Tēnā tātou e ngā mātua, e te whānau o tō tātou kura,

Welcome back to kura for the start of 2026. We hope you all enjoyed a safe, energising break spent with whānau, friends, and loved ones. I am sure you will all agree that it will be great to have our tamariki back onsite and ready for a positive year of learning, growth, and connection.

The purpose of this newsletter is to provide you with information regarding which kaiako are teaching in which rooms for the coming year. We have made a couple of appointments during the term break and we are now in a position where we are able to share this information formally with you all. 

We are pleased to share our classroom organisation for the start of the 2026 school year. These placements have been made with careful consideration of student wellbeing, learning needs, and continuity.

We have three new teachers joining our Auraki team this year. 
Whaea Steph Graham will be hosting room 1 Akomanga Kererū, 
Whaea Megan Archer will be hosting room 10 Akomanga Kākāpō 
Whaea Mandy Stichbury will be releasing Whaea Sharon 2 days and other kaiako 1 day. 

Other relievers will be working across the school during the year to provide staff cover when they are sick or when release is required for administration. 

In support of these spaces will also include our Kaiāwhina Whaea Nianna and Whaea Mahinaarangi 
We are seeking to recruit more kaiako for the Rūmaki before the end of the term. 

As part of the nationwide implementation of the new Mathematics curriculum, Kihikihi School will be holding a Teacher-Only Day on Monday 23rd February.

Our teachers will be working alongside experts to upskill in the refreshed mathematics and statistics curriculum, ensuring we are prepared to support your child’s learning to the highest standard. These curriculum days are crucial for growing our knowledge and confidence in the new teaching expectations. 

School will not be open for instruction on this day. Please make alternative arrangements for your children.

Due to recent staffing changes, I have delayed my sabbatical leave for one term. This is to support the new kaiako and tamariki settle in and provide necessary support while we seek to recruit permanently in the Rūmaki Classes specifically. 
I will be taking leave in term 2 only. 

Each year we value the opportunity to come together with whānau and share our plans for the term ahead. In previous years our Meet the Teacher BBQ Picnic has started closer to the end of the school day, however we found many whānau were not able to arrive until around 4.30pm. This year, we are adjusting the start time to better suit our community.

Instead of individual classroom meetings, teaching teams will share their plans. This will give whānau a greater opportunity to connect with more than one kaiako and hear about learning across the team.

We warmly invite you and your whānau to join us for an afternoon at kura — hear what’s coming up, enjoy a picnic together, and make the most of a free sausage sizzle and swim. This is also a great opportunity to meet some of our newest staff members and strengthen our whanaungatanga as a school community.

BBQ and swimming sessions will be available after meeting with the teachers.

We ask that whānau please supervise your own tamariki in the pool area, so our kaiako have the opportunity to connect and kōrero with whānau during this time.

We’re really looking forward to spending this time together and hope you can join us.

Our school has a uniform policy which upon enrolment every parent agrees to ensure their children are wearing the correct uniform to school each day. It is an important part of who we are as  school and how we identify to and with each other.
 
Every attempt to make this as affordable as possible has been made over the last few years as we understand school expenses can be a challenge at various points of the year. This year we are making this a priority for our students to be in the correct uniform every day. We do accept that on occasions a child may not be able to wear correct uniform for a number of reason and we do expect parents to communicate with us regarding any such circumstance.

Shoes, jewellery and make up have also caused some contention over the year so we are sharing this information now to ensure everyone is clear about what is expected to be upheld as part of our school policy and expectations.

Our uniform is a compulsory requirement of enrolment at Kihikihi School.  All school uniform is purchased through the school office. 

Footwear: Please wear black school shoes, sports shoes and socks or black sandals - no crocs. Gumboots should only be worn during the winter months - term 2 and 3.

Winter: Black tights and thermal tops may be worn under uniform to keep warm during winter.  Plain black tracksuit pants with no logos or other markings may also be worn during the winter terms (2 and 3).

Summer: A school sunhat is compulsory during terms 1 and 4 when playing outdoors.

No make up should be worn to school which includes false eyelashes and fake long nails.

Long earrings are also not permitted as they may cause injury if caught on something or someone at school.
 
KidsCan
Our school is very fortunate to be sponsored by the KidsCan Charitable Trust.  They provide shoes and raincoats for kids at our school along with other items such as food and health products.  If your child needs a pair of shoes or a raincoat please see the office. 

Te Awamutu Sports will be running a Touch Rugby competition in Term 1 for students who are keen to get active and have fun with their friends.

This is a six-week competitive round, played on Thursday afternoons at Albert Park. It’s a great opportunity for students to build skills, teamwork, and confidence while enjoying the game.

The cost is $20 per player for the term.

If your child would like to take part, please pick up a registration form from the school office and return it by next Tuesday, 10 February at the latest.

To allow teams to be entered, we require parent volunteers to help coach and manage teams. Without volunteers, we won’t be able to put teams forward for this competition. Any help would be hugely appreciated, so please let us know if you’re able to assist.

We look forward to seeing lots of students involved in touch rugby this term! 

Please help your child by ensuring they have their togs available for their classes scheduled day. 

It is also a good option to name all your children's clothing including socks and underwear as we often have things left over at the end of each day. Named property is always easier to return to its rightful owner. 

If your child has been vomiting they should not go swimming for at least 48 hours from the last time they vomited. 

Our school is part of the Ka Ora, Ka Ako Healthy School Lunches Programme, which means hot lunches are delivered to school every day for our students.

Students will still need to bring morning tea from home each day. If your child doesn’t enjoy the school lunches provided, please feel free to pack them a lunch from home as well, so they have something they’re happy to eat.

We are a water-only school, so please make sure lunch boxes include water only—no juice or fizzy drinks. We also ask that lollies are not sent to school.

Thanks for your support in helping keep our school a healthy place for everyone!

We kindly ask parents and caregivers to report any student absences to the school office each day your child will be away.

You can notify us in any of the following ways:

Thank you for helping us keep our attendance records accurate and up to date.

School starts at 9.00am
The day begins with our first learning block at 9.00am. We encourage students to arrive about 10 minutes early so they have time to settle in and be ready to learn.  If students do arrive after the bell at 9.00am, they will need to go to the office first to sign in.

Please remember that students should not arrive at school before 8.30am, unless they are travelling on a school bus.

If you need before or after school care, Te Awamutu Kid Zone offers a drop-off and pick-up service between their venue and Kihikihi School.

Morning Play Break
11.00am – 11.15am

Second Learning Block
11.15am – 1.00pm
Students eat lunch at 12.45pm, before heading out to play.

Lunch Play Break
1.00pm – 1.30pm

Third Learning Block
1.30pm – 3.00pm

Thank you for helping us support smooth starts and settled days for our tamariki.

Te Awamutu Combined Schools Transport Management Committee looks after the school buses for our area. If your child uses the bus, here are a few important reminders.

All bus students need to have a bus tag clearly visible on their school bag when travelling.

Over the next few days, bus students will bring home a bus code of conduct form. Please go through this with your child and return the signed form to the school office by the end of week two.

If you have any questions or would like more information about using the school bus, just get in touch with the school office - we’re happy to help.