Te Kura o Te Pāroa

School Newsletter # 12 - Friday 28th August 2026

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Tumuaki / Principal Message

Tēnā koutou e te whānau,

E rere ana te aroha me te whakawhetai ki a koutou katoa. I a tātou e titoro ana ki ngā mea katoa e mahia ana i tō tātou kura, kotahi tonu te kupu e matatū ana: ko te whakawhetai. He hapori manaaki tātou, e tautoko ana, e tiaki ana i a tātou anō.

There is so much to celebrate right now, starting with the Rangitaiki Haka Festival we have just completed. Seeing 200 of our tamariki stepping up to perform makes us all so proud. A milestone like this doesn't happen by chance—it is made possible by the dedicated work of our tutors across five teams, the guitarists, and the support from our parents helping with fundraising for haka t-shirts. A massive ngā mihi to our own Rangitaiki organising committee, led by Ngahuia Brown, for their tireless work behind the scenes.

Our gratitude also extends deeply to our Kaumatua for their support during the visits of our last two manuhiri. Their presence ensures our kura remains firmly grounded in tikanga and manaakitanga.

I am equally proud of our staff, who continue to show outstanding professionalism and passion. Their hard work recently earned high praise from both the Minister of Education and other schools who have visited, for their use of impact teaching strategies.

Above all, I am filled with pride watching our tamariki stand strong in who they are.

Thank you to everyone—our tamariki, staff, whānau, and Kaumatua—for making our kura such an amazing place to learn and grow. I am truly grateful to be part of this whānau.

Ngā manaakitanga,

Erin Te Pou

Principal

Rangitaiki Kapa Haka

New Classroom Names

Te Pahitaua- Te Pahitaua-o-Irapeke is an important ancestral land area in the Ngāti Awa rohe, situated between the Tauranga turnoff on State Highway 2 and the Whakatāne Airport turnoff at Golf Links Road. The place is named after Irapeke, a renowned toa (warrior) and rangatira of Ngāti Awa. Irapeke was recognised as a skilled military leader who held responsibility for rallying the people in times of conflict. Today, it is the home of Te Tohu o te Ora o Ngāti Awa, including the marae of Te Rangihouhiri and Puawairua, whose original home was at Ōtamauru. Te Pahitaua-o-Irapeke reminds us that places can carry many layers of meaning. Once a gathering place for the armies of Irapeke, it is now a gathering place for the life of the iwi. The transition from a place of military assembly to one of cultural, spiritual, and community wellbeing reflects the enduring strength and adaptability of Ngāti Awa, while honouring the leadership and legacy of the ancestors who came before.
Te Kupenga- Te Kupenga o Taramainuku Pā stood on the banks of the Rangitāiki River at Te Teko and was one of the principal fortified settlements of the lower Rangitāiki. Today the spot is commemorated by a carved pou. Te Kupenga o Taramainuku is most widely remembered as the site of one of the final battles during the Crown invasion of Ngāti Awa in 1865. Te Kupenga o Taramainuku offers a powerful local story of rangatiratanga, resilience and identity. It enables learners to connect directly with the history of Te Teko, the Rangitāiki River, and the experiences of Ngāti Awa during one of the most significant periods in the iwi's history.
Te Tiringa-Te Tiringa is the prominent hill reached by Latham's Track (Latham's Hill Track) at Awakeri, about 15–17 km south of Whakatāne. It rises to around 240 metres and provides expansive views over the Rangitāiki Plains, Putauaki, Whakatāne, Moutohorā and Te Moana-a-Toi. Connected to many Ngāti Awa hapu as different hapu have occupied the space at different times. Connected to demi-god Tamarau (half man half bird). Te Tiringa was the landing place of the Ngāti Awa chief Tamarau. Te Tiringa is more than a hill. It is a place that carries the footsteps of our ancestors. From its summit, people could watch over the land, recognise the landmarks of Ngāti Awa, and remember the journeys of those who came before. It reminds us that the landscape itself holds our stories.

School Photos

Sports order envelopes are available from the school office.

Student Uniform/Student Dress Expectations

We have noticed students are wearing black pants which is not our correct uniform colours.

Whānau please let your tamariki know they MUST be in correct uniform colours.

Student Uniform Policy

Te Kura o Te Pāroa requires our students to wear a school uniform. This policy and the associated uniform rules are a school bylaw. The board consults with the school community when updating this policy and making or amending uniform rules.

Our uniform rules outline what students can and cannot wear at school and while representing the school. These rules are made clear to students and their parents/caregivers at enrolment. We follow school processes for managing breaches of uniform rules, which may include contacting parents/caregivers and involving senior staff. If uniform breaches are due to financial hardship, our school works with parents/caregivers to find a solution.

