Student Absences - We ask that all parents contact us if their child is absent from school. To assist parents who only have mobile phones, we have a school mobile phone for the specific purpose of receiving text messages. If your child is going to be away please text the full name of your child, their room number, and the reason for their absence. The number is 027 545 0530.  Another option is to send an email via our dedicated absences email which is: absences@waitohu.school.nz  As always, our landline is also an option, the number is 364 8272.  

 

Road Safety - If your child walks or cycles to school, the start of the year is a good time to remind them about safety around roads. Perhaps over the next weekend or two, you could ride or walk to school with your child to check that their road safety habits are in place.

School Patrol - Thank you to the students who have volunteered to be school patrollers this year. This is a very important job and we appreciate your willingness to help in this way. A huge thank you to Vicki Cracknell (Mondays), Emma Cracknell (Tuesdays), Niki Hurliman (Wednesdays), Shelly Hill (Thursdays) and Salina Gibson (Fridays) for supervising the Te Manuao Road pedestrian crossing between 8.30 – 9.00am. 

Sun Hats - During Terms 1 and 4 students are required to wear a school hat at morning tea and lunchtime. These hats are generously provided by our Home and School Association. As well as the hats, I encourage you to ensure your child has sunscreen on before they leave for school each morning.

SCHOOL PICNIC – WAIKANAE POOLS – WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY

On Wednesday 25 February we will be having our annual school picnic at Waikanae Pools. We will be departing at 10.00am and returning by 2.30pm. This was such an awesome day last year, that we are all looking forward to it again this year. Please return the permission notice that was given to each student. 

Scholastic Lucky Book Club Offer 1 2026 was handed out last week. Orders are due by Thursday 19 February. The online ordering system now available is explained in the brochure or bring in your order and correct cash to the office.

TAG RUGBY ACTIVATION PROGRAMME IN SCHOOLS
Thank you to Terry Poko and his team from Zeal Kāpiti who will be coming in once a week to run a Tag Rugby programme during Terms 1 and 2, with any interested tamariki. This will be during lunchtime and is primarily encouraging all students to give it a go.

SCHOOL POOL
Our school pool is up and running this term.  
Our senior school are enjoying cooling down with a swim in the school pool at lunchtimes. All classes have an allocated time to swim during the day, so don't forget to send togs with your child/ren each day.

 

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.

If any individuals are interested to play touch, they can register below. They will be placed into a team, otherwise you could also enter a team in either grade.

Just use the word 'TEAM' in the name section. 

Please feel free to register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1qx2Kl35IxBOC6RMd82Pte6E6GafCijN1OzrEqKdfO2Q/viewform

Alternatively, players or teams can also join in on any of the weeks.

After School Music Lessons - Pokapū Puoro Ōtaki, 

Enrolments are now open for 2026 group music lessons for primary and intermediate students at Ōtaki College Performing Arts Centre after school on Tuesdays. I’ve attached our online form with all the info about the After School Music course if you’d like to enrol your child/children (Please use a separate form for each child).  Get in quick as it will fill up fast and feel free to share with friends and whanau if you think if might be something their primary school and intermediate school children might be interested in. Here is the link to enrol: https://form.jotform.com/220297619040049

Our registration day for new students is Tuesday 17th February at Ōtaki College Performing Arts Centre 3:30-4:30pm and lessons will commence on the Tuesday after that (24th February) in the same place.

In early January 2026, Kāpiti Coast District Council’s contractor began laying a new pipeline between the existing Waitohu Reservoir and the new Ōtaki Reservoir.
The work is expected to take six months.

The new pipeline will replace an ageing pipe and future proof the area for a possible second new reservoir.

The pipes will be laid mostly along the berm on Waitohu Valley Road from the existing reservoir to the reticulation network on Te Manuao Road. Traffic management will be in place. At the worksite, traffic will be controlled by traffic lights and flow past the work on one lane. Construction has also started on a new pump station on road reserve near 57 Waitohu Valley Road.

This pipe upgrade will make water supply more resilient. It’s part of Council’s commitment to providing excellent water services to the community.

The contractor Mills Albert is planning to work from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday.