Week 3 Term 4, 2025

Pet Day Follow-up

Pet Day was a wonderful community day. A simplified version of the original classic. It was a great day to catch up with past parents and students who came to join us and enjoy the animals and raffles. Property Brokers worked hard on the BBQ and told me they picked up some business from the day too.

I have to mention the beans. It was very exciting seeing these displays entering the hall. Probably a better turnout than I expected, to be fair, given the weather. Tina and Blair from Mitre 10 were equally impressed. The effort put into the timelines, posters and science boards was spectacular. I know Tina and Blair had a difficult time picking the winners. They also enjoyed adding the additional prizes to the displays.

The setup for the lambs with the scrim and standards was based on Group Day and the expectations for that event. This allowed for judging to be based on the Group Day criteria, ensuring students who enter this extra event understand the layout and format.  

Group Day is likened to Inter-school Cross Country - a judged event for families to show off the work undertaken to prepare the lambs and calves when measured against other competing schools. All lambs and calves entered in the school Pet Day are able to enter Group Day, held on Friday, October 24, at Reporoa School. If you require more information, please contact the office.

Flower arrangements were also a success. Ramping up the range of flower displays and having students focus on one item to show was key. The community bringing additional flowers to share around helped a lot. We received donations from Blooming Flowers as a sponsor, and a local Principal also dropped off foliage from his own garden to help make the day successful.

The teachers and support staff, along with the PTA, are doing reflections on Pet Day. If you have any feedback on how we can improve the experience for the students, please send it to Info@wairakeitaupo.school.nz. I have noted that we need to send a quick-fire raffle seller out to the judging arenas so everyone can have a chance at winning. Heritage Meats did a great job with their meat packs.

Believe It or Not Quiz Night

Tickets are on sale at the office. Get a team together and join us for this evening. Funds raised go to the PTA towards the new school playgrounds.

Thank you in advance for supporting the teachers and support staff on the strike day and the following teacher-only day.

Heoi anō tāku mō nāianei

Paula

Term Dates for 2026

Term One: February 2 – April 2

Term Two: April 20 – July 3

Term Three: July 20 – September 25

Term Four: October 12 – December 15