Office Hours

8.30am-3.30pm

Hours of Instruction

8.40am - 3.00pm

Email: office@coastaltaranaki.school.nz
Website: https://sites.google.com/coastaltaranaki.school.nz/coastaltaranakischool/home
Location: 92 Carthew Street, Ōkato, New Zealand
Phone: (06)7524022 - 027 320 1267
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coastaltaranakischool

Tènà koutou katoa,

As we reach the end of our 2024 school year, it is with huge pride and gratitude that we reflect on the journey we have shared as a community. This year has been a testament to the dedication, resilience, and collaboration of our tamariki, staff, whānau, board members, stakeholders and Friends of Coastal Taranaki School.

We celebrate the achievements and growth of each student who embark on their annual learning journey. From academic milestones to personal accomplishments, our students have embraced everything offered and developed a sense of fun through learning. We have witnessed students being brave and courageous and taking risks with their learning. We are very proud of what has been achieved and look forward to witnessing continued growth and success in 2025.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our incredible kaiako who have worked tirelessly to create a nurturing and stimulating environment for our students. Learning outside the classroom continues to be embraced and your tireless work to ensure extended opportunities to grow our tamariki never goes unnoticed. With National Curriculum changes, the work has increased. We acknowledge this and appreciate the extra work that has been undertaken amid growing demands and accountability.

For the outstanding support and learning resource accommodations that our Assistant Teachers provide for our learners, to our whole staff, for your tireless dedication and passion, we thank you.

We also extend gratitude to our board members, who provide guidance, wisdom, and strategic vision, which are instrumental in steering CTS toward success and promoting positive outcomes for our students. Our board’s commitment to the betterment of our school is greatly appreciated.

As we bid farewell to 2024, we also say goodbye to many of our students who move on to new schools, new experiences and challenges. We wish them all well with their future endeavors and want all of our leavers to know that they will always be Coastal tamariki, please know you are always welcome to come back and visit.

As we farewell our students we also farewell our staff. Bridget Shaw leaves her Art role to continue with us at CTS in a CRT capacity. Rebecca Barron leaves us to join a larger science department at NPGHS.

We will also be farewelling two other staff members from Coastal Taranaki School. Kelly Madden is taking up a position at a New Plymouth school, as is Shelley Cook. We will farewell our staff in the spirit of aroha and heartfelt thanks during our end of year celebrations.

We wish all of those who are leaving us the very best wishes for their new career journey and express that our friendships and connections continue. We know that colleagues who leave us and have committed so much to the success of our school will be missed by all, but especially our tamariki. Informing and transitioning our tamariki to the change is our goal.

As we approach the final week of the year, we look forward to our end-of-year celebration assemblies and prize giving ceremony. These are such wonderful celebrations to showcase the amazing capabilities of our students.

We wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and summer break and look forward to the start of 2025, a new year filled with fresh opportunities, challenges and successes.

We are very proud of our school and its vibrancy, thank you for being an integral part of the CTS whānau, for ensuring that you are kind in your communications and that you work with us to ensure the very best for our young people.

Finally I want to wish you all a Meri Kirihimete, and blessings for the New Year. Enjoy the time with your family and friends and safe travels to all of those who are holidaying at home or overseas.

We look forward to the New Year and welcoming our tamariki at the start of 2025.

Stephanie Clifton

Principal

IMPORTANT NOTICE.

1. The final day of school for our tamariki is on the 13th December. Prize Giving takes place over Thursday and Friday (12th and 13th). On the last day (13th) buses will collect our tamariki at 3pm. However, if you would like to return home with your child after Prize Giving, this is perfectly acceptable. For parents/whànau who wish to take this option, your child must be signed out on our register. Please sign your child out of school at the hall door with Whaea Nicky from our office.

2. Advanced terms and calendar dates, teacher only days and curriculum days will be issued at the end of term.

3. Class placement for 2025 will be available to parents/caregivers/guardians for their child at the end of term.

2024 has been another busy and important year of change and growth for the Board of Trustees at Coastal Taranaki School. We are a relatively new Board with our Principal Stephanie Clifton in her first full year leading our Kura, myself (Presiding member) Alyssha Short (Parent rep), Simon Ripia (Parent rep), Dee Heath (Teacher rep) all in their second year of service and Gaylene MacLean (Parent rep) a bit longer. We welcome Josiah Field our new Student rep and Jarran Coleman our newest member to the Board, standing also as a Parent Representative. See his introduction in this newsletter.

2024 has been a year of growth and connection for us as a board. We have been to many training events including the NZSBA national conference. As a team we continue learn and grow. We relish the opportunity to serve the school and community.

Sadly some of our teachers and support staff are moving on and we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for their hard work and dedication, for some, over many years. We thank you for your contribution to our school and students and wish you the very best in your future plans.

