Week 5 Term 2, 2025

We farewelled Penny Fischbach after her many years of service. It was a lovely assembly filled with celebrations and acknowledgements. The haka was a real highlight; as was the new national anthem video.

Behaviour

It has been an interesting week here at school with students' behaviours outside of school impacting us at school. This time it is across two social media platforms. An online playstation game and Snap. In all incidents it is asking students to do inappropriate things or making threats. The best solution for us all is to take any child under the age of 13 off social media and do not let them play with others online unless parents are actively watching. John Parsons reinforces this by telling all parents to be vigilant with social media or online platforms. 

It exhausts teachers' time from their core role to have to mop up this kind of behaviour. The flow on effect for us is an increase in student outbursts and students acting as policemen. Parents need to be monitoring what their children are doing and saying no to social media platforms.

If they're unwell, stay home

There has been a spike in illness over the past week. Teachers have noticed that students are coming to school unwell and having to be sent home.  This means that other students are exposed to the virus as are the teachers. If your child is unwell please keep them home.  

There is also an increase in both whooping cough and measles in the community. Both of these illnesses are contagious.

Use of Te Reo and Tikanga at Wairakei Primary

As a school we have a proud tradition of representing the school at the Tuwharetoa Taiopenga held in September every year.  Our groups have grown over the years and we now have over half the school involved in the weekly practices.

By offering this we are working towards increasing the use of te reo for all students as well as developing their understanding of tikanga and knowledge of the whenua the school sits on.

Being a part of the kapa haka is optional. Learning te reo and tikanga is not. All students are required to be engaged in these valuable learning opportunities.  Teachers will not be setting up separate learning opportunities for individual students while these lessons are happening. Being open to new learning experiences is what we encourage all students to do on a daily basis. In the past when separation has occurred we have found that those students separated are listening and engaging in the learning anyway.

Following are some of the reasons why the teachers and I value the learning of te Reo and tikanga for all students aged 5 to 11.

• New Zealand Curriculum Requirements: The New Zealand Curriculum recognises te reo Māori as an official language and emphasises the importance of understanding New Zealand's bicultural heritage. This learning supports students in becoming culturally responsive citizens who can engage meaningfully with all aspects of New Zealand society.

• Cognitive Development Benefits Research shows that learning a second language during early childhood enhances cognitive flexibility, problem-solving skills, and creative thinking. Te reo Māori offers unique linguistic structures that can broaden children's understanding of how language works. The age range of 5-11 is particularly optimal for language acquisition, as children's brains are naturally wired to absorb new languages more easily.

• Building Respect and Understanding: Learning tikanga teaches children important values like respect, responsibility, and community connection. Concepts like manaakitanga, whakatōhea, and kaitiakitanga provide valuable frameworks for character development and social responsibility.

Reporting progress to the community

With the role out of the new curriculum the school is undergoing some changes to the reporting we have been doing. There will no longer be the PACT reports sent out to parents. Instead we are putting in a new online reporting system so all parents can access the report at their leisure.  

The reporting timeline has altered slightly. The online report will be accessible in week one Term Three, July 14-18, 2025 with parent teacher discussion being held Week 2 Term Three, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Teachers will be able to assist parents by explaining the new reports at that meeting.

Ngā mihi nui

Paula

To the Taupō Community – From Your Local School Principals

The local principals have worked on a letter to the community highlighting the need for teachers within all schools. The Board of Trustees support of the following community letter.

Kia ora Taupō whānau,

Like you, we all want Taupō to continue being the best place it can be to live, work, and go to school. Our schools play a vital role in that vision — shaping the futures of our young people and strengthening our community. As the Principals and Boards of schools across the Taupō rohe, we write together to share an urgent issue affecting all our kura — the national shortage of qualified teachers.

Despite our ongoing efforts to recruit and support new staff, there is an increasing teacher supply challenge to meet the growing needs of our schools. This is putting a real strain on our ability to deliver the quality education our ākonga deserve.

