Kaiaua School

26/05/2026

📣 📣Don’t forget whānau, Hāngi tickets are on sale now. Details ⬇️⬇️⬇️

26/05/2026

25/05/2026

✨ TOI MATARIKI ✨

The countdown is on whānau. Our tamariki have been working hard designing wearable arts pieces inspired by the stories, stars and spirit of Matariki.

Come celebrate Matariki and the amazing talent and creativity of our tamariki, in an evening packed with creativity, and musical performance.

📍 Kaiaua Bowling Club & Community Hub
📆18th June 2026
🕠 Doors Open: 5.30pm
🎟 Gold Coin Entry

See you there whānau 🩵💙

23/05/2026

WEEK 5 | CONNECTIONS, COMPETITION & KAUPAPA

This week our kura was full of energy, laughter, teamwork and connection.

The Matariki Whanaungatanga Ki-o-Rahi Tournament was without a doubt a highlight. It was awesome welcoming Waitakaruru and Orere School to our kura as tamariki came together through a traditional game, strategy and whanaungatanga.

Throughout the day you could see the growth happening in real time. Teams learning to communicate better, support each other, adapt strategies and dig deep. There was plenty of healthy competition, lots of laughter, and some seriously impressive displays of grit and teamwork out on the field.

For our Pōhōwera seniors, the week also included time spent up at Waharau connecting to te taiao through their senses, slowing down to observe, listen and experience the environment in different ways. It was another reminder that learning doesn’t just happen inside four walls.

Hāngi prep is also now in full swing. As part of the learning leading into Matariki, our seniors are being taken through the entire process behind preparing a hāngi. On Friday afternoon, a group of boys headed out to gather wood for the hāngi pit, learning firsthand the preparation, teamwork and contribution behind the scenes.

Over in Matuku Moana, gymnastics sessions this week focused on landing safely and strongly with feet together. During intervention learning, tamariki have been building their understanding of letter formation through “grass letters”, “grass and sky letters” and “grass and dirt letters” as they strengthen their writing foundations.

Meanwhile, dam building continues to be a favourite in the sandpit during play times, with tamariki working together to create, problem solve and test their ideas through play.

Wearable Arts preparations are also beginning to build across the kura as Matariki draws closer. If anyone has spare craft materials at home, we would love donations to help bring our tamariki creations to life.

And while all this learning and preparation is happening, don’t forget our Matariki Hāngi tickets are available now from the school office, the G.A.S Station and the Pink Shop whānau

A week grounded in connection to people, place and kaupapa. Pretty special stuff 🩵💙

17/05/2026

Week 4 Term 2

This week was full of the kinds of moments that remind us how important these experiences are for our tamariki.

Earlier in the week, Mātuku Moana headed across to Tīkapa Moana to build and test their own dams in the sand. Tamariki problem solved, adapted ideas and worked together in our local environment to create.

That learning then carried through into Friday’s trip to Mangatangi Dam.

Sketchbooks in hand, our tamariki explored, observed and took in the incredible surroundings around them. A gorgeous day for them to experience the Dam. There were definitely some tired legs heading up the hill, with a few rests 😂 but still smiles and encouragement the whole way through.

On Wednesday, our Year 3 and 4 tamariki headed off with Whaea Justine and Matua Hugh to compete at the Franklin Year 3-4 Soccer Competition and came back absolutely buzzing.

Big smiles, great teamwork and a lot of pride in representing our kura. To top the day off, they even came home with a win and a celebratory slice of pizza!

Meanwhile, Pohowera seniors have been balancing testing alongside the creative process of designing their Matariki wearable arts pieces, while also continuing to contribute to the Te Kuaka mural design. It has been awesome seeing their ideas, creativity and our kura identity beginning to come to life through sketches, planning and collaborative thinking.

We were also lucky to have Matua Frank and three awesome rangatahi from Hauraki Plains College join us for referee training with Whaea Carrie as we prepare for next week’s Matariki Whanaungatanga Ki-o-Rahi Tournament.

A huge thank you to Matua Frank, Kaihuia, Tipeni and Dylan for giving their time and energy to support our tamariki and this kaupapa.

We ended the week in a sea of pink, with tamariki and staff rocking pink shirts, tutus, cowboy hats and more in support of Pink Shirt Day. Lots of laughs, lots of colour and an important reminder that kindness, inclusion and looking out for each other matter.

