Kia ora, I hope that you had a relaxing weekend, spring has arrived and somehow the month of September is already here-where does the time go!
Tournament of Minds
On Saturday, four Year 5-8 teams took part in the Wellington regional competition at Victoria University. Our teams had worked hard over the last 6 weeks, including many lunch and morning tea times to be prepared for this. On the day, teams had to present their solution to a Long term challenge in the Social Sciences, Language Literature or STEM categories. Teams also took part in a Spontaneous challenge on the day where they were judges on their thinking skills and team work. A huge thanks to Fiona for all her work with our teams training for the Spontaneous challenge and also to Ms Whitaker for judging on the day and to our amazing coordinator Mrs McKenzie .
Congratulations to Year 5-6 team The Huskies - Lulu, Olive, Dane, Sophie, Chloe, Nico, Jasper who came runners up in the Primary STEM competitionCongratulations to The Year 5-6 team - The Samurais - Oscar, Coen, Brom, Bowie, Nes, Phoebe, Nico who won the Primary Social Sciences competition and will be taking part in the National competition in two weeks time. This team also won a Spirit of Tournament of Minds award.
Bandquest
After months of rehearsals, our two school (The Highlights and 5 + 1) bands lit up the stage in Palmerston North last night at the Manawatū Bandquest. This fantastic event showcases young musical talent and gives students the chance to perform live on the big stage. The Highlights were placed 3rd which was a wonderful result as the standard was very high!
Congratulations to our bands – you absolutely rocked it!
Ngā mihi to our aweome tutors Anje, Ramon and Mr Milmine.
Tapa Cloth Design
On Friday, our Year 5–8 Pasifika tamariki spent the afternoon designing and creating tapa cloth. This initiative was arranged through our Kāhui Ako schools, and we were thrilled to welcome back some of our ex-Kapakapanui students, who are now at Paraparaumu College, to support our kids with this project. Ngā mihi to our whānau who came along to help out as well – Selwyn, Siala, and Gemma. It was an awesome day!
Science Roadshow
Today we were really lucky to have the the Science Roadshow visit Kapakapanui School today. All our Year 5-8 classes that were at school today got the opportunity to visit this. The Science Roadshow is a mobile science discovery centre that annually traverses the length of New Zealand in a 15 metre truck and trailer.
During their visit, students were able to watch two exciting live science shows:
Planet Earth — Whakaaturanga Papatūānuku: matter cycles, energy flows and life webs.
Balloons and Bernoulli — Ngā puangi me Bernoulli: amazing pressure phenomena.
And take part in over 60 hands-on exhibits under the following themes:
Applied science —Te pūtaiao whaipainga
Detecting —Te tautohu
Forces —Ngā tōpana
Patterns —He tauira
Structures –He hanganga
Trees and environment —Ngā rākau me te tai
Digital Citizenship/BYOD Agreement 2025
All Year 5–8 students have been spending time this week reviewing our Digital Citizenship & BYOD Agreement. This outlines how we expect devices and online tools to be used safely and responsibly at school. Key points include being respectful online, keeping personal information private, using devices for learning only, and caring for equipment.
Please take time to read through the agreement with your child.
Office Support Role
As mentioned last week Jani and her family are moving back to South Africa and the end of the year. If you're interested in applying for this role please click here or drop into the office. Feel free to call into the office and speak to me if you have any questions.
Attendance
Regular school attendance is really important for children’s learning, friendships, and overall success at school, and being on time each day helps set them up for a positive start. We understand that there are times when children are unwell and need to stay home, which has certainly been the case for many recently with the winter bugs going around. However, keeping attendance front of mind is a key focus for the NZ Government and for us here at school. To help with this, we will be sending out an email every fortnight to families showing your child’s attendance for the week. If you would prefer not to receive this information, please let the office know. Thank you for your ongoing support.
Kapiti Kids Sports Shoe
Kapiti Kids Sports Shoe Bank need your donations of second hand great quality sports shoes. Netball and rugby seasons are ending soon, maybe you can donate your child's shoes or boots they have grown out of? Or maybe you have some touch boots that no longer fit? Please drop them to the school office. Ngā mihi.
Coming up next Thursday 11th September - Wacky Hair day
Next week we will be having our Wacky hair day to help fundraise for the Child Cancer Foundation.
We are encouraging students to come to school with wacky hair. This could be a wig, cool hair style or have something fun in their hair.
At lunchtime we will be having a Wacky hair glow disco in the hall. Year 0-4 will be at 12pm and Year 5-8 at 1pm.
It will be a gold coin entry and we will have glow gear for sale. This will be from $2 to $3 and will include glow sticks, rings, necklaces and heaps more. It would be appreciated of students only bring coins to this event for their entry donation and for the glow gear as this is easier to manage and not so easily lost. Thanks
All money raised will be given to the Child Cancer Foundation.
