COASTAL TARANAKI SCHOOL

Office Hours

8:30 am-4:00 pm

Hours of Instruction

8:40 am - 3:00 pm

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

Student-Led Conferences Years 0-10

Student-Led Conferences Schedule

Years 0–8

• Monday, 14 September (3:15 pm – 5:15 pm)
• Tuesday, 15 September (3:30 pm – 5:00 pm / 5:45 pm – 6:30 pm)
• Location: Your child's classroom (likely to be two-to-three students/whānau during each session)

Note: Due to our unique co-teaching environment, Room 15 conferences will be held on Tuesday, 15 September only.

Years 9–10

• Tuesday, 15 September (3:30 pm – 5:00 pm / 5:45 pm – 6:30 pm)
• Location: Ako (wet day home room)

Parent & Whānau Prompts will be provided in each classroom for you to support your child in sharing their learning.

We look forward to partnering with you to celebrate our students' hard work and growth!

We thank our Student Leaders (Ben Moffitt, Lily Petch and Lara Smith) for presenting and taking the whole kura assembly on Wednesday.

They showed bravery and maturity when presenting to the school and community. Thank you for your mahi in leading the kura for the occasion.

Elsewhere, Years 9-13 tamariki are warmly reminded to have a charged chrome book for Weeks 8-9.

These are our benchmark exam weeks which includes the next CAA window for reading, writing and numeracy tests.

Please reach out to Miss Bound, principal's nominee, if you have any questions regarding NZQA requirements.

Kia ora koutou,

The Board met on 26 August to review mid-year student achievement data and progress reports against our strategic plan. We are delighted with the significant progress made against our three strategic goals in just six months.

Our Principal, Senior Leadership Team and teaching staff deserve to be proud of, and congratulated for, this progress. We applaud your ability to stay focused on priority mahi, remain responsive and connected to our tamariki, and manage significant change and adjustment over this time.

Community and whānau engagement has also been a highlight. A successful Puanga Matariki celebration at the start of Term 3, along with the recent cross country, demonstrated the strength we have as a community when we come together to celebrate our tamariki. Thank you to FOCTS and to the committed parents who continue to turn up, support and make these events happen. We look forward to Pet Day in the first week back next term: Thursday, 15 October.

Student achievement in the senior school is well on track and comparing positively across the region. Ka pai to our senior students and to our Deputy Principal for her leadership. Junior school data is also promising, with strong early results emerging from reading and maths data, with science curriculum changes in motion. Ngā mihi to our Curriculum Lead Y0-6 and team leaders for the significant progress.

Student leadership remains a priority, and we are really looking forward, as parents, to the new student-led conferences. Let’s support our tamariki by heading along to see them be brave, proud and celebrate their own efforts and learning.

Board changes
Kathryn (Kat) Moffitt has resigned as Presiding Member after a period of leading the Board through difficult transitions at Coastal Taranaki School kei Okato. Her humility and grace in the role have been deeply appreciated. We will never fully know the extent of the load you carried, Kat; however, we extend our sincere appreciation to you for the significant leadership role of the Board and kura, and the extensive mahi throughout your time as Presiding Member.

Thank you, also, to outgoing Board member Maria Terrill for her time and contribution, including her role in helping establish a new Board and refreshed strategic plan.

With these changes, I have (humbly) accepted, through nomination, the role of Presiding Member, and likewise with Jarran Colman as Deputy Presiding Member. We will be reaching out to the community soon with information about the process for selecting new parent representatives.

Strengths-based leadership and ako
With strengths-based leadership, every contribution is crucial, valued and can contribute to progress. Ako is just as powerful a value among our professional leaders and teachers, and within our network of supporting parents, as it is among our tamariki.

Let’s keep being positive examples, and watch how our kids learn, adapt and grow at a phenomenal rate.

Ngā mihi,
Jane BD
Presiding Member

Kia ora CTS Whānau, It's been a productive month for FOCTS. Our beautiful new Mural is up and looking amazing. A massive thank you to Kelly Waugh and the students who worked hard on completing it.

Our focus remains on giving our school environment love and this mural certainly helps towards achieving this! Thank you to the families who supported our Read-a-thon fundraiser last year which enabled this project to happen.

