Dear Parents, Carers and Friends of Whītau School. Kia ora koutou katoa! Talofa lava! Mālō e lelei! Greetings everyone.

Haere mai! Haere mai! Haere mai! 

A very warm welcome to 2024 at Whītau School, where we are all focused on 'Learning to take us places...!'  We have had an incredible start, welcoming 6 new staff members and 25 new students to our amazing school community. Our school has opened with 297 students, the largest roll ever. I am absolutely delighted and grateful for the wonderful engagement from whānau with 95% of our students having the Learning Conference completed to start school. It has also been amazing how so many parents have been well organised to start the school year, with our students so smartly presented in the correct school uniform. 79% of our students have had their stationery paid for. Stationery is being labeled and will be in classrooms as packs are completed. Two whānau have been very caring and generous and paid for an additional student's stationery pack so if you would like support please come and see me. A huge THANK YOU!

He waka eke noa! We are all in this together!

Our schoolwide focus for 2024 is 'He waka eke noa: We are all in this together'. Education in schools is all about partnership and relationships between 

• Te Tamaiti - The Child
• Te Kaiako - The Teacher
• Ngā Mātua - The Parents

Presence + Engagement = Learning

We absolutely value having your children at school every day and on time to start learning at 9am.

We absolutely value getting to know parents and whānau and working together with you.

We look forward to working with you in the partnership of educating your child in 2024.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR 

• Our Mihi Whakatau on Monday at 9am in the School Hall to welcome new staff and students followed by a School Assembly for the presentation of Leadership Badges to our Head Boy, Head Girl and House Captains.

• Our Board Family Fun Night is next Monday night from 5pm - 7pm. Please can students wear school uniform.

Introducing our Teaching Staff for 2024

Senior Leadership Team

Mrs Sandra Dentice JP - Principal

Miss Amy Collins - Deputy Principal - Junior School Leader

Miss Hannah Thomas - Associate Principal - Senior School Leader

Kākano Team

Hāpori Leader - Mrs Rosalie Sprosen

Room 1: Year 0 - Opening during Term 2

Room 2: Year 1 - Mrs Rosalie Sprosen

Room 3: Year 1 - Miss Leah Harvey

Kehakai Team

Hāpori Leader - Ms Sherry Gold

Room 4: Year 1 - Ms Sherry Gold

Room 5: Year 2 - Mr Harrison Jolly

Room 6: Year 2 - Mrs Fi Laird

Room 7: Currently empty for expected roll growth

Karawhā Team

Hāpori Leader - Ms Joyce Maria Soosai

Room 8: Year 2/3 - Miss Kelsey Blokland

Room 9: Year 2/3 - Ms Joyce Maria Soosai

Room 10: Year 3/4 - Miss Lina Ioane

Room 11: Year 3/4 - Ms Abby Bills

Kōrari Team

Hāpori Leader - Mr Darrin Mitchell

Room 12: Year 4/5 - Miss Sarah Diedrichs

Room 13: Year 4/5 - Mrs Aleisha Blackler

Room 14: Year 5/6 - Miss Belinda Walsh

Room 15: Year 5/6 - Mr Darrin Mitchell

Other Teachers

Learning Co-ordinator: SENCO/LSC - Mrs Meredith Cassidy

Literacy Intervention Teacher - Mrs Karen An

Classroom Release Teacher - Mr Tim Betts

Classroom Release Teacher - Mrs Janine Gemmell

Classroom Release Teacher - Mrs Alison Cox

Classroom Release Teacher - Mrs Kelly Heads

Ngā mihi nui

Sandra Dentice

Principal | Tumuaki

sandra@whitau.school.nz