Across the rohe, some schools are having to make difficult decisions: collapsing classes, combining year levels, or rostering students home. These measures are temporary and only taken when absolutely necessary, but we know they cause disruption for students, whānau, and staff.

Still, our commitment remains strong — to provide safe, high-quality learning environments for all. Yet at times, the staffing shortage means we cannot meet even our own expectations.

To give context:

• The average number of NZ-trained applicants per vacancy has halved since 2019.
  

• Around one-third of school vacancies remain unfilled.
  

• 33% of advertised roles in 2023 had no NZ-trained applicants; 31% had only one.
  

• Relief teacher availability is at record lows for our community. 

• References- 

  • (2024). 2025 Primary Teachers’ Collective Agreement – FAQ and Claim Summary

  • Post Primary Teachers' Association (PPTA). (2023). Secondary School Staffing Survey Report 2023

We are calling on the collective strength of our Taupō community — because it takes all of us to shape the future our tamariki deserve. Your continued support and understanding are deeply appreciated.

If you or someone you know holds a degree and wants to make a difference, we encourage you to consider teaching. It’s a rewarding career, and now more than ever, your skills are needed.

Thank you for standing with us. Together, we will continue to do our best for every learner in our community.

Ngā manaakitanga,
Central Plateau Principals

On behalf of the schools of the Taupō rohe

MATARIKI CELEBRATION 2025 - PARENT GUIDE

Quick Overview

Our school is partnering with Ōruanui Marae for a special Matariki celebration on Thursday, June 19, 2025. This guide tells you everything you need to know and do.

What Your Child Will Learn

Week 6: Focus on the Stars

Years 1-2 will explore:

• What are the stars?
• What do they connect to?

Years 3-6 will explore:

• How do we connect to the stars?
• Which star do we connect to the most?

Week 7: Focus on Māori New Year

Years 1-2 will learn:

• What is Matariki?
• How do we celebrate it?

Years 3-6 will learn:

• What is Matariki?
• How do people around NZ and the world celebrate it?

Important Dates & Actions Required

June 5 & 12

What: Matariki Rotations (students share learning across year groups)
Action: No action needed from parents.

June 13 (Friday)

What: Vegetable collection day for hangi.
Action: Send vegetables with your child:

• Potatoes
• Kumara
• Pumpkin
• Cabbage
• Onions (for stuffing)

June 18 (Wednesday)

What: Food preparation day.
Time: Starting 9.10a.m.
Action: Volunteer if you can help prepare food (optional but appreciated).

June 19 (Thursday) - MAIN EVENT

What: Matariki Celebration & Hangi Lunch
Time: 12:30p.m. start.
Location: Lunch served in hall, eaten in classrooms.
Action Required:

• Your child must bring their own plate and cutlery.
• They take these home at the end of the day.
• All parents invited to join for lunch at 12.30p.m.
• Families will eat together and watch science videos made by each class.

Matariki Competition - "Stars"

How to Enter

Create a representation of Matariki with your child.

Competition Categories

Years 1-2:

• What is Matariki?
• How do we celebrate it in New Zealand?

Years 3-6:

• What is Matariki?
• How do people all around NZ and the world celebrate it?

Key Dates

• Judging: June 19, 2025
• Winners announced: During Celebration of Learning and on school tile.

Quick Checklist for Parents

Before June 13:

• [  ] Decide which vegetables you'll send for hangi.

June 13:

• [  ] Send vegetables to school with your child.

June 18 (if volunteering):

• [  ] Arrive at school by 9.10a.m. to help with food prep.

June 19:

• [  ] Send child with plate and cutlery.
• [  ] Join celebration lunch at 12.30p.m. (optional but encouraged).
• [  ] Remind child to bring plate and cutlery home.

For Competition (optional):

• [  ] Create Matariki representation with your child.
• [  ] Submit entry by June 19.

Questions?

Contact the school office if you need clarification on any details or want to volunteer for food preparation.