Week 3 Term 3, 2026

Wairakei Primary School – Cross Country 2026

The Cross Country event will be held on Thursday, August 13, 2026.

What to wear:

Students must wear closed-toe shoes suitable for running. Crocs, slides, and sandals are not permitted. Please be aware shoes may get wet and muddy. Students are encouraged to wear their Whare-Tiaki colours.

Event location:

The Cross Country will take place on the farm at the bottom of the hill. Access is via a farm gate off State Highway 1, with parking available in a designated area.

If you'd like to walk down with your child, you’re welcome to take the path through the gully, which also leads onto the farm.

Important information for the day

Please dress for the weather; gumboots and warm clothing are strongly recommended.
Students will need lots of food to fuel their bodies for the day. Food will be eaten at school.
There will be a portaloo available on the farm so that students do not have to climb back up the gully.
If your child is not wishing to run the event, they are able to stay at school and carry on with their learning. Please give this information to the classroom teacher.

Schedule

Year 0/1 – 9:20 a.m.

Year 2 – Boys 9:40 a.m. | Girls 10:00 a.m.

Year 3 – Boys 10:20 a.m. | Girls 10:40 a.m.

Year 4 – Boys 10:50 a.m. | Girls 11:00 a.m.

Year 5 – Boys 11:10 a.m. | Girls 11:20 a.m.

Year 6 – Boys 11:30 a.m. | Girls 11:40 a.m.

Please note: Times are approximate only.

Cross Country Training

Training occurs before school and during the day on the school field. To complete one lap of the field, touching all the signs is equivalent to 250 metres. Four laps is one kilometre.

Home charts can be made to track the progress via the black marks on the hands of the runners. A good way to use maths every day across the term. How many kilometres can we run in a week? What is the predicted total of all the kilometres by the day of the cross country?

Whānau Teacher Discussions

Thank you to all the parents who came to the discussions. This time is always valuable for both the teachers and parents. Lots of discussion about the learning process and the new reporting form. The school office can help you locate and view the school report if you are having any issues with the app.

Pet Day Planting Competition

The planning is underway for the 2026 Pet Day. I am now collecting the names of students who wish to receive the Perfect Peas or Brilliant Beans for the growing competition. Years 4 to 6 students will try their hand at peas. Years 0 to 3 will focus on growing the beans. Students can give their name to the class teachers, and the seeds will be sent home in the week of August 17 to 21.

PhotoLife

The first day of PhotoLife is happening today. As with any new company working with the school, it is a bit hard to say exactly what the day will bring. Their communication has been great so far with the school, and ordering seems to be very simple. By getting your orders in quickly, the school receives fundraising from the company.

Warm Up Wednesday

The last day for Warm Up Wednesday will be August 5. It will be a special one with marshmallows and hot chocolate. It has been a real pleasure to have this morning of catching up with students and parents in a social setting. I have really enjoyed this time. I would like to thank Jeni, the caretaker, for setting up the urn and the cups for me and Bin Inn for the sponsorship of the hot chocolate. I think I might do it again next year.

Disco date change

The PTA have advised that the disco intended for week 8 has shifted to Thursday, September 24, 2026.

School Office Hours

The school office will be open from 8.30 until 4 pm each day until August 10 2026, when the hours will be 8.30 am to 3.30 pm.

Board Meeting

The next board meeting is being held on August 11, starting at 5.30 pm. Visitors are welcome to attend and be an observer. This is a great opportunity for the school community to see how the board operates and to take part in the governance of the school. I am happy to chat to all parents who are interested in being a part of the board. It does pay to check it out before the next election.

Snow - Heads up if it happens

Last week there was a threat of snow blanketing Taupō. While it did not occur, it did remind me that parents will need to know what happens if the school is closed for snow. The school would notify you via the @school app, website and email. We would only close if the buses are unable to operate and can not get out of town to pick up the students.

Uniform

Students are required to wear the school uniform every day. The teachers and I have started to see a range of sweatshirts and sports jackets arriving at school. Keeping the standards is important and will be maintained by the staff. There are plenty of spare uniforms in the cupboard that need a home.

Ngā mihi,

Paula