With rise of Matariki drawing closer, this whole term has become a celebration of Matariki through the connections we are building in the things we do each day. Connection to place, to each other, to creativity, culture and community continues to sit at the heart of the learning happening across our kura.

10/05/2026

This week we celebrate and acknowledge our incredible Support Staff.

The quiet mahi behind the scenes, the care shown every day, the extra hands, listening ears, encouragement, patience and aroha you bring to our kura does not go unnoticed.

You are a treasured taonga within our school community and we are deeply grateful for everything you do for our tamariki, our staff and our whānau.

Ngā mihi nui for all that you give. 💛

09/05/2026

Appreciation post: Always grateful to our community for the support given to our kura. Ngā mihi Candy and the team at Kaiaua Seaside Market, thank you for your kind contribution towards positive kaupapa for our tamariki. Nō mātou te maringanui - we are so fortunate ❤️❤️

09/05/2026

❤️❤️❤️❤️
To our Mums, Nans, Aunties, Sisters and all the loving pillars of our school and community, we honour and acknowledge you today.

We know that whānau comes in many forms, and today we celebrate all of you who fill those roles with kindness, patience and love.

Thank you for the love, strength and care you give so freely every single day.
For nurturing our children, guiding them, standing beside them and loving them unconditionally as they grow.

You are precious taonga to our children and to our school community.

Arohanui ki a koutou katoa. We hope you all have a wonderful day from all of us at Kaiaua School.

09/05/2026

TERM 2 WEEK 3. WHERE GOOD THINGS GROW.

Pancakes sizzling in the pan,
Fractions mixed and measured by hand.
Improper numbers, flips and pours,
Learning happening through classroom doors.

Heart words practised every day,
Long vowel sounds finding their way.
Procedural writing step by step,
Building confidence with every rep.

Buckets drumming loud with pride,
Matua Stu stood smiling wide.
Bands stepping into brand new songs,
Building rhythm as they played along.
Layered sounds and steady beats,
Technical skill in every piece.

EcoQuest brought clay and creativity,
Matariki stories shaped with identity.
New big friends and games to play,
Tug of war stole the show that day.

Matariki Wearable Art has now begun,
Ideas and stories flowing one by one.
Seniors researching, sketching with care,
Big creative thinking happening everywhere.

In Te Kuaka stories started to grow,
Mural drafts helping ideas to flow.
Culture, identity, meaning and pride,
The stories our tamariki carry inside.

And out across the field each day,
Ki O Rahi still leads the play.
Fast feet, teamwork, laughs and fun,
Good honest competition for everyone.

After school sports are underway too,
Two afternoons for tamariki to move.
Led by Matua Hugh with energy and heart,
More chances for our kids to get involved and take part.

No big event.
No fancy show.
Just the kind of week where good things grow.❤️❤️❤️

02/05/2026

TERM 2 WEEK 2. FULL NOISE. REAL LEARNING.

No sitting still this week. Across our kura, our tamariki have been focused, active, and getting stuck in.

We’re seeing shifts where it matters most.

A small accelerated targeted group from Matuku Moana has been working alongside Whaea Haylee, locking into literacy each day. Blends, longer words, growing fluency and confidence. Accelerated progress in action. You can see it and hear it.

Ezrah stepping up in that space, answering, spelling out loud, and supporting others as he learns. That’s leadership.

Across the kura, the energy has been high.

Out on the field, Kī-o-rahi in full swing for both Juniors and Seniors. Tamariki running, passing, reading the play, and backing each other. Confidence growing, tuakana-teina showing up everywhere.

Into Toi Ora Tāite, the learning shifts into our place.

From seedlings to harvest. Last year, our tamariki grew kūmara seedlings and replanted them into our community garden. This week, they harvested what they had grown. Hands in the soil, seeing the reward of patience, care, and time.

That learning carried through to Tīkapa Moana.

Our classroom opened up. Tamariki writing by the water, exploring the shoreline, noticing, describing, and connecting their experiences to their writing. Real experiences driving real progress.

A bit of tidy up along the shelter belt quickly turned into something more. Tamariki building maimai, creating spaces, solving problems, and letting their imaginations lead.

Back in Matuku Moana, those everyday moments continue to build strong foundations. Morning walks, fresh air, settling into learning. Baking and cutting fruit bringing fractions to life, while time is understood through real routines.

We finished the week by recognising it.

Our certificate assembly acknowledged consistency, effort, and progress across our kura. Not just achievement, but the commitment to keep showing up and growing.

Targeted. Connected. Real.