Kura Tuatahi Toko Panui

Dear Parents and Friends of our school Kia Ora/Hello/Kamusta

Kia ora koutou e te whānau,

On Tuesday the New Zealand Principals Federation announced a proposal for an independent Curriculum and Assessment Council, that would support future education changes to be well developed, adequately resourced, and implemented at a pace schools can manage. The Council would be permanent and apolitical, made up of sector representatives and education experts – including early childhood, teaching, school leadership, governance, parents, iwi and Māori education partners, and other relevant stakeholders. This would establish a clear process for major curriculum reform: research, engagement, testing, evaluation, then wider rollout.

This cycle of curriculum change needs to stop. Every child deserves an education system built to last, one where good ideas are given the time, support, and resourcing to actually work in classrooms, rather than being replaced before they've had a chance to succeed. The New Zealand Principals’ Federation is proposing a permanent and politically independent home for curriculum and assessment that would help reduce unnecessary disruption and short-term upheaval. Regardless of where you sit on current reform debates, this is a proposal worth understanding.

Our classrooms do not need more change. They need time to make change work. The New Zealand Principals’ Federation is proposing a permanent Council that would provide long-term leadership and greater stability for curriculum and assessment. While the Minister of Education would continue to set the overall education policy and make final decisions, the Council would ensure proposed changes are fully developed, tested, and resourced before they reach classrooms. Let’s end the curriculum chaos. Let’s give our young people the education system they deserve.

We believe the government can agree on and deliver a permanent, apolitical vision for education. The New Zealand Principals' Federation is calling for an independent body that sits outside of party politics to lead our national curriculum so decisions about our young people's education are not repeatedly reset when governments change. Aotearoa New Zealand uses this approach elsewhere. Te Waihanga, the Infrastructure Commission, is an independent Crown entity set up to plan decades ahead, insulated from short-term politics. If we can do this for our roads and national assets, why can't we do this for our young people's education?

Over the rest of the term we will be sharing further information about this in smaller chunks. We believe that it is important that our communities understand how an effective and stable education system should truly serve our schools and the future of our children.

Nga mihi nui

Kim Waite

Principal

HAPPY SCHOOL DAYS

Welcome Mabel N and her family to Room 1 :)

SCHOOL PHOTOS - TUESDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER

TRIP TO ROTOKARE

Thank you so much to those parents that have offered to help out on the day.

Below is a list of parents attending and parent vehicles required.

FYI - has been posted on HERO

To support our whole school inquiry on wetlands we will be visiting Lake Rotokare with a focus on wetland biodiversity and restoration.

Rooms 1, 2 3 will be visiting on Friday 4th September.

If your child is in Rooms 1, 2 and 3 and has a lunch order for Friday 4th September they will receive their lunch order the day before on Thursday. Thanks to FOTS for sorting this :)

Room 4 & 5 will be visiting on Monday 7th September.

While one class is ‘in the classroom’ completing activities with the Rotokare Educator, the other class will be taking a guided walk around sections of the lake.

Please note the Year 3 children in Room 2 will join Room 3 for the day and Year 2 children and Mrs Oliver will join Room 1 for the day.

We will be traveling by bus. We will be leaving school at 9.20am and will return to school by 3pm at the latest.

Chidlren need to wear their Toko T.shirts, black bottoms and sneakers. Everyone will need a drink bottle and packed lunch.

HELPING YOUR CHILD AT HOME

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Understanding cyberbullying and online safety for tweens and teens webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

As young people become more independent online, they're exploring, learning, connecting and having fun. Along the way, they may experience challenges such as cyberbullying and online harm. Join Netsafe for this free webinar to build your confidence in supporting your tween or teen to navigate the online world safely. We'll explore what cyberbullying can look like, practical ways to keep your young person safer, and what to do if something doesn't go to plan. We'll cover: - What cyberbullying and online harm can look like for tweens and teens. - How to use privacy settings and platform tools to help support your child's online safety. - Practical steps to take if something happens online. - Where to find help, advice and support. Whether you're just starting these conversations or looking to refresh your knowledge, this session will provide practical advice, trusted resources, and simple strategies to help you support your young person to have safer and more positive online experiences.

netsafe-org-nz.zoom.us

SPORTS

Y7 & 8 Winter Sports Tournament

On Friday 21st August we will be playing in the Taranaki Trophy and the Hurlstone Cup as part of the Y7&8 Winter Sports Tournament. A notice was sent home last week via Hero with all information needed.

Cross Country

Next Monday 24th is our school cross country. Tuesday 25th is our postponement date.

This event begins at 11.45am.

Order of races-

5-7 yrs old

8-10yrs old

11-13 yrs old.

If the event is cancelled due to the weather we will notify you via Hero. You are welcome to take your child home at the completion of their races but please ensure you have seen Annette or Kim to sign them out.

We are encouraging the children to wear their house colours on the day if possible. The children may wear sneakers if they choose to but these may get wet and muddy.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

On Friday the 14th of August our Student Leadership Team went to the LEAD Conference in New Plymouth. There were different speakers throughout the day including Ethan McGregor from Attitude, the Stratford Youth Council, Timprovise and some student leaders from local high schools.

Here is some of what we learned from the day:

Michael- We are all different, and we need to not try and be someone else because you never will be them.

Cohen - Everyone has their own super power, you've just got to look for it

Keira - Everyone is different and that being different is normal

Eva - Remember that there are lots of different personality types, and they are all ok. Just be yourself.

Amelia - There are different types of personalities and we need to remember that those different personalities need different things to feel good.

Clayton - Don't try and be someone you are not.

Blake - Don't change who you are just to look cool and fit in.

Cooper - Don't give up, keep going and you'll find your super power.

We all agreed our favourite speaker was Ethan because he said some extremely wise words and he had some funny stories to tell us at the same time. Thank you to Shalom for taking us to and from the conference.

By Michael, Cohen and Keira

FRIENDS OF TOKO SCHOOL

Calf & Lamb Day - Thursday 15th October

In preparation for this event, early in term 4, here are the guidelines. Please have a good read through this with your tamariki. We will also discuss this in class.

Calf & Lamb Day Guidelines 2026

Calf and Lamb Day Course Guidelines 2026