COASTAL TARANAKI SCHOOL
June 27th 2025 - Term 2
COASTAL TARANAKI SCHOOL
Office Hours
8.30am-4pm
Hours of Instruction
8.40am - 3.00pm
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
ABSENCE HOTLINE
027 320 1267
WELL-BEING MENTOR
Treishka Morgan
PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
Christine 64272851630
Kia Ora Tatou
Welcome to the last Newsletter for the term. As is the case these days, each and every term in turn is becoming more and more busy. Term 2 has been no exception, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Staff, Teachers and Support Staff, for the wonderful work they do.
Despite what some may think, Teaching is not a 9.00am to 3.00pm job - actually it never has been. Some Teachers work a massive number of hours over the course of a week, and often spend weekends working on School things as well. School. In addition to actual Teaching, key tasks include attending meetings, undertaking Professional Development, planning, preparation, marking, contacting whanau, and at various checkpoint times, report writing.
While they are at School there is usually very little down time, with a whole range of activities squeezed into the various “break” times.
While holidays are always a welcome respite, often much of that is also spent on School tasks.
The rewards however can be priceless, and in simple terms Teaching is actually more of a lifestyle, rather than a “job”. No two days are ever the same, and while some days can be crazy busy, and others chaotic and challenging (like most occupations!!), the positive far outweighs the negative. The core business of teaching is enhanced by School Trips, Camps, Sport and Sports Coaching, Schools Productions and Shows, Sports Days, visits by performers and providers of Educational Programmes. Personally I also had the privilege of teaching and coaching my own children.
I have only been here three weeks. But in that time I have observed Teachers who are passionate about their craft, and about the School. I have seen a high level of Teachers/Student engagement, and levels of trust. I have seen students and teachers having fun, and enjoying the camaraderie that indicates a healthy and positive culture. And I have seen Teachers dealing with tricky situations professionally, and fairly.
In this short period there has been an extraordinary range of activities in addition to normal Classroom programmes - an amazing Talent Quest, a special Matariki Celebration, a 3x3 Basketball Tournament, two Inter School events, a Teacher Only Day, Parent Interviews, and the School Ball. Teachers have also been completing mid-year surveys, writing reports, holding parent interviews, and planning for Term 3. Hopefully they have also been able to fit in some personal and family time.
I genuinely encourage you to get behind this School, and to support the people who work here. No School is perfect, but this School has Staff who are committed to the School, the Community, and most importantly to the Students.
Nga mihi nui
Richard McMillan - Acting Principal
Food for Thought
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” —Malcolm X
“Learn from yesterday. Live for today. Hope for tomorrow.” –Albert Einstein
Senior Ball
Massive thanks to the Ball Committee for organising a fantastic night for the Seniors Ball 2025. Special thanks to Nicole, Jacky, Sue and Delwyn for helping out with transporting students, decorating and catering.
Breakfast Club Thanks
A big thanks to Vicky, Craig, Naomi, Liz, Margarete, Lydia and Caroline who have been our Breakfast Club Angels this term. We really appreciate your time and efforts providing delicious breakfast each day for our school. Looking forward to seeing you all back next term.
If you would like to find out how you can become a Breakfast Club Angel please email Ian
Singers Matariki Concert
We would like to give a huge thanks to the Taranaki Singing Venture who last weekend held a Matariki Concert in Ōkato's Hempton Hall. The group raised $150 dollars and 15 packs of butter that has been donated to our breakfast club.
You can see the concert by clicking on this link https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1G5FW2QdpH/
Puanga Celebration
Our 2025 CTS Puanga Celebration was a wonderful success, bringing together our school whānau to acknowledge the Māori New Year in a meaningful and joyful way. Although the weather wasn’t ideal, we appreciated everyone’s flexibility as we moved to the hall earlier than planned after the arrival of the rain. The space was absolutely packed with students, staff, and families, creating a warm and celebratory atmosphere. About 600 pancakes were served as part of a complimentary breakfast, a true testament to the incredible turnout! Puanga is a time for reflection, renewal, and connection, and we are proud to honour this tradition as a school community. Thank you to everyone who helped make this celebration so special.
