Principal's Panui - 20 June 2025

Kia ora te whanau ō te Kōtuku 

I hope you are all enjoying the day off for Matariki.

Matariki marks the Māori New Year and is celebrated with the rising of the Matariki star cluster (also known as Pleiades) in the winter sky. It is a time for remembrance of those who have passed, celebrating the present with whānau and community, and looking ahead with hope and planning for the future. Matariki is deeply rooted in Māori culture and traditions, symbolising renewal, connection to the land and stars, and the importance of coming together in unity and reflection.

Students, staff, and whānau came together on Thursday at the Community Centre, with a vibrant and meaningful event that honoured tradition, reflection, and unity.

Performances from kapa haka groups, waiata, and spoken word brought energy and pride to the event, showcasing the talents of ākonga and the richness of Māori culture. We need to acknowledge Jonnie Black, Principal of Matipo Primary School for the huge amount of mahi he did to make this event so successful.

The Matariki celebration was a beautiful reminder of the importance of connection, gratitude, and cultural identity. It left everyone feeling uplifted and inspired to carry its values forward throughout the year.

International Languages Week

This week the school celebrated International languages and culture, culminating with a cultural evening held on Wednesday night. The school hall was transformed into a vibrant hub of colour, sound, and flavour as students and staff came together to celebrate a Cultural Evening that honoured international language and culture from around the world. The event showcased the rich diversity within the school community and provided a platform for students to share their heritage with pride.

From traditional dances to multilingual performances, the evening was filled with energy and enthusiasm. Staff and students alike reflected on the importance of such events in fostering understanding, empathy, and appreciation for each other’s backgrounds. It was a joyful celebration of the languages, stories, and traditions that enrich the school community, and a powerful reminder that diversity is something to be embraced and celebrated. 

Staff and students proudly wore traditional attire from countries around the world on Thursday. A big thank you to the Languages Department and Cultural Committee and everyone else who helped make this all possible.

School Board Elections Timeline

Call for Nominations: Friday 18 July
Nomination close: 6 August at noon
Voting Papers Issued: 13 August (via email)
Election Day: 10 September (Poll closes at 4pm)
Count Votes and Declare Results: 16 September
Board takes office: 17 September

If you are interested in standing for election for one of the 5 parent places on the board, you can find out more about what the board does here.
It is important we have the right details for you. If you have changed email or physical address, you can update them on SchoolBridge under your details tab, or use this form. Voting is electronic and all information will be emailed to you from our Returning Officers, Schooled Limited/Hail Election Mission Control.

Reminders and key dates:

Thursday 26 June is the last day of the Term 2, and school finishes at 1.30pm.
The school ball is scheduled for 26 June at 7pm, Ellerslie Convention Centre.
Friday 27 June the school is closed.

kia kaha

Gary Moore