With the generous support of our fence sponsors, we were also able to purchase 2x new school gazebos and a school flag. We were able to use these for Cross Country this week and they looked awesome. These will be used at school and interschool events. Iceblocks for all of the tamariki also went down a treat at the end of their run. We are so grateful for the local businesses who support our school every year, legends!

Pet Day planning is well underway. Registrations are now due in. All Pet Day information went out on Helix last week. Any questions regarding Pet Day or if you can volunteer to help on the day, reach out by email focts21@gmail.com.

Our next meeting is Wednesday 2nd September 7pm in the staff room. We would love to have some new members join us. All CTS whānau warmly welcome!

Please return all 2025 Pet Day trophy's to the school office BEFORE the end of the month - Friday 28 August.

Thanks, FOCTS

Pet Day information

Important details to take note:

Thursday 15th October

Your calf/lamb needs to be born after the 23rd July 2026.

Creative minds Wednesday 14th October

All information is in the images attached.

Google form for entry.

https://forms.gle/5mfuTro94NiGvqY8A

Tēnā koutou,

I am writing to introduce myself as the new kaiako for Room 3.

Having had the privilege of working with your tamariki briefly as a relief teacher at the end of Term 2, I am delighted to be returning to work with them again. My priority for the remainder of 2026 is to ensure a supportive, engaging environment where every young person feels valued and succeeds in their learning journey.

On a personal note, I have called New Plymouth home since I was 10 years old, after arriving here as a family from Yorkshire, England. I deeply value the community we have here and look forward to connecting with you.

Ngā mihi nui,

John Hudson

In Room 15 we have been very busy with our learning.

In our maths no problem programme, we are currently focusing on doubles and halves of numbers. We are understanding how both the two work together and can help us solve math equations.

The photos below are from previous weeks learning about shapes (blowing bubbles and practising sequencing our numbers and forming them correctly).

We also enjoyed watching the Common Wealth games a few weeks back during our mornings when we arrived at school. We watched some of our fellow kiwis win a medal and Mrs Warren got us cheering for the silver ferns too. What a great learning experience it was.

We have been in full swing of our literacy programme. Lots of our tamariki have moved to new sets in their reading. For our whole class spelling our sounds we have been focusing on is ch/sh/th/ng/wh.

Cross Country practice has been lots of fun. On a Tuesday afternoon we zoom around the courts (no cutting corners, of course). Whenever they complete a lap they get a linking block. After 8 minutes of running (or walking- if we need to catch our breathe) we count all the linking cubes we got and record them. We are trying to see if we can improve how many blocks we got from week 3 all the way to week 9.

What an amazing bunch we have in room 15.

Ngā mihi

Sarah Warren

This term, our kura’s theme is based on Science and Technology. Room 15 has begun exploring this theme through a range of STEM activities, including building bridges and designing umbrellas for our class dog, Top Dog.

When making our umbrellas, we first investigated how water moved through nine different materials. We used two teaspoons of water for each test and made predictions about whether the water would would 'go through', 'spread out', 'soak in' or 'sit on top' of the materials. We then recorded whether our predictions were true. As a class, we correctly predicted the results for five out of the nine materials.

Through this investigation, we discovered that plastic, foil, baking paper, and rain jacket material were effective at keeping water on the surface and preventing it from passing through. Based on our findings, we decided to use rain jacket material to construct our umbrellas.

Students were well engaged in both STEM activities and demonstrated creativity, perseverance, and strong structural design skills. It has been fantastic to see them applying their problem-solving skills and working collaboratively to develop and test their ideas.

Rebecca Connolly

Room 18 has been learning about advertising and different ways businesses will try and grab your attention to sell you things. We looked at images and even some old infomercials (remember Suzanne Paul trying to sell us Natural Glow!) We had some discussions about the language that is used and the ways you can grab people's attention to make a good sales pitch.

We used a google AI interactive programme called Sparky. This activity involved us merging together two things to create some wacky new invention. Once we had created a new invention, we had to try and sell this product or activity. We had lots of fun discussing our ideas and putting on a good 'infomercial voice' to say it out loud. We then wrote short blurbs to try and sell our product.

