11 Feb 2026

REMINDERS:

 

Family picnic

Thursday 12 Feb: - 4.30pm - 6.30pm. On the Turf.

This replaces the  traditional “meet the teacher” evenings. 

It is an opportunity for parents to chat to class teachers and find out how their children’s first week at school has been and to mix and mingle with the families of the students in their class. 

There will be a sausage sizzle, drinks, games and music and you are welcome to bring your own picnic.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Freezy Friday

Every Friday lunchtime, during Term 1, starting this week the Senior School will be selling ice blocks to fundraise for much needed resources in the School. There will be two options: $1 ice blocks or $2 ice blocks, with different flavours available. Your child can either bring coins on the day, or you can prepay for the term at the office.

Our Garden to Table programme has begun and we would love your support. 

We have a basket in the office for fruit and vegetable donations. Our amazing Linda can freeze any donated produce for upcoming cooking in our Garden to Table recipes as this is a great way to make use of everything throughout the year and to minimise food wastage. We can also make good use of any seedlings you may like to donate. 

Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you. 

5 Feb 2026

Kia ora 
I am emailing you on behalf of one of our lovely families who desperately need help with childcare before school. They need someone to look after their child for approximately an hour before school and then drop them off at Waitoki. They are happy to pay someone for their time. 
If you are interested or know someone who would be able to help this family out, please email us the contact details and we will pass them on to the family. 
Many thanks and enjoy the long weekend. 
Ngā mihi nui 
Jules McCourt 

 

4 Feb 2026

Tēnā koutou Whānau,

Welcome back to Waitoki for the 2026 academic year. It was lovely to see everyone back at school after the summer holidays. We held a welcome assembly (whakatau) today for all our students and staff and it was lovely to connect with them all again. We also had 8 new students join Waitoki School and we are looking forward to getting to know them and their whānau. 

Throughout the first few weeks of term, our teachers are focusing on making connections, building relationships, and understanding the individual learning needs of the tamariki in their class. This time is crucial as it sets students up for academic success for the rest of the year and our connection meetings yesterday were an integral part of this process.

Following the connection meetings, we would like to invite you to join us for a family picnic on the turf on Thursday 12th February from 4:30pm. This is a great informal way to catch up with other families and chat to teachers about how the term is going so far. We will be running a sausage sizzle, though you are welcome to bring your own picnic if you wish. We hope to see you there.

Once teachers have had time to get to know their learners we will be holding three way conferences between student, teacher and parents on Thursday 5th March to collaboratively set learning goals for the first half of 2026. As we have done previously, school will close at 12pm and 15 minute interviews will be held between 12.30pm - 7.30pm. Further information about booking your interview times through Skool Loop will be shared shortly.  

I would like to do a “shout out” to Pete Reelick Landscaping (027 436 3591) for their ongoing support of Waitoki School. The grounds are looking amazing and we really appreciate your mahi. If you need any landscaping done, then I highly recommend that you contact Pete and his team. 

Our Garden to Table programme begins next week and we would love your support. We have a basket in the office for fruit and vegetable donations. Our amazing Linda can freeze any donated produce for upcoming cooking in our Garden to Table recipes as this is a great way to make use of everything throughout the year and to minimise food wastage. We can also make good use of any seedlings you may like to donate. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you. 

Reminder: School will be closed on Friday 6th February for Waitangi Day. I hope you enjoy the long weekend with your family and the sun puts in an appearance!

Ngā mihi nui

Jules McCourt