A very special welcome to Willa Grant and Cleo Hurley in Room 2. Welcome to Waitohu School.

WHATARANGI WINIATA (22 July 1935 - 3 June 2026)
Our Te Manuao Road neighbour, Emeritus Professor Whatarangi Winiata died last Wednesday evening 3 June, aged 90 - moe mai rā e te rangatira.

Whatarangi is one of the most influential people of his lifetime, making monumental and lasting positive impacts, nationally and locally. Our town of Ōtaki is so shaped by his vision, actions, perseverance and aroha. His visionary leadership of Whakatupuranga Rua Mano, a project that fostered the establishment of our local kura and wānanga - Te Kura-ā-Iwi o Whakatupuranga Rua Mano, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rito and Te Wānanga o Raukawa (of which he was the architect and founding principal). Prior to Whatarangi starting the Whakatupuranga Rua Mano project very few within Ōtaki, under the age of 30, could speak te reo Māori. His incredible local legacy can be heard, seen, felt and enjoyed by a walk through our township where te reo Māori is everywhere.

Beyond Ōtaki, Whatarangi helped shape the national landscape of leadership through his extensive involvement in education, fisheries, forestry, radio and television spectrum, national politics and the Anglican Church. In all of these areas he was a giant who contributed immensely.

Personally, I feel incredibly fortunate to have been connected to, and influenced by Whatarangi, through Waitohu School. His writings, actions and the outcomes of these have, and do, benefit Waitohu School enormously. The gentleness of his strength and the strength of his gentleness were palpable. Ernest Shackleton said that Optimism is true moral courage. In my eyes Whatarangi lived this. His hope for a fairer and better tomorrow was unwavering.

E huri atu ana te kanohi
Kia koutou e ngā mate o te wā
Kia koutou e ngā marae maha huri noa i te motu
Whatarangi - haere, haere, haere atu rā
No reira, tena koutou te ao wairua, kia koutou
Tihei Mauriora ki a tātou

ROAD PATROL SUPERVISION
Next term we need a parent to supervise our Te Manuao Road pedestrian crossing in the mornings between 8.30am and 9.00am on a Wednesday and Thursday. Please seriously consider whether there is any possibility of you being of service to our school community in this way.  If you would like more information or are able to help please don’t hesitate to speak with Shelly Matheson or ring or email the school office. Ngā mihi.

KIWI GOLF IN SCHOOLS

Between Tuesday and Friday of this week our Year 4, 5 and 6 students have each participated in 4 golf lessons. These have been taken by professional golf coach Kevin Smith. We are really grateful to Kevin for his time, skill and aroha. These are fantastic lessons - ngā mihi nui Kevin.

To celebrate Matariki we will be having a special Matariki Hāngī Disco Day on Thursday 2 July. 

If possible we ask that all students contribute either a potato or kūmara to go into our hāngī. The vegetables will be prepared on Wednesday 1 July by students. Can you please ask your child(ren) to give their vegetables to their classroom teacher on or before Tuesday 30 June. School will be providing the meat portion.

On Thursday morning our hāngī pit (on the school field) will be lit at 6.30am. All are welcome to come and be part of this experience. All students will be able to see the kai going into the ground at 9.15am. Around 12.00pm students will watch the kai coming out of the hāngī pit. At around 12.30pm all students will get to enjoy feasting on our hāngī. 

The aim is for students to contribute to and learn through experience, about the process of preparing for a hāngī, watching how the kai is cooked and then savouring the hāngī kai.

Disco

Our junior syndicate students (Rooms 1, 2, 8, 10 & 11) will be able to enjoy this fun between 10.50am and 12.00pm. Between 1.15pm and 2.30pm our senior syndicate students (Rooms 3, 4, 5, 6 & 12) will get to have their turn.

All students will be experiencing and enjoying the hāngī at 12.30pm.

As always the hall blinds will be closed, the disco ball will be up and dancing games are being organised. Coming dressed up or in bare feet, both are perfect! There will be some treats for the students to enjoy.  

Parents who would like a smile are most welcome to join us for the fun.

What a magic Matariki celebration day we are hoping to have. Please note that lunch in schools will be served 

at 10.30am on this day.

HEAD LICE - CHICKEN POX - CONJUNCTIVITIS - SCABIES - EAR INFECTIONS - PAIN & FEVER MEDICATIONS
You may not be aware that the government has made changes to the medications that can now be dispensed from the chemist, without the need to go to the doctor. These include treatments for conjunctivitis, scabies, ear infections, head lice and pain and fever medication. For children under 14 these treatments are free. 

If you need any treatment for any of the above, Ōtaki Pharmacy is providing this service.

ABSENCES
Before 9.00am, please phone 364 8272, text 027 545 0530 or email absences@waitohu.school.nz to inform us that us that your child is away and the reason for their absence.

FUNZONE ONSITE BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE (UNTIL 7.00PM)

Our fun, safe and friendly ‘on-site’ Before and After School Care Programme has casual and permanent spots available for Waitohu School students.  Enrol, book and manage your bookings online.  And ….. our breakfast club is free of charge! Come and visit our team after school at the Waitohu School Hall from 3.00pm for more information or find us online at  www.funzone.co.nz, email info@funzone.co.nz or contact us on 0800 FUNZONE (0800 386 9663) or 04 298 4287.  We are OSCAR approved and WINZ subsidies apply.

 EVENTS – UPCOMING

    Term 2      Monday 20 April to Friday 3 July

    Term 3      Monday 20 July to Friday 25 September

    Term 4      Monday 12 October to Friday 11 December

SHORT-TERM GENERAL ELECTION WORK AVAILABLE
The Electoral Commission are seeking people from the local community for short-term work to assist with the 2026 General Election that will be held on Saturday 7 November.  They need people with different skills and backgrounds, from students to experienced workers, to fill various roles.  There are work opportunities for several weeks or just on election day.  Go to work.elections.nz for more information about the roles available and to register your interest in working today.

RAUKAWA BASKETBALL - SKILLS AND DRILLS
Skills and Drills for ages 10plus will be run by Raukawa Basketball from May 10 - July 1, Sessions are on Wednesday mornings at 6.30am and Sunday mornings at 10am for 7 weeks.  Registration is $40.00 and includes your own customized Raukawa Basketball to keep.  Sunday skills will alternate venues each week between Ōtaki College Gym and Ngā Purapura, starting at Ōtaki College this Sunday. Wednesday morning sessions will be at Ngā Purapura. Click on the link to register https://forms.gle/VW9XxZmto27qsSTt7