Te Kura o Te Pāroa

Kia ora whānau o Te Kura o Te Pāroa,

As we embark on Term 2, I want to express my heartfelt thanks for the continued support and dedication of our whānau to our Kaupapa Māori focus here at Te Kura o Te Pāroa. It is through our collective efforts— whānau, tamariki, and staff—that we create an environment where our tamariki can thrive in their learning and grow with pride in their Māori identity.

This year, our focus is on Tino Rangatiratanga, the significance of being a Kura mana motuhake, as well as our ongoing commitment to teaching and learning through the depth of Ngāti Awa mātauranga, offers many opportunities for growth. However, we know that the success of our tamariki also depends on the strength of the relationship between school and home.

Whānau, you play a vital role in supporting your child’s learning journey. Here are a few ways you can be involved:

1. Engage with Learning at Home: Encourage your tamariki to speak Te Reo Māori at home and support them with their learning by discussing what they’ve done in class each day. Sharing stories and practising whakataukī, kiwaha, or pao at home strengthens their understanding and connection to their language and culture.
   
   
2. Participate in School Events: Attend school events such as the Tino Rangatiratanga hui, student-led conferences, and other opportunities to connect with staff, other whānau, and tamariki. Your presence and involvement are invaluable in building a strong sense of community.
   
   
3. Be Part of the Kura’s Goals: We are always striving to improve, and we value your insights and feedback. Whether it’s helping with projects, supporting kaupapa Māori activities, or offering your knowledge and skills, your involvement makes a real difference in the success of our tamariki.
   
   
4. Support Cultural Learning: Talk to your tamariki about the history and values of Ngāti Awa, and encourage them to share what they know. When tamariki see their whānau engaged in their learning, it reinforces the significance of the knowledge they are gaining.
   

Together, we can ensure that our tamariki are not only succeeding academically but also developing a strong sense of pride in who they are as Māori. Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to the kaupapa of Te Kura o Te Pāroa.

Nāku noa, nā, Erin Te Pou

We would like to sincerely acknowledge and thank all of the whānau who came along to learn alongside our staff last night. Your presence, level of engagement, and positive, solution-focused thinking has not gone unnoticed.

We will inform you of the date for our next Huia Kaimanawa Wānanga, and we warmly encourage you to attend. Please spread the word to your whānau and friends.

Thank You

Ngā mihi nunui to the following whānau and individuals for your attendance and contributions:

Roimata Davidson, Mahina Perenara, Mera Perenara, Michal Akurangi, Robin Te Aotonga, Piripi Douglas, Claudia Rose, Kahurangi Waititi, Maia Warren Keravel, Maia Grant, Leandra Ratahi, Chasslee Warren, Terrilee Simon, Kitewai Ratu, Tariana Kingi, Eru Simpson, Kimi Whakaruru, Marama Studer, Judith Katipa, Michael Katipa, Teina Kaiwhata, Delsharn Kaiwhata, Haupai Williams, Mere Faulkner-Tihi, Harold Tihi, Tessa Tiwha-Smith, Ngahaka Hei Hei, Alfie Hei Hei, Rapata Kopae, Robert Takotohiwi, Ngarere Takotohiwi, Pearly Sullivan, Ramai Haua-Carroll, all our teaching staff.

Key Takeaways from the First Wānanga

After engaging with our founding documents — Te Whakaputanga, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and the Declaration of Independence — we are now entering a space of kaupapa Māori and critical thinking and theory.

Although we come with varying levels of experience and knowledge, we share a common purpose:
To ensure our tamariki and mokopuna at Te Kura o Te Paroa know who they are, are proud to be Māori, and become the best versions of themselves.

This calls for us — as teachers, whānau, and community members — to work together. It means reflecting on long-standing practices in our kura and asking:

● Why are we doing this?

● How is this helping our tamariki and mokopuna?

● What can I do — as a nanny, a teacher, or a parent — to support them?

We look forward to continuing this journey with you. Your voices will help shape our strategic planning and the future direction of our kura.

"He waka eke noa tātou." – We're all in this together.

Congratulations to Claudia Rose who has won the whānau engagement hui attendance draw for the $100 grocery voucher.