We had lots of fun with this activity and we hope you enjoy our inventions and our sales pitches!

Things are heating up in secondary science this term.

The year 9 and 10s have been learning about chemical reactions and most recently observed the reaction between molten sugar and baking soda.

We discovered that this type of reaction is called "decomposition" which means that a substance breaks down into smaller pieces. In this case, we observed that carbon dioxide gas is released which gives the characteristic airyness of homemade honeycomb.

As we make our way through the term, they will discover other types of reactions and become more familiar with proper laboratory techniques and how to keep themselves and their peers safe in this setting.

The year 11s have been finishing off their chemical reactions standard - 92021 which is heading away for moderation during the week. This standard has required them to build a portfolio of learning around a minimum of 3 different chemical reactions.

This has been a test of their recall and their resilience as they were working through the cycle of learn, assess, repeat.

We are now moving onto some physics where we are learning about motion and energy.

Senior science - we have just finished our topic on genetic variation where we have learned about the different types of inheritance, how Charles Darwin used the Galapagos Islands to write his theory around evolution and various different techniques to see how traits are passed through families. We are also moving onto a physics topic for the remainder of term 3 - ours is based around atomic and nuclear physics. So far we have learned about the structure of the atom and how this theory has changed over the last 2000 or so years. We have looked indepth at the experiment Ernest Rutherford conducted to help develop our current understanding of the atom and most recently, we have been learning about the 3 different types of radiation and where they have been applied in day-to-day life.

Overall, this term is a busy one with new learning for all classes and Benchmark exams coming up in week 8 and 9.

Benchmark Examinations and Assessments will take place from Monday 7 September through to Tuesday 15 September.

This is an important period for our senior ākonga as they prepare for their NCEA assessments and end-of-year examinations. Students have been given their individual examination and assessment schedules and know when they are required to be at kura.

During this period, students are expected to:

• Attend kura, in correct uniform, for all scheduled Benchmark examinations and assessments. Correct uniform is a condition of exam entry set by NZQA.

• Continue attending their WITT and TOPEC commitments as scheduled.

• Ensure they arrive on time and are prepared for each assessment/exam.

• Sign in and out at the school office whenever they arrive at or leave kura. This is particularly important during Benchmark Week so we know who is on site at all times.

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Why are Benchmark Examinations important?

These examinations provide students with an opportunity to practise sitting formal assessments under examination conditions and to demonstrate their current level of learning and preparation.

Importantly, the results from these assessments may also be valuable later in the year. Where appropriate and where NZQA requirements are met, evidence from a Benchmark exam will contribute towards a derived grade if a student is unable to attend an external examination at the end of the year. This makes it particularly important that students attend their scheduled Benchmark examinations and take them seriously.

We understand that students have a number of commitments during this time, including WITT and TOPEC. Staff have worked with students to ensure they know where they need to be and when. If you are unsure about your learner's schedule or need any support, please feel free to contact us.

Thank you for your continued support in encouraging our ākonga to attend, be prepared and make the most of this important learning opportunity.

A Term of Learning, Growth and Connection

What an exciting term we have had in our classroom! It has been wonderful to see our students embracing opportunities to learn, connect and contribute to our wider school community.

Our Matariki Breakfast was a special highlight, with whānau joining us to enjoy our kapa haka performance and share kai together. It was a fantastic opportunity to come together and celebrate as a community.

Some of our students also took part in the NZ Police Challenge, where they demonstrated our school values through their manaakitanga, teamwork and perseverance. It was fantastic to see students supporting one another, working together and continuing to give things a go when challenges became tough.

Our Manu Pīkoko students continue to show incredible care for our whenua. They have been busy resetting traps, caring for the chooks, gardening, preparing the ground for grass seed and, most excitingly, celebrating the first rengarenga seeds they planted beginning to sprout! We are incredibly lucky to have Cherry and Alicia supporting and guiding our students through this kaupapa and helping them develop a deeper connection with and responsibility for our environment.

As always, our students continue to build strong learning habits in our classroom. I am beginning to see students take greater ownership of their learning, and this is starting to shine through in both the quality of their work and the way they engage in lessons. It has been fantastic to see their confidence, perseverance and independence continue to grow.

