As the year draws to a close, I want to take this opportunity to extend a big thank you to everyone who has contributed to making 2024 a special year at Kapakapanui School. To all of our incredible staff—your dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to our tamariki have been the foundation of every success this year. To our Board of Trustees—thank you for your guidance, support, and the time you give so generously to ensure our kura continues to thrive. To our parents and whānau, your involvement, encouragement, and support enrich our school community and make Kapakapanui School such a special place.
A special acknowledgment goes to our tamariki for your curiosity, enthusiasm, and the positive energy you bring into school each day. To our Year 8 leavers, as you prepare to embark on the next stage of your schooling journey, we wish you every success. Take with you the values and memories you have made here, and know you will always remain part of the Kapakapanui whānau. Wherever life takes you, remember to aim high, embrace challenges, and stay true to yourselves.
Staffing News I am pleased to announce that we have employed Tara Fitzgerald for terms 1 and 2 to work in our Junior School-Room 13. Tara is a Kapakapanui former student and is well known throughout Waikanae for her coaching at the Waikanae Gymnasitcs Club. Tara is teaching in Room 13 whilst Whaea Paula remains on maternity leave. Ka pai Tara, it is great to have you join our team!
Farewell to our leaving staff-Alison Roberts, Cheryl Edwards, Rachel Jackson and Rian Verhoef - Ngā mihi kia koutou, thank you for your mahi at Kapakapanui School!
Graduation Party Last week we held a graduation party for Zia and Charlie. It was lovely to celebrate with their friends, whānau, current and past teachers, teacher aides, SENCO (Mrs Randall and Mrs Roberts) and even Santa dropped in!
Here's a pic- there are more below. SLCs Thank you to everyone who attended our SLCs last week. We hope that you found these informative and, as many teachers commented, they really enjoyed them, thank you all for your support for the year and placing a 'bookend' on 2024. We felt that it was very positive and hope that you did as well!
Pōwhiri and Whānau Kōrero 2025 Please pop Friday 7 February (pōwhiri) and Thursday 20 February 2025 (whānau kōrero) into your diaries. Information about these will come our early next year.
New Footballs Ngā mihi to the MacPherson whānau who kindly donated 20 footballs to our school-we love this! Fun swims Wednesday and Thursday
All our classes are off to Waikanae Pool for a fun swim either tomorrow or Thursday.
Students need their swimming gear for the following .......
Wednesday (Tomorrow)
10.30am - 11.15am Nga Kaipatai (Years 5-6) and Year 1’s Rooms 16/17 11.15am - 12pm Rangatahi (Years 7-8) and Year 0-1 Rooms 5 and 6 12.30pm - 1.30pm Nga Kaitoro (Years 3-4) and Year 2’s Rooms 13/14/15 2pm Room 2
Thursday 2pm - Rooms 18/19
Finally.... Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season filled with relaxation and time spent with whānau and friends. We look forward to seeing many of you in 2025, refreshed and ready for another exciting year of learning and growth.
If you are going away for the summer, safe travels and to those who will stay around Waikanae - You are in paradise and enjoy hanging out in our beautiful town with the awesome awa, estuary, beach, park, pools, cafes and bush-it's hard to beat!
Ngā mihi nui!
Passion Projects
As you know 'passion projects' have been our school wide theme for term 4. We celebrated this last week with a walk through all of our classes to view the projects throughout the school-they were so varied and wonderful to see!
Ngā mihi to the many parents, whānau, friends, neighbours and Mr Whiteman who have supported our tamariki with their passion projects. Here's a pic from the Room 24 little library. You are welcome to come and take and share books from now on-a great initiative!
Busking for Camp Ngā mihi to Year 8s Olivia and Elizabeth who decided to go busking for their passion project. On the weekend they busked at the Waikanae Market and are donating/gifting all of their profit ($75.40) to the Rangatahi Year 7 & 8 Camp -what a lovely gesture! See below for a some more cool pics and click here to view many more pics on our website
Sports News
Sport Awards
Last Friday we held the Senior Sports awards assembly. It was wonderful to thank, acknowledge our teams and to thank our coaches and managers for their efforts this year. Ngā mihi to Miss Davey and Mr Wynne who have coordinated our netball, hockey, touch and basketball teams-thanks guys! Below are our award recipients-well done to you all!
