Tēnā koutou katoa. Welcome back for the 2025 school year. I hope you have all had a refreshing break. It has been lovely to catch up with tamariki and whānau, and welcome lots of new families to Wakari School.

We welcome new staff members, Garrand Diedrichs and Amanda Peacock to Wakari. Both Amanda and Garrand will be doing teacher release in the Senior Syndicate. We are also lucky to have three final year student teachers joining us in 2025. A huge Wakari welcome to Sophie Vlaar in Room 11, Casey Irwin in Room 14 and Lucy Allan in Room 12.

Thanks so much for your cooperation with the late start on Tuesday. Unfortunately we only found out about the burst water pipe in the Wakari area and subsequent lack of water when Jason, our caretaker, arrived at school to open up. We realise the inconvenience this would have caused to many of you and appreciated your understanding of the situation.

Our Year 6s are currently at Camp Columba having a fabulous time. A big thank you to staff for the many hours spent organising the camp and to the parent helpers who have given up their time to assist at camp.

We are very excited to have had 100 solar panels installed on the school roof over the holidays. This will make a significant impact on our energy bills and will make a difference to lowering our carbon footprint.

We also had new markings done on the courts outside Rooms 1-3. We are very grateful to Fulton Hogan who kindly did this job free of charge over the holidays. We are so appreciative of their kindness in doing this for us.

Arrival Time

Children need to arrive at school after 8:30am and by 9:00am. Teachers are unable to supervise children before 8:30am. If your child requires before school care, please enquire about this with our provider, Busy Bumbles.

School Pick Up - by 3:10pm

For safety, please ensure that your child is collected by a parent or guardian by 3:10pm after school each day. As in above, teachers and office staff are unable to supervise children after this time. If after school care is required, please contact Busy Bumbles.

Thanks to staff, students and whānau for a very enthusiastic start to the school year. I am very excited to be back at school and have the chance to work with you all in 2025.

Once again, if I can be of assistance with any matter, feel free to contact me.

Ngā mihi

Stacey Gribben