Week 8, Term 1

TERM DATES

Term 1 finishes next Thursday 2 April at 2.00pm. There will be no bus at this time.

Term 2 begins on Monday 20 April.

WAITOHU WHĀNAU EVENING- CANCELLED
Cake Box Decorating Competition
Though we will not be holding our Waitohu Whānau Evening tomorrow (as informed through yesterday's email), we would still love all tamariki to bring their completed cake box art works to school tomorrow morning. They will be judged and celebrated for the artworks they are. If tamariki can please take them to the office tomorrow (Friday) morning that would be fantastic. We do not now need the cakes inside them!

YEAR 6 CAMP
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of last week our Year 6 students enjoyed the adventure of camp at El Rancho. Ngā mihi nui to parents for your support and encouragement of ‘our’ tamariki.

KAITIAKI OF WAITOHU AWA
On Tuesday of this week our Year 5 & 6 students all visited Waitohu Awa to learn about and care for the wellbeing of our awa. Ngā mihi to parents who were able to support.

KĀPITI ISLAND
Yesterday our Year 5 students enjoyed a wonderful day on Kāpiti Island. A huge ngā mihi to our Home and School Association and Watsons Gardens for making this experience possible. Ngā mihi to parents who provided transport and supported on the day.

DUATHLONS - SENIOR & JUNIOR - MONDAY 30 MARCH
If due to weather this is cancelled we will inform you through the front page of our website www.waitohu.school.nz

9.30am ish
10 year olds (girls and boys will race separately)
- Run 5 laps
- Swim 6 laps of pool (children must swim – walking not permitted)

10.05am ish
8 & 9 year olds (run as separate boys & girls races in each age group)
- Run 3 laps
- Swim 3 laps of pool (children must swim – walking not permitted)

10.45am Kai Time

11.30am ish
5 year olds (run as separate boys and girls races)
- Run 1 lap of the field
- Walk 1 lap of the pool

6 year olds (run as separate boys and girls races)
- Run 1 lap of the field
- Walk 2 laps of the the pool

7 year olds (run as separate boys and girls races)
- Run 2 laps of the field
- Walk 3 laps of the pool

LOST PROPERTY - CLOTHING

Next week all lost property will be displayed in the hall for students to collect. I encourage you to pop in and check the lost property boxes in the hall lost property cupboard. All unclaimed items that remain at the end of the term will be given to charity. Ngā mihi.

STUDENT-PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS – WEDNESDAY 13 AND THURSDAY 14 MAY

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.

Easter is BIG at Ngā Manu
Looking for things to do this Easter?
At Ngā Manu Nature Reserve, they've got your long weekend sorted.
From Good Friday to Easter Monday (3–6 April 2026)
the reserve becomes a place of egg-stra special whānau fun:
The Easter Rock Hunt
The much-loved Easter Rock Hunt is back. Colourful rocks and eggs will be hidden throughout the reserve for curious explorers to discover. There are heaps of Easter Eggs to be won, and also 10 major prizes each day – will you
find one? With over $3,000 worth of prizes across the weekend, plenty of intrepid explorers will be heading home smiling.
Face Painting & Activities The Easter Hub offers fun activities to keep everyone busy in between exploring. Children can enjoy face painting and games, then head back out to continue their adventure.
Meet the locals
Easter at Ngā Manu is about more than activities — it’s about connecting
with nature. Meet Sylvester, the cheeky Kākā, see the tuna (eels) and hang out with other species up close.
A relaxed day out
While there’s heaps to do, there’s no schedule to follow. So, take a picnic and make a day of it!
No need to book – just turn up for fun and games and egg-stra special Easter fun.
THE BIG EASTER WEEKEND
3–6 April 2026
Ngā Manu Nature Reserve, Waikanae
The Early Bird catches the prize
If you are a Friend of Ngā Manu, you have early access to the reserve! The gates open for you at 9.30am on each of the four days. Just show your membership and come on in and enjoy some BIG Easter fun! If you’d like access to exclusive benefits like this, how about becoming a Friend of Ngā Manu? You can find out more here: https://ngamanu.org.nz/pages/friends

Ōtaki Pottery Club School Holiday workshop
Looking for some fun and exciting workshops to keep your kids entertained during the school holidays? Ōtaki Pottery Club has got you covered! These project-based sessions are perfect for kids who love to get creative and explore their artistic side.

Visit our website to enrol: https://www.otakipotteryclub.org/kids-pottery-classes.html

Here is the programme:
Handbuilding (Ages 7 - 15 years) - $40

Tuesday 7th April - 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Tuesday 14th April - 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Welcome Mud-cubs.

In this class you will be making a textured frog. Using the club tools, stamps, coloured slips and clay for your masterpiece to gift or keep.

Bring an apron or big t-shirt to protect your clothes.

Wheel - Throwing basics (ages 7 - 16 years) - also $40

Thursday 9th April - 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Thursday 16th April - 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

You will be learning how to prepare the clay, anchoring it to the wheel and learning how to co-ordinate our hand and body movements to center and open the clay, pull walls, shape and finish a cylinder shape. You will learn how to take care of our studio and its equipment. Bring an apron or large shirt to cover your clothes.