Term Two started with a heartfelt mihi. The first day of this new term began with a beautiful mihi whakatau to warmly welcome all of our new families and students to Te Kura o Te Pāroa.

We would like to take a moment to express our deep appreciation to our kaumātua, who generously support us twice each term by upholding the tikanga and kawa of our kura during these special occasions. Your guidance and presence are invaluable in ensuring the cultural integrity of our mihi whakatau is maintained.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou:

Alfie Hei Hei

Robert Takotohiwi

Rapata Kopae

Reremoana Rota

Cilla Gray

All of the whānau who were welcomed by our Principal, Erin Te Pou, shared their gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to be part of such a meaningful and culturally rich welcome.

We are proud to continue these traditions and to ensure that every new member of our kura whānau feels connected and embraced from day one.

We welcome these new students to our whānau:

Rongotauaha Rimene

Harper-lee Livingstone

Te Meihana Livingstone

Wiremu McNicholas

Manaialee Tarapi- Ratu

Te Rangimarie Hei Hei- Singh-Lagah

Tamekati Petersen-Nohotima

Te Ataahua Cracknell

Awarahe Whāea Rose and Whāea Ngarori.

Mikaere Jaram: Mauri Tū, showing persistence and putting more focus and effort into his Reading and Maths.

Te Arohanui Anderson: Mauri Tū, always being engaged in her learning and completing her work to a high standard.

Harleigh-Rose Takiari: Mauri Tū, showing determination to understand her learning and constantly wanting to improve and achieve her learning goals.

Timatanga Wera: Te Reo Award.

Always saying yes to leading our karakia. Being a Role Model and supporting others with leading karakia.

Te Totara Whāea Bethan and Whāea Hayley.

Raureti Patea: Mauri Tū, stepping up and taking on new challenges.

Trexdan Foster: Mauri Tū, for trying your best to participate in your learning.

Nessian Tawhai: Mauri Tū, for trying to focus and achieve your learning and behavioural goals in class.

Tama Porter: Te Reo Award.

Always asking if he can tautoko our karakia.

Ko Te Ako Te Putake o Te Kura – Learning is at the Heart of Our Kura

At Te Kura o Te Pāroa, we are proud to be a special character school –we are a school of learning. Our core purpose is to inspire and ignite the love of learning within all our tamariki. We strive to create a safe and supportive environment where our students not only thrive academically but are also encouraged to make mistakes and learn from them. After all, this is a fundamental part of the journey of ako – learning and teaching.

One of the everyday strategies we use to uphold our special character and embed Ngātiawatanga in our kura is through the collective learning and practice of our school karakia and pao. It is heartening to witness this cultural learning in action—from our enthusiastic five-year-olds to our confident senior students.

Each syndicate plays a key role in leading our school assemblies, where they proudly deliver our karakia, pao, and celebrate the Pūmanawa o te Kura in front of the kura. All classes also practice karakia every day in their classrooms. This regular practice strengthens both cultural identity and confidence in our tamariki.

We’ve received wonderful feedback from our wider community, with many whānau telling us how proud they are to hear their tamariki or mokopuna sharing their karakia, whaikōrero, or pao at home. These moments truly reflect the living essence of Te Kura o Te Pāroa.

If you are interested in learning the kura karakia and pao alongside your tamariki or mokopuna, please don’t hesitate to reach out to their classroom teacher. They’ll be more than happy to send a copy home with your child so that learning can be celebrated and shared within your whānau.

Te Tīma TAIAO

Te Tāpoa taiao crew photo in week 2 as we headed out for our taiao experience.

Among the many tasks, we had two rubbish collecting groups one for the front school & one for the back area.

Happy students, who did a great job cleaning up the kura environment.

Kia Aroha atu tatou ki a Papatuaku! Ki tō tatou Kura hoki!

"Kia maumahara tātou i a rātou – Lest we forget."

During the first two weeks of Term 2, our Auraki middle school students immersed themselves in the history and significance of ANZAC Day. This inquiry has sparked powerful discussions, thoughtful reflections, and meaningful creative expression.

We are proud to share some of the exceptional student work in this newsletter, as we continue to foster respect, remembrance, and gratitude in our kura.

