Maungatapere School

2025 has started smoothly with students settling into their new routines, teachers, and classes.

Students have made adjustments to their break time activities due to work on the Ministry of Educations school boundary fencing project. The pruning of the lower branches of the shelter belt tree line, necessary for building access, has temporarily limited access to the children's popular hut building and climbing area. The wooden fence around most of the field areas should be completed by the end of next week. The rest of the project will run to the end of this term. During this Wednesdays assembly, I spoke with students about the two pedestrian gates in the staff and parent car parks. These gates have expensive self-closing mechanisms that can be damaged if forced closed. Please allow the gates to close naturally to ensure their longevity.

Student Leadership

In the last newsletter, I mentioned the high level of interest in senior student leadership roles and the upcoming interviews. Whaea Kimmy, Mr. Cotton, and I interviewed the shortlisted students. We were incredibly impressed by their aspirations, articulate presentations, and clear reflection of our school values and motto. All of these students would have thrived in the roles. Congratulations to the successful applicants who will develop their leadership skills throughout 2025. For the remaining senior students, numerous opportunities exist within our regular curriculum to develop, grow, and challenge themselves.

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees held its first meeting on Wednesday evening. Among the many discussion points was the success of our student-led powhiri, which has become an integral part of our school culture. During 2024, we focused on building the confidence and knowledge to welcome new students and teachers. Parents of new students were invited to participate in last years and this years first-day powhiri, followed by a cup of tea, biscuits, and a chance to connect with the principal and some staff. On behalf of the students, teachers, and Board of Trustees, we extended a warm welcome to everyone who wishes to attend our future first-day-of-term student-led powhiri on the top court under the big cover.

It was wonderful to see our next kapa haka leaders stepping into these roles. Thank you to Isi and Ayla (karanga), Ashley (karakia), Billy (first speaker), and Kayden (second speaker).

Tomorrow, we will hold our senior Y5-Y8 swimming sports.

• 9:00 am: Y5/6 events
• 10:50 am (after morning tea): Y7/8 events
• After Lunch: Finals - Open Medley - Transport relay - House relay - Teacher vs student vs parent relay (line up on the court to hear the finalists)

Parents, please bring your togs in preparation for being called on for these relays! As a reminder, last year, for the first time in memory, the students emerged victorious, with the parents coming in second and the teachers settling for last place. I wonder what will happen this year?

Another key discussion point at the Board meeting was the ongoing issue of health and safety in the parent carpark in the afternoons. Last year, our caretaker, Allan, installed a temporary fence on the grass area by the footpath crossing due to vehicles parking on the grass, blocking the footpath, and driving over it onto the road. This year, we have again seen cars parking on this grass area and driving across the road footpath. This is a serious safety issue and an accident waiting to happen.

A longer-term solution discussed was to place a large rock and garden in this area to eliminate the risk. In the meantime, please do not park in this area.

Another instance of illegal parking is occurring on the grass verge of Mangakahia Rd, where vehicles are parking diagonally and completely blocking the footpath. This also presents a significant danger to students.

One solution to the high demand for parking at afternoon pick-up is to delay your pick-up by 5 to 10 minutes. By 3:05 pm, only a handful of students are waiting on the deck of R13 with the duty teachers. A 3:00 pm pick-up often involves a drive-in, where we see your car from the deck and call out the car type. At least the children are starting to learn the makes of their family vehicles!

We truly appreciate the communitys support in making the carpark safer for everyone.

Thank you.

House Captains

Kahu - Freddie Chapman & Lilly Matson

Tui - Milla Workman & Alexa Vollenhoven

Tauhou - Isabella Kennedy & Alena Paora

Kiwi - Xanthe Wiseman & Jake Morine

Korimako - Mia Ruawhare & Kieran Kelly

Kotare - Jack Avison & Maddison Knox

Ambassadors

Year 6 - Kobe Frost

Year 7 - Rosa Dunham & Ruby Littler

Year 8 - Isi McGrath, Ashley Ruddell, Kayden Brown

Council

Year 5 - Corbin Ferguson

Year 6 - Matilda Chapman

Year 6 - Hannah Booth

Year 7 - Aiden Cliff

Year 7 Deputy - Venia Chafin

Year 8 Lead - Ayla Wood

Year 8 Deputy - Jackson Leigh

Year 8 - Poppi Sperber

20 Feb 2025 Year 6 Positive Puberty

21 Feb 2025 Senior Swimming Sports Year 5-8

24-27 Feb 2025 Year 7/8 EOTC Week

27 Feb 2025 Junior Swimming Sports Year 0-4

28 Feb 2025 Year 7/8 Technology

4 Mar 2025 Room 7 Sailing

5 Mar 2025 Room 6 Sailing

6 Mar 2025 Room 8 Sailing

10 & 11 Mar 2025 Yr 7/8 Netball Trials

12 Mar 2025 WPSSA Town Swimming Sports Year 5-8

14 Mar 2025 Year 7/8 Technology

18 Mar 2025 Room 1 Sailing

19 Mar 2025 Room 2 Sailing

20 Mar 2025 Room 3 Sailing

22 Mar 2025 Maunga Mayhem

26-28 Mar 2025 Year 5/6 Lonsdale Park Camp

28 Mar 2025 Year 7/8 Technology

3 Apr 2025 Yr 5/6 Netball Trials

11 Apr 2025 Teacher Only Day/Last Day of Term

28 Apr 2025 First Day Term 2

Girls’ Brigade invites you to join a fun, inclusive group for girls and young women aged 5 to 18 years, who want to make the most out of life. Joining a Girls’ Brigade company is a great way for girls to make new friends and enjoy activities that challenge and nurture their growth in a safe and supportive environment.

There are two Girls’ Brigade Companies in Whangarei, meeting on Thursday nights:

1st Kamo Company meets from 6.00 - 7.30pm at St John’s Golden Church,

149 Kamo Road, Kensington, Contact Kerry 021 0230 4000

First night 20 February

2nd Whangarei Company meets from 5.30 - 7 pm at Hope Whangarei Church

Hunt St, Whangarei, Contact Sue 021 260 0792

First night 20 February

Email: office@maungatapere.school.nz

Principal: principal@maungatapere.school.nz

BOT Chair: botchair@maungatapere.school.nz
Website: https://www.maungatapere.school.nz/
Location: Mangakahia Road, Maungatapere, Whangarei, New Zealand
Phone: 09 4346743
Facebook: facebook.com/maungatapereschool