Principal’s Pānui / Newsletter
Nau mai, haere mai ki te wāhanga whakamutunga o te tau kura –
Welcome to the final term of our school year!
Our Pepeha – Who We Are and Where We Belong
Ko Taranaki te maunga – Taranaki is the mountain
Ko Ngaere te awa – Ngaere is the river
Ko Aotea te waka – Aotea is the canoe
Ko Ngāti Ruanui te iwi – Ngāti Ruanui is the iwi (tribe)
Ko Ngāti Tūpaea, ko Ngāti Tānewai ngā hapū – Ngāti Tūpaea and Ngāti Tānewai are the hapū (sub-tribes)
Ko Wharepuni te marae – Wharepuni is the marae
Ko Ngaere te kura – Ngaere is the school
Our school pepeha connects us to the land, the people, and the stories that shape our identity as a kura (school) and community. It reminds us that we are part of something bigger — connected through whakapapa (genealogy), whenua (place), and whanaungatanga (relationships).
Tēnā koutou katoa,
It’s been wonderful to see such a positive start to the term, despite continuing to battle the elements as we head into spring. Our students have shown real resilience and good humour through the mix of sunshine, wind and rain, and it’s been heartening to see classrooms buzzing with learning and laughter regardless of what the weather is doing outside.
As always, Term 4 is a busy one — full of events, celebrations, and important moments as we head towards the end of the school year and Christmas. It’s a time when our students and staff are working hard to finish the year well, while also taking time to enjoy the many special experiences that come with this season.
It’s also exciting to see Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) alive and well at Ngaere School. Our senior students in Rooms 6 and 7 are heading away to the Hawke’s Bay for a week-long camp adventure, while Room 5 will be exploring the incredible caves of Waitomo. Rooms 3 and 4 will take part in three themed day trips — one focused on beach safety, another a mountain experience, and the third an on-site day centred around camping skills and teamwork. Meanwhile, our Junior Hub will enjoy a trip to Pioneer Village, followed later in the term by a visit to Brooklands Zoo.
A huge amount of planning, time, and commitment goes into making these opportunities possible. I’d like to sincerely thank our teachers, support staff, and parent helpers who volunteer their time and energy to ensure our students have these rich, memorable learning experiences beyond the classroom.
Looking ahead, our 2025 Prizegiving will be held on Monday 15th December at Stratford High School — more details will be shared closer to the time. The following day, Tuesday 16th December, school will remain open for instruction; however, teachers will be engaged in professional learning. Students who attend will be supervised by other staff and take part in an adapted, end-of-year programme.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Class lists for 2026 are currently being worked on and will be made available to parents by the end of Week 8. This allows families and students plenty of time to prepare for a smooth transition into the new school year.
We acknowledge that for some students, a longer or more personalised transition may be needed. For those students, we’ll reach out directly to whānau to discuss what this will look like and ensure the process is as positive and supportive as possible.
We have also nearly finalised our staffing structure for 2026, which will be shared with parents in the coming weeks. It’s an exciting time as we confirm teaching teams and roles that best meet the needs of our learners heading into next year.
End-of-year assessment and reporting is also well under way. Parents can expect to receive a clear and comprehensive report that includes both general comments around literacy and numeracy progress, as well as how each child is tracking against the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum.
Ngā mihi nui,
Shane Burgess
Tumuaki / Principal
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