Science Department Update – Term 2 Highlights
Term 2 has been a dynamic and hands-on term in the Science Department, with students engaging in a wide range of learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom.
In junior science, students have been working on their Science Fair investigations, choosing topics of personal interest and designing experiments to explore their scientific questions. Alongside this, they have produced detailed observational drawings of native species and written thoughtful essays on the topic of artificial intelligence, demonstrating both creativity and critical thinking.
Early in the term, we took a group of 14 students to the Science Roadshow at Highlands Intermediate. This event featured a captivating science show and a variety of interactive exhibits that allowed students to explore scientific concepts in a fun and engaging environment.
Following King’s Birthday weekend, a group of Year 11 students took part in a dune restoration project with NPDC. They helped plant grasses along the coastline to support local biodiversity—an excellent opportunity to apply their scientific understanding to real-world environmental challenges.
In Year 13 Chemistry, students have been focusing on their external thermochemistry standard (worth 5 credits). They have investigated how energy is released during the combustion of food and explored how thermochemical principles apply in everyday life.
We’re proud of the enthusiasm and curiosity our students continue to show, and we look forward to more exciting learning opportunities in Term 3.
Arts Department - Term 2 Update
What a fantastic and vibrant term it’s been in the Arts Department!
Our Year 7 and 8 students have been busy creating identity maps using watercolour techniques, exploring personal expression through colour and imagery.
Senior art students have been hard at work developing their printmaking and painting pieces. Many are now beginning to mount their artworks on folio boards, gearing up for a productive term ahead as they work on their submissions. A recent trip to the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery to view the Top Art exhibition sparked even more inspiration and creativity for their art folios.
Meanwhile, our music students continue to impress with courageous and heartfelt performances in preparation for their NCEA assessments. Their original compositions are nearing completion—and they are both moving and a joy to hear.
The school talent show was another highlight this term—a true celebration of creativity! From dancers to our school choir and instrumentalists, students enthusiastically shared their talents with an appreciative audience.
Looking ahead, planning is well underway for our exciting Term 3 production, Blue Ribbon Belle. With main roles now cast, our performers are already diving into their lines and scenes. This promises to be a production not to be missed!
Outdoor Education Experience – Mt Taranaki
What a day! Packed, safety briefed and ready to go, our P.E students headed off in the van towards our beautiful local maunga, Mt Taranaki. Our journey started at the Egmont National Park Visitor Centre carpark and included exploration of the Wilkies Pools Track, Stratford Plateau, and the ski field area, led by Miss Stevens and Mr Lash. Thank you to Teacher and outdoor education instructor Matt lash for his expertise and experience making for a memorable and successful trip.
Students showed fantastic resilience, overcame new challenges, and shared in a range of positive, meaningful experiences. It was a great day outdoors and extension of our Health and Physical Education programme. We’re looking forward to more opportunities enabling our learners to be outdoors in future.
Kia maia, kia neke - Be your best, lets move.
Pouakai Tahi - Room 3 - Police PCT Challenge
On Friday 6th June, 16 of our Year 7 and 8 students travelled to TSB Stadium in New Plymouth to take part in the annual Police PCT Challenge—a high-energy event run by Taranaki Blue Light Ventures in partnership with the New Zealand Police. It was the 23rd year of the competition, and what a day it was!
The PCT (Physical Competency Test) is a real obstacle course used by police recruits, and our students got the chance to test their speed, strength and teamwork on some similar obstacles. The challenges pushed everyone physically and mentally.
Before their official timed runs, each team had a practice session on the course to get familiar with the layout and obstacles. Then it was game time. Our teams gave it everything they had, powering through the course with determination and grit.
All four of our teams performed incredibly well and showed awesome teamwork and perseverance. Unfortunately, despite some fast times and smooth runs, we just missed out on the top five teams who progressed to the final round. Still, the effort, attitude, and support our students showed made us all very proud.
