As we settle into the winter months, we’d like to share a few important updates and reminders with you all. We appreciate your continued support and partnership in helping our tamariki thrive at school. Please take a moment to read through the following topics.

We will be closed for instruction on Friday 13th June. Most of the schools in the district are attending a full day of professional development at Te Awamutu College. It is important to know the buses wont be running that day for schools closed and you will need to arrange care for your child on that day.  No one will be onsite at school if any children turn up. Please lock this into your calendars. 

We know that attending school regularly is important, but so is how that time is spent. If students are unwell or not in the right frame of mind for learning, simply being present may not lead to progress. We are noticing that when students attend school but aren’t well enough to engage, their learning suffers and negative behaviours can increase. Please ensure your child is well enough—both physically and emotionally—before sending them to school. This sets them up for a more successful and positive day.
I have included a picture of what our current attendance is based on date range 28 January to 27 May. This is based on the new Ministry of Education's strategy. We know there are many families that struggle with their child's attendance and I want people to know we are here to support, we just need to be communicated with and told that help is needed.

Winter is always a tough time for illness, and this year is no exception. We understand how hard it is to manage work and family when a child is unwell, but sending sick children to school can be counterproductive. Their bodies and minds need time to rest and recover properly. Not only does this help them heal, but it also reduces the risk of spreading illness across classrooms.

Just like students, our staff are also affected by winter illness. Unfortunately, we’re finding it increasingly difficult to find relievers to cover absent staff. When this happens, we may have no choice but to split classes or adjust the normal learning programme, which places added pressure on other staff and students.

In the rare case that we can’t safely supervise a class, we may need to contact you to collect your child or, in extreme cases, close a class temporarily. This would only happen as a last resort, and we’ll give as much notice as possible. We thank you in advance for your understanding and flexibility during these times.

As part of the government’s curriculum refresh, schools across Aotearoa are gradually implementing changes to teaching and reporting. At this stage, we have begun teaching from the refreshed Maths and Literacy sections of the New Zealand Curriculum. The complete updated Te Marautanga o Aotearoa is still being rolled out, and we are working through the  training for this— taking part in interim training for Te Reo Matatini and Pāngarau.

This is a significant transition, and it will take time—likely a full year or more—before we see and fully understand the impact of the changes. As a result, our mid-year reports have been slightly refined, but further changes will come once we receive clear guidance from the Ministry of Education. We appreciate your patience and trust as we work through this.

Reports will be sent home during the first week back from July school holidays. 

We’ve noticed a decline in the number of students eating the free school lunches provided. To reduce food waste and ensure we are meeting whānau needs, we are reviewing our approach for Term 3.

An online form will be shared with you next week to indicate whether your child will opt in or out of school lunches for the term. Please note: your decision will apply for the entire term, and changes won’t be possible midway through. We thank you for helping us be more mindful of food use and waste.

This year we will be holding our Board of Trustees elections, and we’re calling for passionate parents to consider standing. The board plays a crucial role in helping govern and shape the direction of our school.

The commitment involves one evening meeting per month (around 1–2 hours), some training, and helping lead an area such as property, finance, personnel, or strategic planning. We’ve been fortunate to have amazing parent reps in the past, and we’d love to continue that tradition.

If you're interested or curious, reach out to one of our current board members—they’d be happy to share what the role involves and how it fits into their lives.

Ngā manaakitanga

Day 1 of camp - so much fun and lots of activities tried. Highlights for the tamariki - paddle boats and eating (Kyle’s lasagna was definitely a highlight for all).
Day 2 - waterslide, flying fox, archery, mini golf, x-shot wars, Gagaball, Extreme Stream, kayaking, eeling, campfire….fun packed day.
Day 3 of camp, a bush walk and game of Capture the Flag in between lots and lots of cleaning.

I’d like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank my parent helpers, I really truely appreciate all of your support and help during the last 3 days (especially taking on the night time duty). Thank you Donna, Rhi, Kyra, Mel, Kyle, Amber and Cruise - you guys are amazing!

