Wow — in what feels like the blink of an eye, we’ve arrived in December and now have only a few short weeks left in the school year. We’ve got a number of exciting activities coming up, and no doubt the time will zoom by!
December is also the official first day of summer. Did you know that the Te Reo kupu (word) for summer is Raumati? Click here for the the correct pronounciation of Raumati (Row mar tea).
Road Patrol Celebration
On Monday, all of the Road Patrol students from Kāpiti schools attended the annual celebration day at KCDC. It is always a great occasion and an opportunity to thank our awesome kids for the wonderful mahi they do each day—in wind, rain, and shine—to help our tamariki get in and out of school safely.
Each school creates a banner for the event, and we were thrilled to be voted the Top Banner. This came with a large cup and a $250 Rebel Sport voucher—thank you, KCDC!
Our best patrollers, Danika and Jay, were also presented with $80 Rebel Sport vouchers. These two have been on patrol since Year 5, are always on time, reliable, and are very well-deserved recipients!
Ngā mihi to Mrs Swanson for coordinating our Road Patrol, and to the many parents and whānau who support us—we couldn’t do this without you!
Student Led Conferences End of Year Reports and SLCs
School will close at 12.50pm on Thursday 11th December. The conferences run from 2:00pm - 7:00pm. SLCs and reports ‘bookend’ the school year and once again we are looking forward to these and catching up with whānau.
To book your Student Led Conference, go to https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code/8abwh and enter the event code
8abwh. Or scan below Buses have been organised for the early finish of 12:50pm.
How SLCs run.....Student-led conferences are run by the students for their parents and whānau, where the student presents their work, discusses their learning process, and reflects on their progress. The teacher is more off a facilitator, providing support and making comments/answering questinos, while the student leads the discussion, takes ownership of their learning. Our tamariki are very use to this format and enjoy the opportunity to spend quality time with their whānau. They have also spent time in class preparing for the confefrence.
As always, if you have any further questions after the SLCs please make contact with your child's teacher to arrange a catch up.
How We Create New Classes for 2026
At Kapakapanui School, creating balanced and effective classes is a thoughtful and carefully considered process. We look at a range of factors—gender, abilities, friendships, and a blend of loud and quiet personalities—to ensure every class is set up for a positive and supportive learning environment.
Where possible from Year 3 and up, tamariki remain with the same class and teacher for two years, unless a teacher is moving to a new level or a change has to be made. We know that transitioning to a new class can be challenging for some children, so we encourage you to support your child with positive messages about the change. This is a great opportunity to help build resilience, adaptability, and confidence as they embrace new experiences and friendships.
We also create transition books for tamariki who require additional support and organise class visits to help them feel settled and prepared.
Our local colleges also do a fantastic job transitioning students from primary to Year 9. Many of our Year 8 tamariki take part in transition programmes and visits. It’s certainly different from when many of us were kids and simply rolled up on Day 1—often feeling a bit scared and unsure! Today’s processes are far more supportive and help ensure our young people step into their next chapter with confidence.
Staff Changes for 2026
The structure of the majority of our classes will remain consistent next year, with a few important changes to the team.
👥 Welcoming New Staff
We are delighted to welcome two new teachers to our school:
Eloise Adams (Year 1)
Kitty Lewin (Year 5 & 6)
🔄 Internal Team Movements
Due to a slightly smaller cohort entering Year 7, we will be adjusting the structure of our senior syndicate. The Year 7 & 8 level will consist of four classes (two pods).
Whaea Sophie and Mrs Richards will be moving to the Ngā Kaitoro team (Year 3 & 4).
💚 Farewell and Welcome Back
Shelley Torr will be taking leave for the 2026 school year to spend more time with her baby. We are pleased that she will still be available 3 days CRT relieving work each week.
Rachel Ramsay, Rachel Jackson, Lisa Eriksen and Matua Donald's fixed term roles are finishing -we wish them all the very best and ngā mihi for your mahi at Kapakapanui School this year guys!
We warmly welcome back Selena Irving, who has been a valuable CRT release teacher with us this year and Dana Reynolds (TA) is returning from her parental leave.
RNZ Parenting Podcast
Check out this really interesting series of parenting podcasts on a range of useful topics-It's called- 'It takes a village' A couple of the topics are listed below and all are less than 20 minutes long-perfect for the car ride or walk.
Understanding the adolescent brain
Things to consider before gifting a child a phone for Christmas
"No one will play with me" - teaching kids about friendship
Why cooking and baking with children is a good idea
Property Update
Work is continung to progress well, many of you will have seen the new windows in the hall. The toilets betwen Rooms 5 & 6 opened today and work on the Ranagatahi Block began yesterday!
Over the holidays we will be reroofing the hall and Room 5-7-exciting!
