Marco School Community Newsletter

It has been an absolute whirlwind of activity lately! Being in the class, going out with the children on EOTC and walking around during duty in that sun during our break times it is wonderful to see so many smiling faces and such high levels of engagement. Whether it’s in the classroom or out on the turf, our students are truly making the most of every opportunity.

We want to extend a massive "thank you" to the team at NFP for their incredible Bike Day fundraiser! The children are so very grateful for your kindness and support.

After some careful thought, we are excited to announce how the donation will be used:

• New Library Books... To spark even more imagination during reading time for our Senior students.

• New Bean Bags...To create a cozy, comfortable space for our students to relax and learn in the library.

Well done to everyone involved in Hockey and Swimming events. Your sportsmanship and persistence have been a joy to watch.

There has been a lot of excitement surrounding our butterfly growing project. Watching the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly has been a magical hands-on science lesson. We can't wait to try again next year…though Mr Gee needs to get us MORE swan Plants!

We were thrilled to have a NZ famous author Alistair McIntyre (aka Doug the Digger) pop in to visit us. Hearing about the world of writing certainly inspired our budding young authors.

We are delighted to grow our school family! A very big welcome to Marnie Massey and Elsie Condor, who both started with us over the past two weeks. We are so glad you’re here, and we look forward to seeing you shine!

The excitement isn’t over yet! We still have Junior Athletics to look forward to, and we are heading out to see Harold the Giraffe and the Life Education bus. Since we are nearing the end of the term, we will be sure to share all the photos and stories from these experiences in our first newsletter of Term Two.

Enjoy the rest of the week and a great Easter!

Warm regards,

Mel and the team

Our mission is ‘We can, and we will provide a quality learning environment that will help our students achieve and become valued participants in our society

Principal: Mel Gee Email: principal@marco.school.nz

BOT Chairperson: Rowan Jordan

Email: office@marco.school.nz for newsletter notices

Website: www.marco.school.nz Phone: 06762 5815

27th March - Kiwi Release - Toko - Cancelled

30th March - Life Ed at Huiakama

31st March- Athletics at Ngaere Years 1-4

2nd April - LAST DAY OF TERM

20 April - Term 2 starts

Several children from Marco spent 2 days building this fantastic Mountain in the sandpit! It was so cool and they were so excited to share it. We got talking about their creation and we thought it needed a face and a name….this got us thinking… Do other mountains have a name? Yes Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe, Taranaki, Maunganui. What about other mountains around the world? Hmmm we weren't that confident about those so for our next Inquiry / Connected Curriculum lesson we learned about a Filipino Mountain called Makiling Mountain. All the school was very interested and involved with listening to the beautiful history of the mountain and wrote some fantastic stories about it. Afterwards they also created a bright and colourful picture of their mountain to match their story. Ka rawe koe! You are awesome!

The whole school did so very well in growing butterflies this term. We had several chrysalis growing all around the school...even on the ceiling and one on Will Hunger's book box. It was so special to watch these beautiful creatures unfurl in front of us and fly away for an adventure.

We try our best to show our Values in everything we do - in and out of the classroom. Every week we focus in on one Value and talk about how this looks, feels and sounds around our school and in our classrooms. Our Values cup is given out to an ākonga who has been spotted showing our focus Value for the week!

Next board meeting: 14 May 2026

Marco School BOT welcomes any comments or feedback that you may have.

Please feel free to contact any of the members:

Mel Gee, Rowan Jordan, James McFarlane, Hass Herbert and Jess Jane

Manaakitanga

For the ākonga (students) of Marco School to develop a sense of wellbeing and personal identity.

Mahi Tahi

For the ākonga, whānau, and kaimahi (staff) of Marco School to collectively strive to be the best they can be.

Kaitiakitanga

For the ākonga of Marco School to take responsibility, make a difference, and give back.

