Kōkopu Newsletter

Kia ora e te whānau,

It was wonderful to catch up with so many of you during our recent parent interview afternoon and evening. We are exceptionally fortunate to have such a supportive, engaged, and involved school community. Just like you, we are immensely proud of our Kōkopu kids, and it is always a genuine pleasure to share and celebrate their achievements, progress, and next steps as we live out our vision: Growing Together, Learning Forever.

A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to update their child's enrolment and contact details during the interviews. Keeping these records up to date ensures we can always reach you smoothly. If you were unable to make parent interviews, a paper copy of your contact details was sent home with your child on Friday. Please check, update, and return this form to the office as soon as possible.

Living Our Values: Students in Action

A massive shout-out goes to Theo, Evan, Raven, Chelsea, and Harper from Room 2! Last week, these fantastic students spent the majority of their break times voluntarily picking up rubbish right around the school grounds. This is a brilliant real-world demonstration of our core value, Respect for Our Environment. Their initiative not only keeps Kokopu School looking fantastic, but it also inspired other students to join in and take pride in our shared spaces.

All five students earned a handful of "Caught Being Good" digital certificates for their efforts. These certificates are proudly displayed on the staff room window TV. If you haven't seen it yet, pop in when you are next on site and check out all the amazing things our students are being recognised for!

Looking Ahead: Year 8 Transitions

Over the past fortnight, we have welcomed visits from local high schools as they connect with our Year 8 students to share what secondary school life has to offer. It was extra special to welcome back Jackson Weavers, who spoke brilliantly on behalf of Whangārei Boys' High School, alongside several other local students representing Whangārei Girls' High School. Seeing our former pupils leading with confidence and excellence is a proud reminder of how our school values prepare Kōkopu students for bright futures beyond our gates.

Thank you once again for your ongoing partnership, energy, and commitment to making Kōkopu School such a vibrant place to learn and grow.

Ngā mihi nui,
Yaron Overeem

Principal

Kōkopu School

On Wednesday 12th August the whole school will travel to Te Horo School in Pipiwai for the Taniwha Cross Country Challenge.

We have booked two buses to transport the children to and from the event so we should get most children on the buses.

To allow your child to go to this event or if you would like to transport your child/children, please indicate on the permission form on the Skool Loop app.

A reminder that if you are taking other students to or from the event that this needs to be pre-organised with school so that we know we have everyone at the end of the day.

PLEASE NOTE: THE SKOOL LOOP APP HAS A NEW UPDATE

Our top year 5-8 mathematicians will be competing in the annual Mathex competition at Boys High on the Thursday 13th of August. If your child is going, they will bring a notice home.

Cross Country Training

The children will be training for cross country this term. Please send them with a change of clothing each day.

Our school cross country is happening on the 18th of August.

We will start about 9:15am.

Timing of the races is difficult to determine, as it depends on how fast everyone runs.
The races are organised on students age as at the 1st of January in accordance with the Whangarei Primary Schools Sports Association format.

Parents are welcome to participate in the “masters Race” in the afternoon,

Race Order -(Age at 1st of January)

Years 1-3 only

· Preschool race – 200m

• 4 Year Old Girls 900m

• 4 Year Old Boys 900m

• 5 Year Old Girls 900m

• 5 Year Old Boys 900m

• 6 Year Old Girls 900m

• 6 Year Old Boys 900m

• Y3, 7 Year Old Girls 1200m (No year 4’s)

• Y3, 7 Year Old Boys 1200m (No year 4’s)

Year 4-8

• Y4 7 & 8 Years Girls 1700m

• Y4 7 & 8 Years Boys 1700m

• 9 Year Old Girls 2000m

• 9 Year Old Boys 2000m

• 10 Year Old Girls 2000m (Timed)

• 10 Year Old Boys 2000m (Timed)

• Masters/parents Race 1700m (Timed)

• 11 Year Old Girls 2400m (Timed)

• 11 Year Old Boys 2400m (Timed)

• 12+ Year Olds Girls 2400m (Timed)

• 12+ Year Olds Boys 2400m (Timed)

As a reminder, students are not permitted to have cell phones or home devices at school or during school events. This includes sporting events and year 7-8 going to tech.

If a student requires a phone for after-school activities, it must be handed in and stored in the school office upon arrival, rather than kept in their bag.

If you need to get an urgent message to your child during school hours, please call the main office directly, and our staff will ensure the message is passed along.

Lamb and kid day care is now open in a small pen/paddock set up near the front gate.

