Kōkopu Newsletter

Kia ora e te whānau,

Last week, I had the absolute privilege of joining Room 6 on their camp to Rotorua. What a fantastic week! For many of our students, it was a highlight of the year, packed with new challenges, learning, and plenty of fun. What stood out most for me was how beautifully our students upheld our school values—supporting each other, showing respect, and working together as a team throughout the whole experience. If you haven’t already, check out some of the amazing videos from camp on our Facebook page!
www.facebook.com/kokopuschool

A big thank you goes out to the wonderful parents who gave their time to come along. Your care, especially for those students attending camp without family, truly reflected our vision of Growing Together, Learning Forever. I’d also like to acknowledge the incredible generosity of Oxford Sports Trust and Pub Charity, who donated a combined $7,200 towards our camp. Their support made it possible for all students to enjoy the full experience, from accommodation to the wide range of activities.

You may have seen in the news that there are a number of changes underway with the New Zealand Curriculum and student assessment practices. One of the tools we’ve been asked to use nationwide is the PAT (Progressive Achievement Test). Many parents will remember doing these in their own school days—though now they’re online and much easier to administer. These assessments give us a snapshot of how our students in Years 3–8 are doing compared to other learners across New Zealand.

We’re very pleased with our results so far. Kokopu students, particularly in Years 6–8, are performing strongly at a national level. This is a real credit to our dedicated staff and the powerful learning environment we’ve built together. It also highlights the benefits of our full primary model, where students can remain in a familiar and supportive setting right through to Year 8.

It was also lovely to see so many of you at the Country Meal on Friday the 14th at Mangakahia Sports Complex. Events like these are a great reminder of the strength and warmth of our school community. The funds raised will help us go above and beyond in providing meaningful experiences for our students.

Next term, I will be taking up a Principal’s Sabbatical to explore the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in education. This is an exciting opportunity to dive deep into an area that is increasingly relevant in our lives. My focus will include:

• Ethical and equity implications of AI in education
• Administrative and strategic uses for school leaders
• Classroom integration and support for personalised learning
• Practical applications for teachers and students alike

While I’m away, our school will remain in excellent hands, with Jennifer Hibbert and Paul Ruddell sharing the principal responsibilities for the term. We are currently finalising a release teacher to support this transition.

Ngā mihi nui

Yaron Overeem

Principal, Kokopu School

This Wednesday 26th March we are holding our bike day. Can all children please bring their bike along to school to practice for Triathlon and get a safety check. Bikes can be left at school overnight ready for triathlon on Thursday morning.

On Thursday 27th March we are holding our triathlon here at school. All children compete in this event. Triathlon is a big part of our sporting calendar at Kōkopu School. It utilises students swimming, running and biking skills. Students have been training at school and should be able to complete the course unaided. (Room 1 students will have a Yr 7-8 student allocated to them to help)

Gear list

· Togs and towel

· Bike and helmet (We have some bikes at school – mostly medium and large)

· Shoes to run and bike in.

· Money for PTA BBQ or normal lunch box.

Swim

Students start in the pool and complete their required length. For years 3-8 students, if they stand while swimming, they need to turn around three times before continuing to swim.

Bike

All children are required to wear shoes, helmets and a t-shirt whilst on their bike. They are responsible for organising their equipment for an easy transition. (We practise this at school.)

The transition area for years 3-8 is on the grass bank on the way up to the field. Year group areas are marked. (We have limited amounts of medium and large bikes at school. )
For year 1 & 2 students, they need to put their bikes in front of the deck on the courts. If they can't ride a bike a scooter will be fine. (We have a limited amount of bigger school scooters)

Run

Year 3-8 students run in the farm paddock above the top field. Year 1-2 on the rugby field.

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We encourage the community to come and watch the children compete but we do ask that you allow your children to organise themselves during the race please.

9:00am - 9.30am - Getting ready - Year 7-8 to help set up juniors - Bike, togs…

9:25am - Meet under the covered area 100% ready. Welcome to parents and instructions.

9.30am - Races start - Only racers in the pool area. The rest of the school can watch from outside the pool area.

· Year 1-2 start (Yr 7-8 to run with them. Count pool laps, bike laps) Year 1 Girls & Year 1 Boys, Year 2 Girls, Year 2 Boys

Morning Tea

· Yr 3-4 - Year 3 Girls, Year 3 Boys, Year 4 Girls, Year 4 Boys

· Yr 5-6 - Year 5 Girls, Year 5 Boys, Year 6 Girls, Year 6 Boys

Lunch

· Yr 7-8 - Year 7 Girls, Year 7 Boys, Year 8 Girls, Year 8 Boys

Morning tea/Lunch are flexible as it is hard to judge how long students take to complete their races.

Please check our link for the triathlon maps

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MVOhyCFrgwZb7pW3xHvxig3ePUVy4Oty/view?fbclid=IwAR2NQPIsHwxoPUlLmb3nweRlhs-rDXCPxyTKXzi9C2gJytaOL1K07Ewt0n0

The PTA will have food for sale.

American Hot Dogs, Chocolates, Drinks, Ice Blocks and Baking. Please send your children with cash if you want them to buy food.

