Week 10, Term 2

MATARIKI HĀNGĪ DISCO DAY - THURSDAY 2 JULY

To celebrate Matariki we will be having a special Matariki Hāngī Disco Day next 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.

Hāngī
6.30am - hāngī pit lit (on the school field) - all are invited and welcome to come and be part of this experience
9.15am - kai going into the ground (all students will be able to see)
12.00pm - kai coming out of the hāngī pit (all students will be able to see)
12.30pm - eating our kai (all students will receive their own portion of hāngī to enjoy)

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. Please note that lunch in schools will be served

at 10.30am on this day.

Disco

10.50am - 12.00pm - junior syndicate students (Rooms 1, 2, 8, 10 & 11)
1.15pm - 2.30pm our senior syndicate students (Rooms 3, 4, 5, 6 & 12)

As always the hall blinds will be down, the disco ball will be up and the dancing amazing. 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.

INTERSCHOOL SOCCER TOURNAMENT

What a fantastic day we had on Tuesday. Our five soccer teams represented Waitohu School so superbly. Congratulations to all the players – everyone gave 100%. Lots of fun and focus was had by everyone. Congratulations to Waitohu 1 for winning their final. Ngā mihi nui to Summer Duncan and Georgia & Shelly Hill for taking teams on the day. It was really great seeing so many whānau at the tournament supporting our tamariki, ngā mihi.

NETBALL DRILLS AND SKILLS SESSION WITH TE WANANGA O RAUKAWA WELLINGTON PULSE NETBALL TEAM
Yesterday some of our senior students had the opportunity to spend a couple of hours with players and coaches from the Pulse netball team learning new netball drills and skills. It was a great afternoon and lots of fun was had by both the students and players. A big ngā mihi to the awesome TWoR Pulse players and Te Wananga o Raukawa for enabling this awesome opportunity.

MATARIKI PRODUCTION - ŌTAKI COLLEGE

On Tuesday, our Year 4 students enjoyed the Matariki Production performed by Ōtaki College Year 7 & 8 students. It was great to see so many of 'our' Waitohu School students shining on the stage and in the background, enabling this great experience. Ngā mihi nui Ōtaki College.

LOST PROPERTY

We have an abundance of lost property including jackets, sweatshirts and shoes.
The lost property will be displayed in the hall for all classes to check through on Monday 29 June. I also encourage you to pop in and check the lost property boxes in the cupboard, in the hall to ensure you get all the items that belong to your whānau. All unclaimed items that remain at the end of the term will be given to charity. Ngā mihi.

FACEBOOK
Our official school Waitohu School Facebook page began on Monday. We hope it brings smiles as we celebrate students' successes and learning with whānau. Enjoy.

SCABIES
The Public Health Nurse has asked us to let our communities know that in recent weeks they have noticed an increase in the number of cases of scabies across Horowhenua and Kāpiti. They reminded us that free treatments are available (as we have informed whānau through our recent newsletters) from pharmacies. If you suspect your child has scabies they need to be treated and remain at home until 24 hours after the treatment. Your pharmacy is able to provide information and support, and we are able to refer whānau to the Public Health Nurse team for additional support. A reminder is below of the support pharmacies can provide:

Changes have been made 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.

MOBILE DENTAL UNIT
A Mobile Dental Unit will be visiting Waitohu School from Monday, 22 June 2026 to examine and provide preventative treatment (cleaning, fissure sealants, x-rays and fluoride treatment) where required for patients due for their annual check. Students requiring further treatment, (fillings and extractions) will be sent an information pamphlet, medical history update form and consent form. These will need to be signed and returned to either the Mobile Unit or the school office before any treatment is undertaken.
If parents have any concerns or wish to be present at their child’s dental appointment please contact the dental team on 027 616 6516