How it works

• Families can drop off their animals anytime in the morning and they can be picked up at the end of school or when parents are coming home from work.

• Families can put their animal in the back seat or boot of their car in a pet crate or large box. Some families use baby nappies to stop any unexpected “leaks”.

• Students will need to bring all the feeding equipment and milk for the day.

• These can be stored in the whanau room fridge and kitchen area.

• Students can heat milk using hot water from the tap or in the microwave.

• We do have senior students available to help younger students or first-timers.

• Children are responsible for the care of their animals and need to work out the best break times to feed them.

• The animals should only be fed by their owner to maintain the feeding bond.

• Animals can be walked around school but this should be done by the owner to maintain the bond.
• Animals are to be on a lead at all times when outside the pen, including before and after school.

Please go to our Ag Day website for more support and ideas. www.kokopu.school.nz/agday

We have jars of Tahi Bee Honey for sale for $8.00 for 400 grams.

If you would like to buy some honey, pop into the school office with $8.00.

Thank you.

Please come into the school to collect your children at the end of the day.

We have noticed children running out into the carpark to their parents cars and this is a cause for concern. No children should be in the carpark unsupervised.

Please note, we have moved our school speeches to the 15th of September.

Term 3 2026

Mon 20/07 Term 3 starts

Mon 20/07 Year 7 & 8 Tech catch up

Tue 21/07 Year 7 & 8 Tech catch up

Wed 22/07 Girls High Promotional Visit

Wed 22/07 Kapa Haka starts (every Wednesday this term)

Fri 24/07 Student Reports home

Tue 28/07 Parent Interviews (classes finish at 2pm)

Wed 29/07 Girls High Open Night

Thu 30/07 TAS Open Day

Mon 10/08 BOT meeting

Wed 12/08 Taniwha Cross Country Challenge

Thu 13/08 Mathex

Tue 18/08 Kokopu School Cross Country

Wed 26/08 Girls High Enrolment Interviews (held at Maungatapere School)

Wed 02/09 WPSSA Cross Country

Fri 11/09 Country Meal Kokopu School hosting at the Mangakahia Sports Complex

Mon 14/09 BOT Meeting
Tue 15/09 Kokopu School Speeches

Wed 16/09 Wacky Hair Day

Wed 23/09 Mangakahia Lions Speech Competition

Thu 24/09 House Day Quiz

Fri 25/09 End of term 3

2026 Term Dates

• Term 1: Tuesday 3 February – Thursday, 2 April
• Term 2: Monday, 20 April – Friday, 3 July
• Term 3: Monday, 20 July – Friday, 25 September
• Term 4: Monday, 12 October – Tuesday, 15 December

Don't forget Lunch Orders are available at school

• Pizza Fusion - Tuesday
• West End Sushi - Thursday
• Titoki Store - Friday

Order for the whole term. Order the night before - or even by 9am on the day. Perfect for busy households and bare pantries. Scan the QR code above to order:

Lyn Moase takes guitar and ukelele lessons on Wednesdays. Please phone Lyn on 0212979437 if you would like to book your child/children in for lessons.

We would love to welcome new members to our PTA. Any help with events on the food stalls would be appreciated. i.e. Swimming Sports, Triathlon etc. If you are interested in joining us or helping out please contact Amy Pugh phone 0211729388.

As a parent at Kokopu School you have access to our free Qustodio – Parent Internet Monitoring App and online safety advice. The Qustodio Parent App is a comprehensive parental control and digital wellbeing app designed to help you manage and supervise your child’s online activities. With over 6 million parents and 24,000 schools worldwide using Qustodio, it stands out as one of the most trusted and best-rated apps on Google Play and the Apple App Store.

· You can learn more about how to set it up here: kokopu.onlinesafetyhub.nz/parent/topics/Qustodio

· Make your free account here: https://www.qustodio.com/en/30-days-school-special/?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=OSHub&utm_campaign=kokopu-nz

If parents/caregivers want to visit the website https://kokopu.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm to look over our school policies and procedures, please see the following instructions: Enter the username (kokopu) and password (0179). Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.

Don't forget we are collecting Yummy Stickers. So please collect the Yummy cut-out labels from bags (each cut-out label is worth 10 stickers) and individual Yummy apple stickers. Yummy apples are available from New World, PAK’nSAVE and participating Four Square stores. The more you collect, the more sports gear you get so get going and start collecting your Yummy cut-out labels and stickers now!

Email: office@kokopu.school.nz
Website: www.kokopu.school.nz
Location: 921 Kokopu Road, Kokopu, New Zealand
Phone: 094346765
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kokopuschool