I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of all the Board, to acknowledge and thank our senior leadership team for their dedication and hard work, all of our teaching staff, support staff and volunteers for their significant contribution to our kura throughout the year. We are very grateful to our Friends of Coastal Taranaki School Committee for the amazing mahi they do for our School. Also the many volunteers contributing to all aspects of our Kura from Breakfast club to Sports coaching and providing transport. It is our amazing community, whānau, tamariki and staff who make our school and the education and experiences in it so awesome.

Kat Moffitt

I’m Jarran Colman, born in Hawera, where I grew up with some of my

fondest memories, including sibling rivalry, backyard cricket, and epic

"wrestles till death" – all within a loving family environment, governed by

two wonderful parents. Those playful moments and the support from my

family shaped my childhood and sparked a love for sports and the

outdoors that has stayed with me throughout my life.

My educational ride through the Hawera schooling system & beyond

was an adventurous and entertaining journey, full of memorable

experiences. But the real learning came next.

I embarked on an OE to London, where I eventually landed an incredible

job at the Walkabout Inn, a world-famous Antipodean sports bar &

nightclub. Rising through the ranks I ultimately became a venue

manager gaining invaluable experience in hospitality and management

(& how to control thousands of partying travellers). It was an experience

I’ll always treasure.

I later moved to Melbourne, managing bars for a few more years, before

I was offered the role of financial manager for Harcourts Team Taranaki.

I leapt at the chance to return to my home province (& local surf spots).

I’ve been with them for over 15 years now, helping the team grow and

succeed.

Outside of work, I enjoy going to concerts, surfing, and traveling.

Though I started my family a bit later than expected, I’m now a proud

father of two young children, with my eldest recently starting at Coastal

School. I live with my partner, Anna Kirk, on our perfect little slice of

Taradise. I’m excited to bring my management and problem-solving skills

to assist the Board of Trustees in fulfilling its important role.

We would like to say a huge thank you to the amazing group of Mums, Dads and other whānau members who have volunteered and supported our breakfast club this year. They have turned up every morning, 5 days a week to prepare, serve and clean up after the happy bunch of students who dine there each morning. All students are welcome and are greeted warmly by the adults who are rostered on. We are so very grateful for each and every one of you. Some of the team have been supporters for almost as long as the Club has been running.

Special mention to our school chaplain Treishka Morgan who has worked so tirelessly and generously over the last two or three years to set our Breakfast Club up in all aspects to what it is today. Treishka, Breakfast Club would not be what it is today without all your time, energy, good ideas, commitment and hard work. We thank you very much for all you have done.

Thanks very much also to Sommer Wilson who supported the team and management of the kai for a period of time this year.

We so appreciate and very much rely on support from our whānau to keep this very worthwhile and important club running. Thank you to everyone who has been involved in supporting us. With regard to the lovely kai we have to offer, we are eternally grateful to be a part of the KickStart Breakfast and KidsCan whānau, who supply all the amazing kai we have to offer. Thank you again everyone. If you would like to be a part of this awesome team for 2025, please contact the school office with your name and phone number.

Ngā mihi, Whaea Shelley

As a class we went for a leaf hunt. We needed to choose a leaf that ‘spoke to us’. Something that had something interesting that we liked about it; colour, shape, texture, marks. We went back to class and described our leaf to our buddy, talking about the different aspects of the leaf and why we liked it. Once we had looked carefully at our leaf, we drew the leaf.

We needed to look carefully at the leaf, draw a bit, look again, draw, look again, draw, until we had finished our observational drawing. We needed to include all the little details of our leaf in our drawing.

This term, as part of our enquiry kaupapa, we had the exciting opportunity to work with Whaea Jane to create clay geckos. These art sessions were a hands-on way for us to learn more about these fascinating creatures and their role in our local environment. We started by studying pictures of geckos to understand their unique shapes and patterns, then carefully molded and shaped the clay to bring our ideas to life. With Whaea Jane’s guidance, we explored techniques like adding texture to mimic scales and creating lifelike poses, making each gecko uniquely ours. It was a creative and educational experience that linked beautifully to our environmental focus this term.

Our clay creations tie in with our recent efforts to attract real geckos to our kura. Earlier this term, there has been gecko-friendly plants planted in the middle of our pump track area, creating an inviting habitat for these native taonga. By combining art with action, we are learning how to care for our environment while celebrating the beauty of the natural world. The clay geckos now serve as a reminder of our efforts and a creative way to show our commitment to making our kura a safe and welcoming place for these tiny creatures. We can’t wait to see if our gecko-friendly plants will soon have some new visitors!

Room 19 had a "Challenge Friday" where we had to work cooperatively and collaboratively to make a table and chair out of two sheets of A4 paper. The winning team was the one whose table could handle the most weight. Koby and Noah won this easily would an incredible design. Their table handled 9 books including heavy dictionaries.

Room 19 have also been enjoying a sunny and warm start to our swimming sessions at the Ōkato pool.