Here is a sample of some the glow gear we will have for sale at our Wacky hair disco...
Teacher Only Day -Tuesday 28 October
In 2025, New Zealand schools received two curriculum teacher-only days (TODs) focused on the updated English and Maths (Pāngarau) curricula. These days are for professional learning and development (PLD) for teachers to implement the new curriculum content. Our focus will be on maths and the 'science of learning'. Please pop this date into your diary.
Please note that Funzone is not available on this day.
The public health nurses are coming to school tomorrow, 4th September, to continue with the immunisation programme for year 7 tamariki.
* If you have changed your mind or your child’s medical situation has changed please contact them on 04 587 2949 or
gw-nphsimmunisation@tewhatuora.govt.nz.
* If you have not yet consented, but want to, please collect a consent form from the school office or contact them.
* If you declined the vaccines last year but you have changed your mind and you now want your year 8 child to receive the vaccine(s) please collect a consent form from the school office or contact them.
* If your Year 8 child missed out last year and you would like them to catch up on their vaccinations, please collect a consent form from the school office or contact them.
*If you have any questions or concerns please contact them at gw-nphsimmunisation@tewhatuora.govt.nz, or call them on 04 587 2949
Celebrating Diversity at Kapakapanui School
Every couple of weeks our Cultural Leaders group help someone from our school share their culture with us. This is done at hui or over the P.A. system into the classes. The Cultural Leaders started with their own cultures.
Tune in next week for our next Kapakapanui culture to celebrate!
Board of Trustees Pānui
Board of Trustees Triennial Elections
Remember to return your voting voting papers -the deadline is 4:00pm, Wednesday 10 September. You can drop them into the voting box in the office
Healthy Lunches
Great messaging and ideas for school lunches from the Heart Foundation
Delicious Recipes
We’re delighted to share a collection of delicious, good old-fashioned recipes kindly provided by the Kāpiti Food Poverty Project. These are simple, family-friendly meals that don’t cost a lot to make but taste great. A link has been added to our school website – perfect if you’re looking for some fresh inspiration for dinners at home
With the rising cost of living and increasingly busy lifestyles, it's understandable that pre-packaged snacks on supermarket shelves can seem like a convenient option for lunchboxes. However, these convenient choices often come at a cost—both financially and nutritionally. Individually packaged biscuits, chips, and other lunchbox fillers are typically more expensive and often lack the essential nutrients children need.
At the Heart Foundation, we're here to support you with nutritious, cost-effective lunchbox ideas. Our recipes and tips are designed to help you create balanced meals that keep children nourished, focused, energised, and satisfied throughout the school day.
Our lunchbox guide poster provides a simple framework for building a healthy school lunch, including recommended food groups and nutritious snack options. Over the coming weeks, we'll be sharing easy-to-make recipes that offer a healthier homemade alternative to common lunchbox treats.
Check out the 'Snack smarter and save' document below
Health & Safety Updates – Please read our regular Health & Safety updates as well as tips for staying safe online. This is a key section to keep you informed and prepared. Please take a moment to read it each time—your awareness helps keep our school community safe.
Keeping Our Gates Closed
Please help us keep our tamariki—especially our younger children—safe by making sure our school gates are closed. From time to time, gates can be left open when classes head out on trips. If you happen to notice a gate open during the school day as you pass through, we’d really appreciate you closing it. Ngā mihi.
Memo from KCDC-Picking up or dropping off kids at school
Please refer to the flier below, particularly the rules, and fines, for illegally parking around schools. Please note that this is all about keeping kids safe!
Contact Details-are these current?
Please let the office know asap if your contact details have changed. You can do this online-click here
Signing In/Out
Please remember to sign in and out at the office if you are collecting your child or they arrive late.
That's a wrap for the netball season-well done to all of our players, coaches and supporers for a great season! Ngā mihi to our school coordinator, Jaimes, who has done an amazing job in her first season!
Match report-Well done to our Year 7 & 8 Mystics who played for 3rd placed on the weekend. They only had six players available and had a really tough, tight game coming out on top with a 1 point victory. The team were thrilled and showed courage, unity, and manaakitanga – a result they can be very proud of.
There was also a great 'battle' between our parents and kids. The other team failed to show up so the parents took the court and had a great match with their kids-awesome to see and hear!
AIMS Games-Tauranga
Well done to Maggie who was placed in the Year 7 girls cross country-a wonderful result!
We will have results next week newsletter for Cooper and Henry who played golf and Maisy in the tennis.