What a great term of learning, connection and growth - ka pai, Room 4!

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We had a fantastic afternoon at our School Cross Country on Tuesday, with our students getting out there and giving it their best! It was great to see plenty of competitive spirit, determination and encouragement throughout the races.

A huge thank you to all the parents, whānau and community members who came along to volunteer as field marshals. Your support was incredibly valuable, and we simply couldn't run an event like this without you. Thank you also to all of our staff who helped organise, supervise and run the event.

We were lucky enough to dodge the showers, with the weather holding out beautifully for the afternoon!

Congratulations to everyone who participated, and a special congratulations to those who placed in the top three and have qualified to represent Coastal Taranaki School at the Coastal Cross Country at Omata next week. We wish you all the very best!

Well done to everyone who took part — whether you were racing for a place, challenging yourself, or simply getting out there and having a go. It was fantastic to see such strong participation and school spirit!

Mr. Bruckner

Kia ora,

It is that time of year again. Puke Ariki Store is holding our annual sale to make room for exciting new arrivals. This includes Children’s and Adult’s Books and games, and gifts.

There are some amazing bargains available, making it the perfect opportunity to stock up on books for the whole family.

BANDSCOOL
50% FUN 50% EDUCATIONAL

Discover your Instrument
These fun beginner sessions give children the chance to play in a band, try several instruments including guitar, keyboard, bass, drums and vocals, and discover which instrument to pursue. No musical experience is needed.
It takes place in the mobile BandScool Music Studio

More about BANDSCOOL
The purpose of BandScool is to help beginners understand how music works by experiencing each instrument from the inside and ultimately pursue the right instrument. Many give up on music all together because they chose the wrong instrument to start with.
By rotating through different instruments, participants become aware of the one(s) they naturally connect with. Often, it turns out to be something different from what they expected. They also have fun while realising how each part contributes to a piece of music — rhythm, melody, and groove.


HARMONY WORKSHOP
Harmony for Shower Singers is a practical, interactive singing workshop designed for people who enjoy singing but want to learn how to harmonise. The workshop explores how vocal harmony works through listening, experimentation and singing together.

More about HARMONY WORKSHOP
Participants learn to hear and identify different parts, find a harmony that fits with a melody, and develop the confidence to hold their part.

An exciting part is using a looper to record the singers’ voices. This allows participants to hear their harmony alongside the melody and then build additional vocal parts on top of it. It is both a fun way to experience the sound of harmonies building up and a very useful tool for developing listening, timing and confidence.

BandScool will be visiting Okato on the first week of September.
Bookings are essential.
Can only take up to 4 participants.
Session is 1 hour $25
Pm Brigitte Trent or call 0211339087

COASTAL TARANAKI SCHOOL

Sonia Mau Principal

Sarah Oke Senior School Deputy Principal, Careers/Pathways, Tech on 45

Wes Mau Innovative Curriculum & Design Project Lead (Y0–6)

David Cripps SENCO

Viola Fung English

Ros James Maths

Steve Leppard Hard Materials Technology, Tech on 45

Natalie Bound Science, Principals Nominee

Keegan Bruckner Social Sciences, Geography, P.E Teacher

Dee Heath Year 7/8 Teacher

John Hudson Year 7/8 Teacher

Renee Leathley Kaitake Team Leader, Year 5/6 Teacher

Emily Finey Year 5/6 Teacher

Johannah Poutini Year 4/5 Teacher

Tara Ross Pukeiti Team Leader, Year 3/4 Teacher

Annie Harris NE Transition Teacher

Jemma Moorby Year 2/3 Teacher

Sarah Warren Year 1/2 Teacher

Rebecca Connolly Year 1/2 Teacher, Release Teacher

Hayley Gilmour Release Teacher

Craig Taylor Release Teacher

Alana Campbell Office Manager

Delwyn Pearce School Librarian

Kirsty Koboski Publicity Officer

Ole Bucka Grounds & Maintenance

Amy Mills Guidance Counsellor

Learning Assistants

Darryl Levett

Kirsty Koboski

Paula Fleming

Ruth Barron

Fon Julian

Lisa Schrader

Marcus Wade