The competition was fierce, while we didn’t take out the trophy this year, our students represented our school with pride, heart, and fantastic sportsmanship. They cheered for one another, supported other schools, and gave every challenge their all.
A special shout-out to the event organisers and the Police officers who made the day run so smoothly, and who took time to chat with students and share what it’s like to train for the real PCT. The event is not just about competition—it’s also about encouraging positive youth development, resilience, and healthy choices.
Planting for the Future
On Tuesday, June 3rd, our Year 7/8 class set off on a special trip to the Kaihihi River mouth, where we joined forces with Frog (Frank) Goodin, Emily Roberts from Wild for Taranaki, and Jane Bowden-Dobson and Cherry Smith from Te Ara Taiao/Sustainable Taranaki. The planting took place on Frog and Shirley Goodin’s farm, a beautiful spot where rolling green paddocks lead down to the sea and the river mouth winds its way out to the coast.
After a 15-minute walk through the farm, past thriving native plantings and with the sound of birdsong in the air, we arrived at our planting site. Armed with spades, boots, jackets, and enthusiasm, our tamariki were ready to get their hands dirty. Frog had gathered approx 350-400 native plants, and Te Ara Taiao brought along around 50 more from our very own school shade house—coastal species carefully grown for just this kind of restoration mahi.
Before we got started, Frog and Emily took a moment to talk to us about the special significance of this area. We learned that the site is right beside a regionally important Tūturiwhatu (New Zealand dotterel) habitat and may also be a spawning ground for inanga (whitebait). They spoke about the biodiversity they’ve seen returning to the area as restoration work continues, and how every little action—like planting a single tree—can make a big difference for the health of the river and the life it supports.
With dirty hands and smiling faces, we worked together to plant hundreds of natives. There was a real sense of teamwork as we dug holes, tucked the plants into the soil, and pictured how the space might look in years to come—lush, green, and full of birds and insects.
This was more than just a morning out of the classroom. It was a hands-on lesson in kaitiakitanga—our responsibility to care for the land. We’re proud to have played a small part in this bigger picture of environmental restoration, supported by Ngā Mahanga a Tairi hapū. We’re already looking ahead to how we might return to this site later in the year to support other projects, like community trapping or raising awareness around the impact of dogs and vehicles on our beaches.
Pukeiti Toru - Room 24
Matariki is a time to enjoy each others company and share kai. We decided to make Matariki cupcakes so we could eat together. We showed whanaungatanga by working together, being patient, and taking turns. We mixed, baked, iced and decorated our cupcakes with star sprinkles. Finally we ate them and the were DELICIOUS!
CTS Readathon
A copy of our CTS FOCTS Readathon 2025 Bingo Sheet went home this week to each household with the eldest child/only child.
Please read the instructions on the second page.
Bingo sheets must be returned to the office by Friday 18th July (Term 3 Week 1 Friday).
We have exciting prizes waiting for you. Spare copies can be found at the office with Nicky. Any questions, please direct them to Delwyn or Mrs Fung.
CTS Sports - Facebook page
Head over to our school sports facebook page CTS Sports and follow for all our school sports news, results and updates.
Pre-enrolment at CTS
Kia ora koutou,
Whaea Annie, our new entrant teacher, is planning ahead. If you know of any preschoolers in our community, who may be turning five in the next year or two please share this Pre-enrolment at CTS with their families. Even if you have a child at the school already please fill the form out. It only takes a few minutes to do, but it is really important that we have an idea of student numbers so that we can plan ahead. This also ensures that all new families have all the information they need around Transition to School visits.
For more information about transition to school, click this link - Transition to School CTS 2025
If you’d like to contact me directly, my email is annie.harris@coastaltaranaki.school.nz
Ngā mihi nui
Annie
Transition to school/New entrant teacher
--
Annie Harris
Transition to School and New Entrant Teacher
