom) - Hinepare was the wife of Te Rangihouhiri ll, and mother to Toanatini who married Taiwhakaea, tupuna of Ngāti Awa. Hinepare originates from Ngati Tewheki-o-awa an ancient hapu of Ngati Awa residing in Kawerau. She was born at a Pa site called Te Tahuna at the foot of Putauaki mountain. Her main iwi is Ngati Awa, Ngati Tuwharetoa and Ngai Tai. Hinepare’s father was Te Wheki-o-awa and her mother was Te Rangihingatu. She was the eldest of three children. They were Hinepare, Awapaea and Te Rangihakua. In her adult life she travelled to Matata and met Te Rangihouhiri II. They moved close to Te Totara, and it was near Te Awarehe River Toanatini was born.
4. Utairoa (School Office)- Utairoa is an ancient urupā where many Ngāti Awa tūpuna are buried. Located between Ōpihi Whanaungakore and Ōhuirehe, it is a sacred place that reminds us of the deep connections between our ancestors, the whenua, and future generations. Utairoa teaches us the importance of remembering those who came before us and showing respect for places of great cultural and spiritual significance. As a sacred resting place for tūpuna, Utairoa continues to inspire respect, reflection, and a deep sense of belonging for the descendants who maintain their connection to this treasured wāhi tapu.
5. Otamauru (Hall)- Ōtamauru-o-Te Kuratapirirangi connects with the ancestral settlements of Ngāi Taiwhakaea, Ngāti Hikakino, and Ngāi Te Rangihouhiri within the Ngāti Awa rohe. Located around the northern end of Golf Links Road and extending east along the Wano Road area, it was once a thriving centre of community life, leadership, and whakapapa. Although the surrounding wetlands have since been drained, Ōtamauru remains a place where the history and presence of the ancestors continue to be deeply felt.It stands as a powerful reminder that although the physical landscape has changed, the stories, values, and connections that define the people remain firmly anchored in this ancestral place.
6. Kiwinui (Whare)- Kiwinui is the name of the hill and forested landscape above White Pine Bush Road, between Awakeri and Tāneatua. Today it is known for its regenerating native bush and the nearby White Pine Bush Scenic Reserve. Kiwinui sits well within a sequence that tells the story of the rohe—from the coast (Ōkōrero, Piripai, Kōhī Point) to the river (Te Kupenga o Taramainuku) and into the inland forests (Te Tiringa, Kiwinui, and Putauaki).

Kia ora whānau.

14% of tamariki were late last week whānau. Lets see if we can reduce that number each week! Remember, Whaea Sarah and Whaea Kelly are here to help and encourage.

Keep up the great morning routines!

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: Turukihia2026

4. Use the search bar to find specific policies.

FUN 4 U - HĀKINAKINA FUN!

On Tuesday our Purapura Tau 1 & 2 had a morning full of fun, katakata and learning outside the akomanga with Tamanui te Rā! 💙

Huge mihi to all our tamariki for giving everything a go, and to our Taiohi who stepped up to lead activities, think on the spot, problem-solve and support our pēpi! AMAZING!

Heaps of fun, heaps of learning, and heaps of smiles! 💙🤍

EBOP Touch Tournament 2026

He rā mō te omaoma, te kotahitanga me te whanaungatanga!

Our tamariki hit the Rex Morpeth Park on Thursday, showcasing their touch skills, teamwork and kura pride!

He mihi nui to our players, kaiako, coaches and whānau for your tautoko.

Ka mau te wehi koutou!

Results
PAROA Blitz - Won 3 from 4

PAROA Tails - 1st = overall - Undefeated 4/4
PAROA Sonic - Undefeated 2nd overall

SPORT FEES REMINDER

A friendly reminder whanau to ensure all sports fees are paid in full on due dates or prior to your tamaiti playing. See our kura Facebook page for details.

Ways to pay are:

Cash, eftpos or online.

Te Kura o Te Paroa

12-3209-0155250-00

Reference: Child’s name + Name of sport code e.g. Touch

Kia ora e te whanau.

In acknowledgement of Te Toki, which takes place this Labour Weekend, we will be holding a Hapū T-Shirt Day on Thursday 29 October.

Tamariki are encouraged to come to kura wearing their hapū T-shirts to celebrate and acknowledge Te Toki, and to proudly represent the hapū they whakapapa to.

Te Toki is an important kaupapa that brings together uri of Ngāti Awa to stand, perform and represent their hapū through kapa haka. This is an opportunity for us to tautoko our whānau and celebrate our whakapapa.

Please encourage your tamariki to wear their hapū T-shirts.

When: Thursday 29 October
What: Wear your Hapū T-shirt!

Kia kaha tātou ki te whakanui i ō tātou whakapapa, ō tātou hapū me te mana o Ngāti Awa.

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