Kapakapanui School Sport Code of Conduct
We really value and appreciate the support we get from parents and whānau as coaches and supporters and Kapakapanui School has an excellent reputation for playing hard while being great sports-on and off the field/turf/court.
WE NEED THEM RETURNED ASAP FOR OTHER EVENTS - CLEANED!
We are still missing a lot of shirts that were borrowed from the following events, please can you check in your childs drawers/cupboards:
Yr 5 & 6 Winter Tournament - from last month Hockey - this finished last month Cross Country - from term 2 Netball - finishes last week Touch Rugby - this finished in term 1
Please note - the ones that are not returned a charge of $35 will be added to your account.
WET CLOTHING
WE NEED BOYS LONG TROUSERS (UPTO 8 YEARS)
Although it is now spring - we know that the weather is very temperamental! Please ensure there is a spare set of clothing in your childs bag. If your child has come home in borrowed clothes can they please be washed and returned to the office.
YUMMY Stickers
Two and a half weeks left to collect!
Whenever you see a YUMMY sticker, please collect it and send it to school. Last year, we raised just shy of 6,000 stickers. Such an amazing result! This meant that the winning class, which brought in the most stickers over the term, was able to purchase a whole box of wonderful sports equipment.
Please send any stickers to your school. All classes will have a sheet for the tamariki to place the sticker on. Please note it can only have the YUMMY brand name on it. Either the individual sticker or the 10 count square on the bag. The stickers will be counted every Friday this term - so lets get collecting. Whānau points to be given to the class with the most stickers collected each week.
2025 School Stationery
All stationery packs are still available to purchase via Qizzle online ordering and delivered to your home. If your child needs individual items throughout the year, their teacher will send them to the school office to get and will then be added to your account. This billing/invoice will show as '2025 Stationery', where possible we will itemise what the item/s is.
School Library
Librarian: Natasha Milmine
Your childs class will visit the library every week and get to explore all the awesome books our librarian has provided.
THE HELL PIZZA READING CHALLENGE The HELL Pizza Reading Challenge is being run this year for Year 3-8 students. This is a fun programme where kids read seven books at their level and then collect a free pizza from HELL Pizza. This will run from now until the last day of school in Term 4. There are no limits on the amount of pizza wheels students can complete, so it would be great if you could ask your kids how they're going with the challenge and encourage your kids to complete at least one wheel this year. Many thanks, Natasha Milmine
Important Dates
Year 7 Immunisations
-
School Photos
All Day
Board of Trustees
Election Day - Poll closes at 4pm
Wacky Hair Disco
All Day
12pm: Years 0-1
1pm: Years 4-8
Gold coin entry and glow gear for sale
Hoodie Order close
All Day
Estimated delivery is Week 2 of term 4
Spelling Bee
All Day
Board of Trustees
All Day
Votes are counted
Board of Trustees
All Day
New Board takes office
Last day of term 3
All Day
School finishes at 3pm
Term 4 Starts
All Day
TEACHER ONLY DAY - School closed
All Day
Last day of term 4 2025
All Day
SCHOOL CLOSES AT 12.30PM
Regular Features
Regular information
School Lunches -Sushi and Wednesdays and The Bakehouse on Fridays
To Purchase: We have a stock of these at the school office (size 6, 8, 10, 12 & 14) to purchase. $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 family members.
To Loan: To help ensure our uniforms are well cared for and returned, we have introduced a $15 bond for the loan of a school sports top. This bond will be charged to your school account each time a top is borrowed and refunded when the shirt is returned in good condition.
We appreciate your support in looking after our school uniforms so they can continue to be available for all students.
Hat/Pōtae
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 $20.
Te Whenua - Green
Te Awa - Navy
Te Waka - Red
Nga Manu - Yellow
Te Moana - Light Blue
Hoodies
Great for those cooler evenings - next orders will close Friday 12 September 2025. Delivery approximately week 3 of term 4.
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. We have a new book, a current 'best seller' titled "The Anxious Generation"
Enjoy!
Last thoughts.....
Hari Huritau whaea Rosie who is having a birthday today!! 🎂 🥳
No pressure Razor....the Boks will be firing on Saturday and our Eden Park fortress record of no defeat since 1994 is under threat......
What do you think of our netballers heading to the Australian comp next season?
Did you see the Mamma Mia musical in Wellington-it was amazing!!!!
Community Notices
Otaki Kids Market is back on Sunday, 5 October 2025
Rangatahi and tamariki get ready to showcase your creativity.
The Otaki Kids Market is a vibrant and creative event that provides a unique platform for young entrepreneurs to showcase their talents and entrepreneurial spirit. This special market invites tamariki and rangatahi from 5-19 years old to become stall holders, offering them the opportunity to sell their handmade art and crafts, delicious home baking, toys, and books.
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