Welcome to Term 3 everyone! We would like to extend a very warm welcome to all of our new students who have joined us this week. We hope that you feel supported and happy here at Hokowhitu School. Mrs Dixon has started her sabbatical. We wish her well as she explores ways to support the learning needs of students who are not progressing as expected.

It is an exciting time ahead as our tamariki work towards performing in our major production at the Regent Theatre in Week 6 of this term. Plenty of mahi will be involved in preparation from both students and staff. Please mark in your diary the evening of Thursday 1st September to come along and enjoy the show. 

AMENDMENT: SCHOOL PRODUCTION DATE IS 1 SEPTEMBER 2022 (NOT 1 AUGUST AS STATED IN THE FOLLOWING NEWSLETTER)

KAPA HAKA

Our Kapa Haka roopu performed so well on Monday at Pae Tamariki - my eyes were leaky with pride! Such a lot of hard mahi went into preparing for a performance of such high quality. Whakamihi to everyone involved.

ENVIRO TEAM BRONZE AWARD

It was another very proud moment to see our Enviro team lead a team of interested whānau and other invited guests from Horizons around our school so they could see how we are progressing as an Enviro School. The team met (and often exceeded) all the criteria to be presented with a Bronze award. ‘Ka aroha ra’ to the Enviro team and their adult supporters - Mrs Burch, Miss Caldwell, Mrs Longley and Mrs Handcock.
We will continue to develop further as an Enviro School. 

KAPA HAKA

We wish the Kapa Haka roopu well as they represent us at Pae Tamariki on Monday. You have worked incredibly hard and we know that you will give your performance 100% effort. Sincere thanks and a huge ‘ka pai’ to the tamariki, whānau and kaiako who have given so much.

ACTING PRINCIPAL

I will be on leave for Term 3 as I have been successful with being awarded a Ministry of Education sabbatical. The purpose of this sabbatical is to provide a sustained period of leave during a principal’s career, to engage in a balance of professional learning, reflection and rejuvenation.
Coincidentally, next Friday marks the 10th anniversary of me commencing as the tumuaki of Hokowhitu School - how time flies when your job is also your passion.
My approved area of professional learning is exploring ways to support the learning needs of learners who are not progressing as expected (even though we know they are receiving strong, explicit teaching daily).
I am also very much looking forward to seeing our overseas based daughter and grandsons again - it has been over 2 1⁄2 years!
I leave the school leadership in very safe hands. Mr Reece Hawkins will be the Acting Principal and he will be ably supported by Mrs Helen Griffin. They are a great team!

I will be returning to school for the ‘always busy’ Term 4, feeling refreshed and energised! Thank you to the Board for your support of my application. 

TREE PLANTING

Councillor Pat Handcock was at school this morning assisting us with planting a native tree donated to the school by the Palmerston North City Council - to honour the 150th anniversary of Palmerston North City. We thank the council and Mr Handcock for the donation and will look forward to seeing the tree flourish over the coming years.

KAPA HAKA

Mrs Blay, Mr Masoe and the kapa haka roopu have been working incredibly hard to prepare our tamariki to participate in the upcoming Pae Tamariki festival. It is very exciting to have Hokowhitu School participate for the first time in at least the last 10 years (and possibly much longer).
My sincere thanks to the tamariki and to both Anna and Elisha, and also to the whānau that have made big efforts to support their tamariki with extra practices and time commitment.