Week 7 Term 1, 2026

Tokarewa on fire. Whare Tiaki alive and well.

As a part of setting up the year, the teachers and I are reigniting Tokarewa and the Whare Tiaki groups. This began on Friday at the whole school assembly with ‘Minute to Win It’ games and certificates from the Principal. Such fun! The teachers did not come first, and tokens were presented during activities like floating balloon and cookie race.

The certificates have changed this year to those who show the POWER Values on a regular basis. We are looking for and acknowledging those who do the right thing regularly. I know these are working because twice now, following the assembly, some of the students who were named but not present have called into my office to collect their certificates. That's because it matters to them.

Stage two of reigniting of Whare Tiaki is coming up this Friday. We would like every child to dress in their Whare Tiaki house colour for the day. This non-uniform day is not a fundraising event, so no money is involved. During the first and second learning blocks, there will be rotations, including Bouncy Castles from Event Rent. Some singing, dancing, chanting and a few other activities. Swimming will continue as normal for all those classes involved.

Education Review Office at Wairakei

From March 25 - 26, 2026, ERO is visiting. I don't expect the students to notice any changes, to be honest. Whānau are all invited to the meeting on Wednesday, March 25, at 2 p.m. in the staffroom.

Whānau-Teacher Discussions

Whānau-Teacher discussions are happening on Tuesday, March 31, starting from 1.30 p.m.

There will be activities available for all students until 3 p.m. on that day. The school is open to them until going home early with their parents after the discussion. 

We would like all whānau to come to the discussions to celebrate the learning that has occurred and to give your view on how your child learns best, what motivates them and any other tidbits of knowledge that go towards knowing your child/ren better. The standardised assessment data will be available for viewing at those meetings.

To book an interview, please go to www.schoolinterviews.co.nz. The code to put in is vacgj. Follow the process to make an appointment.

James Drought Race Results

James Drought recently travelled to Melbourne, Australia, to compete in Round 1 of the Ohvale Race Series, proudly representing New Zealand as the only Kiwi rider. This series is where the fastest children in Australia battle it out over a 5-race series throughout the year. James races a 110cc mini GP road bike.

James had an impressive start to the weekend by securing pole position in qualifying and setting a new track lap record, especially riding on a new track and on a bike he hadn't ridden before, amongst children who had the home turf advantage. 

A crash in Race 2 left him finishing last, but James showed great determination, strategy and resilience, battling back across the remaining races to finish 2nd overall for the weekend.

James is now looking forward to travelling to Sydney in April for Round 2 of the series.

Winter sports

Bank details:

Wairakei School BOT

03 0418 0145370 00

Reference: Surname (sport) eg: Smith Hockey

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Hockey    

Hockey fees must be paid by Monday, March 30, 2026, for your child to be able to play. Students enrolled between Year 2 - 6 are eligble to register for a Hockey team. Register your child for hockey by completing the registration at this link:

Hockey Registration Form

Cost:
Mini Hockey (Years 2, 3, 4): $75
Maxi Hockey (Years 5 & 6): $95

Netball    

Students enrolled between Years 3 - 6 are eligible to register for a netball team. Netball fees must be paid by Thursday, April 30, 2026, for your child to be able to play. Register your child for netball by completing the registration at 

Netball Registration Form

Make sure you complete the ‘Wairakei Primary School Information Required’ section by clicking on the arrow to enter details.

Basketball
To register your child to play for a Wairakei team in the Lake Taupō Basketball Year 3-6 competition, register at:

Basketball Registration Form

Registrations close Thursday, April 2, 2026

2026 Taupō hockey

Kia ora Whānau,

Registrations are now open to Years 2-6 for the 2026 Taupō hockey season.

Mini hockey: Years 2, 3 & 4

- 11 week competition beginning Friday, May 1.

- Games played 3.30pm-4.30p.m.

- Cost $75 per player.

Maxi hockey: Years 5 & 6

- 13 week competition beginning Friday, May 1.

- Weekly games play 4.45-8.00p.m.

- Cost $95 per player.

Please find the school’s registration link below. Follow the link to register your child/children.

Registration Period

Registrations are open now and close on Monday, March 30.

Registration Link Register Here

🏑 Game Day Schedule

Games will once again be played at the Taupō Hockey Club, Hickling Park.

Friday games, played between 3.30p.m. and 8p.m.

Taupō Hockey Club, Hickling Park, 1 AC Baths Avenue, Tauhara Weekly game schedules will be posted online.

2026 Lake Taupō Basketball Association

Kia ora Whānau,

Registrations are now open to Years 3-6 for the 2026 Lake Taupō Basketball Association junior basketball season.

Please find the school’s registration link below. Follow the link to register your child/children.

Registration Period

Registrations are open now and close on Thursday, April 2.

Registration Link Register here

Game Day Schedule

Games will once again be played at the Taupō Events Centre.

Tuesdays – Primary Prem
Wednesdays – Primary Dev & Girls Only Sessions - free of charge for any girl registered in the mixed league.

Students are welcome to participate in either the mixed league, the girls-only session, or both. Importantly, those attending both options will pay one registration fee, Wednesdays are free, allowing greater access to participation opportunities.

Taupō Events Centre, 26 AC Baths Avenue, Tauhara
Weekly game schedules will be posted online.

2026 Taupō Netball

Kia ora Whānau,

Registrations are now open to Years 3-6 for the 2026 Taupō Netball junior netball season.

Please find the school’s registration link below. Follow the link to register your child/children.

Registration Period

Registrations are open now and close on Thursday, April 30.

Registration Link  Register Here

💡 For help with using Sporty, please follow the link below to a YouTube tutorial.

Sporty Tutorial

🕣 Game Day Schedule

Games will once again be played at Owen Delaney Park Netball Courts.

First game to be played on Saturday, May 16, 2026.

Saturdays: Games between 8:30a.m. and 12:30p.m.

Owen Delaney Park, Centennial Drive, Taupō
Weekly game schedules will be posted online.