Tēnā koutou e te whānau

There is an excited buzz around the school this week. Our tamariki are enjoying swimming in the school pool. Our tuakana are swimming at Baywave every Thursday in preparation for swimming sports on Thursday 5th March. 

Yesterday, we held the first auditions for our Term 2 production - Poseidon. Our production will be performed next term at Baycourt. Poseidon is a production that is about protecting our environment and looking after our Moana (oceans). Every child from Year 2-6 will be involved in our production. Mrs Sue Taylor is our teacher coordinating and organising the show, supported by Fran Mortel and Rachal Spencer who will lead the two choirs.

Rob Cope - Online Information Evening

Last Wednesday evening we hosted Rob Cope in our school hall. Rob spoke with parents about what harm our tamariki (children) can be exposed to on the internet. He discussed strategies that whānau can implement to keep children safe from online bullying and harm. It was great to have 101 whanau/parents attend his presentation. If you were unable to attend, you can still access his online content. I highly recommend checking out his website: https://www.ourkidsonline.info/

This year, we have introduced Linewize as part of our internet filtration for the school. Linewise provides additional security and protection to the security filters that are installed by the Ministry of Education. Linewize is an alert system that sends me as the Principal a notification if children attempt to search inappropriate content. Depending on what is written in the search bar, I will receive either an email notification or if it is serious, I will receive a phone call. This provides us, as a school, additional online security measures and safety for children. 

We have also reviewed and made changes to how we use devices in the school. We have purchased 75 new chrome books which are used in  Year 4-6. The chrome books have touch screens, and we now have one device between two children in Year 4-6. 

Whaea Kate is our digital technology teacher. As part of her teaching and learning programme, Whaea Kate teaches online safety. She does this across the school. 

Sports Uniforms:

Last year, we had 22 sports tops not returned. A sports T Shirt costs $45.00 per shirt, which was a total cost of $990.00. On top of the loss of uniforms, there is a lot of additional work for our staff following up tamariki and whanau to return their sports uniforms. Please check at home for sports uniforms and return to school asap washed and in clean condition. 

Upcoming Events:

  • Meet the teacher whanau BBQ and classrooms open - Tuesday 3rd March, 4:30 - 6:00pm. 
  • Teacher only days 2026. As part of introducing the 2026 English and Mathematics curriculum, new assessment tools and learning about the changes to reporting to parents, the Ministry has approved for schools to have teacher only days to support teachers professional development. Last night, the Arataki School Board of Trustees approved the following dates for our teacher only days this year:
    • Thursday 2nd April. Please note, term 1 will finish on Wednesday 1st April.
    • Friday 3rd July. Please note, term 2 will finish on Thursday 2nd July.
    • Friday 21st August.

I would like to give a huge mihi to the team at St Vincent de Paul who have supported us with lowering the cost of stationary this year. This organisation love to support whānau and the support centre is located at 16th Ave. Their email is bayvinnies@gmail.com 

Thank you for your continued support of our awesome kura. Have a great weekend with your whanau.

Nga mihi nui, Vicki

 

 

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Dates for the Diary

Click here for  2026 Term Dates

 

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In this issue:

  • News and Events
  • ATK here Everyday
  • Arataki Friends of the School
  • After School Care/Programmes
  • Community Notices
  • Extra Curriculars at Arataki

 

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NEWS AND EVENTS

 

 

 

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Friends of the School

 

Join us for our first Arataki Friends of School meeting on Thursday, 26th February at 7:00 pm in the staffroom. We’ll be setting our goals and planning an exciting year of events for our tamariki. Everyone is welcome! Come share your ideas and help us make our school amazing for our babies!

 

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AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

 

Our Friends at Fun First Football are filling fast for their most popular sunny Term 1 Programme! 

Simply go to https://funfirstfootball.co.nz/ to Book your Spot and to receive your kids Free FFF Tshirt! :) 

 

 

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COMMUNITY NOTICES

Hire the Tauranga Moana Cook Islands Culture Group for your next event!
We provide vibrant, authentic Cook Islands entertainment for birthdays, weddings, corporate functions, and community events.

Bringing the Cook Islands to you — with the graceful swaying of the hips, the sharp knocking of the knees and the beats of the drum.

Experience the beauty of our culture — from the graceful swaying of the hips and the sharp knocking of the knees to the beautiful tunes and beating of the drums.

 

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Play Time @ Arataki

 

 

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EXTRA CURRICULARS 

@ ARATAKI

 

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SCHOOL LUNCH MENU

 

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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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SPONSORS WALL