Kia ora e te iwi,

Our annual school hangi is an amazing way to bring our community together. We catered for and fed about 620 people. We would not be able to do this without the support of our community. Thank you to our whānau who were at school at 4:00am to light the fire, thank you to all the many hands that came together to prepare and serve our kai. I am very grateful to you all.

Arataki has talent

This week during lunchtime on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and possibly Friday we are hosting Arataki has Talent. This is an event for children to share their talents with their peers. Arataki has Talent is not a judged event, it is an opportunity for children to participate and share their talent with an audience. You are welcome to come and watch your child perform on their day.

Board Elections

Thank you to all of the parents who were nominated and stood in our Board of Trustee Election. Voting closed on Wednesday 10th September. Electronic and postal votes are now being counted. The results of the Board election will be made public tomorrow.

Strategic Planning

At the beginning of last week, I spent two days with the Principals of all schools in the Mount Maunganui cluster. We were strategic planning on how we will continue to work together post Kāhui Ako (community of learning). We discussed the implementation of our curriculum refresh and the use of a new assessment tool that will be introduced in 2026. I feel fortunate that we have such strong relationships with our neighbouring schools.

School Holidays

During the school holidays, we will be revamping the garden at the front entrance to the school on Kaimanawa Street. We are wanting to make it a more attractive play space for the children. We will be having diggers in, concrete removed a new fence installed and new planting.

Speeches

Congratulations to Kai and Harlow who represented Arataki School at the Cluster Speech competition last week at Tahatai Coast school. We are proud of your achievements. Congratulations to Niwha, Frankie & Finn who participated in the WBOP mountain biking event at Summerhill Farm. I am looking forward to watching our Arataki School League 9’s team play in the WBOP competition at Arataki Park on Wednesday.

Kia pai to rā!

Ngā mihi nunui,

Vicki Hiini

Tumuaki / Principal

 

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Dates for the Diary

Click here for 2025 - 2026 Term Dates

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In this issue:

• News and Events
• ATK here Everyday
• Community Notices
• After School Care/Programmes
• Extra Curriculars at Arataki
• Sponsors Wall
• Pre Loved Uniforms

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NEWS AND EVENTS

Senior Speeches

On Monday 1st September, we held the Tuakana Speech Finals at Kura. We were fortunate to have guest judges from Mount College, Mount Intermediate, and, of course, our very own tumuaki, Whaea Vicki.

The standard of the speeches was outstanding, with each student sharing powerful messages through a mix of humour, factual information, history, opinions, and persuasive arguments. It was a true celebration of student voice and talent.

Congratulations to all our speakers for their creativity, courage, and outstanding effort!

Ngā Tōhora e Toru - Mural 

On Monday,  1 September, we were honoured to reveal and bless our new artwork, Ngā Tōhora e Toru (The Three Whales) mural.  Now proudly adorning the end of Akomanga 9 at the front of our kura.

A group of our tamariki have worked with The Ahi Poutu Collective to create a unique mural telling the story of our tohorā - Hikurangi, Mangatawa and Kopukairoa. Our tamariki learnt many things through creating this art piece, not only art techniques, but story-telling, working together and mindfulness to name a few.

Ngā mihi to Stu McDonald and his crew for sharing with our tamariki their driving kaupapa to ‘reindiginse living, learning and healing spaces through toi Māori.’

Rā Whakangahau

A heads up for the dates and times for our Kapa Haka rōpu perfoming at this years Rā Whakangahau.  See below

Montessori Musical Safari

Have a listen to the brilliant composition created by our Montessori Seniors class with the help of Chris from the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

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ATK here Everyday

It has been a tough third term with many bugs hitting us all and lingering for a good long while.  We are looking ahead to Term 4 with better weather and hopefully better health.

You may have noticed that ATK here Everyday is trying new ways to celebrate great attendance.  For this terms 100%ers we are having outdoor games party and mufti day.  ATK here Everyday - Friday's are going to look a little different next term, but we can't wait to continue celebrating the awesome attendance of our tamariki in new and exciting ways.

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COMMUNITY NOTICES

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AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

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Play Time @ Arataki

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EXTRA CURRICULARS 

@ ARATAKI

Whether your tamaiti has dreams of the stage or just want to try something new, these lessons will:

• Build musical foundations in rhythm, pitch, and performance

• Encourage teamwork and listening skills

• Boost self-esteem and resilience through performance

• Give students opportunities to showcase their talents at school events

You may even spot me gigging around Tauranga.

I'm excited to add another creative outlet for kids at Arataki School. 

Wheriko

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SPONSORS WALL

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PRE LOVED UNIFORMS

Have your tamariki grown out of their uniforms? 

Please consider donating them back to the kura.  These uniform donations are:

• sold to our whanau for donations of $5. The money raised is used for resources for our classrooms. 
• used for our tamariki who may need them.

These donations are gratefully received at the school office.

We are especially in need of Polo Shirts please if you have any spare.

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Please remember to enrol your preschoolers as early as you can. This helps us to get prepared for their arrival.

To enrol you can click this link to the online application form or come into the office for an application pack.

For more information on enrolment check out our website www.arataki.school.nz

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