Kōrero from Craig - Principal's Message
Kia ora e te whānau,
A great Kapakapanui School Week....! 👏
It’s been a big week of school activities — and what a fantastic one it has been!
Our Swimming Carnival 🏊🏽 last Thursday went ahead despite the rain, and everyone had an awesome time. A huge thank you to Mr Wynne for coordinating the event and to our wider staff for pushing on and making it happen. Judging by the smiles, laughter, singing, the determined efforts in the races, and the joy of the whānau swim, it was absolutely worth it, as it was finishing with our whānau chants in the hall at the end of the day!
Congratulations to all of our competitors — the results are shared below. 🥇🥈🥉
Ngā mihi also to the parents and whānau who braved the on-and-off rain to cheer our tamariki on, and to the parents who jumped into the relay — you absolutely blitzed it!
This week marks the beginning of Movin’ March, which is always a popular and fun time at school. It’s already great to see so many extra bikes and scooters arriving each morning, along with more children walking to school. The old adage “move it or lose it” certainly rings true — keep it up everyone!
This week marks the beginning of Movin’ March, which is always a popular and fun time at school. It’s already great to see so many extra bikes and scooters arriving each morning, along with more children walking to school. The old adage “move it or lose it” certainly rings true — keep it up everyone!
Yesterday our Rangatahi syndicate's science trip to the awa was cancelled due to the weather. We have recently purchased 20 monocular microscopes, and our budding scientists have been using these in class to explore cells and the plan was to have a field trip for real life learning. Fortunately Mr Milmine whipped down to the river, gathered some sample water which allowed them to analyse the cells. They were blown away by what they saw and discovered-pics below! I want to acknowledge our staff for their willingness to expose our tamariki to such valuable learning experiences that spark curiosity and nurture genuine scientific interest. I recall learning this in 6th form biology! 🔬🦠
Finally, on Thursday our whole-school whānau activities return. We will be spending time unpacking our school values of whakaute, whanaungatanga, manawanui and manaakitanga through fun, hands-on activities. Ngā mihi to the parents and whānau helpers who will be lending a hand, and a big thank you to our whānau leaders and staff for planning this exciting day. The day will conclude with our ever-popular pakanga wai (water battles) on the field and turf — always a highlight!
A reminder that all students need their togs/towel or change of clothes for tomorrow for the Pakanga wai water event in the afternoon.
Part of this day also involves an art activity so it would be good if students wore old clothes tomorrow to avoid paint getting on any new clothes.
If you have offered to accompany Whānau groups to Russell Reserve as part of this day, a o reminder of times and meeting spots are....
Te Awa (Dark blue hats) 11.50am-12.50pm - meet on the court behind the library
Te Whenua (Green hats) 11.50am-12.50pm - meet on the court by the back playground
Te Moana (Light blue hats) 10.30am-11.30am - meet on the turf
Te Waka (Red hats) 10.30am-11.30am - meet on the court by the hall
Ngā Manu (Yellow hats) 10.30am-11.30am - meet outside Rooms 20-23
Kete 10.30am-11.30am - meet in the class
Also, good luck to our Year 5-6 padder tennis team who are competing in Ōtaki tomorrow 🎾
What a cool week at school — full of learning, variety, connection, and culture-building.
New students
A big kia ora and welcome to Arley and Boy, and their whānau who have started with us this week! 😊
Hats / Pōtai
Hats/pōtai are required in Terms 1 and 4 for sun protection. We appreciate that the weather can be a little up and down at the moment; however, hats remain compulsory during these terms.
If your child loses their hat/pōtai, their teacher will send them to the office where a replacement can be purchased for $20. Payment can be sent to school the following day or added to your Kindo account.
We will also send a reminder message home to keep families informed.
Staff News
At the end of Term 2 we will be saying farewell to one of our truly special people.
Our amazing and long-serving teacher aide, Carol McCaffrey, is retiring after 25 years of service to our school. Carol has made an extraordinary contribution over that time — supporting countless tamariki, working alongside generations of teachers, and always bringing warmth, calm and dedication to her role. In her earlier years she also served as a member of our Board of Trustees, further demonstrating her commitment to our kura.
Many of you will know Carol through our junior PMP programme, which she runs in the hall three days each week. Her care, patience and high expectations have helped build confidence and coordination in so many of our youngest learners. She has been a wonderful staff member and a deeply valued part of our school community.
Alongside Carol, we will also be farewelling Lucy Tristram at the end of next term, as she heads off to teach in Germany — an exciting new chapter for her.
We will have the opportunity next term to properly acknowledge and celebrate both Carol and Lucy, and the significant contributions they have made to our kura.
Good luck to Mark Wright who is having a long awaited shoulder operation this week . Mark will be away until term 2. A warm welcome to Rachel Ramsay who will be releiving in Room 16 in Mark's absence.
Good luck to Mark Wright who is having a long awaited shoulder operation this week . Mark will be away until term 2. A warm welcome to Rachel Ramsay who will be releiving in Room 16 in Mark's absence.
Lunches
We’re delighted to continue offering delicious lunches from Bakehouse Waikanae on Fridays and Sushimi Sushi on Wednesdays.
Ngā mihi nui!
Craig
Craig
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