Waikaka School Newsletter

Waikaka School

22 Matheson Road

Waikaka 9773

Ph: 03 207 2887

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Text an absence 027 2072027

USE THE HERO APP to report an absence

School Office: Helen Popham ~ office@waikaka.school.nz

Principal: Nicola Millar ~ principal@waikaka.school.nz

Learning for Life

Waikaka School cultivates a culture that inspires all to achieve beyond what they thought possible

E hara toku toa i te takitahi, he toa takitini

My strength is not as an individual, but as a collective

Co-operation - Noho Tahi "Be compassionate and respectful to each other"

Collaboration - Mahi Ngatahi "We're in this together, work as a collective"

Competition - Tauwhāinga "By giving your all, your excellence will show"

Kia ora e te whānau ~ Hello, family/community,

This newsletter is coming out a couple of days earlier than usual as we have a mega strike tomorrow, Thursday 23rd October. Teachers across the country are taking action to advocate for children’s learning conditions, fair pay, and the support we need to do our jobs well. School will be closed tomorrow. Additionally, on Friday 24th October, we have a Teacher Only Day, so school is again closed. Our focus on this day will be on the refreshed Literacy Curriculum — an area where we’ve had very little support so far, so this time together is really important for planning and building our understanding.

Monday is Labour Day, so enjoy the extra long weekend. Fingers crossed the weather plays its part!

It’s been a really busy time with our production lately. We have done lots of travelling back and forward to Tapanui, undertaken rehearsals, created props, learnt lines and choreographed dances. There has been plenty of resilience shown by everyone! I’m incredibly proud of how our children, staff and volunteers have pulled together to create an amazing show for our community. Yes, we have been out of routine... but it will all be worth it. We’re looking forward to putting on a polished performance today at the 1pm matinee and again tonight at 7pm. Hope to see you there!

School photos have been rescheduled to Sunday 3rd November, starting with family photos at 8:15am.

Pet Day is also coming up fast, Thursday 7th November. Last year we asked for feedback. This has been shared with Anna who is again leading Pet Day, ideally with a team. Thanks Anna, we appreciate you. Also thanks to the PTA who will be assisting Anna with the preparations. It’s always amazing to see everyone chip in to make this day such a success — from setting up prattleys, to bringing in animals, organising sand saucers, and preparing exhibits. We have a few new sections this year, it will be great! More details will be shared soon!

The busy term doesn’t stop there. On the 18th and 19th of November, Waikaka School will be providing the catering for the Greenvale Dog Trials at the Waikaka Sports Complex. Our menu will feature pulled mutton on buns with coleslaw, along with a selection of slices and savouries.

We’re on the lookout for three good-quality cooking muttons — if anyone is able to donate one, please get in touch with us by phoning Helen at school or emailing office@waikaka.school.nz or principal@waikaka.school.nz We’d also love any helping hands over the two days — even an hour makes a big difference and helps us give back to our community.

Lots going on, as always! It’s wonderful to see our fabulous children so engaged and thriving in all their extra-curricular activities. Have a wonderful mini break.

Ma te wa – See you later,

Nicola Millar - Tumuaki / Principal

Term 4

22/10/25: Production - Matinee and Evening Performance

23/10/25: Teacher's Strike ~ School Closed

24/10/25: Teacher's Only Day ~ Literacy Curriculum ~ School Closed

27/10/25: Labour Day ~ School Closed

28/10/25: Year 7/8 to Gore for Tech

28/10/25: Board Meeting 6pm

31/10/25: Assembly Room 3 ~ 2.15pm in the library

03/11/25: School Photos

07/11/25: Pet Day

10/11/25: Pet Day postponement

18/19th November: Catering @ Dog Trials (more info to come ~ in process of being organised)

21/11/25: Assembly Room 4 ~ 2.15pm in the library

26-28 November: Year 7/8 Country Schools Camp (more info to come)

02/12/25: Board Meeting 6pm

05/12/25: Reports go out

05/12/25: Assembly Room 5 ~ 2.15pm in the library

10/12/25: School Prize giving

12/12/25: Last day of the year

A big shout out to all of our children, staff and parent helpers who have been involved in our School Production. You are our Waikaka Wonders for this fortnight! Thank you for everything you have contributed to our Production "What's the Crime Mr Wolf". We couldn't have done it without you all!😀

Another group of Waikaka Wonders are our fabulous children gardeners! Our vegetable garden is all planted out and ready to go! Potatoes, carrots, parsnips, yams, strawberries, asparagus, berries, and more. To these children: thank you for taking such good care of our vegetable garden and ensuring we will have lots of healthy food to harvest.