Cricket
We had a great day at Waikanae Park yesterday, our Years 3-6s were playing cricket against Waikanae. "We don't like cricket oh no...we love it!" A huge thanks to all our parent helpers who helped throughout the day.
Paraparaumu College sports event
Yesterday we had the Year 12 Paraparaumu College students (in training to be Year 13 leaders next year) come along to school to take sports with our Year 3-6 students. Our students had a great morning out on the field and turf playing a range of games organised and run by these leaders. It was great to also see so many of our former Kapakapanui Students being part of this leadership team.
Croquet
Following on from last weeks introductory sessions from our Year 5-8 tamariki a number expressed an interest in playing croquet. The first day will be Wednesday the 10th December, next week
For all the kids wanting to play croquet and join the team please get in touch with Matt McGregor, the coach, on his email: maxpro.nzn@gmail.com
There is no cost and equipment will be provided, please wear soft sole shoes like sneakers.
Golf for Good
Have you popped along to the Golf for Good mini golf course in Paraparaumu? This opened on the weekend and a number of our keen Waikanae golfers went alogn and gave it ago-they loved it!
Pakangā Wai-Water Battles
This exciting fun water event takes place on Monday 15th December at 2:00pm - 2:50pm. All students will have the opportunity to take part in this with their Whānau classes.
It will include water slides, bubbles, sprinklers etc.
Kōrero, coffee and cake with Craig-staffroom
Ngā mihi to everyone who came along yesterday. We'll run these informal drop in sessions again next year!
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. Look out for our next one coming next week.
Hat/Pōtae
In terms 4 and 1 your child is required to wear their school whānau hat/pōtae when outside.
These are available to purchase from the school office or via myKINDO for $20. If you are unsure of which whānau your child is in please check with the office.
Te Whenua - Green
Te Awa - Navy
Te Waka - Red
Nga Manu - Yellow
Te Moana - Light Blue
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.
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.
School Building Work
Please take care around the work areas — everything is securely fenced off, but it’s always good to stay alert and aware. It’s great to see these projects progressing and improvements taking shape around our school.
Thank you for your patience and support as we continue to make our school an even better place for everyone!
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.
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.
Road Patrol Crossings
Thank you to all the Whānau who use the crossings safely. This includes waiting for the signal to cross now and walking across the crossing with small children.
Please remember that children are always watching our behaviour as adults, so use the crossing, even if it is just you crossing. Also, to continue respecting the children who are working hard on the patrols to keep all our tamariki safe, such as waiting patiently, not pushing past etc.
Kapakapanui Sports
Ex Kapakapanui School Students Success Awesome to see Alina Santos playing in goal for the Football Ferns last night v Australia! Also congratualtions to Andrew Knewstubb, All Black Seven's star who has been signed on for the Highlanders in 2026 -woop woop and go Kapakapanui!
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.
2026 Stationery Packs These are now live and ready to purchase. Qizzle School Packs
2025 Stationery Items If your childs teacher has sent them to the office through out the year for additional items (eg, book, pen ruler etc) these have been 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
THE HELL PIZZA READING CHALLENGE The Hell Reading Challenge Pizza Wheel is still going. There have been some amazing readers who have completed more than 5 wheels each and one student has completed 10 wheels, which is 70 books! Please check in with your kids as there are many who have only one book on their wheel and there is still time to complete it before the end of term and claim a free pizza from Hell Pizza.
Important Dates
EARLY CLOSE for SLCs
All Day
SCHOOL CLOSES AT 12.50pm
Funzone & Buses have been advised
Student Lead Conferences (SLCs)
-
To book your Student Led Conference, go to
https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code and enter the event code
8abwh.
New Class Visit
-
Pakanga Wai
-
Lots of water activities!
Year 8 Prizegiving
All Day
Year 8 Dinner
-
Waikanae Golf Club
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
*** There are no more orders for this year available. If you were in the order that closed last week they will be delivered approximately week 9 of this term.
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!
Community Notices
Bookings are open for these fun Christmas Crafts & Gifts Sessions.
Get in touch today to save your spot! Limited spaces available.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon
New Zealand Traveller Declaration
Going overseas for the school holidays? Everyone travelling into New Zealand must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration, including returning New Zealand passport holders.
If you’re travelling as a family or group and completing multiple declarations, the NZTD app allows you to copy your travel details into another declaration, making it easier to complete multiple declarations for the same journey. The submitted declarations are then all easy to see within the app.
The New Zealand Traveller Declaration collects travel, customs, immigration and biosecurity information and aims to improve the safety and security of New Zealand. It replaces the paper card you used to fill out on the plane.
To make your arrival easier, do your digital declaration before your flight back to New Zealand.
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