Students may be reminded about appropriate dress expectations for the school learning environment before non-uniform days.

The school office can be contacted for further information.

Schools Friday teachers shout

Ngā Kura a Toi

Nga Kura a Toi.... a fabulous workshop day for our 3 tamariki who attended on Tuesday 26th August to join other kura and were immersed in Ngati Awatanga at Manuka Tutahi. Ka rawe! We did it all... mau rakau, waiata, whakapapa, puoro, Korehaha (pest control), Whakairo art, and the best thing....the Light Show!!!!

On Wednesday 26th August a group of our Year 7 & 8 tamariki got the chance to go. Thank you to Te Runanga o Ngati Awa for making this happen!

Anita was a whizz at Ngati Awa whakapapa and won herself a taonga and tickets to the movies. Mauri Ora!

Zero Waste Education

Farewell to the awesome zero waste staff from Tauranga DC. What a fast and furious three weeks it has been. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with students in the Kura. We are so very lucky to have had time with you all.

Concerns & Complains

Y8 High Schools Open Day/Online Enrolments 2027

Whakatāne High School

Open Day/Open Evening

Tuesday, 15 September 2026

Our Open Day will be held on Tuesday, 15 September from 9.15am - 10.40am. Whakatāne High

School will provide a bus to transport students to arrive at this time. The bus will be leaving Te Kura o Te Paroa at 8.55am and will return by 11am.

Whakatāne High School Open Evening will also be held on Tuesday 15 September. We ask that families arrive by 5.30pm for a 5.45pm start.

Online bookings for enrolment interviews are available via the following website:

www.schoolinterviews.co.nz. The event code is: twxva. Alternatively phone the school office on

07 308 8251, to arrange an appointment.

This year we once again have Online Enrolments to help streamline the enrolment process. This can

be accessed via our website www.whakatanehigh.school.nz/enrolment. An enrolment interview is

still required. Any out-of-zone students need to have enrolled AND had an enrolment interview by

21 October to be included in the out-of-zone ballot on Thursday 22 October (if required).

Reporting Student Absences

Remember, as part of the Attendance Strategy, kura are expected to contact whānau when tamariki are at yellow, orange and red. Whānau can expect a text, an email, a friendly phone call to check in and see how you are doing. We are always here to help.

If your tamariki are going to be at Rangitaiki next week (and not at kura) please can you still let the office know so we can record the absences correctly.

Our term attendance is doing really well and we thank everyone for making Kura the place to be! 82% of tamariki have been attending 80% or more. Ka rawe whānau!

Lates: We are noticing a pattern of late comers to kura and need your help!

Please help get tamariki ready for kura and get them on the bus to ensure they do not miss out on valuable learning time.

Some tamariki do not have access to the bus so we rely on whanau to get them to kura. If there are issues with arriving on time, please make an appointment to discuss with the attendance team at the office.

Pumanawa Awards

Build Update

Our new caretakers shed and van sheds is taking shape. We will still have contractors onsite for a few more weeks to complete this project.

The back fence has finally been completed and this is to ensure tamariki are safe from the swale/ storm drain.

Access to SchoolDocs:

Available to the principal, board, and school community (parents, caregivers, whānau).
How to log in:

Go to schooldocs.co.nz.
Search for "Te Kura o Te Pāroa."
Enter credentials:

Username: paroa
Password: turukihia

Use the search bar to find specific policies.

Health & Wellbeing

This week has been a real winter one and we have had both students and staff away mauiui. Thank you all for continuing to stay in touch with the office to record absences. Lets hope everyone is feeling better for rangitaiki festival next week!

Did you know you can buy 4 in one tests at Adams Pharmacy for $10? The test will identify if you or your tamaiti have Covid, RSV, Influenza a or Influenza B. This test may help organise the right medication needed to beat the winter ills!

Hakihakina/Sport

🏐 Jessie Savage Netball Tournament 2026

On Tuesday 25th August our netball girls participated in the annual Jessie Savage Netball Tournament held at Te Kura o Te Teko.

The girls showed great teamwork, determination and mana on and off the court. We are incredibly proud of the way they supported one another and represented our kura with pride.

He mihi nui ki Te Kura o Te Teko mō te manaaki me te whakahaere i tēnei whakataetae.

A huge mihi to our kaiako, coaches, umpire and whānau for making the day possible. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Winners - Seniors PAROA Totara Tau 7&8

Participation - Juniors PAROA Kiwi Tau 5&6

Runners up - Midgets PAROA Huia Tau 3&4

Ka mau te wehi, kōtiro mā! 💙🖤