Each week, our whole school is learning some words in te reo Māori together. We’re building our language by sharing vocabulary, displaying posters with meanings, and encouraging everyone to use the words in everyday life. Our understanding will grow as we all grow. Check out what we have been learning recently...

Georgia Bell entered in a 'Country Music Singing Competition' and she got first in the Intermediate novice section and runner up for the Intermediate overall section! Congratulations Georgia!

Erica Byars also entered a 'Country Music Singing Competition' and she got runner up with her own written song "Broken" and runner up in the Country Rock Section singing "Old Country Barn". Congratulations Erica, we certainly have talent here at Waikaka School.

Laurence Robertson was awarded the Wrestling Sportsman Trophy. Congratulations Laurence, a great achievement!

Thank you Alice and Ivy! They have been busy picking up rubbish all around the school that blew out of the skip because of the high winds. Their effort and willingness to chip in makes a real difference ~ it is so important to take pride in your place and Alice and Ivy do this every day.

A huge thank you to Alex Eade for generously donating his great quality toy animals to our school – your kindness is greatly appreciated by all of us. Everyone gets a lot of joy out of these toys, they are fabulous for creativity and collaboration!

HAY DAY FUND

Next meeting to consider grant applications will

held in November so please get applications

in by 31 October to paulandfrances@xtra.co.nz.

Individual grants are considered for Under 18's

achieving in sporting, cultural or educational

activities. Grants are also available for medical

needs. Email Frances Calvert at the above

address if you require more information.

50th Jubilee Celebrations

November 21st, 22nd, 23rd 2025

If you are a current member, past member or would like to support, we would like to hear from you.

Friday 21st - 4.00pm Get together at Clubhouse.

9 holes of golf for those who are keen. Finger food and refreshments.

Saturday 22nd - 11.00am Tee off for 18 hole Ambrose. BBQ on course.

7.00pm Jubilee Dinner at Waikaka Hall.

Sunday 23rd - 11.00am More golf.

For more details: waikakagolf50thjubilee@gmail.com Monica Hansen or Lois Byars

We are selling sausages and saveloys again this term for Friday lunches. Please have all orders to the school office by Thursday lunchtime with your money. They are $3.00 per sausage / saveloy.

Lucky Book Club order forms have gone home today, please have all orders done by Wednesday 29th of October.

If you wish to order Fish and Chips from Donna over at the local Waikaka Hotel please have all orders to the school office by Tuesday. Children require an envelope for their orders which needs to be ticked with the order and cash ready for delivery on Wednesday lunchtime. Check out the new menu.

We are selling A4 paper, you can buy a ream for $6.00 or a box for $30.00. Please contact the office if you would like any.

Ploughing

Discing

Power Harrows

Aerating

Roller Drill

Bailing

Individual Wrapping

Tube wrapping

Mowing

Phone Jason 027 392 838 A/H 2072611

Education is a partnership of what happens in the classroom and what happens at home. Parents, caregivers, and whānau play an important role in supporting their child’s learning and development. The MOE have launched a parent portal in order for you to be able to understand what your child is learning at school or kura, how they are progressing against the curriculum, and what you can do to support them at home. Please read through the attached PDF to update yourself on the new parent portal now available!

We use School Docs as a way to manage our policies. Policies are always open to consultation in our school community. Go to www.schooldocs.co.nz - Click search for your school. Start typing Waikaka and select from the dropdown list.

Username: waikaka

Password: matheson

You will see which policies are under review and you can respond to them as well.

Hero is our Online Reporting Portal that allows teachers, students, and whānau/families to view and share content anytime, anywhere, on any device.

Hero will be our main method of communicating and reporting from the start of 2025.

Step 1: Download the Hero app to your phone

Please follow the steps below to set up your Hero account. Please note that the email account you use must be the one we have on record here at school currently.

1. Go to the Hero App

Select the relevant link below to download the Hero App, or click to log in via a browser.

App Store Link

Google Play Link

2. Add your email address. Then select "Next."

3. Select "New User"

Your account will be set up by your school using the email address that you provided when you enrolled your children (or recently updated), use this address to request a password.

4. Select "Submit"

Hero will send you an email with a link to follow.

5. Check your email

You should receive an email within five minutes.

6. Follow the link

This will take you to a secure page to enter your chosen password.

Once you have logged in, you can update your password at any time.

If you encounter problems logging in, please check with the school office to make sure we have the correct details for you as a starting point.