A very special welcome to our new students Jasper Tristram and Reyansh in Room 2 and Hope Taurima-Antcliff in Room 5. Welcome to Waitohu School.

On Friday 15 May school will be closed for a teacher only day. On this day teachers will be undertaking professional development related to the mathematics curriculum.

Student-Parent-Teacher interviews will be held on Wednesday 13 May (3.30pm – 5.30pm) and Thursday 14 May (1.30pm – 8.00pm). School will be closing at 12.30pm on the Thursday. There will be no bus at this time. These interviews are a very significant and important sharing of information between your child’s teacher, your child and yourself. Our goal is for all children to have at least one parent or caregiver to attend an interview with their child’s teacher.

There is an instruction sheet below on how to book your interview times via the website www.schoolinterviews.co.nz  If you don’t have access to the internet, or you are having problems booking, please contact the school office and Sheralee, Paula or Sara can make a booking for you. Ngā mihi.

To encourage reading, our school is hosting a Scholastic Book Fair from Tuesday 12 May – Thursday 14 May. We have coordinated this to coincide with our parent-teacher interviews to make it easy for you to attend this special reading event. You will find a wonderful variety of books and other products at the fair. All Book Fair purchases benefit our school as we receive a portion of the sales to buy new books for our library. You are welcome to purchase books or just come in for a look on:

Tuesday   3.00pm – 3.30pm Wednesday 8.30am – 9.00am & 3.00pm –5.30pm

Thursday 8.30am – 9.00am & 1.30pm – 8.00pm

ANZAC COMMEMORATION

Last Saturday morning Siobhan Gibson and Lincoln Graham represented our school whānau at the ANZAC Dawn Parade Commemoration, at the Ōtaki Cenotaph. Siobhan and Lincoln also led our ANZAC commemoration at school yesterday. They were awesome on both occasions - ngā mihi nui Siobhan and Lincoln.

Well done to all our students who attended the Ōtaki Interschool Swimming competition held on Tuesday - you represented Waitohu Kura with kaha and mana. Below are the results, please note the relay event was a Year 4 - Year 8 race combined with Manakau and  Ōtaki College. Ngā mihi to all our parent helpers and supporters on the day.

Scholastic Lucky Book Club Offer 3 2026 orders are due by Thursday 7 May. The online ordering system now available is explained in the brochure or bring in your order and correct cash to the office.

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 for 2025 and beyond!  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

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.