Kia ora Whanau. The last term of the year is always a super busy time, with no exception this year! We are all racing to finish half-completed works, as well as creating some individual cards and wrapping paper, and the older students are currently helping paint the ‘set’ for the Christmas Parade float, which is promising to look really great.

I have resigned from teaching Art at CTS, so would like to thank all of our lively and enthusiastic akonga for producing such fantastic works, and for making every day so colourful.

Y2 and 3

This term the Y2/3 have made Suns, decorative Black Blobs with metallic bronze and gold dots, Summer chalk drawings outside, NZ Xmas cards or drawings, among other creative things. I've really enjoyed teaching these younger tamariki, and always love the works they so enthusiastically produce.

Y5/6

We have recently completed Finger Painted Portraits, using Neon paint and pastels for the background, and a finger dipped in paint for the person. We’ve made X-ray hands and currently are creating foil Mexican Day of the Dead skulls, which the class rub with a glow of metallic blue, bronze or gold, they then use coloured inks to carefully paint delicate shapes

and flowers.

Y7

The main event of much of T3 and the start of this term were the Y7 Peace Posters, which the students take great ownership of. The winning work, which was sent off to join the winners from other regions for the National finals, is by Lily Williams. Lily went with the idea of Lightness and Air.

We have also spent time on making Humanimals, collaging human and animal attributes together, then creating drawings and neon paintings from the original collage. We’re currently making pressed-tin Day of the Dead skulls, using coloured inks and various other media.

Right: winning Peace Poster by Lily Williams

Y9/10

This cohort have mostly worked on sculptures and printmaking, and some students are now opting into painting the CTS Christmas Float decorations, so it is an active space right now.

The Y10 NZ Stamp woodblock print could include any part of NZ Land and Culture.

L to R: Y12 Resolved Paintings on canvas: Levi, Te Āriki, Larz

Y11 A1-sized folio by Demalya

Resolved Painting by Arabella

I was awarded the Helen Zwartz Scholarship for 2024

The award is given for public librarians who work in small libraries, to give them an opportunity for Professional Development. With $3000 included.

Delwyn Pearce CTS Community Library & Nerissa Cottle from Golden Bay/ Takaka Public Library

This year the National Library - Auckland ‘Services to Schools’ team hosted the 2 recipients for a week at their premises in Parnell.

I had an amazing week liaising and networking with like minded professionals. I use the services of the National Library, so for me it was eye opening to see behind the scenes and meet the teams supporting literacy development and reading within our NZ setting. I met the Author Patrick Ness, visited primary & secondary school libraries, new, old & purposeful spaces.

Our library really stacks up WELL when compared with other schools.

We were included in planning meetings and shown projects still in the development stages.

I really enjoyed the week. I have returned with many new ideas to promote reading for pleasure in our library and new services & information the National Library offers in the digital environment to support teaching and learning.

.

Nerissa & Elizabeth Jones (Director of Literacy & Learning for National Library of NZ) & Me

From a refreshed and invigorated Librarian who used all her funds having a super time……

Delwyn

Head over to our school sports facebook page CTS Sports and follow for all our school sports news, results and updates.

COASTAL TARANAKI SCHOOL

Stephanie Clifton - Principal

Gemma Chambers Deputy Principal, Primary school

Sarah Oke Assistant Principal, Food Technology, Careers/Pathways, Tech on 45

Rebecca Barron Science/Ag

Viola Fung English

Andrea Dingle Maths

Steve Leppard Hard Materials Technology, Tech on 45

Bridget Shaw Visual Arts

Casey Stevens P.E & Health

Justine Francis Music

Yachika Rumsamy Teacher

Jason Brewer Year 7/8 Teacher

Kelly Waugh Year 7/8 Teacher

Renee Leathley Kaitake Team Leader, Year 5/6 Teacher

Emily Finey Year 4/5 Teacher

Liana Roberts Year 4/5 Teacher

Philippa Hofmans Pukeiti Team Leader, Year 2/3 Teacher

Johannah Poutini Year 2/3 Teacher

Jemma Moorby Year 1/2 Teacher

Annie Harris/Penny Cullen Year 1 Teachers

Kelly Madden NE Transition Teacher

Shelley Cook SENCO

Lisa Betts Guidance Counsellor

Sarah Warren Whakareo Matatini (Taranaki Reading Recovery Teacher)

Margaret Normanton Release Teacher

Delwyn Pearce School Librarian

Kirsty Koboski Publicity Officer

Jacky Kopu Office Manager

Nicky Phillips Office, Funding & Sports Administrator

Ole Bucka Grounds & Maintenance

Learning Assistants

Darryl Levett

Kirsty Koboski

Paula Fleming

Dee Heath

Jess Harfield

Ruth Barron

Ian Robinson

Nicole Whittle

Kaycee Cresswell

Allister Adamson

Hōne Mathieson

Fon Julian

Student Support

Ida Staunstrup-Moore

Jess Zimmerman