Basketball - Most outstanding/consistent - Luka Mauga Basketball - Fair-play/team spirit - Oliver Wright Basketball - Most Improved - Damian Shaw Basketball - Girls-Most Valued Player - Brēlle Howland Netball Awards - Sylvia Tocker-Lock, Daisy Tran, Bwenaua Tebou, Pippa Roberts and Brianna White Cross Country - Boys - Otto Fifield Cross Country - Girls - Brelle Howland
Congratulations to our Senior Girls Basketball team who have been playing on Friday afternoons at Kāpiti College. They finished 4th!
We hand out additional cups, trophies and prizes at our Year 8 final assembly on Thursday afternoon. These are for academic, sporting, cultural and class awards-good luck to everyone!
2025 School Stationery
The lists for next year will be out by the end of the week, via our website and facebook. Keep an eye on your emails! The Qizzle online ordering will be available again - which is delivered directly to home. Or if you are a 'shopper' the lists will be available for you buy at the shops.
School Library
Natasha Milmine
The library is now closed for its annual stocktake. If you have received an overdue letter about your child's outstanding library book/s, could you please ensure they are returned to school asap. If a book is lost can you please email libadmin@kks.school.nz to discuss. Many thanks.
Important Dates
School Calendar
All Day
Click onto our school calendar to see upcoming important dates for your diary
Last day of school for the year - school finishes at 3pm
Enjoy the holidays!
Teacher Only Day
All Day
MOE Curriculum TOD-Friday December 20-To help schools with the implementation of the new maths and english curriculums schools have been given a teacher only day to use this term. We will be using ours on FRIDAY DECEMBER 20 which now will mean that the final day for our tamariki will be Thursday 19 December-school will finish at 3pm. Please put this date in your calendar.
Day 1 2025
All Day
Day 1 Date for 2025-Please note that our first day of school for 2025 will be Tuesday 4 February-the same day as Waikanae. Please pop this into your diary.
Friday Lunches These have been a great success this year. We will be continuing next year - watch this space! Thank you to Jenny and Chung Hu for supporting us and offering this lovely food at great prices!
Hat/Pōtae - KINDO Orders are now closed for the year. In term 4 & term 1 we require children to bring their hat/pōtae to school every day. We appreciate that the weather is up and down at the moment, however the sun is getting stronger, even on cloudy days. New whanāu hats are available in the office or via myKINDO for $18.
Te Whenua - Green
Te Awa - Navy
Te Waka - Red
Nga Manu - Yellow
Te Moana - Light Blue
Sport/Activity Shirts - KINDO orders are now closed for the year We have a stock of these at the school office (size 6, 8, 10 & 12). They are available to purchase for $35 via myKINDO or at the school office.
Parents have commented that it is great to have their own shirt which they can keep track of, clean and pass onto other kids in the family.
Hoodies - KINDO orders are now closed for the year Orders have closed for the year. Next order will be in the new year.
Colour: Navy Blue
Logo printed on front and back.
Your child's name can also be printed on the back. We have sample sizes to try on at the office.
Order via myKINDO or at the office. $50
Parenting Books to Borrow
We have a few excellent books in our office which parents are welcome to borrow. Please just sign them out at the office. Enjoy!
Last thoughts.....
Great result Black Caps however sadly too little too late. Well done England for winning the series!
Fingers crossed Liverpool continue the good form and we arrive back at school in 2025 with them still at the top of the EPL!
Community Notices
Predator Free Waikanae is excited to announce the launch of a Rat Catching Competition with amazing prizes up for grabs!
For participants under 13 years, there’s a first prize of $500 for the most rats caught. For those over 13 years of age, a $500 first prize is also available.
In addition, Ngā Manu Nature Reserve is generously sponsoring spot prizes, including a thrilling Night Encounter with Kiwi—a fantastic experience to look forward to!
This initiative is a great opportunity to encourage participation in the Waikanae Rat Pack and make a difference in our efforts to create a predator-free environment.