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

Kia Ora Tatou

Welcome to another busy new term, and a very special welcome to new families. I hope you had a wonderful break, and the opportunity to spend lots of quality family time.

As is often the case the holidays came at the right time, with the usual rounds of flu and illness beginning to take a strong hold. The two-week break was a chance to break the cycle, and hopefully everyone has now recovered, and is fit and well.

There were a number of highlights (the weather wasn’t one!!) during the holidays, including the unveiling of the 2025 edition of All Blacks and Black Ferns. Hopefully the flooding didn't adversely impact you and your home or business.

This term is crucial for all students, but in particular those doing NCEA. Practice exams are scheduled for later in the term, and the challenge for our students is to ensure that they are prepared for the external exams that begin mid-term four.

Preparations for these exams will need to begin well before the holidays - it is really important students take time to carefully plan their study programme. Sarah and the Teachers are available to assist with this.

As with all new beginnings, this term promises much. The start of a new term is a very important time for everyone involved at school. It is essential that all students, parents, and teachers get things right, and begin the term in a positive manner. Good habits and attitudes at School need to be reinforced by a positive support system at home.

I hope that you were able to take the opportunity in the holidays to talk to your child/children about their schoolwork, provide plenty of positive encouragement, and help set some goals for the rest of the year.

As students progress through the School System, each term, and each year in turn, becomes progressively more and more important. We aim to set all students up for success from day one at School, and hope to avoid the “ambulance at the bottom of the cliff scenario”, whereby students are continually behind the eight ball, and spend their time in catch up mode. To ensure this happens, and that all students are given every opportunity of success, they really do need your unconditional support and encouragement.

From a Teachers point of view one of the delights of an Area School is the opportunity to observe Students grow and develop, and then finally transition into life beyond School. This is a very exciting time

Please remember we operate a genuine Open Door Policy – contact us with any concerns, problems, or enquiries. Early intervention can often prevent major issues.

We have a great deal to look forward to, with more challenges ahead, and hopefully plenty to celebrate, as we continue our efforts to craft a learning community that provides our students with a range of essential tools for life.

Have a wonderful week.

Nga mihi nui

Richard McMillan - Acting Principal

Food for Thought

“It is today we must create the world of the future” – Eleanor Roosevelt.

We’re proud to share that Clyde Hart-Yates has been awarded a $250 Coach McKean Small Grant from the Taranaki Foundation.

This grant supports young athletes across the region and honours the legacy of Coach McKean, a passionate mentor and leader in Taranaki sport. Clyde’s dedication and commitment to his sporting pursuits have been recognised through this award, and we can’t wait to see where this opportunity takes him next.

Ka mau te wehi, Clyde!

We're proud to share that Arabella and Gibson Waugh have just been accepted into the New Zealand Secondary Schools Band – a fantastic achievement that reflects their hard work and talent!

In even more exciting news, Arabella has also earned an upcoming audition for the National Youth Brass Band. We wish her the very best as she prepares for this next step!

Congratulations to both students – your dedication to music is truly inspiring!

Our year 6 students had an awesome opportunity to attend a Water Safety Programme at the Aquatic Centre this week funded by the NPDC.

On the first day, the students practiced their swimming strokes and floating and sculling in the water. They also practised safe jumping into the water from a height. On the second day the students wore lifejackets and practised how they could stay together in an emergency in the water by making a line and holding each other while moving through the water as well as huddling together. On the third day, the students wore life jackets and practised getting into and out of an inflatable boat.

The Year 6s all really enjoyed the three days and learned a lot!

.

Head over to our school sports facebook page CTS Sports and follow for all our school sports news, results and updates.

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

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Annie Harris

Transition to School and New Entrant Teacher

COASTAL TARANAKI SCHOOL

Richard McMillan Interim Principal

Gemma Chambers Junior School Deputy Principal

Sarah Oke Acting Deputy Principal, Food Technology, Careers/Pathways, Tech on 45

David Cripps SENCO

Viola Fung English

Andrea Dingle Maths

Steve Leppard Hard Materials Technology, Tech on 45

Kelly Waugh Visual/ Performing Arts

Natalie Bound Science

Casey Stevens P.E & Health

Keegan Bruckner Social Sciences

Liana Roberts Pouakai Team Leader, Year 7/8 Teacher

Rebecca Connolly Year 6/7 Teacher

Emily Finey Year 5/6 Teacher

Renee Leathley Kaitake Team Leader, Year 4/5 Teacher

Heather Jull Year 4/5 Teacher

Annie Harris NE Transition Teacher

Jemma Moorby Year 1/2 Teacher

Philippa Hofmans Pukeiti Team Leader, Year 1/2 Teacher

Johannah Poutini Year 2/3 Teacher

Sarah Warren/Tara Ross Year 2/3 Teachers

Justine Francis Release Teacher

Margaret Normanton Release Teacher

Delwyn Pearce School Librarian

Kirsty Koboski Publicity Officer

Jacky Kopu Office Manager

Nicky Phillips Office, Funding & Sports Administrator

Ole Bucka Grounds & Maintenance

Learning Assistants

Darryl Levett

Kirsty Koboski

Paula Fleming

Dee Heath

Jess Harfield

Ruth Barron

Ian Robinson

Nicole Whittle

Kaycee Cresswell

Fon Julian

Marcus Wade

Student Support

Ida Staunstrup-Moore

Lisa Schrader