Kokopu School officially opens at 8.30am. Usually staff are at school before then, but if for some reason no staff are here, please don't leave your children at school until a staff member has arrived.

If you are unsure if someone is here, please come in to the grounds and check.

We will be running our annual Easter Raffle again this term. Raffle books will be sent home with a child from each family today. Tickets are $2.00 each. The raffle will be drawn on the last day of this term, which is Friday 11th April.

Can we please have donations of Easter Eggs and/or any Easter themed gifts for our raffle prizes?

Prizes normally consist of several baskets, depending on donations, of eggs, soft toys and Easter themed goodies.

Please DO NOT park at the FRONT GATE. It is NOT a drop off zone.

USE OUR NEW DESIGNATED CARPARK.

A huge thank you to the parents and staff who helped out at the Mangakahia Country Meal on Friday 14th. Also thanks to those families who provided a salad and supported the event. It was a great turn out and the Mangakahia Complex Committee once again said Kokopu School has the best community support at this function.

Our Skool Loop is a great way to communicate with our School Community. Please re-register which classroom your child/children are in. If you have not register please see the instructions below.

We would love to welcome new members to our PTA. We have met already this term, but any help with events on the food stalls would be appreciated. i.e. Swimming Sports, Triathlon etc. If you are interested in joining us or helping out please contact Amy Pugh phone 0211729388.

Term 1 2025

Wed 26 Mar - Bike Day - NOTE CHANGE OF DATE

Thu 27 Mar - Triathlon - NOTE CHANGE OF DATE

Wed 2 Apr - BOT Meeting - NOTE CHANGE OF DATE

Fri 4 Apr - Futures Event Year 6 to 8

Mon 7 Apr to Thu 10 Apr - Room 4 Camp

Fri 11 Apr - ANZAC Assembly

2025 Term Dates

• Term 1: Wed 5 Feb – Fri 11 Apr 2025.
• Term 2: Mon 28 Apr – Fri 27 Jun 2025.
• Term 3: Mon 14 Jul – Fri 19 Sep 2025.
• Term 4: Mon 6 Oct – Tue 16 Dec 2025.

All children are required to wear hats while outdoors this term as part of our sun safe policy 🌞

Please name your child's/children's clothing so our lost property is not overflowing. Now children are swimming everyday they tend to leaving items of clothing lying around so naming clothing will be most helpful.

Please ensure your children bring their togs and towel as they are swimming every day. Students with long hair will also need a swimming cap.

If they are unable to swim please send a note explaining why. Thank you.

Every day the senior children will be selling ice blocks for $1.00 each after the children have eaten their lunch.

Parents, please ensure the gates into the school are shut at all times.

We still need them shut after school, as there are still children at After School Care until 5.30pm.

On Friday afternoon we have a sharing assembly at 2.30pm for the whole school. Parents are welcome to come along and see what the children have to share.

Vicki is in the office on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Bexs is in the office on Wednesday and Friday until 12.50pm.

Don't forget we are collecting Yummy Stickers. So please collect the Yummy cut-out labels from bags (each cut-out label is worth 10 stickers) and individual Yummy apple stickers. Yummy apples are available from New World, PAK’nSAVE and participating Four Square stores. The more you collect, the more sports gear you get so get going and start collecting your Yummy cut-out labels and stickers now!

Guitar lessons are on Wednesday's. If you are interested in getting lessons for your child, phone Lynn Moase on 0212979437.

Lunchonline will not be taking orders on 06/03/2025 for the following provider(s):

• Westend Sushi

Zone Swimming Sports - Lunches for sale from the PTA

If parents/caregivers want to visit the website https://kokopu.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm to look over our school policies and procedures, please see the following instructions: Enter the username (kokopu) and password (0179). Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.

We are excited to announce we are hosting another Wellington Phoenix Experience camp in Whangarei at Marist Clubrooms, Park Avenue, Whangarei during the April School Holidays. This camp will take place on the 14th-15th pf April between 9am and 3pm and is targeted for children born between 2011-2016.

Our Experience Camps provide a unique opportunity for us to engage with young football enthusiasts from diverse communities across New Zealand. It serves as a platform for local talents to interact with Wellington Phoenix Staff, offering from a glimpse into the life of New Zealand’s sole professional football academy. Moreover, it marks the initial step in our talent identification process. Promising players identified during these camps may be invited to join a Discovery Camp later in the year. Additionally, we will be conducting coaching and parent workshops aimed at fostering growth within football communities and bridging the gap between grassroots and academy-level football.

For further information including how to register please visit: https://wellingtonphoenixacademy.com/experience-camps/

The Whangarei Heads Arts Trail is celebrating its 13th year this Easter Saturday and Sunday. Showcasing 45 plus artists in home studios and three community venues from Onerahi, Whangarei, to Ocean Beach, Whangarei Heads. We would like to invite you all to come along. The event is free and there are maps available for $5 which includes a raffle ticket to go into the draw to win three prizes valued at $1,000

Email: office@kokopu.school.nz
Website: www.kokopu.school.nz
Location: 921 Kokopu Road, Kokopu, New Zealand
Phone: 094346765
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kokopuschool