Favourite parts of camp:
Waterslide - going really fast down and hitting the water at the bottom, it was really fun - Mazden
X-Shot - you have to shoot bottles and shoot the other team with Nerf guns - it was fun - Nui-Hare
Going down the waterslide with Cruise and x-shot battles with my friends was my favourite - Weston
Waterslide - it was cool that you could go down by yourself or with two people and it was really fast - Carter
Spotlight - running around with my friends - Hunter

Celebrating these students who have been sent to Whaea Sunny for their amazing effort and working achievements. 

Our Auraki Classrooms (Rooms 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 & 10) are pleased to launch their charity fundraiser – Jumping June! This is a sponsored programme through which we hope to raise much needed funds for The Heart Foundation. The event will be held on Monday 23 June giving students three weeks to get excited and to collect online sponsorship for their big day! 

Jumping June is all about FUN! Your children will have the opportunity to skip alongside their fellow classmates, friends  and students... sometimes even the teachers get involved! This exciting event is not one to be missed, so we hope to see  everyone there!  

Firstly, go to jumpingjune.co.nz and create a student profile page. Everything to do with your fundraising revolves around this  page. Students who raise just $10 will be able to choose a prize! The more they raise, the better their reward – you will find the  full range in your sponsorship form.  

This is the only way to support your child to collect sponsorship. The sky is the limit when it comes to online fundraising with  students across the country raising thousands of dollars, all to support the Heart Foundation, and to earn some pretty cool prizes along  the way…. Online fundraising is also safer and easier than going door to door. To start fundraising, go to your student profile  page at jumpingjune.co.nz and share your fundraising link via email, SMS, or social media! 

Not only can you support the school and students with your sponsorship – but you can join in on the fun! We would love to  welcome parents and family members to attend our Jumping June event. If you would like to volunteer on the day, please contact  me on the details below. I can’t wait to see you at our event! 

Please contact your school’s coordinator if this isn’t possible.  

Prizes MUST be ordered between the 15 July and 18 July. Simply  visit jumpingjune.co.nz to create / log into your Profile Page between these dates. Then click on the ‘CLAIM YOUR PRIZE’  button and follow the prompts. If you have any questions, please contact the Jumping June team at info@jumpingjune.co.nz and they will gladly assist!

Thank you, good luck and happy fundraising!

SCHOOL VISIT - Tuesday 29 July - the college will visit our school for the distribution of Prospectus & enrolment information. 

 
OPEN DAY - Tuesday 5 August - Country Schools, Kihikihi, St Patrick’s, Waipa Christian School. This Open Day showcases the Options, as well as other facilities at the College.  (Parents/caregivers will need to take their child along to this open day event).

Parent/Caregiver Information Evening - Tuesday 12 August  – Te Awamutu College Staffroom 7.30pm. 

 

ENROLMENTS - Tuesday 19 August – Country Schools, Kihikihi, St Patrick’s, Waipa Christian School – Te Awamutu College Library - 3.30-7.00pm

 

CATCH UP ENROLMENTS - Wednesday 27 August – Te Awamutu College Library - 3.15-5.30pm

ENTRY TESTING - Wednesday 10 September - Entry testing will take place at Kihikihi School for our students going to Te Awamutu College in 2026.  Entry testing consists of two 35 minute tests (literacy & numeracy), with a 5-10 minute break in between.

The Kihikihi Community Health Hub operates from the old dental clinic on the Kihikihi School grounds next to the admin block.  Entry is through the gate off Whitaker Street. 

You will be able to get free medical care for your whānau on Thursday mornings between 8.30am and 10.00am.  These are walk in clinics and no appointment is necessary. 

Save time, save on travel and save money - FREE health checks and treatments for medical issues in Kihikihi - only at the Kihikihi Community Heath Hub.

Please note - there will be no clinic on Thursday 19 June and Thursday 26 June.