Tēnā koutou e te whānau

It has been a busy fortnight here at Arataki School! It was great to see so many of you at our Whānau BBQ and Open Learning Evening. I really enjoyed seeing our tamariki sharing their learning with you as I wandered through the classrooms. Thank you for coming along, sharing a sausage sizzle and engaging with your child's learning journey for 2026.

Recent Highlights

  • Tuakana Swimming Sports: A huge well done to our senior students who competed yesterday. The energy poolside was so positive, and the sportsmanship shown by all our swimmers was truly impressive.
  • Kopukairoa Marae Visit: Our tamariki in Kopukairoa visited Moko Marae in Te Puke last week. For me personally, it was a privilege to take our tamariki to our whānau Marae. The kaumatua were impressed with our tamariki and how they were able to stand up, impromptu and share their pepeha in the wharenui.
  • Volunteers: A massive "thank you" to the parents and caregivers who have joined us on recent trips (and those signed up for upcoming ones!). We simply couldn't provide these outside-the-classroom experiences without your support.

 

Important Safety Notice: Kaimanawa Street

Please use the pedestrian crossing on Kaimanawa Street.

Last week, we had a near miss involving a car backing out of a driveway while a family was crossing the road away from the crossing. It only takes a second for a mistake to happen. Please model safe behaviour by walking the extra few meters to the crossing—it is the only way to ensure our kids stay visible and safe.

 

Kindo is Here

We are excited to announce that Kindo is now live on our school website! Kindo is a simple "one-stop shop" app designed to make school life easier for parents.

What can you do on Kindo?

  • Sports: Register your child for sports teams and pay fees instantly.
  • Uniforms: Purchase new school uniforms from the comfort of your home.
  • Payments: Track and pay for various school activities.

We encourage all families to download the Kindo app or visit the link on our website to get set up. This will now be our primary method for sports registrations and payments moving forward.

If you ever have any questions or queries please do not hesitate to contact us. 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
  • From the Sports Desk
  • Arataki Friends of the School
  • ATK here Everyday
  • After School Care/Programmes
  • Community Notices
  • Extra Curriculars at Arataki

 

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NEWS AND EVENTS

 

 

Poseidon's Tale of the 

Deep Blue Sea

 

Take a bow, our Main Characters!  What an outstanding effort from every single person who auditioned — you made the decision so difficult with your amazing performances! 

 

 

Mangatawa Beach Fun

 

 

 

Kopukairoa ki Moko Marae

 

 

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FROM THE 

SPORTS DESK

 

2026 Tuakana Swimming Sports

 

What a fantastic day we had at our Tuakana Swimming sports!

A huge mihi to our incredible kaimahi who organised and ran such a successful event. Our whānau who showed up to support were amazing and of course our tamariki who were absolute stars!!! 

A special congratulations to all those listed below, who placed in their events. Tu meke e hoa mā!

Freestyle:

Y6 Boys:

  1. Nixon Manion
  2. Nixon O'Neale
  3. Charlie Klaus

Y6 Girls:

  1. Breanna Wright
  2.  Alexa Kearvell-Gramner
  3. Ivy Grimmer

Y5 Boys:

  1. Ryan Gartshore
  2. Malakai Taite
  3. Akaira Adams

Y5 Girls:

  1. Chloe Howard
  2. Grace Naera
  3. Nhila Tai

Breaststroke

Y6 Boys:

  1. Nixon Manion
  2. Charlie Klaus
  3. Nixon O'Neale

Y6 Girls:

  1. Breanna Wright
  2. Rori Smith
  3. Zia Theron

Y5 Boys:

  1. Ryan Gartshore
  2. Ronnie Greig
  3. Theo Borren

Y5 Girls:

  1. Lily Cuff
  2. Grace Naera
  3. Marnie Horton

Medley

Y6 Boys:

  1. Nixon Manion
  2. Nixon O'Neale
  3. Charlie Klaus

Y6 Girls:

  1. Breanna Wright
  2. Catalina Elgueta-Pinto
  3. Freya MacDonald

Backstroke

Y6 Boys:

  1. Nixon Manion
  2. Chalie Klaus
  3. Hali Wills

Y6 Girls:

  1. Breanna Wright
  2. Harmony Tahau
  3. Freya MacDonald

Y5 Boys:

  1. Akaira Adams
  2. Calvin Clark
  3. Theo Borren

Y5 Girls:

  1. Grace Naera
  2. Chloe Howard
  3. Sarah Sanchez

Butterfly

Y6 Boys:

  1. Nixon Manion
  2. Nixon O'Neale
  3. Hunter Jeffries

Y6 Girls:

  1. Ivy Grimmer
  2. Catalina Elgueta-Pinto
  3. Kūkupa Wheeler

Y5 Boys:

  1. Ryan Gartshore
  2. Calvin Clark

Y5 Girls:

  1. Grace Naera
  2. Millie Haste

 

Medley

Y5 Boys:

  1. Phoenix Taite 
  2. Theo Borren
  3. Ryan Gartshore

Y5 Girls:

  1. Grace Naera
  2. Brooke Wilson
  3. Kayleigh Grant 

 

 

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Friends of the School

 

Easter Raffle: 

Help Us Top Last Year’s Total!

 

The Arataki Friends of School are hopping into action to organise our annual Easter Raffle, and we need your help to make it a "cracking" success!

Last year, thanks to your incredible generosity, our Easter Raffle raised over $4,600. This year, we are aiming just as high, and it all starts with your donations.

What can you donate?

We are looking for anything "Easter-themed" to create our famous prize hampers. Ideas include:

Delicious treats: Chocolates, chocolate eggs, or bunnies.

Creative fun: Easter crafts, activity books, or coloring sets.

Gift items: Books, soft toys, or festive accessories.

Presentation: Baskets, ribbons, or cellophane to help us bundle the prizes.

Where & When?

Please drop your donations to the School Office anytime before Friday, 20th March. Raffle ticket sheets will be sent home next Friday 13th March and the raffle will be drawn on Monday 30th March.

Whether it’s a single small egg or a full craft kit, every donation helps build the excitement and supports our school projects.

Thank you for your ongoing support -we couldn’t do it without our amazing Arataki community!

Ngā mihi, The Arataki Friends of School Team

 

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ATK here Everyday

 

Although ATK has been a little quiet this term we are still working away and looking forward to celebrating excellent attendance with a party for our 100% attenders at the end of the term. Yay!

COMING SOON - In Term 2 we will be introducing our new ATK here Everyday app.  Whaea Kate has been using her tech skills to bring us something cool to help us keep track. Ngā mihi tino nui, Whaea Kate.

 

 

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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