22 Dec 2025

Kia ora 
I have visited our Trudes. She is very grateful and overwhelmed with the messages of love and good wishes she has received from you all.
Upon further reflection we are putting the give a little page on hold for the moment.
If you have any cards or well wishes please feel free to drop them off to school in the letter box and let me know they are there.  I will pass them on to Trudes on your behalf. If you have any questions please email me. shartley@waitoki.school.nz   
Many thanks
Sharon Hartley

 

 

22 Dec 2025

Kia ora e te whānau,
 
Following recent changes in legislation, the responsibility for giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi now sits with the Principal as part of the Teaching Standards and curriculum requirements. The Waitoki School Board continues to have an important role in setting the strategic direction of the school and supporting the Principal in this work, and we reaffirm our full support for this commitment. On behalf of the Board, we would like to reaffirm our school's commitment to upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and ensuring it is embedded meaningfully in all aspects of school life.
 
We recognise Te Tiriti as Aotearoa New Zealand's founding document and acknowledge the unique place of Māori as tangata whenua. We are committed to ensuring that our governance, practices, and policies reflect the three core principles often used in education: partnership, protection and participation.
 
Our commitments include:
Partnership: Working alongside Māori whānau, hapu, iwi and the wider community to support shared decision-making and genuine collaboration.
Protection: Valuing and actively supporting te reo Māori, tikanga Māori, and mātauranga Māori within our curriculum and wider school environment.
Participation: ensuring equitable access to learning opportunities and supporting Māori learners to achieve educational success as Māori.
This commitment guides how we lead, how we support our staff, and how we create a safe and inclusive environment for every learner. We believe that honouring Te Tiriti strengthens our school community and enriches the educational experience for all.
 
If you have any questions, suggestions, or would like to be involved in this ongoing journey, we warmly welcome your input.
 
Ngā manaakitanga,
Natalie Driscoll
Presiding Member
School Board, Waitoki School

 

 

18 Dec 2025

Kia ora 

Many of you noticed that Trudes was absent from school for the last few days of term. Unfortunately, Trudes has been diagnosed with breast cancer and needed time to process this news with her family. She is being very brave facing her journey to recovery. 

I spent some time with Trudes this morning passing on your gifts and messages. She has asked me to thank you all and to let you know they are really appreciated. She is disappointed that she missed prize giving and Y8 graduation and wishes all our leavers the best of luck as they move on to their new schools. 

Trudes will be absent from school at the beginning of 2026. We are in the process of organising teachers to fill her shoes until she is well enough to return to work. I will let you know our firm plans before Term 1 begins. 

At this stage, Trudes would like some time and space and therefore we respectfully ask you not to message her at the moment. I know that many of you will want to provide practical support so Sharon Hartley is in the process of setting up a “Give-a-little” page and we will share details of this once it has been created. 

Our love, thoughts and prayers are with Trudes and her family as they navigate the journey ahead of them. 

Ngā mihi nui 

Jules McCourt