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We are learning to write cinquain poems about Anzac Day. A cinquain poem is a 5-line poem that does not rhyme. The syllable pattern is 2, 4, 6, 8, 2. It is best to count the syllables and brainstorm ideas to help you follow the structure. They are inspired by Japanese Haiku.

We are learning to write acrostic poems. (Year 5-6 students)

Armies attack nations across the lands in all countries.

Nightmares come to the soldiers from the war

Zooming, zigging zillions of people in the war.

Anzac poppies blooming in the fields

Cold breeze is blowing around the fields.

By Kaiaio

Australian and New Zealand soldiers

New Zealand army corps

Zealand service men and women

Anzac day falls on the 25th April every year.

Corps from New Zealand and Australia.

By Te Rangiataahua

Private transport

- Please drop off at school between 8.15am and 8.30am.

- Pick after school between 3pm and 3.15 please.

Reminder: Students cannot change buses to attend after school sports.

Whānau please contact the kura when your tamaiti is away.

When you are reporting absences please give students full name, class, reason and how many days away.

Ways of reporting student absences are:

Ring the school office - 3086652.

Send Txt message to 0274471900.

Send via skool loop app.

Send message to classroom teachers.

Everyday counts.

Attendance + Attitude = Success.

We appreciate everything you do for our school!

Join us in celebrating Support Staff Day on Friday, 16 May. Our school wouldn’t be the same without your dedication, hard work, and support. Thank you for all the amazing contributions you make every day!

Ways Whānau Can Celebrate:

● Write a Thank You Note: Encourage your tamariki to write a card or note to our school support staff, expressing their gratitude.

● Send a Message: Send a message of appreciation via Dojo or email to our amazing support team.

● Share a Token of Thanks: If you're able, a small gift or treat for the support staff would be a kind gesture of appreciation.

Let’s work together to make this a special day for our support staff, showing them how much, we value their hard work and dedication!

• Te Kura o Te Pāroa uses SchoolDocs to manage policies and procedures.

• Policies follow legal guidelines, best practices, and are tailored for the school.

• More details available at schooldocs.co.nz.

Access to SchoolDocs:

• Available to the principal, board, and school community (parents, caregivers, whānau).

• How to log in:

1. Go to schooldocs.co.nz.

2. Search for "Te Kura o Te Pāroa."

3. Enter credentials:

• Username: paroa

• Password: turukihia

4. Use the search bar to find specific policies.

Policy Reviews:

• Open to board members, staff, students, and the school community.

• Any policy with a review button can be reviewed.

• More details available in About the Review Process.

Board Responsibilities:

• Outlined in the school’s policies.

• Overview available in Board Responsibilities.

• Topics for board review listed in a table (others can also review them).

• Full schedule available in Review Schedule and Board Assurances.

Getting Started with Reviews:

• Click on a topic name and select Start your review.

• If a link is inactive, the topic is not available.

Contact Whaea Ihi in the office if you are unsure whether you have paid or not.

OVERDUE FEES

RIPPA Rugby

Y1-2 $12.50

Y3-8 $15.00

Netball

Y1-2 $7

Y3-4 $14

Y5-6 $36

Y7-8 $50

1. Cash at the office.

2. Eftpos at the office.

3. Online Banking to our School Account.

TE KURA O TE PAROA
12-3209-0155250-00

Reference: Student Name & Sport code.

TERM 2

• Rheumatic Fever Nurses (strep throat) - Mondays @ 1pm
• NASH Nurse - Tuesdays @ 9.30am
• School Assembly - Tuesdays 8.45am - 9.30am
• BOT Hui - Monday 19th May
• TKOTP Cross Country - Thursday 22nd May
• Inter school Cross Country - Tuesday 27 May
• EBOP Tackle 5s - Wednesday 4th June
• EBOP Cross Country - Thursday 12th June
• Teacher only day (school closed) - Friday 13th June
• BOT Hui - Monday 16th June
• EBOP Ki O Rahi - Wednesday 18th June
• Last day of term 2 - Friday 27th June
• Term 3 starts Monday 14th July

Email: office@paroa.school.nz
Website: www.paroa.school.nz
Location: 34 Paroa Road, Whakatane 3191
Phone: 073086652
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/910834023142312