We have all our school policies and procedures on SchoolDocs

https://marco.schooldocs.co.nz

username: marco - password: whanga

What a fantastic turn out of at the highly anticipated and hotly contested Whanga

Shears held a week later than normal on the first of March. The woolshed was

heaving with competitors from as far away as the Czech Republic and Aotuhia. From

babies to old age pensioners and everyone in between, there was something for all.

The quality of the shearing was high and even the animal right moaners be hard

pressed to find fault.

Full results: Unassisted crutching- 1st Joe Werder, 2nd Ellie Downs, 3rd Jack McFarlane.

Assisted crutching- 1st Tommy McFarlane 2nd Lucy Coplestone-Downs

Novice-1st Isla Mutch,2nd Niwa Dix, 3rd Lola Lake

Junior- 1st Katalina, Czech Republic, 2nd Lyndon Brough, 3rd Jess Hussey

Intermediate- 1st and the Wayne Donaldson Trophy, Paeroa Herlihy, 2nd Ollie

Hutchinson 3rd Tana MacQuire

Senior-1st Lizzy Coplestone, 2nd Clint Hutchinson, 3rd Foreigner, Czech Republic

Open- 1st Tommy Lobb, 2nd Lloyd Downs, 3rd Izeka Carmichael.

Many thanks once again to the Herlihy clan, for supplying sheep and venue.

Thanks also to the generosity of all the sponsors and nice to see some of them

there. Awesome prizes once again.

The day runs like a well-oiled machine. Thanks to all the workers-judges, rousies,

pressers, timekeepers, MCs, points ladies, rehydration experts and master chefs.

The culinary fare this year once again hit the spot. There’s nothing like a fatty mutton

chop and sausage to finish off a perfect day. Although Percy the Possum would have

other thoughts about that.

The Whanga Bike Ride was held on Saturday. Low numbers which was disappointing

but those that came had great ride in great conditions. Many thanks to all the

landowners who accommodate this ride year after year. Without you it would not

happen. Also, thanks to course markers, gate openers, fuel truck drivers, check out and

check in chicks, Whanga Netball girls for awesome tucker at halfway, break down and

first aid services and tail end Charlie's. The Whanga community at its best.

We welcome Tony and Rachael Massey and family as new owners of the

Whangamomona Hotel and home of the Republic Headquarters and farewell Rich and

Vic Pratt and family who have been a big part of the Republic for 13 years. They

certainly have done the old girl proud under their tenure and we wish them all the best for

the next chapter of their lives.

Also, congratulations to President John on the arrival in Sydney of his 24th grandchild,

Lexi Robyn Nichols. Just perfect.

The Whangamomona Not For Pussies Marathon was run on Saturday. Starting down

the end of the Putik , through Okara and Aotuhia, up the Whanga road, finishing at

Republic Headquarters, the Pub. Some did a half, starting at Aotuhia. Awesome to see

locals taking part and wider farnow and friends. Thanks to the Marco School for the

use of their vans to transport people to start line and Mark Cop and Rob Law for use of

their ute and trailer to get bikes down there. Jaz and Baz at start line at Putik and

former principal of Marco school, Gail and Mark Thomson doing the start at Aotuhia.

And of course, our tail end Charlie and rubbish collector, President John.

No souls were lost along the way, but a bit of sweat was.

For the record the first Not For Pussies home, Andrew, did it in 2hrs 58 mins. It takes

over 2hours to do it on a motorbike just to put it in context!

We always like to get feedback from parents/caregivers and the community about things that are happening in and around school. If you have some time, click on the buttons below, have a read and answer a few simple questions.

Do you have a 4 year old child that you would like to enrol? Please get in touch as we love to have a good transition period to make sure they are settled and happy.

Our next little group of 4 and half year olds are starting back on the first Tuesday in Term 2 having weekly transitions into Piwakawaka class

Saturday the 11th of April, 10am–12pm

Jobs include:

putting the whānau pou in the driveway

taking down the old tin shed

tidying the Caretakers shed

replacing the sandpit roof

Many hands make light work - we welcome any helpers on the day.

What we need for Working Bee:

Helpers

Sandpit roof material

Trailers for rubbish

Burn/rubbish hole